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Healthy And Frugal? Hello, Food Co-Op!

By Frugaling 9 Comments

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Food Co-Op Out of Bike Wheels

There are moments in my life where I feel like I’m living in a film. The trees shine greener. Light flickers and casts friendly shadows. It’s cinematic, as if somewhat set up this scene — just for me, us. These moments hit me when I find a simple solitude. Sometimes it’s just a great song. By reducing my possessions, selling my car, buying a bike, and focusing on what’s important, I’ve begun to feel it more often. But there’s one piece that lags behind: my diet and eating habits.

The weakest point for the longest time has been eating out. Generally, it’s expensive, unhealthy, and wasteful. Not a great combination, but a great treat every now and then. Unfortunately, I struggle to make it occasional.

This is all despite watching countless documentaries (i.e., Fed Up, Food Inc, Super Size Me, A Place At The Table) about problems with industrial farming, agriculture, and the various health consequences of our fast eating habits. While I’ve never really had weight problems, my body definitely feels worse depending on what I eat. And more than that, I want to find a frugal way to shop that’s healthy for me, the environment, and the employees of said company.

That inspired me to turn to my local food cooperative (co-op). Co-ops are totally different from most of our capitalistic system. Most of the time, businesses exist to make the owners and shareholders exorbitant amounts of money. But co-ops exist — most of the time — to support the “members” and “consumers” instead. This shift of interests is reflected in pricing, staffing, and profits. As you might imagine, co-ops grew out of the 60s/70s and have a social bent.

Co-ops are present at many credit unions, where members are the shareholders, and even the popular outdoor/adventure company, REI. Sometimes, they pay special dividends at the end of the year to their members, too!

A little over two years ago I moved to Iowa City, Iowa for graduate school. I was in a bit of a food desert. The closest place was a little, local grocery store called New Pioneer. I didn’t understand it, and every time I went shopping there I paid a 5% surcharge on every purchase because I wasn’t a member. When I asked about membership, they told me it cost $60. Spending that amount of money from my budget — not even on food — was troubling. I was hesitant to drop $60 on a piece of paper that called me a member, and wondered why this was any different from Costco (where you have an annual membership due).

Just Coffee Co-Op Company
Just Coffee is a cooperative company that pays growers, roasters, and employees a living wage.

For starters, New Pioneer is a cooperative grocery store, where I receive a dividend check every year they make profits. I get to support a group of people that have more respect for their employees. As for my health, the foods are generally without artificial colors, flavoring, and creepy ingredients that are part of our massive industrial agricultural complex.

Since I sold my car, every time I bike over to the co-op I’m saving gas money and being easier on the environment – it’s a breeze. I load up my backpack with groceries, which are simple, healthy, and natural. Take a peek inside and you’ll find salads, fruits, eggs, pasta, coffee, and rice. They’re ingredients that suit me, my stomach, and are friendly to the world.

With my backpack full, riding home by bike is invigorating. I’ve minimized my impact. But then I think about my budget: can it handle shopping for organic and/or natural foods?

Well, that’s the exciting part about minimalism and my budget! I’m now saving $300 more per month by not having a car, and the food — simple as it is — doesn’t actually cost much at all. That’s what I call a win-win.

Have you thought about joining a food co-op or shopping at a local farmers’ market?

Filed Under: Save Money Tagged With: co-op, collective, cooperative, diet, eating, Food, healthy, new pi, New Pioneer, REI, sharing, Shopping, socialist

Stick To Your Budget And Go Gluten-Free

By Frugaling 4 Comments

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Bread Wheat Gluten-free Frugal Budget
I definitely miss fresh loaves of bread! Photo: flickr/surlygirl

Switching to gluten-free foods was surprisingly easy!

One of the best things I did for my delicate, dyspeptic stomach was to go gluten-free. While I still have some indigestion and problems every now and then, I’m a couple weeks into a [mostly] gluten-free diet. I do not exhibit symptoms of celiac disease, but I fear I’ve long had a sensitivity to gluten products.

I make mistakes and/or cheat a little bit here and there (why is it that every office on campus offered free donuts when I started going gluten-free!), but I’ve been trying to eliminate it all. Surprisingly, transitioning to this diet was easy — all I needed to do was buy some food at the supermarket.

What do others ask about going gluten-free?

Every now and then I mention my new dietary regimen and people provide entertaining commentary. The biggest question is: “Why go gluten-free?” If I’m honest — and I try to be — I tell them that I had pretty awful stomach problems (and occasionally still do), but after reducing/removing gluten from my diet, I feel better. My energy levels are bit more normal and I’m not endlessly sitting on a toilet.

But the financial questions are the funniest and most intriguing: “Sam, how do you afford that diet? Isn’t that expensive? Aren’t you trying to be frugal?” Somehow, someway, there’s a scary myth that’s propagated society, which says that going gluten-free is for wealthy, privileged individuals. In fact, merely mentioning the diet can get sarcastic scoff out of some. Comically, the diet and those following it seem to be highly miscategorized.

The reality is far more basic and frugal! When you remove most all bread products, wheat-based pastas, etc., the store shelves appear less busy. Snacks and carbs no longer beckon your attention with a gluten-free diet. You may still yearn for some nostalgic food like mac & cheese in its original, wheat form. But largely, the grocery store is simpler — that’s where the savings begin.

Financial consequences of going gluten-free

Nowadays, I pack more lunches than ever and tend to cook at home. This way I know the exact ingredients of the meals I’m making and preparing for a long day out of the apartment. I’m on the go most of the day — 10-13 hour days are sort of normal. Going gluten-free resulted in terrific benefits — both directly and indirectly. Here are some of my favorite reasons:

  1. Packed more lunches than ever ($7-10 savings per day)
  2. Made healthier food choices — solid, unprocessed foods (i.e., apples, veggies, nuts, etc.; removed pizzas; $—– Unknown future medical bills)
  3. Removed gluten-based snack foods when out and about ($1-3 per snack)
  4. Learned to cook more dishes and vary seasonings (my happiness = priceless)
  5. Lastly, friends supported and egged me on, which is fun and entertaining (a nice social surprise and bonus to being open and talking about it)

Switching to a gluten-free diet is not synonymous with wealth. Instead, its one of the cheapest diets I know. Think about it: Most of the world eats rice. The most disenfranchised and displaced and burdened still eat rice. It’s a gluten-free food source and it has nothing to do with privilege. Rice is a staple food for the world and it’s just become one of the highlights of my diet — yum!

Filed Under: Save Money Tagged With: diet, Food, Frugal, gluten, gluten-free, healthy, lactose, Work

My Costly Battle With Indigestion

By Frugaling 7 Comments

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legumes beans indigestion dyspeptic

Disclaimer: This is about physical wellness and health. Words like diarrhea, dyspepsia, and bloating are frequently used. Leave now or forever hold your peace. Enjoy!

The other day I was sitting in class as my stomach erupted with a sound straight out of Alien vs. Predator. It reminded me of just how long I’ve struggled to reduce and take control of my body. The journey began years ago.

It was 8th grade when I realized that I was regularly suffering from severe gas, bloating, and indigestion. Middle school was hard enough — what with all that acne, puberty, and transition to adulthood stuff. During that hormonal time, I also concluded something was very wrong with my stomach. I felt like an internal chemistry experiment.

Where’s the nearest bathroom?

This began a 12-year adventure to figure out what was wrong with me. My peers seemed to be fine, and didn’t struggle like I did (or at least, didn’t let me know). My search for the trouble began with a routine look at possible allergies. Milk, nuts, wheat?

That investigation was easy. One day I decided to pour a full glass of milk and drink that on an empty stomach. The results were uncomfortable, and conclusive. As someone with European heritage and a Jewish background, it was a quick conclusion of lactose intolerance. My, how mildly I’ve described the effects! If I had ice cream, milk products, or something suspiciously milky, I’d pop a Lactase pill — delivering the necessary enzyme to tackle this issue. The solution was an inexpensive box for about $15 a month.

Everyone poops classic books
One of my favorite classics: Everyone Poops

It’s only milk, right?

My indigestion had long ruled me. I would escape to the bathroom whenever I could, and big groups became difficult when I was hurting from cramps. Having this fix felt right, and I felt freed. My troubles appeared to be over, and I was ready to move on to a less dyspeptic life of bliss.

Unfortunately, the solution didn’t stick. Over time, my stomach continued to decline. That’s when I tried a new product: Beano. The popular, over-the-counter medicine targets highly fibrous vegetables and legumes. Another experiment: I ate a bunch of broccoli and then took a pill. No dice. I was a bubbling, effervescent, gas-filled container waiting to explode. I kept buying Beano for a few months, just in case it might take some time to improve my digestive abilities. Between the Beano and Lactase, I was spending about $30 per month on dietary help.

Talk to me Google, what should I do?

Despite proactive dieting and medicines, I found no panacea and continued to struggle. If you visit Google and search for “indigestion” or “diarrhea” or “upset stomach,” you’ll get billions of results. Websites will provide conclusions such as bowel cancer, gastrointestinal blockage, allergies, gluten intolerance, and many more. Medical tip: If you’ve ever been prone to paranoia, avoid searching for medical illnesses on the Internet.

Numerous articles recommended probiotics. They seemed fairly harmless, and I decided to pick up some pills. Over the period of a month, I took acidophilus pearls. The probiotics began to help and I grew confident in my ability to digest normal foods. I wasn’t worried about my timing of foods versus group work.

Like many of my previous attempts, the positives began to disappear over time and the money seemed like a waste. I decided to stop buying them after a while, but I had probably spent a couple hundred dollars over the years. Every attempt seemed to have another financial burden.

giphy

I’m like the Goodyear blimp, without the view

That’s when I took my bloated self to a doctor for the first time. I described the symptoms, and he cautiously concluded that I may have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Like a dagger to the stomach, I was well aware of what this meant.

Studies estimate IBS affects 3 to 20 percent of the adult population, with most studies ranging from 10 to 15 percent. –NIH

IBS is a fairly common health concern. It’s essentially a catchall that includes bloating, gas, pain, discomfort, and inconsistent stools (aka, poops). Unfortunately, there’s no clear etiology or solution. While there are plenty of potential management options, consistency can be hard to find. Watch out for high fiber… Watch out for high fat… Watch out for simple sugars. Many “answers,” with few clear remedies, solutions, or permanent fixes.

The final remedy was in my attitude, head

After hundreds — possibly thousands — of dollars spent on remedies and doctors’ offices, I realized a very simple fact: my stomach sucks and the indigestion is often stress-induced. Unfortunately, I only learned this after a journey that cost me plenty.

Medical complications can add up quickly. My measly tummy trouble is no different. While I continue to struggle during particularly stressful periods and/or eating gluttonously, I know that the remedy is not a pill away. Rather, the fix is in my head, working with the stress and anxiety associated with my schedule. Also, see how mindfulness can help.

Filed Under: Social Justice Tagged With: allergies, beano, diet, dyspeptic, Food, IBS, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, lactase, lactose intolerance, medical concerns

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