It costs *a lot* to feed a family of 7 organically - at least in the Northeast.

So, I have my own garden and we eat from it all the warm months and a little into the colder months (winter squash and such).

I planned on getting a small greenhouse to put over a certain area of my garden in the fall to extend our harvest. Plus I have a brand new large size pressure canner that I had planned on preserving some of our harvest with. I didn' t have extra to can last summer since we used every bit from the garden for dinner meals. I am planning a larger garden this year since the method we were trying out last year worked out very nicely for us (square foot gardening).

Anyway, you know I want to feed my family *only* healthy foods, right...so here is my dilemma:

1.) canned foods are "dead" and therefore not as healthy as fresh/raw foods. :(

2.) if I "extend the harvest" as I planned, I run the risk of feeding my family leafy greens that are excessively high in nitrates. ugh!

I can freeze some things, but we do not have the freezer space to freeze fruits and vegetables enough for the entire winter, KWIM? I want to produce more of our own food, so that is where I am coming from.

I am a bit frustrated!

Do you have any ideas or suggestions...anything??? I need help!

edited for typos.

I can't believe canned foods are dead. )o: Maybe I just don't want to...?

But I always thought frozen and canned were comparable in nutrients, and that since foods were frozen or/and canned fast, they were ok and even healthier over fresh in some cases.

Anyone have more info on this??

Denise ~ I just found a great deal on *organic* canned greenbeans at the "dent/damaged" store that I go to about once per month. They were only .50 a can and well within the code. So, I'd really like to know as well.

There are times during the year where we cannot even get certain organic foods here in New England. I think we're coming up on the time period where we can't get potatoes or onions for a month or two. {Its actually fine with me since we are cutting out/down on all grains, potatoes, and corn. this is just an example}.

edited to add: I can get frozen organic veggies at any time in the healthfood section of our grocery store, but the cost is prohibitive. 2.99 or more for a small bag of veggies. I'd need two bags for a dinner meal.

This is why I feel I need to grow a garden and preserve.

Are dried fruits and veggies supposed to be as nutritious as frozen?

Kristin :)

Freh is best, frozen second, and canned third. Canning takes anywhere from 10-40 minutes in a high heat pressure canner to preserve food while making food freezer ready takes only 1-3 minutes of blanching. Of course canned tomato products are good for you because they contain lysophene (sp).

I know what you mean about expensive and unattainable organics. If we don't drive 50 miles to the city our organic choices all fit in a 3 by 4 cooler at our local Meijer.

nak

But if you are eating fresh veggies that are trucked in from far away and sitting on a shelf for a long time, I would say canned is the same amount of nutrition.

We don't buy canned food, but we do eat stuff that we can. Of course, I only can a few things (pickles, relish, freezer jam, tomatoes, salsa, dilly beans).

I am just going to continue with feeding my family food from all different sources. Living in New England means that at different times of the year we will just be eating from different food sources.

I am researching this winter harvest nitrate thing, too, to see what I can do with it...apparently if you harvest at the end of a sunny day rather than at the beginning the nitrate levels are lower.

Thank you for your replies. :)

Kristin

Originally posted by arasmama
But if you are eating fresh veggies that are trucked in from far away and sitting on a shelf for a long time, I would say canned is the same amount of nutrition.



Oh, and as far as "trucked in and sitting on a shelf for a long time", I have constantly had the problem of my produce going back only 2-3 days after I have it in my home. Celery, apples, oranges, kiwi, avocados, etc. All organic and all from my local grocery store that has a nice selection of organic foods and a special organics section. ugh!

Fresh produce does not go bad like that when properly stored - I *know* it has been on the "shelf" for far too long when it goes bad that quickly and it makes me wonder what kind of nutrition my children are getting from it.

We have been growing sprouts during the winter in the house. All you need are a few jars and sprouting seeds. Most health food stores sell them. It is just a handful of days from start to harvest with sprouts, and they are great on sandwiches. :jump:

Thanks, mama! We grow sprouts, too. We do put them on sandwiches and use them in salads.

This reminds me to start a batch. I usually have two going at once - at different stages.

Kristin :)

Originally posted by Kristin
I can get frozen organic veggies at any time in the healthfood section of our grocery store, but the cost is prohibitive. 2.99 or more for a small bag of veggies.

WOW, our local mainstream grocery has organic frozen veggies on sale for 99 cents a bag this week, I should stock up , eh?

Oooops, correction ... its $1.50 for a 16 oz bag of either cut or whole green beans, peas, super sweet corn or a mix; Nature's Promise brand.

That is a great deal! I would say stock up, for sure. The bags I am talking about are only about 10 oz. They seem so small when feeding 5 hungry children and a bottomless pit of a husband. LOL!

Hey, what grocery store? In case we have one semi-close to our area.

Originally posted by byumommy
WOW, our local mainstream grocery has organic frozen veggies on sale for 99 cents a bag this week, I should stock up , eh?

Oooops, correction ... its $1.50 for a 16 oz bag of either cut or whole green beans, peas, super sweet corn or a mix; Nature's Promise brand.

I am loving the Nature's Promise brand-they seem to have something on sale everyweek.

Originally posted by Kristin
Hey, what grocery store? In case we have one semi-close to our area.

Super Stop & Shop, might just be in the Northeast though.

I'm in NH, mama! ;) BTW, your boys have grown so much and they are so handsome! Love your siggy!

Originally posted by Kristin
I'm in NH, mama! ;) BTW, your boys have grown so much and they are so handsome! Love your siggy!

Thanks so much, Kristin! They are my pride & joy!

I didn't realize you lived so close!!! I LOVE NH! My BF & I spent a few days at Lake Winnipsaukee (sp?) this summer. It was so much fun. And we went to Hampton Beach a few times too, kinda crowded though. I love Brown's, yummmmy lobstah!

You must have a Stop & Shop then, get your rear there before friday LOL

Laurie ~ you have an excellent point. I actually do believe in eating in season and I do can our own produce (although all I did this past harvest season were pickles and applesauce).

We are trying to eat fewer potatoes here at our house. And also fewer vegetables that are high in sugar such as carrots and winter squash. We'll still eat these things, but we are limiting them.

I don't feel that we need lettuce - in fact I don't remember the last time I bought lettuce - there is very little nutritional value in it. I do, however, need leafy greens for my family.

We also have some particular nutritional needs and that is what prompted this post.

Oh, and as far as "trucked in" produce. I agree with the ecological concerns and I'd just rather not buy into that - although I do enjoy having organic bananas on hand for my children. ;)

Originally posted by Mamax4
I hear ya, Kristin. It's a 'problem' unique to our times. My children enjoyed organic kiwis this morning and it's not like *we* grew them. lol

These sorts of threads remind how limited I can sometimes be. The world is full of wonderful local foods, and I know I often forget there is so much more produce out there. It's not limited to Corn, tomatoes & potatoes, yk?

Now I have a craving for cabbage and acorn squash. Guess what's for dinner? :D

What do you make that includes BOTH cabbage and acorn squash...would love a recipe!

Dried is the second most healthy as far as I know. That is the way we do most of our stuff. Much of it I make myself, but I buy some as well. There are somethings that I just can not get from around here... but whenever there is a deal on Organic Bananas, I dry about a half gallon jar full. That can last us a whole year. Blueberries, strawberries, carrots, and rasberries I dry too... pocked fresh from the bushes or garden... but you have to be careful to drink water when ever you eat them dry... they soak up the water in your body to rehydrate.

I can peaches and applesauce each year. Tomatoes as well when I can. Yum...

Love Val

Originally posted by BlueRoseMama
but you have to be careful to drink water when ever you eat them dry... they soak up the water in your body to rehydrate.

Wow, thanks Val, I never though of this, makes perfect sense though!!!