The Grabbing Hands Grab All They Can

So Thanksgiving is over, barely noticed by any retailers. It seems the holiday in which you're to give thanks for what God has given you has been eclipsed by the holiday in which you scoop up all that you can at cheap prices, pepper spray in hand.

While I love Christmas and what it stands for, the holiday seen around town, in magazines and on television has little to do with Christ being born. It's all about stuff--stuff for  your kids, your friends, your dog, all grabbed with both hands, and nobody better get in your way.

Kind of ironic, isn't it?

Anyway, we put up the tree this afternoon. While it's still a beautiful 6 ft (7?) fiber optic tree (no strings of lights for us, pls), the decorations are purely Charlie Brown. I don't think I've bought Christmas decorations since we lived in Bakersfield. In 2003. Heh.

So, that is something I need to pick up sometime. I always want to hit the stores after Christmas to pick up decorations on sale. Maybe this time I'll actually get over there.

Nah.

Making organic produce a priority

I did my usual grocery shopping today, and scored some great stuff. No, I'm not talking saving money, I'm talking scoring some good organic produce, which I something I do as much as I can. Yeah, it's more expensive, but if the  price of regular fruits and vegetables  reflected how much it actually costs to produce, it would be pricey as well. You know, once all that fertilzer, pesticide and herbicides is factored in. 

It seems wrong somehow that when we decide we need to cut costs, the first area we think of is food. Shouldn't that be the last place?

So, despite the fact that food prices are rising, I try to buy the best for my family, and that means organic when I can. This spring I will plant a garden full of the things we like to eat, but until then it's the grocery store for me.

Here's a breakdown of the fruits and vegs I bought today: (OG=organic)

--bananas--1.98 lb@ .55/lb--$1.09
--broccoli--2@ 1.99--$3.98
--bulk yellow onions--3.36lbs @ .79/lb--$2.65
--clementine mandarins--$5.99
--cucumbers--3@.99--$2.97
--collard greens--$1.681
--medjool dates--$7.49
--braeburn apples OG--1.76 lbs @1.58/lb--$2.78
--broccolette OG--$2.88
--5lb carrots OG--$4.97
--celery OG--$1.99
--romaine hearts OG--$2.99
--3 butternut squash @.99/lb--$3.93
--15lbs red potatoes--$3.99

This was all at Hyvee. I don't buy much produce at Walmart because it's usually yucky, but today I did score this:
--Organic cucumbers, 2 for $3.98. Ouch, but will be good in a salad without peeling.

So that's $84.87 for all the fruits and vegs I bought today. Hopefully my garden will be a good soure of food this summer.