Trend #3 – Everyday Eco-Living – Many people have been gradually making “living green” part of their life. This extends from recycling at home, work, and play to selecting more locally grown foods and goods. However, although many people desire foods grown or processed locally, when it comes to price, it has to be cost-effective for them. As we see a more people buying organic foods, we expect the price of organic goods to decrease ,which should help to increase the use of organic goods to grow in your local supermarkets.

- This is a good thing! The phrase Going Green has never been so widely used. It is amazing how things have changed in just a few years. Ever since the gas prices went sky high did people wake up and see how our lifestyles will eventually affect our livelihood. We are learning to respect the local farmers and appreciate fresh picked fruits and vegetables. We understand that we may not always be able to count on imported, delicacies and need to learn more about what is grown in our own towns and state.

I do hope more and more quality food is available at an affordable price. I would prefer eating organic fruits and vegetables as I would like to avoid the pesticides and get as much nutrition from my food as possible. Currently organic produce at the grocery store is often less than desirable. It looks like it has been sitting there for weeks and does not always taste fresh. I have to wonder if eating fresher non-organic fruits and veggies isn’t better for you? Taste and texture is important and they is no way disguise limp celery and carrots and mushy apples and wilted lettuce. If more and more people are demanding these products the quality will have to increase and prices will go down.

We are learning to be more careful about what we are eating and have faith in the word “organic” as we know it must be good for us. Many of us are relying on this label so we do not have to figure out what to buy on our own.
My advice is to select organic foods passively. Don’t be obsessed by the “organic” labeling. Instead learn to READ ingredients so that you know what you are buying and, eventually, eating. If you see a long list of ingredients of things you have no idea what they are, chances are it is not doing your body good. Natural, clean foods are always a better choice over highly processed, artificial, manufactured “franken” foods. To get a good laugh and possibly reduce your attraction for grocery baked goods….take a look at the ingredient label of cake or packaged dessert in the bakery of your local grocery store. Why the long, long list of strange ingredients? Have you ever made a dessert with that many scientific sounding ingredients? Compare that with a cake or pie at Whole Foods or in the natural foods section of your grocery store and you will see normal things like flour, eggs, cream, milk, sugar, butter, etc. Reading labels can really cut down your intake of processed junk food. It was the cure for me!

I challenge you to now go and read the label of those Dorritos in your cupboard…. = )

Trend #2 – Salt Solutions – Get ready for a salt shakedown as manufacturers begin to tweak their products in order to help to reduce the sodium in the American Diet. Health experts and government organizations have been urging that Americans cut their sodium (salt) intake for decades. However, after tasting many of these foods, we think consumers may still reach for the food with higher sodium if the manufacturers do not improve the flavor profile of packaged and prepared foods with herbs and species. For example, when we have conducted taste tests of low sodium foods with health conscious consumers, some foods, such as low sodium bread, low sodium tuna and low sodium cereals were not winners. In fact, overwhelming consumers admitted that they would just not eat a some tasteless low sodium foods and would either not eat that food, or select another alternative.

You would be amazed at how the taste of food changes when you reduce or eliminate the salt. I don’t believe in suffering…

My advice:
1. Be aware of the sodium content in your foods and either dilute them with low sodium choices or eat in moderation.
2. Reduce your tolerance of high sodium – drink lemon water on a daily basis (1 whole or 1/2 lemon in a glass of water). The lemon water makes your body more alkaline so salty foods taste very salty and you can appreciate low sodium foods.
3. Try other seasons or natural salts like Vege Sal – which has salt derived from vegetables.
4. Drink plenty of water to regulate the concentration of salt in your body.
5. Exercise to maintain your bodies ability to regulate normal levels of sodium.

Trend #1 – Fresh Foods Made Extravagant – We expect that consumers will be choosing more fresh fruits and vegetables, packaged salad mixes, and pre-cut produce , like apple slices and chopped onions to save time, money, and unwanted calories. Even though pre-packaged produce is often a more expensive option to fresh produce, many people will continue to valuing their time by choosing to spend a few more cents in order to have more time spent on other activities, like family time.

I have to agree that this is a time saving and convenient solution. My concern here when buying packaged food is freshness and nutrition value. If I am going to eat vegetables or fruit I want them to taste good but, most importantly, be nutrient dense. So I have to say that for things that you eat on a daily basis – like apples, carrots and salads – find a way to chop them up quickly on your own. How about an apple slicer or a better knife?
You can eat carrots whole or buy the small ones in a bag.
I am always skeptical of the bagged lettuces and try to stay away if I can. I like the organic variety of spring mixes mixed with spinach that come in a plastic container. They usually seem fresh and taste great if eaten before the expiration date. You can always add iceberg lettuce to the mix for a crunchier, more family friendly salad. It all takes a few seconds.

I always say…if I am going to take the time to eat my veggies…they better be giving me some nutrition!