Ground lamb from Safeway/Vons

Product of New Zealand, $6.99 per pound for ground.  I thought the meat tasted pretty good, like lamb should, with a strong but not sour taste.  The patties were made with 1 egg, fresh sage and oregano, pepper, paprika and red pepper flakes. 

Food additives to avoid

Bless the Caltons for researching these dangerous chemicals the FDA allows in our food.  You probably already read labels carefully, but here are a few more crazy ingredients to avoid.  I haven't read their book yet, but it is on my list.

Cost to Eat Clean in West LA, Part I

or should I say "how much does a poultry loving omnivore spend on food in a week?"

Nijiya Market West LA
3 fresh wild salmon filets - I tried the Spice World Fajita Seasoning. It is similar to the Mexican, which they've changed. It has ginger and worked well with garlic and coconut oil.
1 fresh black cod filet
organic green tea
Japanese cucumber (Mexico)
1 large lemon
organic green onion
total: $17.99

Whole Foods Brentwood
6 thighs Mary's Organic - easy favorite: pepper, butter, garlic
organic mild cheddar slices
Organic Valley pasture butter
Plain whole milk Voskos (2 servings)
Spicely chimichurri
Spicely carraway seeds - for sauerkraut
Organic Whole Foods spring mix
Jarrow Acidophilus
total: $46.15

Ralphs West LA
small Daisy sour cream - this week in a fit of frugality I kept my broccoli stalks all week, then grated them up with some pepper and sour cream - surprisingly tasty
3 pack Brita filters - water is a very important component of Every Meal is a Workout
total: $21.23, both on sale with Ralphs Club

I do this because it brings me joy and makes it easier for me to find joy.

Do You Go Organic?

Many bloggers and chat rooms are talking about the nutritional differences between conventional and organic produce. I'm not the only one to think that study is extremely limited when it comes to choosing how to spend your food dollar.

I am concerned about pesticide load on the food I eat, so I try to follow these guidelines. For the dirty dozen list, they suggest you buy organic. I am also willing to buy from farmers' markets if the farmer doesn't spray. Some small farmers can't afford to get certified organic.

The dirty dozen:

Peaches
Apples
Sweet bell peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Lettuce
Grapes (imported)
Pears
Spinach
Potatoes

Mmmm. Lists. The next one is stuff that you don't need to worry about so much. Thick skins on some of these. Natural compounds in broccoli cabbage and onions fight pests.

Eggplant
Broccoli
Cabbage
Bananas
Asparagus
Sweet peas (frozen)
Mango
Pineapples
Sweet corn (frozen)
Avocado
Onions

I got this from www.foodnews.org and they have a handy wallet guide and Ipod app.