AdvancedWorkoutsJen's Blog

Today I’m posting about shopping, because lately I’ve found so much of my time is taken up by searching here and there and everywhere for organic items that don’t exist in my area. Trader Joe’s? I wish. I live so far in the wilds of Maine that the closest friggin’ Starbucks is an hour away. Geesh. (Well, we do have plenty of Dunkin’ Donuts–in the convenience of the non-organic pleasures of Wal-Mart, for one.)

I’m trying my best to uphold the organic end of my diet, but it’s very difficult. The closest store where I can get anything even halfway decent is a half hour away from me, so to make a shopping trip is a big ordeal in my busy workday, particularly with the kids home from school during the summer (there’s always something going on). So, what’s a gal to do?

Substitutions–yes. As best as I can. But I’m trying really hard to follow the guidelines Amy has set forth, so I keep substitutions at a bare and miniscule minimum. Eggs are easy–I live across the street from a free-range poultry farm (which is totally not a good thing around Thanksgiving). I tried seeking out all the farmer’s markets or local produce stands in the area, but driving from here to there to here was too time-consuming–plus, how do I know the items are organic unless I make a nuisance of myself and drill the farmers on their growing practices?

That’s when I got smart. Duh! I don’t have the time to search out all the good stuff, but I am at my computer at least eight hours a day. Why not use that essential resource? And this is what I found: The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. A fantastic resource of info, this site also has an interactive tool I can use to search by county and find organic farms in my area. Makes shopping a bit easier, for sure. I still have to plan my trips based on what my work week/mother week looks like, but at least when I go out, I know where I’m going and what I’m getting.

Here's another valuable site:
Northeast Organic Farming Association

If you find any other organic shopping resources in our area, please feel free to post a comment with a link.