Proper eating in a world full of chocolate.

Healthy eating is a major part of our family habits.  With Dave going to school to become a dietitian and me always thinking of ways to teach our children proper eating habits, we are always looking for ways to get the proper nutrients from our foods without eating certain things in excess.

We are taught in Doctrine and Covenants section 89 verses 10-18:
...And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.  Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine. All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth; And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger. All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground— Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain. And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones...

For the last (almost) two years, Dave and I have spent hundreds, probably thousands of dollars on fruits and veggies from our various grocery stores.  We were going every other week to stock up on celery, apples, oranges, bananas, lettuce, etc.  We both started getting REALLY tired of spending that much money on produce that went bad really fast- or that wasn't completely ripe when we bought it.  It dawned on me that we were buying old fruit and veggies that really weren't in their proper season. This realization put me on a qwest to find a farmers market or some other organization to find FRESH fruits and veggies.

I posted a cry for help on Facebook to see if any of my friends had figured out a way to buy FRESH.  The response was almost overwhelming with suggestions for little market places and the like, but there were a few people who vowed that an organization called Bountiful Baskets was the place to buy from.

I did some research and went to www.bountifulbaskets.org.  There I learned this: We get a variety of high-quality seasonal produce. We balance variety with seasonality in order to get the most appealing and cost-effective basket possible. We also choose to use local produce first when available, then regional produce (California, Utah, Colorado, Northern Mexico!) I also found out that it was only $15 a basket... fifteen DOLLARS!

I was bound and determined to find out what it was really about because I had been buying produce for almost two years and for $15 I could get a couple pounds of oranges and apples and maybe a head of leafy green lettuce...

My first B.B. experience was an exciting adventure. I met my friend Shaela Grange bright and early on a Saturday morning at the pick up location and jealously watched her load a laundry basket FULL of yummy produce. She got a pineapple, potatoes, tomatoes, a large bag of FRESH green beans-that weren't even snapped yet, apples and so, SO much more.

I was so excited to order my first basket.. I could hardly wait until Monday (your order on Monday and pick up Saturday morning)!

We have picked up THREE Bountiful Baskets so far and have LOVED the produce that has come. Each pickup provides a new surprise and adds to the excitement- it is like Christmas morning!


Here is what was in our basket this morning:

Here is everything that was included in our basket.

If you purchase produce- EVER- you have to admit, this is a fabulous deal.

2 large stalks of celery
roughly 1.5 lbs of broccoli
1 lb bag of carrots
3, 6oz bags of radishes
4 yellow onions
3 mango's
8 small zucchini squash
8  apples
4 tangelos
roughly 2 lbs of  bananas
1 lb box of strawberries
1 head of leafy green lettuce
1 honeydew                             
Total with B.B. $16.50- with tax

Bountiful Baskets also provides MANY other healthy eating opportunities. They have organic baskets you can purchase as well as 9-grain bread. I give my highest recommendation!