The Fitness Trainer's Grocery List

So, what's up with Organic shopping? There has been much to do about the validity of Organic foods. My Main reason for buying mostly Organic foods and products can be defined with one word, MONSATO and GMO. The food Supply in the US has become over-run by a political force who are endangering it's population for mere GREED. I have vowed not to buy into it at this stage of my life. Here are some facts about organic products: Organic Farmers use natural fertilizers such as compost or manure to feed the plants and soil as opposed to chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth. Use insects and traps to reduce disease and pests as opposed to using insecticides. Rotate crops, till and hand weed to manage weeds as opposed to chemical herbicides. Give animals organic feed, fresh air outdoors and use preventative measures such as a balanced diet, clean housing to help minimize disease as opposed to giving animals antibiotics, growth hormones and medications to prevent disease as conventional farmers do. Some people such as myself buy organic because I think it tastes better and it is better for our environment by reducing pollution and conserving water and soil. I have changed my diet in the past couple of years to about  mostly Organic and I truly feel better too. Not everything must be organic though, just those on the Dirty Dozen List and be careful with your purchases and it doesn't have to break the bank. In my opinion, if it has a peel, just wash it before you peel it and you should be OK. I really don't worry so much about it. I have meat on the list, however I have cut back a great deal on meat and fish. We eat meatless meals at least 4 times a week now and we feel better for it! I do not eat much dairy and prefer almond milk to use on cereal and organic soy cream for iced coffees, if at all. Soy has gained a bad reputation lately..Hello Monsanto, once again! I love cheese, so I limit the intake to low fat and thin sliced for the huge 1/2 sandwiches I eat...Yes, I eat Huge 1/2 sandwiches every now and again when I feel like I need to eat meat, and I am maintaining my weight loss forever now :)
Here is my shopping list:: (Mostly Organic)
Chicken Breast-Boneless/Skinless
Turkey (ground or cutlets)-Lean or Extra Lean
Extra Lean cuts of Beef: Top Sirloin or Flank Steak are great choices
Wild Salmon
Peanut Butter
Whey or Vegan Protein Powder
Cage Free, Extra Large eggs
Egg Whites
Low fat Milk ( We don't drink Dairy milk)
Unsweetened, Vanilla Almond Milk or Coconut Milk
Soy Cream (it's the only soy product that I use and only sometimes)
Low Fat Cottage Cheese (limited for me)
Low Fat, Plain, Greek Yogurt
Unsalted, Creamy, Organic Peanut Butter
High Fiber, Whole Grain Bread or Ezekiel Bread
Whole grain Sourdough bread..We LOVE Sourdough Toast..it's a staple at around here

Earth Balance Margarine (lower in fat than reg. margarine and no trans or saturated fat)
Butter is OK in Limited Amounts I only eat KerryGold Irish Butter now.

Brown Rice/Brown Rice Pasta
Frozen Veggies
Green Beans
Arugula
Lettuce(s)
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Bell Peppers-Green, Red, Orange, Yellow and I have seen Purple too!
Onions and Leeks
Kale
Spinach
Carrots
Mushrooms
Zucchini
Squash
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Fresh Herbs-Grow your own. They add so much flavor to your food
Spices-watch out for sodium contents
Fresh Ginger
Garlic
Beans-Garbanzo, Kidney, Black, Pinto (the only canned items that I buy)
Legumes-Lentils, split peas
Grated Parmesan or Romano Cheese
Low Fat String Cheese
Low Fat Sliced Jarlsberg or Provolone Cheese
Deli Meat No Nitrates or Nitrites
Extra Virgin, Cold Pressed Olive oil
Unrefined, Organic Coconut oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Apple cider Vinegar
Salsa
(Jarred) Tomato Sauce (Cans can leach metal into the food)
Granola
High Fiber Cereals (No Corn or sugar-good luck finding these)
Organic Oats
Organic Apples
Organic Pears
Bananas
Organic Berries
Lemons/Limes
Oranges
Summer Fruits-Organic Peaches, Apricots, Plums, Nectarines, etc.
Honey-Raw, Local
High Protein, Low Sugar bars "Think Thin" high fiber bars are my new kick :)
Dark Organic (72%+) Chocolate
Coffee, YES!
Green Tea
Medicinal Teas
Herbal Tea for Relaxation
Vitamins-Multiple, Wild Salmon Oil, Oil of Evening Primrose, B-12, Cranberry, Calcium, Glucosamine and Chondrointin, Oregano Oil, Candida Control, Turmeric
Probiotics 50 Billion active cultures per pill..Yes my gut needs this every day
I have updated this list and every time I look at this article i update it again. I haven't trained since March 13 and I haven't gained any weight however, I have lost most of that muscle I worked on for a few years...Life changes and then we grow older and wiser...hopefully! ;)