The growing world economic crisis appears to be creating a new generation of survivalists. Not only are new television shows emerging this year on the subject of surviving in diverse places such as rain forests and deserts, but statistics show there is an increase in pantry stockpiling.
Drew Zahn of WorldNetDaily, in his March 2009 article, “Can You Survive Economic Crisis?” refers to a comment made by Ade McCormack, in his Financial Times Column: "The world is in crisis and with it the world of business. Many of us have two plans. Plan A involves President Barack Obama performing some economic magic. Plan B involves a revolver, a vegetable patch and a subscription to Survivalist Monthly.”
Not since Y2K has the nation seen a rallying of like-minded women preparing for some yet unknown calamity that might make it necessary to have extra reserves in the pantry. Are American women beginning to prepare for food shortages next? With seed companies reporting a business boom, what does this latest foraging trend say for Americans’ general health? Actually, it could be good news!
After years of consuming hoards of refined snacks, fast foods, and processed food “products” Americans, especially American women who do most of the family shopping, may find themselves becoming more health conscious. Here is a quick breakdown of the health benefits of eating more natural foods like grains and homegrown vegetables.
First of all, homegrown vegetables taste better than store bought. This is especially true of tomatoes. One reason for this is that vegetables begin to degrade the minute they are picked. Shipping and storage of commercially grown produce delays the trip from farm to your kitchen. Pesticides and soil quality attribute to tasteless produce as well.
In homegrown vegetables, the soil is usually more prolific through the addition of fertilizers. Pesticides are used only minimally by home growers if at all. Commercial farming artificially enhances vegetables by forced-growth methods that speed up harvesting times. This results in depleted nutrition and bland vegetables.
As far as eating whole grains (not stripped down grains like white rice) it is important to note that combining rice with beans produces a whole protein diet with all the essential amino acids, along with an abundance of fiber, potassium, phosphorous, iron and B vitamins. It’s also filling and cheap!
Staying healthy in a down economy can be easy if women will just follow a few steps:
- Walk when possible to save on fuel and to get some much-needed exercise to reduce pounds and stress.
- Grow some basics like tomatoes, green beans and radishes. They come up quickly and don’t take a lot of space.
- Buy brown rice, barley, lentils, black, brown and or white beans and eat them together. They are a great replacement for expensive red meat and cheese options.
- Eggs are another way to protect the pocketbook while searching for whole protein alternatives.
- And stop buying junk food! Your body doesn’t need the empty calories and your bank account will be healthier as well.
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