Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Veggie Tales....

I needed green onions so I headed to my local Sprouts market where I get all my produce. Green onions, radishes and cilantro usually 2 for $1 (I know, very lucky to live in California). Radishes - check, cilantro - check, green onions - MEXICO! Nooooooo! Ok, not to worry, I can buy local, organic. .99cents a bunch instead of 2 for $1. I almost caved, but remembered I'm on a mission and know that sometimes I will have to spend more, and in the big picture what's $1?

Sorry no pictures of the spinach dip, but it had fennel, thyme and radishes...soooo good!

Below is a great email from my parents. Another good reason to buy U.S.A. (But sorry Canada, for me it's just U.S.A. - maybe next year)


Dangerous food

Imported food we eat and the junk we buy
Green Giant frozen vegetables are from China , and so are most of Europe 's Best. Arctic Gardens are Okay. So is Birdseye.
Never buy the grocery store garlic unless it is clearly marked from USA or Canada , the other stuff is grown in people poop (even worse than chicken poop). China is the largest producer of garlic in the world. U.S. Is next.
Buy only local honey, much honey is shipped in in huge containers from China and re-packed here.
Cold-FX is grown and packed in China and is full of fecal bacteria. Doesn't work anyway, big scam. If the country of origin is not clearly marked beware. If produce, ask an employee. Watch out for packages which state "prepared for", "packed by" or "imported by". I don't understand the lack of mandatory labeling, especially the produce. The country of origin should be clearly shown on the item in the store. I go to the local farmers' markets in season and keep a wary eye open the rest of the year.
Please read this very carefully, and read to the very bottom. It's important for all of us.
How is it possible to ship food from China cheaper than having it produced in the U.S. Or Canada ?
FOR EXAMPLE THE "OUR FAMILY" BRAND OF MANDARIN ORANGES SAYS RIGHT ON THE CAN 'FROM CHINA '. SO, FOR A FEW MORE CENTS, BUY THE LIBERTY BRAND.
GOLD BRAND OR THE DOLE IS FROM CALIFORNIA . Beware, Costco sells canned peaches and pears in a plastic jar that come from China .
ALL "HIGH LINER" AND MOST OTHER FROZEN FISH PRODUCTS COME FROM CHINA OR INDONESIA . THE PACKAGE MAY SAY "PACIFIC SALMON" ON THE FRONT, BUT LOOK FOR THE SMALL PRINT. MOST OF THESE PRODUCTS COME FROM FISH FARMS IN THE ORIENT WHERE THERE ARE NO REGULATIONS ON WHAT IS FED TO THESE FISH.
Recently The Montreal Gazette had an article by the Canadian Government on how Chinese feed the fish: They suspend chicken wire crates over the fish ponds, and the fish feed on chicken s--t.
If you search the Internet about what the Chinese feed their fish, you'll be alarmed; e.g., growth hormones, expired anti-biotic from humans. Never buy any type of fish or shellfish that comes from these countries: Vietnam , China , Philippines .
Check this out personally. I did. Stienfeld's Pickles are made in India - just as bad!
Another example is in canned mushrooms. No-Name brand came from Indonesia . Also check those little fruit cups. They used to be made in Canada in the Niagara region until about 2 years ago. They are now packaged in China !
While the Chinese export inferior and even toxic products, dangerous toys, and goods to be sold in North American markets, the media wrings its hands! Yet, 70% of North Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended! Well, duh! Why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges?
SIMPLY DO IT YOURSELF, CANADA AND THE U.S. !
Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says 'Made in China ' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong ), simply choose another product, or none at all. You will be amazed at how dependent you are on Chinese products, and you will be equally amazed at what you can do without.
THINK ABOUT THIS:
If 200 million North Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, that's a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favor...fast!! The downside? Some Canadian/American businesses will feel a temporary pinch from having foreign stockpiles of inventory.
Just one month of trading losses will hit the Chinese for 8% of their North American exports. Then they will at least have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and lawlessness are worth it.
START NOW and don't stop.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Range of Possibilities

I needed a new stove. I knew I wouldn't be purchasing one until after the first of the year, and that meant it had to be made in the U.S.A.  Not difficult if you have $6,000+. There's Viking and Thermador, but I didn't have that kind of money. I did my research and found there were other options...



Professional Line & 6 Burners at about 1/6th of the price! and...



Today, Peerless-Premier is a complete manufacturer, designing and making its own tools and dies, stamping parts and applying porcelain enamel to the raw steel parts and then assembling those parts into modern gas and electric ranges in 20", 24", 30" and 36" widths. The facilities are housed under one roof, taking up an area of two square blocks in the city of Belleville, Illinois.

Read more here...
http://www.premierrange.com/history.php

Purchased through this great company offering free delivery & no tax
http://www.appliancesconnection.com

Probably will be my biggest purchase of the year and proud that I was able to stick to my mission.
I'll let you all know how it works as I am baking a cake tomorrow :)

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Food for Thought...

This part of my journey will be an easy one. For the most part, I try to stay away from processed food, very lucky to live in California, and LOVE to garden (seriously, there is nothing like the taste of a tomato straight from the garden!) I do know, however,  I will have to be cautious even when buying produce, we get a lot from Latin America. I guess this year, if I can't buy it, I'll grow it :)

Here's an amazing recipe I made with my garden fresh kale...

http://kitchenconfidante.com/simple-sundays-cranberry-walnut-kale-salad-with-fresh-cranberry-vinaigrette-recipe#.UOykTpTcS6I.gmail


And, for the icing on the cake (made from scratch or course, love to bake) how lucky am I to work for a company that fits right in line with my philosophy? Not sure I would go so far as to quit my job in order to achieve my goal of only buying U.S.A, but proud to be part of a company that sees the benefits of sourcing locally.

Check out the following link if you'd like to learn more...

http://www.hyattfood.com/serving-communities

Bon Appetit! (I think it's o.k. to use foreign terms, right?)

Sunday, January 13, 2013

"Toil"etries

My quest: Toiletries & Cleaning Products

I mentioned not wanting to be an "ugly" American, but I certainly don't want to be a "dirty" American.

I do a lot of Target shopping and have found a lot of their "up & up" products are made in China. Today I needed to re-stock on a lot of toiletry & cleaning products so I set out on what I thought would be a difficult task. It was not....


Any compromises? Well, yes, I had to buy a product I said I would never buy since the horrible ads they had in the 80's (yes advertising works, and I put the "adverse" in advertising). Actually 3 items...

1. Crest, only because I was a life long user of Colgate
2. Snuggle fabric softener (is it wrong that I want that little cuddly bear to suffocate in the dryer?)
3. Charmin (I'll squeeze it if I damn well please Mr. Whipple)

My toilet paper of choice is Scott, but the packaging says made in the U.S.A. with domestic & "imported" products. Target's "Up & Up" proved to be, well, on the Up & Up - or do they just not get so technical?

My favorite buy was the Old Dutch cleanser (not sure where Comet is made, but at .50 cents how could I turn this one down?) Not only is it made in the U.S.A., but check this out...


I was using Ivory soap for a while, but it wasn't a difficult switch back to Lever 2000 & my Caress body wash is also from the same company. My favorite body wash, carnation scent, from Hove Parfumeur is from New Orleans (even better since it's a mom & pop shop instead of a big corporation, see link for perfume, body wash & massage oils  http://www.hoveparfumeur.com - I love it, you actually have to call in your order or fax it)

Didn't have to switch deodorant or shampoo - yay!  Q-tips are more expensive than the generic brand, but I prefer them and would buy them anyway.  (oh, and the borax is because I'm going to attempt to make my own laundry detergent - am I taking this too far?)

Overall it was a great experience and added confidence that I can make this work!


Friday, January 11, 2013

Red, White & Bluetick....

I did do a little research before I started this mission of buying American made products, but who knew the dog I ended up adopting from a rescue shelter would meet my new lifestyle to a tee....

http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/bluetick-coonhound#overview (see under Other Quick Facts)

Meet Darla Rae...





Monday, January 7, 2013

Alternative shopping....

So, I've been looking for a cabinet for my kitchen, and everything I like is either made in China or India and really expensive. Today, however, I found another alternative when I can't find something made in the U.S.A....dumpster diving!
behold...

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Mission Impossible?

My first challenge with buying American this year was looking for one of those cardboard envelopes to send a CD to a friend (I'm sure the CD was made in China, but I already had it). The envelope I wanted was by 3m - that's an American company - good, recycled materials - good, made in Mexico - damn!

So I started looking at alternatives and found a bubble mailer by Scotch (a part of 3m) and it was made where?...In the U.S.A! woohoo!  Now just a couple of pieces of cardboard cut to size and my CDs will be safely on their way....

Mission Impossible? I think not!