When Jen and I went to her neighborhood Albertsons we made a brand name list of acceptable brands. The list is as follows:
Blue Runner: Louisiana
Ranch Style Beans: Fort Worth, TX
Wolf Chili: Dallas, TX
The Allens: Arkansas
Trappey's: Arkansas
Rotel: Dallas, TX
Tony's: New Orleans, LA.
Zatarains: New Orleans, LA.
Bayou Magic Red Beans: Shreveport, LA.
South Louisiana Cooking: Broussard, LA.
Rex: New Orleans, LA.
Water Maid (rice): Houston, TX.
Mahatma (rice): Houston, TX.
Rice Select Couscous: Alvin, TX.
Monjouni's: Shreveport, LA.
Carvicos: Arkansas
Pace Picante Sauce: Harris, TX.
Jumex: San Antonio, TX.
Tyson (bacon): Arkansas
Richard's Sausage: Broussard, LA.
Down Home Brand Sausage: Stonewall, LA.
Mrs. Baird's (bread): TX
Steakhouse Potatoes: Houston, TX.
Adam's Spices: Gonzales, TX.
Louana: Opelousas, LA.
Pioneer Brand (bisquick): San Antonio, TX.
Luzianne (tea): New Orleans, LA.
Community (coffee): Baton Rouge, LA.
A few brands we were interested in (or will not comprimise on in the future):
Bigelow (tea): Connecticut
Lipton (tea): New Jersey
Classico (Spaghetti Sauce): Pennslyvania
Clausen's Kosher Dill Pickles: Woodstock, IL.
Uncle Ben's: CA.
Rice-A-Roni: IL.
Top Ramen and other noodles: IL or CA (we can't remember).
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Meatatarian From Monday to Thursday: I Hope I Don't Starve
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PieWorks is within walking distance of Centenary. The muffeletto is mostly made in S/BC...the bread is made in the store--though there's no telling where the flour comes from--and the olive mix is made by a local company--once again, where the olives come from is not known...so 5 stars for walking distance and no stars for the ambiguity!
It has become apparently clear to me that Jen and I are participating in an experiment regarding gathering foodstuffs which may actually have been easier for ancient hunter-gatherers. Hell, the ancients didn't have to question the false advertisements on labels because their meat and veggies weren't labeled! They knew without doubt where the meat/veggies came from having hunted and gathered the foodstuffs themselves.
The grocery store nearest to my house is about two miles away, however, I'm not walking over the Shreveport-Barksdale Bridge to get there...because it is unsafe. Which leaves the Family Dollar store (about a half a block from my house) as the nearest place within walking distance. Their limited lunch meat section has meats which fall into the * or ** range, thus, not acceptable. I ended up biting the bullet and killing two birds by going to the Krogers (3-4 miles from home). I rationalize the drive to Krogers in that I had to pay a bill and could pick up some of those much needed food items. In their deli I found one brand that is made in Baton Rouge (two different meats!). Cajun Pride: cajun roast beef and cajun turkey! I also found the Eddy brand of all beef sausage is made in Texas.
With these meats in tow and a load of other errands, I headed for the house. Unfortunately, I forgot to grab some of the Luzianne Ice tea (made in Louisiana), so, I was very tempted to drive to Wally World at 2 am Monday when I realized we were out of tea. However, I maintained control and didn't cave into the desire. Instead, I scrounged around the kitchen until I located a brand of tea that was hidden away for emergency purposes. I figure this counts!
Honestly, the conscious effort is more complex than I thought it would be. Especially, when placed in a situation where you must ask someone about where the foodstuffs came from. As a society we really are oblivious! What I find really amazing is unless it's crawfish, it's not really "from" Louisiana!
Until next time!
Oh, eventually we will post the list of foods and respective locations! Keep watching as the saga unfolds!
The grocery store nearest to my house is about two miles away, however, I'm not walking over the Shreveport-Barksdale Bridge to get there...because it is unsafe. Which leaves the Family Dollar store (about a half a block from my house) as the nearest place within walking distance. Their limited lunch meat section has meats which fall into the * or ** range, thus, not acceptable. I ended up biting the bullet and killing two birds by going to the Krogers (3-4 miles from home). I rationalize the drive to Krogers in that I had to pay a bill and could pick up some of those much needed food items. In their deli I found one brand that is made in Baton Rouge (two different meats!). Cajun Pride: cajun roast beef and cajun turkey! I also found the Eddy brand of all beef sausage is made in Texas.
With these meats in tow and a load of other errands, I headed for the house. Unfortunately, I forgot to grab some of the Luzianne Ice tea (made in Louisiana), so, I was very tempted to drive to Wally World at 2 am Monday when I realized we were out of tea. However, I maintained control and didn't cave into the desire. Instead, I scrounged around the kitchen until I located a brand of tea that was hidden away for emergency purposes. I figure this counts!
Honestly, the conscious effort is more complex than I thought it would be. Especially, when placed in a situation where you must ask someone about where the foodstuffs came from. As a society we really are oblivious! What I find really amazing is unless it's crawfish, it's not really "from" Louisiana!
Until next time!
Oh, eventually we will post the list of foods and respective locations! Keep watching as the saga unfolds!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Day 1 and 2 of local veganism
Day 1:
Creamer...includes milk deratives.
toast...includes milk derivatives.
Used the creamer, had coffee for breakfast, ate edamame and couscous for lunch and dinner.
Note to reader: If you ever go vegan, make sure you check out EVERYTHING before you go to use it. I took a few things for granted.
I also didn't get a chance to cook Sun. like I wanted to.
Day 2:
I was better prepared today. I didn't A) assume powdered creamer didn't contain milk b/c I had bought a milk-free creamer, and B) woke up on time
Time is key to a vegan lifestyle. You MUST have time to cook your own food because, frankly, the rest of the world doesn't understand.
Will have black-eyed peas, string beans and rice for supper. I may add tofu, we'll see how the beans turn out first.
p.s. instant oatmeal is a great breakfast and snack food.
p.p.s. if you havn't noticed by now, coffee is my addiction of choice. It's a must-have.
Creamer...includes milk deratives.
toast...includes milk derivatives.
Used the creamer, had coffee for breakfast, ate edamame and couscous for lunch and dinner.
Note to reader: If you ever go vegan, make sure you check out EVERYTHING before you go to use it. I took a few things for granted.
I also didn't get a chance to cook Sun. like I wanted to.
Day 2:
I was better prepared today. I didn't A) assume powdered creamer didn't contain milk b/c I had bought a milk-free creamer, and B) woke up on time
Time is key to a vegan lifestyle. You MUST have time to cook your own food because, frankly, the rest of the world doesn't understand.
Will have black-eyed peas, string beans and rice for supper. I may add tofu, we'll see how the beans turn out first.
p.s. instant oatmeal is a great breakfast and snack food.
p.p.s. if you havn't noticed by now, coffee is my addiction of choice. It's a must-have.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Meatatarian: Food Recon at Jen's Local Albertson's
Sunday night Jen and I walked from her apartment to the nearby Albertson's and continued in our last minute local food recon. In the hour we were there I think we managed to make it through three isles, all that checking labels is time consuming. After placing a few of our finds into those little plastic baskets which get too heavy too fast, we opted for a shopping cart, and perused the fruits and vegetables area. We noticed a trend of false advertisement in that the signs read "Product of USA," but the stickers on the food read, "Product of Mexico."
Another problem we noticed with many of the labels is they have distribution locations which are not necessarily the same as the area where the food was grown. We decided, while checking label after label, that if the distribution area was the only location given, then we would have to make a judgement call based on the proximity of the distribution center to S/BC.
Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of Eco Adventures: Meat Vs. Veggies!!!
Oh, BTW we will be posting a list of food brands and their respective locations in future blogs.
Peace out, YO!
P.S. The damn Meatatarian ate at Pie Works today...but I'll qualify that comment later with pictures and a discussion of why Pie Works food is within the parameters of this experiment!
Another problem we noticed with many of the labels is they have distribution locations which are not necessarily the same as the area where the food was grown. We decided, while checking label after label, that if the distribution area was the only location given, then we would have to make a judgement call based on the proximity of the distribution center to S/BC.
Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of Eco Adventures: Meat Vs. Veggies!!!
Oh, BTW we will be posting a list of food brands and their respective locations in future blogs.
Peace out, YO!
P.S. The damn Meatatarian ate at Pie Works today...but I'll qualify that comment later with pictures and a discussion of why Pie Works food is within the parameters of this experiment!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
I R Vegan
Hello World!
My name is Jenn and I currently live a mostly vegetarian lifestyle. I have always been interested in veganism (though I don't think I could live without milk and egg products) and have decided to give it a try. I feel healthier and more energetic when I eliminate high protein foods, such as red meat, from my diet. I'm looking forward to finding out how veganism affects me!
Monique and I are both trying to use only local (which will be defined later) foods in order to explore the availability of locally harvested foods. In this way we can help cut down food transportation emissions and simultaneously support our local community.
Until next time!
My name is Jenn and I currently live a mostly vegetarian lifestyle. I have always been interested in veganism (though I don't think I could live without milk and egg products) and have decided to give it a try. I feel healthier and more energetic when I eliminate high protein foods, such as red meat, from my diet. I'm looking forward to finding out how veganism affects me!
Monique and I are both trying to use only local (which will be defined later) foods in order to explore the availability of locally harvested foods. In this way we can help cut down food transportation emissions and simultaneously support our local community.
Until next time!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Meatatarian
I, Monique, representing Meatatarians everywhere, would like to eat healthier, while continuing in my carnivorous ways. What can I say? I like meat, hell, I love meat. As a meatatarian who understands the hazards of feed lots, meat processing plants, and the need for supporting "Mom & Pop," I recognize that continuing to support large chain stores is part of the problem regarding excess, waste, and greed. I also recognize their will be cost differences between grocery shopping in large chain stores and local stores.
In a future post, my partner in crime and arch-nemesis, Jen (the experimental vegan) and I will list the rules. We will also include information on where we acquire our food stuffs and the costs of said acquisitions.
In a future post, my partner in crime and arch-nemesis, Jen (the experimental vegan) and I will list the rules. We will also include information on where we acquire our food stuffs and the costs of said acquisitions.
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