Ask Mavis: Organics vs. Conventional, My Doppelganger, Overweight Puggles and More

It’s that time again. You ask, and I pretend to know things and answer your burning questions. It really is so much fun to open my inbox and see the wide variety of questions you guys have. Reminds me that my readers are so diverse and pretty dang awesome. So keep those questions coming and I’ll keep racking my brain for answers. As always, please pipe up if you have any input or are knowledgeable when it comes to any of the following questions:

Hi Mavis, We’re a family of six — including our four kiddos, ages 9, 9, 4, and 2 — striving to live a financially frugal life. We’re much more interested in saving our earnings then spending them, but there’s one area that I’ve had a challenging time slimming down — the monthly grocery bill! We cook the majority of our meals with the occasional take-out dinner.

Outside of growing our own food (we’ve had edible gardens and chickens in the past, but that’s just not on our radar right now), what are you thoughts about buying organic vs conventional? I enjoy your grocery posts, but I’ve noticed the majority of your grocery purchases are non-organic items. Should I go the way of saving money or eating organically?

Thanks for such a resourceful, fun blog! ~Kristin

This is a tricky one, and it’s pretty personal for many people. For me and our family, I try to cook from scratch whenever possible, provide a lot of garden veggies and fresh fruits and avoid packaged, processed junkity junk as an overall rule. I can sleep soundly at night knowing that my family is eating healthy, but not organic, and I’m keeping within a strict budget. I’ve read article after article on how great organic food is compared to conventional; I’ve also read extensive studies where they found there was virtually no difference when it comes to the food making/keeping you healthy. In the HuffPost awhile ago I read that very thing.

“Researchers Dr. Dena Bravata, of the Center for Health Policy, and Dr. Crystal Smith-Spangler, an instructor for Stanford’s Division of General Medical Disciplines, conducted an analysis of the 17 most relevant studies that compared the health of subjects who ate either organically or conventionally grown food over periods as short as two days and as long as two years. They also looked at 223 studies that compared organic and conventional foods in terms of levels of various nutrients, as well as bacterial, fungal and pesticide contamination. They found very little difference between the composite nutrient profiles of organic and non-organic foods.”

Of course, there are more studies that say the exact opposite. Isn’t that how the world works?! The point is, if you are trying to save money, your family CAN still be healthy without organics, although I DO recommend them if budget is not an issue.

Do you have a recipe for cod cakes?  Would love to have it if you do.

Thanks,
Sue

I’ve never actually posted a cod cakes recipe on my site, but I have made and enjoyed this cod cakes recipe. If you make it, let us know if you like it!

Hi Mavis, I have been following your blog for a few years and really enjoy it. I live in Sandusky Ohio home to Cedar Point Amusement Park. Very touristy area.

So today I was sitting in traffic at a stop light and a bright blue semi truck comes off the freeway exit in the opposing lane with the word “bingo” in giant letters along with several other words I could not make out, due to being three lanes over. But I definitely saw your picture/image giant size on the side of the truck….Complete with ponytail, glasses and long sleeved gap tee. It is a picture I believe used to be on your banner of your website. Do you know anything about this? Care to share any details?

~Jennifer

Clearly I have a doppelgänger! To my knowledge, I’m not on the side of any semis. BUT, now I’m curious. If anyone sees this truck and can safely take a picture without causing an accident, I’d love to see it! I have run into a few people through the years who look shockingly similar. Maybe that’s one of them!

Hi Mavis,
 
I ran across this article and immediately thought of you.  I hope you find it interesting….especially #20.
 
Blessings on you and yours,
Jim

That just made my day. I had no idea flamingos {actual flamingos} were so cool. #20 blew my mind. There are more plastic flamingos in America than there are real ones? NO WAY!!

I remember you talking about Lucy’s weight one time and what you were doing to help her lose a few pounds. Hopefully it’s not a sore subject. We have a puggle as well. We love our Razzy girl, but we also love to give her treats. She’s borderline from what I’ve read. What did you do? I can’t find the article you wrote.  Any info would help!

Thanks a bunch!

Sally

I think this article, Is My Dog Overweight, is the one you are talking about. Basically we walked her more, cut back on treats and I had a little chat with the HH and Monkey Boy about feeding her cheese and extras. It’s so hard not to when you love them so much and they love their treats. But I know it’s best for them. Hope that helps. Good luck to you and Razzy. Tell her Lucy is cheering her on!

Have a question for me? Submit them HERE and I’ll try to answer them.
~Mavis