Food Shopping For Health:

• A well-stocked kitchen and pantry is a vital behavior for a healthy lifestyle.
• Shopping at big chain grocery stores is for basics like aluminum foil, diapers, etc. – it’s not where you buy fresh, organic, quality, nutritious foods.  For that, you must find your nearest “whole food” markets (it might be closer to work versus home – take an ice chest and shop at lunch or after work).
• Whenever possible, buy and eat ONLY organic meats, fruits, and vegetables.  Organic meat has little to no hormones and antibiotics, AND, organic meat is grass or pasture fed – this means the saturated fats are beneficial, whereas grain-fed animals contain unhealthy fats.  Not only does organically-grown produce have little to no pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, etc., but organically-grown crops are also grown in soils that contain vitamins, minerals and trace elements which are vital to healthy physiological function.  Commercially-grown produce is grown on depleted soil using pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and petrochemical fertilizers.  And now commercially-grown produce is often genetically modified (GM) which has been proven to be a health concern.

Overview
The Master Shopping List was designed to make it simple and easy for you to save time and make your Bonfire Health Diet Style not only one of great pleasure but of great health.  Your first week’s shopping list will be more extensive in order to stock up on staples for your kitchen.  Please cross check your Menu Plan shopping lists with your pantry items.

We ask that you print out your Master Shopping List each week and review with menus and recipes before going to do your shopping.  You will probably have to shop at more than one store (i.e. Trader Joe’s, Costco and your nearest whole food or health food store).  Some healthy foods can be found at Costco and Trader Joe’s (but be careful – both stores have many, many “disease foods” on their shelves as well – don’t shop hungry).  Your best option is to go to your local farmers’ market (make sure to ask which items are organic if they aren’t labeled).

IMPORTANT:  As mentioned above, whenever possible, always buy organic fruit, vegetables and meats.  However, if this is not possible due to inconvenience or lack of availability, please do not get discouraged.  Any fruit or vegetable, even if it is non-organic, is a much healthier option than processed or packaged foods.  Do the best you can!

If you choose to consume dairy, the best choice is raw dairy products; if not available, be sure to only buy organic dairy products that do not contain rBGH (recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone).

NOTE:  Many of these items are only available at a “whole foods market” or comprehensive health food store.  Some things are available at Trader Joe’s or Costco (i.e. frozen organic berries); if neither of those are conveniently available to you, do your best at your local market, farmers’ market, or – as a last resort – a supermarket.