Hudson Valley Parent

HVP May 2015

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22 Hudson Valley Parent ■ May 2015 By KATHLEEN WILLCOX W hen we were growing up, organic food used to be only found in health food stores and was generally considered to be a fringe food. But these days, as obesity, allergies, diabetes and mysterious behavioral problems are attributed more and more to diet, parents are on high alert over what goes into their kids' mouths. Have you ever wished you could feed your family organic foods, but when you check out the price tags your eyes pop out of your head? Eileen Kenison of Newburgh, and mother of Ty, 8, and Cody, 10, believes that giving her family 100 percent organic, local food is possi- ble on a budget, and she is willing to devote much of her time and energy to making what she calls "clean liv- ing" a viable option for her family. "I've always tried to eat healthy, but a few years ago my sister-in-law got really sick with multiple sclero- sis and she started seeing a holistic health coach," Kenison says. "Quite frankly, I thought it sounded exces- sive, but I wanted to partner up with her and support her, so I went on an 11-day detox, too." She ate mostly organic vegetables, eliminated all dairy, grains, caffeine and alcohol and only ate a small por- tion of protein if necessary. She also eliminated all non-organic cleaning and cosmetic products. "I hate to say it, but I felt like a crack-head detoxing," she says. "I was shaking and vomiting, my skin was itching. I decided my entire family was going organic. We never eat any- thing pre-packaged anymore, and all of our food is organic and local." Going clean While opening the pantry to rows of mason jars instead of crackers, cookies and cereals can be a chal- lenge at times, Kenison says the benefits are well worth the addi- tional time required to pre-plan and manage even the smallest snack. "My youngest son no longer has eczema, my eldest son hasn't used an inhaler for his asthma in almost two years, I've stopped taking heart and cholesterol medication and the symptoms for my thyroid issues have disappeared since going clean." While she was happy to make the sacrifice of time and convenience, Kenison says she did struggle with budget issues. "I was spending $300 plus a week on groceries," she says. Realizing that wasn't sustainable, she researched her options and discovered Whole- Share, a company that essentially sells eco-friendly foods and products directly from wholesalers to groups of consumers who form groups. Because the middleman is cut out, it's cheaper. Kenison formed her own group in Newburgh that now has more than 200 members. Orders are made online and delivered to her house (about 30 families regularly (Continued on Page 24) Healthy eating on a budget Conscientious shopping without breaking the bank

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