There are times when I realize I am *NOT* a native San Franciscan...

[Yollam]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/03/26/ING3PHRU681.DTL

The oil in your oatmeal
A lot of fossil fuel goes into producing, packaging and shipping our breakfast
Chad Heeter
Sunday, March 26, 2006

Please join me for breakfast. It's time to fuel up again.

On the table in my small Berkeley apartment this morning is a healthy-looking little meal -- a bowl of imported McCann's Irish oatmeal topped with Cascadian Farms organic frozen raspberries, and a cup of Peet's Fair Trade Blend coffee. Like most of us, I prepare my breakfast at home, and the ingredients for this one probably cost me about $1.25. (If I went to a cafe in downtown Berkeley, I'd probably have to add $6 more, plus tip, for the same.)



The writer is trying to make a valid point about how much fuel is expended to make food - among other things, but he totally loses me at the point where he says he eats oats imported from Ireland and the other chi-chi foods.

I have kids, a wife and a limited income. I eat oatmeal, whatever is on sale, with a coupon. I have a banana, from the cheapest place I can find them, same goes for my coffee, the cheapest beans I can find at the warehouse store.

I don't need my stuff brought from overseas (although I realize that much of it is).


Whatever. I'm sure the article makes a valid point. I just wish I was in a lifestyle bracket where I could even relate....

[yardwork]

1. I think the author is poking a little fun at himself and others like him

San Francisco is a very expensive city. Most folks who live there can afford to buy chi-chi foods, but they know it's a little silly to do so. By mentioning the name brands, the writer is poking fun at himself and others like him, in an effort to get their attention.

You make a very good point, though.

[subterranean]

2. I eat McCann's Irish Oatmeal

It's actually cheaper than the Quaker domestic oatmeal, at least where I shop.

[TomInTib]

5. It is here, too.

I wonder why? We have two grocery stores in our little town and one sells McCann's cheaper than Quaker. And they sell a LOT of it.

When I lived in Texas, it was much more expensive.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

6. I try to factor in the 'carbon footprint'

but it usually comes down to - 'what ever's on sale wins'. :shrug:

[Yollam]

7. That sounds conceivable...

The Trader Joe's store near us is much cheaper than Albertson's, but there is always a HUUUUUUGE line of cars to get in, and it's not worth the trouble to take the bus there.

So I go to the Smart & Final a couple blocks away and get the Mother's Best Oatmeal which is cheaper than Quaker - and I use coupons if at all possible.


I'm in no position to dicker about organic or trendy or free trade. I just have to put food on the table as cheap as I can, and a combination of Smart & Final, the Chinese Grocery and coupons helps me do that.

[TomInTib]

3. You are not alone.

Come on across to my town and see the definition of outrageous.

[Yollam]

8. Are you in Tiburon?

Lovely place.

[TomInTib]

10. Yes, I am. As a matter of fact..

I can see you sitting at your computer rught now.

Just kidding, but I live up on the hill in Old Town over the Ferry landing.

My view of San Francisco is framed by Angel Island to the left and Belvedere and the Bridge to my right.

While trying to bear up under the cost of living here, I cannot imagine leaving.

You are so right, this is a lovely place.

[SmokingJacket]

4. It's like the New York Times Style Section.

I like the Sunday Times a lot -- good book book reviews, etc. -- but I think the Style Section is aimed at about 17 people who live in Park Avenue penthouses, not the 8 million other New Yorkers.

:puke:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

I think it's aimed at those other 4 million people who

want to be one of your 17. :( :puke: :puke: :puke:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

9. dupe

oops

[catmother]

11. i try to eat organic. it's not a matter of money with me. i can

afford it, but i also love the stir fried veggies at our chinese restaurant and i know there not organic. i've tried to make things taste the way they do but i can't. i'm also lazy and don't like to cook. i do shop in trader joe's and the local health food store. regular cereal is just full of preservatives. the sad thing is it shouldn't cost more to eat foods that are not altered. everyone should be able to buy food without chemicals -- not just the-well-to-do. i think many illnesses are caused by the chemicals in food and water and the crap that's in our air.

that said, i also use coupons. not too many because most of them are for food that i won't eat. my feeling is that if you don't use coupons you're throwing money away. and even if i were a millionaire i would still use coupons and look for sales.

BTW: i have actually tasted the chemicals in some foods, i.e., grapes and other fruits and veggies. if there not organic i wash them with trader joe's fruit and veggie cleaner to try to get rid of the chemicals. i think the local grocery stores carry it too.

an interesting note: when i lived in new york i was able to get organic grapes all year round. here in phoenix there hard to find. i thought it would be easier when i moved here. also we don't have many health food restaurants whereas in new york we had so many.

:rant: