Made in China: America

You probably think I'm joking. The idea of America being made in China is silly or frightening depending on your consumer education. Lately, the great country of China, has had some "product problems". It is understood that their government is doing everything they can to fix it, but this really doesn't concern me an average American consumer.

I am concerned about my family, my children, and a products safety and effectiveness for which I buy it. Food is meant to give nutrition and to build health. Even our dog and cat foods are meant for this. Americans pay top dollar for various kinds of dog foods to customize nutrition for these four legged family members. To have a food KILL the very being it was intended to give health and life to is not only a grievous betray of public trust, but also a slap in the face. No wonder the Americans are thinking about boycotting Chinese goods and government officials trying to slow down food imports from China. It is only logical.

So why doesn't a shopper simply pick Non-Chinese foods? Have you tried to lately. Nothing is made in America any more it seems. When I went grocery shopping last month I chose when ever possible to buy products made in the USA. I also chose organic foods, that are not processed. I had to relax my choices a bit. I could no longer have the types of foods I typically liked to eat. I had to buy organic rice for $2.77 a pound USD ...which is highway robbery when you compare non-organic white rice is just 27 cents a pound. To buy 100 pounds of this organic brown rice would be over 200.00. I usually buy rice by the 100 weight, but this time I opted for just 40 pounds. I chose American grown oatmeal for breakfast instead of our typical pop it in the microwave stuff. The oatmeal was cheaper, but it wasn't organic. (I also found a way to just pop it in the microwave so this will be staying around)

In the meat section NONE of the boxed fish in the family size was made in the USA. None. I was unable to get any seafood what so ever for my family this month. We don't eat Beef, so I had to really hunt for chicken and pork. I found "Smart Chicken" drum sticks for $1.59 a pound USD. This is chicken that is grain fed, anti-biotic free, and has been fed no animal bi-products. Also, this chicken is Made in the USA. I bought the entire case full. I plan to buy the entire case next month too.

Pork was easy to find USA made. Virginia smoked hams filled the isles of most grocery stores, but this is the pricier type of ham. I only bought one since it seemed they were abundant. I also found turkey that is USA produced.

One thing I couldn't easily find, any processed foods that clearly marked where their ingredients were from and where it was made. I skipped most processed foods as a result. Instead all of our foods must be cooked or microwaved except the fresh veggies, which I also made sure were not made in China. I passed over Avocados made in Chile for Florida Avocados, even though the Florida ones were different...actually bigger. I passed over any thing I could made out of the US and bought as much organic as possible. I spent almost 500.00 on groceries...a first for me.

I don't know about you, but I have found...if your willing to put your money where your mouth is you can find some Non-Chinese foods. In the process you will pay more and have to settle for less processed foods. The choice is yours, foods that definitely nourish you and your children but cost more or foods that might kill you at dirt cheap prices. Which will you choose?