Where do you get your groceries?

Actually, I think the lack of groceries selling fresh fruit and vegetables is a huge problem in places like Spanish Harlem, and contributes to generally poor health in that area. I know when you think Manhattan or Brooklyn you can't imagine not having grocery stores within reasonable distance, so it's hard to see what the big deal is. But think mother with 3 kids who has to do her weekly shopping, and how is she going to get all that stuff up and down the steps at the subway stations, etc. If we're talking people who are really poor and have to watch every dollar, even the ride and back on public transport can be a financial hardship.

Freshdirect is great - in a very yuppie-organic way - but despite its yuppinese the produce is still much cheaper than the stuff I'd get at the local corner shop. They have a minimum order amount of $50 - which might be a problem for low income families - but considering that you can buy in bulk ($50 for weeks for a family of four, maybe) and get it delivered free it's rather worthwhile!

I think the grocery store situation in this city is a major pain in the ass. There is one Trader Joe's that is always insanely crowded, Whole Foods is great but it's also always packed and seriously so expensive. None of the Gristedes are close to trains, etc. It really sucks (it's impossible) having to lug a ton of groceries back to your neighborhood from these places so you have to go all the time. I can kinda see how it's a bit of a problem. There is a C-town in my neighborhood but those majorly suck.

@BroadwayBK I think Queens as a borough is quite well served by several ethnic grocery stores that cater to the various different communities that reside in that borough. These grocery stores tend to carry a whole host of products at prices which are much lower than Manhattan and elsewhere.Once a month I head out to Jackson Heights in Queens to do all my South Asian grocery shopping .. oh I could do it all in the city in Curry Hill in the 20's but the hike to Jackson Heights is well worth it as the prices in Queens are much lower than in Manhattan.

I shop at Gristedes mostly. But there is a nice Chinese grocery store right around the corner where I work at. The prices are very low compared to other stores.

@hhusted this is just an observation of mine .. the prices at Gristedes are definitely higher than other grocery stores and usually the ethnic grocers all over the city sell goods at prices which are way lower than elsewhere god knows how they manage to do so.

Where I'm at people complain about the fresh produce not tasting fresh. I used to work at a grocery store that's locally owned. They are pricey and I haven't had much to complain about as far as fresh produce goes. Instead my family tends to head out of town for fresh produce. Sometimes other members bring it with them. Then again I hear you can buy fresh food by mail order. I've seen it done once when I lived in Washington state. I'm just wondering how they manage to get it to peoples homes so fast if some of the food I've seen comes out of other countries or remote places that actually sell it. What I am worried about with the government intervening is that they may want to intervene with other aspects of America. Maybe some that don't need intervening? I am not against any one getting fresh food but it does make wonder.

@Freyja4 You have a good point about things being intervened with that don't need intervening. But in this case I think it will benefit a lot of poor people and do a ton of good for young children living in poverty. I wouldn't worry so much about this leading to unnecessary govt intervention. I mean, let's just say that there's always watchful citizens like yourself to make sure that doesn't happen...

What are some of the best ethnic markets you've been to, like really exotic not just Little Italy and what have you? I've been having a very hard time finding eastern european oriented places. What about Kosher friendly as well?

@bellacaroline have you tried the Hungarian Meat Market in Yorkville?http://www.hungarianmeatmarket.com/ it seems to carry a whole host of Eastern European products..dont know if they are Kosher though..

It's such a conundrum. On the one hand, I know the way the animals are handled is terrible, hormones, steroids, etc. But, on the other, it is really hard to be a vegetarian and not eat a lot of sugar, gluten and yeast. What the hell are we supposed to eat?!

I get really bad cravings for milk if I haven't had it for days. Trying to stick with drinking lots of Enlish or Irish Breakfast tea. I love the taste of both of them.

@Uptowngirl: I don't feel too lucky. I do have an overactive heart, power blood circulation in my limbs and iron deficiency anemia. The last part particularly is horrible becuase I have to have just the right amount of iron on a regular basis. Else I stand chance of fainting. The first time I almost fainted but didn't, I lost eye sight for about one minute. It's scary not being able to see. Especially considering the fact that I'm already legally blind in one eye due to being born with a cataract (it's been removed since I was one month old but remnents still remain elsewhere in my eye). My other eye is going out very, very slowly. Poor blood circulation isn't too much of an issue except when I try to due certain yoga poses. If I have to hold my arms up for too long, they hurt. The overactive heart I was diagnosed with about ten years ago. Along with the anemia. So, being thin with anemia and an overactive heart isn't that great. Apparently they are linked which I just found out during this last prenancy when I was having moments of heart palpations at work. Pregnancy didn't make it any easier. Your blood increases in quantity.

You must really enjoy your job. I write. I haven't gotten many clients just yet. Still new. Honestly, I want to see if this is something I should consider making a career. Or maybe I'll try to go back into majoring in art and business then get my apprenticeship in tattooing. Get through that and open a shop. I even have a name picked out. Think Ozzy Osbourn and what he did to that poor little bat when in that little battle with Alice Cooper. LOL Yes, I'm a hard rock type of girl.

@Uptowngirl:LOL I guess I have sides to me. I'm told I'm very big hearted. Though my husband has seen the other side to me. I guess thats why we clicked. He had his sides to him also. For instance, he does like his rock but isn't prone to listening to rap while thewhole while he is privy to more deep conversational knowledge. I must admit Eminem is pretty good. Of course when you live in Cali for a while rap is something your used to hearing. I ws raised ito a rock-n-roll family. My dad listens to the classic rock legends like Blue Oyster Cult, AC/DC and such. Oddly enough my husband is from Cali. Heres something interesting about me, I as baptised Mormon but I am non-practicing. I don't care for the religion. I'm more worldly. There are many LDS in my family and I respect them. Though I think their nuts in a good way. Other religions I have been accepted to are Baptist, Buddhism, Christian and some Catholic (cuz of my sister) as well as a few others. I've moved over 30 times in my life. So, that gives me room to poke around with who I am. I do have several tattoo's and my ears are pierced a few times. The only other piercing I have is my nose.
Along with al this, I prefer all natural remedies to modern day ones unless I really need it. I do have my reasons and Idon't want to say why I am against pills. Tea is great though I am know to drink coffee. I am a big fan of fruits and veggies. Mom always said I was wierd to eat my veggies first at meal time. I appreciate manners. Just don't tel my hubby that. He'llburp and not care unless extended famiy is over. I write and I draw, reading is a favorite of mine. This is just a bit of me. Did I mention I like animals but I fear cocroaches?
But since summer is coming more and more, I hope to walk with the kids. Since I'm in Wyoming at the moment (had to move back here for reasons concerning my ex) I am tired of all the snow coming in every once in while. I'm hoping toget back to NY when I can. Money's tight at the moment.

@hhusted: I just had an article about Hindu practices published. Short and minimal, not too in depth. It was for a small amount. AC is one of the few online places I write. I used to write lots of poetry and creative stories. Since being diagnosed with depression and for the short time I took meds for it (6 mo.'s) I can't seem to write that way anymore. It's mostly informative articles now. Maes me think of those famous writers that had issues as well. Though some different than mine. For example Edgar Allen Poe (my fav, he had depression as well) and Mark Twain (also one of my fav's who had depression and a small problem with drugs. Wasn't it cocaine?). Oddly, I can't seem to like Emily Dickenson (was in love with someone she couldn't have and died alone). I'd much prefer Jane Austin (lived a simple life and refused to marry for money and had a chance to be with the one she loved but it didn't turn out tha way. She too, died unwed).

So, @hhusted, what's going on? Are you sick? Get better soon.

@Freyja4 Nothing wrong in writing non-fiction I write a lot of informative fare as I cant seem to be imaginative enough to write fiction! I would love to read your article on Hindu practices . Could you send me the link in a private message?

@Freyja4: Edgar Allen Poe was a full-blown alcoholic. Did you know that. I read about him in college. Such a waste. He had great talent for using words. As for me, yes, I just got out of surgery on Monday for removal of a cancerous tumor. I am in recovery mode now.