What do you think the outcome will be of the raised prices of produce?

I asked a table of 10 grocery shoppers how they're reacting to the high cost of their groceries. Some joked that they wouldn't buy an 11 dollar cauliflower, but most said they would just pay the difference and keep their shopping lists the same. 

I found that those who buy organic products will not let the cost stop them from eating healthy and what they prefer. There are some saving options that people will resort to whenever they can such as buying frozen organic fruit. (fresh strawberries can be between five and 8 dollars while frozen organic strawberries can be between $3-$6).

Others have said that they just walk past and snarl at the inflated prices and not buy the products like zucchini and grapes. This will either result in "sales" or a whole lot of wasted produce. 

Why are the prices so high anyways?

According to the Canadian Press, "El Niño-fueled floods have created supply shortages and contributed to price increases on produce from California and Mexico. Analysts say the shortage is the worst they've seen in 30 years. 

In addition, about 80 per cent of produce is imported to Canada and traded in U.S. dollars. Thus, a large portion of the cost increase consumers are seeing on the shelves is because of the decline in the value of the dollar". Leeanna McLean Digital Reporter, The weather network

Analysts say the dollar could fall as low as US$0.59, the lowest it's ever been (the current record low is US$0.6179, set in January, 2002). That's one factor, alongside growing conditions, that's leading to more expensive grocery bills across the country.

Try to stay healthy during these expensive times and remember that when it's about the will of a hungry healthy stomach there's a way to feed it. 

It’s quite difficult to do everything that is required to reach your fitness goal, or ideal weight goal for health purposes. You hear it all the time, abs aren't made in the gym, because 80% of your results are determined by diet. Whether this is true or not, one thing is for certain, you cannot out train, out run, or out exercise a bad diet. Everything begins with the food that you eat.

If you are someone that has a corporate 9-5 (and for some 5:30), you know that between the office and home, there is hardly any time left to do anything except relax. Some people can allow themselves to relax their bodies with yoga or meditation but it is likely not the only factor they're incorporating into their healthy repertoires.

Now tell that to someone that spends two hours commuting. Finding an hour to exercise is just as imaginable as spending that time finding a needle in a haystack. 

By focusing on a balanced diet you immediately begin making the healthy changes that are required to live a healthy lifestyle. When you get a craving at work or during your commute you naturally have the tendency of grabbing a chocolate bar or going through the drive through because it’s quick and you're hungry. If you have already prepped a fruit bowl for work or your commute you are replacing the unhealthy snack with a healthy one. Don't you think that by prepping your entire week with healthy meals would have a tremendous effect on your eating habits?

*If you have a chef you can stop reading. *

Prepping a meal isn’t hard. As a matter of fact it takes less time than it would for you to go to restaurant and order a meal, as well as a lot less money. Why is it that athletes just exercise and not worry about what they eat? They can’t. Imagine if Michael Phelps ate burgers and drank pop everyday. He would make Olympic history, as the worlds fastest sinker. Taking some time from your Sunday to prep the meals that you want will benefit you in ways that you never thought possible, even if you only cut the food in portions to make cooking faster. That alone will save you time to do things that are can benefit you in the long run, like reading, working on a personal project, or spending time with the family. Make time by saving time.

So this year when you’re living your New Year's resolution, like saving money, spending more time with the family, exercising more, remember that your emotions, your mood, your energy, things that are required to accomplish anything, stem from a clean and healthy diet.