To be “Well For Culture” means to maintain a healthy body and mind so that you can contribute to the wellbeing of your family, the future of our nations, and the sustainability of our cultural practices. It would be totally ideal if all of us could eat only natural foods that come from local or community sources all the time: hunting, fishing, gathering, and growing. But, at this point in time, the reality is that for most of us, a lifestyle entirely devoid of the grocery store is not in the cards. Since we have to go to the grocery store, we have to learn how to shop smart.

*There is an economical component to this. Write more on this and voting with your dollar.

Here’s some tips for getting around, finding what you really need, and avoiding all the bad stuff.

Stay on the edge of grocery store

On the edge of the grocery store is where you find all of the produce, meat, and fresh foods. Stay out of the aisles, there you will find harmful processed foods.

AVOID ANYTHING WITH A LONG SHELF LIFE OR WITHOUT AN EXPIRATION DATE

Avoid consuming too many products that do NOT have an expiration date. That means they contain too many additives and preservatives. These fake foods come in boxes, cans, bags and contain refined sugars, refined simple carbs, preservatives, food colorings, hydrogenated oils and other harmful additives and are  usually found in the aisles and frozen foods section.  Many modern day diseases are linked to the increases prevalence of processed foods in our daily diets. It is possible to live a life without processed foods.

AVOID FOODS WITH MORE THAN 4 INGREDIENTS

You should always know exactly what you’re eating. Can’t picture what “sodium ascorbate” or “butylated hydroxytoluene” really looks or tastes like? That means it’s probably not safe to eat. Chances are, if a food product contains more than 4 ingredients, something unnatural and unhealthy is involved. If you cannot pronounce it then it isn't good for you. As a rule of thumb, stick to real food that doesn’t even necessarily need a label to explain what it is.

Consider these ideas 

• Shop at local farmers markets

• Start a home or community garden

• Hunt wild game, fish in rivers, lakes and oceans

• Trade foods with farmers and hunters for food or services