Mormon work ethic extolled in national press

Economist.com explains why Utah’s economy is soaring above its neighbours.

http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12480476

The article entitled "The Mormon Work Ethic" declares that Utah has more to be proud of than any other state in the West. "In September its unemployment rate was just 3.5%—less than half of California’s and the second-lowest rate in the region after oil- and gas-rich Wyoming." Mormons are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.



The article further notes: "The “cultural thing”, as businessmen from out of state delicately refer to Mormonism, helps in other ways. Utah’s almost universal conservatism makes for stable, consensual politics. It took the state legislature just two days last month to plug a $272m hole in the budget. By contrast, California’s budget was 85 days late. Nevada’s politicians are preparing for a nasty fiscal fight next year."

In a time when the whole world is sliding into economic chaos, it is reassuring to know that solid Christian values matter. That people who have a fundamental belief in the Divine Nature of man, also produce a stable economy and run counter to the modern destructive trends.

Personally, having traveled extensively throughout the U.S., I can say, without equivocation, that Utah Valley has the most friendly and helpful people on earth. You are treated better by store clerks and fast food workers in Utah Valley than anyplace else in America. For example, my wife and I were purchasing supplies for a wedding reception in Utah Valley. We needed some Cherry 7 Up for the punch. We could only find two or three bottles on the shelf. One of the clerks in the local supermarket asked if he could help. He led us into the back of the store and found the storage area with the soda. We still didn't have enough but started to leave the store and were waiting in line, when he came running up and led us to another display, in another part of the store, we had overlooked. There was enough of the soda to complete our requirements. Now, that would only happen in Utah Valley and that is one reason why the Utah economy will not falter as it will throughout the rest of the world. The people in Utah prosper in the land because they follow the teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ.

What are people thinking?

My wife and I went to visit a close friend in the hospital where she had recent surgery. It was one of the larger regional style hospitals in the east part of Mesa, Arizona. In walking through the parking lot, I spotted a garbage can, right next to the entrance to the hospital, with an attached cigarette disposal tray. The entire tray was covered with extinguished cigarettes. In addition, we had to run the gauntlet of smokers, sitting outside the hospital indulging their habit. Some of these smokers were sitting right next to large signs extolling the hospital as a major stroke treatment center. Apparently, none of these people can read.

One of the best ways to begin to prepare for hard times is to seriously consider any addictions you might have and immediately do what is necessary to start to break those habits.

Effects of the Economic Crisis

Unless you are a hermit living in a cave in the wilderness, you probably have heard that there is a financial and economic crisis going on around the world. During the past few months, the media's comparisons beginning with recent recessions, have now escalated to comparisons with the Great Depression beginning with the stock market crash of 1929. The statistics on the present "economic downturn," as it is called, are overwhelming. If you have been relying on the standard news broadcasts, including National Public Radio, you probably still believe that the problems stem from the U.S. housing decline. What you may not realize, is that there have been many days in the past few weeks when virtually every single stock exchange in the world has been down at the same time. The problem is far from just a U.S. problem.

Perhaps, you have missed the news that there are significant job losses, plummeting stock prices and rapidly eroding real property values. You may also have missed the news that several countries, including Iceland, the Ukraine, Belarus and soon, Argentina are in collapse or default of their international obligations. The Nasdaq has retreated 78 percent from 2000 to 2002. The S&P index of homebuilder shares has dropped 82 percent from its 2005 peak. The news goes on and on.

In talking to local businessmen, as I do on a daily basis, I find many are seeing significant declines in their business, in areas as diverse as sales, real estate, contracting, and insurance. Many of my older friends are alarmed at the dramatic decline in their retirement accounts. A number of people, I have talked to, are delaying plans for retirement.

In all this chaos and confusion, we need to listen to the voice of President Gordon B. Hinkley, a Prophet of God who said in 2005:

"We can so live that we can call upon the Lord for His protection and guidance. This is a first priority. We cannot expect His help if we are unwilling to keep His commandments. We in this Church have evidence enough of the penalties of disobedience in the examples of both the Jaredite and the Nephite nations. Each went from glory to utter destruction because of wickedness. ...We know, of course, that the rain falls on the just as well as the unjust (Matthew 5:45). But even though the just die they are not lost, but are saved through the Atonement of the Redeemer. Paul wrote to the Romans, "For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord" (Romans 14:8)... Our people for three-quarters of a century have been counseled and encouraged to make such preparation as will assure survival should a calamity come. We can set aside some water, basic food, medicine, and clothing to keep us warm. We ought to have a little money laid aside in case of a rainy day."

http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-559-20,00.html

Let us head the counsel of this great man and make preparations for worse times ahead.

Listen to the right sources

One of the hallmarks of any crisis is the appearance of rumor and innuendo. It is all too easy to become alarmed by giving credence to the latest unofficial document making its rounds on the Internet. Fortunately, it is relatively easy to verify the origin and reliability of anything that comes through chain E-mails or any other rumor mill. Here are a couple of examples of the process:

Years ago I was contacted by a near relative who was visibly upset because Madalyn Murray O'Hair was going to force the FCC to remove all religious programming from the airwaves.

As shown in Wikipedia:

Madalyn Murray O'Hair (April 13, 1919 to September 29,1995)was an American atheist and activist. She is best known for the lawsuit Murray v. Curlett which led to a landmark Supreme Court of the United States ruling and ended the practice of daily prayer in American public schools. She was murdered in 1995 along with her son and granddaughter, for reasons unrelated to her public image and activism.

For years, this rumor was and still is circulating. I personally called the FCC about the rumor and found out that they had a department specifically established to try and stop the rumor. The rumor was and is without any basis at all in fact. The whole episode has now passed into the realm of urban legend. Notwithstanding, the efforts of the FCC, I recently received an E-mail claiming that the FCC was going to ban religious programming due to the efforts of the now, long dead, O'Hair.

All it took was my call to the FCC where the issue was immediately laid to rest to my satisfaction.

Recently, I received another Internet document with some highly inflammatory statements. This document purported to be a report of statements made by a prominent religious leader. Fortunately, the validity of the material could be easily ascertained. In a matter of minutes, I had a response confirming my suspicion that the document was not an official statement and contained misstatements.

The rule is simple, verify your source and verify the content. Do not be alarmed by rumor.

Prophetic Counsel

In a talk given at the Church's General Conference in 2005, the then Church President, Gordon B. Hinkley said:

"We have built grain storage and storehouses and stocked them with the necessities of life in the event of a disaster. But the best storehouse is the family storeroom. In words of revelation the Lord has said, "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing" (D&C 109:8).

Our people for three-quarters of a century have been counseled and encouraged to make such preparation as will assure survival should a calamity come.

We can set aside some water, basic food, medicine, and clothing to keep us warm. We ought to have a little money laid aside in case of a rainy day.

Now what I have said should not occasion a run on the grocery store or anything of that kind. I am saying nothing that has not been said for a very long time.

Let us never lose sight of the dream of Pharaoh concerning the fat cattle and the lean, the full ears of corn, and the blasted ears; the meaning of which was interpreted by Joseph to indicate years of plenty and years of scarcity (see Genesis 41:1–36)."

In addition President Hinkley gave the following counsel:

"We can so live that we can call upon the Lord for His protection and guidance. This is a first priority. We cannot expect His help if we are unwilling to keep His commandments. We in this Church have evidence enough of the penalties of disobedience in the examples of both the Jaredite and the Nephite nations. Each went from glory to utter destruction because of wickedness.

We know, of course, that the rain falls on the just as well as the unjust (see Matthew 5:45). But even though the just die they are not lost, but are saved through the Atonement of the Redeemer. Paul wrote to the Romans, "For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord" (Romans 14:8)."

We have the guidance and counsel of a Prophet of God, let's listen.

Good advice for difficult times

"We encourage you wherever you may live in the world to prepare for adversity by looking to the condition of your finances. We urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt. . . . If you have paid your debts and have a financial reserve, even though it be small, you and your family will feel more secure and enjoy greater peace in your hearts."
—The First Presidency, All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances, Feb. 2007, 1

If...

I had to memorize a poem in grade school, that keeps coming back to me during the present economic crisis. The poem was written by Rudyard Kipling and is called "If..." It says, in part, "If you can keep your head when all about you, are losing theirs..." Keeping your head seems a good idea right now with the stock markets of the world gyrating hundreds of points within a matter of minutes. The poem goes on to say:

"If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss..."

Now is the time for social and emotional strength. In talking to friends the last few days, there is a preoccupation with loss, primarily from those worrying that their present retirement funds will evaporate or that their plans for the future are now drastically changed. There is no denying the real effect of the economy on individuals' lives, but the way we react to those challenges is under our control.

The AARP magazine did a survey concerning hunger in America and found, surprisingly, that many people were going hungry that lived in large homes, drove late model cars and had good jobs. The subjects of the study were so attached to their material wealth, that when they could not make enough to pay for all their "stuff" they would rather starve than give up their car or house or boat. Luke 12:34 "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Ardeth G. Kapp, then, general president of the Young Women of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said the following in a devotional
address given at Brigham Young University on 13 November 1990:

"I believe the most destructive threat of our day is not nuclear war, not famine, not economic disaster, but rather the despair, the discouragement, the despondency, the defeat caused by the discrepancy between what we believe to be right and how we live our lives. Much of the emotional and social illness of our day is caused when people think one way and act another. The turmoil inside is destructive to the Spirit and to the emotional well-being of one who tries to live without clearly defined principles, values, standards, and goals."

Link for the entire talk: http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=7064

Now is the time to reassess our goals and our lives and, if we haven't already started, begin now to implement a plan of preparedness. Let's all hope that it isn't already too late.

Action not reaction to economic crisis

One of the most compelling reasons for establishing a food storage plan is now being played out on the international stage. The economic downturn is more than an academic exercise. The events of the past few weeks will, undoubtedly, affect more and more people in a direct and substantial fashion. To qoute the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

"Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to “prepare every needful thing” (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we can care for ourselves and our neighbors and support bishops as they care for others. "

The Church recommends that every family have a three month's supply of food, a store of drinking water for circumstances in which the water supply may be polluted or disrupted and a financial reserve in a reasonable amount. When local laws and custom allow, the Church also encourages long term storage of food that you can use to keep alive, such as wheat, white rice and beans.

Please see: http://www.providentliving.org/welcome/0,10803,1653-1,00.html

My previous discussions looked at the average cost of food in the U.S. Through provident living and the proper use of a food storage program, it is possible for a family to spend far less than even the Thrifty Plan advocated by the United State Department of Agriculture.

This is a much repeated story but perfectly applicable to the crisis of the day:

A farmer needed an extra hand to help on his farm. One young man came to interview for the job. "What are your qualifications?" the farmer asked. "I can sleep when the wind blows," the young man said. This simple reply confused the farmer, but he was desperate for help and the young man was hired.

The young man was a diligent worker through the harvest season, but the farmer still questioned his answer.

Autumn ended and the first cold storm of winter came late one night. The farmer panicked as the winds began to blow. Calling the young man for help, the farmer grabbed his coat and pulled heavy boots on his feet. He was disappointed to find the young man asleep in bed at a time like this. Grudgingly he ventured out alone planning to shuffle all of the animals in the barn and then fix that last hole in the roof. He mumbled about the young man sleeping and was sure all the farm equipment was left standing in the field, collecting rust from the snow.

However, when the farmer reached the barn all the animals were tucked safely inside. In fact, clean hay had already been set out for the new day. Not a single hole could be found in the roof, and the tractor was parked perfectly in the shed.

"Who could have done it?" the farmer wondered. And then, he realized what the young man's answer meant, "I can sleep when the wind blows."

How many of you can sleep when the wind blows? The first step, in our economic hard times is to have a basic food storage plan.

Spending on non-food items

Implementation of a food storage program can be severly limited by the perception that the family food budget will not allow any additional purchases. This reticence is based on a lack of awareness of the amount spent on food as opposed to the amount spent on non-food consumption items. The three non-food items that take up a surprising amount of home food budget money are coffee, alcohol and tobacco products.

According to Coffeeresearch.org in 1999 there were 108,000,000 coffee consumers in the United States spending an approximated 9.2 billion dollars in the retail sector and 8.7 billion dollars in the foodservice sector every year (Specialty Coffee Association of America 1999 Market Report). Coffee drinkers spent an average $164.71 per year on coffee. By 2002, the total retail figure had risen to $10.74 billion with a propotionate rise in the average per capita cost of consumption.

See http://www.allbusiness.com/manufacturing/food-manufacturing-food-coffee-tea/195465-1.html and http://www.coffeeresearch.org/market/usa.htm

Based on the USDA figures for average weekly food costs on the Thrifty Plan, two adults spend $79.60 a week on food. So the average American couple spends more than two week's worth of food money for coffee each year.

As I have mentioned before, figures giving accurate per capita spending in the United States for alcohol and tobacco products is very difficult to find. One statistic shows that the per capita consumption of alcohol in the U.S. was 2.18 gallons. Considering the number of children and non-drinkers, the real average has to be considerably higher. I can find how much you spend on okra faster and more completely than any statistics on alcohol consumption or spending. Whatever is spent, it is too much.

In addition, over 60% of the U.S. population is (according to government definitions) either overweight of obese.

See http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus07.pdf#068

The conclusion is that Americans spend too much on food, too much on alcohol and too much on tobacco products. The reduction or elimination of any of the non-food categories of spending would more than finance a food storage plan.

More on spending habits vs. real food costs

Before going further on the subject of spending habits and real food costs, I would like to point out that we have seven children. I am certain that we have never come even close to spending the amount recommended by the USDA as their "Thrifty Plan." If Americans are really spending as much as the Liberal Plan would allow, then we can certainly see why obesity is such a problem. We can not imagine eating that much food. Bear in mind that these amounts do not include anything for "eating out." This is the estimated cost for in-home food.

I did have a friend, years and years ago, who drank at least six or seven cans of soda every afternoon. I used to sit there and watch him drink it down. So I do know that people can spend more than I would on non-food items. Some of the items are not food, in our definition. We do not consider coffee, tea, soda, and chewing gum to be food, for example. Conspicuously absent from this food list is any purchase of alcoholic beverages which would certainly add a considerable amount to the weekly cost. It is surprisingly difficult to find accurate figures as to the per capita consumption of these "non-food" items. We do not chose to avoid these items merely because they are detrimental or habit forming, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we have a religious based reason. Modern revelation to a Prophet of God instructs us to avoid, alcoholic beverages, coffee and tea and to eat in moderation.

Fortunately, our family's spending habits were formed by my wife and her family. We have some basic rules of food purchase and consumption:

1. Never buy anything that isn't on sale at the lowest price available. Now, this rule isn't always possible to follow, but it is a good starting point. This principle is one of the basic tenants of food storage.

2. Never buy prepared food when there is an unprepared or unprocessed substitute available. This takes some effort and I will talk about this more in future blogs.

3. If the price of a certain type or brand of food goes up or does not go on sale, do not buy it. This is hard to do, since we often buy through habit or what we a accustomed to purchasing.

4. Always buy day-old or "manager's specials" especially if they are things you would normally eat.

5. Always shop with a list and never buy anything in the store merely out of convenience when you plan to buy the item in another store for less. Time is money but money is also money. Don't spend more just out of convenience.

6. Never buy staples, i.e. milk, eggs, butter, meat etc. from a convenience store. In fact, in our viewpoint don't buy anything, especially sugar drinks and snack foods at a convenience store.

More on these rules later.

Spending habits vs. real food costs

Once again, the United States Department of Agriculture is a good source for basic information on food. I suppose that is not really much of a surprise the billions of dollars have to go somewhere. The latest food cost figures are from August of 2008. The lowest cost Food Plan is the Thrifty Plan. In this Plan, two adults are supposed to pay from $79.60 a week for the over 51 age group and $83.50 a week for the under 51 age group. For a family of four with young children under 5 years old, the amount is $121.10 per week. For a family of four with two children up to 11 years of age, the amount climbs to $139.10 per week or $7,233.20 per year. This Food Plan isn't based on some average figure but the USDA's standard nutritious diet.

Just in case you are wondering, here is the link to the study:

http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/USDAFoodCost-Home.htm

The other three plans are more expensive. The Low-cost plan would have the following four costs per week: $101.80, $105.70, $153.10 and $179.70. The Moderate Cost Plan's cost per week: $125.10, $130,60, $188.20 and $223.40. The last one, the Liberal Plan's cost per week is: $150.40, $163.10, $233.00 and $271.80.

Spending with the Liberal Plan jumps to $14, 133.60 per year in food costs. The plans are based on the purchase of a hypothetical food basket which is determined by determining the average consumption of each of the USDA's food categories, the average price of each of the categories and nutrient profile and MyPyramid Equivalents Profile of each of the food categories.

Now what are these categories? The list is long, but here it is:

Table 1. Food categories and examples of foods in each category, Thrifty Food Plan, 2006
Food category Examples of foods
Grains
Breads, yeast and quick—whole grain (n = 38) Whole wheat, multigrain, or pumpernickel breads, rolls, bagels, scones, English muffins, biscuits, tortillas, and pancakes—all with 50% or more of ounce equivalents1 from whole grain
Breads, yeast and quick—non-whole grain (n = 271) White, French, potato, bran, or rye breads and rolls; muffins, English muffins, bagels, waffles, corn tortillas, taco shells, cornbread, and pancakes—all with less than 50% of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Breakfast cereal—whole grain, regular calories2 Cooked cereals (e.g., oatmeal and bulgur) with sugars, fat, and whole milk or 2% milk added; (n = 74) sweetened ready-to-eat cereals (e.g., frosted wheats and granola)—all with 50% or more of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Breakfast cereal—whole grain, low calories2 Cooked cereals (e.g., oatmeal, bulgur, and buckwheat groats) without added sugars or fat; (n = 54) nonsweetened ready-to-eat cereals (e.g., shredded wheat and mueslix)—all with 50% or more of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Breakfast cereal—non-whole grain (n = 214) Cooked cereal (e.g., cream of wheat, grits, and oat bran); sweetened or nonsweetened readyto-eat cereals (e.g., frosted cornflakes and puffed rice)—all with less than 50% of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Rice and pasta—whole grain (n = 15) Brown rice, wild rice, whole wheat pasta (e.g., macaroni, spaghetti, and noodles)—all with 50% or more of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Rice and pasta—non-whole grain (n = 48) Long or short white rice, sweet rice, rice noodles and pasta (e.g., macaroni, spaghetti, and noodles)—all with less than 50% of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Cakes, pies, and other sweet bakery Oatmeal cookies, granola cookies, whole wheat doughnuts, granola bars, and graham crackers—products—whole grain (n = 20) all with 50% or more of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Cakes, pies, and other sweet bakery Pies, cookies, pastries, doughnuts, shortbread; all cakes (e.g., white, yellow, shortcake, sponge, products—non-whole grain (n = 425) pound, and angel food); croissants; and sweet rolls—all with less than 50% of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Grain-based snacks—whole grain (n = 30) Popcorn, salty snacks, crackers, multigrain pretzels, and puffed wheat cakes—all with 50% or more of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Grain-based snacks—non-whole grain (n = 58) Crackers (e.g., soda, oyster, cheese, and rice); hard or soft pretzels; and salty snacks (e.g., tortilla chips)—all with less than 50% of ounce equivalents from whole grain
Grain mixtures—regular fat (n = 229) Foods such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas, pizzas, egg rolls, and pasta and rice with meat where grain is major ingredient and containing 6% or more fat by weight
Grain mixtures—lowfat (n = 140) Foods such as rice and pasta with vegetables and/or beans, noodle or rice soups with vegetables and/or meat, and garden rolls where grain is major ingredient and containing less than 6% fat by weight
Vegetables and fruits
Potato products—regular fat (n = 34) French-fried potatoes, potato chips, hash browns, potato puffs, potato patty; and potato salads and mashed potatoes with added fat, eggs, or cheese
Potato products—lowfat (n = 60) Boiled, baked, scalloped, mashed, and stuffed potatoes; and potato salad, German style
Dark-green vegetables—added fat (n = 34) All dark-green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, chard, collard greens, mustard greens, and Dark-green vegetables—no added fat (n = 21) kale—with or without fat added
Orange vegetables—added fat (n = 28) All orange vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin, winter squash, and sweet potatoes—with or Orange vegetables—no added fat (n = 28) without fat added
Tomatoes—added fat (n = 32) Tomato, tomato sauce, tomato puree, tomato paste, tomato soup, and tomato juice—with or Tomatoes—no added fat (n = 37) without fat added
Other vegetables—added fat (n = 136) All other vegetables such as green beans, beets, cabbage, cauliflower, corn, eggplant, green peas,
Other vegetables—no added fat (n = 163) iceberg lettuce, bell pepper, snow peas, turnip, and Brussels sprouts—with or without fat added
Mixed vegetables—added fat (n = 101) Foods such as stuffed vegetables, creamed peas and carrots, batter-dipped fried vegetables, and
Mixed vegetables—no added fat (n = 43) vegetable stir-fry where vegetables are the primary ingredient—with or without fat added
1The following each counts as 1 ounce-equivalent (1 serving) of grains: 1/2 cup cooked rice, pasta, or cooked cereal; 1 ounce dry pasta or rice; 1 slice of
bread; 1 small muffin (1 oz); 1 cup ready-to-eat cereal flakes.
2In this context, “calories” refers to total calories from discretionary solid fat and added sugars in the product. Discretionary solid fat in cereals is the fat that is solid at room temperature and is added to the cereals during processing or at the table.
Note: n refers to number of food codes in the food category.
Citrus fruits, melons, and berries (n = 62) Oranges, grapefruits, limes, lemons, and tangelos; melons (e.g.,watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew); berries (e.g., strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, and blackberries)
Citrus fruit, melon, and berry juices (n = 38) 100% fruit juices made from citrus fruits, melons, and berries
Fruits other than citrus fruits, melons, and berries Fruits such as bananas, apples, cherries, peaches, pears, grapes, plums, papayas, and apricots (n = 185)
Fruit juices other than citrus, melon, and berry 100% fruit juices made from fruits other than citrus fruits, melons, and berries (n = 70)
Milk products
Milk and milk-based foods—regular fat (n = 56) All fluid, evaporated, condensed, and dry whole milk; regular yogurt; all fluid creams; cream substitutes; cream cheese; and dips
Milk and milk-based foods—lower fat (n = 38) All fluid, evaporated, and dry reduced-fat and skim milks; buttermilk; and lowfat or nonfat yogurts
Cheese (n = 98) Natural, processed, and imitation cheeses; cottage cheese; cheese spreads; cheese dips; and cheese soups
Milk-based drinks and desserts—regular fat Milk-based drinks (e.g., malted milk, hot chocolate, eggnogs, cocoa, infant formulas, and (n = 125) meal-replacement drinks) with fat equivalent to that of whole milk; dairy desserts (e.g., ice cream, frozen yogurt, ice milk, custard, and puddings) having more than 6% fat by weight
Milk-based drinks and desserts—lower fat Milk-based drinks made with reduced-fat or skim milk and dairy desserts having 6% or less fat (n = 136) by weight
Meat and beans
Red meats—regular discretionary solid fat,3 Beef (e.g., battered and fried steak, barbecued short ribs, and pot roast), pork (e.g., fresh ham, regular cost4 (n = 59) loin, and spareribs), lamb (e.g., roast), game meats, and jerky—all with more than the median amount of discretionary solid fat
Red meats—regular discretionary solid fat, Pork (e.g., skin, ground, chop, roast, cutlet, and bacon), beef (e.g., brisket, short ribs, neck low cost4 (n = 61) bones, regular ground beef, and corned beef), lamb (e.g., ground or chop), and organ meats—all with more than the median amount of discretionary solid fat
Red meats—low discretionary solid fat, Lean beef (e.g., steak, veal, and oxtail), lean only pork (e.g., roast, steak, fresh ham, and loin), regular cost (n = 62) lamb (e.g., ribs and loin chop), and game meats—all with the median amount of discretionary solid fat or less
Red meats—low discretionary solid fat, Lean pork (e.g., lean spareribs and smoked or cured roast), lean only beef (e.g., brisket), low cost (n = 74) lamb (e.g., shoulder chop), and game meats—all with the median amount of discretionary solid fat or less
Poultry—regular discretionary solid fat, Coated and fried poultry (e.g., breast, leg, thigh, and drumstick) purchased without skin—all regular cost (n = 50) with more than the median amount of discretionary solid fat
Poultry—regular discretionary solid fat, Coated and fried dark meat (e.g., wing, thigh, and drumstick) purchased with skin; nuggets; and low cost (n = 42) organ meats of chicken, turkey, and game birds purchased with skin—all with more than the median amount of discretionary solid fat
Poultry—low discretionary solid fat, Roasted or broiled poultry (e.g., breast, thigh, and drumstick) purchased without skin—all with regular cost (n = 54) the median amount of discretionary solid fat or less
Poultry—low discretionary solid fat, Smoked or roasted white and dark meat mixture or dark meat (e.g., thigh and drumstick) low cost (n = 156) purchased with skin (but skin not consumed); turkey and game birds purchased with skin (but skin not consumed); and canned chicken soups—all with the median amount of discretionary solid fat or less

3Discretionary solid fat in meats is the fat that is solid at room temperature and is the excess fat from (1) the meat and beans group (including meats,
poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, and seeds) beyond amounts that would be consumed if only the lowest fat forms were eaten and (2) solid fats added to these
foods in preparation or at the table.
4The top 66.66 percent of foods were placed in the regular-cost category; the bottom 33.33 percent of foods, in terms of cost, were placed in the lowest cost category.
Note: n refers to number of food codes in the food category.

Fish—regular discretionary solid fat, Fish, pan-fried or baked with solid fat (e.g., fresh tuna, swordfish, trout, salmon, ocean perch, regular cost (n = 60) and porgy) and battered and fried shellfish (e.g., scallops, oyster, shrimp, and crab)—all with more than the median amount of discretionary solid fat
Fish—regular discretionary solid fat, Fish sticks or other fried and battered fish (e.g., mullet, smelt, haddock, herring, and catfish)—all low cost (n = 54) with more than the median amount of discretionary solid fat
Fish—low discretionary solid fat, Broiled, steamed, or smoked fresh fish (e.g., tuna, salmon) and fresh shellfish (e.g., crab and regular cost (n = 37) clams)—all with the median amount of discretionary solid fat or less
Fish—low discretionary solid fat, Canned fish (e.g., tuna, sardines, and herring), canned shellfish (e.g., shrimp), and canned low cost (n = 54) seafood-based soups and chowders—all with the median amount of discretionary solid fat or less
Lunch meats, sausages, and bacon—regular fat Sausages, salami, frankfurters, bologna, sliced ham, bacon, and pastrami (n = 55)
Lunch meats, sausages, and bacon—lowfat Sausages, salami, frankfurters, bologna, sliced ham, bacon, and pastrami containing 25% less fat (n = 41) than regular fat form
Eggs and egg mixtures (n = 69) Fresh, frozen, and dried eggs; egg substitutes; meringues; and egg mixtures
Meat, poultry, and fish mixtures— Meat, poultry, and fish with grains or vegetables with more than the median amount of regular discretionary solid fat (n = 345) discretionary solid fat
Meat, poultry, and fish mixtures— Meat, poultry, and fish with grains or vegetables with the median amount of discretionary solid low discretionary solid fat (n = 355) fat or less
Dry beans, peas, lentil dishes, and mixtures Black, red, pinto, lima, white, mung, and kidney beans and all types of peas—all with or without (n = 113) other foods; soybean products (e.g., miso, tofu, and soybean-based meat substitutes)
Nuts and seeds (n = 74) Nuts, peanut butter and other nut butters, nut mixtures, carob, and seeds (e.g., sunflower, sesame, and pumpkin)
Other foods
Fats, oils, salad dressings, sauces, and condiments Butter, margarine, vegetable oils (e.g., corn, olive, and sunflower), butter blends, salad oils, (n = 188) lard, shortenings, all salad dressings, mayonnaise, pickles, relishes, salsa, soy sauce, catsup, tomato paste, and gravies and sauces
Coffee and tea (n = 81) Instant, ground, and fluid coffees and teas with or without caffeine and with or without sugar or sweeteners
Fruit drinks, soft drinks, and ades—regular calorie Fruit drinks, cola- and pepper-type soft drinks, ginger ale, root beer, fruit punches, ades (e.g., (n = 89) lemonades and limeades), and other sodas containing sugar Fruit drinks, soft drinks, and ades—low calorie Sugar-free or low-sugar drinks such as cola- and pepper-type soft drinks, ginger ale, root beer, (n = 35) fruit-flavored drinks, fruit punches, ades, and other sodas
Sugars and sweets (n = 215) All types of sugars, sweeteners, and syrups (e.g., honey, jams, jellies, marmalades, preserves, icings, gelatin desserts, marshmallow, and fudge); all types of candies and chocolates; and chewing gum
Note: n refers to number of food codes in the food category.

Now, you are asking yourself, what is in these hypothetical food baskets? Basically a selection of the foods listed above. Just an observation, there are food items listed that we, as a family, have never, ever, in the whole history of the world, ever purchased.

More later.