The one tried and true worry I get about living an organic lifestyle is the cost. It’s likely the only immediate downside because everything else about living organically is pretty magical. Remember, non-organic food often contains cancer-causing hormones, immunity destroying anti-biotics and dangerous pesticides. Pesticides by nature are designed to kill, they are poison. So when given the choice, I don’t know why anyone could logically buy food with poison sprayed on it? Pesticides can cause neurological problems, cancer, infertility, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, allergies and asthma, wheezing, rashes and other skin problems, ADHD, birth defects and more. That’s why buying quality organic food and eating the most nutritious foods on the planet will save you BIG BUCKS down the road in medical costs, prescription drugs and doctor visits…like my friend Birke always says “We can either pay the farmer or we can pay the hospital” – It’s totally up to us.
Over 75 Tips On How to Eat Organic On A Budget…
In hopes to mitigate the initial money pains of buying organic, I want to share the top organic money saving ideas that I’ve gathered from my friends and family members. And, let me tell you, I learned a lot myself while putting together this list and combining everyone’s tips into one cohesive guide. I can’t wait to put some of these new ideas into practice. Let the savings begin!
FIND AND USE ORGANIC COUPONS
- Check the websites of your favorite companies for coupons and special promotions, almost all of them have some.
- Join your favorite company’s social media pages for special coupons and deals.
- Check out various organic coupon sites. Some of my favorite examples include Mambo Sprouts, All Natural Savings and Organic Deals for organic food/natural living coupons, and money savings ideas.
- Simply Organic who makes spices, seasoning mixes and baking mixes always have coupons on their website here – sometimes more than a dollar off.
- Kroger has coupons or Simple Truth.
- Whole Foods has coupons here every week for various products throughout the store.
- Earth Fare has coupons here every week for various products throughout the store.
- Most stores take each others coupons, so don’t be afraid to use them all in one shopping trip at your most convenient or favorite store.
AT HOME AND IN THE KITCHEN
- Stay organized. Plan out your meals for the week according to organic foods that are on sale and/or that you have coupons for.
- Budget. Write out a weekly and monthly budget to help you keep track of both erratic spending and responsible spending. This will allow you to see your spending habits and help you prioritize purchasing organic food within your budget.
- Do it yourself, rather than buy it. Make your own organic granola bars, kale chips, smoothies, juices to replaced store-bought with more overhead.
- Learn how to portion and prioritize – it is a necessity to always buy organic meats and dairy products, and, therefore, learn to portion your consumption of these products each week. For example, keep meat to 4 ounces or less per serving.
- Invest in a 4 stage water filter installed directly under your sink to avoid having to buy bottled water. Also, check the Environmental Working Group guide on choosing the right water filter for you.
- Check out the book “Wildly Affordable Organic” for organic menu planning on $5 a day or less.
USE YOUR FREEZER
- 9 times out of 10 the organic frozen produce at the store is cheaper than fresh, especially if the fruit or vegetable is out of season.
- Freeze all left overs using inexpensive mason glass jars or silicone ice molds for smaller portions.
- Freeze homemade cookie dough and other treats like almond freezer fudge, so you can have a treat ready to go in the appropriate portion size.
- Buy local produce when in season and freeze to save for out of season, for example in the spring and summer spread berries on a sheet pan and freeze overnight and then store in jars for the fall and winter.
- Double recipes and freeze leftovers, this works great with soups and stews.
- Freeze core kitchen staples like butter, cheese and bread scraps for bread crumbs or homemade croutons.
MAKE CHOICES
- Meat & dairy (animals products like chicken, eggs, cheese, butter, yogurt, milk, etc.) are the most important to buy organic because of the combined risk of pesticide, anti-biotic and cancer causing growth hormone exposure. Whatever you do, do not skimp here.
- Reduce meat and dairy consumption if you cannot afford organic – One way to do this is to be vegan before 6pm, as Mark Bittman explains in his latest book. For example, have a green smoothie for breakfast with ezekiel toast, and then a large salad with lentils at lunch or a wrap made with hummus and then at night choose high quality meat in small portions.
- Reduce amount of organic meat used by substituting half the portion with organic beans.
- Buy a whole organic chicken for less per pound, vs. just the breast, legs or wings which are more expensive per pound. You can use the carcass to make your own chicken broth.
- Use the “Clean 15” and “Dirty Dozen” lists available on ewg.org to help you navigate which products to buy organic (or take with you when you travel). For example, if you have a choice between more expensive organic red peppers and less expensive conventional asparagus – choose the asparagus. Asparagus naturally repel pests allowing it to be grown with minimal pesticides. Include red pepper in your diet when it is in season or you can find it cheaper at another grocery store.
- Do not buy pre-washed and ready to eat fruits and veggies, as they can cost twice as much.
- Skip conventional Starbucks (and other coffee shops). Buy organic coffee and tea such as: Larry’s Beans Organic Coffee and Numi and make it yourself. This will actually save you time in the morning too.
- Eat out only twice a week – eating organic at home is significantly less expensive than eating at organic restaurants.
BUY IN BULK
- Take advantage of the ‘buy one get one free’ sales or buy one get the other for a discounted price. You never know when it will go on sale again, so make sure to take advantage of it and store for later use. (This trick only works if you really love the product and it is a staple at your home – otherwise this could lead to wasted food)
- Always buy packaged staples on sale
- Buy unpackaged foods from bulk dispensers – I personally save a ton of cash by doing this, I buy everything from oat groats, to nuts, to dried fruit and lentils.
- Bring measuring cups with you to the grocery store if you are buying from bulk containers. That way you can get exactly the amount you need for a specific recipe and you won’t be paying for extra.
- Buy smaller organic spice packets or jars, old spices lose their medicinal qualities so it is smarter to buy in smaller quantities. For example, Earth Fare has little pre-portioned tiny ziplocs with herbs and spices available at the fraction of costs compared to a whole jar.
- Buy the whole animal and freeze the portions you don’t use. I personally know someone who is on a budget and does this all the time. You can also do this by contacting your local farmer and then splitting the cost with a group.
- To satisfy a sweet tooth, skip the full size packages of candy and chocolate. Buy a few pieces in the bulk section, for example go for a few pieces of organic dried fruit or 10 chocolate covered almonds.
- Find out what foods are in season and buy those in bulk, as they are significantly cheaper.
BUY ONLINE
- Join Thrive Market – This website is like a health food store stocked up with non-GMO and organic groceries at drastically reduced prices (up to 25-50% off). I’ve found that the quality of their products are always as good as what I can buy locally and they carry many of the brands I love and support. The way they work is similar to Costco because you need to join to shop, but their fee is really reasonable (works out to about $5 month). If you’ve never shopped at Thrive Market before, they’ll give you your first month free so you can try it out and see if you love it as much as I do and they’ll also give you 25% off your first order. No code needed to get 25% off, just go to this link.
- Amazon – One of my favorite shopping sites, because they basically have every brand available and ship free over $25.00.
- VitaCost – Another low cost website that has a wide variety of organic and healthy foods, vitamins, etc.
- Herbs Pro – Another low cost website that has a wide variety of organic and healthy foods, vitamins, etc.
- Before you check out online, visit Retail Me Not for online promotional codes and discounts for all your favorite online stores and sources.
CHOOSE ORGANIC BRANDS THAT SAVE YOU MONEY
- Choose more inexpensive grocery store brand products like Trader Joe’s, Earth Fare, 365 brand, ShopRite, Wegman’s, Kroger, Publix, Harris Teeter. Regardless of the brand, they are all required to follow the same guidelines set forth by the USDA organic certification program if they contain the USDA organic seal and chances are that you won’t be able to tell the difference between a brand name and store brand.
- Join grocery store loyalty programs for discounts. For example, if you join Earth Fare’s tomato bank program, you get a dollar back for every 100 points you earn.
- Use your rewards cards always. Most convenient stores, grocery stores, and drug stores allow you to sign-up for a rewards or savings card that will help you save money on a few of your items at the checkout counter. Even if this time of purchase does not contain organic food, the extra money that you are saving on your items can be put towards buying it when need be.
- Always remember that if you are not satisfied with your organic product, most grocery stores and organic food companies offer you money back guarantee. This also works for companies you bought in the past that you are now boycotting like Kraft 🙂
- Check Ebay‘s section for food and beverages, prices are really cheap!
BUY LOCAL
- Local food can be significantly cheaper than food shipped from miles away.
- Find a farmers market near you through LocalHarvest.org or the USDA – get to know your local farmers, create a personal relationship and negotiate prices.
- Ask your farmer about his farming practices. Some farmers do not spray pesticides on their crops but do not seek USDA certification to keep prices lower.
- Be the last person to leave the farmer’s market. Farmers will likely cut their prices at the end of the day, so they do not have to take their produce back to the farm.
- Buy a share in a community-supported agriculture CSA program. It’s nice to contribute to a local farm’s operating expenses while getting a weekly box of fresh fruits and vegetables.
GROW YOUR OWN FOOD
- Plant an herb pot in your kitchen or somewhere convenient so you can always have fresh herbs on hand. Organic herbs are one of the most overpriced items at the grocery store.
- Follow these tips from The Organic Consumers Association to grow organic food inside your home year round.
- Check this amazing guide that details out all the options and information you need to start urban farming at your home regardless of how much space you have.
- Once you start growing produce, give herbs, fruits and vegetables as gifts to family and friends (saving money on other material objects they might otherwise not use or collect).
- Remember to buy non-GMO seeds, check out Sow True Seed for lots of options.
- Check out growing lessons learned from 100 Days of Real Food.
- Learn how to can the produce you grow, here’s a how-to-guide for strawberry jam.
- Get a couple of chickens and hatch your own eggs. One friend of mine has so many eggs she doesn’t know what to do with them. You could also sell them to your neighbors or give them as hostess gifts.
TRAVEL WITH ORGANIC FOOD
- On a road trip use EatWellGuide.org to find out where to buy local, organic and sustainable foods from point to the other.
- Remember, a pricey restaurant doesn’t equal organic or quality food – going to a grocery store and picking up some organic food will save you money and your health.
- Bring your food with you in a cooler – even if you are flying. Did you know you can check a cooler?
- Bring organic tea with you and ask for hot water. A cup of tea can cost up to $5 dollars, vs. $1 dollar you would tip the barista or server.
- Bring filtered water with you wherever you go in a reusable safe water bottle so you never have to buy expensive bottled water.
- Always carry snacks like homemade trail mix in your purse or bag for emergencies.
- At the movies, bring your own organic popcorn and snacks if they do not offer them. There is no reason to pay a premium for conventional food.
STOP WASTING FOOD
Quick fact: Americans waste an estimated 1,400 calories of food per person EVERY SINGLE DAY.
- Raw nuts and flours should be kept in the refrigerator to last longer without going rancid.
- Line your refrigerator’s crisper drawer with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. They’ll absorb excess moisture which will help keep produce longer.
- To repel bugs, place a bay leaf in containers of rice, flour and pastas.
- Buy and keep bananas separated from one another, they spoil slower.
- Turn almond butter, yogurt, sour cream, tahini and cottage cheese containers upside down when stored in the fridge – this creates a vacuum seal, keeping them fresh longer
- Do not throw away nut meal from homemade nut milk – use it for smoothies, baked goods like biscotti or to make nut flours by placing the pulp on a baking sheet and drying it out in a 250 degree oven or dehydrator.
- Repurpose vegetable pulp from juicing to add fiber to soups, smoothies or make crackers or bread.
- Placed limp celery, baby carrots and radishes in water with a slice of potato to make them crunchy again.
- Keep all organic citrus fruits in the fridge – they will last up to 1-2 weeks longer.
- Do not wash organic dark leafy greens or berries until they are ready to consume.
- Store herbs, spring onions, asparagus upright in a large glass filled with an inch of water
- Learn tips and recipes on how to use over the edge food. For examples, panzanella with stale bread, and banana bread with overripe bananas.
- If you know you will not have a chance to eat it, freeze food before it goes bad.
- Choose to eat less, use a smaller plate to help you control the amount of food you might eat or end up wasting.
- Compost all food waste to put nutrients back in your garden (you will spend less on fertilizer).
If you know someone who’s struggling to buy organic because of cost, or that needs a little extra cash (like most of us!), please share this post with them.
Thanks for spreading the word – let’s make buying organic easier for everyone!
Food Babe
P.S. Got any more organic food budget tips? Please share them with me and others in the comments below.
Whole Foods Market & Stonybrook are sell-outs to Monsanto; the CEO’s have just made an announcement that they will allow GMO alfalfa, etc- and have called GMO’s unavoidable… over 30% of Whole Foods Market’s products currently contain GMO’s and /or items w/pesticides, etc; especially the merely “natural” as opposed to certified organic; i am disappointed you would mention them still as a trusted source for pure food…
Here is a link to FB’s investigation into Whole Foods. Yes, they stock a lot of the food that you need to lead an organic lifestyle… certainly more than you could find at a “conventional” grocery store. No, they are not perfect… and FB definitely knows it.
http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/10/01/food-babe-investigates-whole-foods/
I will never shop Whole Foods again. Lying cheating thieves who charge ridiculous amounts for food.
Every link under “BUY ONLINE” is a reseller link so that “Food Babe” gets a kick back with every signup and sale. Are these posts really in our best interest, or are they being swayed by commissions from Amazon, Green Polka Dot Box, Herbs Pro, etc…? I want to believe that the posts are pure and unbiased, but with the affiliate/reseller links sprinkled throughout–I am very suspicious.
The Amazon Affiliate Program is VERY nice too, BTW. https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/gp/associates/join/compensation.html
So, she get’s a little kick back…at least she is taking the time to educate the public on how to eat safe and healthy. She is endorsing the products she USES…just like if you were to see an ad for a product on TV and you go out and buy the product because you like the celebrity who is saying its great, and the majority of the time they DONT even USE the product they are getting paid to endorse. I would rather take advise from Vani, a real down to earth human being than and overpaid celebrity anyday.
I was aware of this… but didn’t think it was “that bad.” Many alternative doctors, health coaches, nutritionist, etc. recommended products/vitamins/supplements and we have to evaluate it ourselves and make a decision. Yes my nutritionist gets money from selling me a “detox potion” but I have to think about if the detox is really needed. I had one alternative doctor who did not sell ANYTHING. She is amazing and very well trusted, but not everyone can give away their accumulated knowledge. She charged for her time and that’s it.
Regular MDs and DDSs are the absolute worse because all the money they make from pharma/corporate sponsors is hidden and unknown to the consumer.
Everyone needs to make a living. The products don’t cost you any more but the retailers give her a spiff for sending you to their site. I will do my own research, including all of these options and, when I make up my mind, if one of the ones FB recommends is the best option for me I will CERTAINLY buy through her link and support the great work she is doing. Why does our society think that helping someone make a living is a bad thing? She is making quite a bit less than any other middle-man in the retail buying process if she makes a few cents off of your click through. Even a Food Babe has rent to pay and organic food to buy ; )
Matthew – I sent you a personal email. I would like to discuss your comment in detail. Thanks!
why don’t any of these places take ebt cards? just because people maybe having a difficult time financially why should they be kicked down further, physically? They should be able to maintain their health[while continuing to set good examples for their children] so they’ll stay well enough to rejoin the work force
Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s accept EBT. Whole Foods doesn’t like to advertise it, but when I was on food stamps, I used it there all the time. You can also use EBT at most farmer’s markets. Being on EBT doesn’t necessarily preclude buying organic (though of course the amount on the card could be a barrier). Note also that the WIC program offers fresh fruits & vegetables and allows you to buy organic for those categories, and also offers farmer’s market vouchers.
In my area when I was on WIC they specifically did NOT allow organic with the vouchers. The only organic stuff I could buy was with the $6.00/month allowance for fresh fruits or veggies. You could choose that $6 at a grocery store, or a farmer’s market…but that was all. Not only does the amount on the card for EBT limit you…but many people feel bed about using it for that. People are very harsh and get angry when you buy organic- among the nasty looks I have heard comments like ” Gee, sure wish I could afford that expensive organic stuff, but I work for a living” It’s sad 🙁
Some of us need to “get a grip” !!
Do we pay for her facebook and website???
Do we pay her for the research she does so that we can have this info at our fingertips??
Do we use her recipes and suggestions??
EVERY place you buy something from or a service you pay for….someone is gaining and when you get a drug or visit your DR>>>>>someone is gaining BIG TIME!!!
Thanks Vani for all that you do!!!
Couldn’t agree more! We love the info and you deserve to make a living at it!
Can I just say that you need to relax. Please keep in mind that this is a job for Vani and she deserves an income just like the rest of us. She is not here just to serve you with free information… if you don’t like it don’t read it. I’m going to stand up for her and say that her past behavior is indicative of someone who is ethical and cares about her readers.
Nobody here is stupid and most people understand what is an affiliate is. Don’t think that your mean spirited comments make you a whistle blower who understand how things work better than the rest of us.
She has a free blog, doesn’t charge for any of the material we get to benefit from, and someone complains because she’d like to make a living? Only in a society where there’s freedom do people complain about others wanting to make money.
The LOVE of money is the root of all evil – not money itself.
why don’t any of these places take ebt cards? just because people maybe having a difficult time financially why should they be kicked down further, physically? They should be able to maintain their health[while continuing to set good examples for their children] so they’ll stay well enough to rejoin the work force
Hi CM – while I’m sorry that you’re going through a rough period of time and in need of EBT, you do realize that those who use EBT are using money taken by force from people who earned it? (or it’s money “printed”/created out of thin air, which makes everyone’s money worth less) Why should someone with money be forced to subsidize someone who has less? And where does that arbitrary line get drawn, and who gets to draw it? I may make more than you, but not as much as that person over there – does that make them “rich” and now “owe” me something? Why does one person get included in the redistribution of wealth, while others don’t? Not only is that govt theft, it’s also preferential treatment.
Sorry you feel that way about people who need to use EBT. I used it during a time when I was pregnant and had a young toddler. It helped us through a rough patch and we are more than happy to be contributing back to the system again, now that we are once again gainfully employed. Society doesn’t work unless we are willing to help “the least of these”. Nobody, NOBODY does it on their own. If you hate welfare I guess you’ll have to move to a third world country because all the first world has a better social safety net than the USA. Sorry to be political, it really has no place in this conversation (about food). Also to answer the original question, the places mentioned above do take EBT. Well I don’t know about Amazon but I know for sure Whole Foods does as do farmer’s markets.
to formerly poor mom (below) – glad you’re back on your feet. My original comment had to do with questioning why someone has a problem with this site making money linked to products. Which wasn’t political. And neither is my response to you. Mentioning “govt” doesn’t automatically make something political – in this case, I’m trying to pinpoint why you and others- while needing help – should have never needed EBT.
And the govt controls our food. It’s one of the reasons this blog exists – to try to eat healthy in spite of govt and the big businesses it’s teamed up with. But no one is “owed” a certain kind of food. That’s entitlement mentality.
You’re absolutely right… no one does it on their own. All of us need help from others. Unfortunately, you missed my point if you don’t think I want people to help the least of these. I do. But scripture isn’t talking about govt programs – it’s always individuals (and private organizations) moved by compassion to help those. Unfortunately, govt has done a good job convincing us that it’s our savior, that it will save us.
When the govt steps in and TAKES THE PLACE of people helping other people (like EBT), it causes more problems. There are people (other than those who I’m sure did help) who would have loved to have blessed you during the time you used EBT that were denied that ability because govt had taken their place – and their money. Not to mention not knowing you needed it. The govt is not a charity. A “safety net” is a propaganda tool used by politicians to get votes – it doesn’t exist without creating other problems, including making it harder for to break free of its bondage.
If you believe something like govt housing (“helping others”) has been beneficial to those families who now have grandchildren and great-grandchildren continuing to “need help” and still living in those same conditions, then yes – I can see why one would believe EBT as the answer. I’m suggesting there are other ways of helping others that doesn’t include the use of stolen funds from your neighbor.
If you want to “give back” (not that you have a choice), feel free to. However, you would get a much better return on your investment by choosing a charity of your choice. Which you can’t do, because the govt has already taken it.
i dare you to come and make a speech like this is my neighborhood……
Hi Jamie413 – because your neighborhood wouldn’t want to hear it doesn’t mean it’s not true. I grieve that they are so reliant of govt (taxpayers) help, and blame the govt for this – not those in need.
I think that is a rather judgmental, and naive stance, “Bondservant.” I bet if you spent 25 years paying taxes, or serving our country for many years then fell on hard times and needed a temporary helping hand you’d apply for food assistance! As for charity….what an absurd idea. People are too selfish to have a system like that work, you think people are really lining up wanting to help others? Hardly. Not to mention the many greedy who want a free ride outnumber those that just need a helping hand, they would overwhelm that type os system so quickly & are the reason this welfare system is broken…not the deserving people, it’s rather harsh to judge everyone on food assistance like that. The govt. is pretty bad but no charity is perfect either- many are so corrupt they make the govt. look like angels!
Really?!?! You sound like you are trying to create unnecessary drama. The kick backs from these companies are not that big. I guarantee you she is not using them to fund a nuclear war, political campaign or pharmaceutical commercial. I can’t imagine how much time it took for her to compile her list to share with all of us. That was very generous of her. If time is an expense (and it is) and she can recoup some for her kind efforts that’s GREAT! I am happy to support her.
Matthew Gutske,
Are you being paid by some entity to post this comment? It appears to me like you’re trying to discredit Vani because she’s spreading the truth and educating people about how the wool has been pulled over their eyes by corporations who put profits above people.
As she clearly states at the bottom of the post:
“Your support is crucial because it helps fund this blog and helps us continue to spread the word. Thank you.”
Your comments demonstrate either:
a) you don’t have a grasp of the incredible value Vani is providing to the public through her blog or
b) you are paid to make these kinds of comments online in an attempt to discredit those who are threatening the profits of unethical corporations.
not all of them…and so what if she does, For all that she does who cares.
Great tips Vani!! Thank you so much! I have been struggling to get my husband on the Organic “band wagon” and his biggest issue is the cost. We are on a pretty tight budget so I try to do my best, especially when it comes to feeding our 13 month old son. The other day my husnad went to the store and said he refused to by the organic milk since it was $5 instead of $3 like the store brand….even I struggle with the prices sometimes but I look at it as sort of an opportunity cost. Hopfully I can start using some of these tips to make our house more organic friendly!
That is a big thing between me and my husband, too. I was excited yesterday because I spent $50 less on organic groceries than I did the week before and all he could say way, “It’d be even cheaper if you wouldn’t buy organic.” But I’m the one who cooks and goes grocery shopping, so it’s my way or the hungry way 🙂
I love that saying!!!! “My way or the hungry way”… I have a feeling I will be using that a lot!
Katie – Show the husband the organic priority list, Milk is #1! 🙂 Good luck.
Why is organic milk #1 on the organic priority list?
I’ve heard it should be butter
To those interested in “Organic” milk, I recently read an article about Horizon brand that I suggest you research & learn more about as I don’t have the link on hand to share here. The article mentioned that Horizon was bought by a new company who didn’t change any of the packaging & labels (organic this or that “free”), but changed all the ingredients. …to non-organic ingredients & worse from what I recall. They supposedly continue to sell the products under the same brand & labels that the buyers of Horizon products know without telling them. I don’t know how this is legal… I think the article may have been on the Huffington Post website… It’s worth checking out!
I got my husband to eat organic with me by showing him the research and the benefits. Plus he goes shopping with me and helps with the budget. We use 3/4th of our food budget on organic at a specialty store in town, and then what we can’t get, we get at the local grocery store. Even then we try to get local items or anything organic available there. We also shop at the local farmer’s market together. The only things we can’t seem to always afford are meats and milk (he loves meat and I could live on milk alone) but we try to get some when we can. A gallon of organic milk here is a whopping $8! We literally go around with a calculator and measure out our produce and supplies to get the most out of our budget. We’ve made the switch slowly, and shopping together has made it an enjoyable experience. We even feel that we have cut down our food expenses just by being conscious of our spending at all! This past week we hit under our budget and were high fiving at the grocery store.
We try to stay away from anything fake when we can’t afford an organic product, and I’m learning to make my own things. I would recommend making baby food or cereals if you could! I’m sure those costs can be pretty high. It wasn’t easy getting my husband on board, but he was very interested after I discussed the research and health benefits. Now he enjoys it as much as I do. Good luck and happy eating!
Great tips! One more thing even when buying organic read labels. I noticed that a lot of pasta sauce that is organic contains canola oil (yes it is organic but still canola is a horrible oil regardless of whether it is GMO or not). I happened to see the store brand (Meijer) and noticed it contains only organic extra virgin olive oil. Not bad!
I’m looking into growing my own food this summer and becoming as self-sufficient as I can be.
Jason – I absolutely hate that! And sometimes they add sugar and citric acid too. The only one I have found worth buying is Eden Organic.
Meijer is such a blessing for my family. I’m going to throw a big ole’ fit if I find out that the organics from there are not really organic, or something fishy like it seems with so many other places. I absolutely love that they carry so much organics, it makes it so much easier to budget!
I would just like to mention about GMO papaya. . . this particular plant was struggling with a virus and parasites that may have eventually made it a threatened species. I am not a GMO proponent. I would prefer to eat natural foods. I want my GMO products labelled and have drastically changed how I eat. I want these foods tested before market. BUT, if genetic modification is going to continue (and it will) I want it to continue with benefits to the plant and the consumer NOT the producers of chemicals and corporations. . .my two cents.
Interesting,- I’ve wondered if it might be a good idea to modify American chestnut trees with the gene [from European chestnuts] that makes them resistant to chestnut blight; not for producing nuts,- but for the trees! When Europeans first came here there were magnificent old growth forests of HUGE chestnut trees [they were almost as big as western valley oaks!] -they soon noticed they were rapidly dying off. Now there are only small ones, they get infected long before they reach maturity. I think future generations would be grateful if we left them a few ancient forests to enjoy.
Kevin, the American Chestnut Foundation is working to bring the tree back. It’s a really amazing story; you’ll want to check it out! :o)
This article is fabulous and all the suggestions I support and believe in.
The other suggestion(s) I wish to add:
1)keep a seed bank within your home. Learn about your area, and what native seeds were used as medicine and food.
2) Learning about the process of fermenting and drying, this will aid in prolonging your food and also transforming your food into super-foods.
3) Along the same lines as Farmer’s Markets, educate yourself about CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)
4) Continue to find amazing resources for information. The more we continue to learn, the ability in making quality decisions increases.
I also forgot to note with native seeds. Due to them not being a hybrid of any plant breeds, the native “wild” seeds of plants will be nutrient superior. The slow process of evolution makes these plants hardier and better for health.
Remember Food and Health is one cost. A healthier body means lower health costs. Think long term over the immediate cost.
Re the comment above that the writer of this blog gets a kickback. So???? She spends, probably 40 hours a week -or more- researching and writing this blog and gives it to us as a gift and you begrudge her finding a way to make it pay?? Wadamaddayou? Good on ya Vani!
These are great tips! I did not know the one about the raw potato & water to RE-crisp veggies! Good one!
I do know that if you make a veggie bath with 3tbsp Organic Vinegar + a sink full of water, then dunk your berries/apples etc. it will help clean them AND hasten mold/spoiling!
Also get to know your neighbors, ESPECIALLY if you live in a rural area. Once we got to know our neighbors we got a deal on fresh pasture eggs, and sometimes they trade with us too!!
It really IS worth spending the extra money on Organic. I have since joined a local CSA and I am super excited that I will get a huge banana box FULL of organic produce for less than $30/week!
Check out http://www.localharvest.org to find a local farm near you to join into a CSA(community supported agriculture). It is great to get to know your neighbors AND support a farmer & his or her family:) It also lists how to obtain Organic Jams, Nuts, Seeds, Products….
Great tips Melissa!
I also forgot to note with native seeds. Due to them not being a hybrid of any more, the native “wild” seeds of plants will be nutrient superior.
Remember Food and Health is one cost. A healthier body means lower health costs. Think long term over the immediate cost.
I combined this post to my previous. 🙂 If it is possible to delete, pls do 🙂
I love these ideas! Thank you ever so much for sharing. 🙂
I also wanted to give a shout out for Azure Standard as a whole food, organic buying option that is affordable. I love that I can get organic apples delivered to my town for under $1.25/lb (just one example). I love that they work hard to bring the little farmers across the US together to be able to sell their products to folks like you and me. And I love that the community behind Azure Standard and Covenant Ranch Trucking is doing everything they can to help bring quality, organic, whole foods to folks nationwide affordably. (Disclaimer, I work for Covenant Ranch Trucking…but would use Azure Standard even if I didn’t, hand’s down. I was just blessed to be hired by a company who is like-minded.)
I dont’ want to break any rules on here but I would love to have folks join our Facebook Page to learn more! Let them know you saw the post here.
https://www.facebook.com/azuremidwestroute?fref=ts
I second the info for both Azure Standard and Covenant Ranch Trucking (and I don’t even work for either)! They are both amazing people to deal with and support! We buy about 60% of our monthly food from Azure and get the best deals anywhere around. We look forward to that one day a month when we get our order in! Even my seven year old tells everyone who he runs into that is talking food about Azure!
I save all my vegtable scraps in a freezer container. When it’s full, I make broth out of it. You can freeze it in ice cube trays and take one out to use in place of oil when cooking vegetables, use as a soup base or in place of water to cook beans or grains.
Awesome, awesome, AWESOME tips. Thanks so much for putting this list together. Off to share on social media!
Thank you for sharing Tracy 🙂
Awesome post! I was wondering if you have ever posted about essential oils? How you use them in your everyday life, ect. Would love to hear Your experiences/ testimonials. Thanks!
Good tips overall, but your comment “I don’t know why anyone could logically buy food with poison sprayed on it?” I found to be quite ignorant and a bit offensive. We are a family of 5 on one income in a very expensive country. I try to buy as much organic as possible for my family, but most of it costs twice as much. We don’t eat meat everyday, I cook everything from scratch and we don’t eat out or order in except for very special occasions. But money is tight. Buying a whole animal isn’t an option when that costs well over $1000 and we live in an apartment with no space to store it. Buying in bulk is therefore also a huge challenge – and with no car to do bulk shopping like that regularly, it is a struggle. Not being in the States, Tropical traditions, Amazon (don’t sell food in our country and won’t allow food to be shipped from other Amazon sites), Earthfare, Azure Standards and all the other such companies are not an option. Comments like the one I highlighted above do nothing more than make people like myself feel bad. You don’t have children, and both you and your husband bring in an income. Going all organic and being able to afford the expensive superfoods is of course way easier and more affordable for you.
When money is tight, and you have mouths to feed, sometimes you have to make choices that aren’t ideal, and comments like that do nothing more than make you feel worse than you already do.
Meredith, I agree with what you’re saying here. I have found only a handful in the “real food movement” with information that isn’t laced with language that is divisive, snotty, self-righteous or demeaning.
I’ve learned a TON from Food Babe, and generally like all that she is doing. However, there are times when I read something and I cringe because it just seems so degrading to someone who is not at the same stage as someone else. It’s a journey. And as many of these food bloggers admit, they weren’t raised this way and had to change many bad habits.
Well, many of us aren’t at this very top, refined level yet – and we may never be for many of the reasons you mentioned. I don’t understand all the judgement towards people who are doing their best, trying to make changes, and learning more? We have to unite as a common group with a common goal, and accept our differences or we’ll never have our shit together enough to affect real change.
I totally agree! I find Vani can be quite haughty about buying all organic! Lose the preachy/condescending attitude!
My passion for eating organically can sometimes come across in a way that doesn’t please everyone. I am truly sorry you took that rhetorical question so personally. My point was that if someone had the choice, they wouldn’t buy poison period. I am really impressed at what you have accomplished for your family and wish you the best. We are all doing the best we can! And btw – the person I mentioned who buys the whole animals lives in an small RV!
Vani,
I love the work you do and I am so glad you do what you do, but unfortunately I have to agree that some comments come across as condescending. Just saying…pick the people up where they are, because some really struggle to get this right. With that said, I still love this blog and all the wonderful information and I am glad that you do have the passion to keep on going. Love you for it.
If the people who read the posts are feeling berated, then possibly they have something to work out within themselves. It is true, why WOULD anyone choose to eat fruit/veggies with poison? If you cannot find, order or obtain those foods which ARE NOT safe to eat, then eliminate them all together until you can. Possibly focus on the foods that ARE available rather than focusing on what you cannot have. It may seem as though those couple of apples here, or couple of carrotts here are not a big deal, but they all add up to the whole of your body being poisoned. I am part of a 1-income household for 3, and we have cut out all extras, we NEVER eat out (99% is gmo anyway), and we have found a way to grow for ourselves! Even in the city, you can grow lettuce/tomatoes/potatoes all on a 4’x4′ deck/balcony. It is the mindset really, and I believe Vani is doing an awesome job trying to put it in your mind that you CAN live healthier, even if she is given the “finger” on some rhetoric. I think it is what America needs, to be WOKEN up to the possibilities of the “I can’s” and the elimination of the “I can’t s”—– Keep it up Vani…One Post at a time♥
I feed a family of five, sometimes seven when my son &daughter in law come over. What a shock to find out that i’ve spent 3k since the new year. 500.00 a week on one income. I thought it was less then that. Rethinking things….twins need braces.
Foodbabe,
http://WWW.vine.com is also a great website to buy organic and healthy foods online. I use it all the time and when you spend 35 dollars or more you get free two day shipping!
Vine.com accepts manufacturer’s coupons, but you must mail them in at least a week before you place your order.
This Saturday May 25 there will be a worldwide March against Monsanto. Check it out at http://www.March-Against-Monsanto.com
Thanks for coupon website links. I do go to manufacture websites, but never could find any coupon sites for organics. I was on a forum once and a lady mentioned using them, but she never answered when I asked her where they were.
I don’t think you would want to freeze leftovers (or anything else) in a glass mason jar, as there is a good chance of it breaking.
I’ve NEVER broken one – ever!
I would like to know how to do this safely. I’ve always used plastic and would like to move away from that.
You must cool the food to refridgerator temp, then fill the jar with a 1inch headspace. Works great! Search “freezer preservation in mason jars” for a lot of great tips!
If you temper the glass by pouring hot water into it, or boiling water in the jar you will be able to put hot foods into it. I make jams and such from organic fruits all the time, sometimes we use a pressure canner (NOT a pressure cooker) and sometimes (if we know it will get used fast enough) we let it cool, then put it in the freezer. I have about 4 dozen jars of different kinds of jams, jellys, and fruit spreads. We are also gluten free (my oldest son & I have Celiac) so we use these to make homemade cookies and such.
Also check out RecycleBank.org. You get points for recycling and once you get enough, you can get coupons. I stock up on points and buy the $10/$50 at Harris Teeter. That way I can offset the increase in cost for organics with my $10 off. Check it out! It’s been a great way to save. Also, HT accepts competitor coupons, so you can use your Healthy Home Market coupon from the Clipper, the Earth Fare coupons from the Go Play Save, etc… This is how I keep my grocery bills down and still afford organics.
Great tips! Thanks.
Another way is to use a customer loyalty card. For example, Kroger gives points for use at their gas station for up to $1/gallon off which can help to offset the cost of organic vs conventional produce.
Loved this post!!! I keep thinking, “How can your posts get more relevant each week,” yet they do! As a wife and parent, it is my responsibility to do the best for my family and ensure that we are keeping ourselves, and the Earth, as healthy as possible. Eating organically is the onIy way. I have watched our food bills increase as we have made the switch to an organic lifestyle, but I tell my boys, we don’t have another choice, it’s our responsibility to ourselves and the Earth! It’s amazing how fast things are changing in the food industry, yet you’re keeping up with it all! Thank you! I’m also a school teacher, so I’m going to forward this post to all my teacher friends in a few weeks when they’ll have some time to follow your suggestions and get into a routine over the summer!
Thanks so much for all you do to help people, animals, and theEarth!!!
Thank you so much for your super nice comments! So glad you loved the post and thanks for sharing it with others…
Have you ever heard of a company called “Azure standard”? Azurestandard.com
It’s a company where you can buy organic produce, meat, spices…etc..in bulk. They are starting to expand where they deliver to as well. Something to check out…I love getting my coconut oil through them!
Thanks for sharing – we will check it out.
how can we trust the organic label on stuff like shoprite who sells mostly all the big ag names like Kraft and Tyson? Beucase Shoprite organic is not to expensive but it’d hard to trust them. They are suppose to follow the organic requirments but who can trust them? What if they pay the USDA and get away with some stuff.
My family and I belong to BJs and Costco. I’ve notice that in our Maryland stores, they are starting to stock a huge amount of organic products. Today I bought organic salad, apples, strawberries, chicken, beef, cheese and milk. The prices were much lower than at organic markets. I know the majority of their products have 50 + ingredients, but it is nice to see them starting to move towards organic products.
Thanks for this great article. Family of five with one income. Sometimes i use the mealplanning services and the groceries don’t go to waste as much. I love how much useful info was in this article. Each time i go to the store i try to buy at least one new organic item. I am still shocked when i notice colors or preservatives in items lile nuts, or fruit spreads. !!!
Vani,
You really are THE best. Thanks so much for all you do.
I never comment but I wanted to say something about eating this article and how I eat organic in my area of the US, which is so expensive. I live in NE and a lot of the suggestions offered doesn’t apply to where I live. For some reason, they don’t serve our area, which just stinks. Things cost so much more for us it seems, but yet I am able to feed a family of 7 for $140-$150 per week, with a healthy (mostly organic) diet. And before anyone asks and have more than enough food for us all. Like others above me said, I make due with what I have and I do a really good job. I have to eat this way since I have a rare illness that I believe I have and thought that I would die from it at one point in time from the foods I ate during my 31 years of living. Since its such a priority for me, I have to make due and make it work. Since I have changed my diet, I haven’t gone into liver failure and I don’t have much pancreatitis anymore. I have dropped one of my nerve damage medicine completely and I am weaning off my other one. And the best part is that I haven’t had to be hospitalized at all this year. I never believed in the power of foods and our diets before my intense experience, but I am truly a believer after everything I have been through.
Oh how I wished I lived down south where food is cheaper, and you have a longer growing season than I do, 120 days for a season, doesn’t give you much of a season. But I work with what I got because my health and life really depend on it.
I LOVE this article and will share it among my friends and family who would benefit from this. This a great well written article that will help a lot of people know not only the different resources out there but a lot of helpful tips too. If I can find a way to eat organic on a very tight budget (yes with one income) with such a large family, in the one of the most or the most expensive area of the US, then anyone can learn how too. I am not superwoman or supermom, I just had a strong push, a stronger incentive, my life.
Thank you Sarah! You are such an inspiration. Keep up the good work…
How do you do it? I feed a family of 5 sometimes 7 for 500.00 a week. This doesinclude household non food items. Plus, i can eat grains, dairy, or soy. Possibly need to exclude nightshades too. ( small amounts of goat cheese seem okay).
So helpful, thank you! I had no idea papaya was a high-risk GMO crop!
This could be in error…but I read that it’s Hawaian and Chinese papaya. Others (Caribbean) are okay…or so I read.
Thanks Vani for including my site in your list!
MAKE YOUR OWN SPROUTS!
They are incredibly easy and super nutritious. I love lentil sprouts.
Soak them for 8 hours in a open mouth jar. Cover the jar with some netting or an old stocking. Rinse them 2 or 3 times a day and place the jar upside down in a 45 * angle so that the water strains. When the new groath is about 2 or 3 times the length of the lentil they are ready to harvest. Keep them covered and refrigerated once harvested.
Rememer that they will grow considerably so don’t do too many at a time. About an inch high when dry. So get the best organic ones. A little gows a long way. I put a handful on top of salads. There are many other seeds that can be easily sprouted, like Sunflower, clover, buckwheat, fenugreek etc. The best are from here http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/sprouting/sprouting_seeds.html They have an instructional video on their site.
Love this tip. Sprouts ARE INCREDIBLE for your health 🙂
I just re-read what I wrote. Can’t believe I misspelled growth and goes!
Thanks for all of th great tips, Vani! This is a really good list. I have a few additions, since you asked. I hope they meet your approval, and that others find them equally beneficial.
1) azurestandard.com
2) ferment your own
3) Ebates.com and shopathome.com – I would love to refer each and every one of you! Go to these sites before you place an online order at many sites (not jsut for our organic food) and earn cash back. They send you a check in the mail after a while.
4) grow your own organic herbs and freeze in olive oil or butter in ice cube trays and have for use all year
5) use food scraps/waste for compost to help in growing your own garden later
6) warehouse memberships are great for organic goods, especially dairy, eggs, and meat…in addition to many other items like produce, etc. I save a ton buying organic products at Costco.
7) make your own hummus, nut butters, nut/hemp milk, spaghetti sauces, jellies, yogurt, bread, etc.
8) use dried beans (from bulk bins) instead of canned
While I agree with the list of organic “priority”, I noticed you put all berries on that list for the dirty dozen. However, all berries are not included on the list. According to the EWG strawberries are number 2 and then we find domestic blueberries as the next berry listed as number 13. Imported blueberries aren’t on the list until 21. Berries are one of the most expensive fruit to buy and yes I do sub out non-organic of the berries that are not the dirty dozen list at times.
http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/list.php
Diona – Thanks for pointing out your concern. Personally I recommend all berries be purchased organic and all dark leafy greens.
This is an AWESOME AWESOME post Vani!!! Thanks so much for all this great info! I always share your articles via email, SMS, and Facebook. This one, I’m sure everyone would appreciate.
I read other articles about the despicable processing of milk, and contemplating to stop purchasing it, but I have two little girls and I am not sure what’s the best substitution??!
Thanks again for ALL that you do!
Buying a season share from a local CSA (community supported agriculture) can help save money, just check with each one to find out how they grow.
Some of my best budget tips would be
*get a whole organic chicken roast in …I like to use the crockpot while I’m at work then we have roasted chicken and veggies for dinner I de-bone the chicken and the next night we have something with the leftovers quesadillas or alfredo I also make broth from the bones….this is much cheaper than buying the organic boneless skinless breasted which was all I bought pre-organic days
*we’ve been blessed enough to find a local organic co-op for fruits veggies and some bulk good
* we tend not to buy as many groceries b/c we do real food which is more filling than junk!
* we also have started a garden and down here in Texas we have a long growing season
Shop Wildtree! Wildtree products replace the things you commonly find in the center of the grocery store. Wildtree carries everything you need for you pantry, but their products DON’T include the things you DON’T want in your foods like MSG, HFCS, food dyes, harmful fillers, etc. Wildtree is now certified organic. My husband is a chiropractor and says the same thing, we will either pay now, or pay later. 🙂 We pay now, but pay less with Wildtree. I just joined Wildtree as an Independent Rep and am loving it! Feel free to contact me for more information!
Thanks for sharing Tammy! We will check it out…
Fabulous Article. Thank you so so much! We have just in the last year or so realized that we need to eat organic. With all the education and articles like this, we as a concerned people, should all be doing this. As I’ve been saying… I’d rather pay the farmer now than the doctor later.
If you live in an area that they deliver to http://www.azurestandard.com/ is an excellent place to buy organic.
Yes!!! Loved this! Thank you! I would also add (sorry if it was already mentioned) Costco has been increasing their organic and healthier products! The Charlotte store has anyway… I bought pole caught tuna, grassfed butter, and tons of other organic fruits & veggies there recently, each much less than I normally would spend. I feed my family of 4 for less than $2 per person per meal, all real food mostly organic. The trick is cutting out the processed/packaged/premade stuff (organic or not), cutting out all the extra stuff no one needs, like soda, and doing things suggested above in this great post.
Unfortunately my Costco hasn’t been doing so much organic 🙁 But I wanted to mention that if you are gluten-free to be careful with getting things from the bulk bins…I’ve gotten glutened from there.
My tip? Places like Ocean State Job Lots sometimes have good organic things for cheaper…. They usually have a lot of Bob’s Red Mill, I’ve found organic juice there… organic cereal…
This is an excellent article. Thank you so much!
Thank you for this article! Very thorough. I just made a whole, organic free-range chicken in my crock pot yesterday and it turned out amazing. The 4 lb chicken cost me $12 and it’ll feed my family of 3 for 3 meals! So yummy, too.
Hi food babe, thank you so much for this informative post. I have been spending too much money on food and this post was a refresher. I have been spending time researching reverse osmosis filters. Any brands you recommend? Thanks!
Food Babe uses a 4 stage filtration system in her house.
http://www.amazon.com/Reverse-Osmosis-Water-Filter-System/dp/B000ALDQY6
I buy my organic foods at fresh and easy. Use the store coupons $5 off $25 or others. If I know I am shopping for the week I will do multiple transactions using the coupon several times. They also give points that convert into cash which you can use with the $off coupons too.
You say buy all berries organic but raspberries are number 21 on the dirty list. And blackberries aren’t even on there. Am I wrong to assume those two berries are okay? I do buy strawberries organic and either blueberries imported or if they aren’t available then I get organic.
Yes Lisa, you are right. Vani still recommends buying organic for all berries if you can…
http://www.swansonvitamins.com/ is one more company with organic foods and great prices.
I have yet to see an organic Papaya, but on most lists for top GMO foods it specifically states only Hawaiin papaya. I know it would be preferable to buy organic anything, but would you assume the papayas in the grocery stores (from Mexico or Belize usually) are non-gmo even if not organic?
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