These days everyone is on a budget, but just because you are on a budget doesn't mean you cannot afford to eat healthy. Did you know that healthy food is often priced significantly higher than junk food in grocery stores on purpose? This is the case because most healthy foods are grown in mass production farms, shipped across the country (or from Mexico), and then get to the grocery stores. Most of what you are paying is tax and shipping costs. Here are some tips that will save you hundreds of dollars a year!! In fact by following these tips, you can keep your food costs as low as $35/week for a family of four!
First next time you are at the grocery store, save your recipe so you can track how much you are saving in comparison to before following these tips.
For fresh fruits and vegetables: Buy from a local farmers market or coop. Local Harvest is a great website farms and markets near you. In the warmer months, grow your food and then can it for the winter months. Or you can grow your own organic garden. This is not for everyone, but even smaller spaces you can grow smaller crops. Cucumbers, tomatoes, and herbs grow well in small spaces.
Make your own: As mentioned previously, you can do canning of fruits and vegetables to prepare for winter months from the harvest of your own growing or from farmers markets--many farmers will be willing to bargain with you. You can also make your own breads from the ingredients (which are cheaper).
Decide what absolutely has to be organic: The following MUST BE organic because of how thin the skins, this is known as the "dirty dozen" in fruits and vegetables: apples, peppers, celery, cherries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, all berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries), spinach, and lettuce. Harder shell/shin vegetables/fruits that you can get away with not having organic are: Asparagus, Avocados, Bananas, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Corn, Kiwi, Mangos, Onions, Papaya, Pineapple, and Peas.
Shop in season and stock up (freeze extra). Seasonal fruits and vegetables are not only less expensive because there is an abundance of them, but also stocking up on them can save money in the winter months when little fresh options are available.
If you can find good coupons, then use them. Although coupons on healthy/organic foods are limited. Best way to use coupons is with a sale--double discount!
Other savings:
Cleaning products, Laundry, hand soap, and dish detergent try Shaklee here. Shaklee products are great because they are concentrated so much that they save money repeatedly. If you were to use the Basic H for only window/glass it would be the equivalent of 3,000 bottles of Windex. There is major savings there.
Showing posts with label organic vs. local. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organic vs. local. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Expanding Your Wallet: Tips to $aving Money on Food Costs #1
With the economy continuing to decline, especially if you live in Michigan and the increasing gasoline prices you may have noticed that the cost of food has been increasing. What if I were to tell you that you don't need to spend money on those larger grocery stores? or that you can save money year around? Would you be interested?
FACT: grocery stores only keep 3 days worth of food on stock for the entire local community. What if some natural disaster happened, would you have enough food to live off for 3 month, or even 3 weeks? The tornadoes in Joplin indicated that you can be caught off guard in preparing for a disaster. Over the next few months I will dedicate this blog to saving money on food and how to prepare for larger periods of time.
Today's topic: Buy Local/Organic Food and Grow Your Own.
Grow Your Own:
The Garden Beds & Growing Pots:
If you have a house, mobile home, or condo and have the space available to grow your own backyard garden for the summer, it can save you money on produce. Depending on your yard space, depends on how many growing beds and sizes you can do. There are two options for growing beds: building your own* or buying built ones. We choose to build our own. We have two 8X4 beds we built. This is the less expensive option and they are fairly easy to build. Here are some basic instructions. If you prefer to purchase raised garden beds many home & garden stores have them available (Lowes, Home Depot, etc). You can purchase compost from recycling centers or may be able to find supplies at home & garden local stores or growing coops. You can purchase seeds at local food coops or organic grocery stores, and at some farmers markets. Follow the directions on the packages. We choose to grow the following: box #1- *mixed greens/lettuce, broccoli, peas, yellow onions. box #2- green onions, green beans, carrots, sugar melon, and strawberries. In pots we have tomatoes, lemon balm, and mint.
If you have an apartment or condo without a place for large garden bed, but have a porch, patio, or balcony here are some options for you: build a smaller growing box or stacked (measure the space you have) or grow in pots. Here are some fresh vegetables you can grow in pots: carrots, green beans, *greens (in larger pots) tomatoes, and various herbs*. Some herbs can be grown on window sills indoors.
**mixed greens can be grown in just about any sized box or pot depending on how much you want. Click here for a great article about how to do this.
Buying Local/Organic Through a growing Co-op
Buying local not only promotes economic growth for your community, but also for your state. In many states purchasing items made in your home state are less money because they don't have to be shipped as far. Farmers markets are the best way to get your local food or to purchase in bulk--in addition to your garden or for later winter storage. Here is a link to find your local farmers markets by state. Also check your local chamber of commerce. Also depending on your area if you don't have the time to shop at a farmers market, many coop delivery companies are available. In the winter months we use this one.
Should I buy Organic or Local?
One question I tend to get a lot is whether buying local is better than buying organic. I always promote buying organic because it is ultimately better for you. However, since we all have different budgets here is a helpful guide on what is most & least chemically treated.
These items are most chemically treated. You should ALWAYS buy these items organic whether local or not: Celery, Peaches, Strawberries, Apples, Pears, Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Nectarines, Sweet Bell Peppers, Spinach, Cherries, Kale/Collard Greens, Mixed Greens, Lettuce, beans, Potatoes, and grapes.
The following foods are least chemically treated and you should ALWAYS try to buy these local, whether they are organic or not: Onion, Avacado, Sweet Corn, Pineapple, Mango, Peas, Asparagus, Kiwi, Cabbage, Eggplant, Domestic Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Lemons, Limes, Sweet Potatoes, and Honeydew Melons.
FACT: grocery stores only keep 3 days worth of food on stock for the entire local community. What if some natural disaster happened, would you have enough food to live off for 3 month, or even 3 weeks? The tornadoes in Joplin indicated that you can be caught off guard in preparing for a disaster. Over the next few months I will dedicate this blog to saving money on food and how to prepare for larger periods of time.
Today's topic: Buy Local/Organic Food and Grow Your Own.
Grow Your Own:
The Garden Beds & Growing Pots:
If you have a house, mobile home, or condo and have the space available to grow your own backyard garden for the summer, it can save you money on produce. Depending on your yard space, depends on how many growing beds and sizes you can do. There are two options for growing beds: building your own* or buying built ones. We choose to build our own. We have two 8X4 beds we built. This is the less expensive option and they are fairly easy to build. Here are some basic instructions. If you prefer to purchase raised garden beds many home & garden stores have them available (Lowes, Home Depot, etc). You can purchase compost from recycling centers or may be able to find supplies at home & garden local stores or growing coops. You can purchase seeds at local food coops or organic grocery stores, and at some farmers markets. Follow the directions on the packages. We choose to grow the following: box #1- *mixed greens/lettuce, broccoli, peas, yellow onions. box #2- green onions, green beans, carrots, sugar melon, and strawberries. In pots we have tomatoes, lemon balm, and mint.
If you have an apartment or condo without a place for large garden bed, but have a porch, patio, or balcony here are some options for you: build a smaller growing box or stacked (measure the space you have) or grow in pots. Here are some fresh vegetables you can grow in pots: carrots, green beans, *greens (in larger pots) tomatoes, and various herbs*. Some herbs can be grown on window sills indoors.
**mixed greens can be grown in just about any sized box or pot depending on how much you want. Click here for a great article about how to do this.
Buying Local/Organic Through a growing Co-op
Buying local not only promotes economic growth for your community, but also for your state. In many states purchasing items made in your home state are less money because they don't have to be shipped as far. Farmers markets are the best way to get your local food or to purchase in bulk--in addition to your garden or for later winter storage. Here is a link to find your local farmers markets by state. Also check your local chamber of commerce. Also depending on your area if you don't have the time to shop at a farmers market, many coop delivery companies are available. In the winter months we use this one.
Should I buy Organic or Local?
One question I tend to get a lot is whether buying local is better than buying organic. I always promote buying organic because it is ultimately better for you. However, since we all have different budgets here is a helpful guide on what is most & least chemically treated.
These items are most chemically treated. You should ALWAYS buy these items organic whether local or not: Celery, Peaches, Strawberries, Apples, Pears, Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Nectarines, Sweet Bell Peppers, Spinach, Cherries, Kale/Collard Greens, Mixed Greens, Lettuce, beans, Potatoes, and grapes.
The following foods are least chemically treated and you should ALWAYS try to buy these local, whether they are organic or not: Onion, Avacado, Sweet Corn, Pineapple, Mango, Peas, Asparagus, Kiwi, Cabbage, Eggplant, Domestic Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Lemons, Limes, Sweet Potatoes, and Honeydew Melons.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)