How to Save Money While Going Organic

I often get questions about how to save money while going organic, so I have compiled a few tips on the subject.  These are simple ways to cut costs on fresh whole foods and other organic ingredients.  Please leave comments below on how you save money while shopping for organic food.

Plan a Menu
The easiest way to save money is to plan meals.  Plan on 2-3 days worth of meals including snacks.  Make a shopping list of exactly what you need to make those meals and stick to that list at the grocery store.  Making a shopping list at home will help you to utilize all of the food you already have and will keep you focused on specific food items at the store.  Take an inventory of what you already have on hand and plan meals using those things.  Planning ahead also eliminates the stress of wondering what to cook after a long day at work and lessens the urge to eat out.

 

 

Cook at Home
I love to eat out, but let’s face it, its expensive.  The amount of money you spend for one night out could purchase all of the groceries for 3-4 days of cooking at home!  I try to limit my eating out to special occasions.  Also, purchasing ingredients to make your own salad dressings, breads, and drinks can save you tons of money.  Plus, making your own condiments and sides at home allows you to control everything about what you are consuming.

 

 

Buy in Bulk
Warehouse stores like Costco provide inexpensive ways to purchase large amounts of foods.  Frozen fruit and meats, for example, are a great deal at Costco and can be stored in your freezer for long periods of time.  Places like Whole Foods Market offer a bulk food aisle featuring bins of organic rice, nuts, grains, and seeds all at discounted prices.  Purchasing larger bags of greens is usually a better deal than buying a small bag and taking advantage of “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” promotions at stores is a great way to buy in season, fresh produce.

 

 

Shop at Farmers’ Markets
I love shopping for produce at farmers’ markets (See my Farmers’ Market Blog Post Here).  Not only do you get to purchase in season, locally grown produce, but you generally save money because you get to cut out the middle man by purchasing directly from the farmer.  Most vendors are also organic farmers so you are automatically getting the best fruits and veggies available.

 

 

Eat in Season
To save lots of money buy only fruits and veggies that are in season.  Purchasing these items not only takes advantage of what is naturally being grown that time of year, but also will ensure you are getting the freshest, least genetically modified produce possible.  If you find great deals on certain fruits or veggies, you might consider freezing them to cook later or even dehydrating fruit to snack on all year.

 

 

 

Plant a Garden
This is the simplest way to go organic.  Starting a garden is interactive and rewarding.  If you have a large space, go crazy!  Plant lettuce, tomatoes, squash, green beans, pumpkins, strawberries, peppers, potatoes, and carrots.  If space is an issue, plant a pot of tomatoes, or a herb garden on your window sill.  Growing your own food will generally yield a 200% savings.  For every dollar you spend on the garden, you should produce $2 worth of food.

 

 

Eat Less Meat
Bottom line, meat is expensive.  And the average American eats much more meat than necessary.  Treat meat as a treat.  Only buy it for special occasions or when you find great sales.  When cooking meat for meals, try to stick to specific portion guidelines.  For example, one serving of chicken, red meat or fish should be 3 ounces, or roughly the size of a deck of cards.

Eat to Stay Young

As we get older, we start to ask important questions about our lives.  Some wonder if they are in the right career or not.  Some question if they are living in the right city, or with the right person.  Some ask if they are making a difference in the world, or if when they are gone, will people remember them.  People like me, however, wonder if they are looking older.  Call me superficial, but I don’t want to grow up!  I don’t want wrinkles and sun spots and yellow teeth.  So instead of freaking out, I’ve done some research on natural ways to stay young.  And as it turns out there are some pretty tasty ways to combat aging.

Wild Salmon
Salmon and other cold water fish are great sources of protein.  These proteins help to maintain skin cells and help promote cell regineration…which means they are anti-wrinkle!  The omega-3 fatty acids in Salmon help keep skin radiant and fresh and also helps brain function…bonus!  The dark pink color in salmon comes from an antioxidant called astaxanthin, which is an anti-inflamitory…goodbye fine lines and wrinkles!

 

Wheat Grass
Wheat grass and barley are close cousins of all dark leafy greens, but wheat grass packs a much more nutrient dense punch.  Green foods help to detoxify the skin to keep it looking radiant.  Because of the high levels of chlorophyll, wheat grass has positive effects on blood pressure, cholesterol, and the immune system.  The chlorophyll also fights against bad breath…who knew?

 

Olive Oil
Every diet needs good fat to help absorb the nutrients from our fruits and vegetables.  Olive oil keeps our cells supple which translates to smoother skin.  Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains oleic acid which helps us absorb omega-3’s and other nutrients in our food.  The acid keeps our cells outer walls supple allowing nutrients to enter easily and waste to escape.

 

Blueberries
These little blue balls (don’t be gross) are full of anti-inflammatory properties.  Inflammation causes sagging and wrinkles and we don’t want that.  Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and improve memory and brain function.  Anything that is good for the brain is good for the skin.

 

 

Green Tea
Green tea contains polyphenols which help to get rid of free radicals that cause inflammation.  New studies also show that polypphenols help protect cells from cancer causing DNA damage.  Another new finding suggests that the green tea polyphenols, also known as EGCG, reactivate dying skin cells, in turn, making us look younger!

 

 

Grapefruit
Sour citrus fruits, including grapefruit, lemons, and limes contain antioxidants called limonoids.  These limonoids help prevent cancer by boosting detoxification in the liver, lower blood cholesterol, and inhibit cancer cell growth in skin.  A study conducted for Bordeaux Medical also found that the proanthocyanidins (say that 3 times fast!)  found in sour citrus strengthen capillaries which maintains the elastin of our skin keeping it healthy and youthful.

Farmers’ Market Haul

Farmers Market San Luis Obispo, Ca

I love going to Farmers’ Markets, but I especially love going to Farmers’ Market in San Luis Obispo, Ca.  If you are ever on the Central Coast in California you have to stop by downtown SLO on Thursday night for their unforgettable Farmers’ Market.  This is a year-round happening, every single Thursday and I LOVE it! I had the pleasure of making the short drive over last night and wanted to share the awesome produce and other wonderful products I purchased.  Farmers’ markets are a great way to buy locally and to help support organic farmers in your area.

You can find a farmers’ market in your area by going to:
www.localharvest.com

How’s It Going, Organic?

It has been almost a month now since I started this blog and began to change my lifestyle to become more “organic”, so I wanted to share my progress. 

An Update on My Organic Transition
This is what I’ve changed so far… 

Food and Drink
The first thing that I have changed is the way I eat.  Right now I’m only eating whole foods, which means fruits, vegetables, poultry including eggs, fish, and meat.  I cut out everything processed and everything with chemicals and most preservatives (excluding citric acid, a natural preservative).  Obviously, for fruits and vegetables I am trying to buy all organic, but if I can’t it’s not the end of the world.  For poultry and eggs I am buying only cage-free, hormone-free, organic chicken and eggs.  I’m buying wild caught seafood and the little meat that I eat (I just don’t love it that much), I’m chosing grass-fed, hormone-free and free-range when I can.  For an extra challenge I have also cut out all processed foods.  I’ve included what I would call healthy processed food in this to make it more simple for me, so no bread products or dairy.  However, I do put cream in my coffee :).  I will eventually get into incorporating and exploring more of whole grain bread and bread products and organic natural dairy products including cheese, but for now I’ve stayed away because I want it to be a little more simple.  I’m not a freak about it though!   I have had “normal” food a few times when I’ve been out with friends and family, but for the most part it is pretty easy to eat whole foods everywhere.  I do believe in that old saying: Everything in moderation!!  So for drinks, I have completely cut out all chemicals and fake sugars.  Basically, I’m drinking water, iced tea and coffee.  I used to be addicted to Sweet-N-Low and shaky packets that you put in water bottles.  Both fake sugars and shaky packets are chemicals in a little pouch!  Who even knows what they are doing to you?  I thought that it would be a really hard transition, but it was surprisingly easy.  So those are the changes in food and drink I have made and I feel great!  I know that all of you have eaten fast food or a really huge dinner that is heavy and greasy and gross and you feel heavy and greasy and gross afterwards.  Since I have been eating this way I feel completely light and healthy and fresh.  It’s been totally fun and totally easy :). 

Beauty Products
You have already seen a couple of product reviews that  I have done, but for things that I need to purchase from this point on, I will be purchasing the most natural and most organic products that I can.  You probably already know this, but our skin is the largest organ of our body.  Anything that we put on our skin will get absorbed into our bodies, so the point behind buying natural and organic is to only put the “good” stuff in.  This has been the most fun part for me.  I obviously love to shop, I love make up, I love products…anything!  It has been so fun to switch over to a whole new world of products.  I have found really great things that I am so excited to share with you :).  And I’ve already been approached by several companies that have sent me products to review and even a few things to give away to my readers so stayed tuned for a chance to win!! 

  

Household Cleaning Products
Last, but not least, for my home, I am searching for and buying all natural cleaning products.  Everything that we wash down our drains or that we throw away ends up in our water supply or our landfills and I’m trying to be more responsible in this area too.  The fewer chemicals and “man-made” stuff that I can use in my home the better.  So for doing laundry, doing dishes, and for all around general cleaning I will try to buy the most natural, most organic products that I can.  I will be reviewing those products as I use them and can form better opinions.  I am also researching homemade cleaning products that are made out of everyday ingredients.  If any of you have recipes for natural cleaning products, please send them my way.  I would love to try them in my home. 

  

Thank you so much for your support in reading my blogs and watching my videos!
I have been very surprised by the interest, which makes me oh-so-happy 🙂

Top 5 Favorite Snacks

Top 5 Favorite Snacks

I decided to film my first video blog (vlog), so please check it out! 
If you like the video, make sure you subscribe to my YouTube channel, search sew2024 or Sarah Goes Organic.

If you prefer to read, I’ve also included pictures and text below 🙂

 

 I’ve had a few people ask me what I like to snack on, so I thought I would share with you my top 5 favorite snacks!  I know that we are all in a hurry, all of the time, and it’s hard to find foods that we can grab and go.  If you are like most people, you probably fall into the trap of purchasing prepackaged snack foods at the grocery store.  While these foods are convenient and easy, they are loaded with preservatives, chemicals, sugar, salt and fake coloring.  Over the past couple months I have found some great foods that make awesome snacks, so hopefully you enjoy!

1.  FRESH FRUIT

I know that you are probably thinking, “We already know that, Sarah”, but you would be surprised at how many people don’t consider fruit a real food.  The great thing about fruit is that you can grab it and go.  It doesn’t need any preparation or refrigeration.  My favorites are apples, bananas, peaches, oranges and grapefruit.  Put a piece of fruit in your purse, your car, your book bag, at work, anywhere you go!

 

I also LOVE grapefruit.  My favorite way to eat grapefruit is to cut it in half, cut out the sections and drizzle a little honey on the top.  The honey melts down into the grapefruit and sweetens up the tartness of the fruit.  Honey is great because it is a natural sweetner…the only ingredient in honey is honey!  I eat a grapefruit every morning or sometimes at night when I want a sweet treat.

 

2.  HUMMUS AND VEGGIES

Hummus is a Mediterranean dip made out of garbanzo beans (chickpeas).  It is usually made with olive oil, tahini (spice) and other natural spices and flavors.  It comes in many varieties, including, original, spinach and artichoke, greek olive, and red pepper.  Hummus is usually served with pita bread, but I eat it with bell pepper slices, celery and carrots.  Hummus is full of fiber and protein and is light and fresh.

3.  FROZEN GRAPES

If you have never tried frozen grapes before, you are missing out!  I wash a bunch of grapes, take them off the vine and put them into plastic freezer bags.  I keep a few bags in my freezer at all times.  They are perfect for snacking on a hot day, to take to the movies (don’t tell anyone!) or just to eat on the go.  The grapes take on an ice cream like texture when frozen…they are SO good, you have to try this.

4.  CHICKEN SALAD WITH LETTUCE

I like to make a chicken salad mix to keep in the refrigerator for a quick healthy snack.  I make this and put in romaine lettuce leaves for a fresh, protein packed snack or lunch. 
Sarah’s Chicken Salad Recipe:
Boneless skin-less chicken breasts
Red bell pepper
Celery
Pickles
Mayonnaise made with Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients together and put in lettuce leaves or use red bell pepper, celery, or carrots to dip.

5.  DRIED FRUIT

I always have a bag of dried fruit in my purse. My personal favorites are: apricots, cherries, apples, and peaches.  The great thing about dried fruit is it’s exactly that; fruit that has been dried.  A warning though, some dried fruit has lots of added sugar and chemicals to preserve color etc.  Always read the ingredients label.  You only want the fruit, whatever kind it may be, to be on the ingredients list. 

Tip of the Week!

Stay on the perimeter when shopping at the grocery store.

Think about the layout of the grocery store like a map.  The destination is the checkout stand and the goal is to have as many nutrient dense, healthful, whole foods as possible.  The strategy: stay on the perimeter. 

 The outer walls of the grocery store will provide you with the most real food you can purchase.  You will find fruits and vegetables, raw meat including poultry and fish, and dairy.  If you stick to the perimeter, you will most likely leave the store with a cart full of goodness.  The center of the store is where the processed, preserved, and fake food is found.  Stay away from these things as much as you possibly can! 

The middle section of the store is the part on the map that has the skull and crossbones on it…you don’t want to go there, people might die :).   

So remember, to make it to the finish line with healthy purchases and a cart full of great food, keep to the outer walls and avoid the middle.  Have a great week and let me know how your grocery shopping goes!

Stay on the perimeter when shopping at the grocery store.

Tip of the Week! Week 1

Eat only foods with ingredients that you can pronounce.

Ingredients  like propylene glycol monoester, xanthan gum, pyrophosphate, hydrogenated, tocopherols, and mononitrate riboflavin are not only hard to pronounce but are NOT food!  And these few things just came off a pancake mix I had in my cupboard.  I can’t imagine all of the other labratory created foods we are consuming daily.

We should only put food into our bodies that is whole, real, and that we can pronounce without struggle.  Our bodies were created to break down whole foods not chemically engineered foods that were made in test tubes.  So think about ingredients the next time you go to grab a snack or make dinner.  It’s simple.

Eat only foods with ingredients that you can pronounce.