Grass is Greener

Buy organic food for less: How to save money on fruits, vegetables and more

To purchase organic foods is the right choice – he is healthy, it tastes better, and it is better for the environment. Although the costs of crop production and transport of organic foods means that sometimes it's more expensive at the grocery store than conventional foods, it is better for your health long term. Think about it: is it not better to spend now and save years of your medical bills then it is to keep a couple dollars more to yourself and suffering the consequences later?

However, that does not like to save money? To help to pinch pennies, here are some ways you can save (in the short term and long term) if you are buying organic food:

• Buy your larger purchases first. If you're looking to try a new recipe bio this week, make a list of items you'll need. You organic blueberries can try another time if you absolutely need organic peppers for a new dish.
• Remember that thin-skinned fruits and vegetables are most sensitive to pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, etc.. If you must limit your purchases, be sure to purchase organic foods include: apples, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, pears, lettuce, peppers, and spinach.
• Buy your fruit and vegetables in season when they are both fresh and abundance of supply. For example, spring is the perfect time to buy asparagus, zucchini, and strawberries (did you know May is National Month Strawberry?)-Shop at farmers' markets and independent grocery stores, or join a food cooperative. These places often offer a greater variety organic food, including fruit and vegetables. Some food cooperatives may require a membership fee or ask you to do volunteer co-op for a few hours a month, but generally members receive a discount when they shop. Use a organic link organic network location to find grocery stores and farmers markets selling organic food near you.
• If you're a meat eater, eating organic meat is much better than eating meat from factory farms, where animals were fed nutritionally empty grains and stored in tight spaces until they are slaughtered. Since meat is often more expensive, try to choose a type of meat (beef, chicken, lamb) and experimentation in the kitchen. Use your "meat week" as the centerpiece around which you create your meal, like pasta with chicken, a night, followed by chicken tacos the next.
• Buy in bulk whenever possible. You can always freeze leftover portions that you do not next week.
• Search for coupons organic food companies like Organic Valley, Amy, Stonyfield Farm, Health Valley, and more. What are your tips for saving money on buying organic foods? Share with us in the comments!

Photo: alancleaver_2000 photo gallery Flickr / Creative Commons

About the Author

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*Featured article from the Organic Liaison Blog

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ABOUT ORGANIC LIAISON

Kirstie Alley’s Organic Liaison is a brand new, innovative weight loss program with the goal of “liaising” people from conventional eating habits to healthier organic ones while losing weight and supporting the body 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Organic Liaison membership offers a complete system including Rescue Me ™ weight loss elixir, the first USDA certified organic weight loss product; access to online tools including a daily journal, weight loss graph, daily menu planner; as well as other natural supplements and health tips to help members lose weight safely and effectively. Organic Liaison worked with experts in the fields of organics, nutrition and fitness to create an outstanding natural weight loss lifestyle and a comprehensive health and fitness community for their members.

 

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Why organic food?

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