How To Eat Organic On A Budget

Organic products at New Earth Organic Enterprises 

Once you have decided to follow the organic path you will experience improved health almost immediately.  That's right, your digestive tract will be one of the first body parts to thank you.  You will also realise that you have to make some adjustments to your budget.  We are here to help you stay the course with these 30 Tips to Eat Organic on a Budget:

1. Choose brands that are cheaper. Once it is labeled 100% certified organic it means it has the same value as the more expensive item.
2. Always use your shopper's club card.  The points you earn will bring rewards or can be redeemed at certain stores.  
3. Choose local organic food.  This is important as land and sea transport leaves a significant carbon footprint.
4. Find a farmers market near you (check my previous post on Farmers' Markets) – get to know your local farmers, create a personal relationship and negotiate prices.
5. Ask your farmer about his farming practices. There are many farmers out there that use natural alternatives to control pests and weeds, but don't label their products as 'Organic'. Show them that consumers want organic products.
6. 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.
7. Set up a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program such as the San Antonio Green Market. This way  to you and neighbours contribute to a local farm’s operating expenses while getting a weekly box of fresh fruits and vegetables.

GROW YOUR OWN FOOD - It's Cheaper and Tastes Great!

1. 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.
2. 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).
3. Remember to buy non-GMO seeds, check out Sow True Seed for lots of options.
4. 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.
5. Bring your food with you in a cooler – even if you are flying. Did you know you can check a cooler?
6. Bring filtered water with you wherever you go in a reusable safe water bottle so you never have to buy expensive bottled water.
7. Always carry snacks like homemade trail mix in your purse or bag for emergencies.
8. 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 - Tips for Making Them Last:Longer

1. Raw nuts and flours should be kept in the refrigerator to last longer without going rancid.
2. Line your refrigerator’s crisper drawer with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. They’ll absorb excess moisture which will help keep produce longer.
3. To repel bugs, place a bay leaf in containers of rice, flour and pastas.
4. Buy and keep bananas separated from one another, they spoil slower.
5. 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
6. 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.
7. Repurpose vegetable pulp from juicing to add fiber to soups, smoothies or make crackers or bread.
8. Place limp celery, baby carrots and radishes in water with a slice of potato to make them crunchy again.
9. Keep all organic citrus fruits in the fridge – they will last up to 1-2 weeks longer.
10. Do not wash organic dark leafy greens or berries until they are ready to consume.
11. Store herbs, spring onions, asparagus upright in a large glass filled with an inch of water
12. Learn tips and recipes on how to use over the edge food. For examples, bread pudding with stale bread, and banana bread with overripe bananas.
13. If you know you will not have a chance to eat it, freeze food before it goes bad.
14. Choose to eat less, use a smaller plate to help you control the amount of food you might eat or end up wasting.
15. Compost all food waste to put nutrients back in your garden (you will spend less on fertilizer).