My Million Dollar Grocery Bill
Almost every weekend my parents hit the supermarket near my house and then come by for a visit. Not one week goes by without my dad sharing his regular joke: “Whole Foods should really be called Whole Paycheck.” (He’s referring to the fact that his organic groceries are quite pricey).
Let’s face it. Organic foods are great, but they can sometimes run you more money than a new flashy Benz. (Not that both aren’t worth the money, but you would look better in your Mercedes after you bought the organic food).
When I first discovered that organic foods might be the missing link to my weight loss efforts, I had just graduated from college and was living in a miniature apartment in New York City for like a bizzillion dollars that I could barely afford. In other words, I was broke with a capital B. So how in the world was I going to spend the big bucks on organic food? Let alone pay my rent on time?
Here is how I mastered the art of “going organic on a budget”:
1. I stopped buying crappy “non foods” (and, yes, crappy is a scientific term). Most protein shakes, “health” bars, and processed foods are actually pretty expensive and when you completely eliminate them from your grocery list, you will save hundreds of dollars. Stop supporting cookie companies and start supporting your local farmer and I swear the farmer will be cheaper!
2. When I started eating reasonable portions, the food was not that expensive. When I really took a look at how much I was eating and how much I was supposed to be eating, I clearly had mistaken myself for a 200 lb sumo wrestler. I had portion distortion to say the least and eating less meant spending less!
3. I sought out the local farmer’s markets. The prices were so much better and I always got fresh food in season. And, honestly, if the price of cherries was the equivalent of diamond earrings, I would choose a different fruit. Go for the apples, pears, or bananas. Variety is good anyway so choose the fruits and veggies without the diamond prices.
4. I transitioned my kitchen and my whole house slowly. I probably did not have a complete organic kitchen until 3 years later. Not the ideal, but I did the best I could. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was my organic palace. Do the best you can, start with a few items and then go from there.
There’s no material item that comes close to matching “feeling good” about yourself. Take a look at where you’re spending your money now and figure out how to fit organic foods into your budget (even if it’s a slow transition). I promise that if it was doable for me, it’s doable for you too!
In health and happiness,
Isabel De Los Rios
www.TheDietSolutionProgram.com
I shop at Whole Foods all the time, and while I spend a lot on supplements and personal care products there, the organic produce is not all that much more than the ordinary produce at regular grocery stores. But where I really save on organic is in their canned and packaged goods with the “365″ organic label–which is priced about the same as “regular” foods in other groceries. I also shop at local Pick n Save groceries, and they are owned by Wisconsin food packaging company, Roundy’s. Being a more local company, they respond quickly to their customers’ desires, with the result that they have a rapidly expanding organic line of items in all categories which are exactly the same price as their conventional products, and generally shelved right next to them. So tell your dad to look more carefully–things are changing as we speak.