Shopping Smartly
Hiiiii 😀 How are you? Thanks so much for your awesome comments on the Winter Shape Up! (<— later tonight, I’ll have a widget on the blog so it will be easier to find for ya’ll) Some of you have already let me know that you tried the workout- so awesome! Be sure to leave a comment on the WSU post each time you complete the workout this week 😉 (That would be a huge exaggerated wink and a hint that maybe I’m keeping track for something fun)
After an am green juice and amazing BodyPump class (the new release is siiiiiick. I’m sore already!), I had some breakfast.
Brown rice toast + Amy’s refried beans, some egg, nutritional yeast and salsa
It was good, but a good indication that it was time to grocery shop it up.
I picked up the madre and took her on her first trip to the commissary:
In Valdosta, I called it the commisSCARY because they had hardly anything and the produce was either nonexistent or rotting. Here, the commissary is positively beautiful and they have amazing prices on all of my favorite stuff. The only thing they’re really lacking in is organic produce, but as far as frozen, gluten-free and canned organic goodies, they rock the house.
As I’ve confessed to you guys before, we spend a boatload of money on food. We have a budget for everything else, but I’ve always figured that’s it’s worth it to spend a little more to put the best fuel possible into our proverbial tank. That being said, it is totally possible to find certified organic, whole foods without breaking the bank.
Today, I only spent 87ish dollars for food for the week + pantry items that will last longer
Here are the commissary goods: 
-Alexia frozen potatoes and portobello mushrooms
-frozen oganic broccoli
-bag of organic green apples
-Smart water (I like it, please don’t be mad)
-Dijon mustard and OrganicVille sundried tomato dressing
-Dill
-Wild frozen salmon fillets
-Frozen organic berries
-Larabars
-Hummus
-Veggie wash
-Olives
-Chocolate
-Popcorn
-Gluten-free pancake mix
-Almond milk
-Organic canned beans
-Gluten free oats
+ the missing produce I picked up at Trader Joe’s (organic cucumbers, 2 types of salad, lemons)
-goat cheese medallions, seaweed snacks, and brown rice bread
Of course, there were still some impulse buys:
(White Chocolate Kisses TEA?! How could I resist?)
but I think I did pretty well! 😀
Using the goods, I made myself a little taster plate for lunch:
Amazing 😀
With all of the organic hubbub, please don’t feel like you have to buy organic if it’s not widely available or if your budget won’t always allow it. Its much better to eat ANY vegetable or fruit than to ditch it for something processed, organic or not- ya know?
Here are some organic items with a less noticeable price jump:
-Carrots (they’re basically the same price!)
-Romaine lettuce
-Frozen berries (often less expensive than than conventional fresh berries, with more nutrients)
-Frozen veggies (Cascadian Farms has some great options)
-Sweet potatoes
-Canned beans (look for the store brand organic- Publix and Winn Dixie both have options)
Items that are worth the extra price:
-All meats
-Eggs
-Dairy
Not worth it:
-Bananas
-Avocadoes
I hope this helps a little! Also, make sure to check for a USDA certified organic label if you’re rolling with the organic thang- it’s not a regulated term, so some marketers will get tricky.
What items are worth the organic price tag to you? Any fun foodie impulse buys lately?
I’m off to dance!
See ya in the morning <3
xoxo
Gina
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I agree with you I will not skimp on organic when it comes to meat, dairy, and eggs. I tend to skip organic when its items I can peel like bananas, pineapple, etc. Great Post!
I honestly buy organic when I can afford it, but organic does not always mean healthy 🙂
I try to buy organic whenever possible. Sometimes the price is so ridiculous but I agree with what you said about fueling out bodies. Sometimes it’s just worth it!
I cannot really afford to buy organic regularly because I have a large family . However, since you posted about making your own almond butter I experimented today and made my own vanilla cashew and macadamia butter -like icing. It is delicious so I think I will certainly save some money making my own nut butters at least sometimes. A very looooooong time ago someone sent you some interesting flavors of home made nut butters. It might be fun to do a post suggesting different sweet and savory combos for nut butters and then the uses for them. I have never bought any savory kinds but am thinking that I might like them on pasta or veggies or something. Thoughts?
that’s a great idea! maybe it can be next week’s project!
I try to buy organic whenever I can, but there’s usually a week or two every month when money gets tight. Organic goes right out the window 😛
Oh man, after I saw how conventional bananas were grown in Costa Rica, I totally only buy organic bananas now (in addition to buying most everything organic — I, of course, don’t budget my groceries either, it would probably give me a heart attack). Anyway, the bananas are swaddled in these blue little baggies, so picture a banana tree with all the bananas wrapped in plastic blue baggies that are basically pesticide baggies! I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m pretty sure a banana skin, though peel-able, is a permeable surface, right? Anyway, 3 years later it’s all I think about when I buy bananas…
I’m pretty sure that image is going to give me nightmares…
ewww good to know!
You’re absolutely bang on about not skimping on meat, etc. We shop at Whole Foods probably way more than we “should” but to me, there’s a comfort level there, along with our local farmers markets. There are very few places we skimp on foodwise, because the difference to me has been measurable in terms of quality. Excellent post!
I love going to the commissary with my mom! Well, love the prices, hate the crowds and people with two shopping carts! 😉 I may have even used my military ID five years after it expired… shhhhh!
I try to buy organic everything when feasible, but I definitely splurge on any animal products, berries, and apples.
that’s a good haul of goods, gina! i’m with you on the “non”-budget for food items: luckily, we are able to just buy what we need/want. we don’t eat out a lot, so i justify our grocery bill by saying resto food would be A LOT more!
i’m hit and miss for organics – kinda just when i see items and want to try the organic version. but i do love organic milk, yogurt, and some veggies.
have a great evening!
I work at a natural foods co-op so obviously, I impulse buy on groceries a lot. But I am trying to do the big grocery shops at Trader Joe’s since they have always have a lot of organic options and they are so cheap. The 2 things I always buy organic are produce and dairy. And I try my best to buy local since it’s important to me that we support small farms and lower our carbon footprint. To me, it’s worth the extra $$$
I’m usually really bad about not looking at the prices or if food is organic are not. If it’s in huge letters and says its organic than I buy it, and if it doesn’t oh well. I always forget to check. The commissary in my town is actually really nice. At least the few times that I’ve been there it has been. 🙂
I agree with you….I can’t really budget with my food as I only eat the best possible for us. There is only the 2 of us and we spend about the same for a family of 4! EEEEKKKK. But I feel my best 🙂 hehe
When we go to the states I always have to buy that veggie wash you did because its I can find, but there is a wayyyyy better brand that I use by Nature Clean. Love it!
xxoo
I’m definitely a sucker for foodie impulse buys! I recently bought raspberry infused vinegar (trying it tomorrow!), ginger chews, a new type of gluten-free bread, and a couple of other variety-seeking purchases for my Try Something New Tuesday trials (http://eatspinrunrepeat.wordpress.com/try-something-new-tuesdays/). I agree it can get a bit expensive, but it’s sort of like entertainment, right!? 😉
Thanks for saying what you said about buying what your budget affords and allows. ANY apple is better than none, and if it comes down to organic or not being the deciding factor, i always tell people to buy what they can afford.
And that’s what I do.
I feed our family very inexpensively b/c i always buy store brand on things like beans, salad dressings that i dont make from scratch, sugar, real vanilla extract, etc. Stuff like that adds up in a HURRY.
I’m not married to organic, but just want fresh. And that’s what I always post about. Of course, everyone has to do as she sees fit, type thing. Thank you for sharing your finds! They look great…
“(White Chocolate Kisses TEA?! How could I resist?)” = GOOD CALL! sounds delish
🙂
I have been going to my commissary for the last 2 shopping trips, and was so pleasantly surprised by all the healthy options! I was always scared to shop there, it’s about 10 miles away from me, not too bad, and I just don’t like the bagger situation. Do I have to have them bag for me? Between the extra gas, and tip, I almost go home w/o saving any $. One thing I bought recently, dark chocolate covered pom!! I do not recommended doing it! I started out good, but that went down hill fast!
do they have self check out at yours?
i often self check out so i don’t have to pay someone to take them to the car
I need that tea! Ahhhhhhhhh! I hope I spot it! Sounds amazing, I wonder if that was out last year? Love the tips! I always buy organic for my produce, but I dont buy too much so it saves ; ) just me eating it! Have a goodnight!
Gina – Unrelated, but I keep forgetting to ask this! I know you mentioned bringing some organic chicken back because your body responds well to it. I was wondering if you were going to try whey protein again, too. I know Sun Warrior is your raw lurver but I always wonder if whey protein really is best for maintaining/building muscle. I use whey protein primarily because I like the way it tastes, and because I’ve heard it’s such a good source of protein. Anyway, just curious to see what your thoughts are!
I couldn’t agree more about the “non-budget” for good food! Many people I know don’t understand my reasoning for this, but the way I see it, you wouldn’t go to a sub-par doctor knowing that he was sub par, now why on earth would I put anything but the best in my body? Silly people! All that to say, I definitely cannot afford to buy all organic by any means, but I do when I can and where I feel it counts most! I absolutely love love love your bloggy and am excited about WSU! 🙂 You ROCK! 🙂
I feel the same as most peeps here 🙂 I don’t have a food budget (although sometimes I wish I did). I drove to a grocery store that is further away from me on Saturday just to be able to get organic, all natural, free range chicken. My thought was exactly what you mentioned in your post–it’s fuel for my body. I buy nice (kinda expensive) clothes, have a nice phone and all, so why skimp when it comes to my insides and health? Great post tonight!
I hardly ever buy organic just because my grocery budget is WAY tight, but I do always go for the organic spinach and tomatoes. Every little bit, right? And I do agree…I’ll spend more on GOOD, wholesome food as opposed to buying canned, processed crap just to put a bit more into savings each month. It’s the body bank, if you will 🙂
I totally agree with you on investing in healthy foods, it’s definitely worth it if you have a little extra cash to spend. I did a post the other day about setting up a grocery budget…not trying to publicize and be one of THOSE commenters, but if it’s helpful to anyone interested in how to budget their food purchases, feel free to check it out/tell me if you have better ideas.
Tomorrow I’m starting the workout plan you set up today! Yay!
I try to buy organic on any veggie or fruit that I’ll be consuming the skin on, I tend to worry less about pineapples, avocados, etc. Also I buy more bulk foods as I need them instead of pre-packaged healthy alternatives to processed foods which always rack up the bill!
that tea sounds amazing i must find it! i love bigelow teas. i have a vanilla caramel box in my cupboard right now!
I always buy organic bananas, around here they are only about $0.10 more per/lb compared to regular bananas, but the main reason I get them is because my aunt once told us that if you find bananas give you indigestion (which they do me), if you get organic ones you won’t get indigestion – and I never do now that I made the switch.
Wierd but true.
Nice sparkly widget over there 🙂
Thanks for the shopping tips…things are super tight money-wise over here, so we need all the help we can get!
Yum, that tea sounds delicious! I always buy organic any fruits or vegetables where I don’t the peel. AKA: banana = not organic, apples = organic. Keeps it simple.
I totally agree with your stance on organic versus non-organic- just eat fruits and vegetables! It’s like rock, paper, scissors- fruits and veggies always trump processed food, no matter what. Also, I agree that eggs and dairy are worth the splurge. After seeing how eggs are factory farmed, I feel personally accountable for the chickens involved in the process.
I’m definitely looking into buying more organic. I used to think it was stupid, but after doing more research, I’m thinking that it would really be better for me.
Ahhh white chocolate tea?! I am salivating!
Oh man, I really miss the commissarty at D-M, I have only been to the one here ONCE and I have never gone back!
I went to Henry’s on Sunday and totally bought 3 bag of pre-made kale chips that were on sale… Ranch, curry and nacho. SO GOOD! Could I make them myself, yes. Do these taste AMAZING ?? YEP
That tea sounds SO yummy. I finally was able to find myself a box of sugar cookie sleigh ride this Xmas and lurve it !!
I used to hit up Whole Foods and not really pay attention to grocery store prices. Then I saw the amazing amount of money I was spending on food – a bit ridiculous. So I switched to Sprout’s recently. I may not be able to buy all organic, but I agree with you – better than processed food! Also, I am trying to figure out which is better: organic or local produce? Ideally, I’d like to do both, but it can’t always happen. Do you have a preference?
I’m with you on spending a little more on food! It brings me some of my greatest pleasure in life so I think it’s totally worth it!
My latest impulse-buy-slash-guilty-pleasure is the container of Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups at Trader Joe’s. Try them!
I mean don’t.
I mean do.
😉
Thanks for the organic foods breakdown. That’s super helpful!!
Awesome post Gina. I always have trouble deciding if I want to buy organic or not, being in college and on a tight budget!
i like to try buy organic when i can. its not always convenient or cheap, but i do my best.
RPM Launch was today here, it was pretty awesome! are you doing the launch for rpm? i really liked it.
i really try to stick with organic produce and milk, and TRY to get organic meat when we can afford it. we’ve been doing a lot more budgeting on groceries lately, and it’s totally doable. you just have to be diligent about it!
I’m going to need to find that tea ASAP. I’m a tea-holic 🙂
what is the commisary? is it a military thing?
yeah it’s the base grocery store
I just discovered a Certified Organic farm right near me that I’m so excited to try out this weekend!!
The items that are worth buying organic (at least on a college budget) are those actually really affected by pesticides- like carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, grapes..stuff like that. But as far as bananas or other thick-skinned things, the organic price tag isn’t worth it.
I just picked up some coconut butter the other day! I also got some flax quinoa bread (both from WF) and am LOVING them both so far. 🙂
Anything coming out of a dehydrator would be my splurge. I still don’t have one (should probably consider it since I’ve probably already paid one with all those treats ;). I don’t budget my grocery either. And I go organic whenever available and nice. Thanks for sharing your grocery shopping!
The new bodypump is hard! So many pushups! There are some foodie items that I like that are only available in organic, other than that, I rarely but it unless its on sale.
I really like to try to get my meats organic/grassfed/cage-free/ humane as possible. And I LOVE getting my eggs from the farmers market in the spring time. They have a sign that says they’re “girls and happy girls” Too cute.
Hi Gina I’m a college student and have no knowledge on organic foods at all really…this posts helps a little but you could you do a post on the exact differences between organic and ‘regular or normal’ veggies? haha thx!
Your grocery finds and buys look quite similar to mine! Hehe, what can I say, great minds think alike:)
Great advice on shopping wisely and whether to choose organic! That’s key info everybody should be informed about….
My husband works with farmworkers to help protect them against pesticides, so I’ve increasingly purchased more and more pesticide-free or organic produce since we met. What I’ve learned from him is that for many pesticides it won’t necessarily hurt the consumer to buy non-organic, but it is really harmful for those living in farming communities (especially those working in the fields).
i can’t really afford organic stuff, especially since London prices are so high anyway. But I do look at the price differences and if it isnt too bad, i’ll buy it. I always buy organic and free range meats and eggs anyway since I can’t stomach not doing so.
Impulse buys = quinoa bread for £4 that was actually not that tasty! I’m sure it would make good french toast though 🙂