Branching Out to Organics

AndyBee

You don't have to convince me buying organic is better for my health, environment, and the general well being. I'm in. I'm on board. My checkbook would disagree. I don't want to use money as an excuse, but I don't want to shock my budget as well.

I was raised in a lower-middle class family. Not poor enough for food stamps, but not well off enough to have enough. So I was taught to be very frugal with our food budget.

I need to know what MUST be organic right off the bat. Jillian Michaels has consistently said dairy, so I know that one for sure. But what else? Eventually I want everything I buy to be organic, but right now I'm easing into it.

Also, how do I know I'm not getting ripped off? Obviously organics will cost more. But I don't want to end up paying more than I should. KWIM? Is it cheapest to buy at Costco, Trader Joe's, New Seasons, Whole Foods, or Walmart?

scantrll

My opinion is that if you are eating or using the skin, it needs to be organic. So, apples, strawberries or the zest of a fruit? Organic. Banana, onion, oranges? Not needed in my mind. I also just look for "natural" or "no antibiotics" in the meats - Tyson raw chicken is good about that without it breaking the bank.

That's my two cents, hope that helps!

Cmuchoa

Google and check out the "Dirty Dozen" - tells you which fruits and veggies are the worst for pesticides and to try an buy organic.
I feel yr pain as it can be expensive especially in today's economy.

McHeather

Items with a thin skin you want to be organic - like tomatoes. Thick skin you can peel off like oranges can be not organic. I can't find it right now but Jillian Michaels book Master your Metabolism has a list of must have organic, and a list ones you can let go because of a budget.

LadyOfOceanBreeze

greetings fellow organic eater

this is the most comprehensive site I have found so far and if you scroll about 1/3 of the way down there is a list of those foods that are best eaten organically;

http://www.helpguide.org/life/organic_foods_pesticides_gmo.htm

...also I think you will find some frugal tips here as well

happy healthy munching:bigsmile:

justtodayjen333

I am in the same boat as you. Would love to go more natural and organic, but I'm a little bit of a frugalista! It's hard for me to figure out how to adjust my food budget to even begin--and it just seems overwhelming! My "all or nothing" attitude just can't work here, so I've decided to start small--perhaps pick dairy and start there; or start with just organic beef or chicken. And then keep going and add something else. I'm thinking that Trader Joes is a good place to start--when I was there the last time, I was surprised at how inexpensive their caged free eggs were. I've also heard that Costo can have great deals on natural and organic products. That's my 2 cents right now. It's still hard to cough up the big bucks when you are used to keeping your food budget low.

theflyingartist

Everyone's right!
If you're eating the skin, make it organic.
If it was grown underground, make it organic. (Onions, potatoes, carrots, ect.)
Dairy should always be organic.
And let me add, for the record, that organic isn't always different than regular. it's about what you're putting into your body. So, frankly, you can have the kettle potato chips just don't buy Pringles. Dried fruit (organic or not) instead of fruit snacks.. dark chocolate instead of candy bars.. get the picture?
The less processed the food is, the better it is for your health. Making the step from apple juice to raw apples is crazy enough, don't overdo it or you might feel overwhelmed.
Also, organic is NOT more expensive. I'm sorry. I bought two mangoes from Safeway yesterday for 2 dollars, organic. I live in Washington, highest tax and highest minimum wage. I'm unemployed student, if I can make organic food work I think anyone can. it's about being frugal, buying seasonally, and buying on sale.

wonnder1

I went organic, not for any moral issues, but purely on taste. I had a free range organic egg and I was hooked. I started small, there's a company here that delivers a box of organic vegetables every week. When I was supplying food for one it was ok budget wise. But when you have a family and a house and a car etc etc etc, it adds up.

When I had to start prioritizing where the money went, I had to stop the organic. But I didn't want to move away completely from that way of life, I was healthier and happier. I now function on a pared down version of the 100 mile diet. I know the farmers I get my food from.

But here's my Top Five of best tasting organics:

1. (with a bullet) Radishes. Seriously, I can eat a pound, don't need salt or anything.
2. eggs
3. pears
4. strawberries
5. rhubarb

I never noticed a difference with bananas taste wise. Milk, I could never afford organic, but I've pretty much dropped out dairy anyway.