10 ways to eat Organic on a budget

I have heard so many people say that eating organic, with a family, is just too expensive. Quite frankly, it's just not true. I've been feeding my family of four organic food for years and saving money in the process. Here's a few ways that I've stayed on a budget while providing organic food for my family.

1. Gardening. You need a little bit of land but not a lot. An 8 x 20 plot of garden space provided more than enough for our family. Pots work great for city dwellers!

- I must admit I'm not a great gardener and I've killed tons of plants. But some plants are resilient like kale, tomatoes, and onions. I tend to stick with those and squash variations.

-My kids just love it. They get their little shovels and come help dig out the weeds. They get to learn about plants and how to be self sufficient! 

-Freeze or can the extras to stretch the organic produce until the next harvest season.

-For those of us who live in small city apartments, gardening is not necessarily an option. Check and see if there are any community gardens around your area. However, you can still grow green onions in a mason jar, in your windowsill. Such an easy way to save money on your grocery bill! Buy an organic bundle of green onions. Use a mason jar or cup filled with water to plop your green onions into. And just place them in a lighted windowsill. Every few days you'll have to add a little more water to it, but man those things grow fast. And they last for a very long time! Just take scissors and chop off what you need. When the shoots get brown and mushy, just replace them.

-Herbs are also a great small living crop to grow.

2. Avoid 'fancy organics'. I mean the stuff that are in boxes or packaged. Those tend to be on the steep side. I know if I go and get organic, gluten-free, vegan cookies, I'm gonna drop something like 5 bucks or more on a box. Those are treats and should not be bought on a weekly basis if you're trying to keep a strict budget.

3. Shop the sales! I once bought 20 pounds of beef because it was five dollars off a pound. Yes, it was organic grass fed beef. I was stoked. I saved about 100 bucks doing it that way.

4. Buy in bulk. I've bought organic dried beans, rice, oats, quinoa pasta, raisins, peas and more from Azure Standard. Now, most of the items come in 10 to 50 pound bags, so you're gonna need a little storage. But you can get those things for so much less compared to what you get in the store.

 If you're like me, living in a small place at the moment, 50 pound bags just aren't going to do. You're better off buying dried foods, in 1 to 2 pound increments, at your local grocery store. It still saves on your food budget!

To use, just pour your dried goods into a mason jar filled with water and let them soak for 24 to 48 hours. Then you're ready to use them in your dishes. I will admit it took me a little bit of time to get used to soaking foods in advance, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be happy that you did!

5. Visit orchards. Plan a trip with a friend or neighbor and go out to pick your own apples, strawberries, or pears. You can usually get an amazing price per pound on large quantities. Just be prepared to can, freeze, make applesauce or jams out of your spoils. You'll want to get a lot while you're out there to compensate for the gas driving there and back. If a friend goes with, you can split the gas cost!

6. Make your own broth. Whether it's chicken, beef, or vegetable broth, it's so easy to save money on this. Simply boil the corresponding ingredients in a pot of water and Voila. You have meat or vegetables for your meal tonight and you have broth for your meal tomorrow.

7. Make your own desserts. I am an ice cream and pastry lover. But man those things get expensive. When I want to treat myself and my family, I found that making desserts saves me monies. One of my favorite ways to eat dessert, on a budget, is using raw, organic honey to fry plums or apples. Also dark chocolate! A dark chocolate square with some peanut butter or melted over some favorite fruit. It satisfies a sweet tooth without having to eat cake. It's healthy, relatively cheap, and easy to do!

8. Make a shopping list based on your menu for the week. You're less likely to get junk food or spend extra when you know what you need and don't deviate. 

9. Plan to eat either beans, rice, pasta or potatoes with each meal. They are good fillers, healthy, and cheap. Especially when you buy them in bulk! This will also help cut down on the amount of meat you consume, which tends to be the main cost of organic eating.

10. Shop at a store that gives you rewards. I shopped at the same place for my groceries nearly all the time. Every few months, they would send me coupons and money in the form of in-store credit. I was also able to take advantage of extra discounts on gas prices, based on the amount I spent in the store. I saved money by simply being a loyal customer at a store that I loved! More money in your pocket for organic treats! Find something in your area!

 Give yourself a little grace and time. It's not an easy transition to get your entire life on an organic path. I'm still working at it myself! By taking small steps we will get there. I'm here to support you on your journey! Follow my blog for organic, healthy, gluten-free recipes coming soon!