Organic on a Budget? The Publix vs. Whole Foods Challenge!

OK, we all knew this one was coming. Everyone has read the article, or talked to the friend who does, or shopped at Whole Foods personally in the quest of how much it would really cost to jump on the healthy foods bandwagon.

Many peoples’ resolutions for the year included saving money and the old given eat healthier/ lose weight. With the average ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ product costing 20-100% more than the national brand products you’d find in your regular grocery store, money is obviously the hurdle here. Produce tends to have the most sticker shock. However, I am one of the millions in the US have sworn off the bad stuff, so I thought I’d give Whole Foods the benefit of the doubt and put it up against my favorite place to shop, Publix.

I did what I always do before shopping- I check the online circular from the comfort of my couch and plan what to buy for what recipes to make for the week. This time, however, I checked out some online sources for what foods you really should be eating organic and which foods are not so bad. That way, if the prices on produce were getting too overwhelming, I had a list already made so I could run into my nearest Publix for resuscitation. I grabbed my Publix green bags and went!

First stop was the produce. Some things were on sale, so I did go for those. Avocados are actually the lowest on the list when it comes to foods you should definitely eat organic, but there were bags of 4 that were getting on the ripe side for $4.99. Well, that’s the same price you’d pay at the other grocery stores, so I thought what the heck? I love avocados, and they’d be great with the fajitas I’m making this week. I also picked up some other staples- celery, tomatoes, asparagus, kale, onions, green peppers, strawberries (one of the most important things that you do eat pesticide-free due to the high levels that are used on them), and bananas. Nothing too crazy, right?

I also got a budget recipe for curried lentils and rice, since all I needed to make this was the lentils. Whole Foods has a bulk section where you can get all kinds of dried fruits, beans, rice, whole grains, etc. One of the biggest benefits to buying from the bulk bins are the prices. You simply grab a bag, fill it with what you need, and tie it off with a twist tie that’s provided. Don’t forget to write the bin number on the tie so the cashier knows what you have! I also picked up some quinoa to make as a side dish. Lentils and quinoa were $1.99 and $2.69 a pound, respectively.

The fish counter is downright mesmerizing. You can find all kinds of seafood, either fresh, prepared, or marinated and ready to cook. There selection is by far the freshest and most diverse I have seen in Orlando (but please note I’ve shopped at 3 or 4 grocers, so please no hate mail!!) This week, the mahi mahi was on sale for $7.99 a pound, so I picked up 2 filets.

The meat counter was the next stop. Though rib eye steaks were tempting at their sale price of $10.99 a pound (not too bad compared to other grocery stores), I opted for chicken and pork. Chicken thighs are always my go-to meat when it comes to eating on a budget. I’m also making fajitas, so if you’re just shredding the chicken up to smother it in seasonings, veggies, and sour cream and wrap it up in a tortilla, why buy the fancy chicken breasts? Also, if you’re not a cook, thigh meat is very tasty and, best of all, the hardest to screw up by drying it out! Boneless-skinless thighs, about a pound and a quarter, cost me $4.50. Boneless pork chops were $5.99 a pound on sale as well. But some of the best features at the meat counter are the amazing semi-prepared foods. They have marinated meats, seasoned meats, homemade sausages or all kinds, and stuffed meats all ready to be cooked. Eric hates fruits, so the apple and cherry stuffed chicken breasts was out of the question. The feta and spinach stuffed one that sat right next to it, however, looked like a pretty good second choice! The best part was that it was only $3.99, and it will feed Eric and I both.

Dairy is one of those things that you should eat ‘natural’ or ‘organic’, but the price is something that pushes most away from it. Milk, fortunately, is one thing that does not have to be labeled organic- you just want to watch out for the hormone rBGH, which is a growth hormone given to cows to help them make more milk. Publix brand milk does have the label on it that says that it does not contain milk from cows injected with this hormone, and runs under $4 a gallon. The milks at Whole Foods, which were pretty much all certified organic, all ran over $5 a gallon. Guess where I will still be buying my milk? (I did make a mistake and thought the half-gallon size was the gallon, and it looked like the price was 10 cents cheaper than the gallon at Publix, so I did think I beat the system. I did not.) I also had to pick up some more staples, like sour cream and feta cheese. The prices didn’t shock me with those like the milk did. I also made a note of the eggs in case I needed some for next week- nothing too drastic for cage-free eggs from hens fed on a vegan diet. I’ll buy the eggs before I buy the milk.

From the dry goods, I grabbed instant mac and cheese and preserves. I saw that Kashi frozen meals were on sale, and since they make a good lunch it doesn’t hurt to have some on hand. I finally made it over to the real show of Whole Foods- their prepared foods section. Like a deli but ten times better, Whole Foods prepares a mind-boggling assortment of cooked meats and sides- from Asian-style roast beef sliced up and ready to warm to grilled leeks with lemon-caper dressing. There is also a buffet and salad bar where you can run in on your lunch break and pay per-pound on a feast of fluffy whole grains, delicious veggies that will make you swear off meat, and savory main courses like garlic tofu or tandoori chicken. This is Whole Foods’ answer to fast food, as well as the trend to have restaurant-quality prepared foods that a busy mom can just pick up and heat up. This week’s sale was grilled swordfish (yes, swordfish!) dressed with shitake mushrooms and tomatoes- for $9.99 a pound marked down by about $8.

I didn’t plan on buying all of my groceries at Whole Foods last night, but it was getting pretty late (I beat the crowds and went around 8:00 at night). So what was the damage? $101.31. Usually, I budget about $80 a week for groceries, which Eric and I split. I will also attest that I did get a little shop-happy, which is something that you have to watch out for when you try out a new store. I had shopped here last summer a few times, so when I saw these stuffed ravioli in the frozen pasta section, I had to get some. You can’t beat $3.99 for feta and hazelnut stuffed ravioli! They also had tofu on sale for 2 for $4, which is what I pay at this little Korean farmers’ market about 4 miles away from my house. I had to take them up on it! So you can see how those little things really can add up.

Whole Foods is also one of those places where the ambiance really makes you feel like you’re going good things for yourself and the environment. The colors are rich, there is an array of colors in the produce, and I love the people! The people who work here are so friendly, always saying hello as you walk by and they’ll have a real conversation with you while you check out. They seem to hire a lot of 20-somethings, and tattoos, facial hair, or dreadlocks can always been found. I think that’s what gives the store its awesome funky personality. Whole Foods is also credited as being one of the best places to work, since they offer great discounts and benefits to their employees. No wonder they’re always so happy! You can also get a chair massage on your way out. Shazam!! I think that if it means an extra five or ten bucks a week between Eric and I to know that we’re eating the best quality that we can, then I’ll gladly pay it. This place is the cat’s pajamas, so I think I’ll try to shop here for a few more weeks to see how my health- and my wallet- really feels in the long run.

What to do if You Can’t do Organic on a Budget

I just posted a blog on going organic on a budget. Some people don’t have a Whole Foods (like my parents) in their area, or they really can’t sacrifice the extra money to buy those certified organic items. Totally understandable! Here’s some tips to get the most of out your food while also getting the most out of your budget!

1. Don’t go organic. Some products, like milk, don’t have to be organic to be good for you. With milk, just watch out for the label stating that its Rbgh-free. That’s the growth hormone that’s been linked to cancer. Organic milks can run upwards of $5 or more, while Publix has been offering their milk (which is always rBGH-free) for the low price of about $3.50. Look for products that say ‘all-natural’ or similar, and check the ingredients on the package for any funky words that you can’t pronounce. If you can’t say it, then its probably not that good for you. Also, try to avoid eating lots of things with high-fructose corn syrup or sugar or the like within the first couple of ingredients listed.

2. Help your neighbor. One of the best things you can do for your body and your community is shop at local farmers’ markets. If it’s a nice day out, it’s a wonderful way to kill a Sunday morning. By shopping at the market, you’re keeping local farmers in business which is good for the economy, but also local produce doesn’t have to travel as far as produce that comes from other countries so it is safe to say that it is going to be much fresher. They are also carrying more and more organically-grown goods. If you can afford it, Whole Foods has partnered with many local and domestic farmers to buy their bounty to sell at their locations.

3. Shop twice. I’m lucky to have a Whole Foods in my area that is also right next to a Publix. That way I can get what I can afford at Whole Foods, and I can get things like milk, cleaning products, and other house wares at Publix. Just keep a few places in mind where you know you can get the most bang for your buck, and shop there often!

4. Adjust your lifestyle. I’ve been cooking more and more meals that involve things like chicken thighs, lentils, beans, or tofu. I did grow up in a house where red meat was served 4 or 5 times a week, so I’m not going to lie and say that I don’t crave the occasional hunk of steak. Let’s face it- red meat is a luxury some times, not to mention it is better for your body to not overload it with burgers and steak. Some options are to grill Portobello mushrooms, top them with cheese and stick them on a bun. They taste very meaty and any vegan will tell you that it’s a satisfying alternative to beef. Also, fajitas are a good way to stretch a buck, just make sure you add lots of peppers and onions to the mix. Beef stew meat is usually pretty cheap, since anything that you have to braise or slow-cook tends to be.

Please feel free to post other tips that you’ve come across!

Cheers!

Tear It Up At The Grocery Store: Your Cheap Grocery Game Plan

I heart food. People might eat for comfort, but cooking is my therapy. I was shopping at Bed Bath and Beyond this weekend with my boyfriend Eric. We only needed to pick up a Brita water filter but, of course, I had to make my lap around the store. As usual, I got sucked in at the kitchen department. I love appliances and gadgets, bake ware and frying pans. I can’t wait till I get a house with a big kitchen that I can fill drawers and countertops with everything that I buy from the kitchen department.

Since I love to cook, I’m spending a lot of time in the grocery store. Obviously groceries prices have skyrocketed recently due to gas prices making the cost of transporting the goods go up. There’s a variety of tips and tricks that I do to help me save money every week at the grocery store without searching for coupons:

1. Pick a day, and stick with it. Every week, I do my grocery shopping on Sunday. I make Eric go with me, that way there is no ‘but you didn’t get me the right soda!’ We also keep a running list on the fridge of things that we need to pick up next week, as well as planning out what we’re making every day.

2. Know what you can spend. Eric and I know that we can only afford about $80 a week between the both of us. Once in a blue moon we go over, but more often than not we spend a little less- which we put towards something fun. Its also nice to know that every week we stay within our limits.

3. Plan! You know how you go through your pantry and you’ll come across an obscure can of veggies or a box of potatoes and you weren’t quite sure why you bought it to begin with but now you’re stuck with it? If you plan your meals out for the entire week not only will you always use up what you buy and be rid of random groceries, but you’ll also be far less likely to impulse buy ingredients that just mean more money spent now and more confused looks later.

4. Use your resources. Every week, I check out Publix’s online sales circular. You can also find them at the front of the store. I pretty much buy everything based on what is in that paper- and I always save at least $20-$30 and only spend about $70. If pork chops are on sale, then I’m making schnitzel! There is always a huge variety of meats, veggies, dairy, and dry goods that are on sale, so don’t think that shopping out of the sales circular means cashing out at the 10 items or less aisle.

5. Do your research! Always be on the lookout for places that have great deals. Check out your local farmer’s market or produce outlet, then compare prices to where you regularly shop. There is a great little farmer’s outlet by my house that sells the exact same tofu that you can find at Publix- about $3 cheaper. And because its so cheap, Eric and I regularly substitute it for meat. Keep in mind that if you have to spend a bunch of gas to make numerous trips to get your shopping done, then its not worth it.

6. Read the fine print. You know those little numbers by the price on the label for the items on the shelf? Read them! If you ever have a question about whether to buy in bulk or if one brand really is cheaper than another, refer to the little numbers known as the unit price. Example: You need to buy plastic baggies and you see one box going for $4.99 for 20 and another box for $5.25 for 25. Box 1 goes for 24.95 cents a bag, and box 2 goes for 21 cents. See?

7. Go big or go home! Don’t be afraid to buy in bulk. The unit price will be cheaper (less packaging=lower cost to produce the goods), and if you have the Tupperware lying around to pack your lunch then use it! Yogurt is much cheaper when you buy the large container then scoop out a portion and put it in a little container to travel.

8. But don’t overbuy. Once again, this goes back to planning. If corn is on sale, but you’ve already got enough veggies to feed a herd of cattle, don’t buy it! What good is delicious, fresh corn that you got on sale when its just molding in your fridge because you didn’t cook it soon enough? Think of those starving children on the commercials that come up when you’re watching your favorite sitcom! And don’t be afraid to speak up and ask sales associates to split packages of meat and veggies. That’s part of their job, and its better to save the money than let the food go to waste.

9. Generic is not a dirty word. When I’m shopping and I see the private-label next to the national brand, I pretty much always buy the private-label. Not only is it a ton cheaper, but its practically the exact same product due to government regulations. For example, when you’re looking for aspirin, be sure to check the active and inactive ingredients. The active ingredient is the only thing that matters. If a product is an OTC, like aspirin, then the active ingredient in the private-label has to be the exact same amount as the national brand. Make it a point to buy everything that you can private-label for 1 week, and see if you’re world is falling apart. I guarantee that you’ll be too busy smiling over all the money you just saved.

10. Don’t be lazy! Convenience foods are priced more because that’s exactly what they are offering- convenience. Compare the price of the block of cheese to the little bag of the shredded kind. You’ll be taking the extra 5 whole minutes that it will take to shred that block of cheese by hand. Also, see step 7 about separating your food yourself rather than buying something in a ton a little containers (yogurt, for example).

11. Think outside of the box. I’m a die-hard meat-a-tarian. If it doesn’t have some sort of meat it in, then its not a complete meal. Meat can be really expensive, though, so making sure you’re getting your daily dose of protein can require some out-of-the-box thinking. I’ve started to replace ground beef with ground turkey and a can of black beans to make burritos and chili- SO GOOD! Not only is turkey cheaper, but by throwing a can of your favorite beans in with mix you’re also making more that will make great leftovers. Protein-rich beans are also high in fiber, which is something that many people do not get enough of in their diet. Omelets aren’t just for breakfast anymore- eggs are a great source of nutrients and practically cost less than a quarter each. Tofu, depending on where you buy it, can also be a great alternative (see step 5).