For those who have questions about buying organic for a large family, here is what I do.
Yes, it can be very expensive, so I tend to pick and choose what I buy organic.
Somewhere out there is a list of which fruits and veggies are the most heavily sprayed, I tend to go off that. And also what my kids are willing to eat.
I always buy organic apples because my kids love apples. And because they eat the skin of the apple. Things that have a protective outer cover (like bananas) are not high on my “buy organic” list because the outer covering tend to protect the part you eat from the pesticides. I like to buy organic red peppers (my fave veggie) but they are harder to find.
I *always* buy organic milk. If nothing else, you should do this. Esp. if you have girls.
Everything else I kind of pick and choose. If there are two options, I will buy the organic version. And check out your local grocery store. We have a Meijers here and they have there own organic house brand. I buy that A LOT. Everything from milk, to beans (my kids eat a lot of beans- could explains a few things….), jelly, chips….It’s cheaper than going to Whole Foods.
I hope that helps- I don’t want to go on and on about it. We also eat a ton of junk. We tend to be a “everything in moderation” kind of family.
And despite some of my best intentions, Cole has declared that the Jiff and white bread he got at a friends house was WAY better than the organic peanut butter and whole wheat bread he gets served at home. So he now refuses peanut butter sandwiches.
But I still try.
As for the coupons and such- I don’t do them. I can’t remember to take them or I end up at the store when I have 5 minutes between here and there. I would love to do them, but I found that they are mostly for the heavily processed foods anyway. Plus it wold require organization and I am more fly by the seat of my pants. Unfortunately.
Oh and try Costco if you have one. I find a ton of organic stuff there.
Thanks for the info on organic.Trying to get my husband to understand the inmportance of it,but he always claims “yeah,but it’s so expensive”!blah blah blah! It is expensive but I am slowly switching over…milk,sugar,eggs are high on my list. I dunno know about organic peanut butter though. may have to agree w/Cole on that one. I read the lable on a jar and it said you had to put it in the refridgerator?? Uh, there goes that nice and creamy spreadable peanut butter that I love so much. Won’t it get hard? yuck! I think Traders is pretty reasonable too.:)
one more quick question.. what cleaning products do you use? Method,7th Generation? What do you think works best. Lately, I have been using vinegar and water but would like to try 7th Gen.What are your thoughts…Thanks
for the life of me i cannot remember to use coupons. even if it’s ON the box i’m buying.
for a shoppers guide to buying organic fruits and veggies, here’s a good place to look:
http://www.foodnews.org/
also, buying from local farmers can be a cheaper way to buy organic… a lot of times they aren’t officially organic (as deemed by the gov’t) but use organic practices, AND buying locally supports your state and makes less of an impact on the environment. long live the farmers market! 🙂
Thanks for your insight! There is so much to take in, when you’re looking at the idea of organic/healthier eating in general, and it often helps to just talk to people who do it already!