How to Eat Organic Cheaply

From August 2011

Ezra enjoying gnawing toothlessly on an organic carrot stick. YUM. 

I can not tell a lie. Eating conventional foods is MUCH MUCH cheaper than eating their organic counterparts.

I will not be going into WHY one should eat organic foods beyond this:. the facts are simple: our world is sick. Our children are sick. Autism rates are painfully high, allergies are terrifying real, asthma is plaguing people. People are obese and dying from it. Pesticides, herbicides, GMOs, antibiotics and hormones infect our food at alarming levels.

Organic takes food to a different level.

If you don't care, can't care, don't have the energy, I totally get that because I have been there. Maybe a small change here or there might make you happier and the world a little better. Maybe not. Totally YOUR CALL.

Ain't life grand that way?

If you're interested at all, then you should give it a whirl. Gone are the days of organic=cardboard. Healthful, organic foods are available in every single variety a person could desire, for every type of diet on the planet.

If you're not convinced do some further googling. I promise you'll see what I'm saying. I'm a convert to the whole institution, and no I do not eat and feed my family organic foods 100% of the time. But I do as much as I can, which is far more than it used to be. I'm getting better each and every week.

So, let's say you WANT to eat organic, but need to be careful on your budget? Welcome to my new series:

HOW TO EAT ORGANIC CHEAPLY!

Awesome-sauce. I know.

Today's lesson: It's more of a "don't worry" than a "do do."

Don't bother with organic bananas.

Yup. If you want bananas, just buy conventional ones.

Why? Because the skins are VERY VERY thick on bananas. So while they are still covered in pesticides and other yuckies, the fruit itself is fairly well protected.

If you're eating on a budget, don't spend your careful grocery budget on organic bananas. There are things that matter FAR more.

There? Don't you feel good? You're ALREADY ON THE RIGHT PATH!

Congratulations.

Stay tuned friends. This is a good one!

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How to Save Money

 as a NORMAL Person

Do you just laugh when you watch those news segments about how to save money? And it's all, "This designer knock-off shirt is only $55 instead of $143!" And the news person is all, "OH WOW! WHAT A GREAT DEAL!"

Confession: I have NEVER spent $55 on a shirt. Ever. 

And I have zero intention of ever doing so, unless it was required by law or something.

What about when you read an article about ways to save money and it's all "Diversify your dividends in to mutual funds rather than IRAs..."

And you're all, "Wuhhh? Who's IRA?"

Or is that just me?

Anyone?

Okay, well, I'm just a normal gal, with a normal life and not a lot money to diversify and certainly no budget for $55 shirts.

And in this economy, I think everyone could do with some money saving tips.

The following list is not just ways to save money, it's also a preview of some of the things you can expect to see in upcoming installments of The Diet Coke Diet. We're all about foreshadowing around here. :) So stay tuned.

Without further ADO:

Money-Saving Tips for the NORMAL Person

*Avoid late-fees, pay bills on time, return library books and movie rentals on time.

*Drive slower.

*Organize and de-clutter to cut down on buying stuff you already own.

*Use hand-me-downs for small children and babies.

*Keep your thermostat 80 in the summer and 68 in

the winter.

*Eat at home.

*Cook one meatless dinner a week.

*Embrace left-overs.

*Make things from scratch.

*Learn to bake and cook.

*Eat less.

*Buy generic and buy in-season.

*Consolidate shopping trips, make lists, shop sales!

*Do your own kids’ haircuts.

*Buy Used. CRAIGSLIST.COM is your FRIEND!

*Learn to mend clothing.

*Use cash and save your change.

*Learn basic car repair.

*Be creative, and reuse things you already have.

Have you got any great ideas to add to the list?

*Photo from www.savemoneyblog.net

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