Savvy (Organic!) Shopping
by Liz Bruckner

Reprinted with permission from WNetwork www.wnetwork.com

1. Ease into it
Diving into the organic way of eating is a big change. Instead of swapping all of your regular foods for their organic counterparts right away, start small. A good place to begin? Try trading in your everyday pastas, cookies, milk and bread for non-conventional options. TIP: Aim to add one or two new organic foods to your grocery list every week.

2. Think outside of the box
Organic foods are not only available in supermarkets, they’re also in many health/natural foods stores, as well as some farmers markets. And if you don’t see what you’re looking for, ask for it. If the store doesn’t carry the item, they may be able to special order it, or recommend a store that does.

3. Get informed
According to a report released by The Environmental Working Group, fruits and vegetables grown in conventional fields are much more likely to have pesticides than organically grown options. The worst offenders? In order: strawberries, red/green bell peppers, spinach, cherries, peaches, cantaloupe, celery, apples, blackberries and green peas. Look for organic versions of the above to limit your exposure to damaging pesticides.

4. Make contacts
To get the freshest possible fruits and vegetables, talk to the manager at your local grocery store to find out when organic produce is delivered. TIP: Organic foods perish at a faster rate than conventionally grown options, so keep this in mind before heading for the cashier.

5. Brace yourself
Eating the organic way isn’t cheap. One way to offset the expense is by shopping around. Just as grocery stores battle it out when it comes to winning your dollar for conventional foods, so do many natural and health food stores. TIP: If you can’t afford to jump on the organic bandwagon all at once, start buying organic version of conventional foods that contain high amounts of pesticides

6. Stay close to home
The closer the organic farm, the less likely the fruits and veggies are to be preservative-ridden. Whenever possible, buy from local groceries and farmers markets.

7. Bulk up
Instead of splurging on individual servings, buy organic goodies in bulk, when possible. Some options to consider: yogurt, condiments (like mustard, salad dressing and spaghetti sauce) and pasta.

8. Seek out coupons
Thought to be an organic urban legend, coupons offering discounts on non-conventional foods are out there. Check the labels on foods in your cupboards, visit organic food websites and keep your eyes peeled for in-store promotions.
 

Sharpen your organic shopping skills with these need-to-know tips.

Buy Organic Bulk Foods at your favorite organic grocery or online at Natural Lifestyle Online Market
www.naturallifestylemarket.com

8 Great Tips for the
 Savvy Organic Shopper!