Living OrganicallyGoing Organic Shouldn’t Cost a Fortune

One of the biggest hindrances to taking the plunge and going organic can often be the price. When you meander through the grocery aisles, it can be very discouraging to see the price tags that are on some of the trendier organic products. Even the produce is marked up so high that it can be daunting to try to feed a family on a budget. Don’t let the local supermarket scare you away from an organic lifestyle. There are tips and tricks to feeding a family or even just a single person on a budget.

When Starting Out – The Dirty Dozen

You may have heard of the ‘dirty dozen’ before. There are more than just these but as a rule of thumb, some produce tends to absorb more pesticides than others do. Sadly, these you never want to buy these as conventionally grown:

  • Apples
  • Grapes
  • Peaches
  • Celery
  • Cucumbers
  • Peppers (hot peppers, Bell peppers, etc.)
  • Tomatoes (all kinds)
  • Peaches
  • Nectarines (and any hybrids)
  • Spinach (and any other leafy green like kale)
  • Strawberries
  • Summer Squash

Starting out you can focus on making sure that these never make it into your cart as conventionally grown produce. If you are not peeling your produce, or if it has a thinner or softer skin, then your pesticide exposure will be much higher in conventionally grown fruits and veggies.

Buying Tips & Tricks to Save a Bundle

Many cities now host farmers markets and even have hidden lower cost supermarkets that carry organic products. A quick Google search can often sniff out co-ops and buying clubs that can help drastically lower your cost when buying organic products and food. Some places have even organized Community Supported Agriculture programs. This is where individuals purchase portions, or shares, of produce in bulk from local farms then divide the spoils! Another alternative that can be a lot of fun is growing some of your vegetables. This can seem scary at first, but it doesn’t have to be hard. When you figure out what you use most, you can simple start growing it. For example if you love tomatoes, they are great container veggies! You don’t even need a lot of space, and you can enjoy them year round. The internet is teaming with ideas for keeping your little garden spaces. Buying your produce in season and learning what you can preserve for winter will help you have organic fruits and vegetables year round. Cooking from scratch, shopping around, clipping coupons, and even shopping online can all help you to save money. Once you start living an organic lifestyle, you will find that there are more people out there doing the same. The organic community loves to help each other and to help educate those who wish to learn. Reach out and join forums to learn more ways to save and embrace an organic lifestyle!

Applications & Resources

iGOZEN is a philosophy and a way of life. We want you to have every opportunity to live an organic lifestyle. As we find new ways to bring peace and balance to our lives, we want to pass them on to you. We hope you enjoy our articles and posts. Feel free to grab a risk-free sample of our Fruit/Veg Wash or our Everyday Cleaner and enjoy a chemical-free organically clean day!