Wonder no more...
(click to enlarge photo)Missing items:
1 bunch organic bananas that I left on the counter
duplicates of frozen food: an additional package each of the waffles, sausage & salmon filets
In case you were wondering I made quite a few impulse purchases this week:
The three boxes of cereal (I meant to only get the Morning O's!...I eat cereal for dessert and couldn't resist the organic Cocoa Comets!)
The baking mixes (one organic pound cake and one organic brownie mix... hey these are NEW products and someone has to test them for you!)
And NO this is not all our groceries these are just my Whole Foods groceries.
I spent about $70 (I can't find that receipt) at the regular grocery store and I bought our meats (natural... pork tenderloin, stew meat, chicken breasts), 1/2 lb Boar's Head deli turkey, dairy (hormone free... 1 gallon 2%, qt 1/2& 1/2, qt choc milk), 1 box "smart" pasta, 2 soups (organic), 2 canned pears for Baby (don't come organic?!?), english muffins, OJ, my big bakery muffin, coffee by the pound, fresh green beans, 3 organic pears, 2 packages organic (yes!) break apart cookie doughs, 2 pouches of "canned" salmon & two bottles of mineral water. (I think that is it)
66 comments:
So about $170/week for (almost) all organic to feed 3 (plus baby)? Thats not bad!!
That is incredible! We're slloowlly getting the organics. I'm crossing my fingers for a Whole Foods up here; but even if we get one, I can not imagine how expensive the produce will be.
I think you should get a doctorate in blogging. I give you an A+.
I just picked up the Newman O's at Target (yes, Target!!) for only $2.19 on sale. Does your Target carry any of that type of stuff? The Annies cheddar bunnies are there, too, and only cost $2.
I am going to make the meatball tomato soup this week...i just picked up the soup from TJs!
Do you buy any other produce? That's what kills me...I spend tons of money on produce each week. My kids will not eat meat, but fruit and veggies they will do (not all, but a few different ones.) I buy 2 cantalopes a week, plus strawberries, bananas, nectarines plus like 3 things of baby spinach, tomatoes...uh, why am I telling you all the produce I buy? Oh yeah, because I am procrastinating putting away the rest of the groceries I just bought. I better get my lazy ass moving.
Marie,
well I typically come in between $160-$200.
I didn't need eggs, bread, or butter this week or any real baking supplies or kids snacks (I stocked up on all those last week).
MegO,
"I think you should get a doctorate in blogging. I give you an A+."
Thanks. If only I could get $$ for doing it! ;)
Oh by the way I heard from your sister last week... so the wedding is in the works!
You should comment back with your grocery amount up there ... people would be fascinated by that info!
Julie,
yeah. I had just gotten a big bag of potatoes and carrots and some apples and pears the week before. Usually I get at least 2 heads of brocolli. But with my menu this week I'm doing the stew and had most of that and the other things are with frozen produce. If you have watched my cooking bits you may have noticed my freezer is over flowing! I use tons of frozen organic vegs for the kids during the day and just use fresh for dinner. Oh I forgot some produce I got at the regular store... I'll add it in.
But Kid doesn't love the fruit so much.
Julie,
and usually I'll get cherry tomatoes and raspberries if they are organic and not totally outrageous... this week outrageous. I always have at least 2-4 avocados.. they eat one nearly every other day.
what I find riveting about this, is how many more choices you have in the USA, we just don't have organic like this and we don't have any where near all the choices of even the simple things, take yogurt, that is a great example!
I swear its much, much easier to be weight watcher (or anyone paying attention to what they eat) and live in the USA
I love that your kids will eat avocado. Love it. And hey, Kid loves meat. That makes dinner planning easier and more gratifying since she will eat what you cook.
I have to admit, I don't cook meat much so I don't think they are as accustomed to it. And they would always see me eating non-meat things like beans or soy products.
Murphy calls himself a vegetarian who only eats candy.
By the way, I made the kids (and myself) a very tasty Pumpkin smoothie last night. Pumpkin is a great source of good things for you. Organic pumpkin puree, vanilla yogurt, milk, a bit of maple syrup, cinnamon or pumpkin pie spices and then some crushed ice, puree with blender or hand blender and ooh la la...delicious and good for you, too! I served that with cereal last night. Hey, I was tired and Tom's been away.
I still have not put away those groceries:(
seriously, your blog is the most distracting thing I've ever had to deal with at work! It's a great format and has great readers. I give you and A+ too.
Shirls,
interesting. Is that true in like Toronto too do you think? That is the only big Canadian city I am at all familiar with and it always seemed exotic and "European" to me as a kid.
Gigs,
it is distracting to me too.
Kid tells me she liked it better before I had to work.
When I ask her what I do she says "line"... you know as in I go on line... hilarious!
Julie,
see Kid would never drink that. She doesn't do yogurt or fruit in any type of format other than fresh and then only really tropical fruits and berries... hard in the winter since I'm especially strict about the berries being organic.
Both kids love meat. I don't really get it. Baby even loves meat and wants to get at it if you are eating it. How do they know?!? So interesting to me.
"I always have at least 2-4 avocados.. they eat one nearly every other day."
Kid & Baby?? Do they just eat them plain? I've always wanted to buy avocados, i love them, but i have no idea how to cut them up!!
Linds,
oh there is nothing they love more than plain avocado.
you cut it in half length wise. the pit will be in one half. Whack your knife into it and then you should be able to pull it out with your knife. You can usually dislodge the pit by hitting it on your counter. Then you can either use a large spoon and just scoop the half an avocado out of its skin and then cut it on plate or whatever... or you can (this is what I do) just run your knife through the avocado in the skin (don't cut through the skin) and score it into slices or cubes and then scoop those out with your spoon. It is very easy. Next time I do it I'll take a video!
I'm a total avocado fan here too. We eat them every day, and Gup is learning to use a fork to eat avocado. It's super good for your skin and hair, and for dogs skin and coat. (I work in a pet store)
Mrs. F-do you have any money saving tips for grocery shopping? or (great idea for a post btw) things you always have in the kitchen and buy in advance? Do you only shop once a week?
sounds easier than i thought it would be! im going to the store after work i'll pick one up & give it a try i think! i wish we had whole foods & trader joe's around here, im jealous of all of you that do!!
I really wish I could shop in Ann Arbor all the time. Meijers has some organic stuff,but not all, if I really want to get everything I need and get as much organic as possible I have to go to 4 different stores. YUCK.I love Whole Foods and Trader Joes, even the regular grocery stores are better over there,Jackson is really not a bad town but not so health conscious I'm afraid.I need to tell you I am loving Mr W,he fixed my treadmill last night so I don't have to go to the YMCA when it is freezing!It takes so little to make me happy. I have been doing 60 minutes of intervals,shooting for 5 days/week,getting on the treadmill now, so 4 down 1 to go!WOO HOO thanks for the inspiration;)
linds,
avocados are ripe when they give a little with the pressure of your finger... like a pear.
emmy,
yay for Mr W! and good job on 4 down! You've got me beat by 1!
Torey,
good post idea. I definitely have staples on hand and try not to waste food. meal planning has helped with that. But I have no idea how much normal people spend. I don't buy very much prepared foods like crackers, chips, whatnot so I think that saves us some.
Shirls,
what I find riveting about this, is how many more choices you have in the USA, we just don't have organic like this
It's not like that all over the US. The South is definitely behind the times in that respect.
yum! I hope I can hit up whole foods this weekend. Mmmmmmmmm.
emmyjw and Mrs. F,
if I really want to get everything I need and get as much organic as possible I have to go to 4 different stores.
Are they all close to you? The nearest grocery stores to me are 9 miles and 11 miles respectively. A Publix (which is our nicer one) and a Food Lion (which well... isn't our nicer one). I admire you. I can't imagine going to 4 different grocery stores. I don't have the patience.
I can however, imagine going to four different electronic stores to look at computer stuff, LOL. Or book stores.
Oh and Mrs. F - Thanks for the avacado tips. I've never had a fresh one and will have to try it.
Shirls & Michelline,
yes... Emmy only lives about an hour a way and it isn't like this for her either.
I think I read that our Whole Foods Market is their busiest store. We're getting a second one 2 miles from the first.
Contrary to the believe of the majority of those that live in Toronto, there are actual other large cities in Canada, very large in fact, Calgary has well over 1 million people, Vancouver is way bigger.. seems like Toronto is the only one that people know, its crazy, its like saying the US only has Dallas..
anyway, eastern and western Canada are very different and the products are different but regardless there is not any where near the same selection as the US, there is a reason why everyone I know has a US grocery shopping list..
for example I've never heard or seen, these things in your picture
Newman-O's (guessing cookies?) and those waffles you always talk about, Van's Hearty Oats Waffles.. never seen those before
plus you have way, way more actual weight watcher food products in store, we just got their frozen dinners, Smart Ones, and we have a limited selection of the breads and the snack cakes just appeared, we don't have the shakes, yogurts, soups etc... (not that I buy or have bought any of those anyway, but the option is just not there)
Canada has stricter food regulations so we just don't get a lot of the same things, sometimes for the better, sometimes not so much..
Michelline,
never had a fresh avocado?!?! You live in Florida! How can that be?
I also shop at 3 stores for food. They are all within 4 miles of here though. I go to the regular store one day and Whole Foods the next and hit Trader Joe's every two weeks or so. I spend about 2 hours a week just doing my food shopping...not counting the driving part. I also usually get some food things at Target and I go there once every week or two.
I would NEVER even go to an electronics store in the first place!
Shirls,
LOL.. no I do know that... I grew up outside of Detroit right across from Windsor and for us Toronto was the closest "big" city and we went there often (even over US cities). I meant because I read other bloggers who live in Toronto and they seem to have the same type of foods available to them.
Newman's Os are from Paul Newman's (the actor) line of food. Excellent stuff and he has an organic line of cookies and pretzels and such. We eat his light dressings (fantastic) and pasta sauce. It is all great stuff.
I have, Sobey's, Safeway, Superstore, Wal-Mart (not the supercentres like you, they don't carry fresh produce or meat but boxes and cans, milk, frozen stuff) and Calgary Co-Op; all big groceries stores literally within 2 mins of my home, Safeway has a organic section but to get truly organic I have to drive to a very small grocery store 15 mins from my home, Community Natural Foods, which frankly smells weird and is really cramped, but does have yummy, very, very expensive things...
Michelline,
never had a fresh avocado?!?! You live in Florida! How can that be?
Evidently they get shipped to Michigan!
Michelline,
never had a fresh avocado?!?! You live in Florida! How can that be?
Evidently they get shipped to Michigan!
Trader Joes! I love that place, closest is in Phoenix, lol, a 5 hour flight.. I don't get there often, LOL ;0)
I would NEVER even go to an electronics store in the first place!
Really? I about had the Big O when we got a Best Buy only 10 miles from my house. (Who need a man? I've got an electronics store!!)
btw - I've never had or tried avacodo, they kind of creep me out and I don't have a good history with veggies to start with, I have a really hard time taking a leap and trying new ones, sad but true..
I think most of the stores are about 8-9 miles away except for a small local on called Polly's,but they have a slim selection,however they sell Boarshead deli meat. Meijers is OK for produce,but Kroger has more organic dried goods,canned amd frozen healthy stuff.I go to Sam's club for toilet paper, some produce,some frozen stuff.Target at times too.It wears me out.
We spend about $150 every week, and I go to two stores. I buy as much organic as I can find. We have a decent selection at HEB (local Texas store,) and I shop at Target for some stuff.
I just discovered that there is a Whole Foods in the 'burb just south of us. It would take about 20 minutes to get there, but that is better than the one in town. I may have to start going a couple of times a month.
I'm having serious grocery envy right now... you and your Whole Foods... lucky lady!
Like shirls, I was quite impressed with the wide selection you have access to. In the UK all of the supermarkets tend to do basics like bread, milk, cheese, butter, eggs and usually meat, although I'm a bit vague about that not buying the stuff.
We also have a wide variety of fruit and veg, including organic box schemes in most bigish towns and cities, but more processed stuff is a bit limited. We do have Seeds of Change which are also available over there. Chocolate, tea and coffee are often organic and fair trade, which is nice!
For dairy, there is a nice company called Yeo Valley Organic who are based in Somerset and do a wide range of stuff including healthy kids yogurts, and lovely mild natural yogurt.
Oh and we tend to have a good selection of organic baby food.
Lastly, we spend the equivalent of about $250 dollars a week, although if I bought more organic processed stuff it would probably be closer to $300, although that does include the cleaning products, toilet paper etc that we buy in the supermarket.
Taryn,
you live in AZ... no Whole Foods?!? When my best friend lived there she thought it was much easier to find healthy food.
Robin,
20 minutes.. that is totally worth it. It takes me 10 just to go to the one 2 miles away!
Shirls & Michelline,
I can't get over that you both haven't had an avocado. Its a fruit Shirls if that helps you stomach the idea. You have both had guacamole I presume. If you like that you'll like avocados. They are great in a salad. If I eat them plain I like to salt them a little.
Oh and Michelline,
believe it. Before I moved in with Mr F I just had a 13" TV and was happy with that. I'm pretty low tech. I barely spent anytime on a computer (other than occasional clothes shopping online) before I started the blog this summer. I never even checked my email. I pretty much just listen to NPR in the car, I have the same cell phone I got 6 years ago, Mr F only this winter put all my CDs on the new iPod we got with my computer. We never watch movies and rarely even the TV. What do I need an electronics store for?!?
Ha. I love the kiddies gettin' in the mix. YOu can see baby's little hand trying to play too.
It's crazy to realize how lucky we are (especially here in Cali) to have the wide variety of food. Shit, we had an avocado tree in our backyard as a kid. And all the crazy health nuts (myself included) make shipping to Cali a profitable venture, I guess.
P.O.M.,
Kid thought I had lost my mind when I started lining all the food up on the floor! When Mr F came home she said "you know who was being crazy today... Mom!"
Moley,
well I actually thought you'd spend more. I average pretty close to $200 w/o paper products or cleaners and such and Baby doesn't yet eat as much as Kid. But I think I spend a fair amount for the States...we don't try to shop cheaply.
For the record there is a whole foods here in Toronto, but it's hella expensive. Most big grocery stores near me have sort of big organic/nature sections. And we have Newman's salad dressing - is that the same as the cookies? I *often go to Buffalo with a girlfriend and hit up the Target there... big boxes of junior mints (we don't have big boxes here!) and the grocery store too :)
By often I mean once or twice a year, and not in the last two years haha.
well I actually thought you'd spend more.
Well I was surprised too! I thought you would spend less. I remember another blog - it might have been Katie's where most people said they spent about $500/month, and I thought I spent more -but I've just downloaded our online bank accounts and put it all into a budgeting software package and it seems we spend less than I thought.
Mr Mole does occasionally pick up bread and milk for cash, but that doesn't account for much.
The kids have gone back to having school meals so that costs us about $30 a week, for the 40 weeks they are there.
Moley,
Oh YES I remember Katie's grocery post. People were spending NOTHING on food. I've asked people here and we're all in the same ball park. I might spend I smidge more but we really do buy almost entirely organic foods and hormone free meats and stuff and I cook a lot... and that $ amount doesn't include Mr F's lunches or our pizza night or take out. So we do spend probably another $50 a week on top of that for a true weekly food budget bringing it closer to $250/week. Someone on Katie's was doing something crazy like $25/week... they are not eating a healthy diet on that I assure you (unless I guess they have their own farm).
Eurydice,
thank you... I do feel slightly vindicated ;)
And the often yet not in two years bit made me laugh. :)
okay, so i bought the avocados.. got them cut up & what not(which by the way was so much easier than i ever thought!).. eating them wasn't my cup of tea though, i salted & peppered a bit but still wasn't diggin' it.. i love guac. though, so im thinking about putting some of the avocados on a sandwich or salad tomorrow & maybe making some homeade guac, Mmm!!!
Well I am surprised. I guess it cost more to eat well wherever you are.
Your last post makes me think that the budget was for last year when we were probably also spending about $70-80/week on 2 takeaways per week, but I've cut that out now.
Do you have organic box schemes?
I don't like guac, icky :0)and on average we spend $100 a week for the both of us, the one week I tried to eat exclusively all organic (during my cleanse) it cost just for me $135, yikes!
linds,
yeah plain is more of an acquired taste... it probably helps if you were fed them as a baby ;)
I eat them on sandwiches all the time... fantastic.
and I do have a guacamole recipe in my recipe section in the sidebar. It is great!
Moley,
I have no idea what "box schemes" are.
Please translate.
Shirls,
well I'm sure you were doing mostly vegetables and what not.. that adds up. Produce is the most expensive thing for me. I pay close to $3 just for an avocado or apple or orange. So it gets pretty pricey. If I think about it too much I get a little nervous... when I'm there I just buy it and unless the price is crazy like $6 for a cup of raspberries (my top limit is $5) I just pay it and try not to add it up. The frozen organic produce is much more economical.
moley,
okay I just did a search for "box schemes" and I think I know what it is. Yes in some places. We have a vegetable delivery service available that will drop off a box of organic vegetables. I tried it for a month and then quit. It wasn't always stuff we would normally eat and I never knew exactly what I would get and it was really hard to meal plan and not waste it. It wasn't more $ than going to the store... but I still had to go to the store anyway and the same produce is available to me there (literally it looked like they just got them at Whole Foods) so it seemed like a big waste of food and oil (for the extra transport)
I have no idea what "box schemes" are.
Please translate.
Local organic suppliers deliver a standard box (or bag sometimes!) of locally produced, seasonal organic fruit and veg for a fixed price. Well mostly local. During winter we will get some stuff from Spain or Italy.
Well that is how they started anyway. Most now have a price list so you can chose what you want, or different produce etc. Some of them now do eggs etc as well. Usually cost about $16-20
per box for about 5lbs of stuff.
I pay close to $3 just for an avocado or apple or orange. So it gets pretty pricey.
Oh my life! Just had a quick look on tesco and an organic avocado (love the by the way!) is currently on offer for 89 pence (~$1.80), normally 99 pence. A bag of 4 organic oranges is £3.60. Both come from spain or isreal I imagine. 4 large organic apples $4 - they could be english or they could be from new zealand, or anywhere in between!
Hello! You should definitely bring in yourself and the kids or Kid as you like to say. I might even have a present of delicious bread dough you can take home! Most people don't know we sell the dough to take home. And judging by your blog you seem to appreciate the joys of cooking. I'm not sure if it's organic though.. What a warm response from everyone though. Just how many people know of me? By the way my older sis had her baby. Healthy baby boy on the 13th. I might just have to set up a blog of my own. Diaries of a server.
By the way, glad you liked the movie. Interesting fact: the party scene was filmed in my old apartment!
A bag of 4 organic oranges is £3.60
Oops that should say $3.60!
Justin,
Oh congrats to your sister!
Well I have quite a few readers and they were all riveted to now how my meeting with Heather turned out.
Bread dough?!? I had no idea... I will have to stock up next time. God that is the best bread.
Old apartment eh?... I do love me some facts ;)
Moley,
well plenty of our organic produce is being shipped in from Mexico & South America, etc so we're paying for the distance. Michigan doesn't produce anything in the winter so not much local is available and even in the summer our local produce is somewhat limited compared to our tastes.
I've asked people here and we're all in the same ball park.
Different ballpark. I really do think we spend less than most people (granted not 25$/week). We eat relatively healthy, and I cook every single one of our meals.
Our grocery budget is largely determined by our commitment to live within our means. It sounds simple, but actually requires a lot of planning and sacrifice - at least for our income. Sometimes I just have to take cash to the grocery store to make sure I come in under our limit. Some months are easier than others.
When possible I buy in bulk and store things (like flour, sugar, some canned goods, cereal) to have food for emergencies and unexpected circumstances (like unemployment or severe weather, etc.) When we have months where we're scrapping by, I draw from that supply to supplement our grocery trips.
(And FYI, people DO have small farms in their backyards here. )
Katieo,
I meant people in AA did that not come across? sorry.
People do not have small farms in their backyards here.. well not in our neighborhood... there are rural areas really near here.
I see you always manage to get away without actually revealing your budget ;)
Justin, everyone knows of you. You are a legend.
LOL at Mich's Best Buy Big O!
WF's and TJ's...I wish. I have to drive 40 mins. for them. Not exactly able to happen for weekly shopping trips.
So, why anal for berries to be organic? Curious.
by "here," I assumed you meant the blog. We spent $484.58 for the month of December (5 of us). That was food for the month, Christmas baking, diapers, eating out (-not happening month of Christmas).
(btw, am I going crazy or did you go back and change your comment?...)
What do I need an electronics store for?!?
**shakes head in disbelief**
Blasphemy!
Moley -
When Chris and I were seriously attempting to emigrate to the UK (London, specifically), which didn't happen because we couldn't sell our house for what we needed, I was on tons of message boards and the internet looking at various cost of living differences. One of the (few)things that even London *gasp* came up better on was the price of groceries. At least staples. Bread, sugar, flour - stuff like that. Quite a bit cheaper for the types of things I normally buy. I was quite surprised. I also noticed this in person when I was there last year. We got an apartment while we were there and cooked instead of eating out so much. Because eating out in London is ASTRONOMICALLY expensive.
I was however, flabbergasted to find that hotdogs come in CANS over there! You weirdos :)
Whole Foods - I just went on their website to find the closest to my house. Evidently it's in Winter Park (Orlando) and 130.53 miles. I'm thinking I won't be shopping there anytime soon. :)
When Chris and I were seriously attempting to emigrate to the UK (London, specifically), which didn't happen because we couldn't sell our house for what we needed.
Tell me about it. Friends of our have just bought a 3 bedroom flat/apartment in Hampstead for over TWO million dollars!!! We are in Birmingham which is nowhere near as expensive and we are still renting cos we can't afford a house :-) Not that I would live in London anyway. Urgh!
One of the (few)things that even London *gasp* came up better on was the price of groceries. At least staples. Bread, sugar, flour - stuff like that. Quite a bit cheaper for the types of things I normally buy.
Thinking about it I suspect it is a lot to do with the common agricultural policy, which subsidises the farmers quite heavily throughout Europe (even tobacco growers which horrifies me!) so the hidden cost is in our tax bills.
Because eating out in London is ASTRONOMICALLY expensive.
Well it can be but there are some cheap places if you know where to look. Mr Mole often works in London for 2 or 3 days at a time and he has managed to find a couple of Chinese or Indian vegetarian restaurants which are all you can eat for $10 per head.
I was however, flabbergasted to find that hotdogs come in CANS over there! You weirdos :)
LOL. Do they? Being vegy I wouldn't know. The vegy hot dogs we buy, which meat eating friends tell us taste exactly the same, are frozen and come in a box! How do you buy yours?
Katieo,
No I didn't change it... you might be having one of my "full spectrum" light bulb moments! ;)
I just meant AA for the groceries. I think things are a bit more expensive here whether I buy organic or not. Although your sister would be a good comparison since she doesn't live that far away.
Anyway THANKS for humoring me :) I was wondering... you are pretty close to $100/week and I bet that is much more typical than what I spend. And that is actually a doable amount. I could cook all our meals just from the one store and mostly the amount I go over that is made up of non-essentials. Our pantry is so crazy stocked that other than milk and eggs we could technically eat out of there for a LONG time. LONG time.
Amy,
strawberries have one the highest pesticide loads... and actually apples has the second highest.
you can go HERE to read the rankings. In general you want to avoid soft sided fruits and veggies since you eat the outside of the fruit whereas thick sided like avocados and banana are pretty low. The thick skin helps keep the pesticide from penetrating and you don't eat the peel.
I believe I have read that if you avoid the top 12 (which sadly includes many common foods : peaches, apples, strawberries, celery, bell peppers, potatoes, nectarines, imported grapes, cherries, lettuce, pears, and spinach) I think you reduce your pesticide intake by 90%.
For me I just strive for all organic. I can't ever remember which ones are the worst and I am able to shop at a place that has an organic version if one is available so why not just buy it? If I have to opportunity to get food for my kids that doesn't have chemicals on it than I will do that.
Although your sister would be a good comparison since she doesn't live that far away.
lol, if anything, she spends less than we do...
but they're still in school and really don't have the room (physically or financially) for non-essentials.
Amy,
oh and i don't mean that in a preachy way at all. seriously.
Katieo,
shoot... it was good comparison in theory.
Well Angie spends about the same.
How do you buy yours?
Like this in little plastic packages.
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