All too often the excuse I hear for not eating organic is that “It’s too expensive”. Yes and No. Aside from the fact that you are throwing your money away anyways purchasing “cheap” over-processed foods have little to no nutritional value, you simply need to know what to look for and have a plan when buying organics.

Real food is the least expensive, most nutritional food you can purchase. Brown rice, lentils, oats, raw nuts…these should all be staple items in your pantry. Stay away from boxed items, even organic boxed items. This is where your budget will be blown. These are commodity items…treats and should be eaten as so on special occasion.

You can pay the doctor or you can pay the farmer.

Have you ever asked yourself why certain foods are so cheap? “Cheap” food rarely reflects the “Real” cost. Government subsidies, the cost on our health and for healthcare, the economic and the environmental costs to product this cheap food.

There are No Free Lunches

Aside from the fact that you are throwing your money away anyways purchasing “cheap” over-processed foods have little to no nutritional value, you simply need to know what to look for and have a plan when buying organics.

Here are a few tips to saving BIG on organic food:

• Avoid the grocery store. Purchase from your local farmers market, a local organic farmer or grow it yourself! After all, “growing your own food is like printing your own money.” -Ron Finley

• Purchase hormone free, certified organic chicken & turkey from a local small farmer (note: “natural” and “organic” do NOT mean the same thing, however some organic farmers can not afford to be certified so always ask and visit the farm to see EXACTLY how your food is produced!)

• Look for anAGA certified grassfed producerfor beef, goat, sheep, and bison or visit a local organic farmwww.localharvest.org

• Sign up for the mailing list at your local health food and grocery stores. They will often have great savings to take advantage of.

• Clip online coupons from your favorite manufacturer.

• Sign up to receive emails from your local health food store so you are aware of specials and promotions.

• Simply Organic makes organic spices, seasoning packets and extracts.www.simplyorganic.com

• Mambo Sprouts offer manufacturer’s coupons from a variety of organic products www.mambosprouts.com

• Amazon.com offers Free Shipping on all orders over $25 and is a great place to pick up non-perishables.

• Don’t be timid, go online and check out the websites of your favorite companies for coupons and special promotions as most all of them have some!

If you know someone who is interested in eating organic on a budget, please share this article!