This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Today I’ve teamed up with Harris Teeter to talk about how to Eat Organic foods without breaking the bank: “Organic on the Cheap” They gave us the challenge of $20 for a weekend of meals. I took them up on it!
A few years ago, Mickey and I decided that we wanted to start feeding the kids more organic, whole foods and less processed foods. I had done a lot of research and it’s amazing to read all of the benefits of eating more organic foods. It’s shocking to see what’s in a lot of the processed foods. Plus, the health benefits of eating organic foods and not ingesting chemicals is worth it. As the old saying goes: “Pay the farmer now or pay the doctor later.”
It can be hard to eat organically without feeling like you are spending a ton of money without understanding much about the brand, but we have found some ways to make it possible…
Here are 10 tips to eat Organic on the Cheap.
1- Learn about where to shop and which brands to buy.
We live close to a Harris Teeter, so we always go there and once we found that Harris Teeter Organics were free from GMOs, synthetic fertilizers/herbicides/pesticides, artificial preservatives/colors/flavors, antibiotics or growth hormones, we knew we wanted to start using it more. Luckily, their Harris Teeter Organics line has so much to choose from – it makes it easy to get started! You can find it because of the purple low price tag.
2- Find a trusted grocer & grocery store that offer lower-priced organics.
Harris Teeter Organics are priced below conventional, non-organics brands. Harris Teeter is a leader in the industry in regards to their focus on organic items. They have over 351 Harris Teeter Organics. They have a great customer service policy, too. If you aren’t happy with their food, you can return it with no problems. Remember, eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive.
3- Stock up to prepare for meals.
It’s those times when we aren’t prepared that we end up making bad food choices, so try to stay ahead of the game by stocking up when you are at the store.
4. Buy frozen fruits.
Organic fruits are usually cheaper if you buy them frozen, rather than fresh. Perfect for a smoothie!
5. Grow a garden.
What can you grow at home? For our family, tomatoes and peppers are about the only thing that we’re good at, but it’s enough to give the kids a snack every day. 🙂
6. Watch portions.
I used to waste a lot of food, by making more than our family would eat at dinnertime. The leftovers would sit in the fridge and I’d forget about it. Now, we make smaller portions. If we have leftovers, they are eaten at lunch the next day.
7. Add beans.
I found that adding organic beans to meals makes a meal go a lot further. Purree them and add them to tacos or a casserole. No one will even notice.
8. Make smoothies from fruit that is not as fresh.
If fruit sits too long and the kids don’t want to eat it anymore, I turn it into a smoothie or a bread (like banana bread).
9. Freeze part of the dough.
When I make cookies, I freeze the dough. I take out only what I need for the day (Usually that’s 4 cookies every day around the same time that they come home from school – so they have freshly baked cookies and I don’t have extras sitting around the house, calling my name! l0l!)
10. Make a grocery list.
Next time you run to Harris Teeter, take a list with you. Start swapping out your foods for the Harris Teeter Organic line and before you know it, you’ll be eating organic at the same price as before you started.
SAMPLE WEEKEND MEALS:
Saturday Breakfast: Harris Teeter Organic Blueberry Waffles, Harris Teeter Organic Apple Juice.
Saturday Lunch: Organic apples served with Organic Peanut Butter & Croissants.
Saturday Dinner: French dip sandwiches served with vegetables
Sunday Breakfast: Organic Apple Muffins
Sunday Lunch: Leftover Sandwiches (Some of the kids had Oatmeal: Harris Teeter Organic Old Fashioned Oats with Unsweetened coconut & Raisins)
Sunday Dinner: Chicken Salad on Croissant
All of the ingredients can be found at Harris Teeter.
Find the recipe below! 🙂
Serve with a fruit salad… or give your kids an Organic Apple Sauce Squeezie to go with their dinner (or as a snack!)
Eating organic doesn’t have to break the bank or cause a misstep with your budget. Just know where to shop and what to buy and you’ll be set!
LOW FAT CHICKEN SALAD
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced cooked chicken
- Small container of plain greek yogurt about 6 ounces
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 3 stalks of celery - diced diced celery about 3 stalks
- 1/2 cup Sliced Almonds
- Salt & Pepper to taste around ½ teaspoon of each
- Croissant
Instructions
- Mix Lemon Juice, Mustard, Garlic Powder, Yogurt in a bowl.
- Add chicken, celery, almonds and cranberries
- Refrigerate at least two hours (can be longer).
- Serve on Croissant.
