How Do You Get More of the Good Stuff for Less?
For more than 25 years, college students, providers for big families, and other thrifty individuals have been stretching their dollars at Whole Foods Market, getting both quality and value.
It’s time to share your favorite buying tips and low cost recipes, and to pick up some great advice from other frugal foodies. You can submit a video on our YouTube page OR simply type in your tip below.
As a young professional living on my own, I value the time I am able to spend in the kitchen, preparing healthy meals for myself to enjoy throughout the week.
My standby strategy (and tip) for single working professionals is to cook a meal for 4-6, then enjoy the leftovers as brown-bag lunches. Many of the ingredients I use to do this come from the bulk section of Whole Foods. The beans and legumes are of particular value–especially if you sprout them!
When a bean or pea is sprouted, its nutritional value increases substantially. Better yet, for those watching their weight, sprouting decreases the calories in the beans, as sprouting “takes” energy. And even better yet, 1 cup of dried beans yields approx. 3-4 cups of sprouts, so you’re getting even more bang for your buck.
In the Whole Foods bulk section, the mung beans, adzuki beans, and garbanzo beans are all prime candidates for sprouting. Directions are as follows: soak the beans in water overnight (or 24 hours for the garbanzos), drain and rinse them, line a strainer with a damp cheesecloth or thin towel, then place the beans inside, and cover with towel folds. Dampen the towel/beans 2-3 times a day, and in a few days, you’ll have lovely sprouts.
I use the sprouts in sandwiches, salads, curries, and veggie burgers. I also lightly saute the mung bean sprouts and eat them as a snack. One cup of sprouts has only about 30 calories.
I hope this tip helps others looking for ways to save AND eat as healthfully as possible.
I was recently dianosed with Gluten intoloerance. That’s a huge life change and a really daunting task, especially in the current economic climate. I have found my local Whole Foods store to be a great ally in my new way of life. Not only do they offer the best prices on gluten-free foods, but they’re full of money saving tips about how to plan and cook ahead so I can eat without fuss during my busy work week! So I’m entirely grateful.
One tip I have found to be really helpful is about dealing with my pasta fix. (Well for me now, it’s rice pasta). I have learned to buy tomatoes when they’re delicious and on sale, then I slice them and dry them out in my oven at a very low setting (like 200F). When the slices are dry and crisp, I stick them in my food processor and gring into a powder. Now I have fresh delcious tomato taste to mix with my favorite olive oil and seasonings for an impromptu sauce when I’m out of fresh tomatoes and cant run to the store. Very Yummy!
I’m still getting the hang of this gluten-free life, but one thing’s for sure: Whole Foods has become my new life partner!
A very inexpensive meal to make is spaghetti, but make it even less expensive by making the sauce yourself! Saute garlic, onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms in a dot of olive oil. Add diced tomatoes and a can of plain tomato sauce. Season with pepper, oregano, and any other herbs and spices you love. It’s great to make in large portions and freeze for later use. Using fresh, organic produce gives it so much more flavor than canned sauce.
Save money and calories, and cut down on packaging, by straining yogurt yourself for Greek-style yogurt, sour-cream substitute, or yogurt cheese. You’ll need a large punch bowl, a large colander, cheesecloth, and a 64-ounce container of plain low-fat yogurt. (I recommend a brand like Nancy’s, because it separates easily.) Line the colander with cheesecloth and spoon the yogurt into the colander. Place the colander into the punch bowl so that the sides of the bowl support the handles of the colander. There should be a couple of inches of clearance between the bottom of the colander and the bottom of the bowl, to catch the liquid that will strain through the cheesecloth. Cover the colander and refrigerate colander/punch bowl for an hour. Drain the liquid from the bowl and return to refrigerator. Repeat in a couple of hours, then refrigerate overnight. In the morning, you’ll have creamy Greek-style yogurt that you can eat plain, or flavor with diced apricots or peaches, agave nectar, or a teaspoon of your favorite unsweetened fruit spread. Allowing the yogurt to strain for the remainder of the day produces yogurt cheese, a healthful, low-fat substitute for cream cheese in all kinds of recipes. One of my favorites: Mix strained yogurt with chunky salsa and refried black beans, and serve with sesame blue-corn chips. Yummmmy! You can also “extend” dips, such as hummous or guacamole, by mixing 3 parts dip with 1 part strained yogurt.
Save money and calories, and cut down on packaging, by straining yogurt yourself for Greek-style yogurt, sour-cream substitute, or yogurt cheese. You’ll need a large punch bowl, a large colander, cheesecloth, and a 32-ounce container of plain low-fat yogurt. (I recommend a brand like Nancy’s, because it separates easily.) Line the colander with cheesecloth and spoon the yogurt into the colander. Place the colander into the punch bowl so that the sides of the bowl support the handles of the colander. There should be a couple of inches of clearance between the bottom of the colander and the bottom of the bowl, to catch the liquid that will strain through the cheesecloth. Cover the colander and refrigerate colander/punch bowl for an hour. Drain the liquid from the bowl and return to refrigerator. Repeat in a couple of hours, then refrigerate overnight. In the morning, you’ll have creamy Greek-style yogurt that you can eat plain, or flavor with diced apricots or peaches, agave nectar, or a teaspoon of your favorite unsweetened fruit spread. Allowing the yogurt to strain for the remainder of the day produces yogurt cheese, a healthful, low-fat substitute for cream cheese in all kinds of recipes. One of my favorites: Mix strained yogurt with chunky salsa and refried black beans, and serve with sesame blue-corn chips. You can also “extend” dips, such as hummous or guacamole, by mixing 3 parts dip with 1 part strained yogurt.
Here are some tips for how our family will have healthy and fun snacks for the game that will score praise without tackling our money.
Dips and healthy dipping options.
The kids love to make a sweet dip by mixing: vanilla yogurt with small amounts of vanilla, honey, maple syrup and raisins. Sweet dip for pretzels or your own pita chips (small pieces of pita bread cooked at 350 degrees for 8 minutes in oven). Tastes great with cut up fruit and carrot or celery sticks.
It’s fun to make your own guaccamole (moderate spice level): mix two mashed advocados with cut-up red or green peppers, one small red onion, three tablespoons of fresh minced garlic, pinch of chille paste, four teaspoons of fresh squeezed lemon or lime juice and one jar tomato paste (or cut up some tomatoes).
To dip…we make sweet potato or regular potato chips baked with olive oil and sea salt and black pepper in the oven (10 minutes for 350 degrees).
We love Chinese soups, but the closest gluten free restaurant is over an hour away. To satisfy the craving, I boil cleaned chopped leeks (3-4) in a large pot of water. I add chicken buillon cubes and a little salt/pepper.
Tastes like wonton soup broth and the added benefit is it also helps in weight loss if you drink daily for lunch.
Drink more water. I used to drink milk or juice with every meal and snack. But my husband usually drinks water, and I realized that the cost of my beverages really did add up to a lot over the course of a year or even a month. So I decided to try to drink water at one meal each day (it’s a good weight-loss idea too, while you’re at it). It was easy to get used to, and now that I’m buying less milk and juice I can pay the extra money for organic milk without spending any more than I used to.
Feeling the pinch and not able to eat out at restaurants much? Sometimes my husband and I instead of eating out go to Whole Foods to buy snack foods that we both enjoy. Some of these items might be: feta cheese, salami, crackers, olives, hummus, maybe a beverage or small dessert item. We take the items home with no cooking involved. For less than a meal out for both of us, we have a nice treat.
Everyone knows that you shouldn’t go shopping hungry. But sometimes you don’t get a chance to grab something from home before you head off to the store. When I go to Whole Foods and I realize that I’m hungry, I stop first and get a little something from the Hot Bar or the Salad Bar to tide me over and that way I end up getting only what is on my shopping list. And the good thing is, because it’s Whole Foods, I know that the food is fresh and healthy, as opposed to junk food or fast food which may be my only other options.
The Hot Bar and Salad Bar are also useful because they allow you to sample new foods and dishes or familiar foods prepared in new ways. That way you can expand your palate without wasting a lot of money on things you end up not liking. The ingredients for each dish are written underneath the label so you can try to replicate the dishes that you like at home. The bulk food section and the free samples found around the store are also a great way to try new foods for little or no money.
Dr. Bronner’s soap, which you can get in the Whole Body section, is great stuff. you can use it to wash your body, hands, face, hair, teeth and you can use it for general cleaning and washing dishes. Because it doesn’t create any suds, it can also be used in the dish washer and clothes washer. Using one of the scented versions of Dr. Bronner’s can make you and your house smell AMAZING, so you get a little aromatherapy to boot. Since Dr. Bronner’s can replace so many other products, you end up having to do less shopping. And for most of these purposes, it ends up being cheaper than the product it replaces. Try buying the gallon size if you can, because that will be cheaper and save on packaging.
I save money in many different ways. Here are some of my favorites: Nothing cleans my hard floors, large appliances, and many other items (wheels!) better or cheaper (after the initial investment) than a steam cleaner. (Floors also dry immediately, for an added benefit!) I also stopped using clothes dryer cloths (which are actually harmful to clothing - read the box!), except when drying nylon fabrics (and then use the more environmentally friendly Mrs. Meyers brand). There is no noticeable difference, except for the savings! Instead of using glass cleaner, use plain water and microfiber cloths, which actually do a better job! Stop or reduce your use of disposables - styrofoam or plastic cups, paper plates, paper napkins, sponges, etc. We also stopped buying bottled water. Now we use a Brita (filtered) water jug to fill reuseable (and recyclable) SIGG water bottles, which we carry around (and which keep the temperature of the water more constant). I buy larger containers of many foods and divide them into individual portions at home, for a savings (for example buying a block of cheese and cutting it up instead of buying the cubes - in which case you get less but pay more). I could go on and on, but those were my favorites
Also, remember in general to reduce, reuse and recycle and you can’t help but save money, also! Good luck 
I save money in many different ways. Here are some of my favorites: Nothing cleans my hard floors, large appliances, and many other items (wheels!) better or cheaper (after the initial investment) than a steam cleaner. (Floors also dry immediately for an added benefit!) I stopped using clothes dryer cloths (which are actually harmful to clothing - read the box!), except when drying nylon fabrics (and then use Mrs. Meyers). There is no noticeable difference, except for the savings! Instead of using glass cleaner, use plain water and microfiber cloths, which actually do a better job! Stop or reduce your use of disposables - styrofoam or plastic cups, paper plates, paper napkins, sponges, etc. We also stopped buying bottled water. Now we use a Brita (filtered) water jug to fill reuseable (and recyclable) SIGG water bottles, which we carry around (and which keep the temperature of the water more constant). I buy larger containers of many foods and divide them into individual portions at home, for a savings (for example buying a block of cheese and cutting it up instead of buying the cubes - getting less food and paying more). I could go on and on, but these are my favorites
Remember in general to reduce, reuse and recycle and you can’t help but save money, also! Good luck 
I have found a few good ways of saving money. For cleaning, nothing cleans my hard floors (and many objects such as large appliances) better and cheaper (after the initial investment) than a steam cleaner. For laundry, I stopped using dryer clothes (which are actually harmful to clothing) unless drying nylon fabrics. There is no noticeable difference except the savings! We stopped buying bottled water: Instead we purchased a Brita (filtered) water pitcher and reuseable (and recyclable) SIGG water bottles; for a huge savings, better taste, and friendliness to the environment. I stopped using window cleaner and use plain water and microfiber clothes, which actually do a better job. When buying some food products (such as cottage cheese, cheese for snacking, and many other products) buy the larger size instead of the individual size and make the individual portion yourself. I could go on, but these are a few of my favorite ways to save money.
Because I can’t eat wheat I make a morning cereal using millet from your bulk bins. When I make millet cereal for breakfast, I make extra for a few days ahead, using the Whole Foods “bulk basics” booklet that I picked up in the store. Each extra day I put some in a covered skillet and toast it, and add coconut from your bulk bins and toast that until everything is nice and toasty. Once the coconut is in, watch it carfefully and stir as needed. The point is to try to get the extra moisture out. Meanwhile I’ve been setting up some rice bowls with a few spoonfuls of your plain Strauss yogurt and fruit. You can use whatever fruit is in season - blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, even bananas and/or apples. A single note or a mixture. When the millet is toasty I spoon it into the rice bowls and stir it all together. I like it like this but it can be sweetened with honey or the berries can be sugared ahead of time. This is good if you’re on a gluten-free diet. I’m also on a lactose-free diet, but my doctor suggested I might be able to tolerate yogurt, and a few tablespoons of Strauss yogurt is just fine.
The aisles at Whole Foods brim with all the brand names I love (Amy’s, Ezekial Food for Life, Kashi, etc.) and in order to save money on those products, I write e-mails to the manufacturers and request coupons. This helps me keep the cost down while still eating organic. Then I just fill the rest of my cart with lots of fresh produce and grains.
In times like these, many people have noticed how much cheaper it is to fill up your cart with junkie food. It looks like easy math to sacrifice quality in order to put something into your belly. But the junk foods are so full of useless ingredients that you end up eating way more than you need. Twice, three times, four times, more? Save money with fresh fruits and veggies that fill your belly more cost-effectively! (Weight loss at no extra charge)
Even tho cashmere sweater labels say:”dry clean only”. I have been hand washing them in Ivory Snow for years and have never had one shrink. This is how:
Dissolve small amount (about 1 teas.) of ivory in cold water in basin. Add one cashmere and squeeze suds through sweater for about a 30 seconds. Next rinse thoroughly, changing rinse water a few times. Now gently squeeze out excess water and roll sweater in old bath towels 2 or 3 times. Lastly, smooth out and lay on flat surface to dry. I have a mesh drying rack for this purpose, but top of washer or dryer (not turned on) will do fine.
Next day your precious cashmere will be soft, and fluffy without a trace of dry cleaning fluid, no cleaners bill, no drop off and pick up.
To save money on trips we give our boys their own food money. Before we leave, we work up a reasonable budget per meal and give them the money up front. Then at each stop they can decide how much money they would like to spend, understanding that they get to keep anything they do not spend on food. We also carry a cooler full of nutritional options like fruit and veggies that are “free”. Not only do they suddenly love the healthy foods, but we save a bundle of money and heartache at each stop. There is no more begging for large amounts of fast food they can not eat. It is amazing how frugal this teaches them to be.
My money-saving tip is to buy only what you need for the week’s menu. I plan my menu for the week based on fresh produce available and money-saving deals at Whole Foods. I also NEVER go shopping if I’m hungry. This helps me to stay within my budget. If I’m looking for a hard-to-find item, the staff at Whole Foods is always there to help me out.
My husband and I made a tradeoff when we had our son - I would be a stay-at-home Mommy and our income would drop drastically. We don’t regret that decision for a moment.
Unfortunately, meat is expensive, and vegetarianism just doesn’t appeal to us. In order to stretch our meat dollars, I have learned to stretch the meat itself by adding fillers to my recipes.
Ground meat recipes can be stretched with beans and grains…I often use a 50/50 ratio to meat, which cuts the meat cost per meal by 50%!
Casseroles are a good friend to our food budget, too. Pasta, rices and veggies stretch chicken breast, tuna, and cubed beef much farther.
It is possible to trim your food budget while feeding your family healthy, organic foods…you just need to be creative!
I come from a long line of Italians who like their pasta sauce. However, the good sauces are kind of pricey. I am not a good sauce maker, so I buy a jar of Whole Foods Organic Pasta and add it to a can of organic tomato paste, and a large can of organic diced tomatoes. I cook my own little meatballs in it and add water as needed. I typically buy the canned tomatoes on sale and stock up. I add basil and garlic to taste. Often I’ll double this and freeze it in smaller containers. It’s really tasty - honest! and saves money, too!
My favorite *dog* cleaner moment came when considering the slow drain in my bathroom sink. I am a somewhat crafty girl and it was having an effect on the sink drain. I believe the culprit at that time was glitter mod podge. I tried just running hot water through it and vinegar through. Nothing was fixing it. Then when I was about to give in to the nasty stuff I cleaned the kitchen drain as I always do. Vinegar and Baking soda to get rid of the stink of the garbage disposal. Why wouldn’t that chemical reaction help with the drain?!
*doh* and why hadn’t I thought of it before?
I sprinkled baking soda down the drain fairly liberally and followed it with a quick dump of vinegar and then plugged the drain. I let that set for about 10 minutes and then followed with hot water. This particular time also required a little bit of help from a plunger as well (seriously it was a lot of mod podge!) My drain has never run so clean and after learning my lesson with that crafting project I have only had to use the baking soda and vinegar going forward. Worked wonders on the bathtub drain too!
yay for baking soda and vinegar!
Tip one: Apple cider vinegar is better for cleaning as it has more germ killing power than white vinegar.
Tip two: I have found that I can get burnt on food from any pan by sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda along with a little water (just enough to make a paste), then leaving overnight. In the morning the goo scrapes off easily.
Whole Foods’ terrific reusable bags hold so much more and make walking the mile to and from the store convenient and comfortable. The money saved from gas really adds up (Miami traffic is awful, even for just a few miles). Plus, with the exercise, I don’t feel bad at all picking up a bag of those great scones!
Another money saving tip I have gained from Whole Foods, is great gift ideas. A bottle of nice wine is so much cheaper here, and the selection is huge. Add in a bouquet of flowers and you have a perfect birthday gift.
I love soups in the winter but my favorite is a Virginia Peanut Soup. I just saute a little onion and celery in some oil,add a box (32 oz) vegetable broth, add 1 cup or more peanut butter from Whole Foods (my favorite is the crunchy that comes out of the machine)and let it simmer and stir often until the peanut butter is well incorporated about a half hour. Then I like to crunch up some peanuts from the bulk aisle. It is so good w/a sandwich on a snowy day.
Instead of buying fruit yogurts, I buy a tub of 365 Organic Nonfat Plain yogurt and either prunes or frozen berries and mix them together. I usually also add cereal crumbs. This is a great way to utilize leftover cereal crumbs and bits.
Whole Foods is my favorite place to shop for not only groceries for myself but also small gifts for friends. Some of my past gift selections include orchid plants, pancake mix (which I made following the recipe featured in the WF holiday gift giving issue) in a jar with Ficoco (a fig and cocoa spread that is one of my favorite items at WF!), hand soap, lip balm, and other toiletries, and homemade mendiants.
I only discovered Whole Foods since we relocated to Florida from the UK and it quickly became my favourite store. We always tried to buy ‘with a conscience’ at home and lived near Chatsworth House, the home of the Duke of Devonshire so we were able to buy their home grown produce and home reared meats with relative peace of mind. I couldn’t hide my delight though when my local WF opened last year and I now am able to feed my family without checking every label as I know everything in store has been ‘checked out’ already! My tip for saving money while eating healthy is buying organic beef mince. My husband and daughter love chili con carne and spaghetti bolognaise and so we go through quite a bit (turkey chili is not the same!) It’s a bit expensive so I now use a little less beef and bulk out with different organic veg. Edamame beans are great along with kidney beans in the chili and the 365 frozen bell peppers strips go fantastic in the bolognaise. It’s healthier as well, as they are getting extra vitamins with the veg but all the flavour of their favourite foods and I know there are no nasties hiding away in the meat. Result!
Doctor your honey!
It’s a heckuvalot cheaper to make your own flavored honey than it is to buy, say, lavender honey. I like to take whatever leftover herbs I’ve got _ thyme, rosemary or lavender, etc. _ and, taking a clean glass jar, layer a few sprigs of the clean, dry herb with a bit of honey. Keep doing this until you’re out of the herb, then let the honey and herb go be friends for a few days.
Taste.
Swoon!
Ambrosial. This is great stuff to slather onto roast chicken during its last few moments in the oven, to drizzle (or dump-truck) over plain yogurt, or to spoon into tea.
Check out http://www.SustainableSuppers.com for more tips, and our podcast!
instead of using products available in market we can make skin care easy by using home made fresh juice.
if u have pimples drink organic spinach juice without sugar only by adding little salt to it. and see the difference.you will stop using other products.
Our nearest WF is quite a distance, but so worth it! I try and make the trip in conjunction with doctor’s visits or whatever I am doing in that area.
I have saved alot of money by using a mixture in the dishwasher. It is also very earth friendly. 1 T. Borax 1 T. Super Washing Soda. Now, you might have to ask the folks at WF to carry these items, but so worth it! I spend less than a penny on each load.
Make sure you only buy the food that is pesticide free. If you don’t, then you are polluting the environment. Every single piece of fruit or veggie sprayed with pesticide that is bought is contributing to global warming. shop smart!
For those of us who insist on freshness in our flour and grain products, Whole Foods cannot be beat. I never buy flour or grains at a grocery store. You have no idea how long they have been on the shelf, and you have to buy the quantity they offer. The bins at Whole Foods always have the freshest flours and grains, and I can buy only the quantity I will use and not throw away the unused portion as I used to. I feel it saves me a lot of money and I know my breads and side dishes are the best I could be serving my family.
I strive to just by produce. This way, you don’t rack up the bills with expensive meats or even organic processed foods. I stick to the outside aisles where the produce is.
Eating healthy can be difficult when you are a poor college student but my boyfriend and I make a weekly meal plan and go grocery shopping once for the week. We make a big list and use the sale flyers as well as the Whole Deal newsletter to plan meals that include sale items. It is important for us to use seasonal, organic fruits and veggies and we have recently tried to make at least one or two vegetarian meals to cut back on the cost of meat. We LOVE the salad bar, if we don’t feel like cooking, we bike over to our local Whole Foods and create our own salads at about $4.00 per person and grab a piece of fruit for dessert. We have also found that buying bulk meat packages and separating them into 1 lb portions is a great way to ration the meat and save money! I am constantly online checking the sale flyers and finding recipes that go with the products that are on sale. One of our biggest money savers is making a casserole or something in the crock pot and then eating the leftovers all week long. It saves a ton of money and we pick dishes that taste even better the second day! I have found that buying lettuce in the salad bar containers in portions for two saves us from wasting the salad that we wouldn’t use if we were to buy a big package. I love finding new ways to save money without compensating my health. Most college kids are living paycheck to paycheck and often turn to processed and cheap food and consequently bad lifestyle habits begin to form. My boyfriend and I are living proof that you can be healthy and feel great without going broke! We also keep ALL of our receipts and at the end of the month, total how much we spend in food and other household areas so we have a good idea of total costs and can adjust accordingly, it is amazing to track your money and see where it is going and where you can cut unnecessary spending. Another fun tip is making a meal with friends. Everyone can chip in and it will be more cost-effective because you can have a well-balanced meal and don’t have to foot the entire bill. I love the closeness of cooking a good healthy meal with friends and being able to enjoy it together! It takes a little bit of effort and work to live healthy but the reward is well worth it and we will continue to be loyal Whole Food customers for many years to come! Happy Eating!!
I have saved SO MUCH money this year by purchasing a SIGG aluminum water bottle at Whole Foods for my 2 youngest sons. No more individual ‘juice boxes’ or plastic water bottles for us and the water in a SIGG doesn’t have the funny plastic taste! It’s ‘greener’ and healthier for him in the long run, too!
I love going to the Rose City Whole Foods–the organic food is fresh and wholesome and has made an incredibly positive impact on my family’s diet.
My favorite time saver is to make the Whole Foods Poblano Bison Chili in the a crockpot. It’s great for busy weeks. I’ll make it on a Friday and then on Saturday mornings use the leftovers for Huevos Rancheros. Time-saving and Delicious!
I live with just my fiance, so we sometimes don’t go through food fast enough. But now, every time I open a new bottle of salad dressing, jar of pasta sauce, or carton of milk, I write the date on the lid with a permanent marker. It helps me keep track of what’s on hand. I save money and reduce waste by not having to throw out spoiled, uneaten food. It works especially well for dairy products like big tubs of yogurt and cartons of milk.
I like to spend one day a month cooking individual or small portions like enchlladas, casseroles, and desserts. It a great way to save time energy and money. The ingreadients from Whole Foods makes the food taste great too.
Get more out of your fresh produce by saving the skins and other byproducts of the veggies you use during the week to make a yummy organic stock. All you need to spice it up is a bay leaf, some peppercorns, and a few cloves of garlic. My roommate and I split the cost of a gallon of milk, because we would rarely drink an entire gallon individually. That way, there’s no waste!
We are on a pretty tight budget these days (like so many) but I still like to be able to shop at Whole Foods when I can since I have some food allergies/intolerances. Something that really helps me is to buy mostly ingredients. It does take a little more effort to cook from scratch, but this truly saves the most money. Also, a tip that helps a lot is to plan my shopping trip “before” I go into the store. I leave a little for a deal or two, but in general I know what my total cost will be. No surprises this way!
I attended a “Shopping On A Budget” class at my local store which was a help to me. Although I felt I was an experienced Whole Foods shopper, I learned quite a few money-saving tips!
My husband used to drink soda pop by the gallon, but several years back he decided to join me in cutting HFCS from his diet. At first, we sought out natural pops to quench his thirst, but one day I had a quick idea that was even healthier and helped our dollar stretch further. We began mixing mineral water (often less than $1 for a good sized bottle at Whole Foods!) with 100% juices for our own homemade sodas without any added sugars! The amount of juice added depends on our mood, but these days we typically use 2 parts mineral water to just 1 part juice. We both enjoy the cherry and blueberry juices that can often be found at Whole Foods for a reasonable price or even on sale. Plus, when using just a bit in each drink, the jar lasts three times as long!
I’ve moved to Chicago, IL from Israel just few months ago.
I was eating fresh delicious fruits and vegetables my entire life.
For me, a meal without fresh salad mix is not a meal. When I asked people about shopping tips in USA, there referred me to some local groceries. Those groceries do sell fruits and vegetables, but no taste, no indulgent, no added value.
One day I was invited to my cousin’s house for dinner. In that kitchen I finally sow fresh tasty fruits and vegetables, which reminded me a taste of my home. And guess what??? I told my husband. I don’t care how far I have to go and how much I have to pay; I want those products in my home.
I was so pleasantly surprised; I don’t need to go far away, because those great fruits and vegetables came from WHOLE FOODS MARKET, which has so many locations and free parking.
When I walked into WHOLE FOODS MARKET, besides fresh and tasty fruits and vegetables, I felt in love in your CHEESE DEPARTMENT, just after seeing my favorite Goat Milk Gouda.
Thank you so much for making my being in USA feeling like home.
There is a Whole Food in five miles.But I seldom shop there till I paln to have a baby. I know there is very possibility of passing a toxic substances to the baby inside the womb via the mother’s blood stream to the baby’s umbilical cord. I purchase strawberry, brocollic lecttuce and fruits from Whole Food. Becasue these vegetable and fruit are uncooked when eating. I really care about the harm from pesticide.So orgnic food graduately was introduced our family.
They at Harry’s Whole Food know me very well cuz I always have many coupons almost each item, my grocery bags to take 10 cents off on my grocery shopping.
My Whole Foods store has some great Indian frozen single-serving entrees by Amy and Ethnic Gourmet. I love their unique seasonings that I could never duplicate in my kitchen.
Even though they are single-serving, I stretch them by using them as the base for an “Indian casserole”. I cook some organic potatoes and cut them up. I also cook some organic frozen veggies like green peas, green beans, and broccoli. I cook one frozen entree and then mix it with these veggies and throw in a can of lentil soup. I now have a casserole that can feed four to six people!
I don’t know if I’m the only one out there, but I’m embarrassed to use branded grocery bags at stores different from the brand on the bag. So to be green and still get my shopping done without resorting to purchasing bags from each store, I make my own. Its easy and there are tons of free patterns for all skill levels out there.
Here’s a link: http://tipnut.com/35-reusable-grocery-bags-totes-free-patterns/
For the calorie conscious and for a sweet taste: Peel and cut apples in thin slices and saute them in a non-stick pan with raisins and cinamon and a little water. Put a lid on the pan to let the apples stew. The apples cook in a few minutes.Eat warm or cold, on toasts, crakers or cereal. This way you can make use of distressed apples and enjoy an apple pie taste without the extra fat.
I purchase a lot of veggies at Whole Foods and after washing and trimming the veggies for dinner, I put the scraps from all veggies(carrot tops, onions ends and skins, garlic scraps, ends from green beans, etc.)in a plastic bag and store in fridge. Once a week I make a soup broth using these scraps. I simmer the scraps until cooked in left over tomato juice or organic broth, adding seasoning to taste. I then strain the broth, discard the scraps, and freeze the cooked broth, to be used for homemade soup in the future. This makes a delicious and nutritious soup, and I have not wasted any part of the veggies I have purchased. This is very, very handy to have in the freezer.
I love good oatmeal, so I buy the steel cut oats, I cook up a big batch and because they take so long to cook for a busy week-day morning I add the cooked oatmeal to a 9″ square pan. I Pop in the fridge, then each morning I cut out my portion, add to a small sauce pan, add milk, my fruit and its good to go in a very short time.You should have enough 3-4 days depending who you are sharing it with. I am the only one that eats it, so it lasts me about 5 days, my most busiest ones.
A frugal tip that I discovered is to find an item on sale and then use a coupon at the checkout which you can find in the Whole Deal coupon booklet . For instance I found a Lifeway Organic Kefir on sale for $3.39 and had a $1.00 off coupon which only came up to $2.39. That’s a pretty good deal.
i LOVE whole foods.
my boyfriend and i just moved to the district and are so excited that we have a wf right down the street from us. we are spending a lot of time cooking and coming up with together…not to mention sitting down to a delicious meal that we made together! to make things even better, we prepare hefty portions so we have leftovers and sometimes even freeze the food we know we won’t be able to finish within the week. whole foods prices aren’t as low as the supermarket down the street but the quality of the food sure makes up for it tenfold!
thanks wf!!
an extremely loving and loyal customer,
g.
I am the homeschooling mother of 5 children. I recommend any of the lovely organic berry or fruity teas that Whole Foods sells. You can sweeten with juice or a little sweetener, if you feel like you need to. The children love tea ( hot or iced ) and ask for it. You can make a quart of iced tea for 1/4 the cost of juice. We do purchase some juices and 365 sodas, but they are stored away for birthdays or special days, like Sunday.
I have started asking about case discounts, and this has saved me quite a bit of money. I realized that there are items that I buy large quantities of, that I might as well buy a case of at a time to save considerable money. There are also items that I buy every month regularly, so it is smarter to buy more at once and get a discount. You can ask in just about any department, including even produce. I eat a lot of raw foods and raw vegetables, which can be expensive, and if you buy by the case, it is a lot cheaper. Or if you have a big family or even a one-time gathering, it’s smart to ask about discounts. It never hurts to ask.
I also ask about special-ordering certain cheaper cuts/types of meat and fish in the meat and seafood departments. The seafood department especially, is very nice about special-ordering anything. And in the meat deparment, they will often cut things for you, take the skin off for you for free, etc. I try to be more creative and think outside the box to save money, and it pays off. I recommened always asking about anything!
I shop at the Madison Whole Foods when visiting my sister. Since I visit every two weeks, I stock up on everything.
I found when buying organic herbs parsley, basil, scallions, etc, it’s to much to use all at once. So I wash, chop, and freeze them. I use my
freshly frozen produce when needed for soups or other dishes. When freezing, I use small tupperware containers, I have found this prevents freezer burn longer then plastic wrap or plastic bags (also better for the environment).
I save money at Whole Foods by selective shopping for specific items, especially your specials, that I cannot buy elsewhere. The sugar free or fruit juice sweetened products are superior to the ones in the grocery stores. Buying in bulk and making items from scratch is cheaper than the convenience items loaded with junk. I love your ripe tomatoes that taste like tomatoes, not cardboard versions that spoil quickly. I try meatless meals which are less pricy than the meaty versions. My husband likes the free samples of products before he buys!
TIP FOR EASY ENTERTAINING:
ORGANIZE A COOKIE EXCHANGE
A cookie exchange is one of the easiest ways to host a party with a minimum of shopping, expense, baking and dishes to clean. (Hey, that is my kind of party!) The best thing about hosting or attending a cookie exchange is that after the party, you’ll have a variety of homemade sweet treats to enjoy and share with Santa.
Here’s a quick-n-easy plan for hosting a Couple’s Holiday Cookie and Appetizer Party. The sweets and savories can be gourmet or simple. The trick is to keep the portions small and manageable so they’re easy to share.
It’s the hosts job to send an invite. I suggest sending an email invite with the directions attached (saves postage, paper and the recipient can save the instructions for the future. Include the number of guests expected to attend.
Here are the instructions for hosting a party for 12 couples; you and your partner would make the 13th couple.
The jog of “Partner 1″: Make (one type) of festive appetizers to share with 24 other guests (26 including you two). Bring the appetizer on a plate that is ready, as is, to be put on a table or countertop.
Gently remind guests not to expect the host of the party to provide platters or dishes for appetizers.
Note: Remind guests to take their serving platter home when leaving.
“Partner 2″: Bake one type of holiday cookie or candy. Place a half dozen homemade cookies or candies, with a copy of the recipe, inside individual baggies, tins, or boxes (again, 13 containers, of some sort will be needed).
In addition to bringing 13 containers with 6 cookies in each container, bring a platter with a dozen cookies (same type) to be sampled at the party.
Note: It’s best to reserve a day (prior to the party) for the baking because this is a whole lot of cookies to bake!
The host(s) provides the drinks and hospitality. They determine how elegant or casual the guests should dress.
It’s a nice party to host during cocktail hour, early afternoon or Sunday brunch.
My value tip doesn’t involve food but can help save the planet! Do you get frustrated when you get to the store and realize you forgot your grocery bags? I get almost embarrassed that I have to use new bags. Sometimes I almost don’t want to shop. (That’ll teach me!) To solve this problem, after putting my groceries away, I take my bags and put them back in the car. Now I always have bags with me when I go shopping. Super easy!
I have a new favorite potato/vegetable topping which also fits into my search for lower cost proteins: Stonyfield Farms Organic Nonfat Yogurt in the Key Lime flavor. I like to come home to a crockpot of potatoes, white or sweet, and top them with this yogurt. This flavor doesn’t taste like yogurt, nor sweet like pudding, so goes well with main or vegetable courses.
Since I have been trying to eat more locally, I have noticed that in the produce department they list where the produce is from. I also found out they buy from a local farm that I am a CSA member. The bread also is made small batch locally.
Be a locavore and see how your food has travelled.
My family is severely allergic to all nuts. We make our own granola with many bulk food items- coconut, sunflower seeds, flax, wheat germ, dried bananas, maple syrup, etc. for an extremely low price compared to buying it in a bag- plus I know it is healthy and nut free!
I have a couple of tips…. instead of buying individual yogurt cups, I buy the big 365 Vanilla Yogurt and then add some granola from the bulk section, some fresh or frozen 365 fruit and top it off with honey. Yummy! I also don’t buy instant grits or oatmeal, too much packaging. When I cookd oatmeal I will usually add some dried fruit like cranberries that I got from the bulk section. And I have found one of the best deals when it comes to buying bell peppers, I love using not just green but yellow and red bell peppers when I cook and I use to buy the fresh ones but would end up throwing some of it away because it would go bad; but I found in the frozen veggie section something that Whole Foods calls their (I think this is the name) stop light variety, it is green, yellow and red bell pepper already cut up, I use it all the time.
I love Whole Foods Chocolate Truffles! They are a great value for a box and so yummy! For holiday get togethers, I add the truffles to a platter of homemade cookies and it makes the desert so much more elegant - for only around $5!
Each week before shopping, I review all circular advertisements from local grocery stores and supermarkets that sell natural and organic products, to guarantee that I am getting the best price (I wish I could afford to do all my shopping at Whole Foods, but my budget will not allow it). I am happy to say that Whole Foods usually has better pricing on the regular staples I purchase, compared to some of the ther larger chains. It makes me feel good to know that I can buy the organic foods I enjoy, and support I company I respect, and still save money!
saving money with leftovers:
steam red,orange, yellow, green peppers–
cut the top off, take out the seeds–stuff the
peppers with any leftovers, add cilantro, parsely—
you can top it the peppers with a sauce—cheese,
terriyaki whatever your family enjoys—-
heat the stuffed peppers in the oven until hot—
arrange on lovely platter, decorate if you want and
voila! Poivrons farcis—–you are a chef with lef-
overs. Bon appetit–www.samanthafuller.com
Whole Foods nearby allows us buying grocery in bulk/by case with 5% discount. So that is what we always do when it comes to diapers, soy milk, rice( we made a special order to get a #50 bag) and so on. For food perishable easily you may still try, we have done it with tofu, yogurt and they all turned out fine. If you are fortunately enough to have family/friends/neighbors who have the same diet conscious mind, you can even do this with them together(we share the rice with my sister).
I have two daughters, ages 4 and 1. My 4 year old is a VERY picky eater. I used to buy things that I think she would eat, but often times it’s something she ends up not liking. I would also try to fix dishes I think she’d like but she usually ends up turning it away. This causes alot of waste through trial and error, and a frustrated mom who usually ends up eating much of the left overs or having to throw some of it out. This can get expensive over time.
My tip is this — I love to bring my girls to Whole Foods to just sample the food in every department. This way if they like something, I know I have a sure winner and that is usually what I end up making that night for dinner. I have also purchased lunch, snacks, treats, etc using this method. No food is wasted as we already had a taste test ahead of time at Whole Foods! You can’t lose — if my daughter doesn’t like a sample… we simply move onto the next! And the best part - the samples are FREE! Whole Foods hardly ever has the same sample twice, so every trip to the store is a new experience.
Our family of three are food allergy challenged (wheat, soy, eggs, whey, garlic, almonds, shellfish, and latex) and rely on the Whole Food Staff for their expertise. The resource desk even has gluten and soy free handouts that you can study before you shop so you don’t purchase something in haste. Some stores will even provide you with a tour so you can familiarize yourself with new products. Our Roosevelt store even changed their practice of latex glove usage. Thats what I call customer service. We are becoming fairly skilled at cooking from scratch. I’m still on a learning curve when it comes to baking. I love to purchase the spices from the self-serve jars . . . both safe and economical, and I just love the scents! Since I work 12 hours I always pack my meals in my vintage Minnie & Mickey lunch box. I find that the Gladware containers are small enough to fit in my lunch box which offers me a lot of variety. My coworkers often sneak a peek. Sometimes I’ll even share some of my home-cooked meals with them. My lunch box is my favorite work equipment . . . many have coveted that lunch box but it is still there at the end of a day! Even though our food sensitivities are challenging, we have made it an adventure of sorts! starts at Whole Foods and continues in our kitchen!
With winter here and the slow cookers out of storage, many dishes are a bit thin, soups cassroles etc. I use the 365 Brand Instant Mashed potatoes to thicken them. My mother used this trick when I was young. My favorite food fact is that a roasted whole chicken has about 2 1/2 cups of meat…just what most casserole or quick dinners call for. save lots of time buying one and using the meat for dish and making broth or soup from the carcass.
We are not vegetarian, but we entertain friends that are. So we make sure to inquire whenever we invite people over, what they do or do not eat.
What we have done the last couple of years is buy a pumpkin just after Halloween and set it out, uncut, to decorate our front stoop. Then, the week of Thanksgiving, we cut it up, roast it (salt, pepper and a little olive oil), and roast the seeds (season with something like Tony’s). We bag it and put it in the fridge until turkey day. The roast pumpkin is yummy as is, or can then be turned into soup or pumpkin risotto. And the seeds make a nice topping for the soup! This year, we tried a batch with no seasonings, and I’m going to try it out as pumpkin pie.
I love the healthy, beautifully decorated, and especially the variety of cakes available in the bakery at Whole Foods. Ever since I started visiting whole foods, it has been my habit to stop by the bakery to see what variety of cake I can get. The specialty of the whole foods bakery is that they provide a piece of any cake. This way you can buy and taste it without buying the whole cake. If you like a piece of cake after tasting, you cal also go ahead and buy the full cake as the same cake is also available in full size. Our family love tasting a variety of cakes at the same visit. So I end up buying variety of small portions of cakes packed independently. Our family has really learned the value of shopping at Whole Foods. You can also do the same by getting a cut pieces of cake instead buying one full cake. Whole foods have an expert baker who will help you in selecting right cake piece for you. So next time you visit whole foods don’t forget to visit the bakery section. A new world of cakes is waiting for you. I am sure that you will love my idea.
Something a lot of shoppers might miss — on your way around the store check out the calendar of events sheet available at the Customer Service booth (mine’s right by the entrance and produce at my favorite Boulder, Colorado store). Every Thursday at my store in the summer, they did a different $3 delicious dinner, and the donation went to local schools! A $3 dinner is not something you find these days… plus, they do regular fall and winter food tasting events as well. This way, you can pay very little (or nothing, as some of them are free!) to try some of the delicious foods at Whole Foods, and maybe even get new ideas for recipes or new fruits/vegetables to try at home.
I love buying in the bulk section instead of buying granola and nuts separately. You can save a fortune, plus you can experiment with combining different types of nuts, granolas, and other snack foods to create nice school lunch additives without packing on the “unhealthy factor”. I also love buying lunch at Whole Foods. If you work near a WHole Foods, I recommend buying your lunch THERE! You can find wholesome, delicious lunch items for a dollar! Today, I found four small bread bites (quite filling, actually) for 93 cents! There are also soup, salad, and vegetable bars where you can combine all sorts of tasty ingredients to form your own perfect lunch. WHole Foods is great!
We save money by organizing our coupons in the same order as the aisles of our favorite Whole Foods store (we use a mini file box, but there are many coupon sorters available). This way we can easily pull out the coupons as we shop each aisle, and great money saving products are never missed. We also can see if an item we have a coupon for is already on sale - double the savings! And we are always on the lookout for coupon books at the registers. We end up saving a ton each trip to the market by having coupon organization!
One of the best ways our family saves money is by finding creative ways to stretch our leftovers. The Washington Post just ran a story that the average family of four wastes $590 of food each year! Our family is no different - they start complaining when a dish reappears more than once, but I’ve learned to jazz up our leftovers or make an entirely new dish with remainders. Allrecipes.com is a cooking resource I couldn’t live without - they have a feature that allows you to type in what ingredients you have, and suggests hundreds of recipes that you can make. It’s the only way my family will eat our leftover turkey for the next week!
Pumpkin-Mince Pie:
This was a creation from the 1960’s by my Grandmother’s cook, the late Anna Kesman. Now, there was a woman who could bake!
Take several (who could bake just one of these?) Whole Foods brand 365
Organic Everyday Value pie crusts. If mine are a 10, these are a 9+!
Put a layer of mince meat on the bottom of each crust. You can use Crosse & Blackwell or any other prepared mincemeat, or make your own.
Then prepare a simple pumpkin custard from scratch, or follow the instructions on the can of pumpkin or however you like. Pour the custard over the layer of mincemeat. Bake as usual.
Note here, I put a ring of crumpled aluminium foil about the crust edge until almost done to prevent over-browning of the crust edge.
A mincemeat pie is usually entirely too rich. Pumpkin alone needs a little zip. This combination is a total winner! I have to setup an assembly line every year making these for friends. Your friends and family will be amazed at how yummy this easy-to-make pie really is!
Topsy Turvy!
Having cooked probably 70 or more turkeys over the years, I have learned (FINALLY) how to have that entire bird moist and flavorful!
First, soak it for 24 hours or more in brine. Mix salt and sugar (2:1 mixture here) in water and imerse the bird. This will hydrate the turkey. Next, use a “V” shaped rack in the roaster and turn the bird up-side down. That’s right, put the breast down. Good heavens how that works!
You do not end up with the Norman Rockwell turkey, but if it is carved in the kitchen, who cares? The breast meat will be succulent and the dark meat will not be greasy.
Try it. What do you have to lose but tough, dry aweful breast meat? You too will become a believer!
I do like the point someone made about planning shopping lists precisely so that food doesn’t end up in the garbage, and reusable bags have also been mentioned as a way of doing right for the environment while getting a discount.
The problem with both of these is that they can’t help you if you are scatterbrained like me and you often FORGET your list or bags!
Here is a simple but elegantly effective suggestion that really helps me remember my bags and list: get your family in the habit of putting your LIST in your reusable bag! And while you’re at it, instead of writing on the back of an old envelope or scrap paper, try putting your lists in a mini notebook so that you are able to refer back to the things that you commonly buy. That could save you money and time.
Happy Thanksgiving shopping, y’all!
This tip is for gas conserving environmentalists that do not have a Whole Foods in their area. Make your organic shopping an afternoon out with like-minded friends. Fill 1 car and do your organic shopping together. After, sit & chat over a Whole Foods deli meal at the store, or bring to one of your homes.
On average, Americans throw away 14% of the food that they buy. That means $600 down the drain! How can you stop this radical flow of lost money? Well, the obvious solution is planning and buying only what you need! Instead of going grocery shopping each day for just one ingredient, compose a grocery shopping list (and make sure your list reflects meal plans). You should also have grocery shopping days. That way you can buy everything you need in one trip.
Over the weekend, I plan what I want in my school lunch next week. Then I give the shopping list to my mom and on Sunday we buy what we need and only what what we need. It’s a lot easier than running around the store looking for one item like peanut butter. So what is the solution? The solution is planning.
After 40 years of marriage and cooking for 4 men, I’ve learned to plan my menu from what’s in the refrig and what’s on sale at the store. We waste very little if anything because nothing is forgotten in the frig. It takes a bit of creativity but that’s fun too. We try to be as organic, healthy and environmentally conscious as we can.
Easy Crisp Green Beans w/ Sun-Dried Tomatoes:
3 LBS French green beans
3 tbsp unsalted butter
2 shallots, minced
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, diced
1 1/2 tbsp freshly grated lemon zest
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
3/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1. Bring large pot of saled water to a boit. Add green beans and cook about 2 min
Prepare an ice-water bath to shock the beans. Plunge the beans to stop cooking.
2. In a skillet heat butter over medium heat. Add shallots and saute until tender, about 3 min. Add tomatoes and cook about 2 min. Add beans, lemon zest, salt and pepper to taste. Cook until beans are heated through, about 5 min.
My grandmother is not able to leave her house or cook for herself so when I visit her I cook large quantities of healthy foods like chicken, vegetables, and rice or pasta. I separate the large portions into single meals and put into freezer-safe trays (like the ones you can recycle from frozen dinners). She can then pull out one meal at a time and pop it into the oven.
Before I shop, I check my cupboards first. I look for ingredients that have just been sitting unused, then think about dishes I can make with those ingredients. I buy my fresh produce at Whole Foods as well as any other ingredients I need to complete the dish. I call it Cupboard Cuisine.
What to do with Thanksgiving leftovers . . . used to be a problem around our house. We would make turkey soup, turkey BBQ wraps, turkey salad, even an old family recipe for turkey quiche with dried cranberries and stuffing topped with creme fresh. We were creative with every aspect of the meal, but we were overlooking the obvious: invite more people so there’s no leftovers. We decided that in stead of buying a smaller turkey, we’d invite people we know, our family knows, folks from church . . . whoever didn’t have family to celebrate with became part of our tradition. Each year the faces change, but party grows. Now, we buy two turkeys - and the goal remains not to have any leftovers. Amazingly, in this tough economy, we have more the be thankful for than ever just from keeping our focus on giving.
I save the washed trimmings and peelings from organic vegetables in a bag in the freezer. When the bag is full, I throw the lot into the crockpot with water and make a delicious vegetable broth. I use this broth for risottos, a base for soups and for braising. It’s much cheaper than buying vegetable stock or making your own using whole vegetables.
Turkey makes great soup stock! Use the bones with some meat still on them as a soup starter, add some seasonal veggies and seasonings, and simmer.
I *love* the Bulk Foods aisle. The selection of beans and grains is especially good as well as economical. I buy arborio rice there to use in risotto, a great comfort dish. Heat 2T olive oil in a large stainless pan over medium heat and saute’ 1 small onion, chopped, with 1 garlic clove, chopped, until translucent. Stir in 2 cups arborio rice until grains are coated with olive oil. Add 1/4-cup dry white wine and stir until the liquid is evaporated. Begin adding 6 cups of vegetable stock in 1/2-cup increments. Stir in each addition until the rice begins to look dry then continue to add another 1/2-cup until the rice is cooked and appears creamy (about 25-30 mins). Top with grated parmigiano-reggiano or romano cheese. A variety of items can be added after the first addition of stock. Sliced mushrooms, cubed butternut squash and fresh pesto are some of my faves. Risotto leftovers freeze well and can be made into croquettes and incorporated into other dishes such as frittatas.
A great way to save money is to make your own vegetable stock that can be used as the cooking water in your grain dishes or as a base for soups and stews. You can also drink it warm like tea.
Instead of using your fresh and perfect vegetables, try using the vegetable scraps — the onion and garlic peels, carrot stalks and all of the odds and ends that would otherwise end up in the compost. Just be sure to wash these parts well. Boil the scraps in water for 30 minutes to one hour. You can add herbs and spices. Once the veggie scraps are soft, strain the broth from the scraps. Use the broth as you like, and discard the scraps, after truly getting your money’s worth!
I try to maintain a colorful diet and love trying new recipes with vegetables I don’t usually buy. Each week I head to my local Whole Foods and buy a few different veggies (trying to pick what may be on sale that week to save money as a bonus). Once I’m home, I’ll focus my weekly recipes on those vegetables. This way, I try new things and don’t end up throwing away unused produce.
Great twist on an old favorite, packed with flavor from hidden veggies! My husband and one year old son love this dish…
Philly Cheesesteak Meatloaf:
Combine:
1-1/2lb ground turkey
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/2cup catsup
1 beaten egg
1T worcestershire or soy sauce
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2t salt
1/4t black pepper
1/4cup cut up or shredded provalone or mozerella
Saute:
handful of each chopped - Onions, Peppers and Mushrooms
Once cooled a bit, add to above mixture
Form loaf on greased sheet or in pyrex dish
Bake at 350 for about 50 minutes
Also good served on a roll!
I bought a 22 oz. insulated thermos that’s saving me the $3-5 dollars that I used to spend on coffee or tea everyday. I just drop in 2 cheap Whole Foods teabags and fill it with boiling water and soymilk in the morning, then sip hot tea whenever I feel like throughout the day.
My best-ever $-saving idea was to teach my husband to cook! He was never motivated to learn until I showed him what he was spending on his charge card every month eating out. We both have demanding jobs with unpredictable schedules, so if I didn’t cook or had to work late, he would just hit a restaurant on the way home. When he saw that charge card total, he was SHOCKED and he was off to WF the next day! I showed him some basic, easy dishes and he has done a fantastic job with them. The best parts are that this is so much healthier for him AND he has been making dinner for me, too! The moral of the story is that economizing turned out to be a great thing in ways I never expected.
I’m very budget concious, but not willing to sacrifice my body and my health just to save a few bucks. That’s why I shop at Whole Foods. The quality of their products is excellent, and I stay within budget by purchasing almost exclusively items that are on sale. Basics like milk have to be bought no matter what, but, for example, I can choose fruit and veggies for the week based on which ones have the lowest price. This also ensures that every week there’s something new and exciting in my refrigerator!
Even though the economy has slowed down, I am committed to provide healthy food from Whole Foods to my family! One of my “MANY” frugal techniques is whenever I buy Salsa, I buy Whole Food brand “Spicy” salsa. I like my salsa spicy but not so much for my daughter. So I add one Whole Foods brand Tomato can into Salsa and it becomes perfect “medium” Salsa! This Salsa is “must” on our Friday movie night.
Thanksgiving is upon us. This is my first time ever making dinner for my mother. After several consultations with her, I have decided to order a 20-22 lbs Free Range Turkey from Whole Foods for my 10 guests. When getting a fresh Turkey, schedule your pick up on Tuesday or Wednesday. The Medical College of the University of Wisconsin says a fresh turkey can be kept, uncooked, in your refrigerator for no more than 2 days! This way, you don’t have to freeze it.
And pick up the Holiday Meat Guide, the entertaining calculator is AWESOME for first time entertaining cooks like myself. It was spot on with the size of Turkey that my mother suggested. My family likes leftovers!
In order to make my money stretch as far as I can with
the organice produce and other products I buy at Whole Foods,
we have a daily “all-in-one smoothie” ritual in our house.
In the mornings, we throw into the blender anything
leftover in the fridge..usually something green like
spinach or kale, some yogurt or oj as a base and then
to sweeten it up, frozen or fresh fruit and a bit of honey.
This smoothie packs a ton of energy and anti-oxidants,
keeps you full for the morning and gives you a great head start on your daily fruit and vegetable servings for the day!
The Thyen family
Chantilly, Virginia
Check out the free samples near the health/beauty aisles. I have found some wonderful products: Mychelle products and EgyptianMagic. After trying the samples and doing some research I found out they are great products and I love them! I love looking for samples! It helps you save money by using them for free the first time. If you don’t like the product you didn’t waste your money! Thanks, Terrilee
Face it, to be healthy you have to spend a little bit more cash. What is worth more, your health or your material needs? Even so, you can still find awesome deals, specially if you cook your food yourself. Stay away from prepared foods unless it’s a treat or if you’re short on time. Same thing goes for other brands other than 365 or 365 organic, these are the most affordable brands out there. If they are not available or don’t cary what you need, then use the coupon books for the other brands. If you like wine, expect to pay, unless you buy the items on sale or buy by case for the 10% discount. Try to buy items by the case. For meat items or cheese or bodycare vitamins etc… use the essentials go with time, read, compare, enjoy and have some gelato!
VALUE SHOPPING TIP
First and foremost, shoppers should sign up for the Whole Foods Value Tour, an hour-long trip around the story by a knowledgeable staff member, during which bargain items are highlighted and pointed out, and department heads are introduced. This was a big help to those of us who find grocery shopping in a large supermarket filled with so many wonderful items to be a tad overwhelming!
When friends tell me that Whole Foods is too expensive to shop because of lack of coupons I say, “No way!”
I use coupons every time I shop at Whole Foods.
The first group of coupons come from the Whole Deal booklet. That’s a no-brainer. Also, most product packages list a website where I can sign up for a newsletter and/or print out coupons. Many times the companies will send me coupons in the mail as well.
Before shopping at Whole Foods I go to the website to look up the current sales and then plan my grocery shopping around that.
I simplify my cooking by preparing a variety of whole grains and keeping them separately in covered containers in the fridge. If you keep grains stored separately from other ingredients, they will keep up to three or four days without losing freshness. Each day I combine a different grain with fresh, organic meats, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds and/or soy products to create quick, exciting dishes all week long. I also grow fresh herbs to instantly enhance the flavor of these dishes. This system cuts down on both cooking and shopping times.
So others have already mentioned using coupons, bring your own bags, focusing on non-processed purchases.
My tip is to shop quickly. Time is money, so organize your shopping list so that you are not having to zig-zag across the store. By the way, this is also helps other shoppers and the store (since it can serve more people per hour).
I go counter-clockwise around our store, starting by loading up with produce (organic sweet potatoes are an all-around good value, by the way), then fish, meat, cereals, eggs, milk, cheese, wine (you can’t skimp on those red wine bioflavanoid and resveritrol ;)). Usually, by the time I get to the checkout, I have just enough time to grab some glutino frozen pizza. Total time: 10 minutes.
I read a lot of very helpful tips, and realized that I had been unconsciously saving money at Whole Foods, when consciously, I always got sticker shock when it came time to pay eighty dollars for two small bags of groceries. So, I started saving money(and time)from the start to the finish of my food shopping experience at Whole Foods. I had to, I’m unemployed, and have to keep a watch on my wallet as much as I watch what goes into my body. Here are some of my tips:
Travel (2 tips)
1)I save money by walking from Federal Hill and back. It is a wonderful walk that can be done completely along the inner harbor, and people watching (not to mention the exercise). I make sure that I buy enough frozen products, that no matter what, my perishables don’t perish. This walk also limits the amount of food I buy, because I have to carry it.
2) I know this is cheating a little, but I have two hours of free downtown parking at Whole Foods by shopping there. I have been known to buy a novel at B&N, or some “free-range” shampoo ;)” and other cheap items on sale at the CVS next door. I’m only shopping for one, so I can do another errend and then shop in less than two hours. Stay away from trying to skim through War and Peace; think of it as a nice excuse to get to go to these stores with no additional parking/gas costs. Bring any coupons, and buy on sale if possible.
Free stuffed:
I am a bad boy. I skip the stuff I don’t want that much, and help myself to a really great free treat (if there is one). A friend and I feasted on lox and bagels, and skipped lunch plans that day. Any department will give you free samples if you ask. I tried new apples that have become my faves(thank you apple lady), and found a Herve’ Mons’s Camembert by asking for a taste. It is a splurge, but it is still “reasonably cheap” and you don’t need to eat much good cheese, buy something cheap to put on your scrambled eggs.
Sale!
So many people mentioned buying what is on sale. I bought a whole carton of power bars that were nearing their sad short shelf life. I ate them in two weeks, saved tons o’ money, and wished I bought three more cases that were left. I saved like a dollar on each bar!
Eyes/ Stomache
My mom used to tell me that my former was bigger than my latter, and I learned not to take such big servings until I finished what I had, and went back for more of what I really wanted more of, or just made room for dessert. Same goes for shopping. I can’t tell you how much money I literally threw out by not eating something (produce especially) before it turned to a fuzzy lab experiment. I buy less, and take better car of what produce I buy. For example-spring mix lettuce. Most red leaf lettuces start to turn bad before the hardier bitter leafs and herbs. Pick and choose, or get a salad spinner to get most excess moisture out of the leaves. Spin every time you use, and pick out the red leaf tasty wimps out before they spread their rot to the rest of the lettuces and herbs.
Lastly, try something new every time. You may decide that the price difference of a lesser product at “Super-Save a Fresh a Lot Mart” is only a little less expensive for an inferior product. ex./ I buy high fat Cream on top ygurt for many reasons, but most importantly, it feels like a ten cent more treat every day. My other grocery stores only sell the lowfat, and I use it as a cheap form of good fat.
Two more things,
Eat before you shop for food. At least shell out the money for a cup of joe. You will do a lot less impulse shopping. than the two bucks the coffe costs. Caffeine is a hunger blocker, and you might not buy those fair trade/ organic chocolate and gold covered Brazil nuts, if your belly wasn’t grumbling so loud.
Happy Hunting!
I shop and compare all the grocery stores and find the best value for the quality at Whole Foods. Also, base your dinners on the store specials and use your freezer for left overs.
I follow a meal time schedule Monday-Friday. I eat Breakfast at 7:30 Lunch at 12:00 and Dinner at 5:30 with a 10:00 fruit and another fruit/pretzel snack around 3:00. The times dont need to be precise everyday and if it cant be followed exactly a granola bar always comes in handy. Doing this allows me to see what I actually eat more clearly and helps me to plan my grocery list. I always prepare dinners at night making sure to leave left overs for my lunch the following day. Youd be surprised at how much you save at the grocery store when you get what you NEED.
I also bring a calculator with me(small enough so when people see me they don’t think I am too anal). I set a limit and get the necesseties first, if I have money left over I let myself indulge.
I love to cook a healthy meal for my family and Whole Foods is the best place to do so. All of the fruits & vegetables are always fresh and never bruised. However, my favorite department is the fish department. This is the absolute only place where I’ll buy fish. It’s always fresh and consistently delicious.
After stopping off at the fish counter I’ll stop over to the produce section and grab what I need to make my meal. It’s always delish thanks to this wonderful store.
Hi Whole Foods! Sorry this is not a tip but a question. I used to get all the tips direct to my e-mail inbox, but haven’t been getting them for some weeks now. Did something change? I can’t see where to “re-subscribe”.
Thanks! — Amy
Whole Foods is my familys favoite store. We are a young growing family with two toddler boys. Our two goals with grocerys are to maintain a budget while not sacrificing healthy eating. Whole Foods really does help with this!
In raising my boys I don’t want them to grow up eating fast food. So, rather then taking them to a fast food restaurant - we do a family outing to Whole Foods instead. The prices in their deli section really are just as good as going to a fast food resarant. My three year old loves their fresh pizza and olive bar! There is something their to please all my family. It’s a treat and leaves me happy knowing it’s very healthy!
-Terri
Whole Foods is honestly our familys favorite store. Me and my husband joke that if we won the lottery we would shop and eat there ALL THE TIME!!! We all just love it!
We are a young growing family currently with two toddler boys. We really try to spend our money wisely so we can reach our goals and values in life. I am a stay at home mom so yes our one income has to be stretched.
Here goes my favorite buying tip for frugality with grocery spending. Once a week make a menu plan for the upcoming week ie every Sunday. With this menu take inventory of your pantry, cupbards, and fridge. Then, make your grocery list for the week. STICK TO YOUR GROCERY LIST while doing your shopping! And, don’t grocery shop on an empty stomach!
My boyfriend and I really enjoy pizza/movie nights on Fridays after a long work week. $15/ delivery pizza was adding up quick, so I started buying Whole Foods frozen dough (less than $2) and making my own. Sauce and cheese are only a few bucks as well and last us several weeks. I also enjoy adding seasonal veggie toppings depending on the weekly deals. The homemade pizzas are healthier and cheaper than anything we could order and on top of that, we have fun making them together.
-Lucy in Boston
When we’re having chicken for dinner, I always buy it whole or at least bone-in. They’re cheaper than boned cuts and once you learn how to fillet a breast, you can do anything!
The best part is that you can save the bones and trimmings for stock. I keep them in the freezer until I have enough to make a big potful. The same goes for veggies — buy whole, unprocessed veggies (e.g., whole celery instead of just the stalks) and save the trimmings in the freezer until you’re ready to make a stock. It’s practically free and very delicious!
We find that a good way to save money is to have available healthy snacks from Whole Foods, such as cut up organic carrots, veggies, fruits, organic milk, fruitaBu’s and healthy baked goods; instead of having the kids buying empty calories at Duncan Donuts, Starbucks and the fast food places. This leads to immediate savings. An added bonus is that we will stay healthier and need fewer doc’s appointments over our lifetimes !!!
Thank you Whole Foods.
the produce is so fantastic here. i have learned about so many vegetables and fruits i would have never tried before. i like the organic prices for my budget too.the produce guys and gals are so helpful every single time.i wont shop anywhere else. im trying my way thru the bulk items too. be sure to try the organic non sweetened soy milk absolutely the besttasting.friends dont believe its soy!
For those of us who love the nutritional value and low cost of beans, but cannot stomach the results of bean consumption, I suggest the Anasazi beans in the bulk food section. They cook up faster, are tastier, with no tummy distress. A terrific bargin. To the beans in a slow cooker, add a can of fire roasted stewed tomatoes, a teaspoon of cumin or curry powder, fresh basil and thinly sliced kale for a wonderful dish. We depend upon Whole Foods as our safe, clean foods resource. Thank you, Whole Foods.
For those of us who love the nutritional value & low cost of beans, but cannot stomach the results of bean consumption, I suggest the Anasazi beans in the bulk food section. They cook up faster, and are tastier, with no tummy distress. A terrific bargain.
We depend upon the whole grains (oat groats, kamut, hulled barley, millet) for our breakfast staples to keep us well nourished & healthy. Use a slow cooker, add a dash of chicken or vegetable broth/flavoring and you have a wonderful base for fruits or sauted vegetables. We trust Whole Foods as our safe, clean food source. Thank you, Whole Foods.
I have a great use for leftover cooked grains from dinner. Add a little milk (or soymilk), a few shakes of cinnamon, and some chopped up, thawed frozen fruit (365 peaches are great!), and simmer for about 10-15 minutes on medium-low heat. Stir a few times, and remove the lid to cook a few minutes longer so the rest of the moisture cooks out. Add raisins or dried cranberries, a tablespoon of tahini or peanut butter, and a few squirts of honey. This is rib-sticking warm goodness that’ll keep you full for hours. Great on a rainy day!
I love the Wholedeal Flier! I use it to plan out a full week of menus, using the coupons of course, and then stick to my list! Also, I try to buy ingredients that I can use in at least 2 recipes for that week. Turkey Bacon is featured in the current flier. I used in in my organic mac & cheese casserole, and then again on pizza night, with fresh tomatoes and spinach. Thank You Whole Foods!!
1 Head of cabbage is very inexpensive and can be bolied in a stock pot full of water to add a surprisingly intense flavor-just from a simple head of cabbage!
For more flavor,I was surprised to find yellow squash made the soup taste delicious. 1-2 squash are inexpensive and nutritious.
Add in potatoes, barley, lentils,onion, and cheaper cuts of meat to slow cook and create a very delicious, nutritious, and inexpensive meal, that should last a week for one-two people.
Whole Foods is now a part of the campaign for safe cosmetics. I love that I can go pick up any skincare or makeup product in the store, and it’ll be safe for me!
We buy the family pack of chicken on sale- thighs or breasts, make a marinate with lemon juice, herbs, and spices, then divide them into servings for two, and put them in the freezer. This saves time as well as money, because I take it out of the freezer in the morning, and it’s ready to go for dinner that night, with some of the prep work already done.
We eat tons of vegetables with each meal, and prefer to add the meat into the stir-fry- this also reduces portion size, saving further on cost of the meat. Several nights a week we eat tofu or tempeh. For these, I coat them in a sauce (Soy Veh! comes to mind), and/or additional herbs and spices for more intense flavor, fry separately, then add to stir-fried vegetables when done.
To get the most nutrition out of each meal, we add a small amount of seaweed, either with the vegetables or in the rice water, and we add “kitchen herbs” like black sesame seeds, dried or raw ginger, and garlic, plus other warming herbs and spices that promote digestion.
Another tip:
We love the Lotus Foods specialty rices, and, instead of cooking them alone, add them to our regular basmati or brown rice, either by a 50-50 ratio or 3/4-1/4 (specialty in lesser amount).
Another tip:
To ensure we get fruit through the winter, we buy apples and pears by the bag- a money saver. Here’s the recipe, it’s super-simple: cut about 6 apples, pears, or both, depending on what’s available, into 1-inch chunks. Add dried fruit: prunes, raisins, apricots- whatever you prefer. Also, add walnuts or almonds, and nutmeg and/or cinnamon to taste. If you love ginger, put some of that in, too. Put this in a 3 quart saucepan, add a little bit of water (because the water in the fruit is enough, as the cellulose breaks down). Cook for about 30 minutes, or until the fruit is mash-able. Add a dash of lemon juice as a preservative after cooking.
This can be added to oatmeal for breakfast, or with yogurt for lunch or a snack, heated up or cool.
One more:
When we have leftovers, we take those that will blend well, and make a “fried rice” concoction. Cook a new batch of rice right in the frying pan, first coating with oil and sauteeing before adding the water, then, when it’s fluffed and done, add in the leftovers, adding additional seasonings (see above) to make it “gel.” It’s always delicious, a great way to not waste food, and it’s fast!
One of the things that has SAVED MY FAMILY MONEY and MADE OUR MEALTIMES HEALTHIER is for me to stock up on frozen vegetables. The 365 brand is so much superior to what you’l find in a ‘regular’ grocery store- and not much more expensive! For example, I buy 6 or 7 bags of broccoli florets, corn, peppers, ionions, spinach at a little over $1 each and add them to everything-as I need them throughout the week, never wasting (as I would with fresh) because I can just use what I need and save the rest!
Freeze, freeze, freeze! Use frozen fruits and veggies when you can - they’re cheaper, keep much longer, and are just as nutritious. If you realize you’re not going to eat all of the fruit you bought, clean it, cut it up, and freeze it in ziploc baggies. Non-fat milk freezes particularly well, so next time it’s on sale grab a few extra gallons. Make sure you have a glass first, because it will expand in the freezer. You can also freeze breads, eggs, and extra batches of soups and stews - perfect for winter afternoons.
Don’t stick too closely to the recipe - or the shopping list. By all means make a general list, but place a star by the absolute necessities, and play it by ear with the rest. If a recipe calls for broccoli, you can probably replace it with zucchini, green beans, or whatever is on sale. Consider recipes and shopping lists a “guide” and let the sale signs point the way!
I keep some “clamshells” in my freezer. Often, when preparing veggies for dinner, there will be extra. Rather than cook it all (and often throw it out a few days later), I put all extras in one of the clamshells. I have one for veggie chili ingredients, one for soft tomatoes (soup), one for stock stuff, and a couple for different fruits. These are easily kept filled in the bountiful summer months, and used up when the weather turns cooler. The fruits make great pie/cobbler additions. I even keep one for oatmeal and other hot cereals that make great bread. This way, my family don’t have to eat more than they want, yet I waste nothing.
My favorite savings tip is to let Whole Foods cater a Saturday date-night for me and my husband. Rather than going out to a resturant and having a sitter (which costs!), we can wait until our children go to sleep and have a late super filled with a variety of exotic foods (which are even more reasonably priced and result in less waste since we decide the portions) from the “prepared foods” department; we pair that with great cheeses, fresh bread, and a glass of the 365 label wine and taste the foods of the world - prepared with wholesome ingredients -from the comfort of our home without breaking the bank (or evening using our car).
Every few days at our house we serve Mussgo Buffet. We bring out all the leftovers and everything must go - even if it’s just a bite or a single slice of bread.
With the holiday season rapidly approaching, I have found a way to help with the extra food expenses. I like to plan out my menus several weeks in advance and then spread out my shopping for Thanksgiving and Christmas over several shopping trips. I then absorb the extra costs over several weeks, rather then taking a big hit all at once. This also helps me to take advantage of any special sales(stock up and freeze things if you can) and allows me to try some of the goodies I don’t normally buy.
There’s 5 of us to feed and who doesn’t need to stretch the budget? So, we’re stocking up the pantry for winter again. Since 6th grade HomeEc I am a comparison/label shopper. All those years ago I took it seriously when they told us, “Read the label, set a better table.” I’ve left out any item found with hydrogenated anything on the label. I read that Whole Foods did the reading for me and nothing in the store has that stuff in it. No more label checking. Then I discovered the 365 brand. I checked it out, comparison & label - Wow! Ok, now I don’t have to comparison shop either. What a kicker 365 is, great products at the best prices. I just stock up on organic 365 beans, pasta, sauce, etc … all the staples for my pantry, some for my frig/freezer, and even 365 personal products like shampoos, conditioners, and lotions. I create all sorts of economic meals when the pantry is full. And with the money I save buying 365 personal products, we go ahead and treat the family to lunch from the deli with a special desert from the bakery on our way out! It’s not just a shopping chore, it’s really an outing.
I always keep a stack of Whole Foods paper bags behind the driver’s seat in my car. That way, I never have the excuse that I “forgot” my bags again when shopping. Not only is this good for the environment by reducing waste, I always get 10 cents off each bag when I go shopping!
A ‘cooking for one’ avoiding waste tip: try to anticipate leftover veges that will need to be eaten or thrown out – spend a few minutes after dinner and cook up the soon-to-be-thrown-out-veges and store in fridge then eat as a snack while watching tv, take them for lunch to work the next day or simply re-heat for dinner the next nite. a few minutes will save lots of money and avoid lots of thrown out spoiled veges.
Always pick up a copy of The Whole Deal
when your at the store, it has lots of great coupons. Look for what’s on sale and don’t buy more esp. produce and meats than you need. If you live near by a whole foods go often so everything you cook is the freshest!
Instead of buying food portioned out in 100 caloires… buy the normal sized items and ration the portions out yourself. I find that this saves you money AND you get more 100 calorie portions out of it.
Believe it or not, this money-saving tip actually saves time too! What could be better?
Recruit two equally-busy neighbors and create a dollar-saving cooking club. Each family cooks twice a week and makes enough for all three families. You save money by pooling your budgets and buying ingredients in larger, less-expensive quantities. And you save time - without sacrificing quality - because all you have to do is warm up a healthy, homemade dinner 4 days a week! (Everyone is on their own on Sundays.)
To increase savings, I recommend taking advantage of the Whole Foods case prices, which save you 10% immediately. Then try the great family-friendly recipes in the “Feed a Family of 4 for Under $15” booklets you can find right in the store, and use the “365” brand foods to save even more.
These days it’s pretty rare to find a budget saver that’s a win-win-win, but this one saves money, saves time and – most importantly to me – doesn’t sacrifice good, healthy food to do it.
The nearest Whole Foods Market store is over an hour away by car, so we wait until we have another reason to be in the area (e.g., doctor’s appointments) before shopping at the store. This saves on gas. Even though we drive a Prius, doubling up on the reasons for a trip still saves gas.
Whole Foods stores have health healing products and helpful personnel. I was diagnoxed with an infection in my intestines; very painful. I walked to our Whole Foods staore and researched my affliction. I purhcased the “Essential Foods” suggested: Pro-biotics, fiber, vitamin B-complex, Aloe Vera juice, and flax oil, along with carrots and greens. Within 3 weeks I am feeling much better. Thanks to Whole Foods.
Beans are a great way to stretch a meal and add protein to your diet. The best way to save on beans? Ditch the can! I used to buy all my beans in cans until I realized I could spend the same amount on dried beans and end up with 3-4 times more food! If you plan ahead and put them in a slow cooker over night, you’ll have all the beans you need for your recipes the next day. Whole Foods has a really awesome selection of dried beans and peas in the bulk bins that are even cheaper than the prepackaged dried beans!
I try to make sure I’m drinking plenty of water each, but I don’t like to drink just plain water. So I add just a little bit of juice to it and it totally gives it a light, but great taste. It doesn’t take much - approx. 1/8 cup juice and the rest of the cup water. This is great for kids too. Full strength juice is usually too much sugar, but adding a little juice to water and they think they are drinking juice! It also is a great money saver!
I am purchasing the large container of yogurt rather that the individual packs. Also thinking more about other items like whole mushrooms vs. sliced, preparing my own salsa and guac rather than pre-packaged. We buy delicious Amy’s frozen pizza and prepare a great tossed salad rather than calling the local pizza delivery spot- cutting back but not compromising taste.
When the money is running a little short, its time to make sure the perimeter of the store is on the radar. Many of the packaged foods we like can be made by hand and save a considerable amount of money. Instead of buying a fancy granola cereal, go to the bulk foods section and buy oatmeal, various nuts and seeds. Get some sugar cane or honey or fresh fruit (will need to dehydrate if you want to keep the cereal for any time). Then with a little creativity add the ingredients together. Congratulations: cereal. Then head to the dairy section and get yourself some organic milk. Eat and enjoy.
I have recently shifted to US & was really confused about doing shopping for food items but visit to Wholefoods Market was like ‘love at first site’. It is just amazing. Although I am not so fond of cooking but fruit & vegetable section is so tempting that I have started loving cooking. The best buy for me is a basket of mixed fruits, to which i add fresh milk cream, sugar & few drops of vanilla essence & mouth watering fruit cream is ready. . . yum!!
I started shopping at Whole Foods back when the California store was the only one in SF and I was working at a start up .com company. I fell in love with the products - then decided to go back to school for my Ph.D. and so for 6 years we had one income in what is already a VERY expensive city no matter where you buy your groceries.
As many others have said, if there is a 365 brand of what you like - these products are often better than name brands and cost less.
I also get coupons at http://www.mambosprouts.com and check the Whole Foods Whole Deal and the Whole Foods website for coupons. Recently they had a $5.00 off $25.00 or more and I used that more than 8 times in a couple of week period as I am lucky that I live just blocks from Whole Foods and so shop often during the week.
Another key is to buy from the bulk section. Everything from staples like polenta to treats like wasabi peas are less pricy in bulk.
Also, as convenient as the prewashed packaged greens are they are much higher in price than lettuces unwashed by the head so I bought a salad spinner I like and I wash my own greens - it takes a minute or two and shaved several dollars off of each week’s grocery bill.
I love to cook with fresh herbs and got sick of buying them so I bought seeds at Whole Foods and now we have our own rosemary, thyme, oregano and marjoram and this being California we have them year round.
Even though cost isn’t as much of an issue as it was during those years in school, I still see no reason to spend more than I need to spend and we also shop seasonally (no strawberries in December - they aren’t even good then) and forage - there are raspberry fig trees in the local park (YUM) and I enjoyed learning how to locate my own chantrelle mushrooms - it’s fun and puts me back in touch with the earth - the source of all of our foods.
I go to Whole Foods because even a little bit of organic food is far healthier and nutritious than processed foods sold elsewhere. The health benefits gained from organic foods far outweigh any additional cost.
My wife and I like to try new kinds of fine cheese. Our Carmel store has a small bin to try “snack sizes” that are often smaller and not as expensive for the new types we haven’t yet tried.
In order to save money, shop the Bulk department.
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Plan your meals ahead of time, make a shopping list and stick to it.(Dont go shopping when you are hungry
Buy organic, eat less but it healthy food, Whole food is the best place and best value for organic selections.
After years of getting hungry an hour or two after breakfast I decided to make my own cereal. Not only is it cheaper and healthier but It keeps you full all the way to lunch and gives you bounds of extra energy. From the bulk station I take home and mix in a large tupperware container oats, bran, flax seeds, dried fruit and nuts. With a little imagination you can vary it from month to month.
I buy a lot of chicken breasts and use it with different kinds of pasta, potatoes, or rice. I love creating my own sauces and buy herbs that add so much aroma to all my chicken dishes. Almost all the time I have leftover chicken I don’t want to freeze. What I do is I shred the chicken, heat it up and mix it with softened cream cheese and arugula to make a little pizza pockets using either Whole Foods bought pizza dough (whole wheet dough is very good for you) or wonton wraps. The result is delicious and satisfying.
I was looking through a magazine when I found a really creative roasted salad. I am a particularly picky eater and didnt care for some of the vegetables that were included so I decided to follow parts of this recipe using my own ingredients. My creation was fantastic and extremely cheap. Here it is:
- 1 Lg. Sweet Potato (cubed 1in.x1in)
- 1/2 bag baby carrots, (Small bag,cut 4 ways into strips)
- 1 Red onion (slice into wedges)
- 2 TBSP Olive Oil
- 1 Cup Orange Juice
- 1 TBSP Rosemary
- Dash of Salt
-Strain sweet potato and combine all vegetables in Lg bowl. Pour 1 TBSP of the olive oil, 1/2 cup of OJ and dash of salt over the veggies. Mix well. Sprinkle the rosemary over the veggies and continue to mix. Pour the vegetable and OJ marinade onto a large baking pan and cook in oven at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until sweet potatoes are soft, turn vegetables half way thru. When done pour the rest of the OJ and olive oil and serve!!
There is no other store like Whole Foods. I love how they present their food. It makes me feel good about what I eat and how I feel about my food. Also, while in college I’ve learned how to cook and now I really enjoy it. Buying everyting at Whole Foods gives me the opportunity to prove myself. I love 365 brand because it saves me a lot of money. I could sleep in the bakery department. Their bread is out of this world and I’ve tried every one of them. My favourite is Italian and Flax Seed Bread. Very healthy as well.
Fruit and veggies section is exeptional and I always buy all my produce organic. If you didn’t know organic produce starts with #9 on the label, so that way you know for sure that your fruits and veggies are organic. You get what you pay for. I like to pay close attention to that.
In the pasta department they have pasta from Italy I couldn’t find in any other store and it is my favourite one. It comes from where the best pasta in Italy is made and it is packed in a brown paper bag.
Also, try to buy San Marzano tomato sauces because they are the highest quality and the best taste. When you buy a bag of organic romaine lettuce there is a coupon for any San Marzano product on the packet.
I could go on and on about everything I buy at Whole Foods. I just love it and shopping there makes me happy and I feel content and satisfied about the way I eat and live. It is important to take care of yourself and Whole Foods give me that opportunity. Thank you!!!
I shop around so trust me I know!! If you are a vegetarian bordering on a vegan like me, there aren’t many choices for a vegan milk drink that comes close to real milk. The problem is that most vegan milk is too sweet. Unsweetened soy milk is what comes closest to real cow’s milk! So where to turn for a vegan unsweetened milk without the Silk, Edensoy, hazelnut or oat vegan milk prices? The best value for vegan unsweetened milk anywhere is Whole Foods Organic 365 Everyday Value Unsweetened Soy Milk in the dairy section, right next to the real milk. I shop around so trust me I know that only Whole Foods, not any other supermarket in this region, has a store brand unsweetened soy milk. If you buy a case of it, with the 10% case discount it comes out to $1.44 per quart everyday. Unbeatable!!! And if you’re like me and use a small fridge to cut down on your energy costs, you only need to refrigerate them after opening. But there is a ‘use by’ date! If you don’t prefer the unsweetened like me, there’s also plain, vanilla and chocolate, and all vegan! One last thing-don’t worry about the potassium citrate and sodium citrate in these products. They are natural preservatives made from combining sodium or potassium with citric acid. Oh, yes, it’s the land of inexpensive vegan milk at Whole Foods!!!!
Whole Foods Market have a great selection of fresh veggies and herbs. I love to use onin, green onion, ginger, and garlic in my dishes. However, each time I don’t need a lot of it to flavor the dish. So when I get them from the store, I would chop them or mince them while they are fresh and freeze them. This way they are already ready to use when I need them. These items freeze well and will save you money and time.
I love the bulk section of the store. As a recent college graduate not making much money, this section is the place to shop. You can buy HUGE bags of quinoa or barley, even polenta, for a fraction of the price. I also love the 365 brand. Everything from their shampoo and body wash to their frozen fruits (which are AMAZING once that particular fruit has gone out of season, just buy and stock in your freezer!!) are sooo cheap that you’d be silly NOT to buy it.
I buy a rotisserie chicken at Whole Foods every week. It is really worth it. I peel all of the chicken off, and I can get at least 2 or 3 dinners out of it. It stays fresh for a few days after purchasing it, it’s great for a quick meal with rice, or on a organic hamburger bun with cheese! So delicious and fresh.
Eat the sales! Don’t plan a menu ahead of time: buy the sale items, then plan your menus. (Mark-down at the meat counter means even more savings.) Maybe that favorite casserole will feature turkey, instead of pork…or maybe rice will replace noodles. Adjust your seasonings and you may have discovered a new favorite. Typically sale prices, especially on produce, mean it is the best season—hence, the freshest—for that item. We had to adjust our “gotta have it now” mentality concerning food. Just about everything I purchase is on sale or mark-down. The savings we enjoy enable us to have an occasional non-sale treat.
With the wind blowing in a change in seasons, it’s easy to for scratchy throats to erupt. My mom reminded me recently to gargle with salt water–which I hated to do while growing up because of the processed salt our family used.
However, using Whole Foods’ 365 Sea Salt today brings on a soothing taste to my sore throat.
Recipe: Drop 1/4 teaspoon 365 Sea Salt into 4-6 ozs. of warm filtered water. Stir to dissolve. For the first mouthful, swish it around and spit out. Start gargling; okay to swallow. It’s become so soothing I don’t even spit out any more.
Do this before sore throats develop into coughing paroxysms!
I’ve recently discovered something wonderful and inexpensive at Whole Foods- The 365 Brand of shower gels, shampoos, and conditioners. I just love the citrus, lavender, and even fragrance-free shower gels. They lather up nicely, and are dirt cheap compared to supermarket and pharmacy prices. A large 16 ounce bottle of shower gel is just $2.49, substantially cheaper than the eight to ten dollar bottles at my local grocery store.
It’s autumn and Whole Foods is full of beautiful winter squashes in all shapes and — usually too big — sizes. With just two of us at home and no freezer space, even a large butternut makes too many leftovers. But here’s a different approach. 1) As Whole Foods advises, use a sharp, heavy knife to cut the squash into inch-wide rings, rounds, or slices; 2) Use a vegetable peeler or paring knife to remove the rind from the pieces; 3) Cut the pieces into chunks and pack them into a clean glass jar with a tight sealing lid; 4) Stash the jar in the refrigerator. A gallon jar will hold even a good-sized cushaw.
To prepare the meal at hand, just pull out as many chunks of squash as you need. Add a handful to a soup or stew, casserole or roasting pan. A few chunks in the microwave and a potato masher makes enough puree for a pie or muffins. It takes some work up front, but storing squash this way allows for creative and simple meals for as long as the squash lasts. Nature designed squashes to last a long time, so we always find ourselves at the bottom of the jar before the squash knows it’s time to be gone. Good to the last chunk. Don’t forget to toast the seeds in the oven!
I try to live like people did before the invention of “conveniences.” I made a concerted effort to cut down on using paper products such as paper towels and napkins. The only time I use paper towels is when I am preparing meat products.The rest of the time I use cotton kitchen towels. I use to spend about $10 a week on paper towels. The money I save allows me to be able to spend more on organic food and seafood.
If you really want a bang for your buck you MUST try the truffle salt sold at Whole Foods. It’s $8.00 less than I’ve seen it anywhere else and can transform simple scrambled eggs, pasta or popcorn to gastronomic nirvana!
My best tip for saving money at the grocery store is making a weekly meal plan before going shopping. Sounds dull, but it really works and keeps me from just picking up stuff that I end up not cooking. Having a meal “game plan” for the week also helps me get organized in terms of making dinners each day.
The second tip is to use a slow cooker. It’s great to come home to a cooked meal, and the preparation is usually really simple. We typically end up freezing half for another day. It’s true that the slow cooker allows you to use cheap cuts of meat (the slow-cooking makes the meat tender).
Final tip: Do a lot of the prep work for weekday lunches beforehand. I make snacks on Sunday evening for our lunchboxes (I use small plastic containers). I use the 365 nuts, raisens, dried fruit, and Ghiradelli chocolate chips to make a nice trail mix. i put a couple of cookies and crackers into little ziploc bags, so that I just need to pop these things into the lunchboxes each day. i also slice up some veggies (like celery sticks, carrot sticks, or green pepper slices) to use for a few days. This makes making lunches really easy (just make sandwiches each day; everything else is done), and brown-bagging it is a huge money-saver.
Hi -
I just love the shopping experience. It can not be beat. But What I really find cool is how many people I see on the street with the Whole Foods reusable shopping bags. I am so bad that I also go to other grocery stores with them - I don’t live near a whole foods. But what is really cool is that I am never the only one. lots of folks use them at the other grocery chains as well.
Instead of buying jars of baby food,I buy organic vegetables at Whole Foods and puree them. I pour the puree into ice cube trays which makes individual servings sizes for my baby. The night before I take out what I’ll need the next day. Also, ice cube trays work great for leftover wine. When you need to add some wine to a meal just defrost a cube.
I love the Whole Foods Reusable bags. The designs are really nice, and they are durable too! I use them all the time. One day, when I was getting ready for a baby shower, I decided to fill one of the reusable bags with “green” baby supplies and cloth diapers. It was the biggest hit at the shower. Since then, instead of buying traditional gift bags for birthdays, christmas etc., I buy the whole foods reusable bags, use tissue paper and give the gift that way. I have had so many people comment on how incredibly useful it is. Not only does the person get a great gift, but they can reuse the bag time and time again. The bags only cost one dollar, which is a lot less than traditional gift bags, and you can help save the environment all at the same time!
I like to buy 365 frozen fruit such as the peaches, blueberries, strawberries and mango. I keep them in my freezer and make a frozen fruit smoothie most mornings (1 cup of frozen fruit, 1 cup of goat’s milk (I’m lactose intolerant) and 1 cup of orange juice). The price per smoothie is minimal and the taste is delicious.
Frugal Recipie:
Shredded Saucy Chicken & Vegggie Healthy Burrito Filling
(This recipe makes quite a bit & you will have left overs. )
4 Bonless Skinless Chicken Breasts, shred them using two forks
1 can black Beans rinsed & drained
1 can kidney beans rinsed and drained
2 green peppers diced
2 red peppers diced
2 yellow or white onions diced
4-6 celery stalks diced (I use 6)
4-6 carrots peeled & diced (I use 6)
1/2 bag frozen corn
1 cup uncooked brown rice
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
3 cans diced tomatotes
1 package of taco seasoning (your choice)
Fresh Cilantro to your taste.
In a large frying pan, or stock pot, Saute’ onion, celery, carrots red & green pepper in olive oil, for 2 minutes, add diced tomatoes,
chicken stock, brown rice, taco seasoning, & chickn broth, stir this mixture well. Bring to a boil & then lower heat & simmer 45 minutes, add shredded chicken kidney beans, black beans & frozen corn, cook until chickn is heated. Add fresh cilantro just before serving.
When I make this, I usually get 4 - 2 quart containers of this as left overs. I put the left overs in the 2 quart size food saver bags (I make them), so this will lay flat in the freezer and not take up so much space.
This is a hearty but frugal burrito/taco/quesadilla/enchalada filling, since it makes so much.
Everyone swears by the bulk section, and I’m no different. The variety of items that are available in the bulk bins can not only save you money but time shopping since you can skip walking down several other aisles in the store by getting all your grains, cereals, beans and more in the bulk bins.
However, the best thing about the bulk goods section is THE FREE NUTRITIONAL AND HOW-TO INFORMATION BOOKLET Whole Foods provides about the bulk foods they sell.
If you are like me, the first few (or dozen) time you shopped at Whole Foods you stood in front of that impressive bulk bin section thinking “Wow, look at all this great stuff…but I have no idea how to use any of this!” Then my husband (gotta give credit where credit is due) discovered the booklet and the world of bulk shopping (and cooking) opened up for us.
In the bulk foods booklet there are descriptions of every item that is sold in the bulk bins along with nutritional information, instructions for how to prepare the items, and tasty recipes to try to jump start your culinary talents.
When my husband and I prepare our shopping list for the week we will pull out the booklet and leaf through to see if there is a new grain or bean we can use for the week’s menu. Having an idea about how to use the items makes such a difference. This has helped us move away from things like boxed Tabouleh or Couscous and helped us make these items on our own and for less (plus less packaging).
To get your own copy: You can find several copies of them sitting on the little ledge that separates the bins. If there isn’t one there, ask a Whole Foods person and they can find one for you.Enjoy!
Save money and eat healthier by making your own instant oatmeal packets, hot chocolate powder etc using ingredients from the bulk food department (keeping the salt and sugar content down). My favorite instant oatmeal is apple and cinnamon. I make up a bag of mix at the beginning of the week, then just add water each morning.
For two for a week.
7 cups small flake oatmeal
1 cup powdered oats (grind in food processor)
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup diced dried apple
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp fresh grated nutmeg
scoop 1/2 c of mix into a bowl cover with boiling water. Let sit 5-10 minutes. Enjoy. (for creamier oatmeal, add 1/2 cup dried milk powder to mix)
The reusable bags at Whole Foods are great…not only do you get 10 cents off each purchase when you use them but you also have these great bags to use anytime.
I take my bag everywhere! To the mall, to carry things to/from my car, I am constantly using them. For only $1 each, they pay for themselves fast each time you shop at Whole Foods and you also have cute bags to use for anything!
I went to whole foods for more organics food to watch my weight and to have a healthier lifestyle And I love this store its AWESOME !!!!!
Just a quick tip, eggs at whole foods are much lower price than at a conventional grocery store.
Save money by buying the essential oils at Whole Foods and make your own face/body oils and aromatherapy blends. Not only is fun to do but they make great gifts!
I found a great way to save money and time by using leftover fresh veggies from the week. On Sunday, I make a big pot of stew, usually chicken. I buy the 365 chicken stock, suatee veggies leftover from the week, roast some chicken, add spices such as cumin and fresh garlic, and for a a starch, I use whatever is on sale, maybe brown rice or barley or potatoes. 365 canned black beans are a great addition. Then, I use the 365 plastic soup bowls and freeze the stew in the individual soup bowls. So, with a little effort using leftovers, I have my lunch taken care of for the week. I then microwave my soup at work in the bowls. I’m creative with it and vary my recipe every Sunday. This way, I can alternate lunches and have some variation. This has saved me a ton of money on lunches and its healthy so I don’t have to worry about my weight!
My husband has a condition commonly known as “Candida,” which means that he can not have any yeast or gluten products in his food. This makes shopping at your typical grocery store nearly impossible, not to mention extremely frustrating. Every label for every product must be read, and most end up being returned to the shelf. But, luckily, Whole Foods has turned this nightmare into a scrumptious dream. All the gluten free products on the shelves at Whole Foods are labeled “gluten free” with bold, easy to detect signs. It makes my job not only less stressful and tedious (because I don’t have to pick up every single item to see if there is gluten), but also invigorating because there is SO MUCH CHOICE, even within the limitations presented by the Candida. Whole Foods is packed with specialized foods for people like my husband who have more unusual dietary restrictions. At Whole Foods, I can find not only bread and baked goods that are gluten and yeast free, but a wide range of products that you would never even guess are out on the market and available to consumers. We are both eating better than ever before, which is ironic since none of the products contain yeast or gluten! If you have any dietary restrictions, Whole Foods will make the situation more than just livable. It will make your shopping, cooking, and eating experiences safe while also turning them into culinary adventures!
Friday Night pizza- instead of ordering out a pizza from your closest pizza joint (which is mostly unhealthy if edible @ all), we order a whole pizza at Whole Foods. It’s ready by the time we finish our shopping, cost much less than at the pizza joint and is delicious! I have not yet mastered making my own- the kids still prefer Whole Foods pizza over mine!!!
The Whole Food Market saves me money in many different ways; When buying vitamins I choose the 365 or Whole foods brand & get a vitamin card stamped at the check out. After 5 purchases the next one is free up to $9.99.
I also save by buying the bulk foods such as cereal, nuts & honey. Why pay for a lot of packaging?
I travel quite a distance to go to my favorite Whole Foods Store about once every two weeks. I find that even when I factor in the gas money, I save money on the organic products such as gallons of milk so it makes sense to make the drive. I have a basement freezer, so I buy frozen products in bulk and eat them for the month. I buy all the fresh organic fruits and vegetables, and I make my own baby food for my baby son. I’m able to use freezer trays and make food that will last for weeks. It saves so much money from the jarred food and it is such a simple thing to do! I think that making the trip to Whole Foods every other week not only means my family is eating the healthiest and freshest food possible, I’m also helping my young family save money.
I am a poor college student that is also concerned with eating healthy, good food. I have found that it is easy to save money by centering my meals around foods that are naturally inexpensive but at Whole Foods are still excellent quality! This includes beans, potatoes, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, barley and other grains like oats, quinoa or millet. These foods are high in protein, fiber, and expand when you cook them. I cut down on meat and use it in small amounts to flavor dishes. For example, I use 4 ounces of spicy Italian sausage to flavor a whole batch of tomato sauce.
Another tip is to buy a whole chicken instead of parts. Even when you buy organic or free range, if you utilize the whole bird it is very affordable. You can use the freshly roasted breast for one dinner, thigh meat for sandwiches, the carcass to flavor broth, and so forth.
It is also important to remember to buy produce that is in season and to utilize your freezer for extending the life of perishable foods and leftovers.
I shop at Whole Foods frequently on a very small budget. As a single person, I am thrilled that the meat department will wrap up a single chicken breast so I don’t have to buy a package of four during my weekly trip. I am always concerned that it would go bad before I would be able to finish the package. I also take advantage of the bulk foods department. I don’t bake very often, and my pantry is small, so it’s really nice to be able to buy just enough cornmeal to make one loaf of cornbread, rather than buying a large package and storing the rest for months, only to find that it’s not so fresh the next time. The dried beans in the bulk department are also good for this. I like to soak dried beans in water while I’m at work, then come home and make a satisying soup or dip. They taste much much better than soups or dips made with canned beans, and are cheaper too.
I love walking into Whole Foods and seeing the plump red strawberries at the door, or vine-ripened organic tomatoes piled appealingly with fresh basil and mozarella. The tempting way the food is displayed, with all its colors and seasonal appeal, makes me want to pile it all in my cart. But until recently, I considered a trip to Whole Foods a splurge. I thought my conventional grocery store was much cheaper. Not so. With the economy sliding ever downward, I finally got out pen and paper to compare prices, and discovered I can give in to the temptation of beautiful, healthy, organic products in Whole Foods and still save money. Checking just the basics, I discovered the organic milk is at least 20 cents less expensive at Whole Foods than at the cheapest local grocery store; raw cheese, which is easier for me to digest, was a full dollar less (on sale), and I can save another 20 cents on a pound of organic butter. Plus, Whole Foods carries products I’d never find in a conventional store — phenomenal cheeses, a great selection of olives, gorgeous produce and the best fish around. With the money I save, I can even get one of my favorite jumble cookies from the bakery. Thrify shopping has its rewards!
My 12 year old son has both a dairy and sesame allergy. I have found that instead of trying to substitute soy for recipes that call for dairy, it is easier to use the vegan recipes and dishes that are at the store and add meat for anyone who wants it. I also have been buying single servings of the vegan dishes that are on the hot bar and serving them at home. Then I get the recipe off the website and try make it myself. We just did that with the meatloaf and it was excellent. This has really increased the variety of choices that we are serving for dinner.
It’s amazing that when I go to whole foods I actually spend less that if I went to any other grocery store. I look at the website for whats on sale, and plan my meals around them. I only get what I need and I know that what I am buying is healthy and good quality. I so happy I discovered whole foods
I love the recipes in “The Whole Deal” but often have leftovers from dinner. While we plan for one leftover night each week, I do something for myself at least once a week - I take a one-serving portion of my favorite dish and freeze it for a future lunch. It saves on buying a meal at lunch, gives me variety (and soemthing to look forward to) and prevents wasted food!
When I buy seafood I go directly to the frozen pre-bagged section for their 365 values bags: Usually 2 servings per bag for a very low price! Now that my husband and I are in early 60’s we eat much less especially at dinnertime, so the portioned packaging helps me to buy low and waste less.
I’m a full vegetarian who has encouraged some friends to save money by eating vegetarian 3 times a week. You’ll save on the cost of meat and become vegetable savvy — there are so many to use in so many different ways.
Another tip — to make a healthy refreshing beverage, I’ll get a bottle of the concentrated fresh squeezed lemon juice and dilute it to make lemonade. It is so strong that a little goes a long way. And you can use stevia or raw honey as a sweetener making it healthier than sugar. Much less expensive than buying pre-made lemonade in the carton. And, you have the option to make one glass at a time insuring that part of a carton doesn’t go to waste.
The meat department at Whole Foods is amazing…kind of like a neighborhood butcher shop from the old days. We get a great deal on meats by taking advantage of Whole Foods’ service of cutting the meats to our needs before packaging them up. For our family of two, we can get two meals out of just one Top Sirloin steak, and the butcher is nice enough to cut up the meats for us and package them separately. This saves us money and time, and we’re getting quality, healthy meat at a great price! Thanks Whole Foods!!!
We buy organic canned soups and chilis for quick meals. To cut sodium and costs (on already cheap options) we will buy a can of organic beans (Pinto for soups like Minestrone, and Kidney or black for chili) and combine 1 soup with 1 bean or 1 chili with 1 bean and we’ve cut down on the cost and the sodium content of the meal, but not the price or the flavor!
I would imagine for larger families you could even combine 1 can of soup with 2 cans of beans and add frozen veggies to really round out the quality of the nutritional content!
Happy eating!
I have two picky eaters in my home, I avoid gluten and dairy and my husband likes low carb. One meal we all like is steak - which is unfortunately pretty expensive. I tried using less expensive meat, but my family can tell, Instead, I started having the very friendly butchers at WF’s cut two NY strip steaks in half width-wise, making four steaks that look just as big, but are thinner (my kids don’t know the difference and think they’re getting a “big” steak). I have broccoli and two fruits on the sides to supplement the steak, everybody’s happy and I haven’t spent a fortune!
With our budget getting tighter, I thought I would have to skip shopping at Whole Foods. But with the help of recipes and tips from WF, I have been able to continue shopping there. Thanks!
I have recently returned to work full time and have finally found out why people rave about their slow cookers. I LOVE getting home from work and walking into my kitchen that smells wonderful! What a little thrill to know that dinner is already done and I only have a salad or rolls to prep and dinner will be complete. Having two teens and a hungry husband, I need to get dinner on the table quickly before someone gnaws off a table leg!:) The recipes on the WF website are fantastic. They allow me to prepare a budget friendly, quick and tasty meal in one pot. Quite a feat! Thanks again Whole Foods for acknowledging the current economic situation and helping families eat healthy through it all.
1.) Eat at home and take lunches to work
1.)Plan, plan, plan your meals for the week and make a shopping. This reduces impulse buying and makes it easier to eat at home (no fretting over what to eat tonight!!).
2.)Learn to eat leftovers and be creative in preparing meals. It reduces costs and saves time in wondering what to cook tonight or bring to lunch.
3.)Buy in bulk and when items are on sale. USE COUPONS and STORE BRANDS.
4.)When possible buy unprocessed foods, they are cheaper and better for you.
5.)Branch out to foods you may not have tried before. It adds variety and depth to your meal planning.
6.)Try to plan according to season when using fresh vegetables. The in season fruits and vegetables tend to be less expensive. Also, buy local if possible.
6.) Make eating meals at home more fun by inviting others over for a pot luck occassionally.
It takes a little effort but it is worth it because your combining two basic needs…food and community. Keep it casual and simple and homey to reduce stress.
There are many ways to save money but the most effective way is to be consistent in whatever method you choose.
Sometimes I work at home, so I pour leftovers from morning tea or coffee into a glass that I put in the fridge for the afternoon iced caffeine fix. Cheaper than going out to the cafe! Also, frozen 365 Whole Foods fruits makes a great base for cocktails with friends before we go out. And don’t forget that fruits or produce that are no longer fresh enough to be eaten raw can be cooked into delicious sauces or soups. The easiest example is applesauce, which you can make just by cooking sliced apples in a little water. You don’t even need sugar! Add a little lemon if you want and put in the blender, or eat as is. For soups, it is worth getting a quality dry or liquid stock as a base. Seitenbacher is my favorite, which I just found Whole Foods carrying. It will dress up he most humble vegetables and make your guests smack their lips. Bon appetit!
As a vegetarian, it’s important to think about getting the right balance of foods, and especially when you’re trying to save money! I try to build meals around a protein element, and try to balance cheaper elements with a few more expensive items. Canned or frozen beans and dry lentils are an easy and affordable protein source. Elements like avocado, cheese, and nuts are important sources to increase the protein punch. And don’t under-estimate herbs and spices. A sprig of a fresh herb from your window box or cut herbs from the store can instantly dress up a plate of vegetables and turn it into cuisine. If you buy cut herbs, trim the ends and put them in a glass of water and keep them in your fridge, where they will last for about a week. Way better than them wilting after a day and having to throw them out! Also, depending on your appetite, frozen blueberries and yogurt can be a good lunch or snack, as is cereal! I agree with the other posters that other important tips for your wallet and health are to avoid impulse/snack purchases, and to check out the Whole Foods 365 store brand. I do find that this line is competitively priced. Good luck!
I like to find the items on sale in the weekly ad and plan my week’s menu around it. For example, this week there is a great deal on the seasonal acorn squash, so I will plan to have acorn squash soup, roasted vegetable with acron squash, acorn squash stuffing, acorn squash curry and acron squash biscuits. This save time and money because I am buying a sales item, eating something seasonal, roast a large batch of squash at once but use it in different forms throughout the week without eating it in the same way.
At the start of this year, our family was enjoying a comfortable, healthy lifestyle which included frequent visits to our favorite bookstores, smoothie, juice, and coffee shops, and our beloved organic natural food stores. However, by early spring, due to an out-of-state employment relocation, with one house for sale on the bleak real estate market in the midwest and another house under construction on the east coast, our lifestyle habits began rapidly changing to adapt to newly introduced economic strains. By late summer, leaving the midwest house vacant and unsold, we moved into the new house and quickly found finding ourselves struggling to pay dual mortgages, utilities, homeowner association and household maintenance fees, property taxes, and heavy relocation expenses. Again, we adjusted the family budget accordingly. Now in the fall season, with the midwest house still unsold and living on one income in the midst of a national recession, the family budget has undergone additional compromise and readjustment, in attempts to continue accommodating our healthy lifestyle habits, during such drastic downturning of financial conditions. Unfortunately, in these tough economic times, our story is not an uncommon one; many families across the nation are in the exact or similar financial situations. Family household budget cuts have been severe and there doesn’t seem to be much hope for a swift economic upturn any time in the immediate future.
However, despite the currently dire national economic outlook and given our strained domestic circumstances, by incorporating resilience, discipline, and creativity into our personal food/grocery budget, we have managed to continue shopping for organic and natural foods and household supplies at our beloved Whole Foods Market, while maintaining the healthy lifestyle of which we’d previously become accustomed. Of course, we’ve put into practice the usual signifcantly cost effective, money saving tricks: eating out less/eating in more, advanced meal planning (making more comfort foods, such as soups, stews, and casseroles, then freezing leftovers), avoiding grocery shopping while hungry, and COUPONS, COUPONS, COUPONS! We’ve also incorporated little things that add up: purchasing much more frozen produce and shopping for less expensive store brands (the 365 brand has proven to be of comparable quality to the corporate brands), making our own snacks and treats instead of impulse purchases of snack foods, reusing tea bags, etc., and practicing much more slow food cooking, as opposed to purchasing prepackaged convenience foods. (Often, if we do choose to eat out, we choose to eat from the Whole Foods bar, getting enough to have leftovers the next day.)
Thanks to the considerable inspiration and motivation, money saving coupons, 365 Sure Deal special offers, and budget recipe suggestions provided in each edition of The Whole Deal, our family has not been forced to give up our healthy living practices. On the contrary, we’ve continued to make socially responsible purchases to encourage and support our healthy lifestyle habits, promote fair trade and offer support for the local organic farmer, and to maintain the practice of our occasional try-something-new-and-exotic-in-the-kitchen, we so often previously enjoyed. Thanks, Whole Foods guys, for making it possible to stretch our dollar even further, affording our family the luxury of not being forced to compromise our healthy lifestyle eating and shopping habits. We are grateful for our local Whole Foods Market and its ongoing endeavors to help its consumers save money, while subsquently helping to help save our planet.
1. Always bring your reusable bags.
2. Refill water jugs.
3. Stock up on sale items such as pastas and rice.
4. Buy in season fruit and vegetables even if you have to clean them yourself.
5. Buying organic is cheaper and more effective than buying processed chemically “enhanced” food. The money you pay for chemicals at other grocery stores is just not worth it.
6. We are a family of two and Whole Foods has perfect portions such as New York Strip steak which we can almost always get for 5-6 dollars each. (try 10-20 at restaurants)
7. Freeze left overs such as chili which a pot of chili can be made for around 10 dollars with organic products.
8. The 365 brand is cost effective and full of quality.
9. Talking to team members helps locate deals, they always know what is on sale.
10. Kashi offers vendor coupons online on their cereals and snack foods.
11. Buy in bulk so you buy exactly what you need and there is no waste, so you are not paying for things you throw out. Since we can’t eat an entire melon in a week i buy the half prepped at the store.
12. Shop weekly, to keep up with sales and that way you don’t overspend and buy things you don’t need.
Eating organically cured most of our lactose intolerance
SavingSaving money is a must when you’re a working college student. To keep myself in check and out of the red I never use a grocery cart. Before I go into the store I’ve already decided what is on my grocery list. If it’s only one or two items I’ll go in without my canvas bag. If it’s an armful of items I’ll get my bag from the trunk of my car and I begin my shopping. I love this method because I’ve really noticed a difference in my arm strength and it would be impossible to pick up impulse items if I had no way to carry it to the register. On occasion someone will as if they can get me a basket and I just smile and so, “No thanks, I’m enjoying my workout.”
I learned how to cut a whole chicken into pieces. How satisfying it is to take a $2.50/lb chicken plus 15 minutes and get $6.50/lb chicken breasts! I cook the rest of the chicken into soup and can save the breasts for a fancier meal later.
Several years ago, I attended a silent meditation retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in northern California. Every morning we were treated to an amazing hot breakfast consisting of a different type of grain. Toppings such as tahini, honey, and a variety of nuts and dried fruits complemented the dishes.
I’d never liked hot cereal, but these combinations were excellent! Seeking to recreate this soothing and affordable meal on my own, I consulted the bulk bins at Whole Foods Market. Many organic grains are not only affordable, they’re delicious, easy to make, pack a serious nutritional punch, and give you that satisfying “full” feeling all morning and even into the afternoon.
Confused by which grains to buy and how to cook them, I consulted a WFM staffer, who shared her tip for quick-cooking steel cut oats. I am forever grateful for the info, as I’ve incorporated this budget-conscious food into my regular menu planning and couldn’t be happier. My husband’s even hooked (and he can be a bit picky about his cereal choices!).
At $1.49/pound, the organic steel cut oats outperform most boxed cereals in price, and they’re easy to cook, too. Here’s all you have to do:
The night before, combine water and oats in a 2:1 ratio (2 cups of water for 1 cup of oats) in a small saucepan. (I add a dash of cinnamon and a little salt for flavor.) Cover and let sit on the stove top to soak (do not cook overnight!). Upon rising, add a splash of milk or a non-dairy alternative, and cook the mixture for 5-10 minutes covered on low heat. After that, take off the lid and stir occasionally until you reach desired consistency. Add your favorite chopped nuts, dried/fresh fruit, honey, and tahini or peanut butter, and you’ve got a serious winner for a soothing breakfast.
(You can also substitute any of WFM’s affordable frozen fruit by thawing a small portion overnight, and then adding it to the mixture when cooking.)
Although the following two value tips shouldn’t sound new to some people, for others it might be. Since the beginning of the year I’ve been circling items that I need to get on my Master Grocery list BEFORE I head out for the store (which are mostly on the outer aisles or perimeter of the store). That way, I don’t waste time wandering aimlessly in the store and buying on impulse. Although it took a while to come up with my personal Master Grocery list, it was well worth it.
Second, upon waking, I write down and plan what I will need to cook/prepare for all three meals and any snacks in between. This way, I won’t eat something that might not be so good for me out of convenience. Sometimes, I meal plan the night before if I know I will have a particularly busy morning.
Hopefully, these two tips will be of value not only to your pocketbook but, more importantly, to your waistline and health and encourage you, for those that can, to cook all 21 meals per week (or very close to it)!
My husband and I enjoy fresh, healthy foods and are always experimenting in the kitchen.
Here are some of my favorite budget tips:
1) A fancy dinner at a pricey steakhouse can cost over $100 for a couple. I recently made filet mignon (fresh from Whole Foods!) with a side of roasted red potatoes and salad for under $15. Certainly, this isn’t everyday cooking, but you’d be hard pressed to eat anywhere for two for under $15.
2) If you have a pricey meal one night , enjoy a less expensive meal the next. Tofu is a steal at $1.50 for the Whole Foods 365 Brand. Pair it with a ready made sauce (e.g. Seeds of Change), jasmine rice, and naan - yum!
3) Eat real food. Why pay $4+ for a 12-pack of diet soda when you could enjoy a 1/2 lb. of fresh salmon, a loaf of whole grain, organic bread, or a few cups of raspberries for the same price?
4) Add spicy peppers to your meals. Jalapenos and Thai peppers are excellent toppings for homemade pizza and cost pennies. Most pizza joints will only use jarred peppers; fresh is best!
5) If you do eat out, seek out local, “ethnic” restaurants. They’re always less crowded and I’ve found the staff to be more than happy to introduce new foods to you, all at a reasonable price. Seafood, beer and wine are typically well-priced at these places, too.
Enjoy!
I recently saved a lot of money on Nature’s Path brand Organic Peanut Butter Granola cereal. There was a sale of two boxes for $7 and I purchased at least eight boxes which should last for a long time. Considering that a box of this flavor usually costs over $4.50 each, saving over a $1 each time I purchase a box helps a lot.
Take an extra 30 minutes once you get your groceries home and clean/prep them right away. A large package of chicken or meat gets broken down into meal-sized portions beforing going into the fridge and freezer, celery and peppers get sliced, and more time-consuming items like leeks get cleaned so that they’re ready to use for dinner during the week. It makes cooking during the week less stressful when your ingredients are already prepped and ready to use.
I try to stretch my budget, reduce my waistline, and eat healthy. Buying the lowest fat ground beef you can find can be more expensive and makes for a dry burger since it is so low in fat. Try adding cooked wheat bulgur (about 1 cup per 1.25 pounds of beef) - it adds lots of moisture to the meat, while further cutting fat and adding dietary fiber. Add your favorite spices for meatloaf or burgers. I can even get two meals (for 4) out of about 1.5 pounds of ground beef this way, too!
Once a week my family has “Must-Go” Night. On these nights, we attempt to eat all of the foods in the fridge/pantry that would otherwise spoil. This lends itself to some unconventional meals (think hot dogs with a side of scrambled eggs) and no one has the exact same menu but we don’t waste any leftovers. It also makes dining a bit more fun for the kids - they love have strange combinations of food!
Yes, it’s healthier and less expensive to cook than to buy prepared food products. But, for those who don’t have the time or skill, here’s an example of what I call “semi-cooking” — and one that takes advantage of the investment we’ve probably all made in a cupboard full of spices and herbs: instead of buying prepared pasta sauce, buy a can of plain tomato sauce or chopped tomatoes [try 365 BRAND for best value]and add your own dried seasonings. Use generous amounts of those that you normally see on the ingredient list of the prepared sauces, but don’t be afraid to be creative. Try a few pinches of cumin, cinnamon, paprika, dry mustard — whatever you have on the shelf. For more flavor and interest, you can include diced leftover veggies, the last 3 olives in the jar in the fridge, breadcrumbs, grated cheese, a dash of balsamic vinegar or leftover wine. Just mix it all up, heat to a simmer, and taste as it cooks. Yummy, quick, economical, and fun!
When I am pressed for time, I will search for an interesting new food item in the Prepared Foods case. Because the ingredients are listed on the container cover, I try to replicate the recipe when I have the time to cook. I buy all of the ingredients and voila…I end up with my own version of that prepared item…and it ends up being a lot cheaper when I make it, myself!
I’ve had lefover mish mash of my healthful veggie spreads and pestos. Many of which taste incredible all together on Whole grain pita bread with a few extra toppings such as spinach leaves and goat or feta cheese and sundried tomatoes. Pop in the oven or toaster oven for 5-10 minutes and call it a gourmet pizza. Of my mish-mash spreads, I often have basil pesto, edamame dip, small bits of leftover garlicky cooked beet greens, etc. Always buy the lush looking beets at Whole Foods Market!
Go Nuts!! - As a foreigner from Taiwan, Whole Foods have a lot to offer when I go back and visit my family and friends. My family love the nuts here. There are wide varity of healthy choices and flavors you can choose from. For example, salted and unsaled, whold cashew or half cashew, almond, pine nuts, pecan, walnuts, etc. You name it; they have it! My favorite is the organic roasted hazelnut in the bulk area! Also, the raincoast cookie and two bites, they are just too wonderful to pass. Whold Foods is really a good place to shop when you want to show people what excellent and diverse organic food is!
I love making one-pot meals. I add fish or meat, seasonal vegetables, legumes and fresh herbs. To make one-pot meals I shop at Whole Foods for organic produce and grocery that are on special. A one-pot meal is a smart choice for the budget conscious, it is easy to prepare, a great time saver and packed with nutrients.
Whenever cutting up produce, SAVE everything you are not using in your recipe towards SOUP STOCK. Just keep these items in a gallon-sized zipper bag that you keep in your freezer. Some examples: onion & garlic skins, the ends of green beans, carrot tops, almost any kind of veggie peel (just don’t use eggplant peel — it will impart an acrid taste to your stock), broccoli stem’s peels, eggplant’s leaves (the white part), the bottom of a stalk of celery, the roots of green onions/scallions, & so forth.
The way I handle these produce remnants for stock is to take a large piece of cheesecloth & tie it around all of these veggies. Then you can simply remove the cheesecloth (squeeze it out first — wait until the stock has cooled), & you’ll have your stock all ready! The advantage of using cheesecloth over a colander is that it is hard to find a bowl large enough to collect the stock when draining the veggies out of the liquid.
In the morning I heat up a full teapot of water. After making tea, I pour the rest of the super hot water into a very well insulated thermal carafe. The water is still hot for late morning tea, lunchtime instant soup, and/or afternoon tea. If there is any left, I use the warmer water to heat for cooking pasta or frozen veggies at dinner time. It saves a lot of energy on the stove or microwave and also saves time because I can just pour and go!
Shopping for 1 person can add up. I love the pre-cut selection of mixed vegetables that Whole Foods offers!! It is economical for me instead of buying 1 of everything (red and green peppers, onions, aspargus and a head of broccoli). I marinate the veggies and put them on the grill with chicken. Then, I cut the left overs up and serve cold in pasta the next day for lunch. Sometimes I will even use some of the mix for my salad fixings first. It works great for the single working person!
I like to build a meal around one vegetable, and Whole Foods has the BEST produce. When I spot an especially good deal on organic broccoli, for example, I’ll stock up on and buy several pounds. Dinner that night might be chopped broccoli with pasta, garlic, & olive oil. Next night I’ll stir-fry the broccoli with a couple of chopped veggie burgers. The following night I’ll steam the broccoli and serve with a peanut dipping sauce as a snack or as a side dish. This is a wonderful way of adding more veggies to my family’s diet.
One of the (many) things I love about Whole Foods is its special attention to special diets. Take advantage of the WF website - they have lists of all the products offered at their store that are Gluten-Free! Amazing. I think it is really important to be well-prepared before you grocery shop. If you are on a special diet (vegan, gluten-free etc.) make sure you know what products ahead of time fit your needs and this will save you a lot of time! Thanks Whole Foods!
I love Synergy Kombucha Tea, by G.T. Dave,it is a treat. To reuse the nice glass bottles, I wash them and refill them with organic sun tea sweetened with stevia. That way I have a great drink to grab on the go, and it is healthy too. Made from the sun with no electricity or gas! I save money by having this ready in my fridge!
I love yogurt and particularly flavored yogurt. To save money, I buy the 365 brand plain yogurt in the 32 oz carton and mix in a few teaspoons of honey or 365 jam for breakfast or for an afternoon treat. This means I cut down on packaging - by not buying so many small yogurt cups - and save money at the same time.
Freeze leftover coffee in an ice cube tray. Then whenever you want iced coffee, just add cubes and your favorite creamer to cooled coffee. Not only do I avoid pouring extra joe down the drain, I save a few bucks by making the iced version at home!
I finely chop whatever veggies are left over at the end of the week. I then toss with a little olive oil and Italian seasonings from the the bulk spice section in the store,(my favorite area.) I then spoon it on whatever green leaf veggie I have left, like Romaine or Endive. Roll it up and insert a toothpick to hold it all together. Healthy,Raw,and Economical!
Need another use for leftover mashed potatoes? An english friend of mine told me about a wonderful thing called Bubble and Squeak. Add a little cabbage and whatever leftovers you have to your mashed potatoes, mix it all together, and fry it up in a skillet on the stovetop. The name comes from the noise the cabbage makes when it is cooking.
Cooking for one with long work hours is really hard sometimes but I know I have to do it to avoid buying lunch at work or getting takeaway for dinner. I combat it by cooking on weekends. I make three dishes on the weekend for the week: one hearty, one lighter, one sweet. And then I buy a huge bag worth of fruit of varying ripening speeds to supply 5 days’ worth of snacks. It can be hard sometimes, but I’ve gone since January now without ordering out. It was one of my New Year’s resolutions for 2008… and it’s working.
Serve bean or lentil soup as a main dish at lunch. It’s filling, nutritious, and cheap. Double the recipe each time you cook, so you can put a batch in the freezer and serve it another day. You save on your energy bill by only cooking one day instead of two, and you save YOUR energy–lunch will be made for you when you need it most!!
For those days you just don’t feel like cooking, buy a whole foods frozen stir fry pack and a vacuum sealed tofu pack (they last a long time). It takes 10 minutes to prepare a whole meal. SCORE! And if you cook enough, there will even be leftovers for a packed lunch the next day! DOUBLE SCORE!
Go for the team/family approach on volume discounts! In just my own household, there are not enough of us to utilize the volume discounts, but between our home, my parent’s home, sister’s home with three kids and other friends that are committed to eating healthy-we can buy together and divide it up. This is a great way to save and also helps save gas on everyone going to the store to get the same items.
The all time best food for a budget has got to be TVP (texturized vegetable protein). Talk about bang for your buck, TVP has a tremendous amount of protein with virtually no fat. In it’s dry form it is about $2 a pound in bulk from Whole Foods. You can re-hydrate it in warm water, add tomato sauces and use tvp like you would meat in lasagne and meatloaf recipes. If that’s not enough, it makes a great protein powder. Just whirl it in your blender and add it to your favorite smoothie recipe. TVP is packed with protein, for just pennies!
Homemade soups and stews are a great value, especially for families. This is the perfect time of the year for a big bowl of hearty, creamy soup or stew. I like to take my favorite soup or stew recipe and add Barbara’s Potato Flakes during the last stages of cooking. Adding potato flakes is a great economical and flavorful way to thicken soups and stews and they give your recipes a more “velvety” texture. It’s also a great way to stretch a buck!
Here’s our family plan:
1. Starting Wednesday look at ads for lowest prices on meat - that’s usually the base (and priciest).
2. Thursday plan next week’s meals around the base - usually 4 meals (e.g. if base is chicken sausage: all sausage grilled Monday, with pasta and sauce Tuesday, Hoagies Wednesday, quiche Thursday). Friday meatless meal (because meat goes bad pretty quickly) featuring beans and rice or tofu. Many times stir fry, fried rice, or rollups. Lunches are leftovers. I always pick one new dessert recipe to try out to keep it fun. Even if the family is sick of the meals at least dessert is satisfying!
3. Friday night - go shopping! Not very busy…I only get the fruit and veges that are on sale. If there is an unexpected markdown, I buy it all and freeze it in the chest freezer. My challenge is to always keep it under $50 a week (family of 4). If it’s not then I put something back, or debit the following week’s budget.
4. Saturday: Precook/soak/sort anything needed for next week.
5. Sunday night, make the dessert (can also serve as weekday breakfast in a pinch).
6. Monday and Tuesday - look for new recipe ideas (fun days!).
Other random tips: Buying in bulk is more fun and user friendly if you have matching see-through containers instead of a bunch of unknown (is it flour or protein powder?) lopsided bags on a shelf. I use square stackable ones for the best use of shelf space.
We have saved money by shopping the ready to grill section and prepared food section at Whole Foods instead of eating out. My husband and I both realize how we have no control with what goes into the food we eat at restaurants and it can get expensive eating out. So when we have the urge to eat out, we buy amazing already cooked dishes or ready to grill kabobs and burgers and enjoy a meal that is much less than if we went out to eat and virtually little to no effort.
For every one dollar I spend at Whole Foods Market, I save at least ten dollars in medical expense. You may not see this savings immediately…but I guarentee you will see it.
I bring my own grocery bags to get a reduction on my bill. I buy 365 soy milk by the case for a better price. I contact manufacturers for coupons and use them at checkout. I also buy many products on sale and shop with a friend once a week, so that we don’t have to take two cars and spend the extra money on gas. On Thursdays, I get flowers in the evening for a reduced price.
2 words: bulk department. Another 2 words: salmon patties. Toast some wholemeal bread, chop onion and celery. Pulverize it all in a blender. Mix it with a can of salmon and an egg. DONT PICK OUT THE BONES OR SKIN - I’m serious - they’re good for you and will mush up. Add salt, pepper or the spice mix of your choice (Tony Chachere’s, Old Bay, whatever) and make patties. Oil a baking sheet, put ‘em in the oven for 15-25 min or so at 400. Serve them with dill and sour cream, or a garlicky yogurt dip.
I like to feed my infant organic baby food, sacrificing the added cost for the added benefits. To save money I buy the Stage 2 jars. The texture and consistency is the same as for Stage 1, but the portions are larger and cheaper per ounce. I never feed my baby out of the jar so that I can save the rest of the jar. Until his appetite increases, I am able to make 2-3 meals out of 1 jar!
for me, it’s all about making the food i have last longer. this mainly involves storing different food items properly so that they don’t spoil — separating fruits and veggies; transferring food from its original packaging to zip lock bags; and putting leftovers in airtight containers. when i absolutely don’t have time to cook, i like to get a small container of soup at whole foods. it’s less than $4.00, more than filling, and delicious!
We love fresh healthy food but I am too busy to cook every night. Also fresh herbs are costly and I get tiered fo throwing them out because they have spoiled before I can use them all. So I buy lots of fresh ingredients, prep 4-5 dishes and cook them at up at the same time and then pack them in glass containers with plastic lids, pop them in the freezer and take them out during the week. When I take them out, I make a frozen vegetable and use a bagged salad mix. That way we have great tasting healthy food without all of the clean up and fuss. It is also more economical because you do not waste any of the fresh herbs. First, I chop all of the fresh herbs, onions, ginger, shallots, garlic, and mix up my fresh sauces using a condiments that compliment each type of protein for example fresh fish ( braggs, sesame oil and herbs or horseradish and mustard), bison, ground beef (steak rub), chicken and turkey (mustard or tomato sauce and fresh herbs); then I rub or top each item and then pop everything in the oven at the same time. Just remember to use a time since some items take longer to cook.
I grow my own garden in small pots and sell them to my neighbors I even give them tips on how to do there own.
Don’t worry if you do not have sufficient space for a vegetable garden where you need to rotate crops every year.
You can use containers very effectively to grow organic vegetables in pots in fact, this method has good advantages as you can avoid soil grown diseases and pests such as nematodes.
In addition, if your soil in the garden is poor you can effectively supply great quality organic soil for your container grown vegetables.
You need to look for organic soil for your pots and you should be able to get this from your local garden centre or similar supplier, why not take a look at your local organic farm on your next visit too.
They may well supply organic soil and natural composted material at a very reasonable price.
I would start by growing vegetables that take up little space such as radishes, carrots and lettuce. This enables you to get into the swing of things before you move on to other vegetables that need more care such as tomatoes.
Don’t forget that there are many varieties of fruit and vegetable to choose from also why not grow some herbs? Whatever you choose try to opt for seeds or plants that have been organically reared so that you get the full organic benefits from your crops.
Personally I think growing fruit and vegetables yourself is a wonderful idea. You can’t get more fresh and wholesome than from container to steamer!
Container grown vegetables don’t have to be hidden away in some remote part of the garden either. You can grow many colorful plants such as tomatoes, peppers and strawberries to name a few. They can have just as much impact as colorful flowers and some people recommend growing vegetables in amongst their other garden plants.
Please be aware that root and leaf crops can tolerate partial shade but will benefit from an area that receives at least five hours of direct sunlight. Any crops that fruit will need more sunlight around 8 to ten hours is good.
A tip for improving sunlight conditions is to add reflective material around your pots. This will help reduce shaded areas and improve the qulaity of your crops.
There many varieties of pots available for you to choose from. In fact the list is pretty much endless, if you go to a larger garden centre then you will see a dazzling array of possibilities. But do try to choose pots that are friendly to the environment, usual choices are clay or wood. Make sure you pot has drainage holes and if using wood you will find redwood and cedar to be the most rot resistant.
at whole foods.I buy spices in bulk add flavor without salt and cheese and no meat for the simple fact that a cows is the leading cause of health concerns and unhealthy weight.
stay in shape and save ur life.
peace n love.
At the end of the week on fridays we have pizza and smoothies. This is a great way to use up any veggies I have left over in small amounts…3 mushroom, 10 cherry tomatoes, and half an onion may have been a boring salad but make a very exciting pizza! I can even save time buy buying a whole foods pizza crust! For the smoothies I use any yogurt that did not get used in the lunch box along with any left over bananas, strawberries, and that last sip of juice. The kids think it is a friday feast and I just smile and know I turned frugal fun!
The best way that I save money is with valuable coupons. The coupons in “WholeDeal” save me a ton. I also look in the health-oriented magazines like “Delicious Living” and the “Taste for Life” that are free at Whole Foods. I always find more coupons there, and in many health-oriented magazines. Then, if you go to the various manufacturer websites, you can often get even more e-coupons, or search the web for them and get some e-coupons automatically sent to your e-mail. Often these coupons can save anywhere from $1.00-$5.00 a piece. These really go far if the item is on sale to begin with! Coupons are easy to find for teas, snack bars, and many shelf and frozen items. Then I have more money to splurge on fresh produce.
I am originally from Germany and love bread, and trust me German’s know their bread. Until WF came to Colorado I had a difficult time finding good healthy bread. Know I only purchase my bread from Whole Foods. The Prussian and Munich Rye is awesome and reminds me of home. I also like the Nick’s Mountain a lot. Whole Foods lets you just buy 1/2 loaves which is great if you live alone. I usually buy a couple different 1/2 loaves and then freeze them. This way I have healthy fresh bread to make sandwiches for lunch to take to work with me.
If you use carrots to make vegetable juices, start by running the carrots through the juicer first. Then put the carrot pulp aside and continue making your juice.
Afterwards use the carrot pulp to make raw carrot cake by pulsing it in a food processor with walnuts, shredded coconut, raisins, a little oil, cinnamon and nutmeg. Shape into a square or use muffin molds. Here is a picture! http://thelabrawtory.com/2008/10/02/raw-carrot-cake-muffins/
I live alone but I still buy a family pack of chicken breasts. I stick them all in the oven when I get home and when they’re cooked and cooled I chop them into chunks and freeze them. I have chicken all ready to throw in a stir-fry, on a salad, or any number of things. I especially like to throw them in a pan with frozen Whole Foods brown rice and some veggies for a great, easy & quick meal.
I have three kids and we’re on a strict budget. So, money really counts, but no matter what, I always find a way to make a trip to Whole foods because the food is organic, fresher, and local. So, one way to stretch the dollar is to buy the fruits on sale (usually they are more ripe anyway) and not the pre-cut fruits. Yesterday, I bought a whole honeydew melon on sale, came home, cut it up and put it in containers so the kids can grab them anytime and snack on it. But if I bought the pre-cut fruit, the same amount of fruit would’ve cost triple. Another tip is freezing the portable yogurts and then cutting them in half to give to toddlers. That way, you don’t waste what your little one can’t finish.
Homemade soup is always a treat and it’s inexpensive to make. I save and freeze any “leftovers” from a meal in small sealed plastic bags. Leftovers may include meat, seafood, vegetables, or salad. I select the contents of a few of these packages & toss them in a blender with chicken or vegetable stock, spices, and (optional) cream or milk. I pour the blended mixture into a pan, heat and serve. Voila!…instant comfort food.
In order to save time, money and eat healthy everyday for my lunch break, I eat at whole foods. I buy a portion of meat, veggie and carbohydrate from the cold cooked food section next to the deli instead of getting food off the hot bar. I spend no more than $6.00 for a fabulous, exciting and healthy lunch.If you are unsure about a food, they always allow you to sample it, you will not get that kind of service at a restaurant! My favorites are the roasted turkey breast and the emerald sesame greens.
Rather than buying pre-packaged goods, I buy bulk whenever possible. It not only allows me to buy smaller portions, which I am able to consume before they turn stale, but also saves me money. I store these items in recycled (fruit, sauce, pickle, etc) glass jars, which also saves me money since there is no need to buy any additional storage containers.
My tip is more about attitude towards what you eat. For example, my hubby and I adore the House Brand Shirataki noodles. We purchase whatevery produce is on sale and appeals to us. We get some wonderful organic tomato sauce and saute the veggies. We add it to a couple bags of the noodles and enjoy! The noodles are $1.50 a bag. The tomato sauce varies, but it’s not much either. We make a wonderfully healthy meal for less than $4.00 each and usually have leftovers for lunch the next day. We then get a box of one of the interesting teas and slowly savor it for dessert. Really, it feels luxurious to have all those flavors and fresh produce, doesn’t cost too much and we feel that we’ve made a healthy choice. The enjoyment makes us feel rich. Thrift without feeling cheap. Gotta love it.
When in doubt, a roasted chicken is always a great way to go! Later in the week it can be made into chicken salad, burritos or with eggs for a hearty brunch. You can even add chopped chicken to kids mac ‘n cheese!
My best tip is to double any recipe that freezes well, and freeze the second portion for another day. You’ll end up with less food waste, you’ll save money because that’s one more meal you won’t be eating out, and you’ll also save time and stress.
I am crazy about Whole Foods and could literally spend all of my money there without feeling bad, but since I have other bills to pay I can not do so.
Luckily WFs has great deals and I also have a few tips to help me stick to a budget. I always go into the store with a calculator and an amount of money I can spend. It works like a charm every time. I like to get my veggies and fruit first. The organic carrots for 99 cents a piece are a steal as well as the bunch of organic celery. 3 carrots and a bunch of celery lasts me well over a week. Any left over I just cut up and pair with ranch dip for a healthy snack.
Every Saturday I plan at least 3 meals for the week. I always include one with pasta or rice because they are super cheap for a large amount. Another will include either beef or chicken. The seasoning packets (sloppy joe, taco seasoning etc)are a cheap way to get a healthy and delicious flavor for my meats. I also get a frozen pack of organic dough. It makes a great calzone or pizza large enough to feed 4 or leave for left overs.
I like to stock up on sauces, canned tomatoes, pastas, breads, french fries frozen veggies, broths and frozen pizzas because they can last a while; and put together great emergency meals.
When browsing the isles I also like to keep my eyes open for the 2 for 4$ deals which they often have on chips. I grab 4 and store!! Running out of chips is never a problem!!
About once a month, I play a little game with myself called “EAT DOWN THE FRANTRY” which means that I gaze at all the existing food I have in the pantry and the freezer (and of course the fridge) until a spark of creativity happens. Then I see how many meals I can make out of my existing food before someone complains. This way I delay the grocery spending trip and also keep the food we eat as fresh as possible. The game is over when someone in the family starts to grumble and then I make a trip to Whole Foods before 3:00 pm when my blood sugar is stable and I won’t be tempted to pick up the expensive enticing extras.
I try to ride my bike to the store as often as I can. By going more often I save on deals that I would have missed by going less frequently. Plus I save on gas, mileage and zero emissions!
I garden organically. For my compost pile, I save OJ or milk cartons when empty.
Rinse them out and open the top and put
on your kitchen counter or in the sink.
I put vegetable scraps, egg shells, coffee grinds, lettuce scraps, etc. in the container and when full, go dump it
in my compost pile. My husband puts the
grass clippings in there, also.
Toss it once and a while and you get great compost!
I lost my job in December 2006, and I was out of work for a year. Of course our budget shrink, but I did want to by the same quality of food for the kids and us like I was doing before. I had to come with some idea how to save money while still shopping at Whole Food Market, so in one day I went to the store and write down all the brand food they had in their shelves. I start looking for on line coupons, and now every week when I do my grocery shopping, I also bring my coupons with me. I am also getting 4 gallons of milk at ones because you get 10% off and using coupons I only pay $5/gallon instead $6.69/gallon. If the shredded cheese is in sale (I usually buy Organic Valley brand) I get 3-4 bags (with sale price and coupons I only pay ½ of the price), and I keep it in the freezer. I take out one bag of the time and use it. I also freeze the butter. There are many ways to save money and still shop for good organic quality food at Whole Food Market. I also plan my meals based on the sales they have. They Email me their weekly store sale deals, and I can plan ahead what I need to by.
Take some time to actually look at the prices “conventional” grocery stores charge. If you’re in the market for natural, organic, and locally produced goods, shopping at Whole Foods actually saves you money. Why pay $4 for a loaf of bread filled with preservatives, genetically modified who knows what, and stuff that you can’t even pronounced - when very likely, you can get a loaf of naturally fresh baked bread at Whole Foods for the same price, if not less.
I enjoy buying 365 brands because, knowing the organic standard that Whole Foods has, I know I am getting the Best for my money. I have heard several people tell me their physical maladies of high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol have been substantially lowered due to their eating Whole Foods butchered meats and other organic products sold there. I actually feel very lazy when I see the food deli and I wished I worked there so I would know how to make the delicious foods I see and eat.
To help save on money and time. When cooking chicken I choose to roast/or BBQ a whole chicken. This way I always have leftovers for the week. If leftovers aren’t your thing, then I make a delicious “Roasted-Chicken Noodle Soup”. It’s full of all kinds of veggies, herbs, potatoes, noodles as well as the delicious roasted chicken. The soup makes about 3 quarts and what you can’t finish can be kept in the freezer on hand for a quick dinner.
Use substations for things you don’t make very often and won’t use up before it spoils. For example, if a recipe calls for a cup of buttermilk, don’t go out and buy a quart. Instead, use a cup of milk plus one tablespoon of vinegar. In any recipe—even buttermilk pancakes—it works just the same!
Also, instead of buying self-rising flour, you can use regular. If the recipe calls for 1 cup of self-rising, measure one cup of all-purpose, then take away 2 teaspoons of flour and add 1 ½ tsp baking powder and ½ tsp salt.
Do research on the internet before buying a random ingredient you won’t use very often—there’s usually a substitute with something you use all the time!
I have found that the first step to any great deal at Whole Foods Market is to stop by the customer service counter. Check out their monthly calendar for tours that show you how to get the most from your trip, and money. Then ask if they have any extra coupons at the desk, or any rebates or special offers available. Don’t forget to try checking out bargain hunting sites online. The one I visit most is basically a place to post a list of coupons you need, and whoever has them & isn’t using them, sends them to you, and you in turn send them coupons they are looking for, but you don’t need. It makes the world a greener place..even inside your wallet.
Try not to shop on an empty stomach! If the fridge is bare before you go shopping, and you’re hungry, boil up some hot water and flavor it with some bouillon/vegetable stock. Then, make a quick and economical snack that supplies carbs for quick energy, and fat to keep you going.
Make quick flatbreads by mixing:
- a scoop of flour (could be a mix of white and whole wheat- whatever you like)
- a pinch or two of salt
- a tablespoon or so of oil (something organic and fairly neutral like olive, safflower or sunflower)
- enough water mixed in to make a dough that feels like fresh play-doh!
Quickly knead in a bowl until all ingredients are well-mixed.
-Break off a piece the size of a golf ball and flatten with your hands into a circle.
-Flatten further on the counter by rolling out with a bottle or jar (or rolling pin!)until the dough is as thin as you can make it without it tearing.
Finally, heat a skillet (iron is best) and toast your flatbread on each side, pressing down occasionally until the dough puffs in places or gets little dark spots on it.
Next, put some extra virgin olive oil in a little bowl, mix in some fresh herbs (you are growing those, right?) like rosemary, marjoram, thyme & sage, and some salt and pepper or chili powder- and dip away with your warm homemade flatbread.
If you eat dairy, then slathering rich organic butter on your flatbread is good, too.
Now you’re ready to go grocery shopping!
I have begun writing my favorite brands to ask for coupons or simply compliment their products. I print coupons off of manufacturer websites, sign up for newsletters, and have joined a group to exchange coupons and receive some that don’t come in the paper in my area. I’m also taking the Value Budget Tour at Whole Foods tomorrow and am stoked about it! And I shop without my husband, because things not on my list always seem to end up in my cart when he’s around
And lastly, I love to try what the “Value Guru” has cooked up and get meal ideas from her.
I always plan ahead when I go to WFM. I have my recipes in hand and I use printable coupon, which you can easily find online, I also shop when the specific items I need are on sale. I have been shopping here for years and will continue forever!!! My 5 year old daughter always ask before she eats or drinks something if it is organic or all natural. I love the fact that through your help I am leading my daughter down a health way of life!!! Thank you so very much!!!
I always buy reduced produce. A small bruise never hurt anyone, and I prefer my fruit ripe instead of having to wait a week to eat it! It saves a lot of money, and you get a variety of fruits and vegetables because it depends what they have. I cringe whenever I have to pay $1.00 for one apple, knowing I can get 10 for 75cents usually!
Before Whole Foods opened in Naples, I was concerned that it would be too expensive for everyday shopping. I was so surprised when I found that buying my weekly basics actually cost less then at competing chains. I decided to price more elaborate menus and again found the prices to be more favorable. The secret: Whole Foods own brand name products are better and better priced than recognized name brands. The chicken broth, and pasta are just 2 examples. Then there are the great sales … daily! Today I bought a 2.5 pound sirloin tip roast, 5 pounds of russet potatoes, and 2.5 pounds of vine ripened tomatoes for about $20.00!! Where in the world can you shop like that? Over the weekend, I made risotto pasta with organic asparagus with a side of sauteed organic carrots - total cost to serve 6 people - $12 (includes pasta, chicken broth, organic onions, garlic, carrots, asparagus). Recipes from NYTimes Mark Bittman - my fav! Conclusion: Fabulous foods at fabulous prices at Whole Foods.
Do a search for “organic coupons” and find coupons for your favorite organic products online. Also sign up for the email newsletter or traditional newsletter of your favorite natural and organic food stores.
I grew up on a farm in East Texas. We were a self sufficient farm. We raised nearly everything we chose to eat from beef, chicken, vegetables, fruit - peaches, berries, pears, crab aples, pecans, and we even fished from our own stock pond. The food was always fresh and wonderful. I didn’t know then that we were “organic”. As I entered in adulthood and moved away from home, I always wondered why food didn’t taste the same. When the country started the “green” swing, I finally realized that organic food gets me what I want… it tastes better, it’s better for you, and I now I can eat and enjoy the food just like back on the farm. I am thrilled I have such a variety of choices from Whole Foods Market (more than I had on the farm). I like the idea that I can find something organic on nearly every aisle! Yes, it may cost a little more on the front side of purcashing…but think of all the hard work the farmers do to assure the consumers the quality of fresh, organic items on a daily basis. I don’t mind spending a little more to get better quality! Plus, in the long run, I’m saving - since I’ve returned to “organic”…my doctor’s bills are less! I encourage everyone to try something organic. If you are on a tight budget, just try one thing at a time. Perhaps you purchase organic chicken this week. Next week buy organic chicken and an organic vegetable. Start small and build up as you can. You’ll never go back!
Have you ever thought that you could make a dessert from baked beans(cooked plain, like the canned ones)? It can be pinto, cannellini, or navy beans. A great way to avoid flour and still have some protein in your diet (a healthy nutritious food like beans). You won’t even notice the bean taste once it is baked.
Shopping for 2 can sometimes be difficult when you want variety in your life and you are on a budget. I find that we can keep our menu interesting by buying most staples in the frozen section - things like meat, some veggies - and grains that save. Then, you simply buy what is in season and least expensive and create a unique dish. For example, you can make chicken/pesto sandwiches with basil and then stirfry the chicken with leftover basil for a completely different lunch the next day.
Thank You Whole Foods.”You have the best suff on earth”. I am a California Native that relocated to Liberty Twp OH.I felt a great deal of comfort when I saw your store here in Ohio! I send all of my friends to your fresh juice bar to get a shot of Wheatgrass Juice when ever they aren’t a 100%,They come back feeling great.
Thanks for being the #1 place in my book for health!!!
When I was a child, mom had cereal prepared & waiting before we went to school and in the summer when we got up. We didn’t eat box cereal although it was available. Mom cooked whol oats, steel cut oats, whole grain cooked wheat, added raisins. We were starved and it was yummy. It had no bunnies, no frills or deals on the box. It’s inexpensive and soooo nutritionally right. We added a little brown sugar and cinnamon if so desired.
We register our e-mail with all of the brands that we use every week (i.e. Seventh Generation, Organic Valley, Kashi, etc) and then print out coupons that the companies send us for use in any store. We also keep an eye out for sales and stock up on the things we use regularly. Many items actually cost less at Whole Foods than at some of the other chain grocery stores.
My daughter (16 months) has a milk allergy and it has been such a relief to find a store that has food that I can confidentally feed to her to ensure that she will not have an allergic reactions. I try to schedule our families fruits and veggies to what is in season as the price is good and they are DELICIOUS! I have never gotten any bad fruit or veggies from Whole Foods. I also use the internet to get coupons for all of our favorite foods. So in addition to saving money in this manner. I know that I am feeding my family food that I can feel good about. No icky stuff to make them sick. So not only do I save time by knowing that all the food is good, but I save my family from getting any possible sickness from all of the icky pesticides that are in most store bought foods. Thanks Whole Foods! One happy mommy
i know shopping for organic and whole foods can be very expensive for the average person,but from rich to poor we all want and deserve the best quality and healthiest food in life. i mean think about it the mere fact that a store like whole foods exist shows that our standards and quality of foods in the regular market has hit rock bottom. All of the foods we are sold should be healthy and whole to begin with.we really shouldn’t have to go to a special store to have a piece of mind when we are sitting with our families having dinner(but thank goodness we have a choice like whole foods). i can’t afford to purchase everything for my family that is organic and healthy, but there are items that i spend my hard earned money on.items that through my research i feel is worth the extra bucks are fruits like strawberries,grapes,peaches and apples. vegetables such as broccoli,spinach, bell peppers, and onions, i always purchase organic because the traditional types of these fruits and veggies contain a higher amount of pesticide residue which can be harmful to your body according to some studies. i also suggest buying organic milk, meats,and fish because we consume so much of these foods on a daily basis. its hard to make those sacrifices to spend the extra money,but when you think about it, the investment is for your health, and your family’s health.can you tell me what is more important than that?
We like to shop at Whole Foods once a week. I always make a shopping list and try to stick with it. That way I don’t spend money on impulse buying. I really like the bulk section. Not only can you save a lot of money, but you can also save on packaging by reusing your plastic bags or brining reusable produce bags. Buying WF store brand, 365 Everyday Value, also is great way of saving money.
I like to collect coupons. A great way of getting coupons for organic and natural foods is the Mambo Sprout coupon booklet, which Whole Foods distributes about 4 times a year. You can find printable coupons online. My favorite is Organic Valley who always have great coupons on their web site. I occasionally write to the companies that make my favorite organic foods and ask for coupons.
I find that great way to save money and stay healthy is to eat homemade foods. My husband and I try not to eat out more than once a week, and we both bring our own lunches to work. Whatever we can’t eat while it is fresh, we freeze. In that way no food is wasted.
After you buy produce, keep the seeds and plant them in a garden. Its like getting free seeds!
I use a combination of methods to save big at Whole Foods. I buy in season for best value. I look at ingredients I have in my kitchen and build menus from there. I am lucky that my Whole foods store provides Mambo Sprouts coupon booklets good for savings on natural foods. Those savings can really add up. I go online and sign up with Mambo Sprouts, and all my favorite natural and organic retailers, like Organic Valley and Annies, Kashi, Sun and Earth and Seventh Generation. These companies send me coupons in the mail, and online coupons to print as well. I also keep each edition of “foods for 4 for under $20″ that is put out by Whole foods for inspirations and recipes– I pick up two at a time so I can clip the recipes out, and then when I want to make a recipe, I can take it with me to the store. Of course, I always bring my own shopping bags to save 5 cents per cloth bag, because I believe the pennies add up and so does the impact of saving on bags that can end up in landfills. I save money on days I am too tired to cook, too, by grabbing a slice of healthy pizza in store (and thus saving calories over buying too big a pizza for just me!)
Save money, save calories, save the earth…it’s all in the bag from Whole Foods.
I’m a graduate student and on a really tight budget. I buy barn-range or free-range whole chickens from WFM because you can really tell a difference in flavor from the other stores. Also, I find that when it all adds up, you get more chicken for less than when you buy the pre-cut pieces. I like to cook it with some onion, garlic, lemon, fresh rosemary from my yard (it’s really not a high maintenance herb to grow yourself), and a few other herbs. Sometimes I use an Italian vinaigrette salad dressing to help not dry out the meat. Most importantly, I go light on these flavorings so they’re relatively mild and I have a ton of leftover options (like curried-chicken salad, not to mention the staple of chicken, 365 pasta, and a quick sauce). My roommate likes it for a Sunday dinner, and I usually have enough leftovers for me for the rest of the week!
I’ve been surprised at how easy it is to find good deals at Whole Foods! We buy unpasteurized milk—a rare (and welcome_ find!—at Whole Foods at a much lower price than we’ve previously found it at farmers’ markets or other local grocery stores. Also, we love to entertain, and have to do it on a budget: we’ve found the best deals (and certainly the best variety) on cheeses and olives at Whole Foods, and our favorite crackers (La Panzanella) are cheaper than we’ve found them at comparable grocery stores.
As always, I recommend making (and sticking to) a shopping list as much as possible, wherever you shop. When I stick to my list at Whole Foods, I always get out of the store with great food, and without busting my budget.
It is really easy to get great, affordable food at Whole Foods. All you really need to do is become familiar with the prices of the items you regularly buy at the regular grocery store or discount mart and compare with Whole Foods. I am often shocked to realize that one item I may be buying at the regular grocery store is cheaper (and often a much better quality version) at Whole Foods. The things that have pleasantly surprised me lately are the whole wheat organic noodles, which are about $0.50 less than they are at the local discounted natural food warehouse. The same is true with the peanut butter and edamame. My latest great find is the soy hot dogs and soy butter that i have been buying at the large discount store are $1 to $1.50 cheaper at whole foods! Comparison shopping saves me about $10-$15 a week on a measely $50 weekly grocery budget.
This is probably too obvious but I always make sure that I use all that I buy and only buy what I know I’ll use.
I’d rather spend a little more and get better quality food and use it all, then buy something that is cheaper and less satisfying and then have it go to waste.
We do our own dehydrating (everything from fruit to beef jerky), sprouting (lentils are our favorite), and baking using fresh ingredients from the bulks, produce, and deli sections at Whole Foods. The meats from the deli are sliced just right for making into jerky–it’s quick and easy and great for snacks on the go.
Hurricane Gustav swept through my city and destroyed quite a lot, and the whole city was out of electricity for quite a while. All the perishable foods were lost. Luckily, since Louisiana is prone to bad weather, my family always buys non perishables in bulk. After, the hurricane, the grocery shelves were literally empty. Sometimes we got lucky and found something, so each person would cook one thing, and bring it over to a potluck. Not only did we not have to spend a whole lot of time cooking, each person has his or her own favorites to bring over, so having a potluck was a great idea! Save time on cooking, have a variety of food, have a good time with your friends & family, and of course, save on your grocery bill! When grocery shopping, we try to buy locally and in season as well. Another good idea is NOT to eat in front of the television. It’s a distraction, you don’t savor your meal as much, and all the commercials trigger a signal in your brain to want to eat more. And for me, my favorite tip: I have a small garden in my backyard. Fresh homegrown tomatoes and quickly growing year around herbs… can’t get any better than that! (:
I LOVE utilizing the bulk section. Everything there is cheaper than prepacked items. Take Madagascar Vanilla Beans for example. One bean in a jar is what, 7.99 or so? One bean from bulk, even at $149.99 a pound only comes out to about $2-3. I only buy my dog treats at Whole Foods. I buy the Dogswell treats, and they are $5.99 compared to other stores (Even Petsmart & Petco!) where I have seen them at 7.99 and even 9.99!
People always joke and call Whole Foods “Whole Paycheck”, but if you don’t get too distracted (at least not on a regular basis) by all the specialty items that really do cost money, you can get out with 4-5 bags for less than $150.
Definitely watch the sales. Whole Foods has also started the Weekly Buys program, the Vitamin waters have been 10/$10 and the Whole Deal booklet with Mambo Sprouts coupons and recipe tips. The Back to School coupon books are in too, so pick one up and start shopping smart!!
I recently became a vegetarian and Whole Foods has been a life saver because of it. One of the amazing things about Whole Foods is the amount of coupons they offer for all my vegetarian dishes. I always make sure to grab a few extra ones when ever I go shopping, so I have plenty left over for next time. I also try to buy bulk items like pasta, rice, and beans at cheaper prices than the pre-packaged brands, and you can buy as much or as little as you need. Buying staple type foods helps me prepare meals in advance, which always saves me money. It’s important to resist driving to a fast food joint for lunch or dinner because it’s unhealthy, and can really add up over long periods of time if you make it a habit.
Cooking for only one can be a challenge if you want to eat well, but also avoid waste. Therefore, any way I can stretch an entree/ingredient into a week’s dinner is great. One of my favorite’s is purchasing a whole organic chicken and making the following meals: night 1: roasted chicken; nights 2 & 3: chicken salad; night 4: chicken and cheese enchiladas and lastly, night 5: chicken noodle soup (use bones for stock and remaining chicken for soup). Once you incorporate other ingredients like fresh veggies and spices, you won’t mind eating chicken every night with all these variations!
I used to do 1 grocery shopping trip a week, but found that I would overestimate sometimes how much lunchmeat, vegetables, etc that I might eat or prepare & ended up having to throw out perishables that had gone bad. Now, I make 2-3 trips (this works because my favorite WFM-Cranston, RI is on my way home) and only buy for 1-2 meals or days at a time & I stopped seeing money disappear into the trash can.
Also, I shop with a plan, a short basic list that I can get through and not go down every aisle. By knowing that I am only shopping for the next 1-2 meals, it helps me focus on getting just the stuff I need “right now” & I don’t get distracted by all the other “pretty shiny stuff”. I love WFM, but you have to make choices sometimes & I think they’d rather me be able to afford to shop there for the long haul. The longer I spend in the store, the more likely I am to purchase things I don’t actually need at that moment.
I am a big proponent of using coupons. It has saved me huge amounts of money! The myth is that you can only get Rice-a-Roni or Spam with coupons, but the truth is that you can eat healthy, organic foods AND save a packet by redeeming coupons. I talk about this more on my coupon blog, if anyone is interested: http://wontbesoonbeforelong.blogspot.com/
My husband and I just started shopping at Whole Foods, and we love it! I tend to over spend though, so I am working on that. The fresh produce and meats are full of flavor, my children enjoy eating chicken now. One of the favorites in my kitchen ~ organic pasta with red sauce add chicken and broccoli. My 19 month old looks forward to lunch everyday at 11:30 a.m.
Pay attention to the items at Whole Foods that cost LESS than other stores. I love the CLIF Mojo Bars, and had been buying them at my local sporting goods store at about $2.00/bar. However, I recently realized I can buy an entire 12-bar box at Whole Foods for about $15.00. That saves me almost $10. Since I eat these bars almost every day the savings adds up quickly!
I started saving a lot when using pressure cooker. Cheaper cuts of meat get tender quickly, you save money on energy bill and time. Pressure cooker not only help makes better tasting meats, you can quickly prepare dried beans, meat sauce, brown rice in no time.
my best tip is eating balanced and making it taste yummy! ex: beans are cheap and really good (saute with onion & garlic w/ little olive oil) and add some brown rice(cheap) and 365 veggies and you created a balanced delicious meal for under $4.00. You can also be creative with herbs that fit your taste buds’ needs.
I’m so excited that a new Whole Foods is opening in Richmond! I’ve visited the one in Charlottesville many times, and I’ve learned to stock up on bulk rice to use in our rice cooker. Brown rice is so tasty and much more healthy than white rice, so our family eats a lot of that! We’ve also been buying our vitamins and supplements from Whole Foods - we can boost our energy naturally and not spend nearly as much on coffee, teas, sodas and energy drinks!
I have to travel over 100 miles to the nearest store,but I love them so its well worth the travel to get good quality foods and healthy body profucts.Since coming to this store I have tried many different foods that are not as available in the Green Bay area. without WHOLE FOODS, I wouldnt have tried “babaganoush” with the “Stacy” pita chips. They always have samples out that I am willing to try and without that,my new fav snack wouldnt be the wonderful dip..sometimes I crave it..lol My sister and I make the trek together about every 2-3 months and stock up on lots of the bulk items too. I now have my daughter and daughter in law hooked on the 365 brand of body wash and shampoos as well,and at that price for such a natural cleaning…its the bomb !!We all love the lavender scents.I had to buy more of the cloth bags so I could buy more stuff when I shop.. great store..coming to the Green Bay area soon??????
Take advantage of sales! When there’s a sale for something you regularly purchase, get several so that it’ll tide you over until the next sale. This past week we bought 8 deodorants that were on sale.
Also, before I go, I go to the brands’ websites to see if there are online coupons. I usually find at least one.
If I’m getting salad for the family, what I’ll do is buy the lettuce fresh (I’m particular to the organic romaine myself). You can get about twice as much for a fraction of the cost of bagged salads. It doesn’t take long to cut up the lettuce yourself. If you want all the extras, you can get carrots and red cabbage and things like that separately and still come out having paid less than a bag salad with more salad to eat.
I like to save money, who doesn’t? So i usually do a few things, I look to buy foods that have a long shelf life so that i can stock up if there is a sale. I also usually pick up coupons booklets and buy a Sunday paper in order to clip the coupons. I save them in a coupon book for when i go to the store. Lastly i sometimes buy the store brand items because they are cheaper and taste the same as the more pricey brand name items.
Hi - I have a money saving and sanity saving tip. We are a dual income family and it is not uncommon that one parent can’t make it home for dinner. Those nights, instead of running to a fast food restaurant we rely on the healthy prepared foods offered at Whole Foods. This way we don’t have to face a hectic night of caring for two kids and making dinner yet we know we are feeding our kids - and ourselves - something we can feel good about.
Instead of buying canned beans, go for the bulk bins of beans and soak them at home. Even though it might take longer, the end result is more natural and you can get a huge amount for the small price you pay. Beans are great throughout the busy week and it even saves space in your pantry from buying cans of beans. This also goes for lentils, wheatberries and oatmeal.
We buy produce in season. When there is a good sale, we stock up and very frequently will use our food saver to freeze meal sized portions. We have a chest freezer full of blueberries, green beans, peppers already, and intend to get more things done before the produce season ends in the NE.
We also take advantage of the programs offered in our local WF on how to save money - there IS a way to live well on a single income that isn’t huge!!! We are living proof!
Think before you buy! Can leftovers from today be used to create tomorrows breakfast, lunch or dinner? How about a yeast raised pizza dough that can be used in many ways, vegetarian flatbread,
a base for a calzones or a side with a big salad.
Whole Foods has made my grocery shopping fun! Check out the calender for one of the many monthly events. Some of my favorite items I learned from them. There are so many hidden treasures in Whole Foods and if you buy what is in season, you get to try new things at their peak. Whenever I participate in a community event, I see our local Whole Foods there with a booth and I pick up a coupon for my next shopping trip.
My family loves cheese, everything from Aged gouda, to good ol’ cheddar. One of the ways I save on our everyday cheese buys, is to buy the block of cheese. Not only do they offer more variety in comparison to the preshredded, but it’s also half the price. I’ve also found that shredding it myself from the blocks yields a higher quality, better tasting product. If you have a food processor with a shredding attachment, it literally takes you seconds. Even if you don’t, I think 5 minutes of time is worth a cheaper, tastier product!
One thing I do is I shop Whole Foods with my friends. Since we all go to Whole Foods anyway, we all pile in one car to save gas and emissions and we take our bags and tote boxes to shop for groceries. My roommate comes along so that we can figure out what we both need. It’s a communal event, where we share food, resources, and good times together.
A simple way to save money, eat healthy, and make less of an impact on the environment is to treat your family to meat-free meals. Beans and soy based products are a low cost way to get protein. The Whole foods website provides a great collection of tasty meat-free recipes that your whole family will love.
I think that being an educated shopper is the best way to save at Whole Foods.
I read the mail flyers from all the other grocery stores or somtimes walk through checking prices on my way to Whole food. Then I have a comparison of cost and I know how to recognize a good value. Many products are actually priced lower or the same as the local grocery stores from week to week. Since products constantly change, it keeps my diet in an interesting rotation buying good value and quality.
i shop at this location bexause it is close to my work. the store is lovely, and so are the people that work here. i started shopping here because my son was getting “crazy” from all the dye, artificial everything and preservitives in non-organic food stores. it was a challenge at first to figure out what everything was but we muddled through. we love the whole chickens. the taste is so pure it takes your brerath away the first time you eat it. i am still alittle afraid of the bulk isle, but will ease into it eventually. i buy alot of the 365 brand, mainly for the cost but also for the taste.
Food prices are increasing globally, but now is not the time to be frugal with your health. With so many people eating “industrially,” i.e. fast food, highly processed food, or a diet with too few fresh vegetables, fruit, and whole grains, it is no wonder that so many of us are sick, feeling sluggish, or even in the hospital.
So I ask: Is it cheaper to shop at Whole Foods and eat fresh, healthy, organic fare or cheaper to eat a McDonald’s and risk paying high insurance premiums?
For soy-milk drinkers- I always buy my soymilk from Whole Foods by the case. I get a 5% case discount, and it means that I do not have to remember to buy soy milk on a weekly basis. It can sit in my pantry until I need it.
I love sushi with brown rice and Whole Foods offers several choices. The packages are smaller than some of the other grocery stores. They usually have 8 pieces of sushi compared to 12 but the prices are lower too. I like to buy Whole Foods sushi and then supplement my meal with a salad or a side vegetable. It’s a cheaper meal than buying a large sushi takeout from other grocery stores.
I save by choosing to only buy organic (excluding items that just don’t need to be, like thicker skinned fruits/veggies). That way I am eating the Healthiest I can, while avoiding “junk” foods in my cart! It cuts down on the number of items you buy. I also try to shop with a list, so I won’t stray, but at Whole Foods…that’s pretty tough!
As tempting as it is, try to avoid buying food from the hot bar. Sometimes I’ll look on the hot bar for ideas and then buy the products to make it myself. For instance, I love sweet potatoes but I always purchase them in the raw for no more than $2.50/pound for organic but on the hot bar they are $8/pound!! That’s a significant difference. Also, I make my own collards. One bunch of collards is no more than $3.50 and it makes a pot full of greens that would probably cost at least $25 if the same amount was purchased off the hot bar. Making the transition to cooking seems intimidating but once you get use to it, it’s actually really enjoyable and a way to clear your mind! Good luck!
Use your freezer! I precut vegetables and fruit that is bought in bulk and freeze for later use. It makes for easy additions to soups, stir-fries, desserts - whatever! I also freeze meats and fish in portions - this is particularly useful if you live solo and don’t want to cook an entire package at one time. It can be marinated or plain. Breads and sweets can also be saved if the expiration date is near.
I am so thrilled that Whole Foods has finally come near me in South Miami Florida. One of the best money saving tips is to talk to the butchers. Whole Foods has wonderful cuts of meat, but they are way too big for me and my family members. Rather than get one or two thick large steaks and split them after cooking. You can get the butchers to cut up some wonderful steaks in almost any thickness and size.
Be sure to check out the “Whole Deal” magazine for coupons, and look to see if there are any other brochures with coupons in them (right now there are some that say “Back to School”). Oftentimes there will be coupons for items that are on sale, too, so you can get some really amazing deals!
I always buy what is in season and in bulk, dry grains “never” go bad if you keep them in the correct environment. WFM offers a wide variety of foods for my family to eat as we try to stay to a Low Glycemic Diet for health reasons.
When you’re planning meals for the week, think about what you and your family really love– the fruits, vegetables, and entrees that always are hits! Buy those items only and maybe one or two new things to try– you’ll wind up with an empty fridge at the end of the week and a more diverse diet at the same time!
I have three tips that I use every time I go to Whole Foods
1) Take advantage of things that are on SALE. If you really don’t need it, then it can pass, but if you do need it then you can buy plenty of it and store it safely.
2) Buying in BULK saves all the time given that what you buy is something you use often. It would cost less to buy a 4-pack of soda, than to buy 4 single cans of the same soda.
3) If you MAKE THINGS YOURSELF you will save money also. Things that are made ready for use such as t.v. dinners, cut-up vegetables, seasoned meats, and so on will cost more because you have to pay for convenience. If you bought the ingredients and made dinner yourself, bought the vegetable & cut it yourself, and seasoned the meat yourself you would save money for all 3.
I tried to keep it short, and to the point. So feel free to shop and rack in on the savings
Buy seasonal items such as fresh green beans, blanch them freeze them for the winter months. I freeze fresh green beans, corn, strawberries, apples, and just about anything I can get my hands on in the summer months and in the winter we never miss out on fresh anything its great. Yes it takes a little time but if you have children its a great way to spend sometime together and have fun at the same time. My best memories are in the kitchen with me mother and grandmother on the farm. Make some memories this weekend with your family……..
Do not go shopping when you are hungry, because you will just end up buying too much food.
If you’re a dedicated Whole Foods customer who lives 30-45 minutes away from your closest Whole Foods Market, you have to know how to shop and keep your precious food fresh. When we shop, we have to “stock up” for about 10 days. When I get home, I separate the sliced deli meat into 3 or 4 packs and wrap each pack in plastic wrap. Those packs then go back into the re-sealable bag provided by Whole Foods and into the freezer. I may leave one out, depending on the weekly menu. Take one pack out the night before for the next day. My mushrooms (I buy alot
get taken from there container and then into a brown paper bag (I also wash and save the container for organizing). Cucumbers, zucchini, peppers and Eggplant get wrapped in plastic wrap and are stored on the top shelf of the fridge. I usually buy 2 loaves of bread; one goes in the freezer, one in the fridge. I leave my tomatoes (cherry for longer shelf life), avocados, and bananas out on the counter); the bananas (buy them green) are broken apart and eventually go into the fridge.
When I use to buy alot of Romaine lettuce, I would cut it up, wash it, spin it, and then place in a plastic storage bag with a paper towel. Do not put the lettuce at the bottom of the fridge, where it gets the coldest; your lettuce will freeze. Make time for your food; it is your best investment.
Buying items from the bulk bins (grains, flours, dried fruit) is generally cheaper than buying pre-packaged items. Save your plastic bags to recycle, as well. Stocking up when things are on sale and knowing how to prepare your own meals. Making your own granola bars, pasta sauce, soups and salads, then packaging them up in individual portions to have when you need them will not only save you money but time, as well. Take advantage of all the wonderful recipes on the Whole Foods website to create delicious and healthy meals!
I was never much of a shopper at Whole Foods. I thought the prices seemed high, even though the produce and meat looked really really good. What changed my mind? Reading these postings. I never knew that WF honored other coupons . . . didn’t know that buying meat in bulk could save you 10% . . . or that the 365 house brands really tasted good. What a great idea to have these postings so that people could share their experiences. Now I go into the WF stores with lots of great ideas - thanks!
On a recent trip to the Seattle area, we stayed in Bellvue. We ate at the WF Market each day for breakfast. My college age kids LOVED the choices of foods, because we arrived just as the shift changed at 11 am…the breakfast eaters still got their choices and the lunch food eaters liked theirs as well! We shopped and ate and had a grand outing each day! LOVE your store!!! We saved money on restaurant fees and had HEALTHY food! Will see you again!
FREEZE IT! I have recently come across this revelation that most foods can be stored in the freezer for at least a year if properly stored. This little trick is essential for those who are cooking for themselves or one other person. It saves an incredible amount of time and money. What I find myself doing is buying groceries that can freeze well in bulk, and then cooking up a big meal and storing the rest in the freezer. When ready, heat up on the stove or in the oven and you can have a gourmet meal every night without spending an extra penny!
Buy what is on sale and make a large pot of soup. Freeze your left-overs and you can have soup out seasons.
I try to cook thing fresh, that means trying to do more shorter trips than going and doing one huge shopping trip. I find that I save money because I am not wasting meat and produce that I might go to waste if I bought it all in one trip. I am also ensuring the freshest foods to cook with!
I buy groceries in small quantities. Seems the smaller amount I have in my fridge, the more likely I am to use it all up. Saving money on great deals is useless if it gets thrown out because it’s rotten.
I buy staples 1-2 times per month and then buy fresh items a little at a time, use what I have and then go get more.
I only buy produce that is in season. Also, I carefully think about how much produce I will use that week, so that none of it goes bad and goes to waste. I only bulk up on the things that will last!
I get more of the good stuff by cooking from scratch. Having a food allergy makes it necessary to make many things such as breads, cookies, crackers, and some of your common condiments from scratch. Getting them at Whole Foods means I’m getting products from people who care about those with dietary restrictions.
Eat First!
Grocery stores know the power of the sweet smell of freshly baked bread. Just one sniff will ignite the appetite and send even the most hardened shopper down the aisle grabbing for anything that looks good. Remember, everything looks good when our stomachs are screaming, “feed me!”
I love the baby department. I can totally trust everything WF carries. In addition, I usually buy organic fruit and meat at WF to make baby food. It is about the same or even less amount of money than if I am buying a jarred organic baby food, and it is much cheaper than buying frozen baby food. It is healthier, fresher and taste better too. My baby loves it. Invest a little time for better quality and less money. That’s totally worth it.
Bring the kids and let them try some of your healthy and delicious samples and then talk about what they are putting in their bodies. Let them look, smell and touch the rainbow colors of fresh fruits and veggies. Get excited about healthy eating and they will be too!
I love to buy prepackaged snack for convenience but I have found that it saves money and gives my family perfect portions if I buy a box of, say, Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies, and divide them up in snack sized ziplocks. I enjoys doing this for my family and it saves on the grocery bill. This way I can give them organic and stay within our budget. Another thing I do is portion out fruits and veggies so that nothing goes to waste! Things often get lost in our couch if I give them a bowl of grapes so having their own snack sized bag gives them a responsibility and just enough!!!
One thing I have found that works great is creating a menu for the week. This way you can check what you have and what you need. Make a list! In doing this you don’t end up with ingredients you don’t know what to do with or have everything but that one thing to make the meal you feel like. This has helped me waste less and save money.
My family loves the fresh and organic options provided by our local Whole Foods Market. Being a family of four with one parent still in school we are always trying to stretch our food budget without sacrificing our love for freshly prepared meals with natural food products. My favorite way to stretch a meal is to purchase the all-natural whole fryer chicken at our Whole Foods butcher. We make a rotisserie chicken on the grill the first night and serve it with sides of rice (from the bulk section at Whole Foods) and a nice green veggie. The next day we slice off some of the left over chicken to make sandwiches for lunch. The third day we put the remains of our beloved birdie in a large soup pot full of water and cook it on low for a few hours. We then pull out all the bones and fat and chop up the remaining meat in our yummy homemade chicken stock. We then add the left over rice as well as chopped up onion, celery, carrots, salt, pepper, and Italian spices. Sometimes we include chopped up green chile to add a nice warm kick. After our soup cooks for another 30 minutes it is ready to eat. The best part about our third day soup is that it is always slightly different depending on what leftover veggies we have on hand or are in season to try out. Our third day soup encourages our creativity in the kitchen.
My friends are often surprised that we shop at Whole Foods as our primary grocery store and jokingly call it whole paycheck. The truth is if you love natural fresh foods and you are an economically conscientious shopper Whole Foods offers many great options for families including a fantastic quality store brand in their 365 Everyday Value product line. Families of four, like us, may have to show restraint on some of the more costly specialty food items but when we are shopping for everyday meals have no problem finding sales and good deals.
Sincerly,
Jenny - Albuquerque shopper
Buying in bulk works well when you buy with a friend. We both drink soy milk, and to save $$ split the purchase of a case of it. As a result, we get a great nutritional product @ a great price.
Take the Value Tour! Being the seasoned Whole Foods Market shopper that I am — I thought I knew all the tricks for buying wisely — was I surprised! The tour was fascinating, and I learned some very unexpected savvy ways to save money! Did you know that if you buy 10 pounds or more of meat and fish at Whole Foods Market — you get 10% off? I normally stock the freezer, but now I’ll buy a pound or two more than usual and get the discount! Also, I found out that Whole Foods honors coupons from other stores! So, take the tour — I know you’ll make new money-saving discoveries — and have a good time while you’re doing it!
I LOVE LOVE the WF store in Ventura Blvd. Its one of the biggest and is always fully stock I ALWAYS find what I am looking for. I started going there for specific items then I found out the best way to treat a skin condition Ive been dealing with was with good nutrition, I had originally started working another job (part time) to have extra money for shopping clothes shoes etc. UNTIL I realized my health is more important and I said to my self “I will invest my part-time earned money in my health, my well being” Being a single mom living in LA I strech out my dollars by purchasing the sale items of the week and I plan meals accordingly to the sale products of the week and I save a few more dollars as it is compare to regular grocery stores WF is very affordable and I LOVE LOVE WHOLE FOODS!
Coming from a college student who is paying for her tuition ,rent, books, etc. I know what it’s like to be on a tight budget… however, in my mind, the value of living a healthy lifestyle is PRICELESS! For me, I would much rather sacrifice a trip to a clothing store if it meant I could take a trip to Whole Foods and get HEALTHY groceries that haven’t been filled with preservatives and artery clogging stuff. You just need to buy fruits and produce that is in season and keep track of weekly specials. It’s all about keeping a budget and sticking to it, because it’s worth it!
Learn how to multipurpose food, repurpose or think outside the box. What I mean is, put gluten free corn flakes, EnerG Crackers, or any of the natural potato chips in a food processor and make crumbs or coatings for fish, vegetables or meat. Make your own “trail mix” snacks by buying an assortment of nuts, and dried fruits and mixing them in an air tight decanter; bringing them with you in a small container. Plan your weekly menu; go to the store with a list; you will buy less. You Also, learn how to buy “just enough” so that you don’t end up throwing food out. You may have to stop at the store more often, but the savings will be worth it.
The best way I have found to shop at Whole Foods & still save money, is to buy things fresh, close to when they will be eaten. I could buy more non-organic at the grocery store, sure, but the taste is sub-par, thus ends up going to waste.
I feel a lot better buying any snack foods for my children when they are organic & free of harmful ingredients, and they cost the same or less as standard products.
The brand cereals that I grew up on are now very expensive and full of artificial preservatives. This is not a good thing in something your children eat tons of every week. What we have found is that the Whole Foods store brand is very reasonably priced and much healthier, no artificial preservatives. We feel so much better knowing that we are providing our kids with something they like AND something we know is good for them at a price we can afford. Thank you to Whole Foods.
As a young couple we are all about saving and eating healthy. We shop at Whole Foods for the peace of mind. Time is money and knowing that Whole Food will absolutely not carry all those ingredients that are detrimental to our health is priceless. Take a look on the website to see the extensive list of harmful ingredients. No more roaming around conventional supermarkets looking for the healthy, pricey alternative. Whole Foods is very competitive in their pricing because the food is quality. When you buy such wholesome ingredients you need less. When you are buying the conventional more affordable items make your own veggie spray to clean your produce. To make it you need 1 cup water, 1 cup distilled white vinegar, 1 tablespoon baking soda, and 20 drops grapefruit seed extract. Combine all ingredients in a large container then, transfer to a spray bottle with a pump. Spray mixture on produce and rinse thoroughly after 5 to 10 minutes. When shopping at Whole Foods you will be healthier, happier, and you will enjoy a higher quality of life while being more conscious of the environment.
Whole Foods has saved my meals!!! I am a Breastfeeding mom with a son who has some major food allergies. I can’t get food at regular stores. WF carrys all the things I need to eat like a normal person with out making my son sick. Before I started shopping there I was eating rice, fruits and veggies and meat. That’s it, nothing else. Now I can have ice cream, pancakes chocolate bars!!! All food I didn’t think I would get for at least another year. Plus the prices can be great! Just look for the items on sale and stock up.
Money savings? I was tight when grocery shopping for too long- then like many of you, my health waned. Even today it dawned on me that I took better care of my car than my body. You cannot buy your health back. Just choose to buy what you can and explore the 365 brand…bulk & ask people if you need information. There is no staff more helpful. Cutting out meat is a BIG way to save. Watch dates on items and try to get the longest window. Be flexible and perhaps buy a sale veggie or fruit instead of regular priced. It all works out so much better when you eat the very best, you don’t need as much either.
If you are a take-out-aholic like me and often order delivery after a hectic day at work, here’s a tip to save money, your health, and stress after a long day:
Make a list of your favorite take-out meals, or meals you crave often and look up recipes at the Whole Foods web site that are similar (or buy the WF cookbook!). I cook a week’s worth of one of my favorite dishes every Sunday and then warm up a serving each night. Or, I buy ingredients for a meal that is easy to throw together quickly (like a hearty salad or baked fish and veggies).
This saves me hundreds of dollars per year if I do this instead of ordering from a restaurant, and I’ve lost weight!
Brown Rice and Lentils are a complete protein. I cook it in chicken broth or vegetable broth, and sometimes with a skinless chicken thigh or breast. I throw in whatever leftover vegetables I have, and I vary with taste (with curry or Braggs or salt/paper/garlic). It’s a great, cheap, healthy meal. Especially with a small salad. Quinoa is one of the best foods we can eat, so I make it often and sometimes put honey and raisins in it and have it for desert. Not only am I losing some excess weight but these foods are easy to digest, and I also get energy from these meals. One of the best things is that I buy all of these things organic and inexpensively at Whole Foods.
We love shopping at Whole Foods for school lunches. We always add a “fun” item such as chocolate pretzels or nuts and we can buy small quantities (exactly what we need) in the bulk aisle. This way we keep lunch exiting and nutricious and the cost low. My pre-school daughter likes the variety we offer in her lunch box (also bought at Whole Foods) and we have peace of mind that she is eating quality food, not just corn syrup.
My husband and I love Whole Foods - we started out by just shopping there for “speciality items”, but the more we are there and learn about the store, the mission and philosophy, we find outselves doing more of our everyday shopping there. We were most impressed one Tuesday evening when we stopped in to pick up a few items and found there was a farmer’s market being hosted in the parking lot of the store. I was so impressed by this, think about it, a farmer’s market IN FRONT OF THE STORE - that is a store that really stands behind the local grower. Supporting local, natural growers is not just something that they put on the signs at WHOLE FOODS, it something the put into ACTION! Thank you Whole Foods!
I actually get more of the good stuff for less at Whole Foods by spending a little extra — in the home supplies section. Whole Foods carries special bags and refrigerator filters for keeping produce fresh, air-tight containers that don’t contain the same harmful chemicals that regular plastics do, organizers to keep my pantry in good shape and prevent me from buying duplicates of items I already have, and many other items that help my food items (and savings account) last a lot longer than they would otherwise. I’ve even found that many of the in-house brand frozen foods come in resealable bags instead of just cardboard boxes, which means they keep their taste longer and don’t have to be tossed due to “freezer taste.”
All of the helpful home supplies I’ve found at Whole Foods are especially beneficial for me since my gluten-free items need special care to be preserved, especially if I want to avoid throwing them out due to spoiling or staleness and losing a lot of money in the process. And, best of all, unlike with products from other stores, I know I can trust the ones sold at Whole Foods to be free of things that just aren’t good for me or my family. All of that adds up to me saving a lot more money in the long run, which is what’s most important.
Having just moved to the district, I was ecstatic to learn that there was a WF just blocks away from my apartment. Since there are so few grocery stores in the city to begin with, my boyfriend and I have decided that it will most efficient- time, effort and cost-wise to make a big trip on the weekend and prepare meals (dinner especially) ahead of time for the week ahead. This way, we can buy in bulk and not have to worry as much about food going bad by freezing leftovers. Since we are both fairly health-conscious as well, we are taking advantage of the steaming option that our rice cooker offers.
A make a trip to WF’s about once a week to get a few things. Everytime I make a trip I learn more great reasons to shop there. Like I took my sister with me a few weeks ago. She fall in love with the store. She lives in Lafayette. They don’t have one there. Hopefully they will build one soon. Anyway while we were there I said I think I will buy some Romaine lettuce. Couldn’t seem to find it anywhere else that I had been shopping that week. I never knew that a lettuce could taste so good. To me some things are worth paying more for & good food that is better for you is one of those things. Plus stopped this week. Their oven roasted pizza’s caught my eye. Gosh! 2 pcs for $5.00. What a bargain. I had a piece for lunch. Think I’m addicted now. lol
Throughout the spring and summer I purchase double the amount of fresh fruit I buy each week. Then I keep half out to eat during the week and the other half I store in single portions in ziplock baggies in the freezer to use through the winter or meals and snacks. I keep blueberries, strawberries, and grapes whole. I cut peaches and firm plums into wedges then freeze them for a snack. I also cook down some peaches, raspberries, or blueberries for dessert toppings. I save money as I find I then don’t have to spend the higher prices in the winter for good fruit that isn’t so fresh and doesn’t taste as fresh at that time as during prime season. Frozen fruit has been a great teething “chewy” for my toddler too!
I have to shop for very restrictive food allergy and yeast infection diets and our food choices are quite limited; consequently even foods you like become “oh, no, not THAT again” horrors and cooking becomes a drudgery and eating an unpleasant chore. But superior ingredients go a long way towards keeping our meals something to look forward to: organic produce and meats simply taste better, and last longer, too, so I can take advantage of sales to stock up. Knowledgeable employees, sharing tips and recipes, inspire me and help me stay focused on creative food preparation and less on what we can’t have. Walking the aisle of Whole Foods is a feast for the senses, too, and makes purchasing a limited list of items more enjoyable.
Be sure to look at how much is in each package. One brand may seem cheaper than another, but will contain less grams or serving sizes. The 365 brand is often compatible with other brands, but some will be deceiving.
I love whole food for having every food you ever wanted in a healthy way! I am allergic to a lot of foods for example, tomato, milk, and the list goes on and on. The way I learn to save money was to buy the whole food bag not only saving money but the earth too. I make my grocery list before going to the supermarket to avoid buying things that are not necessary. Pick a day or two days out the month to go grocery shopping. Instead of buying fruits to put in your yogurt buy the frozen fruits it taste really good, especially on those hot summer days. You can also use them to make a smoothie. Nothing goes to waste when it can be used in many different ways. I think it’s really important to buy things that can be used constantly. The sample table is a great idea that Whole food offers. It real helped me in trying something new. Also, with the bakery area the sampling helps instead of thinking it looks good. The way it looks may not be the way it tastes! Buying whole food products instead of buying another brand can save a lot. For example, I buy Whole food almond butter .It taste really good and much cheaper. When walking in the store there are a lot of special deals. At the end of the day eating health for a little bit more money is worth it. Whole food rocks!
shop the outer walls. That is where the essentials are in most grocery stores. the center isles are usually reserved for specialty & premium items. Also, Bulk Foods offer added savings. (no money spent on packaging & advertisement translates to added savings).
My husband and I shop Whole Foods for the frozen pizzas. When we are busy and don’t have time to make dinner, an organic pizza is one thing we often eat. We have found that the Amy’s products, especially the frozen pizzas, cost less at Whole Foods than they do at our local grocery chain stores. If you comparison shop, you will see that this is true!
I shop at Whole Foods all the time. Their cheese and wine selection is unprecedented. While purchasing these ‘more expensive/higher quality’ items, I am always looking to cut costs elsewhere. I have found that the 365 Whole Foods Brand has some really great products at reasonable prices. The cookies, shampoo and conditioners and olive oils are some of the products under the 365 brand that I find cheaper and superior in quality to other name brands in alternative markets.
I find that a great way to save money but also eat great is to eat what is in season as much as possible. Squash and root veggies in the winter and fall and lots of fresh veggies and fruit in the spring and summer. In season foods are more affordable and you don’t have to buy the ones that are grown in hot houses and usually have no flavor.
A favorite fall side dish of mine is roasted root veggies. Just buy an assortment of squash, sweet potatoes and beets; cube them into bite size peices and toss with olive oil, garlic and a little salt and pepper. Put them in a baking dish and toss into a 400 degree oven until tender.
Dairy is so much cheaper, I found Chavarie Cheese sold for $5.00 less than any other store. You can not beat the 365 brand and the savings you can get compared to others. I am a firm believer that if you know what you are buying you can find things for so much cheaper at Whole Foods.
When I go to whole foods a decide before hand how much money I will spend and I do not vary from it. Decide what you plan on cooking for the week or two weeks before going and don’t deviate. I know its tempting to try all the new different things they have, but stick with ur list and if necessary make room in ur budget for a speciality nonlist item or ur choice every time you go. Also, always look for coupons and deals online and the whole foods website, so you know how much money you will need so you dont run out or bring to much, both can be a problem.
Now that I have my own apartment I just started shopping at Whole Foods and I love it. In order to save money (I am on a college student’s budget) I stock up on the 365 brand products. From sauces to bath products this brand is inexpensive while still giving me the “feel good” feeling of eating organic foods.
I also take advantage of the free food samples in the store. This way I know for sure if I want to buy that particular product.
I had heard most of my friends in California refer to WFM as “Whole Paycheck.” Consequently, I avoided WFM for years… until, now! I was visiting with my in-laws over the weekend in San Antonio and my sister-in-law sang the praises of the Austin based store that she loved growing up (in Austin). She cooked the most fabulous foods all weekend with ingredients exclusively from WFM. As a pregnant woman, I knew I had to make the switch (or at least, try it out). Now, I am in love. I will admit that I feel a bit guilty for not shopping 100% organic for the past 19 weeks of my pregnancy… but full steam ahead now! WFM makes organic shopping so easy and inexpensive. The bulk containers are the best bet for yummy, healthy ingredients. The best part is that I am able to take care of my inside and outside in one location with a huge inventory. Truly outstanding!
My husband and I are both artists and live on a tight budget. Planning meals is the easiest way to save money when shopping at WFM.
Plan every meal…not just dinner. This way you will have a breakfast and lunch option and not be tempted to grab lunch at a fast food stop.
I have shopped the bulk goods for years and consistantly find quality and great prices. We are avid recyclers and bring our own containers for re-fills. The WFM recycled totes are a bargain at 99 cents. The 365 Brands are also high quality and often on sale.
Remember to be flexible with your menu if items are on sale. Instead of making chicken fajitas and tofu is on sale…make tofu-itas! Tasty!
My favorite food there is EVERYTHING! From fruit snacks to nuts, to chocolates to savory meals, we are delighted everytime we shop.
We live in Dawsonville, GA and travel great distances to your store. We know we are buying quality, healthy products. My husband loves to come and explore the exotic products, too. Even the staff is very nice and helpful when we are looking for a specific product.
For people who have specific diet needs, as people have health issues, Whole Foods is definitely a place to ensure that we are buying delicious fruits, vegetables, breads, and meals that are tasty and fresh.
Some things ,like berries are very expensive if organic.
Most berries and spinach are full of pesticides but they are SO good for us full of antioxidants. I buy them frozen. It’s cheaper than fresh and as far as the berries go, sometimes they are tastier. I use them heated up with a touch of sugar as syrup for pancakes or grab a handful to toss over some cottage cheese(with vanilla and honey) and it’s a great dessert. yummy!
I make a spinach pie, with onions and cheese,that even my two 3 yr olds gobble up.(and my kindergartner requests it for his school lunch). The last thing that’s an organic must and I buy,not fresh, are red bell peppers. I keep a jar of organic roasted peppers in my fridge for pizzas, salads, rice dishes and antipasto. I also keep a copy of “the dirty dozen” most contaminated produce, so I know which thing to buy organic and which I can just buy local.
Never shop hungry! This is a sure-fire way to buy too much of everything. I like to plan to eat lunch at Whole Foods and then go shopping immediately afterwards. That way, I get to enjoy a nice leisurely browse while also sticking to my shopping list. I allow myself a little “splurge” if I have something for lunch that really inspired me.
I just moved from BR to McAlester OK. and have been forced to shop at the evil big box store with the blue and white sign. Being a diabetic the regular grocery store is a mine field of unhealthy foods that I can’t eat. When I moved here my new doctor told me about the Wild Oats/ Whole Foods in Tulsa. While it is a drive to the Tulsa store it is worthwhile in order to keep up my health. The biggest thing that I do to save money is to either buy in bulk or the largest size that I can get. I cook a couple of large meals (usually entrees) a week and freeze what is left in portion sized containers.
If you are on a budget and still see the importance of shopping at Whole Foods, here’s a great tip. Plan out every meal for that week, ONLY but the ingredients for each meal. This will force you not to but any impulse items, saving you money in the long run.
Never, ever go to the store hungry!! It is amazing how many extra snacks pop into your cart when you have an empty stomach. And remember: good, healthy food is an important part of the recipe for a vital, long life. Never skimp on the basics!
I think a lot of people feel shopping at Whole Foods will be too expensive because they still hit the regular grocery for those “gotta have” processed packaged food items. The key to saving is to decide to only shop at Whole Foods, and also, if you know you don’t like something, do not waste your money on it, no matter what grocery you’re at (i.e. if you don’t like peas, you are not going to like peas from Whole Foods, Applebees Restuarant, your regular grocery store, or your grandmother’s house!). Also we tend to only buy foods we’re familiar with, and save sampling the non-traditional fare for once a month or so!
I love to shop at Whole Foods! However, I do have a limited budget and have to cut corners as much as possible. Here are a few money saving tips that I have that might help with products that you use or buy at Whole Foods…Many manufacturers of Organic Food will give you coupons upon request. You can go to their website and just call customer service or send an email. Here are a few I know for sure that I have gotten coupons from in the past:
Pacific Foods - http://www.pacificfoods.com - they make broth, Almond milk, soy beverages and more. They send 2 - coupons $1.00 each off any product.
Earthbound Farm - http://www.ebfarm.com - they have organic produce. When you sign up for their newsletter they send coupons with their newsletter.
Horizon Organic - http://www.horizonoraganic.com - organic dairy products. they regularly post coupons on their website
Stonyfield Farms - http://www.stonyfield.com - mostly organic dairy - they post coupons regularly on their website.
Hopefully this will help! Whole Foods is just great!
They carry 100% pure organic coconut water.. No one else does but WF Stores..
The settings of the stores, product availability and the fresh tastes brings us to WF stores like quality driven bees. I find stuff that I never find anyother Grocery stores.. Variety of good things from so many different places under one roof..Thanks for introducing us to wonderful things from all over the world…
I have shopped at Whole Foods since moving to Austin in 1981…remember the flood? I seldom shop anywhere else. So, i made my own “shopping list” on Excel, putting items I buy in the order I shop at the store, from produce section to meats to center aisle items to cheeses, deli, breads. I then put an “X” in the column beside the items I need. This list helps me remember everything I need…even some items I don’t buy regularly but would be good for a change…like ground buffalo meat (yum!). It also makes my shopping quicker. Try it yourself!
I have a lot of health issues and I need to lose weight. One of the things I have done is made Whole Foods my exclusive grocer and restaurant. Limiting myself to one location saves on gas money and I’m getting much better quality foods for my money. When my boyfriend and I want to go out to eat, we hit the WF Deli or Salad Bar as they have amazing entrees to choose from. I use coupons and sales to save as much as I can, and then I limit my “packaged foods” purchases to the WF packed products found in the perimeter of the store. I’m finally eating healthy for less and not giving into ordering pizza, etc. when I come home after a long day at work!
I absolutely love Whole Foods! I have a lot of health issues that restrict my diet immensely and this is one of the only places I can go to get what I need. They carry it all fresh buffalo, rice burgers, organic sun nut butter (a lot like peanut butter but better!). My favorite all time snack I purchase from W.F. is taking a brown rice cake spreading on some sun nut butter and then drizzling it with honey! So YUMMY! Thanks to Whole Foods I now get to feel like their are things out there that I can eat even though my diet is limited. This is the best place to get groceries hands down!!
we love to eat spices,
we buy from Bulk Herb department, best quality and low prices.
we love the taste, compared to packaged spices which are expensive and shelf life is less.
We found spices arouma/taste is excellent comapared to packaged spices.
We get fresh spices every week and only what we need, this helps in saving us some money.
A favorite snack of mine is roasted pumpkin seeds. I buy the raw pumpkin seeds in the bulk dept.(often on sale). I spread these in a single layer on a baking sheet and spray with Bragg’s Liquid Aminos (also available at Whole Foods). Bake at 350 degrees to a toasty brown. These are excellent keepers on the shelf in an airtight container. And they taste wonderful on soups, salads, or straight out of hand!
Put popcorn (1/2 cup) in a brown lunch bage and you can fold over the top and microwave until it stops popping…then you can enjoy or add your own sea salt and other things like butter and cheese. good…
also you can make a good pasta by frying in olive oil til golden some pasta rings ( angel hair) then put pre cut up garlic and onion (use large slices of both) under the rings add small amount of water stir int beef and chicken bullion and cut tomatoes( if you use canned tomatoes then just add all the juice ) add water to top of pan and simmer until all the liquid is gone and pasta is cooked. mmmm It is meatless so so can have it alone or add some meat or fish to your plate.. It is always a hit to take to a friends house and can be reheated if needed befor serving…just add a little water and cook till it is warm…it is always a hit
To save money on dining out, my family frequently dines at Whole Foods. There is an excellent variety of hot freshly prepared foods as well as salads, desserts, and beverages. For half the cost of restaurant dining, we can have a delicious healthy dinner at clean tables in a family-friendly atmosphere. At the same time, we can also pick up our groceries.
One of the best ways I found to save money was by planning meals in advance. I then select from the 365 brands and find ways to use staples more than once. The other day I, with the assistance of the butcher, selected some delicious tunas. I then found a 365 vegetable broth and also carrot juice to make a tasty glaze. Later that week I was able to use those same staples in other recipes and my family loved them! We also love how Whole Foods always have figs on hand which are impossible to find at other stores.
When people argue that shopping at Whole Foods is too expensive, I rebuttal with the following:
~ You say you want to feed your family better, healthier, organic foods, but you think it’s too expensive?
~ If you think about it, most people who make this statement have not really explored the Whole Foods Market. They assume because organic is exorbitantly priced at a regular grocer, that presumably the same is true for WFM. What most shoppers do not understand is that when you buy from WTM, you are buying from someone who is stocking their shelves with predominately organic thing, therefore, the prices are cheaper.
In addition to the bulk bins, the XYZ products are always a money saving option.
One of the best ways to save money, and still live organically, is to shop once a week, or once every two weeks. This saves on gas consumption and time out of your day.. in addition to pre-cooking and pre-planning meals for the week… (how many of us sit in traffic at the end of the work day and wonder what we’ll be cooking that night, and stop at the grocer, or worse, the pizza joint?)
Stop last minute impulse shopping and plan it out! Make your own soups, breads, and dare I say grown your own herbs and spices… and you’ll be well on your way to a less expensive organic lifestyle!
Okay, I have been reading Whole Deal for a while and finally decided to check out the bulk bins at my neighborhood WF store. I just needed some cornmeal for my catfish dinner tonight so I scooped up about 2 C. Then I saw some raw pumpkin seeds and decided to get a little bit of that for a healthy snack. Then I picked up a jar of 365 Crunchy Peanut Butter. My bill totaled $2.38 (.17 for the cornmeal, .28 for my healthy snack, and 1.99 for the delicious all natural peanut butter). I’m quite impressed!
I love WFM. I do a lot of shopping here for fresh items. The meat counter is full of knowledge which is great for portion advice. I usually buy a couple # of meat at a time when it is on sale and freeze it for later.
People are always surprised that I shop at WFM so much, as a SAHM on a single salary. It’s so expensive! They always say. They don’t know what I know:
1. The bulk bins are great value for whole grains, nuts, beans, and dried fruits. I shop them heavily and then we eat wonderful breakfasts for pennies.
2. The sale produce is a big value- I pick up the weekly circular and shop from it religiously.
3. I pair coupons from Mambo Sprouts and internet sites with sales, especially on organic dairy products and cereals. Together I often save a lot, and can stock up. We usually buy 6-8 half gallon containers of organic milk when it’s on sale and freeze them. This has been a huge moneysaver for us!
4. The 365 store brand is excellent, for the same quality but costs much less than other brands usually. I regularly buy crackers, nut butters, fruit spreads, and more in the 365 brand.
5. The best quality free-range, grass-fed, and organic meats are found at WFM, in my opinion. When they are on sale I stock up.
6. The best cheeses are in the cheese dept at WFM, and can usually be had for great prices. Again, I buy on sale and buy lots at a time.
ALWAYS check prices. Prepackaged and prepared fruits and vegetables are usually more expensive per pound, but it’s worth a look. I used to buy whole asparagus stalks, but then realized I was throwing several dollars worth of produce into the compost when I used only the upper portion of the vegetable. Now, I buy asparagus prepared. I pay only for the weight of what I will use, and find I have two meals worth for the same price!
Just shopping at Whole Foods is fun. Everything is so nicely displayed. I particularly like the organic grains in the bins. I can get just the amount I need for what I am cooking. Also, I can get my moisturizer and lotions without all the chemicals that are bad for you - and many times on sale!
Whole Foods does such a great job of carrying what’s local and what’s in season - I let the produce department help guide my menu decisions! The best quality and best price is always found on either something that was grown locally and/or something that is in season and at its ripest right now. Being new to Texas, this has really helped me to save money while capitalizing on the fruits and veggies of the season. My husband thanks you!
I shop at Whole Foods about once a month to stock my pantry and to get in season fruits and veggies.
This year I have found that there are many great soups that can be made from simple fruits and veggies. One can make a few family meals worth of soup and store it in the freezer for later use. Soup makes a great meal in itself and a great side item to perfect a meal.
Please see this great recipe for Butternut Squash and Apple Soup!:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1cups chopped yellow onions
1 tablespoons ginger (optional)
2 large butternut squash
1 1/2 pounds sweet apples, such as McIntosh (4 apples)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups chicken broth/stock (about 1 can)
2 cups apple cider or juice
2-4 tbs.turbinado sugar
Warm the butter, olive oil, onions, and curry powder in a large stockpot uncovered over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, until the onions are tender. Stir occasionally, scraping the bottom of the pot.
Peel the squash, cut in half, and remove the seeds. Cut the squash into chunks. Peel, quarter, and core the apples. Cut into chunks.
Add the squash, apples, salt, pepper, and 2 cups of water to the pot. Bring to a boil, cover, and cook over low heat for 30 to 40 minutes, until the squash and apples are very soft. Process the soup through a food mill fitted with a large blade, or puree it coarsely in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade.
Pour the soup back into the pot. Add the apple cider or juice and enough water to make the soup the consistency you like; it should be slightly sweet and quite thick. Check the salt and pepper and serve hot.
I regularly submit tips on how to “get more of the good stuff for less” here at the Whole Foods feature the Whole Deal. Besides submitting my tips, I also read all the other tips posted. When you submit your tip you have the option of receiving the other tips via e-mail. I have selected that option and have fun reading the tips others have submitted. With the e-mail feature, I don’t miss a single tip! When we put all our knowledge and thoughts together and share them , we are wiser as a group. Knowledge is penny-saving and health-promoting power! Read on!
I scan the beautiful organic produce section for amazing deals, which I constantly find. Last week I needed to prepare anniversary dinner for my partner & I. I went to Whole Foods and discovered organic red beats and dino kale, both at $1.99 a bunch! My nutritious, beautiful dinner produce cost me $3.98!
I love the cheese case. So many choices! I could stare at the firrerent types of cheeses for hours. And now I don’t have to wonder what they taste like, since there’s someone always behind the counter offering me free samples.
I started shopping at Whole Foods when I lived in Chicago many years ago (the original store on North Avenue!). When we moved to the burbs, I was happy to find the Palatine store close by. Especially since both my kids have food allergies! I don’t think I spend any more money on food than any of my friends who don’t shop there. For one thing, I make almost all my meals from scratch and don’t buy premade items or order carry out very often. We eat leftovers for lunch or take to work for dinner. But most helpful is that I plan my menu for the entire week prior to my trip to the store. This cuts down on unnecessary trips to the store for last minute meals. It eliminates waste because I can stretch my purchases farther by planning meals around certain items that might be left over. I find that I do less impulse buying when I have a list in my hand. My family likes knowing ahead of time what is for dinner, and I also include their suggestions for meals. Sometimes it isn’t easy to think of 6 or 7 meals at once, but in the long run, it is a time and a money saver.
I love the 365 brand products and buy the organic cranberry juice by the case (saving 10%).
I have tons of food allergies. WF offers a wide variety of foods that I can eat that don’t make me sick. The best thing to do is ask a WF team member for help if you are lost. They are very knowledgeable about the food products and can often make suggestions you may not have thought of!
I make my own homemade granola trail mix by buying the fresh ingredients at Whole Foods Market. They have many kinds of dried fruits and nuts. I also add oats and seeds. I make a big batch and store in glass jars in my refrigerator. I also keep a supply in my desk at work. This is a healthy, economical and delicious snack.
My fiance and I simply adore Whole Foods. We go regularly, once a week, straight from the gym. (it’s right next door!) We have a particular pattern that doesn’t always correspond to the layout of a store. We like to get our salad first, then hit the olive bar. Then we start back at the door and browse produce before filling up at the bulk bins. Then we usually spend some time in the cereal aisle arguing about what is worthy of the prime real estate that is our kitchen pantry ; ) But the question is always moot! We usually double back to the bulk bins for granola. {:o
I always want some fresh fish, but that can be costly. More than once (I have to admit) I’ve ordered it, then left it in the refrigerator case because I’m trying to be frugal here! I know. It’s bad, but…
In conclusion, I have to say that my all-time favorite Whole Foods thing is the flowers.
Free smells!!!
My boyfriend and I just recently moved to Milwaukee from a rather small town about an hour and a half away. That small town, by the name of Two Rivers, was as organically inclined as any town can get. The only types of food stores that there are available are Pick ‘N Save and Piggly Wiggly. Obviously, both of the places offer little, to no organic options (other than a couple of items at the end of a few, select aisles). However, from classes we’ve taken and articles we’ve read we were amazed with all the benefits that organic foods have to offer. Alertness and an increased immunity were my two favorites. But with high quality comes higher prices and with being college students, that luxury isn’t something we can always afford. So I’ve done a little reading to find out what’s exactly “necessary” to consume that’s organic. I have found that foods with a high ability to absorb pesticides is what we should buy organically. In order to save some money for the never ending tuition and book fees, we purchase non perishable items (such as cereal, noodles, frozen foods, etc. ) from larger, commercial grocery stores around the area. We then purchase our fruits and vegetables from Whole Foods, especially spinach, strawberries, peaches, carrots, celery, berries, and grapes are our top purchases. We’re constantly watching the aisles for sales, anything to save that extra penny and stay health at the same time!
To save money I buy dry beans rather than canned. “Too much work to cook beans yourself,” you say? Not so! I soak them overnight. Then, the next morning, I rinse them and put them in my slow cooker all day. By dinner time they’re ready. I freeze the leftover beans(A LOT of leftover beans) and just defrost them the next time I need beans. I don’t even buy canned refried beans any longer. “What! Now, that’s way too much trouble,” you say. On the contrary! It takes about 15 minutes, start to finish, for me to refry an entire pot of beans! I put about 1/3 of the beans at a time, with a little bit of their own “bean stock,” into the hot frying pan and mash them with a potato masher (takes about 2-3 minutes for each pan of beans). Then I put ALL of the mashed beans into a great big bowl and mix them with a hand mixer on high for about 3 minutes. They come out perfect! We always have preservative free, vegan beans(a wide variety of beans, I might add) for about 1/3 of the cost of canned beans.
Try the corn tortillas. For under $1, there are at least 4 servings of tortillas. They helped me out when I wanted something cheap to munch on.
I love shopping at WF. The 365 canned beans are cheeper than other stores. I buy whole wheat flour by the bulk so I can get as much as I need and not waste. I feel better when I eat healthy and Whole Foods lets me do that. I also go on WF website and get receipes.
Lot of people think that shopping at whole foods market is way too expensive. Actually its not true. You can buy most of the 365 whole foods brand which are not expensive as other organic brands.My husband and myself always enjoy shopping at whole foods by buying most of the 365 brand products.They are as good as other organic brands and less expensive.Also look for store specials and buy in bulk of whatever is on sale.
To reach our 5 a day goal we shop both in season and on sale and count servings to reach these goals for the 4 of us. This gives us variety and let’s the kids have a say in what they will be eating the following week.
There are a few Whole Foods in Connecticut but none real close to my home until the Glastonbury Whole Foods opened. I will definitely be a regular customer now!! As for saving money, I like to buy different kinds of cheese but I usually pass the big pieces because of the high prices. Yesterday, I discovered the Cheese Basket. What a great way to enjoy many different kinds of cheese at a great price.
As a college student, I am preparing meals for myself most of the time and find it hard to finish things before they go bad. Buying smaller portions of things, however, tends to be more expensive. I bought a blender so I could go ahead and buy the larger cartons of strawberries, whole pineapples, and tubs of Stoneyfield yogurt. I eat as much as I can, and when they start getting close to being over-ripened or expired, I make a quick, easy, and delicious fruit smoothie with the yogurt and fruit!
I always use a credit card that gives me 2% cash back on grocery purchases. Every couple months, I get a check that I can put toward my grocery bill. It really adds up!
I no longer buy broth. I make my own. But by using my method, you can make it for free! Every time I peel an onion, I throw the outer part, including the skin, into a large freezer bag. I do the same with the ends of the celery, the carrots, any vegetables that I am preparing for other purposes (you may want to avoid strong tasting vegetables like broccoli) - beets are wonderful, especially the greens (If you don’t already saute them up and eat them like I do) and don’t forget those tough mushroom stems! Celery gone limp to the point it can no longer be revived - throw it in the bag! As long as the produce is not rotten or mildew - throw it in! Sometimes I throw leftover bones from chicken or beef in the bag, sometimes if I have a lot I will put them in a second bag. Then when the bag is full, I take it out, dump it in large pot and fill it with water - then bring to a boil and let it simmer away. Not only is it tasty, but remember, you are often using the most nutritious parts of the vegetables - the skin. I then divide it up and freeze some in containers and some I freeze in ice cube trays to use as small portions in recipes for flavoring. Meat scraps can be cooked separately or throw in with vegetables. I do keep seafood scraps (bones, heads, shrimp shells) in a separate bag and make a separate broth with that. Nothing goes to waste.
I LOVE the Whole Foods deli!! I used to work at another health food store and there was not nearly the varity and abundance of amazing entrees, soups and salads. To save money, I always look at the deli and there is always a few items on sale that are yummy and fresh. Since I work so much and don’t have time to cook, these items save me money overall and there is always something in my fridge to come home too!
Most veggie burgers and “replacement meat” products are made with texturized veggie protein - which Whole Foods has in the bulk department! For a great deal less, I can make my own veggie dinners by getting creative with spices, or boost one of the bulk soup mixes with extra protein!
To save money on fresh produce, I take note of what’s on sale and consider which dishes I can use that particular product in. I will think of three or more dishes where I could use the product if I were to prepare it only one way. For example, I will think of three or more dishes that I could make with a simple roasted eggplant, if it were on sale. I would then buy a larger quantity and prepare it all at once at home. During the course of the week I will have a base for at least three dishes, usually more. With an eggplant for example, I would make a spread, a cold salad, pasta sauce, a ragu and perhaps stuffed peppers. It makes my meal planning easier and saves me a bundle. Also, I always look for in-season produce, because they will be on sale more often and will be fresher which will allow me to buy more and save more.
BUY IN BULK!! I rarely buy prepared foods and try to make everything from scratch. I like adding the right amount of pepper and salt as well as spices to my dish. I make large portions of things and store them in little containers (the ones you might get from takeout). On days that are really busy, we microwave or bake casseroles, or perhaps even reheat soup!
An elegant, delicious and healthy way to use up leftover portions of meat, cheese, veggie, and herbs is to make stuffed mushrooms. Buy fresh, large caps, rinse and remove stems, and drain. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a cast iron skillet on medium-low and place the caps upside down; when the caps release their juices into the well, remove from heat. Chop the rinsed stems, an aromatic vegetable such as onion, garlic, or leeks, and whatever savory food you have on hand - pine nuts, crabmeat, and cooked corn was last night’s combo and saute in a little olive oil. Add some herbs, salt and pepper, and some bread crumbs while cooking through and remove from heat. Pleace the stuffing into each cap in an open baking dish, being careful not to lose any of the juices in the cap. Top with mozzorella or other cheese and bake for 15 minutes at 325 or until sizzling brown. Voila! You won’t belive how good these are, and different every time.
My Whole Foods store is about a mile from my home. The market has become a destination for frequent exercise walking and I save gas at the same time.
I value my whole food experiences. Friends constantly ask me how I can afford to shop there. I tell them that it’s a life choice not an option. But, I do look for ways to save money.
One trick that I have learned is to pay attention to the brands that Whole Foods sells (knowing the quality is right) and, if I see those same products at stores closer to my home, and it they are less expensive, I buy them there. One example is Tillamook Cheese blocks. Since I live in Oregon, Tillamook is sold everywhere. I can often buy this product cheaper at a larger chain store without sacrificing the quality.
However, with this said, my husband and I are comparing cost of “organic” and “natural” at other stores to WF ~ the cost are always more expensive at the larger chains.
I also save money but taking advantage of the very knowledgeable sales and staff at WF. I ask questions that help me determine the product that fits the needs of my family. I don’t always buy organic, but healthy. Understanding the reasons why my family and I shop at WF helps us choose the products we want. And, often times, these are the FABULOUS 365 brand, which we just love and is priced very well.
Finally, I love the prepared veggies. My children love broccoli, and I buy the already prepared florets. I am not paying for anything that I will be throwing away.
When looking for a quick meal, I got to the hot food section of Whole Foods. The prices per a pound scare me because well, it adds up!!!! I found that it is usually (90%) cheaper if you buy a meal there. One entree with two sides is usually what I get! I believe the meal is $7.99? Also, the Whole Foods in Tustin has this bbq station that I absolutely love! I found that buying sides ($2) there is actually cheaper then buying by the pound in the salad/hot food bar. Also, look at the ads! Sometimes they have great deals in there
The best way to feed a family of four on a budget is to make a list every week! I travel 18 miles one way to Whole Foods once a week so I do not want to forget anything! I check online for weekly store specials and have signed up on my favorite organic manufacture websites to receive e-mails when coupon become available. The prices of the Whole Foods Brand 365 are great and I feel good about feeding the products to my family. Is is certainly worth the trip!
I JUICE. Whole Foods Produce is the best ever, next to a Farmers Market in France. I buy the big bag of organic carrots some fruit and lots of greens like, Swiss Chard, Kale, Spinach. I add some of the Greens to my apple, orange and pineapple juicing and I get double the nutrients then without them. I keep the precious pulp to use later and I also treat my Bunny Jonsie to the pulp, she digs it. Whole Foods got it down with the selection, quality and presentation of their produce.
1.)Providing goods for a family is a big task. Rather than make multiple trips a week to Whole Foods, I order some bulky non-perishable goods off of Amazon.com. The prices are equal or less on things like Seventh Generation diapers and wipes, Clif bars, and milk boxes for lunches. This way, I can go to Whole Foods only once a week (20 mile trip each way) and fill my cart with fresh fruits, veggies, and meats.
2.)I always shop in season sales and stock up on meats that are on sale.
3.) Buy in bulk whenever possible. Student trail mix in the bulk section is $2 less per lb. than all of the other trail mixes. Everyone in my family loves it!
To save money, I fill all of the hand soap dispensers in my house with the 32 ounce Grapefruit or Lavendar 365 Body Wash. It’s a great alternative to high-priced all natural liquid hand soaps. The 365 Body Wash keeps my hands clean and soft without the use of parabens and artificial fragrances, which some “all natural” hand soaps contain.
I think the key to grocery shopping is to have a routine and a list. My husband and I follow a strict weekend routine when we shop at Whole Foods. We prepare by bringing our cooler with ice bags, cloth grocery bags and a refillable 5 gallon water jug. We buy only what is on the list and always have a healthy lunch before we shop. The portions are so big, that we save money by splitting the sandwiches and beverages.
Make your own soup! I make this split pea soup for about $4 and it is my lunch for a whole week. and so good with corn bread!
Vegan Split Pea Soup
6 cups water
1 lb split peas
1 medium onion chopped
2 carrots chopped
2 celery sticks chopped
2 medium potatoes cubed (opt)
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp curry powder
salt and pepper to taste
Soak peas over night, combine all ingredients and simmer til done.
My girlfriend and I love shopping at Whole Foods in Omaha. A tip that we have found to work for us is when we are buying the pre-made hamburgers. Instead of buying two patties, we share one patty. There is plenty for the both of us, making it cost effective and helps us with our calorie counting.
A few tips that are good for you, your budget and your pocketbook!
1). Focus meal plans around fresh produce, bulk grains and beans, while adding meats more sparingly.
2). Invest in some reusable green produce bags (like the ones you’ve seen on the info-mercials-they work!) to ensure less waste. Also, with the green storage bags you can buy extra of sale items and stretch their shelf lives.
3). Buy larger quantities of fruits and vegetables in-season and experiment with canning & freezing - just like grandma did!
4). Do not buy individual-sized bottles of water.
It is sometimes difficult to know exactly how much of something to buy. We all end up with excess or left overs due to changed plans or not as many guests as originally anticipated. That doesn’t mean we need to waste food. There are many ways to reuse prepared foods. Chicken and meats can be thinly sliced and used to top your favorite salad. Left over Risotto can be made into a fun snack or appetizer called Arancini di Riso. You can even hide a little cube of mozzarella inside that will mell as these little rice balls are cooked. People will love the little surprise inside. My advice is think before you toss!
As a perpetually broke college and now graduate student, I’ve learned that a little research and preparation can help you save a ton of money on groceries. My advice:
1) check all store ads before you go. Everyone has them online anymore, and you can hit several grocery stores in the same neighborhood to get the best deals at each.
2) clip coupons. I don’t usually buy a Sunday paper, but anymore coupons.com and other online websites print coupons almost the same as what you can find in Sunday inserts. Along this line, I’ve found that generic/store brand items sometimes ARE NOT cheaper because big manufacturers can put out large value coupons to make their product cheaper than brand x.
3) shop the store perimeter first. This is where all the produce, dairy, meat and fresh foods are. You will pay a much higher price for convenience and junk food. Do you really need to buy 100 calorie packs of cookies, or can you take 1 minute to put 1 serving of cookies in a ziploc baggie? Better yet, why not go healthy and make snack bags of whole grain cereal?
4) don’t fear frozen. Frozen fruits and veggies have just as many nutrients as fresh, and they can be a lot cheaper, especially when foods are out of season. And did you know some grocery stores simply unthaw their frozen cooked cocktail shrimp and put it in the ‘fresh’ section for 4 times the price?
5) be a pseudo-vegetarian. The cheapest sources of protein are often yogurt, beans, cottage cheese, and canned tuna. These are also extremely versatile foods, so experiment with your spice rack and enjoy!
Because I live almost two hours from the nearest whole foods market. I plan ahead for my shopping by checking out the current sales. From there I make my lost of everything I NEED and then everything I want. I normally travel there twice a month when my husband attends the Tulsa auto auction to save gas. Mostly I purchase fresh produce, meats,dairy, and personal care items. Oh, and I never forget to bring my ice chest. I look forward to going to whole foods every time.
Herbs tend to be expensive so at the end of the summer (or when I know I won’t be using any more of the packaged basil I bought), I will chop up the remaining herbs, melt a little butter to room temperature, mix in the chopped herbs, roll up into a log and freeze. When I need the herbs for another recipe, I simply but off a piece of my herb log and melt into a sauce pan.
To stretch the odd leftover potatoes, carrots, beets and sweet potatoes, we simply slice them all up into ‘fry’ like thin slices, throw them in a casserole dish (bread pan, cake pan- whatever you have), drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper and season to taste. Bake at 375 for 45-60 minutes depending on how crispy you like your ‘fries’. Toss once or twice during baking. My favorite it when we have an assortment of these veggies and we can have mixed colorful fries- and they’re good for you too!
I love fresh produce, but it gets to be so expensive. Two things I do to reduce the cost include buying things like berries in bulk when they are on sale and freezing them. Frozen berries are great for morning smoothes and healthy muffins. I also try to avoid waste when it comes to my fresh veggies. I try to only buy produce that I need for two or three days in advance. If I have any leftover veggies, I use them in quiches, omelettes or mix them together with quinoa or basmati rice.
I like to think of shopping at WF as an adventure. Don’t be afraid to be creative and experiment with different bulk grains, fruits and vegetables. There are some nice surprises out there.
Try Quinoa, It’s a great quick alternative to rice and pasta. It also has a fascinating background.
A modern pressure cooker can reduce cooking time for homemade bean soups to 20 Minutes! Most things cooked take 10-15 minutes tops.
Oh, and if you eat lots of apples, any part you don’t eat, cores peel etc can make the best vinegar. And it’s easy, nature does all the work.
Love your potatoes - There is no better veg value for MAIN COURSE to SNACK! Sliced thin and baked in milk/soy its a wonderful meal on the cheap.
Buying quality food can keep you healthy and away from costly medical expenses. It’s also fun to find recipes online for the unfamiliar ingredients. Always keep an open mind when it comes to food!
The prepared Whole Foods rotisserie chicken is a delicious, inexpensive, quick and healthy dinner option, but, a great alternative is to debone and chop the chicken and make a great curry chicken salad. Just add mayo, green onions, capers, waterchestnuts, raisins and curry powder to taste. Scoop onto romaine lettuce leaves for a low calorie, low carb, delicious meal.
Since I am retired and live alone, cooking is often too much a bother and I can’t cook a really great meal for one, so the salad and food bar are perfect for me and the most cost effective and, of course, absolutely delicious. I always go on Sunday to sample the products [this is so helpful when you are hesitant to try new foods] But the best deal in the house is the crab bisque soup at the hot soup stand! I buy several small cartons and freeze it for heating and serving as much as 3 weeks ahead. This is the best bisque I have ever had, and I have eaten it in Myrtle Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, coastal Spain and Portugal!
I’ve been a careful budget shopper ever since putting my husband through med school when casseroles had an imaginary line down the middle and eating across that line meant you were eating the next night’s dinner. When recipes call for small amounts of mushrooms, celery, red bell pepper, etc., unless I need them for other planned meals, I found that buying a small amount of these items from the salad bar saves money and time. Also, we enjoy a lot of recipes with black beans. I found that one bag of black beans (less than $1.00) will cook enough for 3-5 dishes. I simply cook them in a large pot of salted water for several hours, drain, and put them in different sized freezer containers. Easy and much cheaper than buying canned and they taste so much better too!
When I became pregnant with my son I became very conscious of what I put into my body. At the same time, as a single Mom, I have to save money. I picked up the book, To Buy or Not to Buy Organic by Cindy Burke. Its very informative and lets me know which foods I absolutely must buy organic, and which conventional foods tend to have lower pesticide residues anyway. That way I know where its worth spending more, and where I can save.
I also appreciate 365 Organic, and am actually saving money on more natural hair care products, which gives me more money to spend on organic food.
Try making your own salad dressings to save money and get exactly what you want. You can find great economical extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars at Whole Foods. Try one part oil and two parts vinegar for a nice starting point. Then add some garlic, fresh or bulk herbs to flavor to your taste. This is great because it cuts down on fridge clutter and you no longer have those random wasted bottles of old dressing. You also reap the benefits of better health and no funky additives!
It’s easy to make impulse purchases when walking through a store with such a variety of unique, healthy products. So on that note, my money saving tip is try not to lose sight of what you know you will use, just because it is on sale. Or if you want to use the sale as an opportunity to try cooking something new, have that be the replacement for another meal you were going to make in the near future.
I know I get over-excited with inexpensive and beautiful produce, but stocking up sometimes just means more waste!
When I get the new sale flier paper, I sit down to develop a menu of what my family will eat for the next week from what is on sale. This enables me to be creative with meals, by using food on sale, allowing us to eat well, while still living on a budget!
I shop for a family that each has different tastes: near-vegan, lactose-intolerant, loves extreme spices and meats, will-eat-anything-as-long-as-there’s-mayo. It can get very troublesome, but it comes down that we try to keep left overs separate and cooking all our own meals if we disagree with what’s for dinner or breakfast. The best way I’ve found about this is bulk shop, coupon clipping and keeping the most plain essentials on hand at all time. So far, a bulk bought spice pantry is the best deal ever since most, if not all spices, last for a long time and everyone deals with bulk-bought very plain foods sitting in the refrigerator in bulk (large tubs of nonfat yogurt, 12ct eggs and etc) so that they can easily be messed with. Makes living cheaper for all the juices and milk my household goes through.
Oh- consider lemon juice a staple. Buy it in “bulk”. With yogurt it can make a refreshing chip dip, then a salad dressing, or even a preserver of wilting salad green. Lemon juice makes healthy living easier!
When fresh berries aren’t in season (which is most of the year in Wisconsin!), and therefore cost more, we buy the frozen berries in the frozen fruit section. Not only do they cost less than the “offseason” fresh berries, but they are frozen before they become overly ripe and lose their nutrients, as they often do when they go uneaten for too long in our fridge. We use the frozen berries in fruit smoothies (they take the place of ice cubes) and we thaw them when we have them over yogurt or to make jam.
It’s hard to find an affordable, healthy lunch for less than $10 a day in NYC. Here are some tips that have helped me stretch out my dollars:
- Frozen dinners for lunch: Amy’s Kitchen Cheese or Vegetable Lasagnas are delicious and filling. When you have a Thai or Indian food craving, try any of the delicious Ethnic Gourmet dinners–usually, they’re no more than $4 each!.
- Salad bar: Stock up on the fresh veggies, chickpeas and beans (for protein), and soba noodles or angel hair pasta. Mix together for a nice, vegetarian pasta salad.
- Salad bar: Try some of the wonderful chicken or tuna salad. Buy a bag of baby carrots and some whole grain or wheat crackers and you have a great meal. Add a can of vegetable or tomato soup and you’ll have a hearty meal.
- Deli: Applegate Farms makes wonderful cold cuts and cheeses. Buy some whole grain or wheat wraps, an avocado (or spicy salad dressing or mustard instead of mayo) and you can have great sandwich wraps for an entire week. Add a can of vegetable or tomato soup and you’ll have hearty meals.
- Pasta pot meal: My favorite thing to do is to make one pasta pot meal for the week. I buy organic chicken breasts, rigatoni or spiral pasta, lots of veggies (baby carrots, peas, tomatoes, etc.) spices (cumin and cayenne–just to name a few), chicken broth (for a little thickness, I add a little light heavy cream to the broth). Mix it all together and you’ll have a wonderful lunch (and perhaps dinner) for a week. If you’re a vegetarian, substitute the chicken broth for vegetable broth and chicken breasts for beans and chickpeas for protein.
- Breakfast for Lunch: Who says you can’t have breakfast for lunch? Try some whole grain cereal (hot or cold) with some milk (soy, dairy, rice, nut, etc.) with chopped fruit (bananas, apples, etc.) and you’ll satisfy both your hunger and your sugar craving.
My trick for saving more comes from looking at the bottom shelves in the market. Bargains usually get overlooked here, because of the low sight level of these items. I usually find major bargains on pasta, sauces and cereals this way.
As a single working mom of 3, it is always a challenge to provide healthy meals on a very tight budget. At present, I try to utilize the local Farmer’s Markets as much as possible as they provide the freshest produce (many organic) at the lowest cost. Shopping in the market such as Whole Foods, spending a little bit more time with a sharp eye, I can find some really great bargains. Yesterday, someone told me that they don’t shop at Whole Foods because it’s “far too expensive”. I told them that I had just spent considerably less for a much better quality of food. 99 cent mangoes; what a deal. We purchased the garlic herb pre-cooked shrimp for $9.99 a lb (shrimp’s our splurge once in a while); last week, I paid that price for uncooked shrimp, only to find that my “pound” of shrimp included about 1/4 lb of ice and after cooking, I had less than 1/2 a lb! Whole Foods allow’s browsing to be fun; my girls and I made a Sunday afternoon of our recent trip. We have fun and got some great bargains!
I love the Bulk foods Aisle. I can save a few bucks here, along with the environment due to less packaging. I buy the staples, which include flour, sugar, oatmeal, granola, and pasta. I live alone, so I don’t always need a full package of most items. I only buy enough to last me a few weeks at a time so there it very little waste. I also like to treat myself with a small amount of something sweet(usually less than a dollar’s worth) so I don’t have to feel quilty about getting a whole package of sweets.
I take advantage of the Pizza special from 5-8 PM. A large chees pizza is only $7.99 and is plenty for 4-5 people. This pizza has the best crust in Winston-Salem and you won’t find a better value anywhere. Pair it up with the 2 for 6$ gallon skim milk special in August and you have supper.
Saving money is an art requiring research and planning. WIth food prices rising over 25% this year (so far), shopping sales and cutting coupons is a necessity. Purchasing WF 365 brand is a cost effective alternative to name brand buying. WF maintains high standards so the quality is exceptional and the price is affordable(items are sourced from name brand manufacturers).
The best way to save money on organic produce is to always buy in season. Not only will this allow you to buy more but it will also taste better.
Rather than rushing in the mornings to make lunch for work, I purchase a package of rolls, cold cuts and sliced cheese and store the whole bag in the fridge at work. At lunch time, I just put my sandwich together at work. No worries (all week) about having to eat from the vending machine or spend $8 for a deli sandwich.
When I was a kid, I thought that things like pancakes and muffins came from boxes. It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that my eyes were opened. I was lamenting to a friend that I wanted waffles, but didn’t have any waffle mix. My friend looked at me a bit strangely and asked, “Well you have flour and eggs don’t you?” We then went into the kitchen, and proceeded to make some of the best waffles I have ever had. It was also quite surprising that it really didn’t take that much more time. From that point on, I strived to live a “non-packaged” life. Packaged mixes are fairly expensive, and I have saved a good deal of money buying the flour, sugar, and various other staples and just making things from scratch. I think my savings increased even more when I started shopping the Whole Foods bulk section. I can get all the staples I need; they are organic, and often cheaper than the version I might buy in a package. When I get my staples home, I mix up the dry ingredients in a container, and then I have the pancake mix, or waffle mix, or cake mix all ready to go, and for a fraction of the price. That’s my tip.
My husband and I are both full-time graduate students so we have to be really careful with our food budget. It would be really easy to fall into the trap of not eating quality food but we make the effort to make sure that doesn’t happen. Our effort goes beyond checking fliers for multiple stores and taking advantage of the best deals on organic food that week. Here are a few things that save us a lot of money:
1) Eat meatless meals 5 times a week. People may find this boring but these are some of our most interesting meals. Some of our staples are chickpea curry, lentil curry, salads, stir fries with tofu, Thai peanut noodles with tofu and frozen vegetables, scrambled eggs with onions and zucchini, and vegetable stir fries with whole wheat pasta.
We save even more money by buying large quantities of dried legumes, preparing about two lbs worth at a time, and then freezing them in 16 oz containers (only one ounce bigger than the cans) so that they are easily accessible for our recipes.
2) We almost never eat out and we make many things from scratch. It does cost quite a bit to get all the ingredients to do this but it pays off big in the long run. Some of the items that save us a lot are our homemade salad dressings, homemade hummus, homemade marinades for meat and tofu, homemade pasta sauce and satay sauce, and homemade naan. I can’t remember the last time I bought any of these items already made and they taste so much better when they are fresh.
I also make large batches of healthy muffins (whole grain, sweetened with honey, etc), wrap them individually and place them in a freezer bag in the freezer. This is great for rushed mornings and so much cheaper than having to buy something on the run.
The other thing that saves us a lot of money is using oats instead of cold cereal. If you aren’t in the mood for a warm breakfast, no problem. Take equal parts of your favorite yogurt and rolled oats, mix them together and let them sit overnight in the fridge. Then, in the morning, add fruit, honey for plain yogurt, and nuts. I will make big batches of this in the summer to eat over the course of five or six days.
3) We pack our own lunches to bring to school with us. I make big batches of soups, chili, stews, etc. Then I put them in individual-sixed leak-proof containers and store them in the freezer. I will also make a batch of quinoa and vegetable salad to last a week so that I can switch things up. Or, my most common lunch, is organic almond or peanut butter (the freshly ground ones from Whole Foods are so good!) with organic blackberry jam, on whole wheat bread. We also save money but not buying packaged snacks. I buy things in bigger containers (plain yogurt, trail mixes, etc) and then take the time to make them into transportable individually-sixed portions.
4) Buy meat in bulk. This is by far the cheapest way to get meat. I get home and divide the meat into two-person portions by placing them in freezer bags and throwing them in the freezer.
Similarly, buy blocks of cheese and slice it or shred it yourself. The per unit price is substantially lower.
5) Only eat produce that is in season and be careful not to buy more than you can eat.
Admittedly, it takes more work to eat well on a budget but it is well worth it in the end. If you stick to it, you will eventually develop some amazing culinary skills in the process.
Instead of buying big boxes of cereal and getting tired of them before we could finish the box, I began buying a few ounces each of all the myriad of cereal choices that Whole Foods offers. Everyday we can try something different (and healthy) for breakfast…and for snacks! In the long run, we saved money and had so many choices for breakfast cereals.
Also, our grandson has many food allergies. Whole Foods is the only store in town where I am able to buy food that he can eat: gluten free, non diary, wheat free, and according to him….quite delicious.
My tip is don’t be afraid to buy a whole pineapple - it is cheaper than buying pineapple pre-chopped, and it is not hard at all to chop yourself. I first slice off the top and bottom, then it is easy skim down the sides with a knife and you are left with a cylinder of juicy pineapple.
To save money and time, I also buy vegetables when they are in season and on sale. I steam the whole batch of vegetables at once until almost done. Then, I freeze them in 1-cup portions that I can microwave for supper after work.
I am a single mother of two children and and on a strict budget. I buy most of our items at whole foods and when I use couponds everything is at or less than the big supermarkets. Organic produce is one of the best things you can give your children so why not do it ..it is much more affordable than people think. Organic vine Ripened tomatos for $1.99 a pound yep people get it at whole foods!
It’s expensive to serve steak to an entire steak-loving family. So, to keep costs down but the yummy factor up, I go to the meat counter. I choose the largest piece of skirt/flank steak I can find, and then ask the butcher to cut it into four equal pieces. I buy one of the delicious marinades Whole Foods always features at the meat counter. I bring them home, marinade them and throw them on the barbecue or broil them for the entire family. Skirt steak is delicious, it’s tender, it’s always flavorful and much cheaper than buying individual rib eyes and it’s still a steak dinner with your favorite veggie side! I figure I am savings thousands of dollars over a year’s time! Tip: Choose different marinades and it’s a “new” dinner everytime.
I’m so happy that we have Whole Foods in the city. I recomend the store to other people because they will find the best products. Every morning I make my fresh organic fruit juice and that helps me stay energetic all day long.
As a celiac I find that pre-made gluten-free foods are very expensive. So using the vast array of alternative flours and starches available at WF, I can make my own breads, bagels, cookies, cakes, etc. from scratch. And since I may not use up all of them before they dry up or go bad, I save further money by slicing everything up, putting them on a silpat lined cookie sheet and freezing them individually. Then I stack the frozen bread slices, for instance, and put them into reusable ziploc bags.
For beauty & cosmetics, I save a lot of money by making my own. Here are a few recipes:
You can make an awesome Green Tea Toner, very cheaply. Put 8 organic green tea bags into a 16oz mason jar and pour in some boiled water. Let this steep overnight, shaking the well-sealed jar (after it cools down!) several times. Then filter out the bags, pour through cheese-cloth if there is any debris and freeze in icecube trays. To use, just defrost 2-4 cubes and put into a sterilized glass bottle, add some vitamin E and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Keep in your refrigerator (important since there is no preservative added) and shake well before each use. Just pour some onto a cotton pad and sweep over your skin after cleansing. You won’t believe the awesome results!
Second recipe is for stretch marks. You will need 3 Tbsp melted cocoa butter (melt in a double boiler or hot water bath), 1 Tbsp Vitamin E, some essential oils (Lavender, Rose Absolute or Jasmine Absolute) and a sterilized glass pot. Mix ingredients together well. Since they separate easily, here’s a good tip. Pour the mixture into the glass pot and put the unsealed pot immediately into the freezer. The mixture will cool and set very quickly and won’t separate! Once it’s frozen, remove from the freezer, add the top and leave it to come to room temp. To use, scoop out a small amount and apply to damp skin fresh out of the shower. Stretch marks usually lessen or disappear within 3 months. Also good as a preventative for skin on the stomach and breasts during pregnancy.
Enjoy!
My kids love to go out for ice cream at the local shop. We use to spend about $15 each trip. This summer we decided to go to Whole Foods instead. Each week someone gets to pick a ice cream treat (most have four ice cream pops per box) the kids were just as excited about going to Whole Food’s as they were going to the ice cream shop. We saved lot’s of money this way, the kids ate a healthier treat and we got to try many of Whole Food’s frozen treats!!!!! Oh, and of course, we always ate it at Whole Food’s eating area - what a treat!
I love the healthy whole grain breads whole foods offers, such as their low-sodium Ezekial brand. It’s tasty and high in non-soluable fiber which keeps you feeling full and energized for long after you’ve eaten.
However due to the lack of preservatives found in most of those processed supermarket foods nowadays, it can be hard to keep it fresh for long, escpecially if you are single and don’t eat too many carbs like me.
So I will buy a loaf of bread, keep half of it in the freezer and the other half in the fridge and that ways each slice stays fresh until ready to eat!!
I love Whole Foods. I have never been so impressed while shopping for common kitchen items. Entering the store is a treat for the senses, as you just begin to relax into your shopping experience. A friendly face is always there to help you try something new, and I am especially grateful for the new 99 cent reusable bags! How wonderful to save to cents for helping the environment!
I absolutely love shopping at Whole Foods! As a person with strict limitations in my diet— no gluten, wheat, yeast, or processed foods, Whole
Foods is a culinary savior. I can find so many healthy/safe options that other big name grocery stores simply cannot offer. Whole Foods has an amazing selection of gluten/wheat free pastas that are really tasty and since they do not sell processed “junk food” I can feel like a normal person wandering the aisles shopping.
I live in NYC where the cost of living is outrageous and grocery stores are no exception. The 365 brand is cheaper than the name brands AND it tastes better! I stock up on the canned beans, frozen veggies, organic chicken, spices, and olive oil. I spend a bit of money and am able to cook italian, asian, or middle eastern all week long. I think that some people have a misconception about Whole Foods. Sure a person could drop a ton of cash at Whole Foods (and sometimes I do) BUT the thing that people should know is that you don’t have to spend a fortune if you shop the Whold Foods brands and the store specials. I long for the Brooklyn location to open!
My Wife and I like to shop at Whole Foods since we switched to a vegetarian diet 6 months ago. Whole Foods is one of few supermarkets with a vast variety on vegetarian items; therefore, it’s easy for us to find all the ingredients needed to prepare a meal. We also find that sticking to your grocery list is an easy way save money.
I first shopped with my daughter in Ohio at your Sawmill Rd.store. WOW we had a shrimp ring and a wonderful slice of pizza for lunch in your roomy lunch room!! I did spend allot in your beautiful store, but the value and quality of my veggies and seafood was spectacular–I found a whole Red Snapper to grill. (never found any before this) Also forgot to mention that we sampled so much food in the store that we didn’t really need to buy lunch!! But,we love good food. I also found every organic vitamin that I needed for a very reasonable price. And can’t forget sampling the buffalo burgers–they were so goood and we are HOOKED on them…Sincerely, now I am visiting our new Carmel, IN store.Thanks
One way we save money is I plan make a weekly menu and make a grocery list from that menu.
I also check the sales before I make my list so I can plan my meals around any specials.
I also buy season produce, not only because Whole Foods has a wonderful selection that is always fresh, but because much of their selection is local.
So not only are you getting a good deal, you’re supporting your local economy.
Just another reason, I love this store
I am a single college student who believes in proper nutrition, and realizes that often one tends to eat unhealthy foods due to convenience. Whole Foods helps by offering convenience foods that are healthy choices. Unfortunately, I live a bit of a drive from my Whole Foods, so I combat unhealthy eating (and encourage my friends to do the same) by choosing one day of the week to cook something that may require a little more time, and can freeze well. With cooking for one, my freezer has become my best assistant to eating healthy! By taking this one day of cooking, portioning servings, and packaging properly (freezer paper is wonderful), one builds a freezer filled with healthy options. Dependence on the freezer also allows me to purchase Whole Foods wonderful breads without having them go to waste. Sifting through the freezer works great for last minute get togethers too–my friends are always impressed by what I am able to “throw together” at the last minute!
When my daughter started eating solid foods I wanted her to have the best. I purchased organic fruits and veggies from Whole Foods Market. I find that buying in season is the key, especially with fruit. By purchasing in season you are getting usually locally grown (always a good thing)produce at the peak of freshness for less. I usually buy extra and freeze the rest for a later time. By purchasing this way my daughter gets to have a variety healthy fruits and veggies and I feel good knowing I am giving her the best. And saving money makes my wallet (and my husband) feel good too!
I make big pots of thick stews with canned beans, veggies, and tomato sauce which are good hot or cold and can be incorporated into other dishes like salads, scrambles, or stir-fry’s. I also get pre-cut veggies and some sort of protein from the salad bar for lettuce wraps and dip them in different dressings and sauces. Lastly, I try to buy what’s on sale and work with it. Checking the savings before I go makes it easy to google recipes and get ideas before I’m at the store!
I am so happy that a whole foods market opened up in my area. It was hard to find organic produce without having to drive a long distance to the wild oats and I find some of your prices to be less then my local grocery store when it comes to their organic produce. I save a lot of money by bringing my own lunch to work and I love your Applegate Farms cold cuts. Rather then spending $8 or $10 dollars a day, I am spending around $4 for me and my husband to eat lunch at work. We also save money on sushi by purchasing our fish fresh from the seafood section and slicing it ourselves. Most sushi places can charge up to $2 per sashimi piece and we can get depending on the fish, 10 slices for around $6. You guys are so much better then Wild Oats ever was!!
Many people think it’s impossible to eat healthy on a budget. I think otherwise, an easy tip that I use are coupons. I suggest looking up your favorite organic brand online, many times they offer free coupons. I have also emailed companies asking for coupons, anything is worth a try. Always be on the look out for in store specials and in season produce. IT is possible to eat healthy on a budget, it just takes a bit more planning which is totally worth it!
I could definitely spend a fortune in Whole Foods. I live by myself and thus usually cook for myself. My biggest problem is buying too much. I end up buying too much (because it is usually cheaper to buy in bulk) and then I end up throwing away food. My advice is to shop more often, but buy less. Sure, every time you step in the door, you end up spending more money. But at least you’re not wasting by throwing food away. I still buy some things in bulk, such as chicken, but as soon as I get home, I immediately freeze what I’m not able to eat.
As grad students with a growing family, my husband and I are always thinking of creative ways to get squeeze as much flavor and nutrition as possible out of our grocery budget.
One tip I have, that saves time and money, is to prepare time-consuming, but budget-friendly, ingredients in large batches, with a couple of meals in mind for the week that will feature these foods. For example, dry beans are about the cheapest source of protein in the world, so why not cook up a pound or two of chickpeas and make large batches of hummus, chickpea soup, balsamic-marinated bean salad, or even falafel? Many bean recipes freeze well, and it can be such a life saver to have a couple of healthy, homemade dinners ready to go on hectic weeknights.
Another tip is to center meals around ingredients that are healthy and cheap, whether on sale or not, instead of just choosing foods or recipes that sound appetizing. Whole Foods makes this approach to cooking easy, because they have so many econimically-priced staple items. As one example, WF sells 1 lb bags of frozen broccoli for just a little over $1. We easily go through a bag or two a week, whether eaten steamed (with lemon zest, a touch of olive oil, and a pinch of salt) or in a more complex dish like veggie-packed lasagna.
Armed with a plan, anyone can save a few bucks while enjoying delicious, nourishing meals!
I was very excited when Whole Foods purchased Wild Oats! What a difference in terms of selection and quality of the entire store. I really like the bulk section of the store and the produce section too. I always try to buy what is in season and on sale, this always saves me money. Also I am never disapointed when purchasing the “Whole Foods” label, and it is much cheaper that other brands.
Numerous tips have mentioned using coupons at Whole Foods. Our Whole Foods store even goes a giant step further for the consumers. They even cut out the coupons and place them in a little rack on the shelves right in front of the products. So all you have to do is grab your item, pick up a coupon for it, and keep shopping. There are many coupons displayed with different items all through the store. What amazing service and savings!
We love shopping at Whole Foods for our meat, dairy, fish and produce (ok that’s just about everything).
Plus, our local store is right across from our daughter’s preschool — so it’s extremely convienent.
To keep costs down we do the following:
1) Make a list: it cuts down on the impulse buys, and helps us avoid buying things we already have stocked in our pantry
2) Comparison shop: you never know whole foods just may not have the higher price.
The price of mandarin oranges is the same price that I found at our local Giant Supermarket. Found the same thing for the brand of onion rings I cannot live without. They have a great price on cartons of organic, low sodium chicken broth. We may not use an entire carton in one sitting, but we just freeze the remainder.
We also utilize the coupon booklet!
3) Don’t buy everything organic:
When it comes to fruit we stick to buying what’s on the ‘dirty dozen’ list.
We also try to buy those fruits that are in season.
Right now my husband and child are downing watermelon like it’s water.
here are just a few handy helpful hints:
lemon juice remvoes stains from clothes aas does the sun. salt works as a lovely scrubber when cleaning. vinegar and water can clean almost anything. baking soda is a great cleaner and deodorizer. adding a few drops of dishwashing liquid to a bucket of warm water will do wonders for linoleum floors. plus, your home will smell wonderful and your pocket book will thank you.
also, my beautician told me, do not wash your hair everyday, washing will ruin it. wash every other day.
anytime you can use cloth products as opposed to paper, please do.
i found that buying salad in the produce section in bulk really helped and lasted LONGER than the pre-packaged bag salad.
Every Saturday I faithfully go to Whole Foods and yes I regularly get asked “isn’t it much more expensive?” My answer is always the same…365. I have compared many products name brand and not to Whole Foods Brand and not only is it comparable or less expensive in price but, the quality is remarkably better. I like knowing that what I feed my husband and myself is affordable and all natural.
p.s. I also regularly check the recipe section to find low cost and creative ways to utilize whole foods products. The meals for 4 under $15 are always winners and provide yummy leftovers for lunch!
As a single empty-nester, I’ve been chronically over budget on food, while feeling somehow under-fed. I was shopping at S***y and assumed I could not afford to shop at Whole Foods. It had not occurred to me that I should focus instead on nutrition per dollar I spent, or (even better) on nutritional value per dollar that I actually consumed!
For instance, I would buy “cheaper” produce from Safeway, and then not eat it because it had no flavor! I’d buy a bag of apples or peaches and eventually throw most of it away. Then I’d go out and spend more money on junk food and candy in an effort to satisfy some taste threshhold I needed.
Then one day, while out with a friend, I bought a single peach at Whole Foods. Just to see if there was a difference. It was so delicious that I went back and bought a peach for each day of the week, then ate one every day, and savored each mouthful. I got full pleasure and nutritional value for the cost of those peaches, so it was far cheaper than throwing away a bag of the tasteless stuff. And I didn’t buy the junk food! I had spent less.
I’d also been buying more convenience foods in recent years (a common single person’s mistake, but a big budget breaker). After “The Peach”, I realized my tastes have been changing, but my shopping habits hadn’t. I don’t care for as much meat any more, but do crave a certain intensity of flavor. But I was buying the old standards out of habit.
So now I’m on a new learning curve. I’m experimenting with ethnic cuisines as a way to find some of the most delicious and interesting seasonal recipes invented. Most of the time, this way of cooking is some of the most thrifty! I love to buy staples in the bulk foods aisle (grains and beans look so earthy and inviting in clear canisters on the counters) and build from that with the most flavorful, in-season produce available. You really only need a couple of dozen recipes that you absolutely adore to feel like you are treating yourself remarkably well. It’s all different for me now - bulk staples, taking advantage of ethnic expertise, freshness and flavor intensity. And I shop at Whole Foods! Who would have thought!
I like picking up a few fish fillets and buying fresh produce in bulk. Just throw some fish in the skillet and chop up some fresh veggies with a little bit of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil and a few spices, and you’ve got a super healthy meal that’s both filling and budget conscious.
I am a big fan of everything Whole Foods. I wish that the bulk-buying section, with all it’s tall, beautifully arrayed cylinders, filled with various goodies, would make a comeback in a big way. These offer customers many different choices of rice, granola, trail mixes, and more. Also, this section of any Whole Foods Market (Bread & Circus) makes for a very nice get-together for customers who want to exchange ideas and make small talk on various topics, from organics to recipes. Bulk-buying sections help reduce the needless product packaging waste problem and free up land for more nature, less landfills. Keep up the GREAT work Whole Foods…we love you. Peace, JPC
I always keep an eye on what is on sale for the week and create a meal menu based on the sale items. Then I do my shopping based on what I need to complete my menu for the week. This not only saves money on my initial shopping trip, but it helps to avoid those expensive trips when you “just run in for a couple things”….those trips are where I get caught on the impulse buys and end up spending more money. I also stock up on meat when it is on sale. I break it up into meal-size portions and freeze until I need it. Many of the 365 brand items are a great deal too….many are even cheaper than “brand names” at other grocery stores.
I usually buy fruits and vegetables that are in season and plan my meals around those specific fruits and vegetables. I take my time when going to Whole foods,and go trough the isles and buy items that are on special, canned foods, beans, pancake mixes, anything that I can work meals in that I can pay less money is good for me. I also shop for fruits and vegetables from my local Farmers Market.
I have learned that one of the best ways to save money is by cooking from scratch. I love to cook and experiment with new recipes! So, every weekend I sit down with the sale ads, my recipe collection, and a pen and paper and I plan out the meals for the week for my husband and I, and make a list of all the ingredients I will need to make them. Then I go grocery shopping on Monday. When I do an analysis, my homemade foods end up being much less expensive (usually around 25% of the cost of premade food), healthier because I control exactly what goes in my food, and usually taste much better than convenience foods. If I know I am going to have a busy week I will do as much prep work as possible over the weekend, so making dinner is almost as easy as heating up a premade meal.
The local Whole Foods is a wonderful “building community” grocery store. It’s a great addition to our town. The wall events calendar is a great way to participate in the happenings held at the store, there are many to look forward to each month.
We love having Whole Foods!
Thank you!!!!!
i love your food ,because makes my family happy
The best way for me to save money is to plan ahead and buy in season. At peak season for various fruits, Whole Foods has great prices, often lower than non-organic fruits in a regular supermarket. When it’s the right time, I buy in bulk…and then use various methods to preserve the results so that I can enjoy them when they’re not in season. I dehydrate fruits and veggies at home for great snacks that are easy to carry. And I stew plums and peaches and nectarines and put them in canning jars in the freezer. I also make jam out of various fruits, which I also freeze (or get my canning equipment out). All this amounts to me being able to get the best fruits and vegetables at the best time of year (and the lowest prices) and then being able to enjoy them all year. Not only do I save money, but I know exactly what I am eating and that it is free of chemicals and additives.
Whole Foods is defenetly my favorite store. And allthough the prices may sometimes seem high, you defenetly get what you pay for and that is great quality food. I usually make sure I stock up on items that are on sale and save lots of money. Im college student so I dont have disposable income but my wholefoods usually has really good prices. I love it!
I like to shop at Whole Foods and always pay attention to the specials.
I like to buy meat, when it is on sale.
When I bring it home, I marinate and season it the way I like it, divide it in to portions, mark with the date and flavor and place it in the freezer. When I need to cook, grill or bake, I just take it day before and keep it in refrigerator. For baking meat can go directly from freezer to the oven. It works great if you have unexpected guests, or just if you busy and want to save time.
I also like to buy organic fruits, when they are on sale or Buy One Get One Free and make my own frozen fruits or mixes. I know what I use and in the end it is less expensive then prepackaged frozen fruits. I wash them, place on the cutting board covered with plastic (peaches and nectarines I cut in sections) and freeze them. Once frozen they can be placed in a Ziploc bag and stored.
I have advice that is counter to what some other people have said, but it works for me. I keep my eye on what I have at home, and what’s on sale, and I go to Whole foods often to buy small amounts of what I need for that day. I’ve just moved to town and have no car while my husband is at work. I’ve found that if I bring my own bag (saving money in itself) and walk to Whole foods once every day or two I can buy what I need (and can carry) without wasting money on inpulse buys that I can’t carry home!
My husband and I make a list of the fresh organic fruits and veggies that we want for the week and really try to stick to the list. Whole Foods has a huge organic produce selection of the highest quality and we love that we are helping to support our local growers. By buying only a few fresh produce items once a week, we end up wasting less and saving money in the process. Once a month I make our own bread from flours that I get in the bulk bin area. Homemade bread costs less, tastes wonderful and is so much healthier for you! You leave out excess sugar (if you want to) and you don’t add preservatives or chemicals. It freezes really well, and I usually make 3 or 4 loaves at a time. The staff in the fresh bread area near the deli has been wonderful about answering questions for me. If you haven’t made your own bread, give it a try!
I buy mostly frozen foods.
First the vegetables are already washed and cut to size ready to use and because they are in my freezer they do not spoil. Also for my Teenage daughter I have frozen fruits that she can use in fruit smoothies straight from the freezer.
Because I am a working mom it also helps me to come up with dinner in a falsh having all my options in my freezer.
Next I buy all dried legumes not in cans its much cheaper. It really does not take long to boil them and then I store them in a plastic container in the fridge for the whole week to use in all sorts of recepies and you can also freeze them for a month or so.
i sent in a long statement not sure it went through
Every Wednesday my 3 year old grandson and I head to Whole foods. He loves the store. While sampling new foods he is exposed to different tastes and textures. He loves your pineapple!! I shop for fresh produce- usually locally grown and wild caught fish- esp salmon in season. When it is on sale I buy enough for the week and then I freeze some so I can enjoy it at another time. I am a pescatarian and Whole Foods has a great selection of vegetarian products. I buy Greek Yogurt there because it is cheaper than the regular grocery stores and we both by organic milk- usually 365 brand, At the end of our shopping trip we end at the gelato counter. Mu grandson gets his favorite cookie dough flavor and i get a decaf, skin milk cap. Both are great.
I like quality food and i like to splurge sometimes. There is always something new and different to try- particularly in the produce dept. i could spend 1/2 hour just there. Whole Foods is fun. we even watch the coffee being brewed/. And the staff is always pleasant and helpful. Glad you came to Ohio
We only shop once a week and make it a point to use all the leftovers, especially the produce. At the end of the week we have a buffet dinner to use up everything that wasn’t eaten. It’s amazing how creative your meals become when you use what you have on hand.
We also try to make all meals from scratch (i.e. pasta sauce/pizza sauce/marinades) because it’s cheaper to buy the ingredients that can also be used for other meals than it is to buy the ready made product. I’ll also make extra and freeze half to be used for a quick meal later.
I go to Whole Foods everyday and get sandwiches! But here is the great part. I buy an Iggy’s Roll, 4 slices of some type of turkey (smoked, herbed, pepper, etc.), and a slice of cheese. Then I get a bag of lunch-size bag of organic chips. The total comes to about $4.50. It is an extremely fresh, healthy way to have a sandwich without paying $10!
Leftovers are key. I work in midtown Manhattan, so every day I bring my lunch saves me $5-$15. I make big dishes, but when I eat the leftovers, price per meal is low.
Once a week my husband shops at the Whole Foods near our home. He picks up everything we need for the week, and if a staple or non-perishable is on sale he really loads up. And about two or three times per week I walk to the Whole Foods that is about six blocks from my workplace. I pick up anything that he may have forgotten plus I get to take my time in the Whole Body aisles. I get some exercise and I get to do some good old-fashioned browsing. I love that Whole Foods puts out so many testers of the skin care products that they carry.
As a college student, a lot of my friends studied abroad and stayed with host families. When they returned, I asked them what their favorite dish was that their host parents cooked for them. Since many of these families are pros at cooking on a budget, (they’re taking in an extra kid!) many of the meals were very affordable. These recipes have provided me with a delicious culinary trip around the world and have taught me some new tricks!
This past year was my first year in college and my roommate and I were determined to drink lots of water and eat lots of healthy food. However we found that the water from the faucet was very bad tasting! At first we tried buying water in bulk, but we found we were spending to much money, so instead we bought a water filter and reused the bottles, this saved us lots of money plus after we used the plastic water bottles a couple times we recycled them and invested in a couple of dishwasher safe bottles!
as a stay-at-mom with a one year old girl i had to manage a household with one salery.
as i dont like to buy too much which will turn to waste , i found a new concept for us:
we buy less items , but in high quality.
after several month test, it works great
for our household cleaning i pick up 3 companies ( ecover , biokleen, seventh generation)
as you have to use a very litte amount of cleaner or laundry powder, it will come in the end cheaper then low quality products of sale
i got one pack biokleen laundry liquid for $8.88 and will wash 64 loads, with HE machine even more
i only buy my favorite brands , mostly on sale or/and with coupon
i stock up only little , but not more then two bottles
the same idea i practice with cosmetic
our daughter is using weleda and my husband and me dr.hauschka
again, using very little , but high quality , helps your, the environment and your wallet
as i practice our rules in every part of through house ( buying a HE-machine , a car with better mileage or wooden toys),
helps us saving a lot money ,time and space and protect the environment gain more waste
a lot of great deals we find in our whole food market ,for example high quality food with a good pricing
To save money we will once a month or longer go to whole foods and buy in bulk items to keep our pantry well stocked (such as sesame oil, sea salt,
oatmeal, nuts, grains, honey) During the week we cook a few times a week and make enough for a few days (take to work for lunches ect..) then every Saturday we go to whole foods and buy enough fresh produce to get us through that week. Shopping for only a week at a time saves money. Plus bringing your own meals to work lessened the need to splurge on expensive cafetera or take out food and it watches your waist line as well.
I look for steals on ’staple’ items that can get expensive like meat - and that it all I buy. I may make several trips to the store during the sale week but it’s worth it! When items that I bought on sale are full price the next time I shop, I don’t have to worry about it because I stocked up already! All I have to do is pull it out of the freezer!!
To cut down travel cost I walk any place I can that takes 30 min or less and up to 90 min if I have the time. It provides good exercise, I discover things I was unaware of like new stores and neighborhoods , I meet people and I do my best thinking/problemsolving “on foot”. If I am carrying heavy items I think about the benefits (stronger bones and muscles)of it rather than how hard it is. I know 30 min is a lot for some people but getting of the train or bus 1-2 stops early and walking will have great benefits and unlike a gym class it’s FREE.
I used to make “small pans out of aluminum foil to cook in the oven (steak in the broiler, ribs and so on). Then I discovered that the aluminum industry including ALCOA are some of the worst environmental offenders on the planet. I realized that I was supporting their evil deeds by using all that foil not to mention money wasted on a disposable product. I went out and bought 2 metal pans, a small and a big one. This was about 2 years ago, the pans are great (yes one has to wash them), no more spill due to torn foil, no more foil to throw out(less garbage)and best all no more foil to buy (money saved). I still have some left over and it’s not like it goes bad. I recommend buying recycled foil and when you cook something wrap left overs up in the foil it was cooked in (It’s what I used to to prior to my pan-days). The moral of the story is that if we think back to what people used prior to disposable items (there appears to be more of them every day, from mops to toothbrushes, there is no limit) we can save our selfs a lot of money long term, have nicer things that don’t break on us in the middle of things (requiring replacements) and best of all we reduce our own garbage, and the world benefits.
As a wise woman once said, “Waste offends me!” Eating well at reasonable prices is on everybody’s priority list, but don’t be fooled by some stores that have jumped on the “organic” trend these days by launching their own line of “organic” products. Compare the taste and overall quality of several other store brands to 365 products, and the others all come up short. It is simply not a savings if the products taste like cardboard, are overly salty or oily, or in some cases, contain inedible gristle. In contrast, 365 products are always fresh, correctly seasoned, and enjoyable with high-quality ingredients. Nothing wasted. Everything enjoyable. You really can save money and still eat very well.
I am now cooking for just myself and my husband. It is a little more difficult as I am not crazy about leftovers. But I can sretch a chicken into several excellent meals. First is I will either roast or barbeque it whole. With roasting, I add great veggies and it’s a meal in 1 pot - just add a salad. The next day, I’ll have some chicken salad for lunch and hubby will do his own thing. Then I do a stirfry with cubed chicken - again lots of veggies and just add brown rice.
I still have the carcass and a bit of left over meat, so i cut up the vegetables, toss them in a pot, add the carcass and seasoning and cover with water. In no time, a delicious soup.
I seek out the coupons that are in the actual Whole Foods Market store…like the Real Deals Newsletter and sometimes there are coupon booklets near the customer service counters. These are really helpful as they are almost always the kinds of products I buy anyhow. I have a son that needs quick, healthy snacks and there are often coupons for those in the booklets!
Shop Rebates! Usually every Sunday in the newspaper there are forms for some type of rebate. So I will use a coupon to buy a rebate item & then not only get that item for free but the coupon usually covers the tax & postage stamp! Even if it’s something that you don’t currently use it could be something new to try or give it to a friend or a family member. I fill a Christmas stocking for my mom every year & a lot of stuff I give her is stuff I got for free through rebates! It makes her happy & she doesn’t have a clue!
Due to a hectic work and commuting schedule, I was not left with many options for eating well and saving money. Then I opted in for an organic produce delivery service that comes once a week. Because the boxes are pre-set and filled with locally grown, I saved a lot of money and energy not having to go to the local grocery store and settling for produce that wasn’t as great in quality. But because I’m single and not at home very often, I found myself throwing away a lot of the fresh fruit due to spoilage. So I started chopping the fruit up and mixing it together in a big container in the freezer to use in a breakfast smoothie. Since I’ve started that, not 1 piece of fruit has been thrown away. Then I started putting together all the liquid ingredients for a smoothie together the night before in the blender pitcher and putting it in the fridge. This way all I have to do is take it out, add some fruit and let it blend together while I get my bag ready for work. All I have to do is pour it in a travel mug and run out the door. Considering I’ve never been much of a breakfast person, this has been a great improvement.
Green Bags - I bring these with me to the store and use them for the produce I buy. I get .10 cents off my bill for each bag I bring in.
Two tips for saving money on food and both of these tips are counterintuitive.
1) Don’t always buy in bulk. Sometimes buying large quantities in bulk saves you money because of the advantageous bulk price; however, sometimes such large quantity bulk buying encourages one (and family members) to overuse the product, given that there is such a large quantity of the product around!!
Buy in bulk, but only buy the quantity that you need. You can always get more later, the product you buy will stay fresher, and you will find yourself using less because you will be trying to stretch out the smaller quantity you bought.
2) Don’t always let your purchases be ruled by coupon specials.
Sometimes using coupons is financially advantageous. Other times, though, coupon offers are given for items that are already far too expensive–even with the coupon savings factored in!!
Always look for the cheapest brand of the product you want. Often it will be down on the lowest shelf too, so bend down to that lowest shelf. Many of the Whole Foods 365 items are the very best buy of any given product. Always check their prices first before you pull out your coupons!!!
I shop 2 or 3 times a week at Whole Foods. I go on my lunch hour and pick up a fabulous lunch as well. I only buy what I need to the next few days. I buy bulk where I can and what is on sale. This keeps my food budget on track and my waste down. I am also able to feel satisfied with my food choices because I am buying what I want to eat at the moment.
I also go to Whole Foods often on the weekends because my 3 year old is asking to go to Sweet Peas. He has a wonderful time with the care givers and talks non-stop about what creative thing he did there. This helps my entertainment budget!
A new way I have found to save money when shopping at Whole Foods is to use the recipe link at wholefoods.com to help me make my grocery list. I love the section meals for 4 $15.00 and under. I have made 15 of these recipes and my family loves them. I have loved saving money and it is exciting for use to try new meals all while saving money. This is a fabulous link! Thank you Whole Foods for helping our families be healthy and save money.
I only shop at Whole Foods because of the amazing people who work there and the quality of the products they sell. But to save some money, I buy parmesan cheese rinds instead of buying a chunk. It’s a little more time-consuming to grate the rinds but it’s still tasty and really affordable! It’s also money saving if you ask the butcher to give you the exact amount of meat you need. This way, you’ll have less meat to waste too!
Every Sunday, I plan out my meals for the week based on what I have on hand and what is on sale. This way, I do not overspend my budget (as much!) on impulse buys and I do not have to think about “what’s for dinner?” when I get home from work and avoid eating out. I especially love Whole Foods Whole Trade selections in their stores. These products keep my on budget and help me do my small part in providing fair prices and ecomonic sustainability to workers all over the world.
We’ve been shopping at Whole Foods for 20 years and have 4 children, all on non-profit budget. Granted, the beautiful options in rare food are SO tempting, but resist the urge to consume! The list is the key. I made a permanent list of groceries we use weekly and then check off what is needed before I do, writing in any occasional needs. I also arrange it according to how my store is layed out. Anything to save brainpower and it helps with flow. I alway take my little boys with me. Whole Foods inspires countless learning ideas from island fruits to feeding the hungry. The staff is always the BEST! We drive 45 minutes to get there and I am always grateful we are able!
My family and I try to eat as much organic and “whole” as possible. Instead of buying frozen waffles and pancakes, I make my own from a few healthy ingredients. Ingredients include- whole wheat flour, ground almonds, organic eggs, a little yogurt and applesauce. The kids love it when I add a few chocolate chips to the mix as well. Add a touch of organic maple syrup, and you have a nutrient rich breakfast to start your day. I freeze extra to save some time the following mornings when we are trying to hurry out the door.
as i love coupon and saving money as well. i feel sad , when coupons are expiring without being used. so i stared exchanging with friends or at work.we how have a pot, where everbody put unwanted coupons . ones a week ( friday) , we open the box,and everybody can take what is useful for them. it helps to save by buying only stuff which we need and still get coupons to save. it helps all as everybody has different needs
Make your own pasta sauce — it’s cheap, delicious, and easy to freeze. This simple recipe makes enough to feed six people, with plenty left over to freeze or save for later in the week. And it costs well under $10 to make. If you keep 365-brand frozen corn and peas on hand, you can add two cups of each to the sauce to make it even heartier and healthier. Here’s the recipe: In a large saute pan or dutch oven, saute one large onion and some garlic (I use four cloves) in olive oil. Add a little salt and pepper, then add three or four stalks chopped celery and three or four medium-sized carrots, also chopped in small pieces. If you don’t have celery and carrots, you can skip that step, but they make the sauce heartier and tastier. (We always keep celery and carrots on hand for making pasta sauce and chicken stock.) Add a little more salt and pepper. When the carrots and celery are soft, add two 28-oz cans of 365-brand whole peeled tomatoes. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes, then blend right in the pot with a hand blender. Simmer for another 15-30 minutes, until the acidity from the tomatoes is gone. (If you don’t have a hand blender, just keep simmering the full 30-45 minutes and then add the sauce in portions to a regular blender.) If you want to add corn and peas, do it at the very end, when you’re adding the sauce to the pasta.
We do a big shopping trip every two weeks, where we buy canned goods, frozen foods, and meat. Then, the second week, we do a much smaller shopping trip where we buy produce or anything else we forgot the weekend before. Also, we’re trying to eat less meat. So before we go shopping, we look for recipes that include beans or quinoa or other high-protein vegetarian foods. Then we shop for whatever we need to make those recipes.
I love to buy bread, especially when it is on sale. Whenever I find my favorite brand on sale I buy two loaves. One I can use right away and the other I place in the freezer for later use. Bread freezes well and it saves me money.
I love cereal, but my favorites can get expensive. I like to buy my favorites and then also the generic cereals that are cheaper. I then mix both cereals together for a great taste and add my own fruits. This way I get twice as much from my favorite cereals and can save on food costs by buying the generic brands that still taste good.
I still shop for our family as if we’re on a student’s budget even though we stopped being students long ago. One tip I’d like to add is one my family enjoys. I buy the largest (and thinnest) pita breads I can find, and once a week, usually Fridays, we make up our ‘pitzas’ using whatever leftovers we find in the fridge: roasted, sauteed, or grilled veggies, bits of sausage, or sliced ham, or roasted chicken, olives (both black and green), artichoke hearts, chopped garlic, mushrooms–you get the picture. We start with homemade pesto because we love the flavor of the basil, but a tomato sauce (or salsa) works as well. We chop up all the toppings, and spread over as many pitas as we think we’ll need. Because the pitas make ‘personal size’ pitzas, everyone chooses their favorite toppings. The cheeses are as varied as what’s in the fridge that week. While we’re searching for toppings and chopping, I preheat the oven to 450 degrees; 8 to 10 minutes is all that’s needed. It’s the best (and cheapest) pizza in town!
If pizza isn’t your dish, this idea works just as well with a ‘buffet’ of all the leftovers in the fridge. Maybe a pot of rice or noodles or couscous will be needed for a base for the meal, but it’s easy and delicious, as well as economical. We’ve often been delighted with what happens when flavors from different dishes meet on the plate.
Tis’ the season for celebrations : starting college, college graduations, weddings, 1st “real” grown-up jobs, moving into new homes or apartments, anniversaries, and of course birthdays! Help your friends and family start out - or continue - on a healthy path by shopping at Whole Foods for their gift. Instead of using wasteful wrapping paper and a bow, buy a re-usable Whole Foods shopping bag. It holds your gift as well as being part of the present. They will think of you every time they use the bag - and it’s a reminder to shop in a healthy way by going to Whole Foods. Customize the bag contents to your budget and to match the recipient’s needs and interests. Some interesting fillers might be : WF fresh herb plants or other plants for a cook or gardener, or a collection of fresh and zingy WF spices for the home chef . How about a bag of exotic “have you ever tried these?” unusual fruits and vegetables for a newly adventurous eater or cook? You might help stock the new pantry with various WF bulk items. You can select fresh refrigerated items to fit a healthy refrigerator. What about a nice selection of flavored cooking oils, sauces and mustards for the pantry shelf? If your friend like pampering, a selection of WF bath and personal care items would be just right! If they love one of your recipes, fill the bag with the ingredients from WF and give them a copy of your recipe, too. This personalized WF gift is made-to-match the recipient, is over-the-top memorable, and will match any budget and any occasion , since you fill the bag with WF products as well as your love! Happy celebrations!
We love shopping at Whole Foods and enjoy helping local businesses too. Among bringing in paper bags to save at the register many people don’t realize that you can also buy in bulk and save too. Just ask any employee which little number on the price tag gets you 5% off on the product purchase. Also, in addition to the great coupons available in the store, you can also look up your favorite brands online for additional coupons, for example Stoneyfield has coupons online for a variety of things just print and go. There are also store cards for a free product after a certain number of purchases, ask for a vitamin card and a coffee card too.
In addition to all these great savings be sure to check back online for great savings as well as asking about specials in store, especially in the meat department.
I love the new paper bags in the produce, which give a longer life to products that would normally wither from the plastic. what a great idea. =)
My family eats a lot of yogurt which we buy plain so that we have to option of eating it tart, or sweetened with honey or maple syrup and fruit. We love the yogurt, but hate to send so many plastic containers to the dump. And so, we recently started making our own. It’s easy , healthy, and has helped us to cut down on non-recyclable waste. Kefir-making is next on our list!
For enviro-friendly people like me who also like to save a little money, I have just discovered the power of one of the most basic baking ingredients, baking soda. As a cleaner, it is non-toxic and even more effective than most of the toxic name brands. I use it for polishing silver, cleaning soap scum from the shower floor, cleaning out pots and pans, taking out carpet stains, freshening up the carpet and dog beds, and I’m sure there are countless other uses. During my weekly shopping trip to Whole Foods, I pick up a box and use it to my hearts content because it is non-toxic, refreshing, and inexpensive!
When I entertain at my house I make my own humus. I usually get organic garbanzo beans from 365 brand. I found a recipe in which you can add tofu to the humus and it tastes great, is cheap and everyone loves my humus!
To save coin, I plan out all my meals around the things that go bad the fastest-veggies and bread. I then get the dairy or meat that compliments the abundance at hand.
I’ve gotten very creative with stuffing extra tomatoes with breadcrumbs (bread baked just before the onset of staleness) and mixed with a strong fancy Whole Foods cheese. Extra veggies or meat get to reappear in a pizza, omelet, stuffed pepper, soup broth, or lasagne. Get creative! Remember that pineapple and banana pepper calzones, blackberry dessert enchiladas, bread salads, may sound weird to some,but have excitingly delicious results.
The best part of this strategy? My friends see me cooking all this strange delicious food and think I’m a budding gourmet, but really I’m just frugal!
I was very happy when I learned how very healthy and ideal organic FROZEN veggies are–better, of course, than non-organic or canned, but even better sometimes than fresh produce. Why? Because fresh produce is often picked early before it ripens, while to-be-frozen veggies are generally picked at the peak of ripeness and then frozen. SO, the quick, easy, long-lasting answer to your veg needs are in the frozen food isle! =) When you see a special, stock up!
I’m a college student (on a very tight budget) so I try to save money whenever I can, here are my tips.
1.My grandma taught me how to cut up a chicken so I buy a whole chicken (which is cheaper per pound) and cut the out boneless-skinless chicken breasts and the leg quarters (which I use in many different recipes) with the bones and leftover pieces I make an awesome chicken stock. I put the carcass in a pot, add baby carrots (which I have for healthy snacking) onion and whatever leftover veggies I have on hand. Cover the ingredients with water and cook. I add salt only after I strain the soup (which minimizes sodium) and I freeze in individual portions. It’s great for chicken noodle soup, chicken and rice soup or as a base for other recipes.
2.I also don’t shop on an empty stomach, and when I go to whole foods I first off treat myself to one of their delicious desserts! it turns a chore into treat and makes sure I’m not starving as I shop around.
3.I love baking bread at home- it’s cheap, delicious and the whole house smells great. Leftovers make wonderful french toast.
4.Friends and I have “potluck fondue nights”, that is, everyone brings things that can be dipped in cheese and any leftover cheese they have at home and we make a melted cheese sauce (which varies according to whatever cheeses we have as leftovers) and dip leftovers- because almost everything is better when dipped in hot cheese. And it’s a great way to have a free get together.
I’m a celiac. Buying safe products can be both hard and expensive for me. Plus, I don’t live near a Whole Foods - my closest store is 25 miles away plus road and bridge tolls. But, I find that going to Whole Foods has saved me both money and from giving up the foods I enjoy. Once a month, my family and I organize a shopping trip to Whole Foods. We go through our pantry and write down everything we need. We also ask friends or family for their requests or if they want to tag along. When we are at Whole Foods, we make sure we stock up on all the 365 Value Products - especially your Gluten-Free Mixes. We have even ordered items through the store in bulk, like the Glutino Pretzels and Bell & Evan’s Chicken! Between coupons, signing up for carpool plans for tolls, smart shopping at stores like Whole Foods, buying in bulk items you really use, and eating in season, we save more money than before we were gluten-free. Also, reading cooking blogs (like mine) has also helped me plan meals and to see which meals are cost effective. I’m able to see which dinners can translate well into other meals and leftovers!
I use the new Buy 5, get the 6th FREE cards that Whole Food provides! I save on items I use regularly, like coffee and salad by buying in bulk and then I am entitled to a FREE item after a few purchases. If you used every card provided you could save over $75!
For about $1.00 less per pound you can buy organic butter uncut. It comes in one block instead of the 4 sticks you usually see, and is easily cut with a sharp knife. (Cuts like butter!:)) You can cut just the amount you need and the size slice or chunk you need to fit in whatever container you prefer to use.
I LIKE THE ORGANIC POPCORN MADE IN A HOT AIR POPPER. BAGS OF IT ARE MUCH CHEAPER THAN MICROWAVE KIND (AND HEALTHIER).
I MAKE A QUICK SOUP WITH LOW SALT CHICKEN BROTH, STEAMED CARROTS AND NOODLES…ALL ORGANIC, LESS EXPENSIVE THAN CANS…I FREEZE INDIVIDUAL PORTIONS OF THE BROTH SO IT WON’T GO BAD.
I have tried many different ways to lose weight, without success, because I would just give up. Then I discovered Whole Foods. My latest and greatest way is making healthier choices, simply put, just eating healthy — Eating less and purchasing the best. I have gotten some of my ideas from the magazines on the racks of Whole Foods - healthy articles, recipes, physical activity and yoga moves. I have discovered foods I never dreamed I would be eating, like tofu and quinoa - which I cannot get enough of. Quinoa is the best, it curbs my appetite and chock full of glorious nutrients. I purchase smaller cuts of chicken and fish, concentrate on preparing veggies in different ways, and eating more beans, lentils and grains. Another find is mung and azduki beans — try them, you will be pleasantly surprised. I have more energy and guess what, I am losing weight. Shopping at Whole Foods has been an adventure.
For years I bought in bulk. Then I had Lap-Band surgery and found myself throwing out tons of fresh, frozen, and already cooked and refrigerated food. The money I saved by buying in bulk went out in the compost bin or trash. Fortunately there is a Whole Foods store on my route home, so I stop about every other day to pick up just enough produce (sometimew from the salad bar),spices, and protein to make two days worth of fresh food. Because Whole Foods carries so many bulk items, I can buy just what I need to make whatever recipe I’ve chosen and no more. With less waste, I’m saving money. When frozen and canned items that I use frequently are on sale, I stock up. Otherwise, I buy just what I need.
I save money and time by cooking in themes. Sunday is salmon and asparagus - it’s when we are all together. Tuesday is one dish meal night. Thursday is baked potato night. We use up all of the weeks leftovers as toppings. I buy the Whole Foods 365 brand whenever possible and I pay attention to the specials. The thing I like best is that the employees at the meat and fish counters always give me the amount I want. At other stores I notice they are always going over and expect me to be fine with that. It makes a big difference over the course of time so I appreciate the friendly WFM service.
I have visited a couple of Whole Food stores and could live in them easy! on a food budget I always look for the store specials and also make combo meals,everything in one pot. Also cut back on meat and do veggie meals there less expensive. Love you stores! Thank you for all that you do.
Taking my 3-year-old to the store with me is a (necessary!) challenge. So we make a menu ahead of time and write a shopping list that includes a treat like crackers, cookie ingredients, etc. If he wants something he sees that isn’t on the list (except fruit/veg–those are all OK), we take off one of the “treat” foods that are on the list. Helps him learn about making choices and that you have to think about what you buy!
We “bought in” on a cow that is being raised naturally, humanely, and without unnecessary antibiotics. Even with our initial investment, cost of our share of food, etc., we will end up with 400+ pounds of beef for about $2 a pound.
My mother taught me a valuable lesson about conserving fuel while cooking when I was a youngster. To boil eggs, always use a covered saucepan. Bring the water to boiling, boil one to two minutes (two in higher elevations). Turn the stove off and let the eggs sit in the hot water for 10-11 minutes. Make sure you do not remove the lid until the eggs have set the required time to ensure that they cook properly. Then remove the hot water, cool and peel. When baking cookies, breads or muffins, shut the oven off the last three to five minutes of the bake time. The items will continue to bake because of the heat that is already in the oven.
I contact the manufacturers of my favorite Whole Foods items (information for each company is usually on the packaging).
They enjoy hearing the positive feedback, & usually reward my loyalty with valuable coupons and/or other special offers, such as cookbooks or rebates!
When all the kids are here we have 5 children total and they are 5 hungry girls 11 and under. Boy do they eat. So to well and save dollars, we add rice to every meal. Rice hits the plate and they are beaming smiles, my kids love rice. By making a pot at dinner time in the steamer all I have to do is either add some turkey and stir fry veggies (365 frozen) then there is a meal they happily finish. A few dollars and all five eat their fill that still fills them up. By buying in bulk and family pack meat cuts, then adding a few frozen veggies or mix packs I can make everyone happy a few nights a week .
My co-worker and I found that doing a mini potluck between the two of us saves a great deal of money. Each of us will bring one small item and share. This ends the boredom of eating the same thing for luch every day and also, it holds us accountable to ensure that we are making wholesome foods to nurish our bodies, as well as limiting the time we use use our cooking appliances!
When visiting the WF Bakery I like the option of indivual servings of cake - it’s large enough for two. I say money and calories by purchasing this item over a whole cake.
I live in a small neighborhood (12 houses) where we all know each other. To save on gas and food costs, we have a bi-weekly shopping trip where we compile a grocery list from each family of produce (locally grown is preferred) and other items that can be bought in bulk at lower prices. Then we take one car and go shopping! We buy everything on the list and have a potluck that night while we “distribute” the purchases to each family. It’s a great way to save on gas, spend time together & buy local for the entire neighborhood!
On my last trip to Spain, I discovered egg dishes for supper! That’s right! Main course egg dishes! Spain has had generations that, out of necessity, have had to conserve funds, so eggs became popular for dinner, since they’re an extremely inexpensive source of protein– Try the Spanish Potato Omlette recipe — you might be very pleasantly surprised — It’s fabulous!
Shopping at Whole Foods is a special day for the family. We awake early on Sundays and put together a delicious breakfast. Usually this involves a delicious pancake right from the WF site. We throw in some blueberries or banannas for added flavor. We never leave home without a list for the week. Between the shopping list and a full stomach, we hardly veer off course our weekly budget. Load up on any of the 365 brand items, you can’t miss. Don’t forget to spoil yourself with a delicious cup of WF Breakfast blend coffee as you walk around the isles…
The Woburn store has a great Tasty Tuesday night. Their samples inspire me to creat delicious and different meals and snacks that are easy and inexpensive. The team member always has a good knowledge of the products and quick tips on making them at home.
Thank you.
Bulk Spices/Herbs! I have saved a TON of money buying spices “by the pound.” The Whole Foods I go to has a great selection, and you just scoop what you need into a little plastic baggie and label it. Why spend $5 or more for a jar of seasoning when you can buy a baggie of the same quantity for 20 cents?? Plus, if a recepie calls for an exotic spice you hardly ever use, you don’t need to skip it! Just buy a tablespoon or two in “bulk” and it’ll probably cost around 10 cents, no need to buy the whole expensive jar and have it just sit around your kitchen.
Produce can be especially pricey for many reasons : season, distance shipped, quality, rarity, etc. Try to buy produce in-season. If it can be frozen, buy in bulk on sale days & freeze. Also, invest in a good vegetarian cookbook. These can give you great tips on how to really make the most of the food, such as putting things in recipes you might not have thought of, “getting old” produce uses (i.e.- mushy bananas in bread,) and uses for obscure parts (greens, roots, peels, stock, etc.) Try starting your own compost. This will eliminate the purchasing of fertilizer for your lawn and garden at the store, as well as expanding the lifespan of your disposal unit & cutting down on the amount of garbage bags you buy. Lastly, find a friend or family member who likes the same products as you. The best deals out there are “Buy 1 Get 1″ sales, but not all of us like or need to purchase such amounts. Having a shopping buddy would get you both the product you like at half price during the sale! Same goes for regular bulk deals : if there’s a 10 lb bag of your favorite rice on sale but you don’t need that amount, go “halfsies” on it with your shopping buddy & split product & cost. Just make sure you have the appropriate storage for it all!
I am a single person who used to live in an appartment and from talking to my neighbors we realized we all tried to eat organic as much as possible. We began purchasing things in bulk and sharing them amongst one another. We also became accustomed to having one person coook for all 5 of us on a particular night. That way we could each get rid of things before they went bad. Now that I have moved I am still accustomed to cooking in large portions. I statred bringing my extras to work for others to enjoy and now people are paying me for the great little snacks they have found themselves looking for every week. Talk about a way to save money.
Choosing to make your own soups allows you to have cheap, delicious, ready-to-go food for lunch or dinner with almost zero effort. And alhough the canned and prepared soups at Whole Foods are delicious, by starting with fresh ingredients you can make two gallons on your own for the cost of two cans of the pre-made variety.
You pay up-front for ingredients–a $10 jar of miso may seem expensive at first–but these will go a long way. Making your own broth from frozen veggies or fresh veggie scraps is also an easy and inexpensive way to flesh out a soup.
I usually make enough to have a bowl or two, then refrigerate or even freeze the rest, so that I can just pop some in a thermos later in the week for a healthy lunch at work.
As a vegetarian, I’ve often had to avoid purchasing soups at typical lunch spots because they aren’t clearly labeled (which almost always means chicken broth has been used). But now I can have tasty soup just how I like it, with the added bonus of keeping more money in my pocketbook!
Conventional cleaning supplies are not only bad for the environment, they are also bad for your health. As an added incentive you can save money by making your own natural cleaners. Mix 2 tbsp of white vinegar in a gallon of water with your favorite scented oils (soften the smell of the vinegar). Pour into a spray bottle and you have a all natural window cleaner.
Wow! Just reading these tips is a way to save money.
We try to combine as many trips as possible to save gas. Going to Whole Foods is a treat for me because it’s not on my way. However, my husband can stop in on his way home and pick up what we need.
The knowledgeable staff at Whole Foods also saves us money. We can learn more about the produce and meats and how they should be prepared so we don’t wind up throwing things away.
I use any extra fruit, fruit that is overripe, or when the taste is disappointing, by putting it all in a blender with a little juice to make a fruit smoothie. Bananas, berries, melons, peaches - whatever combination I have always turns out delicious.
Takes just a minute to prepare and you have a great “breakfast on the go,” lunch, or snack … and a really easy way to get your full daily servings of fruit. You can also use veges for a “gazpacho” style drink/cold soup.
Another idea:
after i roast meats, or make large veggie dishes, i take the bones and all the veggie leftovers (i only buy organic) including things like the skins and ends of potatoes, onions, tops of greens like carrots, beets, ends of chards and anything else that would otherwise be composted. Clean it all, and throw it together and cover.
Makes great veggie broth, or terrific meat broths and gelees. I have pork, duck, chicken, turkey, ham, beef, lamp, shimp, lobster and veggie broths in my freezer in 1 pint containers for future cooking.
Is the best! And makes amazing bases for soups, beans, other braised meats, as well as things like duck or lamb broth based french onion (shallot) soup.
I’m sure this won’t make it to the top spots, but I highly suggest buying a SHARE from a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. I bought a half share and have more fresh produce every week then people that shop in the store. Its organic, local, and it allows me to try new things. I’m sure I’m saving money as I get a lot for what I paid, but the downside is the weather does effect what I get in my box every week.
I supplement my CSA share with 365’s frozen veggies and buy whole grains in bulk to add to my meals. I try to substitute vegetarian proteins (such as tofu, tempeh, beans) for meat to reduce costs and improve my health. Finally, I try to avoid prepared foods and instead make healthy meals from whole foods instead of buying a frozen, boxed meal. Overall, I feel good about what I am eating and I don’t spend hundreds of dollars on groceries like many single people.
Buying on a budget is a lot easier at WFM than people think. My rules for shopping include: sale items, seasonal produce, 365 brand, buy in bulk whenever possible (don’t forget to use your own container) and always bring your own bags. Shopping 2 times a week helps to lower the amount of food spoilage translating into less $ down the tubes.
Happy Shopping!
If you are buying food for a family, buy sale items in bulk. Pay attention to “price per unit” labels to make sure you are getting a bargain. If you are only shopping for yourself, invest in a wheeled bag carrier and take a bus to the store to save on gas.
My wife loves root vegetables like beets and turnips. I hate throwing out the greens, but there’s only so many times you can have sauteed beet greens. Then I discovered you can make a delicious, earthy pesto with the greens… just wash and blanche the greens and blend them with extra virgin olive oil, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic and salt to stretch your dollar deliciously!
I add vegetables to pasta and soup dishes to get twice the amount of servings the container provides and it makes the dishes more healthy and tasty leftovers.
I invested in a food saver and freeze all of our leftover meals as tv dinners. They are not only a healthier alternative, but I save a lot of time and money. By making dinner at home with healtier ingredients we are not only saving our pennies, but enjoy the time together as a family at the dinner table.
Buying only what you need is essential to keeping costs to a minimum. A simple way to cut costs in the Cheese Department is to ask a Team Member to cut the cheese of your choice to a size you need. It cuts down potential waste in your home and lowers the price.
When buying in bulk, from the Body Care Department or Detergents, be sure to stop by Customer Service to have them take a “tare weight” of your re-usable container. That way you are only paying for the product you are purchasing, not the weight of the container as well.
I add low fat plain yogurt to food like bean dishes for example adding it to hummus stretches your dollar plus adds protein and calcium - a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil - yum
As a team member I still want to stretch my dollar. Shop the sales,buy seasonally, use bulk items and ask about any extra coupons that other team members and customers can not use. remember your bag credits - that .10 adds up more than you think. Take advantage of cooking classes, and sample, sample, sample
I suspect demographics would reveal the Whole Foods customers are very computer literate. Looking at the problem above where teen girls broke the bank, make me as an engineer to just look at the whole problem and potential solutions.
First, it is known that if you limit buying to a specific shopping list, you reduce your bill. Impulse buying is fatal.
Second, prices almost always are a surprise. Shopping is more like Las Vegas. Just hope this will be a good day.
A sharp purveyor will someday soon marry with recipe software to prepare grocery lists that are priced, and like Stater Bros, have the exact store location for each item.
It takes effort. Over several years, I have committed most of my favorite recipes to Master Cook, which can produce an itemized shopping list, but the pricing area is impossible to keep up to date. It badly needs a way to import up to date prices.
Suppose I could download prices and locations into my shopping lists? The combined product takes the Las Vegas out of it. If something is too expensive, substitute something else and run it again.
The Stater Bros Menu Butler could be a helpful start. Interesting menus with pictures could be selected and downloaded in a form that is compatable with the stored recipe format (with a little work) reducing the effort required to accumulate a file of recipes. MasterCook will store a picture with the menu.
None of this would be trivial, but the final product, in regular use by your customers, would sell a lot of crackers.
Not mention, provide a disciplined approach to shopping that will save tons of money. Over time, it should promote customer loyalty.
Making the transition to cooking for two after cooking for many and downsizing to a condo can be a challenge. The usual ideas of buying and storing food on sale, freezing food cooked ahead, and even cooking from “scratch” doesn’t provide the relative cost savings it did for a bigger household. I’ve made some useful changes to reduce waste, improve nutrition and freshness, and save money.
First, I always shop multiple stores to become aware of the price differences. Surprisingly, buying smaller quantities and sizes of products can be less expensive than buying a large amount and taking a year to consume it. I remind myself that I am not building a wine cellar, just buying what I need. Also note that stopping at stores you travel by for other reasons does not add to the cost of transportation.
Second, only stock staples such as canned fish, flour, sugar, spices, etc. I now have a smaller pantry so making food from recipes using staples really makes money saving sense. Other fresh foods can be purchased as needed… and I frequently get my needed 30 minutes of walking a day by “running” to the nearest grocery store for fish, chicken, fresh veggies, etc. I’m also within walking distance of (count ‘em) three farmer’s markets.
I now bake bread in a mini-bread maker. This produces delightful whole grain breads in loaf sizes that we can consume in a short period of time. My bread maker also makes pasta dough - so now I’ve learned that rolling out pasta on the counter can really save money on the cost of pasta. I use this machine almost daily so it’s just about paid for itself in 3 months.
Also, making good spaghetti sauce only takes 20 - 30 minutes and half the cost of buying jarred sauces. Recipes are available online and in virtually every cook book such as Joy of Cooking and Fannie Farmer.
Last but not least, some very common “throw away” foods can be fabulous cost-saving ingredients for a future meal. My favorite is to buy a whole turkey or chicken, roast it and use it for everything from sandwiches to main meals entrees. Save all the skin and bones, add water and slowly simmer for 5 or 6 hours. You can now season it as needed for soups and other cooking. Instead of $4 for a box of broth, you’ve made it almost for free. I even use this method with whole roasted poultry purchased from the deli. Obviously odds and ends left over from other meals can be used this way for broth or just added to casseroles or slow cooked recipes.
The main thrust for cost savings is to re-think the economics of cooking for a few instead of many and to take advantage of your particular location.
To save money, I always look to the frozen food aisle. Unless I’m going to be eating veggies in a salad or as crduite, I use frozen. I love the assortment of the frozen 365 brand fruits and veggies. I also buy from the bulk item- brown rice, couscous, rolled oats, quinoa, etc. Also- to save money, I’ve stopped buying bottled water. I got 2 reusable water bottles and have a filter at home. It saves me money everyday and also creates less waste.
When there is a seasonal special on fruits & vegetables, a good way to save is to preserve through dehydration. There are inexpensive dehydrators available. One can make dried apples, fruit leathers & delicious crackers in a dehydrator.
Hello to all!
We have 6 growing boys; needless to say, we’re always working on ways to stretch our food dollars! One of the best things we’ve done is used hot cereal instead of cold cereal. Hot cereal is better for you, more filling & costs way less versus cold cereal. Oatmeal is our perennial favorite, & steel cut oats are tastier than rolled oats. Steel cut are also less expensive, so we save $$. Find them in the bulk section at Whole Foods! They do take 30 minutes to cook, but are so easy to make ahead of time for a few mornings. Frozen berries, bananas, brown sugar, etc. are great additions. Once in a blue moon, when we buy cold cereal, it is a nice treat instead of the everyday! Homemade granola is fun to experiment with, too!
My favorite tip is to buy in bulk. That way, I only have to go to the store a few times a month, instead of twice a week. Also, when shopping, take advantage of the sales and buy in bulk then. Pasta sauce, yogurt, flour, and frozen foods are all great items to buy in bulk when on sale. Also, I love buying grains and peanut butter in bulk from Whole Foods. I buy rice and grains in bulk and arrange them in pretty canisters on the counter with scoopers inside. It makes dinner easy- and more importantly- inexpensive.
Like most households, the past few years I’ve have been trying to find a way to maintain an organic/natural lifestyle while saving a buck when possible. Luckily for me I have been into cooking since high school but something change for me a few years ago. I realized if I just took a little extra time and made a little extra effort, I could make some kicked up, classic food that would stretch our family’s shopping dollar and fill the fridge. Here’s how:
1.Buy whole cuts of meat. I think this is such a rarity now because we’ve been so consumed with convenience for decades. Whole chuck roast, whole pork shoulder, whole chickens, legs of lamb-this is how our grand parents did it and for good reason:cheap cuts of meat cooked with love and time make for stupendous eating. Whatever your style-bar-b-que, French peasant(my fave), classic Italian-this is the way most of the world eats but we Americans still pay high prices to buy already cut, package meats that cost 3,4 sometimes 5 dollars more than if bought whole. And when these items go on sale, stock up. Whole chuck-great for Texas chili, beef stew, beef Bourgandy or the classic American roast beef. Leg of lamb-roasted, bar-b-qued makes great sandwiches or serve over a salad. Whole chicken-the cook’s work horse-everything from chicken salad, chicken soup, bar-b-qued, smoked, pulled or jerked; you can never go wrong. I suggest starting with the classic roast chicken and go from there. Left overs galore and these meals beat anything that’s pre-made. Even if you want steaks buy whole pieces when you can afford it and cut the steaks at home. You will save tons and have money for beer!
2. Bake your own bread. No, really. Anyone can do this. I know this sounds like a big commitment and in a way it is but once you learn the basic techniques you can crank out a weeks worth of bread in just a couple of days and most of the work is just letting the dough rise while you watch TV or do the laundry. Don’t put pressure on yourself to be perfect the first time or even the 5th time. But stick with it. The price of grain is soaring around the world. Wheat has more than tripled in cost this year alone and there’s no telling how high it will go. Rioting around the world due to this may not be well known to us in the States but it will be and soon. We have an abundance of blessings that most of us don’t take advantage of. Trust me this one will not only save you tons of money but the value you will feel most will not be in your wallet, it will be in your self. The smell of warm bread from your own kitchen made by your own hands will be one of the best experiences you and your family will ever share. If you have children get them involved with this. Yes, they can do this too. You will be giving them a gift that will last a lifetime and giving them confidence as well. Most dough recipes are very similar so it won’t really matter where you look. And the cool thing-99% of the time, you can make 6 different bread items from one dough recipe! Really. Go to your local library and check out a book. I recommend Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day by Jeff Hertzberg or The Bread Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum. Or use the net. It’s a huge source of info on this. Start at Wholefoodsmarket.com. They’ve got great info and good starter recipes. Or foodnetwork.com. Once you learn the basics, a whole world of possibilities will open up to your and your family. Spend a little extra time, save a whole lot of money and give your family something truly wholesome and delicious. Your family will never be the same. Happy Eating!!
Whole Foods have unbeatable Pizza by the pound: Veggie, mushroom, pepperoni, BBQ chicken! Beats any pizza chain for quality with the finest ingredients. Also I buy organic rice, oats, quinoa, dates, etc. at any quantity at bulk prices! And don’t forget their great hot soups, like Brazilian chicken and chowders!
First off- I have never had bad luck with the Whole Foods 365 products. Most often they are cheaper and taste just as good as brand names if not better. I am single and in debt from college, and shop for 1- so I make frequent visits buying small amounts of food at one time to prevent waste. I always look for the YEllOW SALE sighns and buy what is on sale. This also gives me a chance to “try” new things!!! I love eating expensive fish, but instead of eating 8oz’s I will only eat 4, Everything I buy I try to stretch over a few weeks, especially if it can be frozen…it saves money and helps me to cut down my excess calories that I don’t need anyway.
I know not everyone can do this, but I quit my job to save money! I am cooking from scratch instead of using prepared foods from the freezer and fast foods. I shop now with meals planned instead of hurrying to get something on the table at 8:00 at night. We are not only saving money, but we are eating healthier! Plus I am saving over $300 in gas per month.
As a retired couple that eat healthy i find certain products will help to make meals more economical. The rotisserie chickens are great. We eat it the first night, the rest is cut into portions and frozen in pieces for more meals and Lulu the cat gets her share, also frozen. I find it fun to look in the referigerator and see what is there that might be combined to make a meal. I google the ingredients and see what comes up as a recipe to use them. The leftover raw spinach that needs to be eaten can go in soup. In fact all leftover greens can be put in soup. I cook a 12 pound turkey then cut the cooked pieces up into portions and freeze them. The bones are used for soup which is frozen. Beet greens cooked are delicious. Broccoli stalks are peeled cut in 1/4″ rounds and cooked with the broccoli heads, put in the referigerator to use in salads-great fiber. All leftovers from restaurants are brought home: the rice is frozen, mashed potatoes make potato pancakes, leftover bread makes wonderful croutons. Or frittas and stradas can use that leftover bread and vegetables made with either eggs or egg substitute.
We use cloth napkins instead of paper and dishtowels instead of paper towels as much as possible.
There are five major ways I save at Whole Foods Market:
1. Buy beans, rice, grains and other items in bulk, especially more expensive items such as sushi rice, heirloom beans and quinoa. They are generally cheaper than other stores, usually organic and save gas and packaging that comes from ordering on-line.
2. Have lunch or dinner at whole foods before you shop with friends or family. This saves money on gas by only making one stop; you shop on a full stomach; and you turn a chore into an outing.
3. Join a CSA- Community Supported Agriculture program if one is available in your area. All the produce is local, organic and very fresh. I then purchase any specialty items such as wild mushrooms or in-season veggies and fruit not included in my basket at Whole Foods.
4. Purchase specialty products such as Sherry and Balsalmic Vinegars, Olives, Capers, Spices and Californian and imported olive oils at Whole Foods instead of ordering them on the internet or making multiple trips to specialty stores. WF generally has a great selection and you save gas and packaging cost from multiple internet orders. Also, the prices are equal to or less than those on-line or at specialty shops.
5. Sign-up for weekly emails from Whole Foods and other natural grocery stores and farm stands. You can plan your shopping trips each week to save time, gas and find the best deals. Also you can find out about classes and tastings that are offered and turn one car trip into a multipurpose event.
if you use aluminum foil, reuse many times over. just wash after each time as they do in New Zeland.
I have to eat all gluten free products and have spent a lot of time in the past shopping at different stores. I saw that my Whole Foods was offering different FREE classes and one of them was introducing folks to different brands of gluten free products. On the sign up form, I was asked what products I would like to try as a taste test. I was amazed and very pleased to find those items I mentioned at the class ready for sampling. Our Whole Foods rep. took us through the entire store, dept. by dept. and showed us what is gluten free and had tastes available in most depts. for us. She also had coupons and free samples in a bag for everyone in the class. I plan on taking more classes with Whole Foods and learning even more about different foods that they carry. If you want to know how to shop Whole Foods as inexpensively as you can, check and see if your store offers one of their specialty classes and sign up for it!
I used my coupons at the Los Gatos store and saved $14.00 on a $60 bill. That is almost a 25% savings!! YEAH!
Shopping at any store that provides its employees with health care is an investment in the health of the community. We all save money in the long run (less taxes) when everyone doesn’t have to use the emergency room for doctor visits. Thank you Whole Foods for being a responsible employer.
This tip is all about cheese.
I’m new to the world of fine cheese and have purchased several different kinds on a whim from various markets in my area only to get them home, taste them, and be somewhat disappointed by their lack-luster flavor or unpleasantly surprised by their sheer, gym-sockesque potency. For the most part, being frugal, I would force myself to finish off what I had purchased but sometimes a particular cheese would just be too much for me to handle and thus go to waste. Here’s the tip: Whole foods has on staff a professional ‘fromagier’, essentially a cheese specialist who will guide you in the right direction and give you a sample of any cheese you’d like. Not only is this a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon but also a great way to save some cheddar… (sorry). You can also ask them to cut a piece of cheese down and package it as a smaller portion to accommodate your alloted cheese budget.
Enjoy your favorite sauce! The secret to saving money by bringing your lunch to work is actually looking forward to your great lunch. And that depends on having your favorite salad dressing or international sauce, freshly applied. I invested in a bulk purchase of 2 oz souffle cups and lids at a restaurant supply store. Now I can have my favorite ginger salad dressing tucked into the corner of my recycled plastic yogurt container. My salads have the variety of a chefs salad and all with my favorite dressing. Some frozen precooked chicken breast or some other protein or a peeled hard boiled egg is worth looking forward to, and keeps things cool as it thaws. You can use the same technique with a brown rice or quinoa based meal — just tuck your favorite sauce into the corner of the container, and it’s tasty enough to skip the microwave. For a pick me up snack, cut an apple in half, core it with a melon baller, and repack it cut sides together into the sleeve of recycled plastic from a loaf of bread. Cut that plastic in half and twist and close both open ends like a tootsie roll around your apple or anything else. By recycling all those twist ties that arrive with stuff you can turn most plastic bags into little lunch baggies, and reduce the number of new sandwich baggies that you need to buy.
Do you have leftover refried beans, they make a perfect addition to stews, chili, vegetable soup, since they thicken the broth,add protein and good flavor.
The best investment you can make for you and your family is to learn about how to cook. Knowing how a recipe works is an important skill. Then invest in a few good cookbooks. I recommend finding specialty books on bread, baking, and dinners. Once you have these, practice careful meal planning, make a list, and never go to the store hungry! By learning to bake from scratch everything from dinners to bread, and carefully planning our meals, I’ve been able to reduce my grocery bill almost 40%. I still only shop at Whole Foods and I buy as much organic as I can. I’m proof that it can be done without breaking the bank account.
I think that buying the 365 brand is an awesome brand and it’s a great value, so I buy the store brand a lot.
I clip coupons. Plus, I look out for extra coupons that my neighbors toss out in the recycle pile. Their loss is my gain!
I always use coupons. To make sure I use them up before they expire I put them in order of expiration and I always note on my grocery list if I have a coupon so I can be sure I look for that item. Also I write on my calendar the coupons I need to use that month so that I make sure to use them all before they expire.
For a healthy summer salad, just combine lettuce with any produce you have in the refrigerator. This is a great way to eat healthy and use up your produce before it goes bad.
I like to make a big one-pot dish for dinner and freeze for future meals. I cut up and saute onion, zucchini, and kale in a little olive oil. I then add a can of 365 garbanzo beans, and a can of crushed tomatoes. The flavors are totally flexible–a little cumin and paprika tastes a bit like chili. Add some other veg to make a stew! It is so easy and always tastes great. The ingredients freeze and reheat well, too.
Two ideas.
My son born at 24 weeks. He was 100% organic for the first two years of his life. To save on baby food I would buy bulk on sale, cook and freeze in ice cube trays. Visits to WF-Madison WI were timed with Dr. apt. saved gas.
Now kids are 6 & 8. We try new foods at the buffets here in CO. My kids request what they are curious about; we buy a plate full of flavors. Great way to expose them to different cultures.
Two ideas.
My son was born at 24 weeks in 1999. To help him I ate only organic while nursing and he was 100% organic for the first two years of his life. To help save on baby food I would buy on sale, cook and freeze in ice cube trays. I did do cloth diapers with him, wash them and hang them outside–it is cheaper but a lot of work.
I would time my visits to Whole Foods–Madison WI with Dr. trips because both were on the other side of town. I loved the seafood salad they had available. My one year olds loved trying octopus and other things.
Now my kids are 6 and 8 and we love to go to try new foods at the buffets here in CO. My kids can request what they are curious about and we can buy a plate full of flavors to try. It is helping me teach them to be adventuresome without spending a lot of money on full meals and without me having to take a zillion ethnic cooking classes.
My family and I love Ezekiel bread. However, it seems like no one is ever willing to eat the end pieces. Instead of throwing them away, I put them in my cool oven to harden and then when I need breadcrumbs, I just put the stale bread in a food processor and make my own bread crumbs from a favorite recipe.
I love using the organic lemons at Whole Foods. They’re great over fish or chicken (can use less salt that way) or to add to my daily drinking water for that wonderful fresh lemon flavor.
For an effective sore throat remedy, use the juice from one lemon. Add a cup of hot water and add about 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of honey to sweeten your drink. Drink this several times a day.
We save money by going meatless and having pancakes one night every week.
To make them more nutritious, I add three to six ounces of plain non fat yogurt (depending on quantity of pancakes being made), one egg whipped, a tsp of vanilla, a Tbl of walnut oil, and grate carrots and apples that are bruised or getting old into the pancake batter It’s even more nutritious if you use buckwheat pancake mix.
I whip a package of softened non fat cream cheese with a tsp of milk (I like almond milk) and a tsp of sugar. We spread it over the pancakes, add a layer of our favorite jam from Whole Foods, and then top that with fresh or frozen berries.
Save all of your vegetable scraps to make vegetable broth. I keep a plastic bag in the freezer, and throw all of them into the bag. When I have enough, I put them into a pan, cover with water, simmer on the stove, then drain. This makes an incredibly rich broth! You can use vegetable peels and scrapings such as carrot, onion, zucchini, tomatoes. Just skip any strong tasting ones such as brocoli. Saturate your body with vitamins and antioxidants!
items on sale at WF are usually cheaper than regular stores.also, i try to add leftover veggies to any dish i’m making so that it doesn’t go to waste.
We live about 20 miles from a WF market, so my neighbors and I take turns going. We get each other’s lists beforehand and that way one person is shopping for 3 or 4 people each time. Saves gas and time for everyone. Each person sends along a canvas bag for their groceries. The cashiers are always very nice and tell us the subtotals after they ring up each person’s stuff.
1. Avoid processed food whenever possible. Most people don’t realize it takes just as long to make homemade mac and cheese as the boxed stuff….I add cut up veggies, and it’s healthier, tastier and cheaper.
2. A great source for coupons is the Eating Well e-newsletter. Almost every time they have a $1 off coupon for Organic Valley and other products.
3. Don’t throw away eggshells, coffee grounds, fruit peels, snipped off ends of vegetables, etc….I store mine in a ziploc bag in the fridge, then every few days, put them in the blender with a lot of water, and then go out to my garden (just growing herbs for now, still learning!) dig a hole, pour some in, and cover it back up with dirt. Compost made easy, less waste, and it’s good for the plants and soil.
First of all, Being on WF Blog is more that helpful, with all these tips you can’t go wrong! But what my family does during the school season is that we take one day, we usually shop for a two week supply of food, which saves on travel time during this outrageous gas hike, and we pre-make our dinners (This may take time, but its time well spent with the family.) That way it is frozen when we are done, there is no guess work when we get home and my teenage daughter can pop something in the oven and help us if we are running late. It’s that easy. Oh, yeah, we don’t buy school lunch, we make it, which I personally think is healthier and saves alot of money. This process also saves on overspending and overeating portions and we remember our favorites recipes, it keeps us within our very strict budget!
I found myself throwing away expired food, so I made shopping into a game. First, I go through my pantry and fridge to figure out how many meals I can make with the items I already have. If I’m only missing one or two ingredients needed for a recipe, those items go on my shopping list. Second, I try to make several recipes from the same ingredients. For example, cheese and a can of tomatoes might be used in chili, sphagetti, and omelettes. Then, I list meals under entrees or snacks. I glance at the list a few times a week. That way, I don’t get stuck making impulsive buys because I’m hungry or rushed for time. I try to make the more difficult recipes on days when I’m not so busy. Lastly, one habit that has really stretched my food savings is storing food in airtight containers. They keep leftovers fresh and allow me to create my own “frozen meals,” which I take to work for lunch.
I only buy what i have to at WF everything else i order on the internet or get at the local farmers market. This means i only have to go to WF about once a month to get things like condiments.
A pant/skirt hanger (the kind with 3-4 metal bars, two clips per bar),hung on the back of a door in the kitchen is excellent for drying washed plastic bags (zip locks, sandwich, bread bags). It’s convenient, saves alot of money and meets the “Reduce-reuse-recycle” motto.
1. check WF web site or newsletter for specials.
2. make shopping list based on specials and what meals can be made from them.
3. Don’t buy too much; as a single person, I hate waste. I think about what I really need and can/will use in about a week to 10 days time.
Tips: don’t refrigerate tomatoes or stone fruit; look at how they are presented at WF; if they are not kept chilled or spritzed down, then do not refrigerate them. You may damage your produce or inhibit the flavor.
Become familiar with whole grains such as quinoa, millet, barley or amaranth. Whole foods offers a great selection of these in bulk, at bulk prices!
These can be great substitutes for meat protein at a fraction of the price, while lessening the negative impact that meat adds to our environment. If you can’t give up the meat, add small amounts of “lesser cuts” such as stew meat to the grain. Cheaper cuts are also generally lower in fat! Just cook accordingly for tenderness and flavor.
I have a large, soft cooler that I always fill with a few ice packs and take with me to Harry’s & Whole Foods. I also take another reusable bag each time. They both easily fit in the cart. As I shop, I put all of the frozen and refrigerated items in this large cooler and the other non-refrigerated/non-frozen items in the other bag. This removes the need for ice (and extra plastic bags) in the meat and seafood depts, besides the obvious of saving bags at checkout. After check out, the items go back in their respective bags. This allows me to not have to rush through the rest of my shopping or rush home since the frozen items and those needing refrigeration are already on ice.
Recycle those POM glass containers by using them as vases for flowers. Better yet, they make great plant containers for bamboo.
Cut coupons, buy in bulk, and use your own bags. Also, try to buy what is on special and don’t try too many new things at one time. If you know your kids wont eat something, don’t keep buying it, to see if they will suddenly change their minds. I have done this and have wasted more food this way. Introduce one new food at a time. Also, don’t go shopping while hungry after a workout. Been there, done that and spent way too much!
I take the used fabric softener sheet from the dryer and place it in the bottom of my trash pails under the plastic bag. It not only makes the pail smell fresher it also absorbs some of the leakage.
I purchase a large quantity of dried beans, cook them and freeze in portions.
They are so much tastier than canned beans
It nearly always makes sense to buy in bulk, but here’s the big exception: If you need only a small amount of something, you might end up spending less — and wasting less — if you buy that tiny amount at the salad bar or prepared foods section.
I love to research recipes. My favorite sites are allrecipes.com and recipezaar.com. You can save the recipes you like to your own cookbook. I plan my meals 2-4 weeks in advance, keep the meal plan posted on the refrigerator and buy everything (except some of the fresh produce for end of the month meals) all at one time. Instead of running to the store several times a week, I make 2-3 trips each month. I use coupons, plan meals around what is on sale, coordinate them with recipes I have found and saved on my favorite sites and save a ton of gas. By having the meal plan posted in the kitchen, anyone in the family can start dinner if I am not home.
There are so many ways to save money. I do all of my grocery shopping at Whole Foods because I believe it does make a difference how food is processed and made. Here are three ways that I save when I shop at Whole Foods:
1. Buy meat in bulk. At Whole Foods, you save when you buy 3lbs or more. So, I purchase 3 packages of 1lb each of either chicken cutlets or ground beef. The meat packaging is great for the freezer.
2. Buy frsh fruits and veggies in moderation. It is easy to overbuy the fresh items when you enter the store. Everything looks yummy! However, I have to bring myself back into reality and say, what am I really going to have time to cook this week. This way I save money and food is not wasted.
3. Bring a list and stick to it. That is my biggest saver!
I buy only organic products and also gluten free items so Whole Foods is a must for me and my family. To save gas money I make the drive only once a month. I also purchase some items in bulk. My favorite bulk items are large packages of boneless chicken thighs. At home, just break up the package and freeze in amounts you need. Also, I like to buy their large bag of organic oranges for juicing. The fruit is much cheaper in the large bags. I love frozen organic veggies and fruits. Especially mangoes. It’s cheaper to buy several bags and I use them for smoothies. Since they are frozen they’re perfect to pop in the blender with other fruits, yogurt and juice or milk and sometimes my kids drink smoothies for breakfast or lunch. I also love frozen veggies and keep them on hand to make large pots of vegetable soup. Those are my best tips !
We buy in bulk. I make meals for 2 to 3 days at a time. I refrigerate them and then my guys can have food ready at anytime they are hungry. Ex: We buy the large container of Organic Baby Spinach. I add things like: cut up or cubes carrots, apples, garlic, onions, bright bell peppers, raw zucchinis, cuceumbers, celery, raw beets. Then I put a non bleached natural paper towel on top of mix, cover and put in frig. When my guys are hungry for a salad, they just have to open container, take out a portion and put rest back in frig. They can add nuts, dried fruits, fruits, any salad dressing that they choose it lasts no more that 3 -4 days. But is cuts in the pre time and easier clean up too! I also cook large portion os beans with squash and corn for protein and it is readily available for comsumption too and rice and milk pudding for a sweet treat and good for you too..to that I add….nutmeg, cinnamon, all spice, cloves and very finely grated lemon and orange rind..of course all is organic and fresh. Enjoy
Use extra salad dressing (ranch or creamy ones) as a tasty spread for sandwiches. Viniagarettes can be basting sauces for grilling. Saves money, time and helps eliminate waste!
since it is a hot summer drink plenty of water. working out more than an hour drink a sports drink. eat more vegtables and fruits during the summer.
We try and eat vegetarian at least once or twice a week. When we do eat meat, we only buy good organic cuts from WF. I guess our mantra is quality over quantity.
I love to bake my own bread, and now that milk is so expensive I make sure I always have a few cans of evaporated milk on hand to use in bread recipes. That way I don’t need to use my “drinking milk” for bread baking and it works great!
I have learned to use my ice cube trays to save every last bit of sauce from anything I make. When I make my organic spaghetti sauce, I drop what ever is left from pouring it on spaghetti into ice cube trays. I then freeze it. Once the sauce is frozen, I store the cubes in a labeled freezer bag (using the smallest bag it will fit it..and I reuse the bags!) I do this for lemon juice, as well. Anything in a sauce form is frozen in the above way, if I have left overs. Convenient and it stops waste.
I buy whole chickens, then cut them at home with my poultry scissors. Breasts are put in one freezer bag, legs in another. The wings and back are put in a soup pot with all of my leftover vegetables.
I make large amounts of brown rice in my rice cooker at one time while doing other things at home, since it takes about an hour. I put the leftover rice into containers for entrees, side dishes, or portable lunches.
I wash cut up fresh fruit and veggies for snacking as soon as I get home from WF. We always eat more if it is already prepared and bite sized.
First I plan my menu and include breakfast, lunch and dinner plus snacks for the next week. Then I go through the pantry and cross out what I do not need to buy. After this I sort out each item based on the aisles in the store–this helps me stay on track and not run around in different directions and get tempted by impulse items. I also make sure to eat a filling meal before I arrive–I think we tend to overshop when we go hungry. Finally I like to bring a calculator and cash ONLY to the store. I add up the items as I go and if I start to go over, I make adjustments.
My husband and I have really debated spending the money at Whole Foods–we have 4 kids–but we have decided the attention to quality and healthier food make it worth it. I am never disappointed in my store and I can not say that about any other grocery store.
And Whole Foods Organic 365 rocks
I mix it up - for instance my new love is Sencha Shots - I make them last longer by adding them to my homemade lemonade or tea. I get a great tall beverage at a good price. The other thing I find is that even though I may pay more for Whole Foods produce the quality is such that my family never lets it go to waste.
The bonus - free samples throughout the store makes me feel like I am being treated as a guest.
I run a small, non-profit media company and we host a lot of last minute meet-ups and small speaker events. I think it’s always a good idea to have things for guests to nibble on so that they stick around, but often we are on a really tight budget. I’ve found that if I choose one or two trays from whole foods catering department (the crab cakes and the chicken drumette platters are a great deal) I can build around them with other wise choices. I usually get two boxes of plain crostini in the bakery, pick up two or three cheeses and then hit the olive bar. Sweep past the salad bar for sliced peppers and grab a bunch of flowers on the way to the check-out. I end up with a nice little starter spread and guests think I went to a ton of trouble!
I buy a standard all natural container of dishwashing detergent (we wash our dishes in the sink) and when it gets about 3/4 finished, I just add water back to the top and it’s good to go for a complete refill….Saves money and soap !
I don’t by all my groceries at Whole Foods, but I always make a trip for their 365 Shower Gel & Body Lotion. Seriously. The scents are great and mild. It’s made with all happy ingredients, of course, because it’s Whole Foods. And there’s a fragrance free choice too. They sell a big size that’s a great value. Huge and it’s 5 bucks! So there’s my tip.
I first look in the pantry to see what is there. My personal recipe book is in my computer, able to be accessed by major ingredients. This gives me an idea of what to buy. I take a look at the sale brochures to see what the specials are, find five or six recipes to cook for the week, and make up my grocery list. Sounds complicated, but it is now routine for me, and I have cut way back on my grocery bill. The other one or two days are filled in by leftovers or dinner invites to friends.
Buying large quantities save time and money. You can buy a gallon size can of diced tomatoes for almost the same price as the smaller can. When I make spaghetti or lasagna or even okra I make a large batch (to use it up) and then freeze in portion size meals. Talk about saving time! My family gets to decide from a variety of meals what they want for lunches or dinner. And it can be different than any one elses. I also make desserts and cut them in serving sizes and freeze. That way they can have a dessert after their dinner.
Our older boy loves 2% milk, and our baby loves whole milk. So instead of buying both kinds, we simply buy whole milk, and add water to make it 2%. It saves on the amount bought, and it saves on our budget by making more milk by simply adding water.
I grab the Mambo Sprouts coupons, usually in the cafe, and pair the coupons up with items on sale - a double save! The Whole Foods 365 brand is also very reasonable.
I shop in bulk for organic evap cane juice (sugar), org. flours, seeds, nuts, rices and grains, dried fruits, berries, etc. It’s all significantly less than buying in packages, and I reuse packages from home. So I save $ and packaging, and get high turnover fresh stuff.
1. Bring a resuable Whole foods canvas bag to save a ten cents.
2. Buy fresh products without a lot of packaging.
3. Try new items on sale.
4. Buy Whole Foods soup, baguette, salad and fresh fruit for a quick, easy meal.
5. Buy Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Detergent and cleaning products. They go a long way and are good for the environment.
6. Buy Free Trade Coffee because it’s the right thing to do.
7. Skip paper products and substitute a good ceramic mug instead.
8. Splurge on the Austin Cream Cake from the bakery. Best cake ever!
9. Buy domestic California, Washington and Texas wine. It taste great and it’s cheaper.
10. Create menus from what’s on sale in the meat and seafood department.
10.
I hate wasting anything, especially good food. I like to pick ingredients that can be used in multiple meals during the week, but in different ways, and then buy in bulk! Bulk is cheaper, has much less waste from packaging (especially when you bring your own bags!) and let’s you choose just how much you want - so there isn’t any of the tasty food going in the trash!
When cutting an avocado for a salad, save a piece for you face. Mix the avocado piece with tiny bit of milk, apply to your face and leave on 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water. This is a natural moisturizer for your face and you will be surprised how great your face feels after this application.
Whole Foods has an amazing selection of fresh veggies, and my favorite meal happens to be very economical. I make a giant pot of veggies on the stove with a touch of olive oil, mushrooms, onions, garlic, broccoli, snap peas, cauliflower, zucchini squash, and bell peppers of a few different colors. If you are in a big hurry, you can also get the precut veggies from the produce isle at Whole Foods, but you’ll save more by buying them individually and picking your ingredients from items on sale. I steam it lightly and then put a single serving in 4-6 individual containers in the fridge. When it’s time to eat, I just warm them up along with some chicken or beef strips and soy sauce, or make up a burrito, or add eggs, avocado and salsa to make a great breakfast. It’s incredibly healthy and takes a whole 2 minutes to prepare!
Use whole Turkeys throughout the year, not just at Thanksgiving. I stock up on whole turkeys when they are on sale around the holidays then use them throughout the year. I thaw the frozen turkey, and cut the breast off. This can then be used the same way you would use boneless, skinless chicken breast, for stir frys or kabobs etc. I then cut the legs off, roast them, then coat with bbq sauce and finish on the grill, just like at the fair. The rest of the turkey gets roasted and I remove the meat and use it for turkey enchiladas or turkey salad for sandwiches. Then I boil the bones for broth that I store in the freezer to use whenever I need it.
Never let your fresh veggies go bad before you get to eat them. If I have some veggies that have been in the fridge a few days and I’m not sure when I can get to eating them, I roast them. If I don’t eat them all up off of the cookie sheet as soon as they’re out of the oven, then any leftovers now have a few more days shelf life in the fridge. I just cut the veggies up, toss in olive oil, place on a cookie sheet, sprinkle with salt and pepper then roast at 400 degrees F for 20 to 40 minutes depending on the type of veggie.
I have a family of five and a very tight budget. We save an average of $200 a month on groceries by doing the following:
1- Subscribe to the Sunday Newspaper. It’s cheaper than buying it at a store and you save on gas.
2- Cut coupons..if you get a paper that has a lot of coupons you will use go to the store and buy another paper that Sunday.
3- Set a food budget and stick to it.
4- If you have a sweet tooth baking from scratch in the end is cheaper than buying already prepared sweets.
5- When there are sales stock up.
6- Buy in Bulk from Costcos or BJs or WF
7- Subscribe to manufactures websites. They usually send awesome coupons by mail and email.
8- Clean your house with Vinegar and water. You can buy it in bulk, it’s inexpensive and extremely versatile.
Taking ground turkey and hand mixing it with cumin, diced onions, minced garlic and red cooking wine and forming into hamburger patties. Then I grill the patties over real charcoal from WF’s. The taste, texture and flavors are unlike any other burger experience.
With banana’s that are going brown, I make a breakfast shake. Anything can be added, milk, soymilk, melon that needs to get eaten. A spoonful of peanutbutter will supply your protein. Thats always on the shelve. Add wheat gream, flax, yogurt, just about anything that u like.
As a broke college student and someone who believes in “you are what you eat,” I have to stretch my dollar are far as it can go to make sure I can afford to eat the wholesome foods I want. My very favorite save money tip, which took me a while to master, is to never throw away food. 9 times out of 10 I find a way to use whatever left over food I have. Too many organic bananas? Cut them up before they go bad and freeze them! Take them out of the freezer when you want them in your smoothie! Guests didn’t eat enough of that fancy bread you bought when they came over? Make croutons or bread crumbs and throw them in the freezer until you need them. Left over guacomole, shredded cheese, and salsa from “Fajita Night?” Make a dip, freeze half, and show your co-workers your crafty cooking skills by bringing the other half to work. If you use a little bit of creativity, you’ll always be able to eat your favorite, healthy foods, stretch your grocery allowance, and avoid feeling guilty about spending a bit more than average person on more wholesome food choices!
1. I email companies that carry products I like and request coupons. Almost every company has sent them. Stoneyfield Farm and Horizon always have coupons on their website. 2. Shopping organic and natural can be expensive, so I stock up on sale items. I always look through the Whole Body section of Whole Foods for sale items and buy even if I’m not out of that item. Otherwise, I would not buy it when I do actually run out (toothpaste, etc.) 3. I keep a running list in my wallet of my favorite natural and organic items with the store name and best price. If I’m in a store and feel like a listed price might be better, I just look at my list and compare.
I purchase pure organic lemonaide at Whole Foods and freeze it into little glass jars. Then I set one out to thaw a while and enjoy this summer time treat on weekends! This is a lot less expensive than packaged lemon ice treats and saves packaging waste as well!
The greatest investment I have made to save money for our family of 4 is my stovetop grill pan. Invest in one!!!. I buy large packages of chicken, salmon,etc and grill them up and freeze. Just pop them out of the freezer heat and throw over rice for a quick meal. I also do veggies on the grill pan as well.
I noticed that you have recipes and hints about corn on the cob this week. Nowhere do you mention that it is simple to freeze the corn while it is in season. We have had wonderful, sweet corn on the cob for Thanksgiving by freezing our summer corn.
Husk the corn, pull the silk, and simply put it into a zip lock bag. Squeeze the air out, and place in freezer. Couldnt be simpler. DO NOT PARBOIL OR IT WILL BE WATERY WHEN YOU ARE READY TO EAT IT. When ready to cook, simply put in micowave for four minutes or dump in cold water and bring to a boil. (no need to defrost). When water comes to a boil, it is ready.
This was told to me years ago by a farmer who sold me 200 ears at a time each summer and taught me how to freeze them.
I hate to waste time cutting veggies, so if I plan to have some salads in the next 2 days, I fill up a plastic container at the salad bar with already cut fresh veggies. That way, all I have to do is buy my greens! Quick, easy and time-saving. PLUS, the plastic containers are recyclable!
I spend one Sunday afternoon a month
Cooking big batches of the basics: rice,
cous cous, beans etc….and put them in freezer containers, labeled with what
is and when it was cooked. Not only does it save a TON of time, but there is so much less waste and I don’t spend as much money running back and forth to the store. We have 6 children, which makes meals expensive enough with out over spending or wasting food.
Try to buy fewer convenience goods, go shopping only once per week, eat more vegetarian meals (especially those that include beans) & budget you food intake for the week to save money. In this way, you eat in a healthier fashion and are able to control calories as well.
We love the Whole Foods Rotisserie chicken. The two of us have it for dinner and what’s left (bones and all), I’ll boil for about an hour, chill, strain and make wonderful chicken noodle soup with organic vegetables, noodles and chicken breast. A very inexpensive way to have two meals for two people.
Don’t go in with a list instead buy what is on sale and then you can create new meals based on the items. This will allow you to be creative and also save money.
I also like to go to websites that I can put in the items I have and then they give me items I can make. One good site is Cooking Light under advanced search.
Taking advantage of the food classes offered at the St. Louis stores is a great way to have fun and save money. The cost of the classes is quite reasonable, one meets great people while enjoying great food and wine. It allows one to find out what is available in the store and to discover new things to like. It is easy to save money if one knows what one really wants to buy. Also, the great instructors show what foods and wines can be paired well.
Each month I buy in bulk — nonperishable items. Each week I buy the fruits and veggies. To save time and to make sure everyone eats their veggies, I wash / cut everything and put them in baggies or containers. I put everything in a large open container on the bottom shelf — that way my 4 year old can quickly grab a healthy snack like blueberries or carrot sticks. It is a great way to be healthy and not waste any food. It also makes it easier to make a quick salad.
Buy Bulk! You can make great breakfasts, lunches/and or dinner simply by buying bulk food items. Whole Foods Organic Rolled Oats or Steel Cut Oats are always a terrific way to start the morning. Add some bulk Organic Thompson Raisins to get some extra fiber and nutrients in your oatmeal. For lunch (great for vegetarians) you can make a big pot of lentils and rice, beans and rice or pasta, couscous, etc. These dishes are very economical, nutritious, and can be varied according to your palate (try Indian spices for lentils and rice, mexican for beans and rice, middle-eastern for couscous, etc.). 364-Day Whole Tofu from the dairy section is also a terrific addition to a grain-based lunch. Homemade soups with Barley, beans and plenty of vegetables are also a great way to have a hearty meal and to obtain the most bang for your buck.
I always try to shop at my local Whole Foods (Hingham, MA) on Wednesdays for “What’s Cooking Wednesdays” and on Fridays for “Family Night Fridays”. On each of these days, from 4-7, Whole Foods offers lots of great samples, including some very good child friendly ideas. It’s a great way to get your child to try something to see if they like it before you waste money buying something you hope they’ll like. I can’t tell you how many different types of fish they have eaten thanks to this program! Also, make sure your kids join the kids club - another great way Whole Foods encourages children to eat well!
I purchase a preferred, all natural jar of pickles. When they are all eaten I slice rounds of cucumber and thinly sliced onion into the brine. After a couple of days the resulting pickle is even better than the orginal! Depending upon how often you eat them, you can use the brine a couple of times! I prefer Bread and Butter pickles. Yum!
I very rarely go to Whole Foods as it is far from my home (about 10 miles) If I am in the area I might stop in. Gas is too expensive to drive back & forth. For many years I have clipped coupons to try and save money.Personally, I can’t understand why the manufacturers just don’t lower the prices. I just try and eat healthy. Do alot of reading up on foods and what is good for your body.Stay away from alot of processed foods.Read labels on everything and watch your salt. Definately exercise everyday. It’s not just about where you buy your food.
For dinners, cook, and cook extra so there is leftover to bring in for lunch. Try vegetarian - meat can add up. Eat smaller portions - good for you and saves money! Bulk purchases - canned food can last forever. When cooking a new recipe, try to substitute strange spices (which can be expensive) for something you already have. Having meals with friends means shopping less and wasting less!
Whole Foods is my favorite place to shop. Before going shopping, I write a list and make a note to only purchase one impulse item. It really works!
Planning a menu also helps, but it works even better to loosely plan and take advantage of sales. If ground turkey is cheaper than ground beef or chicken, then I’ll make that for dinner, along with a stir fry of well-priced vegetables and a cooked grain (bought in bulk!).
Also, plan to cook enough to have lunch for the next day. If you dont like eating leftovers, change it up. Stir together leftover pasta, sauce, and steamed vegetables, and bake with a little bit of cheese. A three course meal became an easy to eat baked ziti.
Most importantly, focus on eating fresh foods, whole grains, and the foods you enjoy the most!
We’ve saved a lot of money by buying in bulk. Not all Whole Foods offer this, but the bigger stores do. The meat department will package chicken breasts or hamburgers into a family-size package and reduce the price. (Chicken is generally $2 less per pound in the family style package that when bought straight from the meat counter.) We take them home, separate them into 2-breast packs and freeze them for quick meals later in the week.
Our Whole Foods store has a basket of small pieces of cheese. This is a great way to make a very fancy cheese plate at a fraction of the cost of buying whole chunks of various cheeses (especially the ones that come only in small rounds). It also gives you the opportunity to taste an expensive cheese that you don’t want to drop a lot of money on first try.
I love Whole Foods and shop weekly, especially for 365 brand. Here’s my favorite 5-minute energy breakfast: In a frying pan, spray olive oil and warm 3 corn tortillas on low. Beat 1 or 2 eggs with 1 spoon ricotta cheese and a pinch of salt & pepper & marjoram; microwave for 1.45 minutes. Spread tortillas with 1 spoon each of refried beans, salsa, and grated cheese. Top with scrambled eggs, fold and enjoy a healthy breakfast!
Think the cost of fresh fruit and vegetables are too high? I did too…until I put the cost in perspective. Many of us think nothing of buying one or even two coffee house beverages almost every day. When you think about what you spend for coffee the price per pound for a fruit and vegetables seem like a bargain! And considering that you get several portions from just one pound of produce, it it a bargain! Enjoy that cup of coffee, then enjoy your favorite fruit or vegetable!
Indulge at home for less! We make our own ice cream, at a fraction of the cost of buying it, and iced coffee, that rivals any at a coffee shop, at home.
Making ice cream is surprisingly easy. I make the ice cream base in the evening and run the ice cream maker the next morning so it’s ready that evening. We like to use anywhere from 1% milk to whole milk and skip the cream so it’s less fattening. The other ingredients are simply eggs, sugar and vanilla or other flavoring. We like having control over the ingredients by making our own. We enjoy homemade ice cream every weekend with fresh fruit from the farmers market or crushed almonds. There are plenty of ice cream recipes to be found online. It only takes minutes to make the base. Save the egg whites for omelets the next morning!
We enjoy iced coffee at home all summer by using a Coffee Toddy Cold Brew system. A pound of ground coffee - it doesn’t need to be expensive - will last weeks in the fridge in a concentrate. To make the coffee concentrate, you put ground coffee in a container that sits atop a carafe, add water and let it soak overnight. The next morning, remove the stopper and let the concentrate drip into the carafe. To make an iced coffee, use 1 part coffee concentrate, 1 part water and 1/2 tsp. vanilla over ice, sweeten with sugar or substitute and add milk to your liking.
I often make a batch and share with friends!
Shop only for a meal or two - buy only what you need and not what you think you might need. I do a menu at the beginning of the week with proteins and starches listed, then buy my veggies depending on what looks best. This makes me stick to a plan, and a budget. Cutting out impulse buys takes away some of the fun, but it saves me money!
Even though eating raw or steamed veggies is healthier, if you do have to boil them, save the water for soup or for when you make rice. It has a lot of the nutrients from the veggies in it, and it’ll give the soup or rice a nice flavor. This comes out great every time I do it…..
Take a list of what you need when heading out to shop. My husband and I love to cook and always make extra to freeze. It is fun to cook! Prepared food should only be the exception, not the rule for dinner. Shop the sales and freeze the extra meat, fish, etc. Buy the Whole Foods bulk items. Also, try to buy produce in season. It is now the “cool” thing to do anyway. My husband loves the wine selections and will wait until we need a case and then get the case discount. Also, never shop hungry, unless you want to sample the goodies on display!
Get to know the seafood team members at your Whole Foods store. They’ll know when your favorite fish will be in season AND when the season ends. I buy Copper River salmon near the end of their season to get great price savings as the store closes out their stock.
Hi I am a student and nurse, so I am running all over the place always having to pack my lunch. Whole Foods is a great place for me as I can walk there from my home, work or school. I always bring my own bags to save a nickel but more importantly not waste other bags you just don’t need.
1. Whole Foods has cooking classes that are FREE…what activities are free in DC plus you get a dinner out of them..meet new people, get new recipes and have a blast! It is the best little secret for starving students, and I almost can’t believe I am sharing them. Lisa Comento organizes them doing an amazing job, they are a blast. I highly recommend them if you are a poor, foodie like myself
2. The prepared salads and soups are both good healthy options as well. Turkey chili is about 3 servings and the large salads usually can serve me for two meals. As a single girl, I don’t eat the the normal serving size on the package so you end up having more food for your buck
3. Tofu at WF is a steal, often packages are 99 cents…protein for salads, sandwiches, stir frys at a cheap price
4. The frozen veggies and berries at WF are good for dinners/breakfast smoothies. Packaged when they are freshest you save money but don’t sacrifice flavor or freshness….
Thanks Whole Foods…don’t know what I would do without you
Can’t miss way to cook brown rice.
preheat oven to 375
place 1.5 cups of brown rice in 8X8 or similar size pyrex dish.
add 1 tablespoon of butter.
pour 2 and 1/3 cups of boiling water over rice and butter
cover tightly(hopefully you have the dish top)
bake for 55 minutes
remove and fluff with fork.
It will have a great texture and nutty flavor. Use for stir frys, fried rice dishes, etc.
Super if you love white rice but want to get more nutritional value into your meals.
When you have used almost all of a bottle of salad dressing (almost any kind!)and there’s not enough left to use for a family meal, add a little flavored vinegar, olive oil, pickle juice, or other condiment you may have on hand and use the liquid as an interesting meat marinade! It will save you money over buying the prepared marinades, and you can season this unique marinade with herbs and spices to your family’s individual taste!
I like to make gourmet pasta once a week. I buy a box of rigatoni, a bottle of Rao”s Marinara Sauce and fresh Turkey Sausages from the meat department. This meal is extremely inexpensive and can feed a family. I pan sear the turkey in olive oil and after it’s cooked, put the sauce in the pan and later combine it all together. I pair that with a green salad with a dressing of balsamic and olive oil. It sounds simple, but tastes better than the average spaghetti dinner. This meal can be prepared for the whole family for around $19.
Stock up! when you see something non-perishable at an amazing prize, buy enough to last a year.
We find not only great taste by shopping at Whole Foods, but also great value.
Senior Citizens and cooking for two is so easy at Whole Foods where we can buy exact portions for our meals. Chherfully the team members in the meat department will portion size ground meat for hamburger pattie to our request. One of us eats 1/4th pound and another 1/3 pouhd. No problem getting exactly what we use and there is no waste. I love salmon, my wife does not so I can get exact size portion of salmon for myself and exact size tilapia for her. We buy to fit the meals we plan and only at Whole Foods can we do this. Our meals are less expensive, and yet tops in taste and quaity.
Label everything in the fridge! Save money by making sure that you actually eat everything you buy.
During the fall and winter, every Sunday I roast a whole chicken for our family dinner, and serve it with in season vegetables. We have leftovers for lunch one day, and then I take the remainder of the bird and freeze it. When I have accumulated three or four, I make a delicious stock that is then used for homemade soup. That one roasted chicken ends up being lots of meals!
Don’t throw out stale bread. We rarely finish a full loaf, because there’s just two of us. So when we get to the end, I make crutons. They’re a great on-the-go-snack, plus you can mix them with a little lettuce and make a great salad, without even adding other vegetables. Just cut the bread up into strips or cubes, toss it with olive oil, garlic, and herbs like basil. Then I bake it in the oven for 10-20 minutes, at about 300 degrees, until it’s crispy and brown.
Buy the excellent coffee beans at Whole Foods and make coffee at home. It will be so much better than anything you can buy out, that you’ll never want to pay $2 for a cup of coffee again. We have the Cuisinart Grind And Brew Coffeemaker, which makes the best cup of coffee in the world.
Instead of buying cold cuts, buy a whole chicken and roast it. You can use the meat to make chicken salad and use the carcass to make stock. Or, buy an already-cooked rotisserie chicken and use it to make chicken salad. Turkey is $9 a pound but a whole chicken costs $7.50 and often has more meat on it. Plus, it tastes better, and it’s more versatile — you can have it for lunch or dinner.
Many people think of Whole Foods as the expensive place to buy groceries, but in New York City, we’ve found the opposite. It’s the cheapest place in Manhattan!
I’ve been delighted since our Whole Foods Market opened up just a few minutes from my home! I shop there for everything from cosmetics to organic produce and gifts. My family has always been a restaurant family, eating out numerous times every week. My teenage daughter is now old enough to go out on her own with her friends, and my husband works in a restaurant. So I find myself frequently stopping in to Whole Foods on my own for a pleasant, healthy dinner. I’ve found if I choose a balanced meal in a reasonable portion size, I can enjoy healthy prepared food in a pleasant atmosphere, and then browse and do some shopping! It sure beats eating out in restaurants…I save money, and eat healthy!
What I like to do is check the ounces on each product I buy. For example, when I buy olive oil I like to get the most for my money. I compare the ounces of each container and I make my decision based on ounces per dollar.
The secret to saving money when grocery shopping is simple:
1. Look at what is on sale and be willing to make each week’s meals based on the sales.
2. Use coupons! Couple coupons with the sale items and then you’ve REALLY got a deal! It may take a minute to find them, but you’re MAKING money by saving!!!
3. Plan all the meals you will be making that week (pair what you have on stock at home with what’s on sale). And buy only what’s on your list!
4. Use leftovers, and freeze any possible unused items to prevent them from going bad.
Now THAT’s money in your pocket!!!
Mara, Team Member
I really love the rotisserie chickens. I buy one and can use it for so many things throughout the week, chicken salad, rice and chicken for dinner and my kid’s favorite chicken quesadillas. They are really affordable and also the same great quality all natural chicken that I buy from the fresh case.
Keep your recipes stored categorized by season for easy reference. Then when there’s seasonal sales items will be appealing to buy since you already have great ideas on how to use them at your fingertips. And you’re also less likely to lose that great buy to the back of the refrigerator because you didn’t get around to figuring out how to use it.
1.Bring your mesh Whole Food re-usable bags to the market. They are only $1.00 and buy them if you should need more.
2.Buy in bulk………..I now buy popping corn, spelt, bulgur, quinoa, nutritional yeast, and brown rice mixes all in bulk.
3.My new favorite recipe is very cost effective and I get many meals out of it….
Spelt Farotto with Tuna and Artichokes
serves 4
from Almost Turkish Recipes
2 Tbs. Olive oil
1 1/2 cups spelt
3 cups low sodium chicken broth
8-12 ounces chopped canned artichokes
1 small can good tuna
Two large handfuls of flat parsley, chopped
About half a cup of shaved non fat Parmesan or soy cheese(grated galaxy brand sold at Whole Foods)
Salt and pepper
Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the spelt and cook until slightly toasty and coated in oil - about 2 minutes.
Add the chicken broth, one cup at a time, stirring frequently but not constantly. Add more as it looks dry. The spelt will probably take 30-40 minutes to cook. Just keep an eye on it and make a salad or cut up some vegetables; it doesn’t need to be stirred all the time. When the spelt berries are chewy and al dente, and most of the liquid has evaporated, turn the heat to medium high, and add the artichokes and tuna. Cook until heated through.
Add the parsley and cook until wilted, then take off the heat and taste. It won’t need much salt, but perhaps a little pepper.
Toss with the Parmesan and serve.
Buying surplus 365 products for cheap at Big Lots!
To maximize your shopping trip and to make sure everything gets home in good shape without spoilage, be sure to take a cooler with you. Keep some reusable “blue ice” type blocks in the freezer or dump your stale ice cubes into a plastic bowl with a tight lid to take in the cooler with you. In the heat of summer, produce and meat will degrade quickly in a hot car.
I walk to Whole Foods! I save on gas and help, help the environment, get a work out, and get some fresh air for me and my toddler all at once!! I have my own bags so I automatically save at the checkout.
I check out WF’s recipe site to give me ideas on meals to prepare under $15. I know I will be preparing a healthy and whole meal at a great price. This takes the guess work out. I recently started making apple and cheese quesadillas for my picky toddler and he LOVES them!
I am guaranteed to save money and have a meal ready in the freezer for days that I get home late.
I usually roam the isles very quickly and look for specials on items that I normally buy. If any of those items are on sale, I stock up. If the 7th Gen detergent is on sale, I buy two bottles! If pasta is on sale, I buy a few packages. Things that will not go bad and I regularly use, I eagerly stock up on them.
I check out WF’s website for any specials ahead of time. This way, I’m not wasting as much time at the store. I have a bit of a heads up
I make as much of my products from scrtach as possible. I understand this is hard when we are all pressed for time, but if I make prepare a meal like lasagna. I undercook it and freeze it. If the ground turkey and tomato/marinera sauce is on sale, I do this
I also remember to bring back my glass milk bottles to get my refund!!!!
Oh and, last but not least, I make a weekly meal plan. I make the plan based around what the store has on sale. If a certain vegetable is on sale, I build a meal around it.
When I start my raw food diet, our food bill become smaller.
There is a list called “the dirty dozen.” I try to shop these items organic. It helps me make good choices if I am not able to buy everything organic.
I find the best way to save money is to cook all our meals from scratch. Most folks think this is difficult with today’s busy lifestyles, but I work full time,have a family and a home and still find this the best way to stretch our grocery budget, as well as assuring my family has the healthest foods possible. And freezing the leftovers, including breakfast foods such as pancakes and waffles, works great too.
There are several ways that I try to save money as well as not waste food. One way is to go shopping more often, then I can go in for what I am in the mood for that night or next few days and not waste. I also purchase products that are in season and that whole foods is featuring that week. It also helps to buy products that are 365 brand and things that won’t spoil such as tuna, beans, and boxed pasta or rice. I also love to use coupons. Whole foods distributes Mambo Sprouts coupon book for free several times a year and you can also go to the manufacturers website and print coupons. My favorites are Stonyfield, organic valley, and seventh generation.
Since I am a single mom of two kids, one being a 14 year old boy, I find it extremely helpful to make a lunch and dinner menu for the week. Then based on the weekly necessities (milk, bread, eggs, cheese, fruit and veggies for snacks) plus the menu I write a shopping list and stick to at store. When writing the list I go through the kitchen to see if there is anything I am forgetting plus I have a white board to write down things I run out of during the week to be added to the next shopping trip list. This reduces mid week trips and slurge spending at the local convenience store. I do usually have to go Whole Foods on Wednesday for a milk run and then I will also pick mid week meats or fish depending on what the menu is for the week and I plan for that in the menu. If there are any leftovers, doesn’t happen often, I will either put them in the kids lunches or my lunch.
Then I will prepare fruits and veggies in advance, say the day before so when I get home from a long day at work everything is ready to be cooked. This has reduced our take out bill. By the time dinner is done my energy has picked back up from the healthy meal so I can prep for the next day’s lunches and dinner.
Comparing prices, sales, bulk purchases (although I live in NYC so not easy), and 365 brand food help significantly also.
I’ve recently noticed more and more “Local” signs for specific products in the Whole Foods aisles. I love knowing which products are local because it means they’ve traveled less (better for the environment and probably less expensive), I know I’m supporting people in my “larger” community, and there are often unique products that you won’t find in the national brands.
If you have a small houshold with just yourself or one other person it may be difficult to buy smaller portions. I reccomend carpooling with a friend or family member to the local Whole Foods market and then spliting the cost and amount of items. This will enable you both to get the items you want in smaller sizes and save money. The best part is you will also save money on gas and be able to have some great times with friends or family.
Since I have a low income, I follow these tips-
1)Use the generic 365 brand. This saves me a lot of money. I made a great vegetarian chili using the Fantastic Foods kit along with canned beans,blue corn chips,cheese.
2)Do price-checking.
3)Fruits and vegetables are,contrary to the myth,MORE AFFORDABLE. I’ve been using a lot of vegetarian recipes lately.
4)In cold weather,I use soup mixes to add flavor.
5)Be willing to spare the expense on herbs&spices. They last awhile,and what’s the use of affordable food if it’s bland?
Since I am single, I lose money when foods frequently spoil before I have a chance to eat them. I use my freezer to combat this problem. I freeze be