Saving Money with Organic Foods

Hello again!

I'm amazed that it's been almost a month since we've chatted.  I guess it's been busier than I thought... March definitely came in like a lion, but the proverbial lamb is just around the corner with sunny skies, warmer temperatures, and flowers like crocus, hyacinth, and daffodils dotting the landscape with cheerful colors.

But let's get back to the subject.  I'm a fan of organic foods because I don't like feeding my family a bunch of preservatives and processed food.  I firmly believe that the closer the food is to how it actually came from the ground (or walked on it), the easier it is for your body to do something with it.  Plain and simple.

One company that I've been using for about a year is Door to Door Organics.  Once a week, I get a delivery of fresh, seasonal produce.  It comes to my front door, and is priced very reasonably.  The Friday before my scheduled delivery day, I get an email letting me know the contents of my next shipment.  I can make substitutions or add extra products if I like.  I think there are several advantages to using this company:

1. It keeps me out of the produce section at the grocery store for the most part.  I recently read an article about grocery stores which stated that the produce section of the store is one of the most profitable and is an area that is very susceptible to impulse purchases.  It's much easier for me to breeze through, pick up a bunch of bananas and 1 or 2 incidental items instead of having to cruise the entire section.
2. It helps me feed my kids healthy snacks, and a variety of them.  They get excited when they see a box full of fresh apples, pears, strawberries, and fun fruits like mango.  Don't ask me why, but it's more fun for them to eat something that came to the house.
3. The pricing is very reasonable.  I calculated what I would spend at the local health food store for the same amount of produce.  Even before I added in my gasoline and time (both of which I get to save), I was ahead of the game.  It helps me plan my meals and cooking projects (a goal of mine for 2010), and encourages me to try something new every now and then.
4. After almost a year, I've had very few issues.  Occasionally (once or twice), I've gotten some produce that wasn't in good shape.  A quick call to their very friendly customer service, and my bill was credited.  And I even got a call when a particular item that I wanted was back in stock.
5. They support local farmers and care about doing a great job.  It's important to spread good news about good companies.  They also have a very large delivery area that goes well beyond the boundaries of the metro area.

I'm not being compensated to tell you about this company.  If you go to the site and decide to give it a try, I'll get a credit toward my next purchase if you mention my name.  The site is user-friendly, as is their delivery schedule.  There's even a section where you can request that certain fruits or veggies not be added to your box, and where you can tell them your favorites.  If you are trying to introduce some healthier foods to your family, this might be a good place to start.

Let me know what you think!

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March is National Craft Month!

Hello to all of you again!  I don't know if you are a "crafty" person or not, but March is National Craft Month.  I have to be honest with you... my basement is a virtual shrine when it comes to crafting.  Scrapbooking?  Yep.  Stamping?  Of course.  Soapmaking?  Uh-huh.  Candlemaking?  Do you need to ask?  You get the idea....

My habits started at a very young age (amazing what happens when there are only 3 TV stations and a "handheld game" either didn't require batteries or had a very limited functionality).  I learned how to needlepoint and crochet when I was 6 or 7 years old.  By the time I was 8, I had a real sewing machine (which I used through high school).  I remember that one year, I'd gotten a weaving loom.  All of the family members got color-coordinated potholders that year.  I have no idea how much my mom spent on yarn for that project, but I'm grateful for it.  I've always been a visual learner and have liked working with my hands.  I could fill pages of this blog with all of the different crafts I've attempted or enjoyed at some point in my life.  Each craft taught me something new.  I still try to incorporate some sort of hand made gift for my family during the holidays.  Whether it is a beaded serving spoon or a jar of sugar scrub, I enjoy giving something that I've taken the time to make.

Making something with your own two hands could rapidly become a lost art in our virtual and digital world.  When is the last time you made something with your child?  What was it?  What have you always wanted to learn to do but haven't taken the time?

If you think you'd like to give soapmaking or even making your own body care items a try, take a look at http://www.soapcrafters.com/.  I've visited with the president of the company.  She's dedicated to customer service and has put together some very affordable kits that give you everything you need to give a new craft a try.  I've ordered from them myself and think they do a great job.  By the way, I'm not being compensated for this post -- I just think it's the right thing to pass good information along.

Who knows?  Maybe you will find something new that could help create some extra income for your family.  Or maybe you will just have a good time.  That would be ok, too.

Let me know what you like to do with your kids... new ideas are always appreciated!