Tag Archive for: shop organic

Saving time and money at Costco

Whether you have a large family, small business or preparing for hurricane season, Costco is a convenient and cost effective way to shop. That is assuming you have the space to store everything and the discipline to stop buying those fun things you may not really need. Either way, it is an experience. I started this post pre COVID19 so thinking the experience may not be quite as much fun now.

We’ve had a Sam’s membership for years and I felt they had a good selection of organics. However, Costco definitely rules in the area of selection and quantity of organic products which is always my goal. Eat more organic!

Kirkland Signature is the house brand for Costco. The bath tissue is a great value here and I thought at first we were crazy buying 30 rolls! However, the convenience of not having to pick this up on a regular basis was a blessing. Now that we have created a bath tissue crisis, not sure this is as readily available but much more of a coveted commodity! The cost is $16.99.

And speaking of commodity, the Kirkland water is a great value at $4.99 especially for those of us who need to keep extra water on hand for emergencies. Buying the 6 one gallon bottles uses less plastic plus you can reuse or recycle them.

Quinoa is a staple in our predominantly plant-based home. Snacks, gluten-free, are fun but always monitor sugar levels. The Made Good granola minis taste great but too high in sugar for me. Essential fatty acids are key in our diet so I felt the chia seeds and hemp hearts were great value as well. I add 2 tablespoons to my green smoothies and sprinkle the hemp hearts on my salads or stir either into my overnight oats.

We go through a lot of black beans for soups, stews, appetizers and my favorite black bean brownie recipe. The case is a great value and so convenient to have on hand. $6.99 for 8 cans is .87 per can. The organic tomato sauce works out to be around .66 cents per can for the 12 cans. The almond milk 3-pack works out to be $2.99/carton which is an exceptional value.

Also, my favorites are the organic frozen fruits and vegetables like pineapple, black cherries and broccoli! The frozen organic black cherries are delicious in my chocolate smoothies.

I’ve attached my receipt so you can compare prices and see other items I’ve purchased. I shop for convenience so I’m not saying everything is the best deal but my priority is the taste, quality and that certified organic stamp. Happy shopping and as always you are worth the time and investment of buying quality food for you and your family.


 

 

 

Diary Free Waldorf Salad

California Waldorf Salad

This California Waldorf salad is a low-fat, dairy-free alternative to the traditional recipe and is a fantastic starter for any meal. It is quite refreshing and has the right amount of crunchy, tangy, sweet quality to appeal to anyone’s palette. Even though it’s a salad, I typically eat it for my in-between meal snack or dessert.

The walnuts in this recipe are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omegas are the key to many functioning tissues within the body and are integral to preventing heart disease and stroke. They also support cognitive performance & overall brain health. Some studies show maintenance of healthy triglyceride levels is already within a normal range.

Omegas are key to reproductive health, healthy aging, and maintaining your weight.

Regarding aging, we can experience fewer natural oils, sun damage, and decreased cell renewal can all lead to dry, rougher skin as we get older.

If you need an additional source of omega, I recommend Modere Omegas contain 1000 mg of oil in a blend of EPA, DHA, and Vitamin E.

california waldorf salad contains walnuts. Walnuts are an excellent source of omegas.

Ingredients (use organic when possible)

Makes about 6 1-cup servings

2 crisp, tangy apples (Fuji, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith)
1 large carrot, julienned or grated
1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped walnuts*
1/3 cup dairy- and egg-free mayonnaise substitute like Vegenaise
3 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar

Directions

Scrub, core, and dice apples, then place them into a salad bowl.

Add carrots, raisins, and walnuts. Regarding walnuts, the recipe calls for 1/4 cup, but I like to add more!

In a separate bowl, mix the mayonnaise substitute and vinegar.

Add to salad and stir to mix. Chill before serving if possible.

Nutrition Information | Per serving (1 cup)

calories: 117; fat: 3.7 g; saturated fat: 0.4 g; calories from fat: 28.5%; cholesterol: 0 mg; protein: 2.3 g; carbohydrates: 20.9 g; sugar: 15.4 g; fiber: 2.2 g; sodium: 216 mg; calcium: 23 mg; iron: 0.6 mg; vitamin C: 3.4 mg; beta-carotene: 1008 mcg; vitamin E: 0.3 mg

Recipe by Jennifer Raymond, M.S., R.D., from Healthy Eating for Life for Children by Amy Lanou, Ph.D.

*Note: Be sure to store walnuts in the refrigerator or freezer.