I agree with you on this! When it started to get too pricey to buy the organic products where I could identify the ingredients, I started just making everything myself. I bake more than I ever have before (and I have never liked to bake), including all of our bread, and I really like that I can list the ingredients off the top of my head. It definitely is more time consuming, but more affordable for us right now.

I still buy store brand organic items that would normally have HFCS like ketchup and jelly. I can't remember everything right now.

Stay away from the middle of the store!

Now I'm in the mood for baking today

Have you tried CSA's for fresh produce? I found I was spending tons of time going store to store finding decent produce (not even organic!). Plus everytime I went into the store for produce I walked out with lets say a wee bit more than the produce. I decided to try a couple of CSA's and I've picked one. The one I have now delivers every Thursday and is all organic. Food is for 2-4ppl and $35 a week. It sounds steep but when compared to organic at the store it is a steal. And when compared to normal prices of nonorganic still a good deal. Plus I noticed my excess purchases from those extra trips are gone!!! Plus I have way more time now. They give you all sorts of veggies that you probably wouldn't normally buy but what is awesome is they give you recipes weekly too! Try googling CSA(community supported agriculture). Here is our Washington site that lists all of ours Puget Sound Fresh

I am actually able to buy more and more organic, since we got a Super Target a mile from us. Both the STarget and Safeway have good store brand organic foods that are not too pricey, so I've been getting those. We get our milk delivered from a local dairy that is organic, grass-fed for $2.32/half gallon, so only $4.64/gal. Not bad. As for meats, the more I read, the more I'm convinced that organic, grass-fed pastured meats and eggs are best for our bodies, so I will splurge on that. We don't have a Trader Joes in Colorado, but we have a Whole Foods, Vitamin Cottage (Natural Grocers), Sunflower Market, and a food co-op within 10 miles, so I can make the rounds and get local, organic foods for a good price.

kristahynner, I was going to do the CSA this summer, but wasn't able to, so we are planning for next summer. I'll be getting a full share and canning or dehydrating what we can't eat for the winter.

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We only have a Hyvee and a super Walmart and a Fareway. The only organics we get anymore are our own fresh eggs and what we grew, this year was a tiny garden, it was flooding when we planted.

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Amy
Mom to 3 boys 4,13,18
3 girls 1 year, 3 stepsons in their 20's

Living on one income!

I buy what I can - can't imagine giving up organic milk and eggs. I have even found a source for cheese. chicken I can get at a Costco but it is a drive so I stock up every couple of months. Annoyed that my local Costco doesn't seem to be able to get ground beef any more - no idea where I am going to be able to find that for an affordable price if they get more in I will be stocking up that is for sure. It seems that Costco is moving away from organics at least in our area - no more pasta or sauce and I know I have bought a few other items but I can't remember what right now.

Trader Joes is where I get most of my produce and tortillas. I have started making my own bread and that has helped but it isn't organic as the price is really high for organic flour and availability just not in our area yet mail order is totally unrealistic.

I love Whole Foods but it is a drive and their prices are a lot higher than Trader Joes or Costco that is for sure. I do buy a few things there - love their shampoo and conditioner - 365 brand so it is cheaper than most. I wish I could afford to shop their more often and for more things.