Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Greener Eating on a Budget


One of the most common misconceptions I have heard about going green is that it is expensive, making it a somewhat difficult to do in these tough economic times. People will see eating something organic and say, "How can you afford that?" Well, in order to help dispel the myth, I headed over to Whole Foods in Glendale, California and met up with Becky for a Value Tour.

Becky introduced me to Whole Food's own 365 Everyday Value brand. At first I was a little skeptical because I remember when I was a kid and my mother was trying to cut corners she would buy the store brand products that never tasted the same and suddenly I dreaded my once loved peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. To prove that this was not the case with 365 Everyday Value, Whole Foods graciously donated products from the line to see how they stacked up against their conventional counterparts in a taste test. I compared items from every department including ketchup ($1.99), yogurt ($.89), cereal ($2.99), frozen pizza ($4.99), and yes- peanut butter ($3.49) and jelly ($3.49). I tried a lot more and to my delight all of the 365 items tasted as good as the conventional versions and much better than other store brands.

On the tour Becky and I explored everything from organic and Grade A conventional produce to vegetarian-fed beef and poultry and just about everything in between. There are informative signs posted and brochures in every department and store employees are very friendly and knowledgeable, but if you really want to know more about the food and products you're buying and learn about ways to save, I highly recommend a free Value Tour at your local Whole Foods store. Becky had some great tips for saving money without sacrificing better food standards, all of which she shares on her value tour. For example: check out The Whole Deal circular at the store entrance for valuable coupons. Also on the tour- how to shop the specials, shopping the bulk bins, recipes for affordable meals, and more. Call your local store for information about setting up a tour for an individual or for groups.

While it's great many large chain grocery stores are offering more and more organic products, you can't beat the selection of healthy locally grown and organic foods available at Whole Foods. Whether you're already a fan or you've yet to experience all that Whole Foods has in store, you'll love this next giveaway! Whole Foods has donated a $25 gift card to Pink Green Chick for one lucky reader! There are 5 ways to enter, but only one of each entry method will be allowed per person for this contest:
1) Check out the Whole Foods website and leave a comment to this post telling me what you found most useful or informative.
2) Follow Pink Green Chick on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway including "@pgcblog" in your tweet! Leave a separate comment to this post with a link to your tweet URL.
3) Post about this giveaway on your blog and leave a separate comment to this post with a link to your blog post URL.
4) Follow Pink Green Chick and leave a comment to this post telling me you did so or already do.
5) Become Pink Green Chick's friend on Facebook and leave a comment here telling me you did so or already do.
This contest ends at 12:01 PM on Friday, July 24, 2009. One winner will be chosen via Random.org. Good luck to all!

85 comments:

Nanny Dee said...

Thanks for the post! I like the recipes at WholeFoods.com.

Already a follower!

Dee
http://newenglandnanny.blogspot.com/

Jennifer said...

Thanks for the info I am already a friend on face book and fixing to follow you on twitter.

Datura Rose said...

I follow

Datura Rose said...

I like the shopping lists

Datura Rose said...

I follow on twitter and tweeted: http://twitter.com/tribecca/status/2596391374

Datura Rose said...

I friended you on Facebook, Becky S.

aniasurvey said...

I like their health & nutrition section.

aniasurvey@gmail.com

womantrvlr said...

I love the Whole Foods store. The deli is the absolute best.

Anonymous said...

Really would like to win

Kim said...

I love their tips from the Value Guru!

Kim said...

follow

Kim said...

friend on FB

Annette D said...

I love Whole Foods! I like the recipes on their site.
jedoggett@embarqmail.com

Annette D said...

I follow.
jedoggett@embarqmail.com

Annette D said...

I follow on twitter and tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/statuses/2613845956
jedoggett@embarqmail.com

Katie said...

I think their Recipes section is great -- I've made a lot of tasty dinners from things in there!
katiekarr at gmail dot com

~Q said...

The website says that you can get a list of low-sodium products in the stores. That's pretty cool!

teffers8464 said...

I need this!

Bebemiqui said...

I love Whole Foods and shop there often! I enjoy their podcasts.
bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com

brandonsmom said...

i like the recipes on their website!

Roxy said...

I find it cool that they "appreciate and celebrate the difference natural and organic products can make in the quality of one's life."

hockiemack at hotmail.com

Roxy said...

follower

hockiemack at hotmail.com

megankortepeter said...

I think it's great that they provide recipies.

Courtney said...

i really liked the recipes!!

vanitizebaby@yahoo.com

Courtney said...

im following you!

vanitizebaby@yahoo.com

Courtney said...

i'm following your twitter and here's a tweet

http://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/2623341219

Karen said...

I'm at Whole Foods almost every day -- can't beat their quality. Their web site has great recipes and menu ideas!

jessleigh said...

I love Whole Foods! The recipes section is especially useful - you can search by special diet!

electriclady said...

I love Whole Foods--the recipes section of the website always gives me ideas.

Nad said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE their special diet section with whole lists of gluten-free, dairy free, egg-free, etc etc foods.
My kid has multiple food allergies, so this rocks!

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Nad said...

I follow.

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Cathy @ Chief Family Officer said...

I love the sale flyer, actually. I don't go every week to WF, but when I see a great deal, I make sure to stock up (I got ground beef for $1.99 per pound a couple of months ago!).

Thank you for the giveaway!

Cathy
cfoblog at gmail dot com

crystal said...

I found out that Whole Foods has a blog with a lot of useful information. I read many posts and enjoy the ones about Farmers Markets and Herbs!!
I am looking forward to visiting their site and blog again;)
cyclona66(at)aol(dot)com

Amy said...

I thought it was really helpful that you can make your own shopping list on the Whole Foods website.

acm211 [at] gmail [dot] com

Danielle L said...

I follow on twitter and tweeted- http://twitter.com/DanielleLo/status/2643040118

craziedee3@aol.com

Danielle L said...

I learned that Whole Foods has their own blog! So cool!

craziedee3@aol.com

EJW said...

I like the recipes at WholeFoods.com, as they allow me to take advantage of our seasonal produce best!

teffers8464 said...

I need this!

Amy said...

I like being able to search at the Whole Foods website for recipes that are vegetarian.

Amy said...

Posted at my blog!
http://www.deitchley.com/blog/2009/07/15/2308/

TMC said...

I tweeted about the contest! (@returntorural)

TMC said...

I blogged about the contest!

http://returntorural.blogspot.com/2009/07/25-whole-foods-giftcard-give-away.html

TMC said...

I visit the WF website and find the recipe section the most helpful. I've been reading up on grains lately.

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/guides/grains.php

TMC said...

I sent a friend request on FB. :)

Kelsey said...

I love the 365 brand and have been using it for awhile.
One of my favorite features on their website is the recipes - they have a delicious pumpkin pie that I make during the holidays!

I also have a Organic Giveaway going on at my blog if you're interested!

Kelsey said...

Also, I'm a follower!

teffers8464 said...

I need this!

Tofu Mom (AKA Tofu-n-Sprouts) said...

love THE 365 bRAND!!

Tofu Mom (AKA Tofu-n-Sprouts) said...

Oh! And added you on FaceBook!

Tofu Mom (AKA Tofu-n-Sprouts) said...

And........... I'm following now tooooooo....

teffers8464 said...

I need this!

Chief Family Officer said...

I posted about your giveaway at Chief Family Officer - thanks! :)

wrk2liv said...

I love the recipes!

Michelle said...

Love WF! Have taken the tour their too and now buy a lot more from them with coupons and sales.

Nancy said...

I think the online list of their store departments and products in those departments is very helpful and educational!

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Nancy said...

I follow with Google Friends.

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

The Bookworm said...

I really like the featured recipes on the Whole Foods website - I've never used one that wasn't a hit! :)

hawaiismn(at)gmail(dot)com

The Bookworm said...

I'm following your blog.

hawaiismn(at)gmail(dot)com

The Bookworm said...

I just "friended" you on Facebook. :)

hawaiismn(at)gmail(dot)com

Jenna H. said...

The recipe section of the website was great. Thanks for the giveaway!
jmhamlin826 AT yahoo DOT com

Jinxy and Me said...

I like their recipes. I am always looking to cook new things.

Jinxy and Me said...

I'm following your blog!

Jinxy and Me said...

Tweeted http://twitter.com/ThriftyJinxy/status/2773047378

vannessa said...

it is late and i cannot find the entry site for the whole foods card. help me.
i am on facebook.

Saph @ Walk With Me said...

I found out they offer cooking classes!!!

Saph @ Walk With Me said...

Just tweeted: http://twitter.com/walkwithme/status/2773293124

oona. said...

Yum! Whole Foods had a recipe for making your own homemade coconut milk ice cream! Love the recipes to try at home!

Thanks! foxsquirrelrabbit at gmail dot com

Shelly said...

Love the Value Guru tips - I think of Whole Foods as pricey.....

Shelly said...

follower

lace said...

I find the recipes to be helpful. The cherries and marscopone cheese looks yummy

mgaltier said...

Like so many others, I like the recipes on the WF website.

Carolyn G said...

I love the recipe widget.

judygr64 said...

I find the health and nutrition section useful. I'm a long time Whole Foods shopper and love their stores.

judy(dot)greenberg(at)gmail(dot)com

judygr64 said...

I follow you on twitter and tweeted:

http://twitter.com/judygr64/statuses/2808363407

judy(dot)greenberg(at)gmail(dot)com

judygr64 said...

I'm following your blog via the google reader:

judy(dot)greenberg(at)gmail(dot)com

Alicia said...

I love reading your green tips via facebook, keep up the great work :-)

Shelley said...

I'm a friend on FB! Thanks for the great info!! :)

angelight said...

we r fb friends!

whole fds is blessedly up the st from my home!
there practically every day!!

angelight

lilyk said...

I found the wide variety of recipes on the Whole Foods website the most useful.

lilyk said...

I'm your Facebook friend.

Xenia said...

Mmmm, yummy recipes! I copied down the Fresh Pineapple Salsa recipe and am definitely going to get the ingredients to try it the next time I go to the store. I also liked being able to view the sales flier online, that's helpful.

Thanks!
xpsundell at gmail dot com

teffers8464 said...

I need this!

bettycd said...

I'll return to use the recipes and the store locator surprised me by listing several stores that are about 20 miles away. While they aren't close, 2 are near where I often travel so combined trips are doable.

bettycd said...

I'm now following the blog thru google friend connect

bettycd said...

Facebook friend - sent request, Betty Dennis

Post a Comment