$$$ and eating raw

[orryally]

This is my first week going raw, and I'm really motivated to at least make it a couple weeks and then see how I feel. I figure if I can get through a couple weeks, I will see a difference in how I feel, and that will motivate me to continue.
A problem I'm seeing is the cost! I have had to shop for the less-common items to get started, and my grocery bills are through the roof. The first one was organic from Whole Foods for about $90, and that was just 1/3 of what I've spent for just about a week and a half of groceries (for a family of 3- my husband is willing to try it with me, but isn't completely sticking to it like me).
Does anyone have any tips on how to decrease the cost of all this fresh produce, nuts (I can't even find raw macadamias), and raw honey and carob powder (to name a few items)? I'm not sure if we can continue on this kind of budget. Does it get better?

[LoveLife]

I only have myself to feed..but I totally understand the cost issue..I've found that in the beginning (i'm new too) that money-wise it's best for me too by most of the stuff conventional instead of organic..except a few things I have to get at the health food store like raw nuts and honey...have u checked all of your surrounding health food stores yet..I also haven't been able to find Raw carob powder..but I say do the best u can to start then if u want when u get better at shopping for things be more technical with everything being 100% Raw..and organic....her are the top 5 things (produce) that are the most chemically treated if u want to make sure these are organic..but buy some conventional too...1.Peaches..2.Apples..3.Sweet Bell Peppers..4. Celery..5.Necterines..6. Strawberries...hope this helps some..

[Wendee]

There are alot of threads about this...so it's a very common complaint. Raw food can be costly. You just have to weigh the odds, and consider eating raw your life insurance policy!:)


Wendy from the Windy City

[Bingo24]

Yes, the transition is a little pricey. Check out your wholesale clubs - our Costco carries a great assortment of produce - and most of it organic - including organic frozen fruit for smoothies. And, try making 1/2 recipes to start - it takes a while for your tastebuds to change. And I agree with Lovelife, substitute what you have in your pantry when you can, until it runs out. Every little step helps in my opinion and you will be able to notice change even with these acceptions. A lot of people pour over recipes and add them in as their budget allows. In the long run, your health is worth it!

[RawVee]

Don't forget your local farmers market, too! It's a great place to get local, organic produce.

[orryally]

Thanks for all the tips. I did buy some of the bulk produce at Costco, and they even had some raw nuts. I have had to order raw carob powder and macadamia nuts online, as there are recipes that I think will help "win me over" to the lifestyle if I can make them right away. I can't wait for our local farmer's market to start!!
Good point Bingo24 about making 1/2 recipes- I wish I'd done that these last few days, since I have SO MANY leftovers that I really don't care to eat! And my very cooperative and trying-to-be-positive husband can only eat so much of the cold soups (he asked if he could heat it up!) and new dishes I'm trying.
I also agree with you Wendee about it being a life-insurance policy. Do I want to pay some extra cash now for good, body-healing and nourishing food, or have to fork over some later for medical bills whose treatments I wouldn't want to do anyway (like drugs, surgeries, etc.)? Hopefully it will never come to that. I'm hoping that at least trying this way of life will teach me how to incorporate more raw and living foods into my everyday diet, thus replacing the SAD junk I was eating all too often!

[Solace]

Don't forget your local farmers market, too! It's a great place to get local, organic produce.

YES, local local local - during the summer months for freshness and expense its the only way to go........;) :)

[RawChicky]

Yeah at my local organic farm I just bought

30 bananas for $3.50 !!!!!

they were organic and discounted because they were "ripe"

[Rawzula]

Yeah at my local organic farm I just bought

30 bananas for $3.50 !!!!!

they were organic and discounted because they were "ripe"

:eek::eek::eek:

Wish my supermarket sold bananas for that price.

[RawBecky]

Whole Foods can be quite pricey! Could you get organic only the foods that are the most exposed to pesticides such as berries and grapes, and the rest conventional? That could make things much cheaper. Also look for discount racks if that's possible.

[RawVee]

Whole Foods can be quite pricey! Could you get organic only the foods that are the most exposed to pesticides such as berries and grapes, and the rest conventional? That could make things much cheaper. Also look for discount racks if that's possible.

The other thing about Whole Foods that really...burns my melon...is that a LARGE portion of their produce is "conventional," meaning "non-organic," yet they still charge astronomical prices for them.

[Dj 247]

I was so upset that organic cost so much more until a local produce guy explained why. Now I buy organic not just for health reasons, but to support the organic farms. I will buy organic from now on when ever possible.

[RawBecky]

The other thing about Whole Foods that really...burns my melon...is that a LARGE portion of their produce is "conventional," meaning "non-organic," yet they still charge astronomical prices for them.

Definitely! It's not like they're not making money! They are a huge corporation. I guess they can get away with it because they're a big name? I have nothing against Whole Foods though! I saw a conventional avocado there for $3 and a conventional mango about $3! I can get an organic one for $1.23 in a number of groccery stores. Yikes.

[RawVegan4Health]

I get whatever organic I can get a Sam's Club first (or Costco if that's where you go). Then I get most of the rest of my stuff at the regular store. The things I can only find at Whole Foods is the stuff I go to Whole Foods to get (pretty much nuts and seeds). This is only due to the high prices. While I tried initially to support them, I could not afford to maintain it. I don't understand why at my local grocer I can get organic banans for .68/lb while it's nearly double the price at Whole Foods. Just what the heck did they do specifically to justify double the price?

I honestly don't find eating raw to be that much more expensive than my SAD diet to be honest. I spend usually between $75 and $100 per week to feed myself. That's a maximum of $10/day, or $3.33/meal. This is actually less than I averaged on my SAD diet.

[Naiad]

Here's the way my current spending is at:

Costco/BJs

Bananas - I can usually get a huge bunch for under $1. I get a ton at a time, let them ripen and freeze for weeks of smoothies for literally pennies. Not organic, but, for raw on a budget, they fall under my "removable peel/rind" category

Avocados - Bags of 4 for 3.50. Buying them there saves me so much money, as, someone else noted, Whole Foods and most markets charge 1.50 -2.50 for ONE. Not organic, but, see above.

Tomato - They have flats of herbacide/pesticide free ones where I go. The same company that they sell at Whole Foods. Basically I pay the same prize for a package which is twice to triple the size.

Bolthouse Smoothies - I like to keep one or two in the fridge in case I run late and can't make my own. A 2 pack is 3.99 where ONE is 3.99 at Whole Foods. Two dollars for a giant bottle of fruity goodness? Yes!

Apples - They started carrying huge bags of organic apples at the place I go to. Woohoo! I eat them up and then freeze the rest in plastic bags for smoothies when they start to get overipe.

Bottled Water - cheaper than Whole Foods.

Whole Foods (Paycheck)

Organic Greens - This is the time to be careful with pesticides. A trick I learned here, from SO many wasted bunches of chard and spinach that I couldn't use up, was to pre-blend with a mix of water and coconut water and freeze into cubes. Great idea from the lovely ladies of RFT! :D I also invest in the green bags and it really lengthens the vitality of my scallions and kale.

365 Bags of Frozen Berries - Once again, important to go organic with berries. I use these in my smoothies.

Spices/Salt/Capers/Oils - since I don't use them that quickly, I invest in Himalayan/Celtic salts and organically grown spices. When money is tight, I cut the $$$ MacNut oil out of my rotation and use the avocado massage method.

Flats of Coconut Water

Other Sources

My local market has organic stuff on sale from time to time. If I see organic fruit for 1.99 or so, I pick that up for a treat and sometimes buy in bulk to freeze for smoothies.

Coconut Oil - I *splurge* on my nearly $40 coconut oil from One Lucky Duck. It rawks! With a non-functioning thyroid, I can completely feel a difference when I use this, ergo, it's worth it for me :)

[Rawzula]

I agree Whole Paycheck (Foods) is pricey. I once saw a grapefruit for $4.98:eek:. I can easily spend $100 or more there.

I can get organic produce cheaper at my local supermarket.

[Naiad]

I agree Whole Paycheck (Foods) is pricey. I once saw a grapefruit for $4.98:eek:. I can easily spend $100 or more there.

I can get organic produce cheaper at my local supermarket.

Haha, yeah, I remember a cashier ringing one up for close to $4 once. I said, "No grapefruit would ever be good enough to cost $4" and told her to put it back... :p