Health Food On a Budget - My Tips and Secrets

I’ll just lay it out on the line (or the w.w.w)  I’m cheap. 
But in saying that, I will not let my frugality effect how I feed my family.  For myself, health and food choices play a very important role as a wife and mother. 
I still have a long way to go.  I still buy the wrong kind of bread for my kids (they refuse to eat my sprouted grain version!) but my motto is “baby steps to better health”.  And I’m just fine with that.

Here is some of my “secrets” for buying health food on a budget.
Coconut Oil:

I did a LOT of researching on this one.(in fact, so much research that I may do a whole post about it!)  My final verdict was an internet site Soaperschoice.  Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil.  It comes in bulk but after pouring it into individual glass jars it equaled just under 10 bucks for a 32 oz jar.  Half the price at my local store or other internet prices. 

Specialty Health Food Items:
My favorite internet site is  iherb.   I buy ALL my stevia products off iherb.  If you enter the code ESE794 you receive 5.00 off your order (no minimum) and they always ship free with a 40.00 order.  I couldn’t believe that my NuNatrals Stevia cost HALF at iherb than my local health food store. (23.00 down to 13.00).  I have bought off iherb every since and LOVE it! 

Healthy Organic Food:



Azure standard is a local co-op.  They have their base in Oregon so this might be just a west coast thing but I am sure with a little research other areas have a similar program. With Azure you sign up (free) and find your local pick up house to pick up your order that you place on their internet site.  Usually it’s a once or twice a month pick up. The prices are generally better than the local stores. When fresh fruit is in season they have fantastic deals on organic crops.  The Grocery Outlet chain has all their organic food on top of their freezer section in the center of the store.  I LOVE trying new organic products for a price I can afford! (Usually half off the original prices) Just don’t fall in love with any particular product because they rarely have the same item in stock again!

Gluten Free Flours or Coconut products:



Any Asian Market Store. Usually these stores are  located in larger cities but with some research you might find a store close to your more suburban location.  I buy all my Rice Flour, Tapioca Flour and Potato Flour for a fraction of the price at other stores.   You still have to read labels.  Some of the coconut products like coconut milk have bad preservatives put in them and others don’t.  Coconut sugar or palm sugar is also on the shelf.  It is a low glycemic and nutritious sugar substitute.  It sells for 4x’s the amount at my local health food store!  Once again though, READ THE LABEL!  Some of the palm sugar has cane sugar added. 

There you have it!  Those are my “secrets”   Where is your favorite place to shop for good deals on healthy food?  I’d LOVE to hear about it!!