Whole Foods is extremely costly anyway so you aren't missing much! They do give case discounts. They are an hour from me so I make the trip there three times a year at best. I wouldn't want to shop there regularly or I would be poor.
Check out this place you have in your area:
http://www.bozo.coop/
I remember a girlfriend of mine telling me how great it was. She lived there for about 10 years and recently moved.
I don't want to change your mind about organic products but I did want to give you my opinion. You can do your own research and come to your own conclusions.
I used to buy only organics whenever possible. At the time, we were eating processed food and it made sense because Oreo cookies had 20 some ingredients in them and Newman O's have like five. Just based on the ingredients, it was worth buying them.
We no longer eat things like that and I have become very selective on what I spend my money on in terms of organics. The more I read about organics, the more I became convinced that they are not regulated and companies are taking some very wide liberties with the word organic.
My family lives on rice cakes because we don't eat any bread or anything with wheat/gluten. I choose not to substitute with things like rice bread or rice pasta. I do not buy organic rice cakes. I get rice cakes where the only ingredient is brown rice. I can get them for as low as $1.97 at
Walmart. Target is $2 something and Publix sells the same ones for almost $3! The cheapest I can find the Lundberg organic ones around here is $4.50. I can't justify $2.50 more for something when my research has shown that there are some really dishonest things happening in the world of organics. Like I say, it is a call that only you can make for your family. I just encourage you to research a little on the organic standards.
We are all about healthy eating in my family. We don't buy/eat things that have any chemicals or preservatives listed. We try to stick as close to nature as possible and when the product has been altered (like rice cakes) we make sure there is only one or two ingredients.
There was a time when I refused to buy tomatoes that weren't organic. Now I buy Pomi tomatoes that come in a box and the only ingredient is tomatoes. The Muir Glen organic tomatoes contain
Organically Grown and Processed Tomatoes and Tomato Juice, Sea Salt, Naturally Derived Citric Acid and Calcium Chloride. I can't see how those chemicals packed in an aluminum lined can could be healthier than an aseptic box that contain only tomatoes.
Do your research and maybe you will find a few things that you will feel a little more comfortable buying that aren't organic. That will save you some money and make healthy eating more affordable. Best of luck!
I would LOVE to have a Whole Foods or Trader Joes. Plus, some article in the paper last week said Bozeman's food costs are 12% above the national average so already I'm getting hit. I did start making my own vinegar and water kitchen counter spray and tried the laundry detergent for awhile, but the Fels Naptha really irritated my eyes so am back to using Costco Free and Clear.
