10 Ways to “Be Organic” on a Budget
During the tour we were asked a lot of questions. Questions like “what is organic”, “why are we doing this”, “how do you incorporate organic into a lifestyle”, “where can we find organic food”, “why aren’t you charging people for this information” are just a few that we were asked to us. When it was time for us to ask the number one question “why don’t you eat organic?” You can probably guess what their answer was…..yes you guest it. For the most part of the tour the number one reason why people didn’t eat organic was because “it’s too expensive!”
Now we are not going to sit here and act as if organic isn’t expensive. Well actually we are because there are ways to offset the costs so that your overall expenses in going organic won’t be much more than what you’re paying now, and maybe even a little bit less!! So today we have 10 ways to “Be Organic” on a budget:
Here’s how:
1. Buy directly from local farms.
Farmers’ markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) are typically less expensive than organic markets or the organic section of your local grocery store. You can always expect the freshest and greatest flavors of the season
2. Buy in bulk.
Buying in large quantities is always cheaper than buying smaller, prepared portions.
3. Coupons, coupons, coupons!!
You might not see many coupons for organic products in the weekly food section of the newspaper, but you’ll definitely see them in other places. You can look for them in health and fitness magazines and in lifestyle magazines. Here’s a website for organic coupons: www.organiccoupons.org. We would also recommend you go directly to company websites that offer organic products. A few to start with: Organic Valley, Stonyfield, Seventh Generation, Eden Organic and Knudsen Juices.
4. Buy store brand.
Supermarkets, large discounters, and wholesalers like Costco have realized good success in offering their own organic products. Private-label offerings are expanding, and they’re cheaper than name brands.
5. Learn to read your labels.
We know it can get a confusing over the terminology and lingo in the organic world, especially when you’re first starting to make the change. When you’re watching your pennies, don’t buy something that’s labeled “natural” when you’re looking for “organic.” For tips on reading labels please read our recent blog.
6. Grow your own garden.
Even the smallest balcony can usually support a pot or two. Fill those pots with a tomato plant, cilantro, garlic, or maybe a pepper and you’ve got yourself an organic garden. You can also grow wonderful herd such as thyme indoors on a sunny windowsill.
7. Make your own cleaning products.
Have you ever stopped to wonder what ingredients are in most of those cleaning products in your cabinet? Well you’ll be surprise to see that most of those ingredients can be found in your house to make your own natural cleaning products. Ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and borax are as cheap as you can find them. The cost associated with making products from them is about one-tenth that of their commercial equivalents.
8. Know what to buy organic and what not to worry about buying organic.
There are certain organic foods and food products that are worth spending the money on, and some that you can skip and save the money. Check out our previous blog on what to buy organic.
9. Prepare your own food.
Want to make sure your family is the healthiest it can be? When you prepare it yourself, you can ensure the quality of the ingredients your adding to your food and the processing as well. Nowadays people are doing more cooking at home; why not make it using organic foods? You can turn almost all of the food you eat right now into an organic recipe just by using organic ingredients.
10. Start a community garden.
Growing a community garden will need to be a major focus. We will soon experience limited access to healthy food and limited selection of whatever food is available. Growing wonderful fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs and supplying to locals in the community at a low cost year round.
Local Green Farmer’s Markets In South Florida
Well we’re back and of course to help your make life a little easier. Most of the people we meet, if not all, ask us where we do most of our shopping? Today we are here to give you some local green/farmer’s markets that are located in theSouth Florida area where you might just find us, if your lucky, doing some shopping. And please don’t hesitate to stop us and say hello.
When you buy food locally you reduce energy consumption. Local food doesn’t have to travel far! Not only do we help reduce pollutants, but you get a higher quality of food! Green markets are one of our favorite places we love to do our shopping. We get to meet new and familiar faces almost every weekend. Most of the vendors are always asking us to bring them either some of our Famous Mango Mousse Parfaits or the crowd pleasing favorite, Cilantro Chili Anisette sauce!! These seasonal Saturday and Sunday markets bring to the area some of the fresh fruit and vegetables, plants and flowers, arts and crafts, and tasty treats that have delighted shoppers throughout South Florida. Oh by the way did we forget to mention that at most of these green markets you will find vendors selling loads of organic fresh fruits, vegetables, and specialty local foods? Of course not we just told you!
There are many benefits to buying local. Here are just a few examples of the why shopping for local farm products is beneficial to you and your community.
Produce is Fresher
Local produce is picked at the height of ripeness and was probably picked within the past day or two.
Supports Local Farmers
With each local food purchase more of your money spent on food goes directly to the farmer. Local farmers spend their money with local merchants and the money stays in your community.
Protects the Environment
Local food doesn’t have to travel far. Food, on average, travels 1500-2500 miles from farm to table. Buying local helps to lower energy consumption by reducing transportation and storage, both of which are very energy-intensive and pollute our air and water.
We know it’s tough to go shopping after a long day of work. That’s why your favorite 3 foodies, us of course, are always here to look out for your best interest and make life a little easy. These farmers markets are open on weekends! Saturdays and Sundays are always busy days there, and since there is always something new, you’re always going to find something you can’t just pick up at the grocery store. So stop by and come visit one of these local green markets at the bottom.
Palm Beach County
Abacoa Town Center Market
Market Location:
Town Center Drive, between Roger Deans Stadium and FAU campus
Jupiter, Florida
Palm Beach County
Open mid-October to mid-May
Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Ms. T. A. Wyner
8800 Okeechobee Road, No. 36
Fort Pierce, Florida 34945
Email:tawner@aceweb.com
Boca Raton Green Market
Market Location:
Royal Palm Place south parking lot at the intersection of Federal Highway and South Mizner Boulevard
Boca Raton, Florida
Palm Beach County
November through April
Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Emily Lilly
150 Crawford Boulevard
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
Telephone: (561) 239-1536
Fax: (561) 367-7079
Email: elilly@ci.boca-raton.fl.us
Delray Green Market in the Park
Market Location:
In The Street On S.E. Fourth Avenue,
One-half Block South of Atlantic Avenue
Delray Beach, Florida
Palm Beach County
Open-air / seasonal
End of October through May
Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Lori Nolan
20 North Swinton Avenue
Delray Beach, Florida 33444
Telephone: (561) 276-7511
Fax: (561) 276-8558
Email: greenmarket@delraycra.org
Ocean Avenue Green Market
Market Location:
801 North Congress Avenue, at Boynton Beach Mall
Boynton Beach, Florida
Palm Beach County
Open late-October to mid-March
Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Ms. Sherry Johnson
400 East Boynton Beach Boulevard
Boynton Beach, Florida 33435
Telephone: (561) 386-4261
Fax: (561) 386-4261
Ocean Avenue Green Market – West
Market Location:
129 East Ocean Avenue
Boynton Beach, Florida
Palm Beach County
Open October through May
Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Ms. Sherry Johnson
400 East Boynton Beach Boulevard
Boynton Beach, Florida 33435
Telephone: (561) 386-4261
Fax: (561) 386-4261
Email: sherryccc@aol.com
Oceanside Farmers’ Market
Market Location:
Lake Worth Beach
Corner of A1A and Lake Avenue
Lake Worth, Florida
Palm Beach County
Seasonal
Mid-October through Mid-May
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Peter Robinson
506 North Palmway
Lake Worth, Florida 33460
Phone: (561) 283-5856
Email: oceansidemarket@aol.com
Taste of the Gardens Green Market
Market Location:
Palm Beach Gardens Park
4301 Burns Road
Palm Beach County
Mid-October through Mid-April
Sundays, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Christy Solneurtz, Market Manager
4404 Burns Road
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410-4628
Telephone: (561) 630-1107
Fax: (561) 630-1144
Email: cwolnewitz@pbgfl.com
Village Farmers’ Market
Market Location:
11001 Southern Blvd.
Southern palm Crossing
Royal Palm, Florida 33411
Palm Beach County
November through May
Sundays, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Peter Robinson, Market Manager
506 North Palmway
Lake Worth, Florida 33460
Telephone: (561) 547-3100
West Palm Beach Green Market
Market Location:
Corner 2nd Street and Narcissus Avenue
West of Intercoastal
Palm Beach County
Mid-October to Mid-April
Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Dawn Fennessy
P.O. Box 3366
West Palm Beach, FL 33402
Telephone: (561) 822-1515
Fax: (561) 822-1525
Email: dfennessy@wpb.org
Broward County
Las Olas Outdoor Gourmet Market
Market Location:
1201 E. Las Olas Boulevard at S.E. 12th Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Broward County
Year-round
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Claire Tomlin, Market Manager
238 East San Marino Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Telephone: (305) 531-0038
Fax: (305) 576-9792
Email: claire@themarketcompany.org
Marando Farms
Market Location:
1401 S.W. First Avenue, downtown
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Broward County
Open October through July
Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Chelsea L. Marando
1401 S.W. First Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33315
Telephone: (954) 294-2331
Fax: (954) 713-6441
Email: chelsea@marandofarms.com
Parkland Farmers’ Market
Market Location:
Equestrian Center
8350 Ranch Rd.
Parkland, Florida
Broward County
November through April
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Colleen O’Dea
10561 Trails End
Parkland, Florida 33076
Telephone: (954) 757-4120
Fax: (954) 341-5161
Email: codea@cityofparkland.org
Pompano Beach Green Market
Market Location:
100 N.E. First Street, across from City Hall
Pompano Beach, Florida
Broward County
Open-air / year-round
October through May
Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Dan Hobby
P.O. Box 154
Pompano Beach, FL 33061
Telehone: (954) 782-3015
Email: greenmarket@pompanohistory.com
Miami-Dade County
Aventura Mall Market
Market Location:
Aventura Mall
19501 Biscayne Boulevard
Aventura, Florida
Miami-Dade County
Mid-February through October
Two weekends a month
Please call for dates
Contact Information:
Claire Tomlin, Market Manager
238 East San Marino Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Telephone: (305) 531-0038
Fax: (305) 576-9792
Email: claire@themarketcompany.org
Coconut Grove Farmers’ Market
Market Location:
3300 Grand Avenue and Margaret Street
Coconut Grove, Florida
Dade County
Year-round
Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Stan Glaser
19100 S.W. 137th Avenue
Miami, FL 33177
Telephone: (305) 238-7747
Fax: (305) 238-1227
Email: raw@glaserorganicfarms.com
Collins Park Sunday Market
Market Location:
In front of the Library
Collins Avenue at 22nd Street
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Miami-Dade County
Open year round
Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Claire Tomlin, Market Manager
238 East San Marino Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Coral Gables Farmers’ Market
Market Location:
405 Biltmore Way (in front of City Hall)
Coral Gables, Florida
Dade County
Mid-January through March
Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Cindy Dorrel
P.O. Box 141549
Coral Gables, Florida 33114
Telephone: (305) 460-5312
Fax: (305) 445-9623
Email: market@coralgables.com
Jackson Memorial Foundation Green Market
Market Location:
Alamo Park
1611 N.E. 12th Avenue
Miami, Florida 33136
Miami-Dade County
Open year round
Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Claire Tomlin, Market Manager
238 East San Marino Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Telephone: (305) 531-0038
Fax: (305) 576-9792
Email: Claire@themarketcompany.org
Lincoln Road Farmers’ Market
Market Location:
Lincoln Road, between Washington and Meridian
400 – 700 Blocks of Lincoln Road
Miami Beach, Florida
Miami-Dade County
Open year-round
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Contact Information:
Claire Tomlin
238 East San Marino Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Telephone: (305) 531-0038
Fax: (305) 576-9792
Email: claire@themarketcompany.org
Normandy Village Market Place
Market Location:
900 71st Street
Miami Beach, Florida
Miami-Dade County
Open year-round
Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Claire Tomlin
238 East San Marino Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Telephone: (305) 531-0038
Fax (305) 576-9792
Email: claire@themarketcompany.org
Mayfair Green Market
Market Location:
Mayfair Atrium
2911 Grand Avenue
Coconut Grove, Florida 33133
Miami-Dade County
Open year round
Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Claire Tomlin, Market Manager
238 East San Marino Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Telephone: (305) 531-0038
Fax: (305) 576-9792
Email: Claire@themarketcompany.org
Pinecrest Gardens Green Market
Market Location:
5855 S.W. 111th Street
Pinecrest, Florida 33133
Miami-Dade County
Open December through April
Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Claire Tomlin, Market Manager
238 East San Marino Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Telephone: (305) 531-0038
Fax: (305) 576-9792
Email: Claire@themarketcompany.org
Upper East Side Green Market
Market Location:
5556 NE 4th Courth
Miami, Florida
Miami-Dade County
Open mid-October through mid-May
Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Contact Information:
Claire Tomlin
238 San Marino
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Telephone: (305) 531-0038
Fax: (305) 576-9792
Email: claire@themarketcompany.com
Food Network South Beach Food & Wine Festival 2010
March 30, 2010 by admin
Filed under From the road
Well this years Food Network South Beach Food & Wine Festival was another blast. This time around we weren’t on the Blue Cross Blue Shield Tour bus that rocked the festival last year, but instead we were under the biggest tent for this year’s festival shaking and opening the grounds of Parrot Jungle Island to the core of the Earth! The lines stretched to the point of no end with eager “VIF” (Very Important Foodies), moms, dads, aunts, uncles, cousins, and well you get the point. It was a family affair at “Fun & Fit as a Family”. Once our special guest “VIF” entered the tent it was all about healthy eating the fun way; with Be Organic of course. Your favorite “foodies” Roosevelt “Cancer” Desir, Kirk “Preventative” Nelson, and Andre “Diabetes” Walker introduced an after school meal that’s easy for kids of all ages to prepare all on their own. The best thing about this meal it’s all organic of course. The future “foodies” had a great time preparing a Caribbean Chicken Wrap. The wraps had the bright colors of the Caribbean with corn, tomatoes, raisins, lettuce, chicken, and orange and yellow carrots. Last, but not least they picked from our famous dressings: Pineapple Delight & Honey Mango. After taking a look at the beautiful color setup of the tables with each ingredients in the colorful bowls, everyone couldn’t help but put a little of everything into their wraps. There were three rules to our tent: 1st you have to have a great time 2nd make the best wrap 3rd contest to see which tables the loudest. With those three rules set everyone who came to our tent followed them and left as honorable official Be Organic “foodies”. The park was filled they kids and parents with face painting, eco green bags (our favorites), soccer balls, stickers, and many more. We want to give a special thanks to Blue Cross Blue Shield, 361 Experimental, and most of all our fans that came to support us on this journey to better health and living. Always remember “we dare you to step away from the crowd and Be Organic.”
