March is Meatless Month: How to Save Money on Organic Vegetables and Fruit

March is meatless month, which means it's time to load up on those veggies and fruit.  That's the best way to get all of your vitamins and minerals to boost your immune system and stay healthy.  And let's face it, it's much more fun than swallowing a handful of supplement pills, tablets and drinks.

These days most of our produce is covered in not one, but multiple pesticides.  Many times the pesticides are absorbed into the fruit or vegetable, so they aren't removed by a simple washing in your kitchen sink.  In order to avoid these harmful pesticides, organic is the way to go.  Some produce is safer than others when it comes to pesticides, and considering that not everyone can afford to go completely organic, here are some tips to making the healthiest choices on a budget.

 1.  Shop wisely in the produce section:  Put your money towards organic on the fruit and veggies that are highly contaminated with pesticides, and save your money with the "non-organic" produce that is the least contaminated by pesticides.  Also, try to shop in season and watch for sales! 

*Click here for a printable guide to keep your purse!*

Here are the top 12 items that you should buy organic:

(starting with most contaminated)

apples

celery

strawberries

peaches

spinach

imported nectarines

imported grapes

sweet bell peppers

potatoes

domestic blue berries

lettuce

kale/collard greens

Here are the top 15 items that for non-organic:

(starting with least contaminated)

onions

corn

pineapples

avocado

asparagus

sweet peas

mango

eggplant

domestic cantaloupe

kiwi

cabbage

watermelon

sweet potatoes

grapefruit

mushrooms

You can view a full list of most to least contaminated produce here.

2.  Become a locavore: Shop at the local farmers market.  Not only will you know where your produce came from, but you know it will be fresh.  You will also be supporting your local farmers instead of large corporations.  Sometimes if you go towards the end of the market hours, you may score some great deals.  Most farmers don't want to drag home the leftovers, so they will be more willing to work a deal with you on some fresh local produce! Go here to search for a local farmers market near you.  You may even find a unique vegetable that you've never tried before!

source

3. Grow a garden: Section off a small area in your yard and plant seeds or small plants.  You can start simple with tomatoes, peas, and peppers.  If you don't have a yard, consider balcony gardening - just a few veggie producing plants will save you some money on your grocery bill.  Try growing some fresh herbs too - basil grows very well.  This can be a fun educational project to do with your kids too!

4.  Sign up for a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture):  This program is becoming quite popular lately.  Basically, a farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. You can purchase a share or membership, and in return receive a box of seasonal produce weekly or bi-weekly throughout the farming season.  Sometimes you can choose from different size boxes, depending on how much produce you need for your family.  This program helps support your local farmers by providing cash flow early in the season to cover farming expenses, and you receive fresh local-grown fruit and veggies that will benefit your family's health.  It also helps you to cook more fresh foods and try new things that you wouldn't normally purchase.  Go HERE to locate a CSA farm new you.

**Happy Meatless March**

GoGo Squeez applepeach Applesauce on the Go Pouches only .45 cents each! Hurry before its gone!

My kids love these apple sauce pouches.  They are perfect for traveling, small enough to bring on the plane or to throw in your purse for a trip to the mall.  You can freeze them so it's like a slushy consistency - great for the summertime.  My kids used to suck it down so fast, but freezing the pouches helps to slow them down.  They taste great and are kid friendly!

Hurry and get this deal before it's gone!

GoGo SqueeZ applepeach, Applesauce on the Go Pouches

Retail price: $44.04 for a case of 48 pouches

Sale price: $25.17

Use the Subscribe & Save to save an additional 15%:  $21.37

That's only .45 cents per pouch!

The 4 pack box of these pouches retails for $2.99 at Whole Foods, but you can get 12 boxes at only $1.78 each!  

Honest Kids Organic Juice Pouches only .37 each shipped!

Here's a great deal on organic juice for kids school lunches!

Honest Kids Certified Organic Fruit Quencher, Superfruit Punch, 6.75-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 32)
Current sale price is $13.98 (39% off the regular price)

Use the Subscribe and Save option to save an additional 15% off and score free shipping.
Final Price:  Only $11.88 for 32 pouches or .37 per pouch!!

**There is no cost to use the Subscribe and Save service, and you may cancel online at anytime!

FREE baby magazine subscriptions! American Baby and Baby Talk

Are you a new mama or mama-to-be looking for some helpful reading material?  Or if you're looking for a baby shower gift.... here's a freebie deal for you! 

Go here to sign up for a free subscription to American Baby magazine.  It often has coupons for baby items and coupon codes for online sites.  

And go here to get your free subscription to BabyTalk magazine too!

Both magazines are extremely helpful for new mama's and those who are expecting, and they will cost you nothing!

NEW Seventh Generation Baby Overnight Diapers only .37 cents each

Seventh Generation Baby Overnight Diapers, Stage 4, 24 Count (Pack of 4)

Seventh Generation has an new addition to their product line this year!

Free & Clear Overnights are free of fragrances, latex, chlorine, and petroleum-based lotions.

Right now, they are coming in a limited edition Dr. Seuss LORAX print!

Some customers aren't too happy about the Lorax "advertising" on the new diapers, but the kids will love it!

Do you buy Seventh Generation products because they are eco-friendly and green, or because they are free of cartoon advertising on their products?  Think about it.  It's about time they added some color to their off-white diapers!

Use the Subscribe and Save
option to score free shipping!

Price: $35.39 for 96 overnight diapers size 4

That's only .37 each!

Most likely they will only use one per night, so that's only .37 a day.

Not a bad price for eco-friendly diapers.

Kashi TLC Cookies, Oatmeal & Dark Chocolate YUM! Only $8.02 for 3 boxes shipped!

Kashi TLC Cookies, Oatmeal Dark Chocolate, 8.5-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 3)

Can you tell I'm a big fan of Kashi??  ;)

If crazy couponing is too complicated for you, here's an easy deal to get your cookie fix at a decent price.

Use the Subscribe & Save option to score free shipping, and only pay $8.02 for 3 boxes of Kashi TLC Cookies. 

These cookies don't last long in my house, and you'll know why when you try them! 

It's a healthier cookie option that you won't have to feel guilty about eating.  OMGoodness!

48 Kashi GoLean Crunchy Bars for only $17.84 shipped!

Kashi GOLEAN Crunchy Bars - Chocolate Caramel

These bars are amazing, and surprisingly good for you!  Filled with protein and fiber, it helps to keep you fuller longer.  I was lucky enough to receive a sample of this bar in the mail from Kashi.  One bite and I was hooked!  It has a nice soft crunch (not break your tooth crunchy) and just a touch of chocolate on the bottom.

Right now you can get 48 bars for only $17.84
when you use the Subscribe and Save option.
That's only .75 cents per bar!
Using the Subscribe and Save option will give you free shipping.
Hurry, I see there is only 1 left in stock at the moment.
Don't miss out on this price drop!!

Enter daily to win a new car from Lucky magazine!



Lucky Magazine is having an awesome sweepstakes right now.  You can enter daily for a chance to win a 2012 Hyundai Tuscon GLS!  Hey, it's worth a try! 

Go HERE to register and enter daily.  Once you register, you only need to enter your email address each day for an entry.  So simple for a great prize!

Earth's Best Organic Baby Formula for only $18.56 a can SHIPPED!

Earth's Best organic formula is THE BEST formula that I have ever given to my kids.  I've tried other brands that made them constantly gassy and constipated.  Once I switched to Earth's Best organic formula, it was a dream come true!  The kids were able to digest it easier and were not constipated and gassy all of the time.  AND I felt much better knowing that it was organic.  It's usually around $30 a can, which isn't that much more than the Nestle Good Start formula, but it's a great investment.

Currently, Amazon is having a special on Earth's Best organic formula and you can get it for only $18.56 a can, with FREE SHIPPING too!

Earth's Best Organic Formula

current price: $99 for a 4 pack

Save 15% with Subscribe & Save:  $84.15

Enter code EARBEST at checkout for an extra 10% off

Only pay $74.25 for a 4 pack

or $18.56 a can