Last Updated on July 10, 2024 by Carrie Korem, FNTP
Shopping for healthy foods can seem daunting, especially when you want to find the best prices and sources.
I’ve been eating real food for over 20 years and have a system that works well for me so that I can purchase organic, whole foods, while also saving money along the way.
I’m often asked where I buy my groceries, which brands I like, etc. so today I’m giving you all the details!
Pantry Staples, Cleaning Products and Feminine Products
I buy all of my pantry staples, cleaning products and feminine products at Thrive Market and have been for over 5 years. Thrive Market is kinda like a combination of Whole Foods with Costco prices and it’s shipped directly to your door! There is a small membership fee for the year, but it’s well made up for with the savings you get!
Here are the foods and household products that I regularly purchase at Thrive Market:
Bionaturae, Jarred Organic Strained Tomatoes
Jovial Rice Spaghetti (they soak the rice before making the pasta!)
Bionaturae Jarred Tomato Paste
Organic, Raw Honey
Aunt Fannie’s Non-Toxic Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Aunt Fannie’s Vinegar Cleaner
Chomp Sticks
Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds
Naturacare Organic Tampons
Organic Coconut Milk
Sir Kensington’s Organic Mayonnaise
Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips
Bon Ami Cleaning Powder
Super Fine Almond Flour
Jovial Brown Rice Tagliatelle
Organic Ghee
Organic Cane Sugar
Organic Baking Cocoa
Non-Toxic Contact Lens Solution
Safe Catch Wild Tuna
Beef Tallow
Tapioca Flour
Arrowroot Flour
Coconut Flour
Organic, Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Organic Coconut Oil
Beef, Chicken, Pork, and Wild Fish
For over 20 years, I’ve been purchasing as much meat as possible straight from a local farm. It helps save money and I have the benefit of knowing exactly where my meat is coming from.
I’ve moved around over the years and have always used the site EatWild.com to find organic, pastured meats in my area.
I currently purchase all of my meats from 1915 Farms. They have a subscription service and you can choose how often you want your meats shipped to your home.
I don’t live near the water so it comes to wild fish, I usually purchase frozen wild fish at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods or Costco.
Raw Milk
I’ve been drinking raw milk for 20+ years purchase from a local farm. I recommend the site RealMilk.com to find raw milk in your area.
Tip – I have a deep freezer and I freeze the milk so I don’t have to make as many trips to the farm. The key is to shake the bottle before freezing. This way, when it thaws, it’s still nice and smooth and the cream doesn’t get clumpy.
Other Dairy
I purchase the rest of my dairy (outside of milk) at Whole Foods or sometimes I’ll go to Central Market or Sprouts. Here’s what I purchase at those stores along with my favorite brands:
Sour Cream – Kalona and Green Valley
Heavy Cream – Kalona or raw cream from a local farm
Kefir – Raw Farm brand
Raw Cheese – Organic Valley, or whatever raw cheese is in the cheese section (I just look at the ingredient label to figure out which one is raw)
Whole, Plain, Yogurt – Strauss, Stoneyfield, Kalona, Seven Stars
Organic Butter – Organic Valley or 365
Cottage Cheese – Kalona is my favorite (the other brands just don’t have the same flavor!)
Produce
I purchase my produce at the farmer’s market (when possible) or at Whole Foods, Central Market, or Sprouts. I also have a garden, so I harvest what I can at different times of the year.
Other foods I purchase at the grocery store outside of produce and dairy:
365 Organic Vienna Roast coffee
365 Organic Decaf Blend
Regenerative Farms Eggs
Organic Vanilla Extract
Organic Long Grain White Rice
Food For Life Sprouted Corn Tortillas
Dried Fruit and Nuts
So basically, I get all pantry staples and meat shipped to my door and then the rest I pick up at a local farm or my closest health food store. For where I currently live, this combination is the best way for me to get whole, real foods at the best prices I can find. I hope you find this helpful!
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