We made a major decision over the weekend.

We made the decision to go Organic and Natural in the products… food and more we use while still living frugally. 

Why did we make this decision?

For our health first and foremost.  In the process it won’t be too awful to lose a few pounds either. lol  Our bodies, hearts, and loved ones will appreciate it.  

After reading an article in the Earthfare ad/newsletter… I became inspired to see if this way would alleviate my migraines I’ve been having as well as help me lose some weight in the process.  I have been maintaining the same weight since having my last child almost 3 years ago but I’ve not lost any either and my ankles as well as the rest of my body really needs to let go of those extra 90 pounds.

What changes are in store for us?

Well for starters it will change the way I shop for food.  I will still coupon but it will not be like I once did.  I have already gone online to find as many organic companies I could so I could request coupons and get on mailing lists. 

The prices for organics and natural products are higher and the coupons are not as abundant as the ones you find in the Sunday inserts for the not so healthy products.

We are a frugal family so it will “hurt” a little until I get a handle on the new grocery shopping strategy.   

The motto from the Great Depression of  “Use it up, Wear it out, or Do Without” is still a favorite motto of mine and will continue to be but will be put into practice every time we get ready to toss anything out.  We donate what we don’t won’t that is still useable or give it away to friends, etc.

 

I will start making my own cleaning products again like I once did – vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice being some of the main components.

 

We will go natural with the cleaners as well as the health and beauty items.  I tried the "No Poo Challenge" but the baking soda/water and vinegar/water method did not work well for shampooing my hair which is naturally curly/wavy and is oily.   So I’m going to try the other “no poo” method of just washing my hair with water.  I’ve been doing this every other day or every couple of days since last Monday and it’s working pretty good. I’ve not had to use conditioner.  Although I forgot this morning when I took a shower and slathered on shampoo. lol  Guess I should remove the bottles from the shower so I won’t have a relapse in memory again. 

I already had a deodorant crystal to use so I tossed my almost empty anti-perspirant bottle in the garbage. 

 

I will still purchase bulk items through a local Mennonite store.  Items such as wheat berries, raw oats, popcorn (I use for making cornmeal) and a few other items.  I will probably still purchase spices through them as I need them too.   

 

I use the Make A Mix cookbooks to make the majority of my mixes so I will continue to do that. I just replace the all purpose flour that the mixes call for with fresh ground wheat flour like I was doing.  I just got out of the habit of  making many mixes within the last 10 months because I got caught up in the “couponing” scene again after being out of it for about 6 years!  

Now I honestly regret that I even went back to “extreme couponing” because now I have shelves of deodorant, shampoo, and other items that are not good for your skin and health in the long run.   Dh and I have not fully decided on what to do with this stuff.  Whether to continue to use it and use it up (which could be a while) or whether to have a yard sale or to donate it. 

No longer on the grocery list will be processed food items but whole food and organic items… more fresh fruits and veggies that are organically grown (no pesticides, etc. involved), a little less meat as the organic meats are pricier but we are meat eaters so we can’t forego them altogether, and more beans, whole grains, and rice…. which is all the stuff  we were buying before I got back into couponing.  I just wasn’t buying organically grown.

I will get back into the habit of making Homemade Granola, bread, as well as other items we use on occasion such as salad dressing and more, and keep my mixes made up.  (Go here for some recipes)

 

We will still garden (veggies, fruit trees, and herbs) as we have been doing but will have to kick it up a notch and the all to “hated” and “dreaded” chore of weeding will have be better under control.  We do not spray or use chemicals on our veggies, fruit trees, or herbs so we are good in that area but will be steering toward the heirloom seeds and not the genetically modified ones.

I will continue with my canning and dehydrating  the majority of our foods and freeze what freezes best just as I have been doing but will be kicking the home preserving up a notch to insure we are eating foods from our garden throughout the winter, etc.

 

I will still shop for clothing and household items as I always have --- which is when needed … from yard sales and thrift stores.  Rarely do we buy new clothing although two of the items that are MUST BUY NEW are underwear and socks. Of course the freebies boxes in a local thrift store are still one of my favorite spots to look for clothing items in that I can put back for the children to grow into.   (See my note above regarding the Great Depression motto).

 

We will eat out less often.  We have got back into the awful habit of eating out again… whether it was for a meal once a week or grabbing a drink through drive-thru while out and about.   If we are going to be out during a mealtime --- we can pack something to eat as well as pack water bottles for us to use while out.

 

Gone will be the sodas from the grocery list as well and no more stopping at a coke machine.    This will be MY biggest challenge because I am a soda drinking junkie.  More water, homemade teas, and lemonade will be in the cup.

 

Now to make the decision on what to do with all the non-natural/organic cleaning supplies as well as health and beauty items.    We could like I mention have a yard sale (which would be great to have the extra cash to purchase some natural products).  Or we could donate to a shelter.