With the economy hitting everyone hard, a lot of people think that they can't shop for natural food without it sinking their budget.  But the truth is, the economy has caused the natural foods industry to work harder to provide value for consumers.  Even Whole Foods Market has worked hard to tighten their belts.

While it's an overplayed myth that you can't shop natural on a budget, here are 6 tips for buying natural foods on a budget from Whole Foods Market.

1. Buy Private Label Whenever Possible.  Whole Food's private label products meet all of the same quality standards that the name brands do... No artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, sweeteners, and hydrogenated fats.  You'd be surprised that there are very few items in the store that don't have a private label version available, and a lot of times, with significant savings over national brands.
2. Know When it's Important to Buy Organic, and When it's Not.  There are some foods that it pays to buy organic, and others where the pesticide residue may be so low that it may not be worth it to pay extra for organic.  Here's a great article on knowing "When to Buy Organic."
3. Use Coupons from the Whole Deal.  Whole Foods publishes a coupon book with many coupons from national brands, and even coupons for private label products.  You can usually find them around the entrance or at the customer service desk.  You can even print them off before you go to the store.  Whole Deal
4. Check out the Weekly Flyer or other Local Store Deals before you go.  You can visit Whole Foods Market's website, find the store that's closest to you, and see what local store deals they have going on.  That way you can incorporate these items into your menu for the week.
5. Complete your menu and list before going.  All retail stores thrive on up-selling customers.  If you fail to plan adequately and stick to it, then all of the extra food you don't need will call out to you.  Resist the temptation and plan out your trip.  Our family uses the "Grocery IQ" app for Iphone.  It allows you to enter the items you want to buy and the costs, then add them to a list, and then it syncs all of this together between our phones.
6. Buy Bulk when Possible.  Most if not all Whole Foods locations have a bulk department where you can purchase many things like nuts, cereals, dried fruits, oats, dried beans, and more in whatever quantity you want.  Best of all, it's almost always cheaper than buying the same thing packaged.  For example, a pound of packaged rolled oats is $2.99 here locally for 16 oz., but they're only $1.19 per pound in the bulk section.

Shopping for natural foods on a budget isn't impossible, and with some thoughtful planning, you can shop healthier without sacrificing your budget.

Today was one of those days. Half the family has a cold and is grumpy. Then one family member in particular is very pregnant and grumpy, but we aren't pointing any fingers here.

The grumpy pregnant one got mad. Then she made bombs. Bath Bombs aren't just therapeutic for soaking in it turns out. Because the grumpy pregnant one, at whom we are not going to point fingers, locked herself in the soap room and didn't come out until approximately 98 bath bombs later. 

(Did you actually count them? Shame on you!)

I have a love hate relationship with Bath Bombs. They are difficult to make and insist on being made in tiny batches. Then there is a my obsession with above average bath experiences that compels me to make them. Why so many? I take DIY to a whole new level. Always have. Lucky you. ;)

I guess now would be a good time to introduce the newest bomb to the Cheeky Maiden Bath Bomb lineup.

Bath people, SnowBomb. SnowBomb, Bath people. Now that you've been properly introduced, let me tell you a little about SnowBomb. She looks sweet and innocent and pearly white. She has a little sparkle of Epsom Salt that mimics snow just right. And she has a major chill factor. In fact, after you settle into your nice warm tub and drop SnowBomb in, you might start to get a little confused at the slight chill you experience. You wonder if your hot water has run out. And then the chill factor takes it's toll... You chill out and melt into the bath. Is it hot? Is it cold? I don't care. Back pain, stress, worries, whatev-ah-- It's gone. You should tell her thank you before adding her to the bath though, because she really does explode and then melt away along with all your woes.

Know how I know? Because I'm soaking in one right now. (Please save your lectures about bringing electronic devices to the tub. I'm a professional. I know what I am doing.)

Since I...I mean, the grumpy pregnant one... was not the only person needing a good soak today, I/she came up with a treat for the little ones.

Tada! Kid Bombs!

Nicely scented with real lavender essential oil for your little people, it's a treat for Mamma too. Everyone knows that Lavender Oil brings on great sleep and scares away monsters. My kids are totally soaking tonight before bed. Hallelujah, Amen.

Available soon online: Blue Monkey, Pink Pig, Purple Mouse, and Gold Tabby Kitty. Make sure you like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter so you get first dibs!

Now, who wants to come help clean up the mess I made?

With Love,

Grumpy Pregnant Cheeky Maiden

Have you seen the Forbes article circulating about the cancer causing agent that is  in Johnson & Johnson baby products? The company is now under the gun because they have removed these ingredients from their baby care line in other countries, but not in the United States. In the good old US of A you have to pay double for their "natural" brand. And please read the ingredients before you do so. I think you'll find some pretty unnatural ingredients listed there.

I thought everyone knew that Johnson & Johnson products contained Quaternium-15 (aka formaldehyde) since it is clearly written on the label. But I've been surprised to see the surprise on several friend's facebook pages as they spread the news.

I thought everyone knew that the word "fragrance" listed in any ingredients list is actually an abbreviated term for what could possibly be thousands of different chemicals. Chemicals that are not listed on the bottle, and good luck finding out what they are.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics would have you believe that you should be outraged and demand legislation against these companies to "protect" you from these ingredients. You might be surprised to know that someone as staunchly stuck up and picky about ingredients as myself, does not think this is necessary.

It's been right there on the bottle for years, folks. Johnson & Johnson did not hide the fact that they were putting quaternium-15 in their products. This is why you should be reading labels for ingredients, not just for what you eat, but what you are putting on your skin.

Don't wait around for the government to "protect" you by banning these ingredients. Make the choice for yourself NOT to use products containing them! Vote with your wallet, and companies will stop using them!

I will take this opportunity to TOOT our own horn and remind you that we have NEVER used any synthetic or unnatural ingredients in our Cheeky Baby Bar. All of our products are free from carcinogens and any ingredient known to cause birth defects. It's because we feel responsible for what you put on your skin, since we made it.

  (Pictured: Cheeky Baby Bar)

But ultimately the responsibility is yours. Put on your thinking cap and protect yourself. Read labels. Stick with the simple stuff.