Totally Raw Grocery List
Posted on December 20th, 2007 by January HarsheI was at Whole Foods the other night (yes, anyone that knows me is familiar with this being my FAVORITE store ever!). I ventured into their raw foods, scouring the shelves for anything labeled RAW. I bought whatever I could find. When I checked out, my bill was $163.35. "Not bad," you say, "for Whole Foods." Well, my husband would disagree. See, he has a problem with spending that kind of money on groceries when he opens the fridge or cupboard 2 days later and there is NO food.
So, tonight I did a little experiment. I wanted to see how much food I could get at Costco and Sprouts for about the same. This is what I found. The advantage is I get a ton more raw and healthy food for myself and my family. This will help me to stay eating raw. I won’t get hungry and feel like I have nothing to eat. The downside is I have to give up having everything organic for now. Hopefully not for long, b/c I do feel organic is important. After writing out the grocery lists, I realized I wasn’t able to get a lot of organic at Whole Foods either. So, if you can’t get all organic, buy the non-organic at a place where the quality is still good, but cheaper!
I think this is another step towards me becoming 100% totally raw and vegan.
Just for kicks and because I have nothing better to do (ok, I am rolling on the floor laughing my butt off at that one), I am going to post all 3 grocery list receipts. This will give you an idea of what I was able to purchase. If you don’t find it interesting, at least you can find it amusing that I am doing this instead of sleeping while my children are all sound asleep.
My shock at Whole Foods;
Produce and Floral:
Navel Oranges: 94 cents
Medjool dates: 2.34 (this was for 5 dates)
2 avocados: 3.98 (not the organic ones…those were 2.99 each baby!)
Seedless red grapes (local, but not organic either, 2.49 lbs.) 12.43
Organic bananas (2.21 lbs): 1.97
Bananas (2.17 lbs.): 1.50
Seedless watermelon (1/4 of a watermelon): 3.75
1 lb. strawberries: 6.99
Grocery/Bulk/Dairy
2 Strawberry Synergy Kombucha: 6.78
Holiday cocoa display (this is hot cocoa "coal" for my brother): 1.99
Lite raw shredded coconut: 1.69
Raw cacao chocolate powder: 8.99 for 8 oz.
Raw cacao power nibs: 8.99 for 8 oz.
National raw goji berries:14.99
Instant flax oatmeal (for kids): 2.99
Organic soy sauce: 2.49
Raw organic sprouted pumpkin seeds: 14.99 OUCH! Maybe I need to get the regular kind!
Raw organic sprouted sunflower seeds: 10.99
Raw organic flax snax (crackers): 8.99
Jalapeno Raw organic crisps (crackers): 4.69
Raw organic hickory paprika crisps: 4.69
Raw organic sunflower flax snax: 8.99
Raw almonds (.89 lbs): 14.23
Raw pecan halves (.54 lbs): 6.47
Raw/dehydrated sliced mango (.50 lbs): 6.50
Total: 163.35
Yummy, but expensive for sure!
So, on to the experiment.
Sprouts
Bulk/Dairy
Basil leaf: 44 cents
Vanilla Beans: $3.49
6 Synergy Kombucha: 20.94 (Maybe I need to learn how to grow my own, what do you think?)
Grocery
2 Raw Blue Agave: $8.18
Bragg’s extra virgin olive oil : 5.99
4 Raw Lara Bars: 6.36
4 Bragg’s salad dressings: 13.56
Produce
4 Coconut: 5.16
Naval oranges (6.33 lbs.): 1.58
8 Red mangoes: 2.00
Organic wheat berry sprouts: 1.69
2 Organic wheat grass: 3.38
Bananas (2.44 lbs.) 1.22
Total: 84.98 (This was with stocking up on dressing and agave as well)
Costco
2 12 oz. raspberries: 7.98
Frozen strawberries: 8.29
5lb bag organic baby carrots: 4.79
2 24 oz. blueberries 15.98
A golden pineabpple: 3.49
2 bags avacados (about 10 large): 11.98
2 lbs grape tomoatoes: 4.99
8 lbs bananas: 2.60
5 lbs lemons: 6.99
"Transitional" Gala apples
4 lbs red seedless grapes: 8.49
2 18 oz blackberries: 9.98
Total: 93.55
Total of Costco and Sprouts combined: 178.53
WOW!!!
I can not even tell you the difference! That’s why I took pictures! I think Costco and Sprouts win for now. I spent almost the same amount of money and received so much more awesome, yummy food.
I’m so sorry Whole Foods, but I have to break up with you. It’s not you, it’s me. OK, not really. It is you. Maybe we can have a fling on the side every now and then for old times sake. When I can afford you and be your sugar mama, we can talk again about something serious. For now, there will always be a special place in my heart for you. I will love you forever.
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December 20th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Thank you so much for posting this. It is really helpful. I just found a Sprouts about 10 miles away and was worried it would be pricey but now I am going to check it out. I am stuck with a “Henry’s” here in San Diego but the variety is lacking. Thank you.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
Holy crap! 2.34 for 5 dates!?!? Thats totally insane. I buy my medjool dates at Safeway which are grown in california. There are about 20 in a package for $6. (And the other types are dates are cheaper/more in a package.) Thats not cheap, but I could go through 5 dates in like 2 minutes. lol
December 20th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
Your welcome! If I can’t get all organic right now anyways, I might as well find products and produce that is just as good quality at a cheaper price! I’m glad you have an alternative and that this post helped! I’m surprised there aren’t more choices in San Diego. Happy shopping (I love food shopping )!
December 27th, 2007 at 12:12 am
Hey-at our Costco they usually have organic apples already sliced and in bags. They are kind of pricey though- 8 bags for $8.99. A lot of the things at Costco are organic(or at least they claim to be).
December 27th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
Valerie, I am appreciating Costco’s attempt at carrying more organic and natural choices. That is so nice!
Amanda, tell me about it! Crazy! I went to Whole Foods today to get a few bottles of vitamins and some raw crackers and the bill was $80!!!!!! Wow! I. have. to. stay. away! LOL!
Thanks for the comments, they are always appreciated.
December 29th, 2007 at 11:18 pm
I think I am going to keep visiting your site. It will make it easier to go raw myself. Thanks.
January 2nd, 2008 at 9:40 am
[…] available and some raw snack for those cravings. You can what a typical grocery list is for me (Totally Raw Grocery List) and even see pictures of what I eat in my kitchen (A Raw […]
March 25th, 2008 at 11:20 am
You know, Whole Foods is a very over-rated in practice and virtues. They are major and globalized. They do not treat thier employees well, or their providers for that matter. Essentially Whole Foods is the Wal-Mart of the organic grocery community. You would do well for yourself and your community by taking your buisness to independantly owned natural grocery stores in your area, farmers markets or ideally if you can a CSA. As for as Wole Fods goes do your own research and check it out.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:19 am
Hi Zach. Interesting, b/c I have never gotten that vibe from Whole Foods. I’ve looked into their employee programs and they seem fair and nice, but I can not go on personal experience as I have never worked there. When it comes down to it, it’s still a J.O.B.! So, a job is a job. When you don’t work for yourself you are at the control of your employer. I think Whole Foods started out as a dream and a great idea and I commend the owners for following thru and yes they are reaping the rewards of their hard work. However, I do see your point and I agree that if there is great local natural foods, going that route it much better!