If so, which company offers the best prices??
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- VitaCost.com has some foods.
I especially like their Gluten-Free Falafel mix. I never fry it (too much hot oil) but, instead, bake it like a bread of sorts.
Nut butters, too.
For coconut oils, I hear Tropical Traditions is good.
Salina Naturally has a nice selection, too.
If you order nuts bulk (or any foods, really), you may want to wait until the weather won't be so hot. The weather channel has a nice 10-day forecast that helps.
Of course, most of us don't eat many packaged foods but VitaCost's prices are sure cheaper for the ones I do enjoy.
For deliver of produce, if you don't have an organic delivery group around you, you might contact a Farmers' Market and ask if they have any arrangements. Some do.
I once got a farmer from our area market to deliver to me after each Saturday's event.
Some kind of farmers group in your area may also have details. From the farmer, the prices are usually less than in the stores.
EGG Vendors and some meat producers also attend some Farmers' Markets with frozen choices. Here, we have a wonderful lamb option.
Not all meats at the market are necessary organically-fed, free grazing but you can ask. Even if not certified, some may still meet the basic criteria. -
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Well, you know... this may not work anyway. My husband is not a good shopper and I thought this would be a great solution....but....
I mainly shop for fresh produce and cold items like hummus and eggs and meats. So maybe it would not help to buy online. The GF shopping would be good IF I could get everything at one place online.
I'm still able to shop at our health food store. It's a small store.
Hubby is still learning .. he's in training...LOL!! Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Could he (would he) make an appointment with the produce manager at your favorite market so that they could teach him how to select the best produce?
Each season he may need a new "class" as the foods change.
You might be able to call the produce dept. there and ask them to select certain items for you for him to pick up. Asking in advance is usually best.
I got tired of having people bring me wilted greens, even limp broccoli that was way past it's nutritional best. There is a learning curve, it seems.
This time of year, taking a soft cooler and blue ice is essential, too. One minute in a hot car and it can turn to pig slop. -
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Been married 39 yrs and he's only shopped for us in the past 6 months during all that time!
I'm paying for spoiling him!
I had to tell him how to select a good apple. This last batch he bought were pretty good!
Luckily the store is less than a mile away, so no issues with keeping things cool.
Posted by MannaMe (Member # 33330) on :
Lymetoo, reminds me of my neighbor's story..... she found out she had spoiled her husband too. He never cooked anything...
When she was in bed after surgery or a fall, he brought her breakfast in bed - a cookie and a pretzel!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
My husband can't boil water! Seriously. Now he CAN make a cup of coffee in the microwave. No help for me though since I don't drink coffee!!
He's had a few cooking lessons here. He's not a good student! Posted by nonna05 (Member # 33557) on :
Sure wish I had the money to have a person do a day a week of shopping and cooking for a few meals..
I know their out there, just haven't hit that lotto number yet..
Then I could pay somebody to get rid of the inch of dust around here on an other day, with safe cleaning products.
Then for the next day ,once a week ,a helper for mail ,bills ,filing etc.
Oh! and the woman that will sit with me a bit and chat as we make sure all my meds are in order and don't counteract anything..
Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
Tutu...I do recall looking into a few places on line but can't recall what the businesses were called.
I also recall if ordering cold products I needed to order a certain amt and it wasn't something I could do.
If I run across a site again I will let you know or remember the name of the person who was doing her shopping on line.
But, she is a well known writer so most likely had the funds to do so.
Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
As far as having someone shop for you. That is tricky. I recall garlic being on the list and the person bringing me a pearl onion...and so many other oops.
Posted by momintexas (Member # 23391) on :
There is a place called Greenling.com
I'm not sure if they are all over the US though.
Posted by trubeee (Member # 34030) on :
Lymetoo, what about those 'Meal Assembly' places-are there any near you? Some of them will make healthy meals up for you for a nominal fee and you just have to pick them up. I realize they may not be ideal (eg: sodium content, gluten, etc.) but once in a while I'm sure we would really benefit from less stress??
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
ha, whenever he wants something, i tell him "the big white box in the kitchen that stores your beer. look in there."
i swear, i stopped buying stuff. he absolutely will not get it himself. rotten to the core. a frankenstein is what he is.
i make everything homemade. i hate store bought. that's the way momma did it, and by heavens, that's the way i do it. bread, lasagne, everything, homemade. and it's ruined him. absolutely ruined him.
he has never shopped for food. if i go on vacation, he goes to chile's or applebee's or someplace, but he absolutely will not cook.
he will use the microwave a little, for popcorn.
now if i'm with him, he'll select his own watermelon,which i hate and his beer. lor, the time i bought coors, thought he was going to stroke out. ended up cooking with it. has to have miller...
i feel for you...
if anything happens to me, he'll end up on meals for wheels where they deliver those meals. but from what my momma had, they ain't fit to give to a dog and that's the truth.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Thanks, gang. I'll check out the greenling site. Meal on wheels won't work for me. The gluten would kill me.
I'll just have to keep training him!! Hopefully, my feet, back and neck will get better.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Most sadly, meals on wheels does not work for so many. The intent is wonderful but the product is not healthful, overall. I know they do the best they can and it's a life saver for some but many are just not able to enjoy or benefit from the service.
I know they wish it could be better but, with all constraints, it is what it is. But not safe for anyone with celiac or gluten concerns (and that includes everyone with lyme).
Excitotoxins; MSG; Aspartame; & "Natural" Flavors -
Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
I just read Keeblers post above. Haven't read the others.
But, it took me a while to realize that the meal that meals on wheels was delivering to me made me worse instead of better.
Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
I just tried the greenling site. I got a :Oh Snap. We are not delivering in your area. Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
kam.. either the gluten or the starches got you...
I think I'm going to see about ordering my toiletries from WalMart online. Even if hubby had to go pick them up, it would help A LOT.
Posted by surprise (Member # 34987) on :
Lymetoo- I'm on the west coast, but a lot of the big grocery stores are online here-
Either for delivery (Safeway) or some others you can order what you need/want online,
staff member of store will shop for you, bag it up, then someone can pull up the car to have it put in- 'E-cart' one store calls it.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Thanks... unfortunately, none of our grocery stores are large chains. If we lived 40 miles up the road I'd have a Hy-Vee...huge chain and store.
Boo... I just checked.. you can't shop online there either.
Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
Same here tutu. We do have Safeway and I did sign up on line to be notified when they have deliveries...but so far it is not in my area.
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
My niece (a chef) has discovered greenbeanohio.com. She loves it. They pick the garden and ship it to her door. She says the quality is better than any grocery market.
Cincy Ohio might be greater distance shipping to some of you. But if greenbeanohio is doing it, I bet there are others around the country.
Pam
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
if you need help, please let me know. maybe there are things i can do for you.
i'll send care packages once in awhile to people here and sounds you might need one too!!!
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
I'll be back with more!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Thanks, randi. That is sweet of you.
Keebler... That is pricey stuff.. but I DO SO APPRECIATE your efforts!!! Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Also the latest rage in vegetable farming is to buy into an annual "share." If you know of a local farmer who runs a vegetable stand, ask if he is offering consumer shares. For an annual fee you buy in to his harvest, which is provided to you once a week. (A big box of whatever is seasonal.)
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
OMG Randi - You bake your own bread??? I'm a "home cook" through and through but I'd be darned if I'll run my oven for bread! (Specially in this heat!)
In fact, I have the makings for a rhubarb pie and a double batch of blueberry muffins, but it's goin' to 95 degrees today, tomorrow... sigh.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
yep, do my own thing. thank heavens for the air conditioning.
that oven heats up something fierce.
rhubarb? oh i love rhubarb and gooseberry...
don't know why people make such a fuss over crust. ain't that hard. i use crisco and a little lard.
course i can't eat pie anymore but he does and so do his friends.
it gives me something to do...
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
I only bake with butter. But you're right - once you know how it should "feel" you'll have success every time! Unfortunately my place is real small, kitchen in corner of living space - way too expensive to cool it down enough to run the oven in this heat.
Straight Rhubarb mine - gotta love it!
Where do you get gooseberries? I've seen them in the farmer's market sometimes, but they're real expensive!
Love pie. Fave dessert. Save for homemade strawberry shortcake maybe ... buttermilk biscuit and freshly whipped heavy cream ...mmmm!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
It is cruel to talk about homemade bread and pie on my thread!
My dad made the best bread ever!
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
yeah, all of a sudden, i'm going "uh oh, hijack".
sorry about that.
yeah, food has been the one great loss. seems i can't eat anything without getting sick now.
i hate the canned goods to stock up, tho, too much salt.
too bad they don't have those places that make the meals for you, but they're expensive and you don't know what's in them. lots of gluten and all.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Lymetoo - Check out that King Arthur Flour site! They have SEVERAL "gluten free" flour mixes!
Sorry ....yeah, no sugar no gluten. But ya know what? I am NOT BIG on Sugar either, even my apple pie I will only use about a TB of HONEY in the whole thing! (But lots of cinnamon & nutmeg!)
My sis tries to eat gluten free - I made brownies for her two years ago with brown rice flour. I thought it was a little "gritty" but she loved 'em.
Your Dad liked to bake? I had an Uncle who loved to bake too! But in our house, my Mom was queen of the oven.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Can/do you eat fresh fruit Lymetoo? Peaches are in season, and sliced with just a little cream drizzled over 'em can be heaven.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
No worries, randi!
I hate canned goods too.. yuck.
Aunty.. I allow myself an apple once in awhile, but it usually creates problems.
My dad was a cook in WWII... he was great at baking bread, but mom did all the cookies, cakes, etc. Dad was also great at barbecuing, being a Tall Texan, ya know!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- My Dad was great at barbeque, too. Really miss him. Glad to have all those memories of weekend cookouts at home.
GF whole grains, Seeds, Beans, Hemp, and more. -
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Wow.. an apple causes you problems? You have my sympathy!
My SIL was advised to put her autistic son on the Body Ecology Diet, she can only give him GREEN apples, because they aren't nearly as sweet as other varieties. Also, only RED potatoes (for the lower carbs). I wonder if that might help in your situation?
I bet your Daddy made some MEAN Texas Barbecue!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Right, Aunty. I should only eat Granny Smith apples. I'm tired of them. I eat an occasional Gala apple. Yes to red potatoes, but I find that sweet potatoes are even better for me.
Potatoes are a nightshade and I try to avoid them.
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
D'Artagnon.com for meats. Watch for sales as they can be pricey, but their quality is excellent.
Hard to find non perishable foods- I use amazon.com for a lot of stuff I can't find anywhere else and of course vitacost is great to buy one of something to find out if you like it and then use subscribe and save at Amazon if they are cheaper. Sometimes they aren't. We buy wild caught tuna and sardines from amazon.com.
For fermented foods or a mix to ferment your own foods, wisechoicemarkets.com. They are in Canada. I know you can ferment from whey, but some of us are too sick to play in the kitchen.
You can buy fermented foods from Wise Choice or use their mix to ferment some easily at home.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
You're right faithful777 - It's hard to find non-perishables, unless your local grocery delivers. Here in heavily populated NJ we have several that offer online ordering an delivery, not so much in other areas.
My sister sent me a gift from the Amana Meat Shop (AMISH) for Christmas - the bacon was out of this world!
But for other staples it sounds like "price wise" you simply cannot beat the Mormon Canneries. You have to make an appointment though, and fill out an ordering form, as they are only open a few days each month.
Beans, powdered milk, and rice or pasta, flour and wheat berries, pancake mix are very reasonable. Here is a map of locations:
(The amounts appear in the chart below the calculator.)
The "Prepper Movement" is very wise to the Latter Day Saints Canneries; as the Mormons have a religious tenet that requires all families to prepare for the potential event of an emergency (such as famine or drought), to ensure survival.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
My personal food storage tips:
If you want to store juice choose cans (pineapple, tomato) or bottles, because plastic containers do NOT hold a good seal, and the juice becomes discolored (from oxydation within a very few months).
I purchased a couple of large TUPPERWARE storage boxes (about $7.00 at KMart) because these are the only storage boxes that will hold a "burp" seal. Use these to store sugar, flour, pasta, baking soda/powder, dried fruit/raisins, and NUTS to protect them from air and moisture.
Even Better: Those big Popcorn tins sold around the holidays! These have a watertight seal, and you can keep flour, pasta, cereals, oats, corn meal, or garden seeds for many months in these, for little or no cost.
Buy what you might normally eat: tuna, mayo, cooking oil, spaghetti sauce or canned tomatoes, soups, baked beans, and rotate your store as you use things. Check for "last sale dates" when shopping, often you will find newer/older dates of the same item, and buy the newer product. Shop sales (most of us do that anyway), but I got Domino sugar a few weeks ago for $2.80 a 5lb bag - which is now normally more than $4.00.
Creature comforts like cocoa powder, coffee and tea, and jelly or jam.
Things I stock in the fridge when on sale: BUTTER, chunk cheeses (cheddar, swiss), cream cheese, sour cream - all of these will keep for a while and come in real handy. I freeze 'on sale' bacon too, and keep 2 Doz eggs in the fridge at all times. Also, carrots, apples, oranges, and other citrus. If you have a garage or cellar, put aside some onions, potatoes, cabbage and winter squash. These were the "fresh" foods that got our country's founders through the winter.
Folks, with this tremendous drought going on in the midwest, and with those "trickle down" dollars (the Feds have been printing for the past few years), food will only get more expensive - and likely soon. I have seen big price jumps since I started my modest food storage about 3 years ago. (Tuna is double what it was, f'rinstance.) And in hard times, it's so nice to find a chunk of cheese and a box of elbows in the larder; or to know you can make some biscuits in a snap.
I hope this isn't too "off topic" for you LymeToo - I don't mean to hijack your thread. But folks who are not well enough to run to the grocery every other day, might find this kind of planning and storage to be very helpful to them. (I hope!)
Posted by LabRat (Member # 78) on :
Take a look at shelfreliance.com they have freeze dried food in bulk and meals. Their veggies rehydrate well and cook up very nicely, was not as impressed with their heat and serve meals. Another freeze dried company is mountain house or maybe it's mountain home, they offer pretty much the same except, I've heard they offer freeze dried shrimp in #10 cans, I plan on ordering that on my next shopping frenzy.
**edited political comment**
[ 07-19-2012, 05:01 PM: Message edited by: Lymetoo ]
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Wow! Sorry about those multiple posts! I was having real trouble on this site a few days ago, and couldn't even get INTO it day before yesterday! Couldn't tell if it was my computer (which was whigging out) or the site.
LabRat - You can PM me with those political comments... I'm all ears!
BTW I've never heard of freeze-dried shrimp! They'd make a nice addition to the long-term food stash. Thanks for the tip on shelfreliance.com. Here's an item you don't see very often - whole powdered eggs!
Aunty... the site was all messed up for a few days.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by AuntyLynn: LabRat - You can PM me with those political comments... I'm all ears!
- I'd like to hear THAT conversation! Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
LOL Lymetoo! Then why are monitors censoring it?
I have the feeling we're in the same political camp if Labrat is well versed in Mountain House long term storage foods! Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I do believe you two are polar opposites. I've known LabRat a long time... and from what I've seen you post (try to post).. You guys are on different wave lengths.
Let me know how that conversation goes! Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Well just because we might be on opposite sides of the political aisle, we may find that we both AGREE this Country is headed to hell in the proverbial handbasket.
So far, I have not been contacted.
I'll Keep ya posted! Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by AuntyLynn: Well just because we might be on opposite sides of the political aisle, we may find that we both AGREE this Country is headed to hell in the proverbial handbasket.
-I agree with that one! He only comes here now and then. He's been busy canning and stocking up food for months now.
Find his posts in Off Topic.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Oh right - we've yakked about tofu, remember?
(And BTW, I don't even eat soy!)
Posted by Gayle (Member # 15141) on :
Peapod? but I think you need $100 order and fresh vegetables won't cut it for me - Meals on Wheels and even the Kosher Meals on wheels are a disaster for gluten.
I don't know what I'm going to do. I can barely get to the store and then get the stuff in. I have to wait until the next day to process the stuff.
Now I don't know about getting to Costco like I used to to get large amounts of essentials - toilet paper etc.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Peapod is Stop & Shop isn't it Gayle? I don't know if they are in Texas, but good idea. In New England they have a fairly good organic foods department too.
Are any of you on Disability? Or Retired? If so, I should think you could get a Home Health Aid for little or no cost, who could do grocery shopping for you. My grandmother had this service and it was a lifesaver for her.
But she also relied upon the Meals on Wheels program, which as you say, is not the healthiest, depending on who is doing the cooking at each site. I used to go to the local "Senior Center" with my Mom for lunch, and was sometimes really upset to see what they were serving folks. Bowls of candy on every table, highly salted entrees that I could barely eat(who the heck was the nutritionist in charge, I wondered?), and an after-lunch "auction" of day-old baked goods from the local bakery!
Posted by OptiMisTick (Member # 399) on :
[ 05-22-2013, 03:07 AM: Message edited by: OptiMisTick ]
Posted by OptiMisTick (Member # 399) on :
[ 05-22-2013, 03:07 AM: Message edited by: OptiMisTick ]
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Someone mentioned the possibility of a home health aid to do shopping if one is disabled.
That all changed a few years ago with severe budget cuts.
In my state (as in many, most, or all (?) others) just being disabled - even with SSD, Medicare or Medicaid - & with a doctor's letter stating medical necessity of help - no family -
- does not qualify one for ANY home help. The criteria in my state is that it is available ONLY if a person meets both requirements:
1. cannot lift a utensil to their mouth to eat - and
2. cannot "toilet" himself / herself without assistance.
Otherwise, it matters not. No help. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Gayle mentioned Costco. For those with memberships, they deliver through their website. This would be great for paper products. -
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
Costco is carrying gluten free breads online now.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
i've ordered stuff through costco. worked great.
course i have a store very close by but it doesn't carry some of the items i wnat.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Peapod does not deliver in our area. No Costco around, but I will check their website.
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