Hello all,
This week I want to address some emails and texts I have gotten from a few friends all asking questions about shopping in the bulk food aisle. The kids thought it would be an awful lot of fun to make a youtube and so we did 🙂
It has taken all of two hours and a half this morning (thanks to our super slow internet) and for some reason only the audio was up but Alexandra saw it and said it is working fine. So, here it is. My first youtube video. Poppa saw it and told me that I say “um” too much. My children have all rallied around their momma this morning as I share this video knowing that I’m really stepping outside of my box right now. If it totally sucks, give me some pointers okay? So, today’s blog post is a video blog.
To answer those questions finally since I didn’t get to do it on the video (nerves don’tcha know)
Christina F: Are there any other stores other than Whole Foods that have a bulk section? Yes, there are lots of smaller stores depending on where you live. For me at this moment Whole Foods is it though I have heard of two other smaller stores around here but have not gotten around to visiting yet.
Bree: Is it cheaper to buy say sugar in bulk than buying it in a bag? Yes, to me it is usually cheaper though on occasion the bag may be on sale and so you should check but I just buy it that way. I buy the quantity I really need and no packaging to throw away.
and my dear friend Reggie: What things do you buy at the bulk aisle? Reggie, I buy almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, chia, rices, beans, wheat berries and other grains such as quinoa and millet, sugar, salt, granola, dried fruits and even candy… on occasion.
I would love to hear your comments on the video. Though I must say I am a bit apprehensive about sharing it, I would still love to hear what you think. We are all our worst critics true but sometimes other people can be a bit more realistic and constructive than we can.
A little reminder: Tomorrow is the last day to enter to win the Embroidered Valentine Hoop Art. Please enter here. I’ll be back tomorrow with the first Pinterest Pin-along post. I hope to see you here.
Your video was great! I'm impressed you could stay so focused. I always get overwhelmed in stores!
:)Lisa
well, that was the good take hehe. The bad take had me spill stuff, a guy bumped right into me and then all of a sudden a million people bum rushed the bulk aisle 🙂 Thank you Lisa
Yeah for not using plastic bags!! You should start selling the, again, such a great and easy way to decrease our daily plastic use.
I have been thinking about it Julie 😉 They really do look like plastic bags don't they hehe
I love bulk stores (I live in Canada and mostly can only have access to Superstore and Bulk Barn). The only thing is, from your pictures, all the plastic waste!!! NOOOOOOOOO!! Please remember to re-use your plastic bags, or follow my lead and sew your own linen reusable bulk bags!!! Looking forward to many more of these youtube videos!! maybe one of your cooking…
Thank you Julie, actually all the "plastic" bags you saw are actually very thin and see through rip stop nylon fabric bags. I made them about 8 years ago when I used to sell them in my etsy store 🙂 They have saved us from using many a plastic baggie and they are useful for carrying snacks, sandwiches and lots of other things. They weigh basically nothing but, yes, look again and you will see hee hee
For everyone who wanted my pesto recipe that uses sunflower seeds, here it is. I sub the sunflower seeds (toasted first) for the almonds whenever I can't get a super good price on almonds. Also, if you can find almond meal or pieces it is usually super inexpensive. http://farmishmomma.com/?p=158
Trish wonderful step by step video. I wanted to share that we now just twist the bags closed and then I take a photo of the bulk bins. When we check out I just hand over the phone or call it out to the employee. Easy peasy and easier on me if five kids tagalong.
Love it!!!! Really awesome idea for those days when I have Mateo in the Ergo and he tries to grab everything!!! Thank you 🙂
Loved the video! Also, would love to see your recipe for your pesto using sun flower seeds. As pine nuts always seem sold out or very spendy!
Robyn, It is here somewhere on this blog, I will find it and post the link in the comments! and thank you 🙂
Well I really enjoyed your video. We dont have any shop like that in my part of the UK as far as I am aware and your prices wouldn't mean much to me anyway! Wish we had! But it was lovely tosee you and hear you talking. Who was doing the videoing?
Caroline, The camera woman was my 14 year old, Erica. She also did the editing and put the words on the video hehe. I am no good at those types of things so thank the Lord for smart children. They are also the ones who pushed me into making the video.
I never did comment on the other Real Food post, but it was very informative. I would have never thought to do that with celery! I may have to try that when I can get some potting soil. Our sound is out on the computer, so I can't comment on the video, but I'm sure it's great. 🙂
Thank you Sharon!!
Great job on the video. I'm very impressed. It was nice to see how someone shops at Whole Foods with a large family to buy for. I wanted to let you know I get my Himalayan sea salt from mercola.com. Not sure if that would be a better price than you get there or not. He sometimes runs specials. I'm just thinking of it from the angle of one less thing to remember to buy on an ongoing basis. I get it once or twice a year and forget about it till I get low. Thanks so much for all your work that it takes to do this blog. I really appreciate it!
oh you are so very welcome Lisa! I will look into the salt!
Very nice-good job! At some point could you share a little bit about where you get your jars for food storage and some of the recipes you use quite a bit for healthy eating. Thanks for doing this! Do you have a granola recipe? I made the granola bars and they were a hit with the family–and so easy to use, so thank you for sharing that. 🙂
You are very welcome Susan. I do not have a granola recipe as we just don't eat it that way but I guess if I wanted to make loose granola, I would just bake the oats with a thinner glue and whatever else I wanted to add to it. I would probably also add a pinch of salt 🙂
I'm new to this blog. I'm pretty sure I discovered you somehow through Ginny's blog. Anyway, I enjoyed your video very much. You are braver than I am! I also try to buy in bulk as I have four boys who EAT! I love your pantry so much I showed my husband so maybe he would be inspired to create something similar! Are all of your larger jars mason jars? Do you have a thrifty place you buy them? Also, on your video you said you use sunflower seeds for your homemade pesto? Any chance of sharing the recipe? I love that it doesn't use nuts! Keep up the good work!
Thank you Marie and welcome! Isn't Ginny's blog so wonderful? feels like home 🙂 I have been collecting mason jars since 2000 since I love to go to garage sales and thrift stores. You never know where you might come across one so you just gotta go look. One place you could cheat and get a bunch is probably Ebay but I have seen them on Craigslist before so check there. I will be posting the pesto recipe since a few people have asked for it!
you did great!!! I wish we had a whole foods here!!!! We do have a store though where we can buy some stuff in bulk, its an Amish type store called The Market, unfortunately you have to pay really close attention to prices, because what you can get elsewhere for 1.99 you will pay about 5.00 for there.
Great job!! Not if I make it to as whole foods I will know what I'm doing 🙂 what do you use chai seeds for? I know it would probably be region specific, but I would love to know what a good price on your staples are. Going bulk always takes such time for me to price check everything to ensure I'm getting a better buy. As always, love your blog!
thank you Katie, I will try to get a price list done. I just really kind of know a good price mentally but as you saw on the blog, somethings go way up sometimes as in the cashews which I usually get for about $8 so not going to pay $11. A good way to do it is just divide by ounces and compare boxed or bulk that way. I know it takes time but after a little while, you will just know when you are getting a good deal.