Let's start with the letter A...

This month, I'm going to read up on one food a day.  You always hear of what the best foods are that you should eat, but you rarely hear about WHY that food is so good for you.  All that said, I am going to take on the task of going through the alphabet of foods.  Example - A is for Apple.

I love iVillage.com.  They have great articles about living a healthy lifestyle.  And the information provided is easy to understand and incorporate into my everyday life.  Today I read "Dr. Oz's 99 Healthiest Foods -- How Many Are In Your Shopping Cart?"http://www.ivillage.com/dr-ozs-99-healthiest-supermarket-foods/4-b-437880#ixzz283QmgNfM.  And wouldn't you know, the first food was an Apple!

Who knew Apples were a heart healthy food and can help maintain a healthy body weight?!  Not to mention, Apples are a great food to eat plain.  I am a "dipper" (I love dips and condiments!) and love to match Apples up with peanut butter.  Remember, Apples are on the Eating Well's Dirty Dozen list as #1 for foods you should buy organic.  Find out why: http://www.eatingwell.com/food_news_origins/organic_natural/dirty_dozen_plus_14_foods_you_should_buy_organic
There are soooooooo many varieties.  My favorite are the Cameo Apples dipped in peanut butter.  It's something about that that sweet and salty blend that makes my taste buds scream!!!  Apples are an October seasonal food - http://gourmetfood.about.com/od/slowfoodorganiclocal/a/inseasonoctober.htm - so they are plentiful and ripe!


Get $1 off Earth Balance Peanut Butter with a great coupon from Mambo Sprouts.
http://www.coupons.com/couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=15046&zid=uw18&nid=10&bid=alk100106103074a946e754216

Great Applesauce recipe from Eatingwell.com.
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/maple_cinnamon_applesauce.html

Daily Deals!

Four new Gardein Meatless Products coupons.
http://healthylifedeals.com/four-new-gardein-meatless-products-coupons/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HealthyLifeDeals+%28Healthy+Life+Deals%29

Naked Coconut Water Coupon.
http://healthylifedeals.com/naked-coconut-water-coupon-2/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HealthyLifeDeals+%28Healthy+Life+Deals%29

Burt's Bees Gud Coupon.
http://healthylifedeals.com/new-burts-bees-gud-product-coupon/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HealthyLifeDeals+%28Healthy+Life+Deals%29

Natural and Organic Coupons from Money Saving Mom.
http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/09/natural-and-organic-coupons-and-deals-95.html

30% off People Towels with Mambo Sprouts code.
http://archive.mambosprouts.com/emailblasts/2012/sept/peopletowels/main1.html

30% off select Orange Products at ecomom.
http://www.ecomom.com/promo/2012/september/orange.html?utm_source=ecomom&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20120928_1412_Orange72HrSale

$10 off $50 of Desert Essence products with code GREEN.
http://e2.ma/message/a2rxc/iw0ab

Daily Deals!

Thinking Organic Thursday Deals from Deal Seeking Mom.
http://dealseekingmom.com/thinking-organic-thursday-green-valley-organic-oregan-chai-vans-more/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DealSeekingMom+%28Deal+Seeking+Mom%E2%84%A2%29

$1 off Garden of Eatin' coupon from Deal Seeking Mom.
http://dealseekingmom.com/garden-of-eatin-tortilla-chips-1-42-at-walmart/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DealSeekingMom+%28Deal+Seeking+Mom%E2%84%A2%29

$3.99 Natural Health Magazine subscription from Deal Seeking Mom.
http://dealseekingmom.com/natural-health-magazine-3-99-per-year-5/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DealSeekingMom+%28Deal+Seeking+Mom%E2%84%A2%29

$3.76/lb Wholesome Sweetener Organic Sucanat from Stretching a Buck.
http://www.stretchingabuckblog.com/2012/09/wholesome-sweeteners-organic-sucanat-3-76-per-pound.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+StretchingABuck+%28Stretching+a+Buck%29

$1.16/ea Eden Organic Black Beans no salt added 15 oz cans on Amazon from Jungle Deals and Steals.
http://jungledealsandsteals.com/eden-organic-black-beans-no-salt-added-15-ounce-cans-1-16-each-2/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JungleDealsSteals+%28Jungle+Deals+%26+Steals%29

$5 back if $20 spent on Bertolli, Lipton and/or Ragu Organic products from Organic Deals and Coupons.
http://www.organicdeals.com/home/2012/9/27/spend-20-on-bertolli-ragu-or-lipton-organic-products-get-5-b.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OrganicDeals+%28Organic+Deals+%26+Coupons%29

20% off site wide at eco-mom from Organic Deals and Coupons.
http://www.organicdeals.com/home/2012/9/26/20-off-site-wide-at-ecomom.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OrganicDeals+%28Organic+Deals+%26+Coupons%29

Shiu Shiu All Natural Baby Blankets from Organic Cents.
http://organiccents.blogspot.com/2012/09/shi-shu-all-natural-baby-blankets-over.html#!/2012/09/shi-shu-all-natural-baby-blankets-over.html

Organic Round Up from She Saved...
http://www.shesaved.com/2012/09/organic-round-up-92712.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SheSaved+%28She+Saved...%29

$25 for $50 of natural beauty products from Kleanspa from Plum District.
http://www.plumdistrict.com/deals/kleanspa-25-for-50-worth-of-natural-beauty-products-at-kleanspa-com-tFXUre?utm_source=Email&utm_campaign=2&utm_medium=2

New Mambo Sprouts coupons.
http://www.coupons.com/couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=15046&zid=uw18&nid=10&bid=alk0926060911cf55bc8529710

Plan Meals With Weekly Sales

A great way to save on grocery purchases is planning meals around the weekly sales.  I know, I know, eating the organic and natural way costs a little more than the pesticide infested alternatives.  But when you consider the benefits of avoiding all of the prescriptions, surgeries and joint replacements in your future due to the nutrient depleted vegies and fruits that are sold in our market, the pros outweigh the cons. 

This week, I am hitting my local grocery stores and stocking up on items that are on sale. For example: Fresh Market has wild cod for $7.99/lb ($4 off), Publix has Stonyfield Oikos Greek yogurt 10 for $1 and I am going to use my Stonyfield rewards coupons that I printed from their websited (stonyfield.com).  Whole Foods, Trader Joes and Chamberlain's have numerous deals in store when you browse the aisles.  Whole Foods also has a coupon booklet that you can add manufacturer's coupons to and get more cents off!  Makes sense, right?! Oh! Almost forgot, if you have American Express, check out their site from time to time.  In August I was able to snag a great offer with Whole Foods.  If I download $100 per month onto my Whole Foods gift card from my American Express card, I received $10 additional and $5 additional for the two subsequent months.  Sooooooo, over three months I get $320 for downloading $300.  Every little bit counts, right!?  And I earn rewards on my American Express card!

Don't leave out the warehouse clubs when looking for deals.  Sam's Club has 16 oz plastic containers of organic spinach and organic salad mix for about $4 a piece, which is the price for a 4 oz bag in most grocery stores.  Aldi's has great deals on cauliflower, broccoli, pineapple, cantaloupe and, when in season, watermelon, these fruits and vegies can be eaten "conventional" style. Believe it or not, Aldi's has great prices on wild salmon - yep, wild salmon.  Oh, how I wish Trader Joe's was within driving distance - that grocer has GREAT deals on organic eggs, milk, cheese, avocados, bread, fish - well, EVERYTHING!  I miss my Earth Fare Market deals.  That's one gem I enjoy when I visit Ohio.  GREAT daily deals and sales.

Within the next few weeks, I'll be able to post unpublished sales at stores within my area to help out us frugal folk.  I used to go by the weekly ads only for my shopping list.  Low and behold I ventured out of my comfort zone and realized that there were tons of sales that were great deals that weren't in the ads!

Daily Deals!

$2 coupon for ecover laundry detergent.
https://www.hopster.com/offers/ecover-laundry-products-magazine-promotion/14

$.50 off Green Valley Organic yogurt from Organic Deals and Coupons.
http://www.organicdeals.com/home/2012/9/24/rare-green-valley-organics-yogurt-coupon.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OrganicDeals+%28Organic+Deals+%26+Coupons%29

25% off Bath, beauty and body products on Abe's Market from Organic Deals and Coupons.
http://www.organicdeals.com/home/2012/9/24/25-off-bath-beauty-and-body-at-abes-market.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OrganicDeals+%28Organic+Deals+%26+Coupons%29

New Mambo Sprouts Coupons from Food Allergies on a Budget.
http://www.foodallergiesonabudget.com/september-new-mambo-sprouts-coupons/

Free Newman's Own Organic coffee from McDonalds on Frugal Living and Having Fun.
http://www.frugallivingandhavingfun.com/2012/09/mcdonalds-free-newmans-own-organic-coffee/

15% off Organic Prairie breakfast meats.
http://www.organicprairie.com/prod_detail_list/seasonal/?utm_source=pfcust&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20120917

Mambo Sprouts coupons!
http://www.coupons.com/couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=15046&zid=uw18&nid=10

$1 off Seventh Generation select cleaning products on Alice.com.
https://seventhgeneration.alice.com/products?redirect=/products&tag_id=1114&order=savings_dollars&source=email

Daily Deals!!!!!!!

Alice.com updated Green Organic Deals.
https://www.alice.com/products/green_organic

Groupon Philadelphia has $25 for $50 from GlutenFreely.com - site has organic products.
http://www.groupon.com/deals/glutenfreelycom-philadelphia?c=button&sid=11262283&utm_medium=email&s=body&utm_campaign=glutenfreelycom-philadelphia&utm_content=all-deals_philadelphia&division=philadelphia&pt=&date=20120924&p=6&utm_source=newsletter&user=f7c71519e76af7a4eb66ade5805284f16233da2ddd919c62c11dd343c3e13c2a

Free trial from Honest Diapers and Essentials by Jessica Alba - thanks Woman Freebies!
http://womanfreebies.com/free-samples/free-trial-from-honest-diapers/?utm_content=Newsletter&utm_campaign=sendgird&utm_source=WomanFreebies.com&utm_term=Email&utm_medium=Emal

$1 coupon off 3 Kashi cereals from Woman Freebies.
http://womanfreebies.com/coupons-and-savings/kashi-cereal-or-snack-bars/?utm_content=Newsletter&utm_campaign=sendgird&utm_source=WomanFreebies.com&utm_term=Email&utm_medium=Emal

$20 for $40 of products from Simply Pure from Mamapedia.
http://deals.mamapedia.com/deals/simply-pure?utm_campaign=3736&utm_medium=email&utm_source=deal_alert_maindeal_add1

Oh No! I'm past the 4-Oh!

This month I turn 41!  I have decided to truly take better care of my body.  I don't want to see myself on numerous medications that I cannot pronounce to maintain my health 10 years down the line.  Here goes:
30 minutes of workout three times a week
no fried foods unless I fry them myself (except for tortilla chips :-) )
7 hours of sleep a night

I'll log my journey each Monday.  I'm going to start doing all of these workouts I've torn out of magazines the past 5 years.  Don't want all of my hard workout from ripping out pages to go to waste - lol!!!!  I'm also going to stop eating after 8pm Sunday thru Thursday.  Friday and Saturday I often hang out and I might have a snack or drink later in the evening.  This morning I made it to 10 pushups, 5 leg lifts (to the top of my head while lying down - a GREAT pilate move!), 20 seconds of side planks (on each side).  Tonight I'll complete one of my tear-out workouts and repeat my first-thing-in-the-morning-wake-me-up workout.  Pray for me!!!!!

Tomorrow I'll post some of my favorite foods I eat to maintain my health and some great beauty tips I use to keep my youthful appearance.  As always...

God bless!

Organics Sense