1. Give up packaged products, especially for Summer, and get that blender out. Instead of packaged breakfasts, whip up a smoothie! It’s also a great way to get more greens into your kids. Load the blender with swiss chard, spinach, sprouts and an apple or pear or berries to add sweetness. Fast, nutritious, cheap, and yummy!

Cool soups for dinner are equally nutritious, frugal and appreciated on hot days. Try

1 cucumber
2 zucchini
1 avocado
Some parsley, basil, scallions, lemon, garlic and some Bragg’s amino acid or sea salt
Start by blending the cucumber well. Then gradually add other ingredients.

Or

2.5 cups spinach
0.5 cups water
A smallish cucumber
1 avocado
A little lemon juice and sea salt
Some garlic, dill, scallion and parsley

Blend and water well. Gradually add remaining ingredients.

2. Go foraging for wild greens! If you don’t use chemicals on your lawn, chances are you’ll find dandelion greens—packed with Vitamins A + K, lots of B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, beta carotene and iron. They’re a little bitter, so you might want to boil them (change the water once or twice) or sauté with carrots or parsnips.

And purslane—a robust weed rich in omega-3, vitamins C and E, beta carotene and more. All parts of it are edible and can be eaten raw, steamed, stir-fried, or in a smoothie.

3. Go to pick-your-own farms and spend a day outside in the sunshine! You can share where food comes from with your kids and this will get them excited about eating the food! Pick extra berries and freeze for Winter. http://www.pickyourown.org/

Not all PYO are organic, so be sure to check

Sharon, great suggestions, as always! And in fact, our CSA had dandelion greens last week. They were delicious sauteed! Now we have to make the stinging nettles from Friday’s share! — Lynn

One item that I am following is the recent report of prescription drugs found in drinking water across the U.S. This includes both tap water and bottled purified water. Recently the drinking water for Washington, D.C., and surrounding areas, tested positive for six pharmaceuticals. I think it’s something to keep in mind and to be aware of when drinking water out of a tap or bottled purified water.

Great news re garden! I’m thrilled that you were inspired by OrganicMania! I think that with food prices rising, a lot of people will be turning to the old fashioned garden this year. Yes, unfortunately I think the water issue is a sign of the times…hopefully with awareness people will stop disposing of meds in unsafe ways….I had no idea people did this. It makes sense that the purification systems were not designed to remove traces of drugs! The situation has got to be the same all over. Thanks for your comment! — Lynn

what i also loved there is that you could get certain gluten-free grains there in bulk, like amaranth and millet (aka Birdseed). makes it easier to try out on the family when you can buy only what you need for one try. (why buy a ton of a new grain only to find out that everyone hates it

Thanks, Sher! Glad it was helpful. Yes, it is a fun place to go. –Lynn

I also would like to add that most major organic brands have coupon online that you can print out. So if you shop with coupon and look out for sale in the grocery store you will get big saving. Plus with more media attention for organic food, even general grocery stores carry more varities of organic food. Think Publix or Walmart. So check them out for sale. Last week, I bought organic baby carrot from Target that was cheaper than conventional one.

Amy @ The Q Family

Wow! That’s a great find - exactly the kind of thing I’d like to see everyone share here on OrganicMania! Thanks for your tips, Amy! — Lynn