I’ve taken a hiatus from blogging, as life got crazy for a bit, but I am back with some useful tips on eating organic on a budget that I have been trying lately. Let me know if you have toyed with any of these, and if so, what works best for you.

-  Buy in bulk- grains, beans, grits, nuts, dried fruit, etc. Read more tips re buying bulk here.

-  Avoid pre-cut/pre-packaged foods. Total rip off.

- Find an organic brand you like and go to their Web site for coupons. For instance: http://www.organicvalley.coop/coupons/.

- At the farmer’s market, ask the farmers if you can buy the “seconds” for a discount — usually they have stashed some bruised/scuffed/less attractive goods in their trucks or behind the table … but you know the old adage — don’t judge a book by its cover! Poor bruised fruit is just as amazingly delicious and nutritious, and it shouldn’t have to rot when a charmed soul like you is willing to buy it if it might help you scrimp some coins.

- Shop with a list – no impulse buying!!

- Shop on a full stomach – or at least when you’re not ravenous. This really works.

- Choose brands above and below your eye level. SNEAKY aisle stockers.

- Be vigilant your check-out gal or guy doesn’t ring you up erroneously. Seriously, hate to be that guy, but it’s worth it in these dire times.

- COOK – geez it seems as much as I know this to be true, sometimes the ease of buying lunch (and the Java Green Sesame Soy Salad) wins me over. But honestly, it’s worth the time at night or in the morning to prepare lunch. At the very least, bring snacks and fruit that you can have throughout the day, so if you do need to buy lunch, you don’t need something huge.