Heyyy heyyy Holisticaited Familia!
I’m excited about finally creating this post because it’s a question I get ALL THE TIME…
Where do I shop for groceries?
In this post, we’re going to cover where I used to shop and why it’s changed, what’s most important to me when choosing where to buy from, and finally, where I purchase my groceries now and why.
So, let’s f*cking do it!
Here we go…
Where I used to shop and why it’s changed…
I feel like I’ve shopped just about everywhere in Miami (except for Winn Dixie 😂) and even online: Publix, Trader Joe’s, Milams, Fresh Market, Wild Fork, Whole Foods, Butcher Box, Thrive Market,...
Publix
Growing up, my mom shopped at Publix and let me just say, we loveeeeddddd us some Publix. I almost always WANTED to go to the grocery store with my mom because then I’d be able to make “requests” that she otherwise probably wouldn’t purchase 😂 Yes, I’m referring to the Gushers and the Smucker’s Uncrustables.
Anyway, once I moved out of the house and I was buying groceries myself, I naturally just continued shopping at Publix and it was great (at least for a while). However, once my diet really started to change (and I was mostly just buying produce and none of the processed “junk foods”) the options at Publix seemed very limited (at least in my neighborhood). The brands I’ve found with minimal, (mostly) whole-food ingredients are rarely available here and the organic options are slim.
Trader Joe’s
Now, at the start of my “new, healthier lifestyle,” I became pretty obsessed with Trader Joe’s. There was never one nearby, so I hadn't ever really given them a shot. I’m not sure how I ended up shopping here, but I did and continued to for years. It was significantly cheaper than everywhere else and they had a lot of “quick” frozen options for lunch (I was working from home and still learning A LOT about cooking – getting confident in the kitchen was something that took months, if not years).
Anyway, after completing my certifications as a Holistic Nutritionist and Health Coach, I had learned SO MUCH about food and nutrition labels that Trader Joe’s no longer seemed as amazing as it once did 😬 I did continue to shop there, BUT I stuck primarily to the organic produce and a handful of other “Cait-approved” pantry items 😜 (like their raw almond butter).
About a year or so ago, I noticed the quality of the produce at the Joe’s had honestly gone to sh*t. I’d buy berries or greens that just wouldn’t last because they were already in bad shape upon purchasing (and trust me, I’d take my time trying to find the best ones). I ended up turned off after this happened to me a few times back to back and I found a better fit. By the way, definitely not trying to sh*t on Trader Joe’s by any means – just being as transparent as possible with you and sharing my personal experience at the location nearest to me.
What’s most important to me when it comes to shopping right now…
Before I get into the juicy stuff (where I’m shopping right now), let me break down what’s most important to me when it comes to the grocery shopping process.
One. QUALITY. (Duh, right?)
I want to shop where I know I can find good quality, organic foods as well as grass-fed and pasture-raised animal products. Over the years, I’ve also experimented with enough brands that I’ve now got my go-to’s, so a spot that carries these is ideal.
Two. It’s gotta be EASY. (Mom life, ya feels meh?)
As a mom especially, I need grocery shopping to be as easy as possible. The more I can purchase from the same source, the better. Also, the more I can purchase from home, the better (and I’m not referring to Instacart, haha) I f*cking hate that sh*t. Sorry, but Instacart shoppers don’t know how to shop by my standards (I always get crappie produce whenever I’ve tried it 😳 I get it…they don’t give a f*ck about getting me the nicest avocados in the bunch 😂).
Three. PRICE. 💰
I’m shopping for quality, but I’m also not trying to break the bank 😂 I know you feel me on this…groceries are SO EXPENSIVE right now. Believe it or not, there are ways to not spend a SH*T LOAD of money buying groceries because you’re trying to be healthy. In fact, if I don’t shop the way I do right now and I veer off my usual for whatever reason, I’ll end up spending SO MUCH MORE.
Where I shop now and why…
Now, let’s finally get into where I do my shopping right now and why! I even threw in links to some of my go-to brands for you down below 😉
Meats
In the past year or so, I’ve been purchasing my meats and bone broth directly from a farm in Bluffton, Georgia called White Oak Pastures. A friend of mine (that shares my passion for quality food) actually visited the farm herself and shared some positive feedback with me soooo I was sold. They practice sustainable farming, have great options including grass-fed and pasture-raised animals, and feel they “go far beyond the USDA certified organic standards.” You can read more about them here. Before purchasing produce from any farm, I definitely recommend reading through their website and FAQs section to see what they’re all about.
They recently created an app too which makes it incredibly easy for me to place orders. I can even save my favorites or choose to be notified when a product that tends to sell out quickly is back in stock. Everything is shipped frozen (in a styrofoam cooler with dry ice) and usually arrives in just a few days. Not gonna lie, I’ve been hesitant to share this secret with you…I don’t want to have to share my grass-fed beef and pasture-raised chicken LOL butttt there ya have it…secret is out! Knowing me, I’ll probably discover a new farm closer to me soon and try that anyway so it’s all gooood haha.
If you do decide to give them a try, CLICK HERE for $10 off! 😜
Produce
High-quality organic fruits and veggies can be so challenging to come by, but I finally found something that works well for me – the Organic Farmer’s Market in my hood (Coconut Grove, Miami). Every Saturday, Glaser Farms (a local South Florida farm) sets up all their organic fruits, veggies, and goods under a tent almost all day long. There is plenty to choose from! I buy all my fruits and veggies here along with a few other products like: raw goat’s milk yogurt, goat’s milk kefir, pre-made salsas and guacamole, and raw trail mix. I also love buying herbs here because I can purchase stems rather than buying a whole friggin’ bunch of them (knowing I’m not gonna be able to use them all before they go bad). I usually show up in the morning when it opens (around 10 AM) after I nurse Alex and I’m back home in about 30 minutes. Most people might think the Farmer’s Market is more expensive, but I actually save a lot shopping there. If you think about it for a second, it makes sense – you’re buying directly from the farm rather than the grocery store.
Here are some websites for finding Farmer’s Markets near you:
Something I’ve also recently considered is subscribing to a “share” in a local farm (CSA). You pay a subscription fee directly to the farm and pick up a box of fresh (in-season) produce from them or have it delivered (if this is available). It’s a great way to save some money PLUS support your local farmers! Read more about Community Supported Agriculture HERE.
Pantry Items/Dry Goods
So, my friends got me a year-long Thrive Market subscription as a gift a couple of years ago and I loved it, so I renewed! It’s perfect for all the pantry items. They carry almost all the “Cait-approved” brands PLUS I can order on the app, create lists, and save my favorite items (I’m allll about EASY remember?) Also, I’m pretty sure I save money on here too. Here’s a list of some of my go-to Thrive Market buys:
Thrive Market, Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Primal Kitchen, Buffalo Sauce
Elmhurst, Unsweetened Milked Cashews
One Degree Organic, Sprouted Quick Oats
Jovial, Organic Brown Rice Farfalle
Thrive Market, Organic Sprouted Walnut Halves & Pieces
If Thrive Market sounds like a good fit for you too, CLICK HERE for 40% OFF your first order! 😊
And, that’s a WRAPPPPPP Holisticaited Fam!
If you have any questions for me after reading this post, feel free to drop them in the comments below 😊 As always, I’d love to hear from you. Hope you found this helpful!
