Fakers

Before I go into detail about today's post I have to tell you I have been loving grilling pizzas and using BBQ sauce instead of marinara! I added some goat cheese, mozz, parm and carmelized onions and peppers to last nights! I also made a vegetarian version with broccoli for my sister and half with TJ meatless meatballs! It was great!

Those of you who follow me on my Facebook Page already know that we made a trip to Wegmans last night. Usually I get the bulk of our groceries at Trader Joes and pick up simple things like pizza dough mix and last minute items at our regular grocery store.

A lot of people have a conception that shopping organically can make a huge dent in your wallet. But this isn't the case!! Let me explain how normal grocery stores AND Wegmans are fakers.

The common grocery store jacks up their prices on organic items. For example, Barbara's GF Peanut Butter puffins (can you tell it's my favorite) at a normal grocery store costs between $4.50 and $5.50. BUT at Trader Joes or Whole Foods you can find the same cereal for $2.50-$3.00. 

Milk at your regular grocery store will cost you upwards of $4 for a gallon of milk. BUT at Trader Joes or Whole Foods you can find a gallon of milk for $1.99. 

Yesterday at Wegman's we saw a 6 pack of red peppers for $5.49. This looks like a great deal since a normal grocery store usually sells them for $1.50-$2.00 PER pepper. BUT at Trader Joes just last week I picked up local red peppers for $.69 per pepper.

Wegmans seems great to many because they offer more aisles of natural and organic products, but they do not compare to Whole Foods. Let me tell you why.

Whole Foods offers more options for local produce, and most of the time you can buy the local produce for cheaper. Helping your farmers = helping your community. Do it. It's best for the whole!!

Whole Foods also has bulk bins throughout their store where you can stock up on nuts, dried fruits, protein bars, grains, etc for cheaper than the normal grocery store. The great thing about bulk bins is you can buy as much or as little of an item you need! I always grab a few dates when I am there for cchheeaaapp to make protein balls! Wegmans has bulk bins, but only a handful of them and the variety does not compete with Whole Foods - but you feel great because hey this is a grocery store and they offer what Whole Foods does!

Another thing that attracts people to Wegmans are the prepared foods in the market place. A sushi chef preparing the packaged sushi in front of you, get out! While this is great, have you ever checked out the nutritional facts on those hot food items you pile into your container? That tofu wrap you grabbed at the burrito bar (because you thought you were making the healthy choice) is 960 calories. About half of your daily intake. You can find all their nutritional facts here.

My favorite Aunt Mary (well she is actually CL's great aunt, but I have claimed her as my own) told me to check out the Greek Turkey burgers Wegmans offers. These things look delicious, but once I was reading down the ingredient list I saw high fructose corn syrup as an ingredient. In my burger? No thanks. Not to worry Mar, I bought everything needed to make some homemade Greek Turkey Burgers this week that you can whip up!

All in all, I think it is great that grocery stores are jumping on the local and organic bandwagon, but don't be fooled by the "fakers" out there. Do your research, check out Whole Food's coupons, and read ingredients!

Do you shop at Trader Joes or Whole Foods and agree? Disagree? I would love to hear your opinions!