I wasn't cutting them any slack whatsoever. I was like a spoiled little child stomping and screaming, I want my apples and I want them now. I was the typical person who believes that they are "entitled" to anything that they want.
Well, if I want an apple, I can go to the store and buy one right? So I had to go back to the original reason why I started buying from this company. When I re-read their website, I was reminded again why I like them. Here's a bit from their home page:
"We chose to call our business Azure Standard, to signify by the name what we are attempting to do. Azure is a shade of blue which has been associated with law, justice, and honesty. In raising an azure standard, we want to place an honest standard in the marketing of food. We feel that the correct way to effect a positive change is not to attack the way it is being done, but to begin to do it right."
They implemented a new computer system recently and are in the process of working out the bugs. Previously I worked as a computer support person and I know first hand how many problems companies have when they go live with a new computer system.
Anyway, I picked up my order yesterday and it was wonderful to see all of my goodies! Guess what I got - apples! I'm looking forward to increasing my order with them every month. They have so much stuff that you can buy from them that it's a little overwhelming to get started.
- 6 lbs organic apples $4.40
- 10 pounds frozen strawberries $17.10 (making smoothies and trying my hand at jelly using Pomona's Pectin this time)
- 5 lbs organic carrots $4.70
- 1 head of organic cauliflower $2.50
- 4 lbs of butter $15.80
I also ordered oats, black beans, pinto beans, white rice, wild rice, mustard, and lime juice but I'm not sure how long any of those items will last. I spent about $80 on food. I was only "supposed" to spend $60 if you look at how my budget breaks down in my post Thrift and Food on a Budget. It'll be interesting to see how it all averages out. I didn't spend much at Sam's Club this month.
I am sooooo very glad to be done with my stinkin' thinkin' about this company. Their customer service is wonderful and they've fixed every problem I ever had.
Check out Heavenly Homemakers for a wonderful post about how Laura grocery shops for her family (including an Azure Standard order).
You may not be able to buy from a company like Azure due to your location, but I bet there is something out there in your area if you keep looking. IF it's a priority to you...it may not be and that is OKAY!!! You may have your plate full just trying to put a homemade meal on the table instead of buying processed food.
Remember, baby steps!!!
This post has been linked to:
Grocery Cart Challenge
Money Saving Mom
11th Heaven Homemaking Haven
I am totally going to start ordering from them. It is way cheaper to buy whole grains/whole grain flour through them than it is in the grocery store. I am saving up for a grain mill so I can get the bulk grains from them and grind all my own flour. So excited!
ReplyDeleteI live in Canada, so no Azure standard for me. What I have done is signed up for a CSA, which is $68 a month starting in May and running for a full year. I get a full basket of fresh organic food every week; I'm so excited! I also am going to buy a side of beef (we are currently working on our quarter), a side of pork (local), I buy my eggs from local farmers (prices range from $2.75 to $3.50) and I get dried beans from the farmers market @ $2/lbs. I find the prices are actually comparable to what I spend at the grocery store. I buy raw honey in gallon jugs right off the farm and local maple syrup in half gallon jugs. For the other things, I bulk shop at the HFS or bulk store. I am hoping to garner enough interest in placing a bulk order through the closest mill, which is the next province over and 200 food miles away (but like I said, the closest). I do gluten free cooking with coconut flour so I give that a break since tropical food doesn't grow in Canada, lol! Local is a big thing for me. I don't stress it when it's not possible but it makes me feel better and happier to feed my family healthy, local, humane, mostly organic food :). Right now my kids are on an apple and salad kick so I get them organic and the price is actually comparable to non-organic. The apples are actually $2 cheaper a bag for pink lady!
ReplyDeleteBecci - before you invest in a grain mill, I'd encourage you to research a lot about grains and how much we really should be eating them.
ReplyDeleteI know with little ones around it'd be hard to spend much time researching, but it'd be worthwhile.
Here's a blog that I'm starting about the controversies in eating healthy:
http://budgethealthyeating.wordpress.com/2011/02/17/healthy-eating-controversies/
If you scroll down to "should we eat bread..." you'll find some interesting info about it.
It's interesting to see what people say about it.
I myself feel a ton better without them. My family doesn't get a stomach ache from them, but it does make them eat more food and feel tired afterwards.
Good luck!
Carla - I wish we could get a CSA here. The growing season is just so short it's not possible. At least, I haven't found one yet.
ReplyDeleteWhen I worked as a computer support person, I worked with the NICEST people in Canada. Truly and seriously! I worked in Denver, but supported the computer system for our Canadian operations and they were fabulous. Give me a Canadian any day to work with. Even the ones in Quebec with the language issue were still patient and funny!