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Jun
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This last Sunday I decided to begin shopping at Whole Foods at least 1x a week. I have gone there previously but never made a commitment to shop there indefinitely. My excuse was that it’s too far of a drive and I thought the food quality at Albertsons was adequate. Recently however, I became dissatisfied with Albertsons and Fresh and Easy. Produce was lacking in taste, and would often “go bad quicker.” Maybe this was all in my head but these concerns led me to drive the extra 20 minutes.
Organic Produce from Whole Foods
Additionally, for quite some time now I am really into taking care of my health particularly since I began receiving blood tests more regularly. Not that I was incredibly unhealthy or needed blood tests for any specific reason, but the blood tests revealed some nutritional deficiencies that I wanted to address. I am always looking step up my responsibility regarding my health.
Whole Foods is definitely more expensive, no doubt about it. My grocery bill doubled from the normal amount I would spend at Fresh and Easy or Albertsons. My main motivation however, was that I wanted to begin consuming predominantly Organic produce. I can afford it and how I view it this purchase now is that my body is worth spending the extra money (that I may have easily blown on something else.) The food in the picture above will cover me for at least 4-5 days and the bill came $65.00. Some people may think organic is just a bunch of hoopla, but with some of the research behind reasons to buy organic; to me it just makes sense.
One item I purchased is definitely noticeable with regards to taste and overall quality…the chicken. Previously I had shopped at Costco for my chicken, then I switched to Fresh and Easy for convenience but neither compared to how fantastic the chicken from Whole Foods tasted or how fresh it is. The breasts were cut perfectly as well which is nice because it makes my job of prepping so much easier. What is even more surprising is that the chicken from Whole Foods is about the same price I would normally pay at Fresh and Easy! What also makes the chicken special is that the birds are raised with no added hormones and no antibiotics. The brand name is “Mary’s Free Range Chicken.”
Mary's Free Range Chicken
My first experience with Whole Foods was actually from a brief stint in the year 2000, when I lived in Seattle Washington. I remember walking in for the first time and being blown away by the selection of fresh fruits and veggies. For a fitness nerd like me I thought I had found some sort of paradise. I spent at least an hour marveling at all of the produce I had never seen before.
I am a believer now however, as the organic produce I purchase is better in quality, taste, and freshness. See for yourself. I wish they would open a Whole Foods in my neck of the woods…I doubt that will ever happen considering I live in the old school area of Desert Inn and Eastern.
Locations:
Fort Apache
8855 West Charleston Boulevard (702) 254-8655
Tenaya
7250 West Lake Mead Boulevard (702) 942-1500
Las Vegas Boulevard
6689 Las Vegas Boulevard South (702) 589-7711
100 South Green Valley Parkway (702) 361-8183
Hours of operation:
Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Friday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
June 26th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Congratulations on your decision to go organic! I have manged to go almost completely organic, and eat meat that is hormone/antibiotic free without shopping at Whole Foods. I love that place but it is expensive (I call it the Whole Paycheck) and far. I go there when I need something really special. Paul, Costco now has organic chicken, beef and grass-fed high-plains buffalo. I don’t know how long it has been since you shopped there but they have really added to their organic selection for us picky eaters. I also belong to a food co-op: http://www.bountifulbaskets.org. I help out just a little bit and for $25 get about $60 worth of certified organic produce.
Eventually it won’t be such a hassle to feed ourselves good healthy food because we are on the cusp of a huge food movement, and more and more people are wanting to eat this way. In order to be competitive, stores will have to expand their organic selection and hopefully prices will come down, as well. In the meantime, I feel good knowing the food, the fuel, I put into my body is good for me and I don’t mind making the investment (extra time and money) in my health and the health of my family.