I KNOW I told you that I’d show you my freezers and refrigerator this time…but my Azure Standard food co-op order came in this week. Don’t you want to see what I got?!
But first let’s review…
Nerd information about Laura #1: Laura loves jars. Like crazy.
Now…
Nerd information about Laura #2: Laura loves to pull out everything from her Azure order boxes and lay everything out on the counter…and then just look at it for many, many minutes.
…and when she’s finally satisfied after a long time of staring at her groceries, Laura will slowly put everything into smaller containers (like JARS!) and put everything where it goes.
…but she’s such a nerd about it that she really doesn’t want anyone to help her because she has a system and she really just has so much fun with putting it all away and looking at it all, that having helpers would just sort of ruin the fun.
(There, now I’m done talking about myself in third person. :) )
This time, after I laid my order out on the counter, I took a picture for you (just in case you wanted to stare at it for several minutes too).
Here’s what I got this month:
Natural Value plastic bags (a safe plastic…on sale this month), 5 pounds frozen peas, 4 oz. cumin, 5 pounds Landmark raw white cheddar cheese, 2 jars Natural Value peanut butter, 2 pounds raw cashews, 1 pound fresh leeks, 5 pounds carrots, 5 pounds oranges, 5 pounds pinto beans, 5 pounds cocoa (think of all the brownies I can make!), Braggs apple cider vinegar.
Not pictured:
25 pounds Redmonds real salt, 10 pounds frozen strawberries, 3 boxes Julies ice cream sandwiches (a total splurge…one that made my kids cheer all the way home), case of 12 big bags of Kettle brand organic blue corn chips(I highly recommend these chips…they are YUMMY, and are priced VERY REASONABLY. Even though they don’t give us much in the way of nutrition, they are at least a decent chip.)
My total for all this food was $237.49.
Sound like a lot? Maybe. However, this is the bulk of my grocery spending for the month (about half). The salt was my big purchase this time (25 pounds costs around $50!)…but that will last us well over a year and a half, even with all the canning I do. The baggies I bought for freezing produce this fall, since they were a very good price this month.
The cocoa will last a long, long time (as long as Laura can control how many brownies she makes) (oops, switched back to third person again). The chips will last quite a while, as will the beans, strawberries, cashews, vinegar and cumin. Everything else will be eaten in a month most likely.
Now, just a couple more things about what I did with part of my order!
Yesterday I used the leeks I ordered and several of the carrots and made a big pot of chicken broth, and a big pot of beef broth. Now I have big jars full of broth ready to make soups and sauces and gravies.
AND…take a look at this beautiful 10 pound bag of frozen strawberries!!
I divided the bag into 3 gallon sized freezer bags for easier freezer access. Now we have plenty of strawberries for smoothies and slushies and milkshakes and snacks. YUM!!!
All this food, along with the fresh milk and eggs we buy from local farmers…and along with my freezers full of meat and veggies…and my pantry full of grains and canned tomato products…
We are ALL SET!
Okay…coming up next will really be my fridge and freezers…but thanks for letting me show you my Azure order.
(Am I the only one who likes to stare at their groceries? Just wondering…) :)
OHHH! I love looking at your food! Especially the strawberries!
I love those pretty white lids on your jars to.
Raw cheese?!?! Neato!
I am with you. I get such a great feeling when I come home with a lot of healthy, real food. I like to savor it as well.
Thanks for sharing!
Do you have a drop off in your area? How far do you have to go to get it? I checked and they do not drop off in mine. Not even in my state from what I can tell. I really wish they did. Their stuff looks so good.
Yes, they come right into my town and we meet in the Walmart parking lot. I know they’re working to eventually have a route in every state…they’re getting close! I hope they soon do. I think it would be wonderful for everyone to benefit from their great service!
Laura, I cuold quite honestly stare at my groceries for hours on end! I’m thinking of maybe printing and framing the pictures I took after this month’s grocery trip. That wouldn’t be weird, would it?
Seriously though, it all looks so wonderful. I just love cumin. I go through a jar a month, easily.
I love getting my Azure order too. We buy the Golden Temple granola by the 25 pounder — but the Redmond’s Real Salt only by the 2 pound bag. 25 pounds is alot of salt!
I also buy my coconut oil, dates (for a yummy snack recipe),Clif Fruit (kind of like fruit licorice — on sale in May),Agave Nectar, dish soap, 10 pounder baking soda, Udo’s Oil, dried coconut…the list goes on.
I have not had good success with their fresh produce though, have you?
Where do you get the jars you have yur broth in? They look like 1/2 gallon or gallon size. I forgot to ask that yesterday.
Thanks so much for sharing your groceries with us!!It all looks so wonderful!!I love the idea of using the canning jars to store things in!! By the way,I don`t think your weird for staring at your groceries!! It`s very comforting knowing you have healthy food for your family!!I personally think we all should have a monthly snapshot of our groceries in our family album:)Have a wonderful weekend!!
I love Azure Order Delivery Day! :) (I guess I’m a nerd too… I love both info #1 & #2!) :)
Blessings,
Michele :)
I hope this is a monthly thing, showing your Azure order! I called and got the # for a sort of nearby drop point, now I just need to call her!
Two questions – could you say a few words about your “safe” plastic bags in an upcoming post, and how do you keep bugs out of the stuff stored in your trunk? I fear I’d have creepy crawlies carrying the whole thing away. I know everyone is trying to get away from storing in plastic, but it sure is airtight and not as heavy (or dangerous – I break things!) as glass.
Nope … you’re not the only one. I love looking at new food, too! My husband thinks I’m totally nuts, but he usually lets it slide once he sees the fabulous meal I (theoretically) make for him. :)
I’ve never heard of Azure, but it sounds super cool. Google, here I come!!!
~Brea
No, you are not alone. I love a fully stocked pantry and I love getting my Azure order, too. Just found your website today. I’ll be stopping by again!
Kris Mays
Oregon
Next week, our farmer’s market opens for the season. I can’t wait to start freezing fruit and veggies…and enjoying them right away, too! :)
10 years later…still shop Azure Standard? It’s been a long time since I checked but I did again tonight and they have a drop off in my town. Not sure what is a good buy- the options are overwhelming-so I searched your blog!
YES! I still do shop Azure almost every month. My favorites are frozen veggies, bulk peanuts (for making peanut butter), hard and soft white wheat (to grind into flour), and whatever is on sale that I know we’ll eat! :)