Pinterest makes me smarter. Or so I like to think. No really, words of wisdom all over that place, am I right? 
Anyway, I saw this poster on pinterest the other day I couldn’t help but apply it straight to food!
Think about it….
Good FOOD ain’t cheap and cheap FOOD ain’t good (well, at least not GOOD for you). Hey, sometimes you just gotta satisfy those cheap thrills. Who doesn’t love the 50 cent Cadbury cream eggs these days? The hubs is taking FULL advantage of that right now. haha.
Anyway, back to my point. Good Food ain’t cheap but most of the time it ain’t too too pricey either. You must invest in the best, and invest in the best for YOU!
It’s taken us a while to figure out what brands, products, etc. are the best for US at the moment, but I think we have narrowed it down to our CORE GROUP. These are foods, supplements, and drinks that have gone with us everywhere and make us feel our best. And you know what’s better?
These are companies that we TRUST and VALUE as well.
Now that’s worth the investment.
So here’s to a thirty minute Thursday! Thirty minutes of looking at your grocery bill, looking at where your food is coming from, looking at what foods make you feel your best…….
AND THEN INVESTING in the BEST!
These are a few of our favorite things.
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Coconut Flour and Butter
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Vanilla Whey (gluten free)
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Almond Breeze
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Chobani (need I say more?)
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Attune GF cereals and Probiotic Bars
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Larabars and Wallaby Bars (a staple in NZ)
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Wild caught canned salmon
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Vegemite/ Marmite
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Udi’s or Rudi’s GF bread
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KerryGold Buttah and aged cheddar
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oh and lets now add Eden MOCHI
Tell me, what are your top 3 food investments?
Cheers,
LC
p.s.
I’ve had so many extra GENUINE pics sent me, tomorrows Genuine Post (a PHOTO FRIDAY) will be EPIC! And I never use the word Epic unless I mean it.
Hi, I’m Lindsay! Gluten Free Nutrition Specialist, food photographer and author of 
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Wendy says
March 29, 2012 at 4:26 PMTop 3 food investments?
Oats, cheese (for the hub), and yogurt (for me). We are learning to live even more frugally with moves and more forthcoming. Creativity is key on budget. As long as we have the staples, we can make it… and let go of other “stuff.”
Fortunately there are great people out there who share recipes, and for that we are both eternally grateful beyond words…where smiles in the heart live! 🙂
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:42 PMi agree, creativity is key! i buy in bulk for those staples, for sure. And yea for sharing recipes.
Gen says
March 29, 2012 at 4:35 PMYuuum!!! Loved this post! 😀
Top 3 food investments:
(Good quality) Chocolate, of course haha!
yogurt (one of my favorite quick snacks!)
all the fresh, organic produce that we get here!
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:42 PMchocolate, yes, a must! <3
StoriesAndSweetPotatoes says
March 29, 2012 at 4:36 PMHave you heard of sandwich petals? They’re new (I think) and gluten free. They are basically allergen-free actually. The company sent me samples and they’re kind of amazing. Although I don’t need to eat gluten free, I can tell they sit better in my sensitive stomach.
http://www.sandwichpetals.com/main_content/
I also love Bob’s Red Mill as a company 🙂
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:42 PMoh goodness, i am going to check this out ASAP! youre the best for sharing.
curlsz says
March 29, 2012 at 4:44 PMmost of my grocery bill is produce and bin items- you can buy almost THREE pounds of rolled oats for a little less than $2!!! Love the bins!! And a giant tub of yogurt is about $5-6. If you shop smart and learn how to combine real food to make things you love you can avoid breaking the bank. If you are a product junkie, well then you may want to pick up an extra shift at work to support your habit 😉
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:50 PMbulk bins are my best friend for grains and nuts oh and flour! but it also pays to have friends who share their goodies, right? 😉
curlsz says
March 30, 2012 at 12:57 PMwell the world successfully ran on the barter system for centuries! i love it we need to get back to that, except don’t bring me a live chicken, that’s where i draw the line
Jan says
March 29, 2012 at 4:45 PMHmm, organic milk (for the kids and hubby), grass-fed beef, and my third is shopping local. I know that’s not a single food item, but shopping local is SO important and it costs more, so I’m counting it. Is that cheating?
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:51 PMlove it! shopping local means so much more that $, its about community.
janetha says
March 29, 2012 at 4:52 PMwait.
why am i not on that list?
hmph.
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 5:22 PMoh but JG, you’re a prize possession. i don’t like to share those. 😉
Jonathan Aluzas says
March 29, 2012 at 5:03 PM1. Fresh, organic, in-season produce – Though I grow a lot of my own, I want to make sure I spend a little more to get quality produce instead of the commercially-farmed, plastic-tasting stuff!
2. Loose leaf tea – Is this food? Anyway, it relaxes me and I’m a big believer in the health benefits.
3. Good quality meats – I don’t eat much meat anymore, but when I do, I want it to be grass-fed and organic.
Um, and ice cream comes in fourth place!
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:52 PMoh i like the loose tea purchase. Do you use chinese green tea?! thats my new love.
Jonathan Aluzas says
March 29, 2012 at 9:56 PMYeah, I’ve used two different kinds of organic Chinese green tea. I love it. I usually throw it into an infuser with some dried mint or chocolate mint from my back yard. Good stuff!
Christine @ Oatmeal Bowl says
March 29, 2012 at 5:16 PMOooo… good post. I still haven’t tried Kerry Gold, but hear its good!
1) My CSA box 80% organic
2) My meat
3) My cheese (it makes all the difference) 😉
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:51 PMCSA… thats such a great investment, for ourselves and our community!
Kristin @ STUFT Mama says
March 29, 2012 at 5:19 PMYou have the BEST food stash ever! I want to come over right now. Oh, that reminds me I totally had a dream we went hiking together. Weird. 🙂 I love love love Nutttzo (and everything else you have in that picture). Hope you’re having a great Thursday!
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:50 PMwe did?! I want to go on a real hike soon, k?
Maryea @ Happy Healthy Mama says
March 29, 2012 at 5:41 PMIt’s hard to choose a top 3! Mine are probably organic peanut butter, organic animal products, and nuts. Okay I know I totally cheated with the “animal products” answer. 🙂
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:48 PMthats not cheating, i think organic animal products are worth every $$! any and all!
Mary Lee says
March 29, 2012 at 5:51 PMI’ve read your blog for a while now and lately I’ve become really worried about you! You’re looking very very thin and sick 🙁 I really hope you find answers soon.
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
March 29, 2012 at 6:33 PMLOL totally forgot that James likes those eggs. My food investments…hmmm…chia seeds, honeycrisp apples (those suckers aren’t cheap), Daiya vegan cheese.
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:48 PMya, he’s obsessed with any cadburry. I think they should sponsor him. haha. I love Daiya, its soo worth the $!
katie says
March 29, 2012 at 6:49 PMI do not see WINE on that list 😉 hehe!
I spend a ton of money on food but I do not care because it is food that is good for me!
I still have to try the nuttzo!!
<3
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:46 PMWINE!!! it’s so much more than an investment, it’s a staple that is near and dear. hehe.
Lou says
March 29, 2012 at 7:06 PMMan oh man I want to munch my way through that awesome display of goodies (hooray for Vegemite!! oh and Marmite)
That Nuttzo sounds amaaaaazing! Hope you enjoy the bars etc I sent… I think the Emma + Tom’s bar would be similar to a larabar no? Misty LOVES the unsweetened chocolate (!) Crazy kid… I’m going to have to hide my stash 😉
My top food investments would be organic nuts (for making milks/nut butter with) Chia seeds and nutritional yeast. OH and raw buckwheat groats by the sack full 🙂
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:47 PMyou would LOVE nuttzo and so would Misty. And i definitely go through nut milk and lets not forget tempeh, but only NZ tempeh!
jobo says
March 29, 2012 at 7:07 PMEPIC! I love your use of that word here. Can’t wait for that post! And I totally agree with you. Good for you (and GOOD!) food usually costs more but it’s a worthwile investment! I have a good chunk of my budget each week/month allotted to the grocery store for just that: good, quality, fresh food. SO worth it.
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:46 PMfresh is key! makes us feel so good and nourished! agreed. EPIC and all … ahahahaha
teabagginit says
March 29, 2012 at 7:50 PMit’s gotta be the fage 0 plain greek yogurt. i love that stuff and can’t get enough. plus, i really don’t like most meat so it’s my main source of protein.
ps – i smiled (in class while sneakily reading this) at the thought of you arranging all your food staples 🙂
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:45 PMhow do you know me so well?! yes, it took a while to organize that. hehe.
She Rocks Fitness says
March 29, 2012 at 7:51 PMMy 3 Food Investments: Fresh berries, salmon, and Nut Butters! Cheers to almost Friday and being back on the yoga train. It was awesome tonight…2 more classes to go. Yippeee!
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:45 PMand PEAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hehe.
katie @KatieDid says
March 29, 2012 at 8:10 PMI think this is a topic that hits home for most food bloggers. Love to spend all my hard earned cash on quality food 😉
for me… grass fed beef, organic eggs, and tuna in olive oil… Sigh, expensive taste buds.
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:44 PMoh yes, grass fed beef or actually Lamb is on mine, plus organic chicken or buffalo sausage. have you tried that yet?
Bre says
March 29, 2012 at 8:20 PMPeanut Butter. Anything gluten free/dairy free. Wine.
ummm is that allowed? Wine is a food right? 😉
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:45 PMwine is a staple, we all know its like water in this house. haha.
Melissa @ Live, Love, & Run says
March 29, 2012 at 8:33 PMHmmm…top 3 investments:
1. Chia seeds.
2. Chobani Greek Yogurt.
3. Coconut oil.
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:43 PMyes yes yes! i like all 3! the 3 C’s! haha.
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
March 29, 2012 at 8:39 PMTop three quality items:
1. Organic milk for the babes
2.Chia seeds
3.Cobani
Oh of course, nuts and nut butters. I’ll pay top dollar for the best Almond Butter!
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:44 PMgood high qaulity foods angela, and good for your family!
Amanda - RunToTheFinish says
March 29, 2012 at 8:45 PMohh soo true!!!
1. all organic fruits and veggies
2. Vega sport protein powder
3. Once Again Nut Butter
LCCotter says
March 29, 2012 at 9:43 PMVEGA!! love their new protein. Good investment.
sarah says
March 29, 2012 at 11:34 PMI love this post! And I love your list!
But whaaaa?? I can only pick 3 top investments, a measly 3?
Sorry I don’t think I can do it:/. Coconut flour(oh, gosh am I addicted to this!), almond butter( I think I need to get my hands on this Nutzo though) and gorgeous fresh produce rank veeeery highly.
Recently iv been devouring bowls of hazelnut milk mixed with coconut flour(<3), maca and vanilla stevia and topping it with cereal/granola. It is dreamy=FACT! So I guess these products are more of my investments, investments my taste buds and body thank me for:). I highly recommend this combo to you, I think you would really enjoy it!
Looking gorgeous as usual Lindsay:)!
Xxx
LCCotter says
March 30, 2012 at 5:28 AMoh wow, i am trying that next!!! Hazelnut milk and coconut flour with vanilla… DANG! smart woman! and you can pick as many food investments as you want just cause its you. <3
Kelly says
March 30, 2012 at 6:19 AMMy basics are Ezekiel sprouted grain english muffins (although not gluten-free), raw almonds and almond milk.
LCCotter says
March 30, 2012 at 7:03 AMi tried the new ezekial GF english muffins. Um, not the greatest. I sure wish they had the sprouted ones GF. oh and what about chocolate Hazelnut milk? hehe.
Sarah says
March 30, 2012 at 7:51 AMI love that, good food ain’t cheap but totally worth it! Im gonna have my husband typography that saying up and Ill send it to you 🙂 Then you can put it on your pinterest!
This sounds irresponsible of me but I try not to look at my grocery bill too closely for fear of getting upset about spending so much on something ;-/ I try to buy all organic or all natural healthy stuff as much as I can. Yes it is more pricey but ignorance is bliss right? I’ve been doing it for so long now that I don’t really know how much I would be saving if I bought the cheap stuff.
Happy Friday!
LCCotter says
March 30, 2012 at 8:15 AMLOL! Ignorance is totally bliss! love it.
Kim K says
March 30, 2012 at 8:29 AMwine, cheese, milk?! 🙂
LCCotter says
March 30, 2012 at 8:55 AMthats my gal! love it kim. Hows the back?
J.L. says
March 30, 2012 at 8:47 AM1. Organic peanut butter 2. Larabars 3. Greek yogurt. I don’t know if I really like “Good food aint cheap but cheap food aint good.” I get what you’re saying…avoid the 50 cent packages of crap (with exception to occasional treats like Cadbury 🙂 ) But you can still eat healthy and cheap. I get so angry when people and the media say fresh fruits and vegetables are too expensive. I saw a woman on a tv show, on food stamps, shopping and she doesn’t even go down the produce isle “because it’s too expensive.” Yet she bought 4 packages of butter. Butter is not cheap! My hubby was unemployed for 6 months and we lived on my part time math professor’s salary. I didn’t buy much greek yogurt or larabars but I still bought tons of fresh fruit and veggies. We didn’t live off mac and cheese, I made meals. Homemade is always cheaper than packaged stuff. And this rant isn’t for you, it’s for the media. I LOVE your blog and your homemade treats! And because my hubby is working, I think I’m going to check out a few things I haven’t heard of before on your list of favorite staples. 🙂
LCCotter says
March 30, 2012 at 8:56 AMi love this! You are so so right. I definitely get that. It takes focus and budgeting a bit but healthy can be SO affordable!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
March 30, 2012 at 10:37 AMI m definitely a quality food person. I am also cheap, so I mostly buy on sale. That way we can have the best and have a little money left over!
LCCotter says
March 30, 2012 at 9:33 PMme too! bargain for the best, right girl!?
Tessa @ Amazing Asset says
March 30, 2012 at 3:35 PMQuality over quanitity… for sureeeee. This is something I keep on improving in with food, as I used to turn to “diet’ stuff all of the time in order to feel full. Nope not a good idea and now I focus on more wholesome items! For me- greek yogurt, organic apples, and nut butters 🙂
LCCotter says
March 30, 2012 at 9:40 PMand that diet stuff is no good in return, ya know? Wholesome nourishes body and soul. Agreed!!!