Nikki Goodson's comments

Raw Unpasteurized Almonds

06 Aug 2008 12:25 PM

Thanks Dan! Looks like that is YOUR website, correct? That's excellent info for anybody in the Selma area. If I'm understanding correctly, then you are unable to ship unpasteurized almonds to anybody? Are your almonds organically grown as well?

(By the way, I've been to Selma! I was a missionary for my church near that area, and was able to visit Selma for a short time. :D I think the nearest I lived to there was in Caruthers.)

Tip: Buy produce in bulk

22 May 2008 10:16 PM

I actually purchased produce by the case at Whole Foods this week, for the first time! Mangos & bananas - YUM! :D

Produce Brokers

07 Apr 2008 09:34 PM

Okay, so I realized that I had the order of things backwards! I now believe that the KC City Market vendors get the produce from the supermarkets. Somebody explained to me that the grocers buy all the produce when it's still very unripe, but if it seems that it will all be too ripe before they can sell it all, then they'll sell it to the vendors at the City Market.

So, I'm a little sad to know that the produce was picked so early and sat for so long. Clearly, farmers markets are the best way to go for freshness (which of course impacts both taste AND nutritive value!)

New Deals Focus: Raw Vegan Lifestyle

02 Feb 2008 12:51 PM

I just posted a blog about the almonds that I'm currently purchasing, here: http://dealsblog.families.com/blog/raw-unpasteurized-almonds

I have done what you're talking about too, using the "dirty dozen" list to make sure that I buy organic for the items most pesticide-laden (like apples!) and saving money by buying conventional when it's not as important (like bananas). It IS sad that we need to compromise like that. When I become rich & famous, I'll be buying ALL organic produce!! :D

Organic Raisins

02 Feb 2008 12:45 PM

Here's a little update about these raisins, too. I emailed Newman's Own Organics to ask about how the raisins are dried (b/c I wanted to be certain that they could be really considered "raw"). Here's part of the email response I got: "Newman’s Own Organics Organic Raisins are naturally sun dried. The raisins are picked ripe from the vine and are spread out in the field to dry. The drying times depend on the weather, meaning if it is cooler temperatures it will certainly make the drying time longer. Temperatures can vary, but here in the Central Valley the raisins are usually dried from ninety to one hundred degrees Fahrenheit naturally. It really all depends on what the temperatures are outside naturally because that is the temperature that they will be drying at. However, if weather is not cooperating and we have cooler temperatures or rain we may have to mechanically dehydrate them and then it usually is around 115 degrees. "

So I think that's great news, and I just wanted to update you all! -Nikki

New Deals Focus: Raw Vegan Lifestyle

10 Jan 2008 09:26 AM

Thanks, firedancer9! I'm glad that there will be somebody else out there benefiting from me blogging about this unusual new lifestyle. ;)

And you're familiar with the fact that most "raw" almonds are now pasteurized so to get really raw ones costs more, right? I assume you know that but I just want to make sure. I think I'm getting in on a co-op where we'll get organic unpasteurized almonds for about $10.50/lb. Way more expensive than the "raw" (but pasteurized) ones for $4.99 at my grocery store. But I've decided my health is worth extra expense. :)

Free Gillette Fusion at CVS - weeks of 12/2 and 12/9

17 Dec 2007 10:35 AM

The deals are so amazing that it's easy to believe that CVS would go out of business if we all took advantage of the deals, isn't it?

But don't worry, they're still making lots of money. The ExtraBucks program is not designed for us to save money, but for them to make profit. They wouldn't have even introduced the program if it wasn't for their own benefit!! Thanks for sharing your concerns! :)

FREE Oasis Moisturizing Mouthwash at CVS

14 Dec 2007 01:16 PM

I hear that there are coupons for $1 off one inside the Oasis Dry Mouth Spray box. So buy them one at a time so that you can get the coupon out and use it for your next purchase!

FREE CVS/pharmacy Cough Drops

06 Dec 2007 09:59 PM

That's great, Julie! Hand sanitizer is another thing that is very useful in this season of sicknesses... Thanks for sharing how you did it. :)

Deals: The Five Stages

03 Nov 2007 10:24 PM

Good food for thought...