Just a little reminder (and warning) for you about what a nerd I am: I really like looking at my groceries after I bring them home and before I put them away.
I also like looking at pictures of other people’s groceries. What is it with me and food?
It’s been a while since I took a picture of my Azure Standard food co-op order and shared it with you. Some of you have even written me and asked why I don’t do that anymore.
I don’t know. Sometimes I guess I just get busy putting away my frozen peas and forget to get out the camera. But far be it from me to forget my weird bloggy-ness by NOT taking a picture of all of my daily activities. (Check out this post for a reminder of what bizarre kinds of pictures are in my picture file.)
And now what you’ve all been waiting to hear. All SIXTY pounds of the apples I ordered from Azure Standard arrived on the delivery truck today. Check out these beauties:
I got twenty pounds each of organic golden delicious, gala and spartan apples. The total cost for these apples? $47!!! For sixty pounds of organic apples!!!! I love Azure Standard!
Here’s the rest of my order:
Fifty pounds of hard white wheat, three pounds of yams, two cans of black olives, six pounds of fresh pears, five pounds of cocoa powder, five pounds of white cheddar cheese, ten pounds of carrots, two avocados, one big cabbage, a huge head of cauliflower, five pounds of frozen peas and one tub of whole milk maple yogurt (special treat!).
The wheat will last us about two months and the cocoa will last longer than that. Everything else will be gone within the month (or by tomorrow).
Total cost with the apples and everything else (including delivery charges): $188.54
Ooh, and guess what else? Our friends shared a deer with us this week. Matt even got to go help process it! They were so generous to share it with us! Cost? A few freezer bags. Wow.
Not pictured: Red, raw deer meat.
You’re welcome.
MelissaD says
I guess I’d be placed in the nerd category, too. I love looking at my newly acquired “loot” before putting it away as well. You’re not alone. :-)
elaine says
I LOVE looking at your groceries! I’m ready to move somewhere that Azure Standard delivers to — (we’re in Georgia). I know I’m not supposed to covet your apples … but a trip to the orchards in N.Ga cost me a LOT more for a LOT less!! Enjoy all your goodies!
Camille says
Lucky you to get ALL your apples! I have yet to have an apple order fulfilled by them. But I still love Azure Standard!
Heather says
Those are beautiful apples!
Michaela says
Me nerd too :D I got my Azure order yesterday. Ordered staples this month- 100# raw sugar, 100# flours, 50# beans, 50# taters. I bagged everything today except the taters & 1 50# bag of flour. I love groceries & deals. I’m looking at the apples for next month, myself, as I want to get more applesauce in the canner!
Love your pic of apples- absolutely beautiful!
Jessica says
Thanks for sharing your grocery pics! I’m looking forward to seeing/reading about how you use ALL those apples — yum!
Josette says
I am a big nerd too. I actually will just stare into my pantry (mostly sighing because it’s so jammed packed I am blessed)
The other day I swear I was going to get out all my honey jars and take a picture as the sunlight was shining through their amber color….Yes, I am a food nerd.
Josette says
I am a big nerd too. I actually will just stare into my pantry (mostly sighing because it’s so jammed packed I am blessed)
The other day I swear I was going to get out all my honey jars and take a picture as the sunlight was shining through their amber color….Yes, I am a food nerd.
Jennifer says
I find it quite funny that I am disappointed if I forget to take a picture of ANYTHING that I buy before I put it away. You never know when a good deal that you find might inspire someone else to save a buck, right? We’re such bloggy nerds, aren’t we?
Danielle says
Thanks for the sharing!!
And a double thanks for NOT sharing the deer meat. I’m thankful I didn’t marry a hunter (which I know you got it from friends) I can’t imagine shooting animals.
hip chick says
I liked looking at your pictures. I love the way the apples look. Will you make pies for the freezer or sauce for the cabinet? Or a bit of both? or do you dry them?
My husband is a hunter and we have a freezer full of venison. I have some really good recipes. Send me a comment if you would like me to share them.
Laura says
We’ll mostly just eat them.
I’ll make some pies for the holidays and with the rest I’ll do some of these I mentioned here: https://www.heavenlyhomemakers.com/ever-tried-cinnamon-apple-toast
Quinn says
My husband started hunting a couple of years back and having not grown up eating venison, I am still learning how to use it in my cooking. If you happen to come up or have a great recipe that masks the gaminess of the meat, please do share! I have become adept at working with ground meat, but I have literally 3 recipes that I use the cuts for.
What a blessing to get free venison without having to sacrifice the company of your husband while he heads out hunting ;D
Wendy says
Venison does have a different flavor to it. You can remove all/most of the game flavor by processing the meat yourself so that you can be sure to remove all of the Talo (fat) this is where the game taste and the waxy feeling you can get in your mouth from to much Talo. Hope that made sense!! Adding lots of seasonings also helps…some of my favorites are worchestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder and Lawrys season salt. Hope this helps some.
catlin osborne bottom, d.c. says
I come from a large family of hunters…even my mom and grandmother hunted…and if you hang (age) the meat properly it won’t have the gamey taste. It of course won’t taste the same as a domesticated animal, since it is wild and has a wild diet, but isn’t a strong flavor if properly aged.
Jill Roper says
I too love not only looking at a full pantry but I also like to look at any room I clean afterwards and just stare. It makes me feel like I accomplished something! Hmmm, I am now in the mood to clean.
Later :)
Multi-Tasking Mommy says
Dude, that’s a lot of apples. How long will those last in your household?
I’m bummed because the last few bags of apples that I purchased have been slightly out of season (not as crispy). I LOVE in season apples!
Laura says
So far, my kids are eating them like there’s no tomorrow. I told them they could since we have so many! They will get mushy before we can eat them all, so I’ll have to make breads and such with them in a few weeks!
So, to answer your question…I think if we were just eating them, they’d last us a month and a half or so, but I’m not sure they’ll stay good that long.
Rebekah says
Yes I love looking at my food too I’m glad I’m not the only one. We love deer meat, hunting season starts here Saturday and so I’m going to have to clear out the freezer if the hubby kills anything. We haven’t been able to afford grass feds meats, so the venison really helps out because it’s grass fed, organic, and local I love it. It also doubles as a hobby for my husband. I’m thinking or ordering some apples now from my co-op you’ve inspired me!!
Susan says
I love all your apples. Wish i had a co-op near by. I have this need to get everything put away, so i wouldn’t be able to enjoy taking a pic of my groceries before putting away, but i love to gaze at my full cupboards and pantry when i get back home and everything put away.
Ezzy says
I would love to get hold of some venison. The only hunter I know (my Dad) moved instead of hunted.
The one time I took pictures of my groceries, mine room mates called me nut. I though it was fun.
Catherine says
That is bulk food heaven!
Danielle Gaerte says
My hubby is a hunter, I am thankful for him providing for our family, because I know I could not do it (hunt that is). I love looking at other people’s groceries…it’s inspiring….some may think its nerdy…but I am going with encouraging others in what deals you can find if you are looking :)
melanie says
I like looking at photos of food =) I’ll be a nerd with you.
Those apples (etc) look lovely. I guess I’m a bit weird on produce ~ I like to pick out my own. So I’ve never ordered from a co-op source. But I might have to reconsider! I’m guessing you paid less than 99 cents/pound for the carrots? Oh, and can I ask what kind of ginormous amount did you pay for the cheese?? I talked my DH into trying/buying some organic cheese o.n.c.e. – and a whopping one pound at that. He would like to be the *producer* of such a wonderful product however… maybe someday.
Laura says
I paid $26.20 for five pounds of cheese. That’s high compared to store bought stuff…but not bad compared to some I’ve seen. It lasts a month (or more sometimes), so I don’t think that’s too bad for a months worth of cheese!
Jenny says
I love seeing your photos of your food! I wish I was as dedicated as you at eating as organic as possible. Keep posting the photos and recipes!
Christine says
***Not pictured: Red, raw deer meat.
You’re welcome.****
oh YES, thanks for NOT showing that LOL
Becky C says
Ok, Dumb question, but where did you find info about how to get that kind of stuff dilivered, and where did you have it delivered to? I live in a small county at least 2 hours from the nearest big city, and am the first of any one I know to try to be more organic. I’m learning as I go, but am still quite dumb about a lot of it.
Teri Selbher says
Hi Laura! How fun to see your Azure Standard loot. I got mine today and promptly took a picture. I have an idea…how about an Azure Standard )or other co-op) picture fair. It would be so fun to see what other people order. Then, we can all stare at each other’s groceries and you won’t feel so self-conscious. :) FUN!
Mia says
Am I weird because I like to see all the neat things from your order? So I’m curious, what do Spartan apples taste like???
Saralyn says
Ooooooo…my little green monster is oozing out! We live on the wrong side of the Mississippi for Azure Standard and I am quite jealous!
Megan says
Me, too. I live in NC and would love to have a service like this.
Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home says
I totally appreciate your interest in staring at groceries, both others and your own! I love it, too! I adore Azure, but wish I could take more advantage of their wonderful produce deals (I bring it across the Canadian border, so there are a lot of restrictions).
I’m jealous about your cocoa powder, though! I ordered the same bag but mine didn’t come. :( Hopefully next month!
Enjoy all that yummy, nourishing food!
Janeen - Triplet Mom says
I’m glad to know you received all your apples the other day! I forgot to ask you when I introduced myself to you. ;-) I appreciate seeing someone else’s beautiful bounty! Thanks for sharing!
Lauren says
When I saw your post, I couldn’t help but think of this classic comic, For Better or For Worse:
http://www.fborfw.com/strip_fix/archives/004027.php
Megan says
I took a picture of my first Tropical Traditions order when it came in.
Brandi says
Ok I know this is gonna sound dum. But Ive never heard of Azure before. I appriciate u sharing thats awesome deal. I live in Mississippi can i get it? Do they deliver?
Laura says
Here’s a post I wrote describing how Azure Standard works: https://www.heavenlyhomemakers.com/azure-standard-how-does-it-work
Lauren says
This may be a silly question but do you freeze apples? Or do you go ahead and make some different meals before freezing them? I know your family will go through more than my family of 3 1/2 (My 4 month old will be starting solids soon) but I am so inspired by your cooking and ordering in bulk to save. I am starting to freezer cook and buy more in bulk for my family and just wondered!! Thanks!
Laura says
If my apples are getting squishy, I make them into applesauce https://www.heavenlyhomemakers.com/how-to-make-and-can-applesauce, applesauce bread https://www.heavenlyhomemakers.com/healthy-treat-for-today-applesauce-bread or apple pies https://www.heavenlyhomemakers.com/mini-apple-pies-a-part-of-this-complete-breakfast. They don’t freeze by themselves very well. You can make apple pie filling and freeze it that way though!
Danielle says
I’m dying to know how you store your cheese. My kids LOOOOOOOOVE cheese and we go through a ton of it. You said your five lbs will last the month, but does it stay good in the fridge that long? Or do you have to freeze some?
Laura says
I freeze it until we need it. :)