Where I Buy Ingredients…and Information on Coconut Oil
I have often received emails with questions on where I buy my ingredients. Hopefully this post will help answer those questions. I love sales, especially the clearance racks and watch for food items to go on sale. I don’t like to spend a lot of money on things. When we switched to Paleo, it almost killed me to pay $8.00 for a pound of coconut flour and some exorbitant amount for a small jar of coconut oil. I absolutely refused to even try almond flour as it was well over $10 a pound. And then there is raw honey–which is another not-so-cheap ingredient in unrefined baking. It was clear I was going to have to do something different than buying all these things at the health food store.
To begin with, we belong to a co-op called Azure Standard. I am not positive, but I think that they deliver all over the country. There are requirements for how much is ordered in the group (around $500) and individually you need to spend $50 or more in order for them to send the shipment. They sell a lot of items in bulk and their prices are typically fantastic. These are some of the things I order from Azure Standard and the approximate price I pay (but prices change all the time).
Azure Standard Products
-Bob’s Red Mill Almond Flour ($22.00 for a 5 pound bag = $4.40/lb.)
-Coconut Secret Coconut Flour ($24.00 for a 5 pound bag =$4.80/lb.)
-Organic, Unsweetened Shredded Coconut ($15.00 for a 5 pound bag = $3.00/lb.)
-Thai Organic Coconut Milk (canned) ($27.50 for 12 – 14 oz. cans = $2.29/can)
-Coconut Secret Raw, Organic Coconut Aminos (I use this as a soy sauce substitute) ($4.50 for 8 oz.)
-Earth Circle Organics Raw Cacao Powder (raw cacao is much more beneficial to you than cocoa) ($12.00/lb.)
-Cashews, Raw, Small Pieces (in most of my cooking I chop them up so this works for me) ($20 for a 5 pound bag = $4.00/lb.)
-Cashews, Raw, Whole ($40.00 for a 5 pound bag = $8.00/lb.)
-Sunflower Seeds, Raw, Organic ($10 for a 5 pound bag = $2.00/lb.)
I also buy a lot of things at Costco. If you have one of those close to you, you might be surprised how much they carry that you can eat. There is a yearly membership fee like Sam’s Club, but we find for our family it is definitely worth it. Costco product selection varies from store to store, so no guarantees your store will carry these things.
Costco Products
-Almonds (unsalted, unroasted) ($10 for a 3 pound bag = $3.33/lb.)
-Sunmaid Organic Raisins ($8.00 for 2 pounds = $4.00/lb.)
-Walnuts (unsalted, unroasted) ($15.00 for 5 pounds = $3.00/lb.)
-Organic Fuji Apples (price changes depending on the season but is usually around $1.50/lb.)
-Organic Baby Spinach (couple bucks for a big, 1 pound container)
-Bananas (price varies, but cheaper than our grocery stores)
-Vanilla (16 ounces for appr. $6.00)
-Maranatha Roasted Almond Butter, Smooth (26 ounce jar for appr. $6.00)
-Butter (currently $8.00 for 4 pounds = $2.00/lb. — pastured, organic butter would be much better for you though)
-Eggs (currently $8.00 for 5 dozen = $1.60/dozen — again, farm fresh organic would be better for you)
-Kirkland Maple Syrup (pure, Grade A) (32 ounces for appr. $14.00)
Coconut Oil Info
Most of the ingredients I buy come from one of the two places mentioned above. Coconut oil, however, has been an interesting research project and trial. I first started with a small jar that was really expensive from our local grocery store. Then, I went in with a few other ladies on a 5 gallon bucket from some company that we split (but was inconvenient for the lady who received it to try and divide it evenly). Then, I ordered 1 gallon from a company that Azure Standard sells. It didn’t have a lot of information on it, but said it was raw, cold-pressed and organic so I thought it must be good. At this time I started to learn about what to look for in a coconut oil. This [lengthy] article on coconut oil by Dr. Mercola states the things you should look for when choosing a coconut oil. In a nutshell, these are the things to look for:
1. USDA Certified
2. Unrefined
3. No chemicals added
4. Unbleached
5. Undeodorized
6. Not hydrogenated
7. Not GMO (genetically modified) or hybrid coconuts
8. Made from FRESH coconuts, not dried coconuts (used in cheap coconut oils)
9. Not processed with heat
Mercola’s website sells a good brand for $65.45 a gallon (currently the sale price), Tropical Traditions also has a good coconut oil for $65.00 a gallon (currently, through March 15th), and then there is the brand that I use: Nutiva–which is currently selling their organic, extra-virgin coconut oil at $59.99 a gallon (this also is on sale). Since I ordered my first gallon of Organic, Extra-Virgin Nutiva Coconut Oil, the price has increased slightly, but the “one-gallon price” has always been on sale. That is not to say that it will always be on sale, but I liked that it wasn’t just a “one-week deal” or anything.
Nutiva also offers FREE shipping on orders over $30.00, so if you like to buy in bulk like me, that just tops off the cake! I became an affiliate of their company soon afterwards because I love their coconut oil and love their prices! Their coconut oil meets Dr. Mercola’s standards and their price is even cheaper than Azure Standard sells Nutiva Coconut Oil for (surprisingly!) So, if you do decide to order from Nutiva, I’d love it if you wanted to go through my link. I do get a small compensation from Nutiva if you do decide to order through my link.
Just a little more on coconut oil…when I mentioned before that I had bought a brand of coconut oil that was raw, cold-pressed and organic…it was, but I found out after calling the company that it came from dried copra instead of fresh coconuts. The next coconut oil I ordered was Nutiva. When I received it, I could actually smell a difference between the two. The Nutiva brand smelled fresher to me! (Granted, I do have a super-strong nose…and it is even more sensitive being pregnant…)
Raw Honey
It is very beneficial to your health if you can find local, raw honey. I have heard that it helps with allergies other things if you can buy locally. This may take some research for you to find. If you do find a good supplier though, it is well-worth it. Raw honey can range anywhere from $2.00 a pound (the cheapest I’ve ever seen it) up to $5.00 a pound (and probably higher)! I buy honey in one gallon containers to save money.
Grass-Fed Beef
Grass-Fed Beef is a great thing to find locally. We found someone who raises his beef grass-fed and doesn’t use hormones or antibiotics on them. It is basically organic without being “certified” which costs farmers an arm and a leg to do so. If you can afford to buy 1/2 beef, that is probably going to be your best price. We split a half-beef between 3 families…and I don’t think it will last our family too long…
Other Products
I buy produce when it is on sale at our grocery store or at Costco. Our Costco carries a lot of organic produce which is fantastic! And I actually buy sweet potatoes and yams )non-organic) at Wal-Mart…they are almost half of the price of our grocery stores. I buy Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate Chips at Wal-Mart as well.
Hopefully this information has been helpful to you. If you don’t have a Costco or something similar nearby that you can buy in bulk from, check around to see what is close to you. I’ve heard that “Whole Foods” is a great store to buy organic products, but we do not have one here. Let me know if you have further questions or suggestions to other places that you buy your ingredients!
Pumpkin Streusel Pie
I love baking in the fall! The smells of apples, pumpkin and cinnamon are so warm and welcoming! Before I switched to being grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free, my favorite pumpkin pie was one that had a streusel topping. One of my favorite things to do is taking recipes that I used to eat and recreating them so I can still enjoy them! Pumpkin Streusel Pie is one of those recipes. Enjoy!
To view the recipe, see my guest post for The Nourishing Gourmet here.
Pumpkin-Apple Pie Muffins
Well, I am not sure what to call these–they are made in a muffin pan and look like muffins, yet their texture is almost more of a bar or dessert and they remind me of pumpkin pie…hence the name. The smell of fall (and pumpkin!) is in the air! And hopefully more pumpkin recipes will follow!
Pumpkin-Apple Pie Muffins
1 cup chopped apples (about 1 apple)
1 cup pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 Tbsp. vanilla
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup coconut flour, sifted
1/3 cup walnuts, chopped (sprinkle on top)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line regular-sized muffin pan with liners.
2. Combine chopped apple, pumpkin puree, eggs, applesauce, vanilla and honey. Mix well.
3. Add dry ingredients and mix until incorporated.
4. Divide batter among 12 muffin cups. Sprinkle chopped walnuts on top.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.
6. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
I would love to hear feedback on these–if there are things you would change, add or delete. Let me know your thoughts! Most of my recipes are a work-in-progress. 
Rocky Road Brownies
Now, I will warn you up-front that this is a time-consuming dessert if you make the marshmallows and chocolate pieces from scratch–but in my opinion, worth the time. This recipe combines 3 different recipes of mine: Homemade Chocolate Chips, Homemade Honey-Sweetened Marshmallows, and Zucchini Brownies. I hope you like it!
Homemade Honey-Sweetened Marshmallows
Ingredients:
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup cold water, divided
2 packets unflavored gelatin
1 egg white
1 tsp. vanilla
Directions:
1. Line a 8×8 pan or loaf pan with parchment paper (the size of pan will determine how thick your marshmallows are).
2. Dissolve the unflavored gelatin in (1/4) cup cold water in a heat-proof bowl. (It will probably turn to a solid, but that is just fine.)
3. Heat honey & (1/4) cup water in saucepan on medium-high heat. Stir until dissolved, then stop stirring. Insert a candy thermometer and heat mixture until it reaches 240 degrees.
4. Meanwhile, whip egg white until soft peaks form.
5. Once mixture reaches 240 degrees, pour it into gelatin water and stir to combine. (The hot liquid will soften up the gelatin mass.) Add vanilla.
6. Allow to cool for 3-4 minutes, then pour mixture in a steady stream into whipped egg white, whipping to incorporate (a hand mixer works great for this). Whip until stiff peaks form. Pour into prepared pan and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Remove and cut into desired shapes.
Homemade Dark Chocolate Chips
Yield: 3/4 cup chips
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. coconut oil
1/4 cup cacao or cocoa powder
2 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp. arrowroot
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Directions:
1. Bring 1/2 inch of water in the bottom pan of a double-boiler to a simmer. Place top pan of double-boiler on simmering water and melt oil, cocoa, honey, and arrowroot in it. Cook two minutes more after it is all melted. Remove from heat.
2. Add vanilla. Stir.
3. Lift off top pan of double-boiler and carefully wipe off any condensation or water on the bottom of it. (You want to be sure no water gets into the chocolate or it may seize.)
4. Pour into small pan lined with parchment paper. (I used a bread pan and it didn’t even cover the entire bottom of the pan.)
5. Put in fridge for 2 or more hours.
6. Cut into little chunks and store in airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
ROCKY ROAD BROWNIES
Ingredients:
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup shredded zucchini
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup raw honey
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup coconut flour, sifted
2/3 cup chopped walnuts, divided
1 recipe Honey-Sweetened Marshmallows (prepared–see above)
1/2 cup Homemade Dark Chocolate Chips (prepared–see above)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine eggs, zucchini, applesauce, honey, and vanilla. Mix well.
3. Add baking soda, salt, cocoa and coconut flour. Mix until dry ingredients are incorporated into wet ingredients.
4. Fold in 1/3 cup chopped walnuts.
5. Pour into a greased deep baking pan and bake for 20-35 minutes (depending on size of pan) or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. (I used a 12 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ stone baker and it took 31 minutes.)
6. Remove from oven and sprinkle marshmallows over the top of the brownies. Sprinkle remaining 1/3 cup chopped walnuts and 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips over the top of the marshmallows.
7. Return baking pan to oven and cook for 3-5 more minutes.
8. Remove from oven and devour!! (I used a spoon to serve it.)
Apple Bars
‘Tis the season for apples…and apple recipes!! My grandma makes the best apple bars and I have missed them. So I decided to try and make Paleo Apple Bars yesterday. Much to my delight they turned out! They aren’t quite as flaky as Grandma’s apple bars, but they are yummy! (The same cannot be said about my first attempt at apple crisp without grains or refined sugars…)
Apple Bars
Crust Ingredients:
3/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped
3/4 cup almonds, finely chopped
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cup coconut flour
6 Tbsp. Arrowroot
3/4 coconut oil or butter (cold)
6 eggs (1 egg separated)
1/4 cup honey
Filling Ingredients:
peeled and sliced apples
3/4 cup honey
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Glaze Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 Tbsp. honey
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Combine dry ingredients for the crust in a large bowl.
3. Cut in cold butter or coconut oil with pastry blender.
4. Mix 5 whole eggs and one egg yolk with honey.
5. Add to egg mixture to flour mixture and mix until combined (I used a fork and my hands).
6. Roll out 1/2 of crust between two pieces of parchment paper and put in a greased 10×15 pan.
7. Put sliced apples on top of crust. (I put a few layers of apples on mine.)
8. Drizzle honey over the top of the apples and sprinkle with cinnamon.
9. Roll out the other crust between two pieces of parchment paper and place on top of apples.
10. Brush the top crust with the egg white.
11. Bake at 425 for 10 minutes and then 325 for 15-20 minutes.
Frosting/drizzle:
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 Tbsp. honey
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1. Whip ingredients together and spread on top of bars. (If you do it while they are slightly warm still, it will melt and be more like a glaze.)