Wheat berries and other grains are quite inexpensive when purchased in bulk.  This makes grinding your own grains less expensive than processed flour.

Saving money is only one of the benefits of grinding grains fresh.  Store-bought flour is inferior in nutritional value and can have added chemicals…and that’s the whole wheat varieties.  White flour has the germ and bran (and their health benefits) completely removed and is bleached to suit our idea of what flour should look like.

When you are just beginning to savor the benefits of fresh ground flour, coffee grinders and blenders can sometimes be used to grind small amounts of wheat.  However, the results are usually less than ideal.  Purchasing a quality grain mill could be viewed as an investment in your healthy future.

If you grind your own grains, please let us know which mills work best for you and why.

Photo courtesy of Like a Bubbling Brook.

Natural & Thrifty in 365 is a year-long series of 365 tips for living more green, natural and healthy while saving money. Do you have a natural and thrifty tip that you would like to share with The Thrifty Mama readers? Submit your awesome idea here. You just might get featured as one of the 365 tips!

Here are the Whole Foods deals for the week of May 23-29. Remember….

• Some stores allow you to stack manufacturer coupons with store coupons.
• Buy a case and get a 10% discount.
• Bring your bags for 10 cents off your order per bag.
• Prices and deals will sometimes vary by store.

Check out the current Whole Foods Printable Coupons.  Sales, coupon policies and available items will vary by store.  Please call your store to confirm and/or check your local ad.

Meat Deals

• Blue Horizon Wild Surf Burgers 8oz $3.99 (Save $3)
• Carolina Crabcakes $14.99/lb (Save $3)
• NY Strip Steak $13.99/lb (Save $3)

Grocery Deals

• Blueberries 2lbs. $7.99 (Save $2)
• Brooklyn Brine Bread & Butter Pickles $7.99 (Save $2)
• Cornbread $3.29/lb (Save $1)
• Fresh Fields Hickory Smoked Turkey $7.99/lb (Save $1)
• Grilled Corn and Vidalia Onion Salad $5.99/lb (Save $2)
• Laurel Hill Kettle Potato Chips 5oz 2/$4 (Save $1.98)
• Organic Vidalia Onions $1.49/lb (Save $0.50)
• Santa Cruz Lemonades 32oz 2/$3 (Save $3.38)
• Tarantas Sparkling Rose & Blanco 750ml $8.99 (Save $1)
• Tazo Single Serve Teas 16oz 3/$4 (Save $0.47)
• True Blue Potato Salad $4.99/lb (Save $1)

All the steps we take to eat healthier foods, reduce toxins in our homes and generally live a more natural life may all be in vain if we are not getting enough sleep.  Lack of sufficient sleep has been linked to weight gain, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.  And while a good night’s rest does not guarantee perfect health, some of our body’s main restorative functions happen almost exclusively during sleep.

Check out details on these findings and more studies regarding healthy sleeping behaviors.  Then rest peacefully knowing that you are living a healthier lifestyle while you sleep.

Photo courtesy of She Knows.

Natural & Thrifty in 365 is a year-long series of 365 tips for living more green, natural and healthy while saving money. Do you have a natural and thrifty tip that you would like to share with The Thrifty Mama readers? Submit your awesome idea here. You just might get featured as one of the 365 tips!

Are you planning your Summer vacation and trying to figure out where that extra money to pay for it is coming from? Well we’ve got the Twitter party for you then! Tomorrow night I’m partnering up with Savings Nation and lots of really cool people to throw a rockin’ Twitter party under the #SavingsNation hash tag. Here are all the deets:

When: The #SavingsNation Twitter Party will be held on Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 6:30pm PST

Where: On Twitter in the #SavingsNation hashtag, or join our exclusive #SavingsNation Tweet Grid page or the Tweet Chat Page.

Who: Your party hosts are @SavingLifestyle, @HappyHousewife, @5DollarDinners, @CrystalECollins (that’s me!), @Savings_Nation and @Savings

Why: To celebrate the launch of Savings Nation Summer workshops, where we’ll show you how to save time and money on food so that you have more available for your Summer vacation!

What: There are several questions we will tweet and discuss. Be sure to use the hash tag #savingsnation to be eligible for the prizes.

Prizes: $250 grocery gift card, and two $50 grocery gift cards. Suuuweet!!

So if you’re ready to talk money saving strategy and Summer fun, come join us! Crossing my fingers that a Thrifty Mama reader wins one of those awesome prizes!

Go to the Savings.com Blog to RSVP. 

This unique guest book alternative doubles as natural decor for your wedding.  Have your guests leave their sentiments on a paper dove and adorn the tree branches for a stunning symbol of peace and love.

Check out this collection of personalized guest book ideas to make your DIY wedding memorable.

Photo courtesy of Maura McEvoy.

Natural & Thrifty in 365 is a year-long series of 365 tips for living more green, natural and healthy while saving money. Do you have a natural and thrifty tip that you would like to share with The Thrifty Mama readers? Submit your awesome idea here. You just might get featured as one of the 365 tips!

Print a great organic coupon for $1 off any Cascadian Farm Cereal!  Pair this coupon with a store sale and save big on organic cereal.

Where’s your favorite place to purchase Cascadian Farm products?

Plus, check out our weekly top Natural & Organic coupons and deals.

Here is a highlight coupons and organic deals for the week of May 21.

Organic and Natural Coupons:

$1.00/1 Applegate Farms Product

$0.65/1 C&H Organic Agave Nectar

$0.75/1 Earthbound Farms Power Greens (Thanks, Mashup Mom!)

$2/1 Garden Safe Brand Fungicide or Insecticide Item

$0.85/4 Gerber Organic Pouches

$1/3 Good ‘n Natural Bars

$3/1 Jason Body Wash

$1/1 Organic Girl Brand Produce Kroger eCoupon 05/18/2012

$2/1 POM Wonderful Juice, 48 oz SavingStar

$0.75/1 Stonyfield Oikos Greek Yogurt, 4 pk or 16 oz Container , TARGET coupon Target.com

$1/1 Yes to Baby Carrots Baby Care Item, excludes trial sizes, TARGET coupon Target.com

Don’t miss any coupons by checking the Coupon Database before you head out.  Also, don’t forget these other sources for organic coupons to make the most of your shopping trip.

Organic and Natural Grocery Deals:

Nutiva Organic Chia Seeds (3lb. bag) for $21.91 including FREE shipping!  To take advantage of this deal make sure to select Subscribe and Save option.

YummyEarth Organic Lollipops, Assorted Flavors (30oz container contains approximately 125 lollipops) $13.73 with FREE shipping when you choose Subscribe and Save.

Other Organic and Natural Deals:

Organic Body Care Recipes: 175 Homemade Herbal Formulas for Glowing Skin & A Vibrant Self $8.38 kindle edition.  You can also select the paperback version for $12.89 which is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25.

This thrifty refashion tutorial transforms a boy’s blazer into a feminine shrunken blazer with 3/4 sleeves and a cute little bow.  Sew simple and much less expensive than the $100 jackets from major fashion retailers.

Photo courtesy of Cotton & Curls.

Natural & Thrifty in 365 is a year-long series of 365 tips for living more green, natural and healthy while saving money. Do you have a natural and thrifty tip that you would like to share with The Thrifty Mama readers? Submit your awesome idea here. You just might get featured as one of the 365 tips!

When your little one is almost out of diapers the potty training phase can seem to drag on and on.  Your pocketbook also takes a beating when you buy package after package of disposable training pants.  Even if you buy generic brands or use coupons these things are expensive.  Reusable training pants are an option but they can cost a lot of money for an item that will hopefully only be in your home a few months.

This tutorial for DIY reusable training pants is a happy combination of inexpensive cotton underpants and waterproof fabric.  Dust off your sewing machine to make these eco-friendly and thrifty alternatives for your potty-training toddler.

Photo courtesy of It’s a Long Story.

Natural & Thrifty in 365 is a year-long series of 365 tips for living more green, natural and healthy while saving money. Do you have a natural and thrifty tip that you would like to share with The Thrifty Mama readers? Submit your awesome idea here. You just might get featured as one of the 365 tips!

Amazon has Clif Kid Organic Twisted Fruit Rope Sour Apple (18 pack) for $12.32 shipped with Subscribe & Save.  This makes these organic fruit snacks only $0.68 each.  Each rope contains real fruit and qualifies as 1 serving of fruit, plus there are no added sugars, artificial flavors, preservatives or colors.

Grab this Amazon deal here.

Subscribe & Save sets you up with an automatic shipment plan, but you can cancel if you wish under “Your Account” and “Manage Subscribe & Save Items.” Be sure to verify the price before ordering.

Using floor cleaning products can be expensive when you have to buy the manufacturer’s refills and cleaning solution.  If you own a Swiffer WetJet, here is a simple way to save money by making your own washable cleaning pads.

Also, find out how to reuse the “non-reusable” solution bottle so you can fill it with your own vinegar and water cleaning solution.  I’d probably add a few drops of tea tree oil and lavender essential oil for added germ-fighting power and aromatherapy.

Do you use a natural cleaning solution for your refillable mop?

Photo courtesy of Lil Vintage Me.

Natural & Thrifty in 365 is a year-long series of 365 tips for living more green, natural and healthy while saving money. Do you have a natural and thrifty tip that you would like to share with The Thrifty Mama readers? Submit your awesome idea here. You just might get featured as one of the 365 tips!

Recycle glass bottles for colorful and inexpensive garden edging.  No more worries about toxins from plastic or metal leeching into your soil from conventional edging.  Here is how one gardener tackled this project.

You don’t have to drink all that wine in one night, by the way!  Collect colored bottles from garage sales and thrift stores.  Maybe your local Italian restaurant would be willing to contribute to your recycling project.

Photo courtesy of Green Backs Gal.

Natural & Thrifty in 365 is a year-long series of 365 tips for living more green, natural and healthy while saving money. Do you have a natural and thrifty tip that you would like to share with The Thrifty Mama readers? Submit your awesome idea here. You just might get featured as one of the 365 tips!

If you are looking for an alternative to your household cleaners check out this recipe for for homemade dishwasher detergent which includes a rinse agent.  This is a money-saving idea from natural ingredients.  You can buy the borax powder and citric acid at Mountain Rose Herbs if you don’t have a local source.

What other cleaner recipes do you love for your home?

Photo courtesy of Little Writer Momma.

Natural & Thrifty in 365 is a year-long series of 365 tips for living more green, natural and healthy while saving money. Do you have a natural and thrifty tip that you would like to share with The Thrifty Mama readers? Submit your awesome idea here. You just might get featured as one of the 365 tips!

Print a coupon for $1.50 off any Filippo Berio Olive Oil!  Make sure you check out their Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil products!

Plus, see all the best Natural & Organic coupons and deals for the week.