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.

As much as my family truly loves the chewy homemade snack bars, sometimes crunchy is what we crave.  These crispy bars replace any granola bar you might have tried in the past.  They are loaded with nuts, seeds and plenty of fruit to give you the energy boost you need with no lack of flavor and no artificial anything.

Photo courtesy of Adventures in Cooking.

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!

Last year we joined a community garden to grow our own organic produce.  I am a country girl at heart who currently lives in a city-bound apartment, so the simple fact of having earth to work made me giddy.  We started in July in the middle of the hottest summer in Texas.  Even with the furnace-like heat, it was a successful season of learning with plenty of produce to show for our efforts.

Community gardens are different from location to location.  Some are organic and some conventional.  Some very structured and others “anything goes.”  While I cannot speak to your specific options available in your area, here are some things we have learned about why community gardening is right for our family.

We save money on organic produce.  Last summer and fall we harvested organic watermelon, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, radishes, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, broccoli and brussels sprouts.  We pay a yearly fee for each plot we plant.  This fee would not even cover the water that we use for our crops much less the organic produce that we harvest throughout the year.  It’s definitely a money-saving venture for us.

My children are learning a life skill.  Our kids are definitely partners on our little “farm.”  They plant seeds and seedlings.  They weed and water.  They are constantly on the lookout for new blooms and fruit forming.  They are the best hunters for all the little pests that love our garden plants as much as we do.  The kids love to help harvest each little veggie or fruit that comes along.  They get to see the life cycle of each plant we care for from beginning to end.  I can definitely say that vegetables taste better when you appreciate them more by growing them yourself.  Hopefully, they will be able to use these skills to feed their own families and neighbors in years to come.

We have fed the hungry and blessed our neighbors.  We donate at least 25% of our community garden produce.  This has allowed us to share with local charities that feed the hungry.  We have also shared much of our bounty with neighbors when a particular plant just kept on producing after we’ve had our fill (think zucchini ALL SUMMER LONG!).

Collaboration means we share the work and the rewards.  Because we work with a community of gardeners we all share in many of the labor-intensive aspects of  the garden.  We collectively produce the compost.  We depend on different people’s connections for sources of mulch and manure (and the trucks to transport these supplies).  We’ve even received gifts from big home improvement stores to help develop our raised beds and provide much needed tools.  This sense of community accomplishment allows us each to offer a part of the puzzle that leads to successful gardening for the entire group.

Water costs in a backyard garden can be prohibitive.  Unless you have rain barrels it can be very expensive to provide the water for even a small backyard garden.  And rain barrels don’t do much when you are experiencing a long-term regional drought.  In our community garden, the property owners have a special relationship with the city which gives them a huge discount on the water bill.  Many locations have adopted this green initiative to encourage more community garden developments around the country.

Plenty of room with full sun coverage is a luxury.  As I said, we live in an apartment.  While we do have a small container garden, there are certain items you can’t easily grow in containers.  And a container garden to feed a family of seven would be a sight to see!  This is not just an issue with apartment-dwellers.  Many homeowners don’t have much full sun coverage area in their yards to take advantage of.  A community garden plot can be a solution.

We listen and learn.  Our community garden is made up of members of different ages and backgrounds.  Some have gardened for decades and others are just excited to get started on this journey.  This offers us the opportunity to learn from each other and share our experiences.  Sharing is good for the teacher and the student.  It’s good to be able to pass on information to eager beginners.  It’s also a great position to be in to learn from those with more knowledge that are generous enough to share it with you for free.  While gardening books are a great resource, there is no price that can be put on real life gardening experience for your climate and zone.

Last year we started with 1-100 sq. ft. plot at the community garden.  This year we have expanded to three plots.  I am hoping with the variety of plants we put in the ground this year to be able to feed my family from the garden for weeks at a time.

Next, I’ll share some things we’ve learned that make community gardening a real challenge.

Do you take part in a community garden?  What is your favorite aspect of your community gardening experience? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

Beth is a wife to Mike and mother to their five children who range in age from toddler to teen. She spends her days doing school and her nights doing laundry. Saving money in the meantime helps. Beth is learning how to live organically now in the hopes of one day being a successful homesteader.

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.

Avoid artificial colors and additives while still offering your children a yummy fruit treat.  These homemade fruit rollups are full of natural energy and completely scrumptious!  The best part is that they are made entirely of fruit and fruit juice.

Photo courtesy of Green Kitchen Stories.

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!

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!

Here are the Whole Foods deals for the week of May 16-22. 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)
• Brat Hans Chicken Sausage $5.49 (Save $1)

Grocery Deals

• Applegate Farms Roast Beef $12.99/lb (Save $1)
• Artichokes 2/$5 (Save $0.98)
• Broccoli Slaw $4.99/lb (Save $3)
• Brown Rice Vegetable Roll Combo $5.99 (Save $2.50)
• The Cultured Way Yogurt Cheese Sliced $4.99 OR Sticks $3.99 (Save $1)
• Laurel Hill Kettle Potato Chips 5oz 2/$4 (Save $1.98)
• New York Cheesecake with Fresh Strawberries $15.99 (Save $3)
• Peaches $1.49/lb (Save $0.50)
• Santa Cruz Lemonades 32oz 2/$3 (Save $3.38)
• Spicy Chicken Salad $7.99/lb (Save $3)
• Tazo Single Serve Teas 16oz 3/$4 (Save $0.47)
• Vietnamese Vermicelli $4.99/lb (Save $2)

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.

Thank your guests for making your day special by presenting these inexpensive DIY bird seed favors.  Your guests will love the gesture.   Your budget will love the thriftiness.  Everybody wins…even the birds!

Photo courtesy of Intimate Weddings.

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 is a highlight of coupons and organic deals for the week of May 14.

Organic and Natural Coupons:

$0.55/1 Alexia Potato, Artisan Bread or Appetizer

$0.40/1 Diamond Crystal Sea Salt Upromise

$1/2 Garden of Eatin’ Tortilla Chips Products, 3 oz+

$1/1 Glutina or Gluten Free Pantry Item

$0.75/1 Lundberg Rice Chips

$1/1 Newman’s Own Complete Skillet Meal

$0.50/2 Plum Organics Products (IE)

$2/1 POM Wonderful Juice, 8 oz

$1/1 Real Simple Magazine SavingStar

$1/1 Rudi’s Gluten Free Product

$1/1 So Delicious Dairy Free Product

$1/1 Udi’s Gluten Free Product

$1.50/2 Wasa Crispbread Crackers Upromise

$1/1 Wholly Salsa

$1/1 Woodstock Product

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 Deals:

Amazing Grass Organic Wheat Grass Tablets (200-ct bottle) $16.16 with Free Shipping when you select Subscribe and Save.  This is a great option for those that like the benefits of wheat grass but don’t care for the taste.

Yummy Earth Organic Hot Chili Pops (6 pouches including 15 pops each – 3 oz each pouch) $9.96!  These are shipped to you for Free with your Subscribe and Save order.  That’s $1.66/pouch!

Savings Nation is sweeping the Nation now in full force! We’re out to help people budgets and their lives through teaching them about small changes. I’ve already had amazing feedback from the classes I’ve taught at recently. I’m so thrilled to see so many people learning how to save money while making better meals for their families. Here’s the list of upcoming classes for the rest of this month:

• May 15th – Indianapolis/Tipton area
• May 17th – Arlington, TX (DFW)
• May 17th – Philly area
• May 17th - Nashville
• May 17th – Naperville, IL
• May 19th – St. Cloud, MN
• May 19th – Fort Worth, TX
• May 19th – Phoenix Area
• May 21st – Orlando
• May 22nd – Atlanta
• May 22nd – Troy, MI
• May 23rd – Idaho
• May 24th – Dallas/Garland, TX
• May 24th - Hickory, NC
• May 24th – Naperville, IL
• May 26th – Orlando
• May 29th – Keller, TX
• May 29th – St. Cloud, MN
• May 31st – Grapevine, TX
• May 31st – Jacksonville, FL
• May 31st – Charlotte, NC
• May 31st – Austin, TX
• May 31st – Hurst, TX
• May 31st - Zeeland, MI
• May 31st – Twin Falls, ID

No class in your area yet? Be sure to stop by the Savings Nation Facebook page to request a class.