(Editor's Note: This story originally published May 7, 2007)

    In order to keep my self motivated not only to write this blog, but to continue my new green lifestyle, I have given myself bi-weekly "green assignments."  My first assignment was to do my grocery shopping at a natural foods market.  I had two rules: 1) I had to buy items that were on my regular shopping list (I'm not going to be a poseur and buy all sorts of "natural" food that I know I'll never eat) and 2) I had to stay within my weekly food budget.  Because, after all, the point of this is to make green changes in my life that FIT my life.     

    In the spirit of full disclosure, I must confess that I have always been a very picky eater and often thought that organic or natural foods were for health nuts.  For the first 25+ years of my life, I wouldn't befoul my body with whole grains or anything that resembled a vegetable.  The more chemicals – the better!  In fact, true story: When I was growing up in rural Illinois, there was one family in my town who were considered to be a little strange.  I always felt bad for the children in that family because their sandwiches were on wheat bread, while the rest of the class had our bologna on white bread.  Now, who knew that the class system applied to bakery goods, but I always (very wrongly) associated wheat bread as something weird kids ate.  Thus my love affair with processed food begins.     

    I arrived with grocery list and green shopping bags in hand and just started roaming.  Up one aisle, down the other.  I circled the store several times, taking it all in.  I was amazed at all the choices, the selection.  I toured each aisle several times.  I must have looked like a crazy person, or at the very least, a natural food market virgin.  Finally I stopped looking and started shopping.  To my delight, I found it very easy to find what I needed; with very tasty results (the purely organic chicken enchilada casserole I made last night is proof!).      

    I did notice that some items are on the spendy side, but I was pleasantly surprised that there is a range of prices for most items and I was able to find almost everything on my list without breaking the bank.  I did have to make a trip to the "conventional" food market for a couple items (and to my local wholesale center, which I have discovered, is the BEST place to buy organic milk), but I am pleased to report that it can be done!     

    Here are a couple of my personal money-saving tips:     

    - If you don't already, try to buy your organic meats in large, family size packs.  Freeze what you don't use.  You'll save a few pennies, have a stock of meat in the freezer, but also cut down on dreaded packaging!     

    - As I mentioned before, save some dough by buying organic milk at your local wholesale center.  According to Parents Magazine, if you're going to switch to just one organic product, milk is a good choice.  We're big milk drinkers in our family, so this has been an especially helpful discovery.     

    - Conventional grocery stores seem to really be beefing up their organic and natural foods.  I have become a huge fan of the O Organics line at Safeway (legal break!  This is my personal opinion and does not reflect the opinion of KSTW or CBS Corporation) I love that it's integrated on the aisles with the other conventional foods – makes it so easy to comparison shop!     

    Take away?  I stand corrected, organic and natural shopping isn't as hard or as weird as I thought it was.  And with some forethought and creativity, it doesn't have to break the bank either.    

     My next assignment?  Buying an outfit at an eco-friendly clothing store.  And I actually have to wear it!  Stay tuned and thanks for reading!

Megan Temple is the Director of Marketing for KSTW-TV