I have, therefore, badly damaged taste buds in the manner of health food. It’s a fact that my food of choice for many years have been Ding Dongs. When health food began its popularity, I saw the benefits and sampled a bit here and there.  My pat rule has always been to find the nutrition bar that doesn’t taste like it’s healthy. If we can send men to the moon, communicate with hut dwelling humans across the globe in a nanosecond, and tattoo our eye liner- surely we can invent health food that tastes good, right?

Finding tasty nutrition bars has been a quest of mine that up until a few months ago was largely like the Israelites pilgrimage across the desert-pretty disappointing, desolate and boring. I’ve tried a host of substances meant to be food-like products, which were instead reminiscent of vitamin sprayed multi- layered clay.

Then, someone handed me a Luna Bar. I have a problem with memory. It’s a product of all the sugar consumption killing brain cells, I suppose. But I do remember very clearly the day I ate one of these delicious, good for you, bars. I became hopelessly addicted. Luna Bars are created specifically for women’s needs, with fewer calories than a guy’s power bar. Each one has about 160-180 calories and is 70 percent organic- and oh, are they yummy.

Packed with protein, fiber, calcium, vitamins A, C, E and D, and a bevy of other nutrients, you’ll get about a quarter to a third of your daily requirements from one bar. They’ve tossed in B vitamins as well, for energy without the drop of sugar highs, and somehow wrapped it all in F-L-A-V-O-R. I don’t know how they perform this miracle and I’m not sure I care. I just want to stuff my face with a continual supply. They’re that good. Seriously. If you want verification on this, just try Googling them and read the hundreds of positive reviews. Luna Bars are the most searched and written about women’s health food product for a reason- Women (and men) love them.

Made by the Clif Bar people who have also created energy products that are delicious in their own right, Luna Bars are stand alone women’s health food items. The only downside has been finding them on a budget. You’ll find them in various places, but often the price is around $1.35-$1.79 (or higher). That might be a bit much for some of your current pocket books. So what do you do to stay healthy, keep eating Luna’s and stick to your budget???

Five ways I’ve found to obtain these at the best price:

1. Hit the Kroger store nearest you with a health food section. Keep track of the 10 for $10 sales that Kroger often has. This week Luna Bars are part of the sale. If they run out or don’t have the quantity you want, most Kroger stores will give you a rain check at the sale price. Watch for Luna specials, which seem to occur about once every four – six weeks. You can stock up accordingly armed with this knowledge. Check out your store Wednesday October 07, before the current price reduction is over at midnight to buy or rain check Luna Bars.
2. Drugstores.com: Offers cases of 15 bars at around $17.39 and 2% cash back . Free shipping for  new customers on $20 orders for the first 30 days. After that, you’ll need a $50.00 order to get free shipping, unless a promotion is being offered. If you go through Ebates to order, you’ll also earn around 6% back from Ebates, plus your 2% Drugstore.com dollars. This means theoretically, you’ll only be paying about a $1.06 a bar. You won’t see the savings immediately, as Ebates rewards quarterly, and Drugstore does so monthly, but it’s still a deal. Additionally, they also offer specials, (up to 10% off various flavors). Check out the site and prices regularly.
3. Health Food Stores: Barter with your local health food store for case rate prices. I can often obtain a 10% discount just by asking. When Luna Bars are on sale, they call or email me.
4. Other Grocery Chains: You can check other chains for these. If there is no special offered, ask management if they will give you a case rate discount.
5. Luna Bar Newsletter: Sign up for their newsletter to get free samples and random coupons.

I am a self-professed skinflint. There’s no doubt about it. But I don’t think you should skimp on health, even though I’ve spent two score plus years stuffing Ding Dongs down my throat. I do believe you should always look for the best deal to get nutritious stuff. These tips will work with about any health food product out there as well to reduce cost.

 If you’ve never sampled Luna Bars, here are my top six picks to try:

1. Strawberry Crumble Luna Sunrise (Words can’t describe “Yummy” better)
2. Lemon Zest Luna Bars ( So many Luna Bars, so little time)
3. Apple Cinnamon Luna Sunrise ( Ranked “best of” by a pool of friends recently)
4. Peppermint Stick Luna Bars (Just the right amount of mint and chocolate to satisfy)
5. Carmel Nut Brownie Luna  ( When you want a decadent treat- this is IT)
6. Blueberry Bliss Luna Sunrise ( Bluberry muffin-esque taste in a bar) mmm…