How I Grocery Shop

Over the last few weeks, I've gotten random emails or comments asking how I grocery shop, where I buy our food, how I decide what meals to make, etc. Thanks to those inquiring minds, I thought I'd dedicate a WHOLE post to that topic.

I guess people are interested....and what you ask for, I will give you.

And if this topic sparks any other questions, shoot them my way at sweetandsavoryfood@hotmail.com. I'd be happy to answer them!

So, I've not always been into grocery shopping, but I now LOVE it. As long as I'm not rushed (i.e. I'm by myself). There is nothing worse that being rushed or forgetting your list, in my opinion that ruins a trip!

Some may find this hard to do, but I only do two big grocery runs a month, every two weeks, with little trips to our local store here in there for milk, bread, eggs, etc. This may not work for everyone, but it works for us.

A few days prior to the trip I start making a list on our fridge of what we are out of, what we need, what meals are floating around in my head, etc. Then the day before I get out my BIG stack of coupons (yes, I'm one of those people) and I see what's on sale and how those coupons can tie around the meals I'm planning.

I shoot to buy items for at least 10 meals during those two weeks. The other few days we'll eat leftovers, or if we are lucky go out to eat (which is rare!). I am also a big fan of doubling our meals. If I plan a pasta dish of stuffed shells I'll double the recipe, freeze half, so one meal automatically becomes two. Genius!

Once I have the list done, coupons sorted, I then list the meals on the fridge (an old tip from my good friend Lori), so that morning I'll look at the list and "pick" which meal we'll have that night. It's so nice to have a list of what you have in front of you, so you don't have to scan the cupboards and fridge and try to remember what items you bought for meals.

On the big shopping day, little man and I head out. I usually buy formula and diapers at one store (Target or Walmart) because they are cheaper. Trust me, it's worth the extra trip. Then I head to my grocery store of choice, either Hy-Vee (an Iowa chain), Walmart, the Iowa food co-op if I'm in the area, or a combination of the three. I head for the best deals....wherever that may be.

Here are some of the staples I pick up every two weeks, regardless of which store I'm heading to. These are the items we can't live without:

• Milk
• block cheese (it's cheaper, and you get more for your money)
• yogurt
• bread
• tortilla chips
• salsa (unless I have homemade at home)
• fresh fruit (bananas, oranges, kiwi, apples, etc.)
• eggs
• veggies for us and the little man (carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, green beans, etc.)
• meat (chicken, ground beef, ground turkey)

Now, the question that often gets asked....do we eat organic?

Answer - sometimes yes, sometimes no. Unfortunately, we don't have the budget to buy all organic, so I buy it when it's on sale, or if I feel strongly about it. It's much easier for us to eat healthy it seems in the summer, when the farmer's markets around here are in abundance. I LOVE going to farmer's markets! A perfect Saturday morning for me this summer will be taking little man in his stroller to various markets and just "strolling" about. Love it.

So that is how we do it. List making is big, coupon cutting is even bigger, and shopping around for the best deals is very important. It may take me longer than most, but I feel it is worth it. It's not uncommon for me to save at least $15 in coupons at one store. Oh, and I didn't even mention redeeming cans! That usually takes another $5 off. So right there that is $20 bucks!

Trust me, if you want to save money it can be done. Make lists, plan out your meals, cut coupons, limit your shopping to only a few times a month, and shop around. Since I'm not working right now, I feel it is my job to make my husband's paycheck stretch as far as it can go.

Happy Shopping!