Just to preface, I don't like to shop. I don't like to spend money. My least favorite thing is going to the grocery store to shop for food. Wait, I take that back, what I hate even more than that is planning a menu. Then comes shopping, then comes bringing all the food home and putting it away. I haven't always disliked this task; I have only despised it during the last three years.
When I was first wed, and we lived in Logan, I enjoyed going to Fred Meyer, a half block from my house, and doing the shopping for the week. When we moved to southern Utah, my husband commuted to St. George (and I drove in the other direction to Zion), and I sent him with the grocery list every other week. I loved that! I think that is when I started getting spoiled.
After I had Jader, resigned from the Park Service, and started staying home full-time, I took on the responsibility of grocery shopping. I would pack the baby in the car, drive 20 minutes to St. George, shop at more than three grocery stores, spend more than $200+ for groceries, drive home and put all of the food away. It was somewhat of an ordeal. Especially for a new mother and a (sometimes fussy) daughter.
I got to the point where I loathed grocery shopping. I decided to do the shopping every other week; for my sanity, and to save money with gas. Even after we moved to Price, I choose to shop every other week. Friday is my shopping day, and I tend to make it to the store pretty early in the morning to beat the lines. (I don't like being around a lot of people; that is another post for another day).
On my off Fridays, I try really hard to get my menu planned for the two weeks, and complete my list of the items I need to purchase. I have adapted a list that I found on Simplify 101; Aby Garvey was so polite to send me a copy of the original document. I still can't believe that she emailed it to me, much less that she emailed it to me on the same day I requested it. You can use the list on her site, or you can use mine.
Master Grocery List
What I did with the original is adapt the food categories to match the order the aisles are in my store. That way, if I get to the end of the list, I don't have to travel back three aisles to find an item. I shop at Wal*Mart, so if that is your shopping store, it will probably be set up the same way. I don't like shopping at this store; I admit. However, I don't really have a choice in such a small town. Besides, really, you can't beat their prices. Darn Wal*Mart!
I also adjusted the space between categories because I purchase more produce that I do frozen foods, etc.. I also changed the day that starts the week off. Since I shop on Friday, I wanted it to be the day I lead the week off with. I don't usually plan for lunches, so I use the lunch column for notes, or recipe ingredients. Sometimes I will even use that column for the second week of meals. Usually, though, I will make a back-to-back copy and use the other side for the second week of meals.
This set up has really worked for me. The only downfall about shopping every two weeks is that I always run out of fresh foods. That means I have to make a quick trip to the store to replenish the perishables, but that isn't really a big deal.
I am a big fan of menu planning. One of my pet peeves is trying to make dinner around 4:30 only to find out that I am missing a couple of key ingredients to that one meal that sounds so good at the time. I love being able to look at my list the night before, take out the meat I need to defrost, and know if I am using the crockpot or the oven. I like having all of the items I need on hand, and being able to balance all of my meals with the appropriate sides. I like that there isn't a hassle every day, and that I don't have to wonder what is for dinner.
Menu planning and using the crockpot and delay cooking device on my oven has really been a lifesaver for me since I have started this coaching job. I take time during Jader's nap to do dinner prep, put the food in the crockpot or in the oven (delay timed), and let it be. When I get home from practice, I love that I have a hot, homemade meal waiting for me and my family. The house always smells so good, and no one has to wait for me to cook.
If you don't implement menu planning in your family, give it a shot. You might be pleasantly surprised at how much time and effort it saves you. Also, if you usually shop every week for groceries, but you dislike it, try stretching your shopping to every other week. It might be just the change you need in your schedule.
3 comments:
I left a really long comment and then it said there was an error. That happens so often! Anyway, the just of it was: Thank you so much for posting the master list! Ever since Scott stopped working in a grocery store, and I had the convience of calling him, or having him bring home things I need as I needed it, I've had to try to think of a better way to do things. I still haven't figured it out, but this will help a lot. I have a really hard time planning out meals for a week or two, any tips? I know it shouldn't be that hard, pick something, buy the stuff for it, and make it, right? lol Anyway, somehow my younger sister figured out a way to go once a month (maybe twice if necessary) and plans out her meals too. So, I need all the help I can get!
I finished my recipe book, but never got around to the master shopping list I had planned to make, so thank you for this one. I'm still hating grocery shopping (although it IS easier to make my list with my book). I would love to only go every other week, but as it is, my cart is already overflowing with just one week's worth of food. It's amazing how much a family of six (four being boys) eats! I'm big on the fresh produce too, so I have to return to the store anyway. My ultimate goal? To be able to afford to have my groceries delivered! Albertson's delivers here for only $10...but that's on top of their already more expensive prices.
Thanks for the master list. I love Aby's website! So many great ideas on there. I am also a big fan of menu planning, but I do find it takes awhile to make my list. And then...like yesterday for example, I go to the store in the evening after the kids are in bed, with list in hand for 2 weeks worth of meals. I spent 2 hours on that list. I stop at the shoe department...after I start to the groceries, my valuable list is gone! I backtracked...it was nowhere to be found. Someone in Walmart got a great list last night. Oh...that was frustrating.
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