I am aware of a certain type of person. This person battles with their inner conscience, which knows that buying fresh food and preparing it themselves is better than almost anything you can get at a fast food joint or restaurant. It’s Saturday, Sunday, Monday, (or really any day of the week) and time for the weekly grocery shop and suddenly … an evening by the fire or a night cap sound like a much more attractive venture/option. Hearts warm and fire ablaze, the person realizes it’s past dinner time and the pantry, fridge and freezer are all bare.
A greasy burger from the joint down the street (never tastes that great but it’s convenient so who cares) or a pizza on speed dial becomes the cuisine of choice for the evening. The person wakes up the next morning ready to combat kids, work, clipping the family pooch’s raven claws and life continues on.
Remember the fridge? It sits in its normal spot off in the corner begging to be filled with wholesome goodness for the taking. Before the person knows it, another day has begun and the fridge remains lonely, with no inhabitants. It’s a vicious cycle that takes place where convenience reigns supreme and a regular grocery shop seems like such a tall order. Sound familiar? We’ve all been here and many of us still struggle with this paradox – we know what’s good for us, so why don’t we do it!?
It all comes down to time. In many ways, we all have choices in terms of how we choose to spend it. There are 24 hours in a day, and with the little “free time” that many of us have these days, a trip to the grocery store just doesn’t sound like fun. Especially this time of year during the holidays. It doesn’t have to be this way!
I too used to hate the grocery shop, but through trial and error have found some simple ways to tackle the task – and actually even enjoy it … yep I know I sound like a grocery store nerd. But here are some tips/tools and ways to get through the trip unscathed. Are you ready? Let’s take the bull by the horns and help take the stress away!
1). Pick a Date
As humans, we are all creatures of habit in some way or another. We also tend to thrive on some type of plan or regular rhythm in our lives. This doesn’t have to go for everything, but can be helpful particularly for tasks like, well, grocery shopping. It typically takes 28 days to build a habit, so in a month you’ll be good to go! Take a look at your schedule and figure out when the best day is to go shopping. Now, I don’t mean the best day for the upcoming week ahead. Find a day and time that you will be able to stick with come hell or high water (unless in the case of emergency – not the warm fire calling to you from home).
Some factors to consider when selecting this time:
*What is my preferred store? (This can be helpful when calculating distance to and from the location).
*What is my work schedule like during the week?
*In terms of frequency, would it be easier to go weekly, bi-weekly or even monthly?
*Do I want to avoid weekends at all costs?
*When is a time I can get someone to watch the kids while I go (if this is a barrier)?
*What is the best day of the week to schedule meals for the days ahead?
*Can I start meal prepping upon returning from this grocery trip?
Once you’ve selected your regular day and time, commit to this day and time in your mind. Write it in your calendar through the end of the year. Seriously – schedule your regular date with the grocery store. Breath a sigh of relief. Congratulations my friend/cherub – step one is done!
2). Your List Method
The next tip is to select a way to note the items that you need from the grocery store. We all have different preferences, and in this modern age there are several list apps that can be downloaded on your phone if this is a more convenient method for you. I’ve even used the Notes section on my phone on occasion.
Personally, I tend to be a bit of an old soul and subscribe to the pen and paper method (yes, I fold the list in my purse with the pen attach and walk around the store checking off my items!) The goal here is to simply select the best list-keeping method that you will stick with and that will work for you long-term. It’s all about building and maintaining the habit!
3). Get to Know Your Store
Ok, so sometimes it’s not always convenient to shop at the same place all the time. However, this goes back to Tip #1 – Pick a Date. Select a preferred store and location that you will go to most, if not all of the shopping trips. We all know that the same supermarket chains that have stores a couple of miles apart always seem to be designed with aisles that are laid out completely opposite from one another!
Also, we know that sometimes it’s difficult (no straight up impossible) to find someone to ask for assistance if we need it. Start to become familiar with where shopping items are located in your preferred store. If you need to, snap a photo of the aisle numbers so you know where everything is when making your list 😉
4). Meal Planning
My cherubs it really helps to have a plan for what meals you’ll be making ahead of time – before you even get to the store. This reduces the overwhelm in the aisles and the blank stairs at the shelves searching for inspiration that – with the snotty-nosed kid kicking and screaming two feet away from you – simply isn’t there. Before you know it, it all becomes too hard and you want out of the store. Fast.
Planning your menu can be fun and exciting, as you can use your creativity to decide what meals you would like and when, and gives you something to look forward to each day of the week. When you have a plan of attack, this will make your trip go a lot faster by default.
5). Make a List
First of all, I know this sounds like a no-brainer and you’ve probably seen this in just about every self-help article for grocery shopping. But seriously. Make a list. Let’s reframe how we look at writing a list. Try to think of writing a list like maintaining a friendshi. We don’t come to our friends at the very last minute for help after not speaking to them for years, right? (Not generally speaking, anyway!)
Think of your grocery list as a template that you add to (think nurturing!) as you go through the week. Create some categories for each food group (for example, meat, produce, etc.) based on the area in which the section is located in the store. This is where getting to know your store is extremely helpful! Oh – and we’ve already planned our meals for the week so we’re another step ahead of the game! Set it up so that it’s stuck on the fridge, on the counter top, or somewhere else very visible so that you always know where to it is to add to it.
Wait Hannah – did you say add to it? Yes my cherub. You don’t have to sit down and complete your list all at once. After all, your friend will probably be exhausted if you haven’t connected in ages and then you dump all the problems in the world on her! With our list, it’s the same way. As soon as you realize you need something throughout the week, add it to the list. Then, when you’re ready to go shopping, your list that has been created and nurtured (just like your friend) will be ready and waiting for you! It’s as simple as Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo!
In The Store
6). Breathe.
There is no doubt that going to the grocery store can be stressful – especially this time of year when everyone and their mother is in there stocking up for the holidays – and COVID. When you pull into the parking lot on your regularly scheduled day, it may be just as you hoped – peaceful and “quiet” with several parking spaces available. Or, it may not be. You may be here on your perfect day and time and the place is swamped.
Whatever the case may be, know that you are supposed to be here. After all, you scheduled it in your calendar! Before you open the door, take three big deep breaths. This will help to calm your heart rate and send more oxygen to your brain so you can think. Logically. All will be well. You can do this – I promise!
7). Mindset
Ok so now that you’ve taken some deep breaths …
Just like many things in life, the approach is governed by our mindset. We hold the power to determine how we react to our circumstances, our surroundings, and the tasks that are “necessary evils” in our lives. If you go into the grocery store flustered, frazzled and angry with the world, it’s a lot easier to think that everything is working against you and to feel defeated.
Think of it this way: the grocery store is already a task, so why not get through it with a positive frame of mind and a clear conscience? You’ve taken the critical steps in setting a date, choosing your time, preparing your meals and your list. You know this store like the back of your hand.
My cherub, you are already way ahead of the masses. You can now walk confidently into the store and weave through the aisles like a quarterback. Got it? Got it!
8). Walk the Perimeter
An anti-inflammatory and whole foods lifestyle is focused on eating fresh foods in their most natural form. Remember how I mentioned that grocery stores can be confusing? Like all aisles and their locations are not created equal? Well, there is a grocery store practice that is generally always consistent.
Pssst – listen carefully … the fresh foods are located around the perimeter of the store. This means that your fresh meat, seafood and fruits and veggies, will be gracefully placed along the outer walls of the store. They are fresh, ready and waiting for you to pick them and add them to your cart. After all, it’s their moment to shine instead of being tucked away and crammed in an aisle.
Use this to your advantage to spend the majority of your time here and get through the grocery store quicker as these areas tend to be less crowded than the aisles. Most of the items on your list will be found in these sections anyway, right? Your body and your health will love you for it!
9). Feel the Power
I don’t know about you but, whenever I start the day on a positive note I feel great. The outlook on the day ahead is so much better, and I feel well-equipped to take on the additional tasks at hand. The same is true for our friend the grocery store. When you waltz through and select beautiful, healthy produce, imagine what these nutritious selections will be doing for your body. There’s something very powerful in being able to hand-select your food and prepare it for good.
Let these thoughts marinate in your mind as you move along – they may even bring a smile to your face. Before you know it, this positive energy has reached a shopper next to you and suddenly they feel more relaxed as well. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had random but positive conversations with other patrons in the grocery store and it just really makes your day – and hopefully theirs too!
10). Keep a “Pretty Cart”
Ummm – say what? I can hear what you’re thinking. Most of the time the things are rusted and the wheels always get stuck as you go clickety-clack through the store. “Ye that’s me – I’m here everyone!” Whatever cart you land up with, by the way, just embrace it and laugh if you get the clackety wheels. It is pretty hilarious free entertainment.
Back to the theme at hand, though, a “Pretty Cart” in this instance means a well-organized one. This is one in which the food groups are generally placed in the same sections so it makes it easier for the cashier to scan the items through and for the bagger to place your groceries with like things together. You know, like fruit in one bag, veggies in another, meat in another. Members of the same family staying together.
In turn, this makes it easier for you when you get home to quickly unpack and get items in a food group stored in the right place at once without having to aimlessly search for their siblings. A “Pretty Cart” certainly goes a long way in getting you out of the store faster!
Let’s Go Grocery Shopping!
The moral of the story here is, selecting your own fresh groceries is better for your health and well-being long term. It is a task but it does not have to be difficult, stressful or overwhelming. As we’ve seen, many of the steps are in preparation before you go to the store and they can be done in small segments throughout the week as you go!
The in-store experience should be focused on mindset and the joy in being able to select and prepare food that nourishes your body and soul. This is certainly something to be celebrated. Enjoy!
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