Sunday, March 25, 2012

The Shopping Trip

If you had asked my husband earlier this week what kind of a cook I am, you probably would have gotten a "deer in headlights" look and some drool escaping the side of his mouth. The drool was not caused my delicious food however, but from hunger. I don't think that I cooked a decent meal all week for him! 


I know, I know...priorities! This week, I had none! School was a nightmare and I had something planned every night, and Robert is on night-shift...Lord, help us! Excuses, excuses. 


I knew that I had to go to the grocery store today when the only left to eat for lunch was peanut butter...and although I LOVE peanut butter, my husband DOES NOT. This would not satisfy his hunger pains. 


The first thing I always do before my weekly shopping trip is research recipes! I have several blogs and websites to which I refer. I also have a bookshelf that is literally overflowing with cookbooks of all sorts...Southern, Greek, Organic, Heart Healthy, Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate...did I mention that I love desserts?


Today I was searching through a wonderful website www.onceamonthmom.com which is an amazing resource for those of you who want make ahead and freeze ahead meals for your busy families. I wrote recipes for the entire week and made my shopping list. 


My Go-To store for organic food is...drumroll please....KROGER! Kroger has a great selection of organic and natural foods that won't break the bank! 


On Sundays I go to the grocery store, then come home and begin prepping for the week. Here's what it (usually) looks like:


* I cut all fruits and veggies that we will eat raw as a snack, into bite sized pieces and either put them in a large tupperware or small zip loc bags that we can grab on the go-TRUST ME...this will save you SO MUCH time when you want to have a healthy snack.


* I then decide if there will be anything that I can make ahead...this week I am making 5 ingredient Peanut butter granola bars that we can eat for breakfast or a mid morning snack. Recipe will follow SHORTLY...you know you want it!!


* Robert and I generally eat/drink fruit smoothies for breakfast or after a workout. For these, I cut lots of berries (any kind) and put them in small plastic bags. Whenever we have a craving for a smoothie, we literally pour protein powder and water into a blender and dump the bag of fruit in. Takes about...5 seconds. Not hard AT ALL!! 


After this, which takes between 30-60 minutes, I either prepare dinner or get my lunches ready for the week. 
To school I take a mid-morning snack, lunch, a mid-afternoon snack, and an after-school snack...I kind of sound like a hobbit...(nerd alert!) But I did warn you that I eat ALL THE TIME!


Next time you plan to go shopping, write down what you plan to make for the week-SERIOUSLY. It may seem time consuming now, but while you're standing in line at the grocery store after a long day of work, listening to the teenage cashier talk about her boyfriend, and the baby screaming behind you, and you just wish that you could get home and prop your feet up and do nothing...I'm at home and finishing up a nice, nutritious dinner ;) ha


PRIORITIES. And mine is extra time with friends and family. CHOOSE YOURS.



























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