I used to be a planner. I used to color-code my calendar with the different types of events I had going on. I would even write in things that had already happened, just because I liked to feel busy. I made list after list and loved crossing things off. One list I really enjoyed making was my grocery list. I loved getting creative with the meals I would make and got excited about going to the grocery store.
Then I had kids.
Now, as a mom, I still love cooking for my family and friends. I love packing lunches and fun snacks for my kids. I love pinning great recipe ideas, as well as dog-earring pages in my magazines with great meal ideas. But, that’s where my love stops.
You see, there is a huge disconnect between seeing the delicious ideas on Pinterest and in magazines and getting the ingredients into my kitchen. Though I love the act of making the meals, the actual thought of sitting down to plan them out is as exciting to me as watching a turtle cross the road. The idea of making out a grocery list causes my throat to close up almost as much as staring at the nipple aisle in Babies”R”Us while I was filling out my baby registry.
I don’t know, maybe it’s because when I’m home, I’d rather be playing with my kids, spending time with my husband, or figuring out what my next decorating project will be. When I’m in my kitchen, I’d rather be cooking something, or, let’s be honest, eating something! I don’t want to be creating a list of meals or a list of groceries. When I consider the fact that I also need to make sure I remember diapers, wipes, toothpaste, vitamins, toilet paper, laundry detergent, fabric softener, stain stick, paper towels, aluminum foil, and sandwich baggies, just to name a few, it’s enough to make me swear off drinking QT fountain pops forever! (Okay, maybe I won’t get that drastic!) Nonetheless, I have a huge problem with the simple act of planning out my family’s meals and grocery lists and an even bigger issue with the act of physically going to the grocery store (I don’t know, maybe it’s that car cart that I am continually insisting is out of gas?!).
So, one of my goals in the coming weeks is to find a system that works for me and tackle this grocery shopping beast that is rearing its ugly head at me! To begin with, I know I need to keep a list of the staples, so I don’t find myself continually writing them on my list week after week. I just need to start doing it. That seems simple enough, right? It’s the rest that I need help with. What are your secrets? Do you devote a specific time each week to these tasks? Do you do it on the fly? I’d love to hear what works best for you!
I love to plan my meals. And create shopping lists. And even go grocery shopping. I even love cooking! (not so much cleaning up), But, now that I have children, the joy of all this is lost on me. I’m looking for simple, hearty, nutritious, FAST. I have created a fabulous grocery list template that I love..when I remember to use it. These days, I find that more often than not, I’m at the grocery store, at the 11th hour, picking up milk, and something for dinner. I’m with you. I need to get back to weekly planning, shopping, and organizing. I’ve even thought of spending some weekend time pre-prepping or cooking for the week. I don’t have a magic trick, but I’m wiling to try just about anything.
I love grocery shopping–I did before I had a kid and I do now (maybe that will change once I have two or three?) I try to take my daughter with me to the grocery store. She LOVES to look at the colors in the produce department, and I often pick up a few (durable!) fruits or veggies for her to hold and play with while we shop. She also loves all the noises that chip bags and boxes of cereal make. I look at it as a learning experience for her. I only take her along when I have a LOT of energy, so we can both have fun. When I don’t have a lot of energy (more often than not!), I go by myself. I try to go late at night, about an hour before the store closes (fewer people, better parking, and easier to use coupons and find deals when you can actually take your time and think). When I go at night, I always buy myself a special treat right before I get started, as a reward for making the effort! Sometimes it’s a candy bar. Sometimes it’s a smoothie. Sometimes it’s a beer at the bar next to the grocery store (I’m serious). Whatever motivates me at the time! I also have two types of trips–a “stock up” trip (a longer trip where I find the best deals, use coupons, and buy in bulk) which I do a lot of pre-planning for (coupons, ad matching, list making, etc.) and a “basics” trip (a shorter trip where I run in and get 8-10 things that I know I need to get me through to the next stock-up trip. –E
Sorry-that was a MUCH longer comment than I intended to write! :o/
Ha…I always buy myself a treat before I begin too! Usually a diet coke, or something from Caribou.
I plan our meals on a google calendar. I can drag them around as the week changes. I copy the recipe into the calendar entry and use my computer as my recipe card. Usually shop once a week and have to run for milk mid-week. Also the hubs is responsible for dinner one night a week (i.e. tacos or burgers) which helps.
That said – HyVee has free balloons for kids, our Price Chopper has a good amount of car carts and Trader Joe’s has a sucker bin. I also never hesitate to open a box of crackers before paying for them.