While our kids grew up, we lived 25 miles out of town on 40 acres. Our pantry had to stay stocked because there was no such thing as a quick trip to the store. We learned to multiply our time, effort, and dollars. I inherited my mother’s prep-ability and learned to shop less frequently. Here are some tips I share with you to improve efficiency.
Shopping:
When shopping on a weekly basis, TAKE TWO. That means double down the number of items that you usually shop for. It will be more cost effective to stock up over time, than to try to overload the cart in emergencies or storms. You can also purchase by the case or order online. Remember to price shop. While stocking up in 2020 and 2021, I noticed a few canned fruits and veggies were cheaper at the big box stores compared to online. So I made a point to grab a case while shopping in person.
It is super thoughtful to have a stocked pantry, not only for yourself, but also the ability to make meals for families in need, sharing in emergencies, and having on hand for giving when events call for food items to donate.
Even the local grocers (your friends and family) run specials on canned and dry goods. Take advantage of that each time you see it.
Where possible, sign up for the store’s frequent shopping cards that will give you discounts or points for shopping with them.
Pantry:
Would your parents ever say, “there are starving kids in Africa”? We would get that frequently to help motivate us to eat what was served and to finish our meal. Some meals are challenging to prep, cook, and eat.
In addition to keeping a stocked pantry, another task that saved my sanity was meal planning. This worked miracles especially when my kids were little and had to snack multiple times a day. We sat down, as a family, and reviewed yearly, our favorite meals and our schedules. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner times 7 days. We would map it out: basics to keep on hand for on the go, fast meals, and relaxing prep meals. What days/ evenings we were gone, when the crockpot needed to get started, and who was in charge of picking up kids and food. Let me admit one thing, my crockpot became my best friend, just like your instant pot or airfryer has become yours.
- I HATED cooking.
- I enjoyed baking, but hated cooking.
- I loved eating! The cooking appliances of convenience that make our lives much easier became our go-to’s each and every week or several times each week.
Planning meals is tedious and dull, but a lifesaver in a busy household.
Groceries:
Now that online grocery ordering, delivery, and pick up are the norm, these ideas may be obsolete. But here are some tips:
- write out the menus
- then write out the grocery lists in groups of shopping at the store: dairy, meats, canned goods, produce, breads. It makes it so much smoother walking through the store and not having to backtrack.
- cook/prep 3 to 5 meals at a time or use the 2 to 4 week make ahead plan. I have done both and I succeed more with making a few meals at a time. Do what is best for you.
Take time to walk through your stores and list the order of aisles that you frequent, then write your lists in this order.
30 day Whole Foods Meal Prep: https://amzn.to/4jSb8eU
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