Grocery Shopping Tips

      Morning everyone! Today I want to talk a bit about grocery shopping and how to keep it simple, clean, easy and how to make the best choices. We all have and still go into the grocery store without a plan or a list and thats the 1st mistake we make. We have all gone in there hungry and buy everything that sounds good to us at that moment, mistake #2, and we have all gone in there just to grab something quick, easy and super unhealthy and precessed, mistake #3. So, what can we do to make a few simple changes so you shopping experience is simple, easy and you get the most from the foods you buy....Simple, Plan your trip! This goes back to researching, planning and living your goals in my previous post Remember, it takes time. Once you have your menu planned for the week (yes the whole week, heck do 2 if you know your schedule!) you can grocery shop, prep, cook, store and freeze it!


      Ok, now that you have your list you can go in with confidence, know what you NEED to get and walk out knowing your on the right health track and you have saved money not buying the junk you sometimes get. There are a few tech gadgets that you can use to help you organize your list if you so choose OR you can do old school pen and paper. In case your the techie type here are the links to a few good ones,  Zip List, Savingstar, & Grocery IQ. These are here to help you organize and sort. Some of them have many coupons to helps save as well if thats something you do. I myself don't take the time to do that, because I have found that 9 times out of 10 every coupon is for all processed items or home goods. Things we are looking to avoid as far as foods go! Know your grocery store! If you know where most items are it will make it easier to get in, out and get the things you need.

Make your List!

      When you walk in generally the fresh produce, dairy, meats and the "health foods"are on the outside and the processed, frozen and home goods are on the inside aisle's. You always hear stick to the outside, stick to the outside and while I don't disagree, there are a few goodies on the inside aisles that I like to grab as well. So....I like to grocery shop, I find it relaxing and rewarding, knowing I can walk out without all that junk you see so many people buy is a good feeling, so I make it a point to go around the parameter and up and down every aisle, even if I don't need anything in there because I force myself to choose not to get the junk items and you never know if that one item your looking for is somewhere odd!
      Anyways, Grocery list, Know your store, Enjoy the experience, Go in full, Take time to read labels, Have your list separated by category, that way when you in each section you wont forget an item. So, I walk the parameter 1st then into the center. No labels to read on fresh foods because you know what your getting...its FRESH, also organic or not that is your choice! The meat section I take the time to fine a lean cut of what ever it is I'm choosing like chicken (frozen or fresh), turkey, beef, tofu etc. We don't do much dairy but what we go get I again read labels on, ( after a while you will have you favorites and wont need to ). So when I buy milk we get almond usually, unsweetened vanilla to be exact, less calories, and sugar then regular almond milk. We don't do a lot of cheese only on occasion so I get what ever I want for that because its a treat haha!  I do my best to get as natural and fresh as I can. Yogurt.....I love yogurt, however stick to plain and greek if you like and ADD YOUR OWN flavor. The pre mixed with fruits and such are packed full of unnecessary sugar you don't need. Now into the aisles, where the problems happen, where everyone gets the processed easy meals and the "healthy" treats! Well here are some tips to help with that too. Keep away from pre-made boxed foods, sauces, etc. If you want spaghetti for dinner, make your own clean sauce, less sugar, calories, chemicals! Yes cheeseburger hamburger helper is TASTY, I know I have had it a million times, its cheap and quick but again make it homemade with fresh ingredients, less chemicals and you know what your putting in there. Don't but the "heathy" 100 calorie snacks....great that little package is 100 calories of processed, sugar and BS. Calories are not created equal. In fact unless its a treat to have here and there. I buy natural peanut butter but there are so many out there with extra sugar or other "added" ingredients. Peanuts....thats it, some have more sugar grams then others so I choose Smuckers natural creamy because it has 1g sugar while others have 3 to 4 grams. If you want to make your own, buy Raw Peanuts and grind them up, then you know it will be healthy! You getting the idea....stay away from the crap and take the time to make a list, get a recipe, make your meals from fresh whole  foods and not the boxed junk. The bulk goods section or the aisle with beans, rice etc are aisles I hit up often.
I keep stocked on dry goods like black, garbonzo, and white beans, there are so many recipes you can use them for! The freezer section can be great but so many people go again to the pre-made meals because its quick and simple! The only thing I get from there is frozen chicken, veggies, fruits for smoothies(for a treat) and I think thats it! I don't get frozen breakfast foods, I don't get french fries, I don't get ice cream, I don't get the "healthy" pre-made foods.

Read Labels!

      You may ask why then do I go down those aisles when I shop if I choose not to buy any of it? 

1. It feels good to say NO.
2. I can always get ideas from the foods I see and make better choices when I make it.
3. Sometimes you find hidden treasures.
4. I enjoy it.

Choose Healthy Fresh Items!

       Now if you really need to go in a pinch, because not everyone is OCD like me and makes sure they have a plan then here are some tips.
1. Get what you have made before so you have a quick plan in mind
2. If you need to do canned or boxed foods do your best to get as healthy as you can
3. Don't be afraid to try new things and shop outside the box
4. Choose a few basic items, a Protein, carb and healthy fat to make your meals
5. just do your best to make smart choices
      Another this I want to address when I talk about the junk everyone buys. Im not perfect, not by a long shot, however this blog is meant for everyday cooking. You need to make smart choices and keep the bad ones for a treat. Don't keep it in the house and you wont eat it as much. I don't buy, Ice cream, waffles, chips, cookies, fiber one bars, sugary cereal, sodas and all that other stuff because I make a choice to live healthy. Do I enjoy chips, YES, do I enjoy ice cream, YES, do I love cookies, YES!!! The want for them isn't as bad as my want to feel good, so every once in a while ill pick some up, enjoy them and thats it. It is not in my every grocery trip as a staple tho. Most of the time if i want a treat like that I'll make RAW desserts, Clean eating treats or ill do some greek yogurt, protein powder and peanut butter....tastes just like ice cream! Keep only what you need to use in your home for less chance of eating bad and get your treats as you think you deserve them.

      I know I always seem to go off on so many tangent! There is just so much to say! Bottom line, Make your grocery list, stick to it, make your meals don't by pre made things, read labels, be organized in the store and have a system to walk it,