Grocery Shopping

I almost always LOVE going to the grocery store. Before I was married and probably early in our marriage it was more of a chore. I would just go to the store and wander aisle by aisle picking up this and that. Picking up things that looked good or sounded good. I would get the usual toilet paper, toothpaste, chicken, meat and some veggies then I would get home and have nothing to cook (unless you have a recipe for Toothpaste Chicken?).

Now, I have a plan of action. I shop at Kroger every Sunday. Before I head to the store I lay in bed or sit at the kitchen table with my morning coffee reading cookbooks. I have over 30 or so cookbooks. I also print off recipes from foodnetwork.com or from my monthly issue of Cooking Light (best subscription, EVER). I select about 3-4 recipes. One of the recipes is usually a casserole or something that will make a good leftover so that I am not cooking every day. We'll either eat take-out, frozen pizza or just have more left overs or sandwhiches the other days. I go through each recipe to check off items I have a make a list for items I need.

If I am going to grill or use the slow cooker I try to do that on Sunday. Just easier to grill on Sunday and use the slow cooker all day. Speaking of slow cooker have you used the bags that you put inside? It's like a plastic cover to use in the bottom and then it is SUPER easy to clean up. It's the best item ever. I think it is made my Reynolds.

Making a list helps me not buy things I already have (duh!) and as I walk through the store I check off the list. I seriously, have been in and out of the store with a full cart in about 30 minutes. I am that fast and efficient! ;)

I love knowing where everything is in the store. I actually get a little giddy when people ask me where something obscure is and I can tell them exactly where it is.

I love going to the meat/seafood counters especially at Central Market or Whole Foods. It all just looks so fresh and yummy even though it's raw! Don't even get me started on the cheese selection!

When I go to the store I make sure I take my purse that goes over my shoulder that way my big purse is not sitting in the basket if I have to quickly walk down the aisle, I don't have to worry about anyone taking my purse. Plus it's easy to have it right there by my side and keep my pen and list handy.

I also make sure when they bag my chicken and meats that they package it in its own bag. I don't want that slimey chicken touching my vegetables or Kleenex box.

Also, it's never a good idea to go to the store when you are hungry b/c then you buy things like this.

Here is our list of dinners this week!

So far the first two are good leftovers!

Chicken-Vegetable Stir Fry

Minestrone-Stuffed Shells (recipe will be posted tomorrow)

King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Spinach-Mushroom Pizza (frozen pizza for Friday's Lent)

Happy Shopping!