All in a Day - Grocery Shopping

It's time for another installment in the series All In A Day. If you've been reading, you'll quickly see I'm the one that will make you feel like you're doing great, 'cause I'm not as organized with shopping as Carrie is.

"You have your hands full." I've heard that line so many times, it's as common as a bad pickup line in a bar. Unfortunately, it falls equally as empty. If only someone would offer to help when that baby in your arms is crying and you are trying to push a loaded grocery cart with the other hand, while seemingly every eye turns to watch how you will manage. Add to that a toddler, a preschooler and a couple elementary aged children who may or may not be following you, riding in the cart or helping you.

Let me just say, I empathize. If I see you in the store and you need help with that baby or cart, you don't even need to ask, I'll help you. I rarely go to the store with little ones now, I'm surprised my grocery store employees recognize me. These days, I enjoy the privilege of taking a big person who is armed with a list of items to get, who doesn't need to hold my hand when going to the restroom and who is capable of pushing a cart without knocking down displays or colliding with other shoppers. And, by big person, I mean anyone who is 12 or older.

If you cannot leave your younger ones at home, then grocery shopping is more of an event that must be carefully planned to maximize your time out. Because you know you only have a certain amount of time before somethng happens. If you are in this category of mothers, my advice is to learn how to use a sling, and learn how to push one of those huge carts that hold two other children in a sitting position. You might need to beef up your biceps first to do the latter.

Then, make sure your grocery list is complete, you don't want to make a return trip anytime soon just for the two items you forgot. This will involve meal planning.

I'm a creature of spontaneity and I cringe at pre-planned, scheduled stuff...much to my disadvantage. But, I have occasionally planned meals to make my life easier. I have a list of favorite meals that I go to for inspiration when I have the "what should I cook?" blahs. I keep it taped to the inside of one of my kitchen cabinets right here...



This post is supposed to be about how our family handles grocery shopping and cooking. Our grocery shopping is done at just one store, Publix, with the addition of fresh organic produce I buy from a co-op twice a month. We don't have a Sam's Club and I'm too far from a BJs or a Costco to make it worth my time and gas. Plus, I'm afraid I might end up a hoarder buying such large quantities of food and trying to find a place to store it. We have just one refrigerator (with an additional small freezer in my laundry room).

As for coupons, I only cut the ones for which I will truly use the product. We used to clip all coupons and get the free items regardless of whether we would use them. That's great if you know of a food bank or a shelter that can use the items you won't need, but if you have problems getting things out of the house like I do, then, it's a waste of energy. I have to know my limits.

I used to do the Extra Care Bucks at CVS a la Money Saving Mom but I'm now free of that feeling that prompts me to rush out and get all the free stuff CVS is offering. Crystal at Money Saving Mom holds garage sales to sell the items she won't need. That's another headache I don't want. She has a great blog, though, so if you can use some tips in saving, spending less so you can give more, that's the place to go to. She also has a feature spotlighting people and their testimonies about spending cash for something for which they saved up, ie a car, a vacation, etc. We have always paid in full for everything, even our house.

Back to grocery shopping. I like to keep a running list on the kitchen cabinet of things I need at the store. I add to it until I decide to go shopping. I sometimes check their sale ad in advance and plan according to what is cheaper this week. I take advantage of the many of the Buy One Get One Free deals. We try to eat healthy, meaning less processed food, less high fructose corn syrup and less refined sugar.

I invite one or two of the children to go with me and we tackle the shopping together. If it is very crowded and I don't need a whole cart-full, I will give out the little carrying baskets to my helpers. Skip the cart. They will go get half the list of items we need and then meet me when they are done. We get in and out faster this way. Three people shopping for the list is so much better for me. Fortunately, I don't live far from Publix, so if I leave something out or forget those couple items my husband asked for, I can easily go back another time.

By this time in my life, I am getting pretty good at whipping up something for a meal that doesn't involve a ton of planning. There are several great websites we love to go to for meal ideas.

All Recipes includes reviews of their recipes and also has a feature where you can type in the ingredients you want to use and it will provide you with a variety of dishes.


Tammy's Recipes has a lot of tried and true recipes with reviews.
Joy the Baker has what you need for a sweet tooth.
Tasty Kitchen also has some recipes that we have loved. She's got a featured recipe (#1) right now for Mushroom Risotto that looks yummy. Those mushrooms in my kitchen that I got at the produce co-op last week might end up in that.
I'll also throw in Kath Eats Real Food, a food blog my oldest daughter reads.


I like to allow my older children experience in the kitchen. They take turns planning a meal and cooking. The younger ones help me when I cook, but I just love it when the older ones do it all by themselves. It's better than eating out.

Our other sources of food are co-ops. I belong to a produce co-op and a bulk foods co-op. I buy grains and beans at the bulk foods one but that is only three or four times a year.





You might have to look up locations in your area. Many co-ops let you split a share so if your family isn't very large, you can still take advantage of the organic bulk buying and not have to spend so much. Lately, we've been getting carrots and I've been making this delicious Creamy Carrot Soup. I thought I had my own photo of it, but I can't find it. Trust me, it's really good...I've made it four times since November.

Co-ops are a good way to learn about unusual foods you may not normally think of trying.


My dad lives in an area of town with lots of farms and fresh fruit. Yesterday, he stopped by to bring us a flat of strawberries and some cinnamon buns from a farm run by German Baptists who live here just six months of the year during strawberry season.

I'd love to hear how your grocery shopping and cooking is done. Read about other moms of many right here...

Carrie at Our Full House

Elizabeth at Yes They're All Ours

Kristy at Homemaker's Cottage

Lori at Happy Busy Mama

Monica at Natural Mama

Renee at Bakers Dozen