Hi friend (I’m waving to you). You are probably experiencing all types of new habits lately, including once a week grocery shopping. Wait a moment before you raise your fists and exclaim, “arghhhhh!” Maybe it’s time to reframe. Why? Because once a week grocery shopping is a gift to yourself.

Let me explain.

It means that you have access to hearty vegetables and fruits.

If you haven’t already figured it out, buying for the long haul means we have to reallllly pay attention to what we have so it doesn’t rot, expire, or mold. Isn’t it the WORSE when that happens? When I get to that point, I quickly make a pot of everything-vegetable soup or coleslaw. Which, after I post this, I am doing!

Buying hearty vegetables and fruits extends the pantry stocking life. There’s a reason why our past generations had root cellars! Stock those onions, sweet potatoes, hearty squashes (squashi?), and potatoes. Blueberries can be frozen if you’re not eating them fast enough and apples store wonderfully in the crisper. Cabbage is your new best friend.

It means that you have access to a variety of protein sources.

You’re getting pretty good at organizing that freezer, aren’t you? Now it’s time to take it to the next level. Keep your eye out for good quality WHOLE chicken and cut them up. Sort them by parts, wrap them in freezer paper, label and date the zippered plastic bag and freeze those puppies! Cheaper, too! Which, after I post this and make a cole slaw, I’m cutting up two whole organic chickens I scored at Aldi this week.

It means that you can still purchase seasonal foods.

Since you have hearty vegetables and fruits in your cellar, I mean pantry, and you most likely have basic frozen vegetables in the freezer, now it opens you up to purchase what’s in season. If you’re lucky, some local farmer markets have an online option where you can pick up curbside. What a great score! Otherwise, merchants at your big box grocery stores are still buying seasonal product. Take a second to look for them in your produce section. Oftentimes they are wonderfully priced and you don’t need a lot to add a little variety to your menu list this week. In fact, after I post this, make a cole slaw, and cut up two chickens, I have a bag of fresh green beans that I need to clean up and blanch for tonight’s dinner.

It means that you are more open to “something different.”

I am SUCH a huge fan of “something different!” Before you say, “but different is too expensive,” consider that a processed package of whatever is often more expensive than a healthy, natural alternative. Prove me wrong! A perfect example of this is whole fish, such a snapper. When they’re fresh, they are insanely delicious! Even if your family is picky, do it for yourself. I love salmon, Dennis doesn’t. When I grill his burger, oftentimes my little piece of salmon (cut from a larger, whole piece) happily grills right beside it. No social distancing on my grill!  

It gives you back… time.

THIS, my friends, is priceless. No more running out for this, or for that, or for every whim and fancy. Time to simply breatheeeee. To relax. To enjoy a cup of coffee. Which, after I post this and do all the things, I’m going to… nah. Forget everything else, first things first? I’m going outside for twenty-minutes and soak in the sun. 

The rest can wait.

I’m so thankful for you. Thank you for stopping by and reading this far.

Is there anything you would add to this list?

Eat well, my friends.

Lyndi

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