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Simple Joyful Food

Eat happily

have a good time

Once a week grocery shopping is a gift to yourself.

April 26, 2020 2 Comments
once a week grocery shopping - main (c)thejoyofeatingwell

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.

once-a-week-grocery-shopping-hearty-vegetables-cthejoyofeatingwell

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.

once-a-week-grocery-shopping-freezer-meats-cthejoyofeatingwell

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.

once-a-week-grocery-shopping-seasonal-cthejoyofeatingwell

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!  

once-a-week-grocery-shopping-whole-fish-cthejoyofeatingwell

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.

once-a-week-grocery-shopping-time-cthejoyofeatingwell

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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Recipe Rating




  1. Michelle Hudson says

    May 12, 2020 at 9:25 am

    .Hi Lyndi!

    Thanks for the tips. Always happy to learn how to preserve food more efficiently. I’ll share a couple ideas with you. Both of my Grandma’s had cellars stocked to the brim with potatoes, apples, onions hangings but mostly canned food. Canning really is not that difficult. It’s time consuming but since a lot of people have more time at home, if they happen to find great deal on tomatoes, they don’t even require pressure cooking – just a hot bath will seal the jars. Secondly, well, let me first say I’m not a Tupperware salesperson or a huge fan, but their fruit and vegetable fridge containers really do work!! Keeps sprouts, spinach, mushrooms, cilantro – all the hard stuff to keep. Have a good day!!

    Reply
    • Lyndi Fultz says

      May 13, 2020 at 12:21 pm

      Hi Michelle!! OOoo, I am visualizing those cellars!!! Have you listed to Homemaker Chic podcast? They were talking about root cellars too and now I WANT ONE!! A basement would work, right? I would love to hear more about your canning and hot bath tomatoes. Sound right up my alley. Good tip on the Tupperware fruit and vegetable fridge containers. I’ve been eyeballing them!! I miss you and hope to see you sooner than later!! Hugs, friend!

      Reply

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hello + welcome

author image of thejoyofeatingwell blogWell hello! Thanks for stopping by. I’m Lyndi Fultz and I have a passion for simplicity.

I believe that planning, prepping, and cooking meals can be a joy and not a daily dreaded chore.

Want to start eating happily? Join me as I encourage kitchen joy by focusing on simplicity.

Ready to get started?

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simplejoyfulfood

Encourager of eating happily @simplejoyfulfood // local eats @nwafoodie

Lyndi Fultz
I don't really have a sweet tooth yet I always hav I don't really have a sweet tooth yet I always have a "little something" in the pantry to satisfy the little bit of sweet tooth that I have! After a zillion years of blogging, I can count on one hand the number of desserts that I've blogged about. So, when I do create a recipe and actually post it, I'm like, "Look at me, I'm a baker now!" hahaha Actually, it's not all about baking. For example, I just posted a recipe for Instant Pot creme brulee with a touch of lemon. Link in bio, of course! The ingredients are super simple and the pressure cooker makes it super fast and easy. Best of all? It is #lowcarb and #keto!
I don't know about you, but man I love a good sala I don't know about you, but man I love a good salad. The best thing about this salad (okay, besides the taste) is that the ingredients are sooooo easy to make ahead of time. That means you can dinner prep and toss this salad together at the last moment. As all good salad should do.⁠
The stars of this healthy salad are the hearty veggies: sweet potatoes and radishes. You’re going to roast them first. That’s right, roast!
A healthy salad is wholesome. Substantial. Strong A healthy salad is wholesome. Substantial. Strong enough to sail on its own, yet perfectly willing to tag along with the main course. In fact, I think you’ll love serving this salad whenever you may have someone at the dinner table that is drawn to more-veggies and less-meat.⁠
⁠
It’s pretty isn’t it?
Savoring.⁠ Not rushed. ⁠ Not complicated. ⁠ Savoring.⁠
Not rushed. ⁠
Not complicated. ⁠
Special. ⁠
Eating happily is in the moments of a meal.⁠
⁠
Do I do this with every meal moment? I don't, yet I'm trying. And, when I do... it IS really special. Not special like, oooo look at this perfectly grilled filet with candles and fresh flowers. Instead, it's more like, hey - look at this moment we're enjoying  together or alone. It's about savoring, keeping it simple, and really focusing on the moment.⁠
⁠
I recently traveled and someone commented that they could never have me over because they would be embarrassed to cook for me because they don’t cook fancy. That made me sad and I was quick to say how much I focus on the simple things, the simple foods. The ones that aren't fancy! Honestly, mostly my food may look complicated but that's just styling. If you look at my pictures on my IG profile - or recipes on my blog - they're simple. Simple ingredients. Pecans. Beans. Fish. Martinis. :)⁠
⁠
If you ever need encouragement that you're on the right track by slowing down to savor, I'm here for you.
Oh hi! Want to know what makes me cheerful?⁠ ⁠ Oh hi! Want to know what makes me cheerful?⁠
⁠
A well-stocked pantry, that's what.⁠
⁠
I find that keeping a lean and purposeful pantry makes me breathe easier AND - ironically - makes me more creative in the kitchen. Have you ever felt that way?⁠
⁠
I am curious to know what are the top ingredients that you like to keep stocked in your pantry. 
⁠
I'll start:⁠
⁠
1) nuts for snacks⁠
2) canned diced tomatoes (for soup)⁠
3) small yellow potatoes⁠
4) spices⁠
5) pre-made sauces (for last minute assistance)⁠
⁠
Your turn!
Oh, hi!⁠ Are you striving to eat healthy and wan Oh, hi!⁠
Are you striving to eat healthy and wanting more veggies in your life? Maybe you keep saying, "I should eat more fish, or barley, or whatever." 

I'm curious, what ARE you saying you should eat more of?⁠
⁠
I'll start: 
I want to eat more fish.⁠

How I'll accomplish this habit goal: 
Buy the fish. Cook the fish.⁠
⁠
There, simple.⁠
Your turn.
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lyndi@thejoyofeatingwell.com

inspiration

“Just like becoming an expert in wine–you learn by drinking it, the best you can afford–you learn about great food by finding the best there is, whether simply or luxurious. Then you savor it, analyze it, and discuss it with your companions, and you compare it with other experiences.” – Julia Child

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