Morning to all on this Thursday. I hope you are all well and safe.
Cool morning and it is cloudy right now. They say we had some rain overnight, I don't really see any signs of that. We had a brief shower yesterday - not much. It is supposed to be windy the next couple days.
This morning I saw a Robin sitting on the fence looking towards my window! I saw some much earlier in the year, and then they disappeared (way too early). I declare the one I saw this morning my first Robin of spring!!!! Always look forward to seeing them back in the area - as I know warmer weather is close at hand.
OK, I saw something the other day about shopping, and thought the view of how to shop was interesting. I copied a couple of paragraphs to share. I guess this is a big thing on Instagram - no idea, as I don't do that. But here we go.
He calls it a shortcut to shopping for a week. Making a plan of the 6 to 1 method to work for a smaller family, is supposed to be easy.
I think it sounds kind of like how many of us shop anyway! I always try to be heavier on veggies and fruit. I use/buy lesser meats/eggs. Most sauces I make myself. I consistently have pasta and rice or bread on hand. Once in a blue moon I buy a treat, but they can be made at home as well.
It does not take into account having a stocked pantry and/or freezer.
I know many of us do not shop every week as well.
I guess this is the next 'new' thing!! Seems many of us have been doing it for years.
Whatever works, to get folks to shop healthier and maybe save some money in their shopping endeavors. Sometimes it takes social media to get people to looking at things differently. That can be good or bad. In this case - I will say it is a good thing.
I just wish it also spoke of trying to have extra for when funds are low, or emergencies happen. But I guess it is a start to get people to eating better!
What do you think?
Hope you all have a great ending to your week and the start of your March!!!
Spring is getting closer!
I've always heard one should concentrate on the perimeter of the store: produce, meats, dairy. Generally, for a normal shopping, that's what I do. Of course there are trips down aisles for dried beans, coffee, flour, drygoods. Perhaps the "treat" could be something for long-term-storage, a pantry-building item like canned meat. :) There are many aisles in my grocery that I hardly ever see, don't buy those kinds of things (soft-drinks). I do cast my eyes on other things I use, like toothpaste or soaps - are they on special? That would be my chance to stock up.
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to try the 6-1 thing but I think I'd end up with too much produce to use up before it's going "off". That's the disadvantage of cooking for one! If I make soup it often lasts nearly a week!
MaryB
I prefer the perimeter as well. Seems that is where the real food is. Some aisles I never go down - others rarely.
DeleteI like fresh fruit and veggies - I guess that would be my opportunity to put some back in the freezer or can for future use.
Cooking for one can be kept simple for sure.
Yes, shop the perimeter of the store. Miss Cheryl, I think you have taught us this as well as planning meals heavy on veg and fruit. Saw a cute post on Instagram. This lady put together a little funny video with her eating bad, commercially prepared food and JFK Jr. frowning at her, and when she ate something wholesome, he was grinning at her. Took her some time to collect the images and put it all together.
ReplyDeleteWe got some rain overnight, the patio and sidewalk was wet. Pretty nice out now. Going to peg some clothes on the line. And clean up the pile of boots at the front door and move the bag of salt.
Yep, perimeter - the healthiest.
DeleteThat would be a cute video - I think he was very health conscience.
It is decent out, a bit of sun at this point.
If I didn't have a freezer (meat/veg) and pantry stock, it would be a great teaching tool. I sure hope the social media campaign gets people out of the middle of stores and the boxed/bagged chemical soup manufacturers are making a bloody fortune on while sacrificing healthy nutrition. Oh dear, don't get me started!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thursday :-)
I think for 'newbies' it could be very useful. I hope it helps as well. We all know social media can have a very drastic effect - so let's hope some get back to healthy eating.
DeleteI love new ideas, even if they're old ideas wrapped in new wording. It's just fun to think about things differently and some stick with you more than others. A similar idea that has stuck with me is when someone says that we've made meal planning way too complicated. Just pick a meat, a side, and a veggie. That's it. I like simple methods. I would have to write down the "6,5,4,3,2,1" categories :) I would forget them as soon as I got to the store :)
ReplyDeleteYou are right - it seems we overcomplicate just about everything today. There is the old K.I.S.S. principle which kind of says it all!
DeleteLOL - I would probably have to right it down too. Hey, I guess whatever works!!
It's an interesting concept, and I suspect he assumes that there will be some pantry items to add to this list. I couldn't do without spices and dairy products, for example.
ReplyDeleteExactly. I read the whole article and he never mentioned the pantry - but surely he has to 'assume' there are other things at home. Yep, got to have my seasonings!
DeleteSafe travels to you!!!!!
Interesting, but like you I wonder where pantry items are, or herbs and spices. Where is the dairy? I wonder if he just didn't put that down as one of the countdown items.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
You have to wonder. Not sure, but those things weren't mentioned in the article. I understand the 6 to 1 but not the rest.
DeleteIt sounds like a gimmick that would actually work for someone who had no idea how to shop, nothing in the freezer or who did not care the cost, just buy the numbers.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine it would work for some just starting out. I could do it and spend little money - watching sales. The whole premise is to save money and not buy all willy-nilly.
DeleteI think it would be very useful for people who are trying to eat healthier or are just starting out on cooking for themselves. Once they built up their confidence they could do a bit more of their own thing, rather like when you start to learn the cook and slavishly follow every recipe. A few years down the line and you chuck in whatever comes to hand!
ReplyDeleteThat is a very good point. That sounds right to me. It would make a good general and healthy way to get started.
DeleteOnce a person gains experience, they tend to do their own thing.
That's kind of how we shop, when it comes to produce anyway. Not intentionally, but I love to buy whatever produce they sell at the farmers market and then just see what I'm using it for that particular week. If I were to meal plan in the conventional way and then do the shopping accordingly, it would probably cost me a lot more- and I'd end up less creative.
ReplyDeleteWe don't really buy sauces, the only store bought condiment we always have on hand is mustard and tomato paste (not sure if tomato paste counts as a condiment though), and the rest is homemade. And when it comes to proteins, chicken we buy at the butcher once a month and fish just as needed (I don't like freezing fish). Eggs are also bought as needed, and legumes we buy at the refill store, we usually have a good stockpile of legumes on hand, because we use them that much!
YES! I plan around what I buy! I love to buy veggies and fruit. I do not plan meals THEN shop - never have. I agree it would probably cost more.
DeleteI do keep mayo, mustard and ketchup on hand. Other sauces are pretty much homemade. That is a great way to shop. Legumes are such an important part of the pantry. Good shopping!
this is the way I shop too Cheryl. What's on sale, keep condiments on hand, and regular staples I use. Keeps the cost down for sure!
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ReplyDeleteIf I were shopping for meals for a week's worth of dinners ONLY, then this would work well. But it does not take into account building or maintaining a pantry, filling a freezer with sale items for future use, or accounting for enough to tide you over during an emergency. And it does not account for breakfasts or a portable lunchtime meal for those on the go. We recently had an exceptionally cold spell (sub-zero, with wind chills to match), and I did not go anywhere for nearly a week. Had I been shopping like this, I would have been out of luck; my freezer and pantry carried me through this weather event. I also see no dairy in there, unless Chef is counting it as protein. I enjoy things like yogurt, cottage cheese, and other cheese spreads, as well as cereal and smoothies for breakfasts, and with this shopping method, I'd be hard pressed for breakfast options. Would bacon or breakfast sausage count as one of the proteins?
ReplyDeleteMy personal "best practice" is to menu plan for the upcoming week -- all three meals plus any snacks/appetizers. I usually do this on Saturday or Sunday morning, over coffee. I'll go through the ads and look at sales and loss leaders, make my menu, and then create my grocery list based on this, taking into account what I already have on hand. And, then I'll grocery shop and attempt to stick to my list.
Yes, it would be perfect for just the week. I agree no overage, unless you end up with fruit/veggies left and freeze. Emergencies happen, as does life and we need enough to get us through it. I often don't go to the store for a couple or several weeks and have more than enough to get me through it.
DeleteUnlike you, I eat basically one big meal a day - so it is easier for me. I have a protein type drink in the morning, and then fruit or veggies for snacks.
It sure is nice to have 'enough' for any type of occasion should it arise.
Sounds interesting to me. I like to read about how others manage getting their groceries. Like others have said though, I believe it easier when you have a pantry and when finances are sometimes lean. I know our pantry has saved us more than once when times were hard.
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, I can't imagine a life without and pantry and a freezer. I my single days - I was there - and it sure wasn't a good feeling. I do find it an interesting premise as well.
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