Today is January 30th. Can you believe that just 29 days ago we welcomed a new year? Full of hope, dreams, and, for many, resolutions! I shared with you that instead of creating resolutions this year, I started a Day Zero Project. And one of my 101 “things” to complete is no fast food for a month. That isn’t hard for me, really, as I’m not a fan of fast food. Except for Dunkin Donuts, does coffee count as “food”??
Any how, I really enjoy meal planning and preparing our weekly grocery shopping list. It’s the actual shopping that I do not enjoy so much. This month, I’ve been making a list AND sticking to it 95% of the time. {Self-high five for me!} By meal planning, I can ensure my family is eating healthy and avoiding fast food.
Typically, I design my meal plan and grocery list from the weekly sales flyer the local grocery store publishes. I can easily access it on-line and see what deals they offer for the week! I also regularly shop at a smaller national chain that prints a monthly sales flyer. That flyer, however, doesn’t show items “on sale” it is more featured items. I should probably start avoiding that one because it is full of temptations!
By planning our meals and sticking to the list, we avoid eating fast food and other unhealthy choices. Late last week, I headed to the grocery store to pick up a few “fill-in items” with a very small list: (1) Whole Chicken, Cat Litter, and Blueberries. I came out with those items plus: Blackberries (free if I bought the blueberries), Lettuce, can of sparkling water to drink on the ride home, chicken wings, plastic shoe boxes (to organize my freezer), and a box of tissues. What should have been a $15 trip, ended up being $35! Yikes! That is a big chunk of our food budget. But, at least I did not purchase any sweet treats!
How have you approached grocery shopping in 2012 to ensure your family is eating healthy?
This post was written as part of my participation in the Hormel Foods Extended Blogger Program. While Hormel Foods provides me material and necessary resources to complete various activities, all statements and sentiment are my own.
I have been doing more fresh fruit and veggies, home made snacks trying to get them to get the junk out of the house.
We hardly eat out as it is – especially fast food. I shop for the whole month at one time and always purchase what we need for dinner every night, lunch every day and of course basics for breakfast and such. I find that when we always have food in the house it is less tempting to go out to eat.
Do you have an extra freezer/refrigerator? I have a hard enough time shopping for one week, I cannot imagine having the space for an entire month!
Yes we have an extra fridge in the basement so we have extra freezer space lol
We have also been limiting junk food. I’ve been buying more fruits and veggies.
We are working on eating healthier this year too!
We rarely eat out. My daughter is allergic to wheat so it just isn’t safe! I have learned how to make many things from scratch.