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So, with the onslaught of social media, who is with me that
there are days when it seems like we’re back in grade school, tweeting,
friending, and FourSquaring ourselves into a virtual game of "who likes me?"
Picture this: Note passes your way. Open note. “Do you like
me?” Yes, No, or Maybe? There are many days when prompted to “Like” something,
I’d rather there be a “maybe” button. I mean, can I think about it before
sending it out to the universe that I “like” something?
Facebook fans who “Like” us for granted. There are slew of brands out there
vying for your attention in the virtual mixer, and we want to offer something
of value. So we’ve launched this new blog space, Simmer and Boil, as an invitation
behind the scenes at the magazine. We want to hear from you here, on Facebook,
on Twitter, and beyond. We offer all these arenas as a place for you to share
with your friends who also “Like” Cooking Light, who like to cook, and who have interest in learning about nutrition, fitness, and living a healthy life.
doing weekly giveaways here for our Facebook fans and blog followers. Can we
give you the moon? We wish. What we can give are cookbooks, gadgets, and other
fun freebies. Check back every week for new giveaways.
Our first thanks for “Liking” us gift: a chance to win a
free copy of the new Cooking Light grocery store guide: What to Eat. This book shows you how to navigate the grocery store,
aisle by aisle, in search of the healthiest products. Here’s how it works:
Facebook box to the right and click “Like” if you don’t already like us…see annoying arrow above in case you missed it).
Step
2: Tell us here in 30 words or less your best tip for successful grocery
shopping. Entries should be typed into the comments field of this blog post.
Entries are due by Monday, August 9 at 11:59 AM EST.
creativity, and how well you address our question. The winner will be notified via
email by August 12, 2010. See our full contest rules here.
Have a good list and time to read and compare nutrition info. I try hard to leave the kids at home and never go on an empty stomach!
I love to shop for foods that are in season and/or on sale, and I always put the non-perishables and less fragile foods in my cart first. That way, the fresh, frozen, refrigerated, and softer foods are handled properly when I unload them at the checkout counter. (By the way, I LOVE to grocery shop!)
I keep a rotating menu. I shop off of that menu twice a week! Also loading up on fruit and sale items that I know I will need upcoming.
I keep a rotating menu. I shop off of that menu twice a week! Also loading up on fruits and sale items that I know I will need upcoming.
Last weekend I used the ideas from the article “One Cooler, One Weekend”. We really enjoyed the recipes along with the ideas of how to fill the cooler and what to have when. Thanks!
First rule, don’t shop hungry!Second, best iphone app, “shopshop shopping list”. It’s free and helps keep me in check while shopping. Third, stick to the list!
I think the best advice is to go shopping on a full stomach, which we all know will keep us from buying a bunch of junk. My newest advice is to look through the Cooking Light’s Fast Fresh Meals cookbook and pick out at least three meals for the week, put together your shopping list and go to the store with a full stomach and a clear cut agenda.
I plan my meals for the week, then make my list accordingly. I divide my list into sections (deli, produce, freezer, etc.) so I know exactly what I need in any given aisle.
See what you have in your kitchen first, then the sales and plan menu around that. Enter it all into an app like “My Shopping Lists” and zip through it!
Great grocery shopping is possible: the tools are availlable everywhere all you really need is a plan: mine is usually to id the recipes I want to make, which are all availlable from myrecipes.com (I flag them when I get my copy of CL every month and from the facebook posts). I scan through the list I make from the grocery list tool of the website, add basics and remove stuff I already have on hand…and then, coffee and shopping taking my time to make sure I don’t forget something!
Buy a new vegetable or fruit this week and use it that week! Cactus leaves, tomatillos, even a coconut can be fun to figure out how to use/cook them!
Buy a new vegetable or fruit this week and use it that week! Cactus leaves, tomatillos, even a coconut can be fun to figure out how to use/cook them!
Make a list and a weekly menu. You will know what you need for the week and not over shop. Each night whoever is home first can start the dish on the menu.
When doing my weekly shopping, I hit the perimeter of the store first. This lets me stock up on fruits, vegetables and fresh meats. Then I hit the center store for fillers. This way I am focusing on the healthiest, least processed foods for my family.
Plan a menu around the grocery store sales flyer, then create a list based on your menue and stick to the list.
Need tomato sauce? Avoid the middle aisle and buy fresh tomatoes, garlic & onion. You probably have all the herbs you need in the spice cabinet. Make extra & freeze leftovers.
Use the grocery store flyers! You’ll find so many good savings (2 for 1 Purdue Chicken Breast this week) that help you plan the most economical and meals before heading to the store.
For a successful shopping trip, I make a list, have my coupons ready, and I DO NOT bring my husband with (he just throws everything in the cart LOL)
Use coupons and watch for double coupon days, combine store sales with coupons, always make a list, and for pete’s sake never go to the grocery store hungry!
I take my 10 month old with me. She’s a beautiful, constant reminder of why I’m eating healthy every day – I want to get healthy for her and set a good example.
I shop at stores in areas of the town which are “low rent areas”. I have verified (by speaking with my store manager) that the store in the more expensive area of town raises prices to compensate for their higher store leases. By shopping in less expensive neighborhood areas, where the savings on store leases are passed on to the shopper, I save as much as $20/week. Also the stores is larger (because of cheaper rental space) and my selection is greater!!
Pick two new healthy (mostly fresh ingredient) recipes a week to make; the rest being old recipes. Make a categorized list. Shop! Doing this puts me in the produce/meat aisles.
My best tip for successful grocery shopping would be to try to purchase items where you get the best value for your money. For instance, if the 5 lb bag of sugar is $4.99, and the bigger size is only $6.99, go for the bigger bag. Although it’s more money, you’re receiving a bigger bang for your buck!
Make a menu plan, list and stick to it. I weekly menu plan and it saves extra trips to the grocery store.
I plan a weeks worth of menus and then make my shopping list based on the layout of the store so that my shopping is more efficient.
My best shopping tip is to use plan out my meals beforehand, using my Cooking Light weeknight cookbooks, and make a list of all necessary ingredients. I also try to cook “in season” with fresh, locally grown products.
I plan weekly menus and then organize my grocery list based on the layout of the store so I can make one continuous route through the store
Go with store brand items, if possible. (They’re often just as good-or better!-than name brand.) Also, buy ONLY what you absolutely NEED!!