Effective Grocery Shopping

You are well on your way to being super organized and saving some serious cash on your next grocery trip! Today, we’ll talk ways to making this trip quick, and kind to the wallet.

Set up your shopping list the way that your grocery is set up. Envision the space, and start your list where you will enter. The majority of the time, this is the produce section. So, first on the list; produce. Last on my list is typically dairy, as that is what is at the opposite end of the store. And everything else falls between!
STICK TO THE LIST. I mean it. Don’t be tempted by sales, or talk yourself into buying something that “just looks so good.” If you effectively planned for this trip (which you did), you already know what’s on sale, and probably have it on your list anyway.
If you have kids, be prepared with snacks. LOTS of snacks. It’s hard to buzz around a store with a cranky child. A whole apple is always a good choice for us--provides 15-20 minutes of solid, sticky entertainment.
Consider a smaller store. The bigger the store, the more choices, and let’s face it, the more madness. Choose a smaller grocery in your area to make your time spent there most effective.
Opt for fresh foods. Doing this forces you to remain on the PERIMETER of the store. While there are certainly exceptions, most of what is found in the aisles is overly processed, overpriced and not-so-good for you anyway. Avoiding the aisles as much as possible leads to a quick and effective shopping trip!
Stay away from the self checkout line. You don’t know the PLUs, you will probably scan something incorrectly, and I guarantee you something will go wrong that that damn scale. Then, you will need to wait 3 minutes for someone to come over and scan their card to turn off your blinking red light. Meanwhile, the person who entered the “long” line next to you is already on their way out. Let the cashier do the work for you. Bonus? They will more than likely do the bagging for you, to.

What are your tips for survival?

Looking for parts 1-3 of the meal planning series? Get in touch! Contact me directly HERE.

We tend to over complicate what it takes to live a truly vibrant life. There are simple shifts you can make beginning TODAY that will greatly impact your ability to increase energy, improve digestion, manage weight, improve skin, hair & nails, and begin to feel FAB!

#1: Drink your h2o!

Did you know that you should be drinking approximately HALF of your body weight, in ounces each day? Yup! So, let's say you weigh 160 pounds. Divide that number in half and you'll calculate 80 ounces each day.

Having a hard time getting it in? Start by adding 12 ounces each week until you hit your goal! Maybe even try drinking your water out of a wine glass ;)

#2: Cut the crap out of your coffee & tea

We live in a highly caffeinated world!! Coffee does get a bad rap. Almost always, it's not so much the coffee as it is all the CRAP we put into our coffee! This means no flavored creamers. No sugar. No half and half. Opt for your unsweetened milk of choice, 1 tsp honey or pure maple syrup, or {gasp!}, black.

#3: Sleep!

For many of us, this is easier said than done. But if you’re constantly tired, your body is going to look for energy, usually in the form or sugar, refined or processed carbohydrates or caffeine. Aim for 7-9 hours of zzzzzz's consistently.

#4: Check Your Protein, Healthy Fat & Fiber

This dynamic trio helps to slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. The slower the release, the less the spike! Not eating the right combo can lead to cravings. When I work with clients we find just the right sweet spot for protein, the right fats, and fiber intake so they feel satisfied.

#5: Get your label reading on

Understanding what you put into your body is essential to your health and well being. Get in the habit of incorporating more plants (fruits, veg, nuts, seeds, legumes, beans, unprocessed whole grains) and fewer foods made in plants (dairy, breads, cereals, processed foods) You ARE what you eat!

#6: Move Yo’self

Movement is another kind of food for your body. It releases stress, makes you feel great and look great. When you don’t get enough, the body starts to look for other ways to blow off steam, like binging on Snickers bars, wine or having no patience with your kids.

#7: Head into each week with a PLAN!

Fail to plan, plan to fail, right?! I work with clients to consider how this all fits in - with family, friends, holidays, parties, otherwise, you may feel like you have to choose between your health plan and living your life. And that’s not sustainable!

The key is to do these things consistently. Not for a just a day, a week, or a month. Begin to layer them in and make them your way!

Learn more about how to live a vibrant life HERE. I can't wait to connect!

Part 4: Grocery Shopping Simplified