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s/o grocery shopping - here's how I do my list and menu plans
Last week there were a few posts asking how people manage grocery shopping and menu planning so I thought I would share my method. Basically, I created a master shopping list which contains a lot of the items that I frequently or sometimes buy. I organized it by section/aisle in my local Giant so that the list is organized by the way I walk through the store. To create the list by aisle, I just went to the front counter at the Giant and asked them for an aisle directory and they gave me a sheet of paper which lists what is in each aisle. It took me about an hour to do the master list but it was worth the time investment. I also tweak it from time to time as I find other things that need to be on the list.
Since I have a whole pack of cardstock paper leftover from my wedding, I printed a bunch of copies of the list on the cardstock and I keep it in a drawer in the kitchen. I always put one copy of the list on the refrigerator and I keep a highlighter and a pen in the drawer next to the fridge. As we run out of stuff throughout the week, I highlight it on the list. Some of the items are generic like "salad dressing" so I have to write in next to it what kind we need.
Then, before I go to the grocery store, I quickly check my stock of certain items and highlight the additional things I need to restock. I also do some quick menu planning in the bottom right section. For example, I might see that we have fish for fish tacos in the freezer but no tortillas or sour cream so I'll highlight the tortillas and sour cream and then write "Fish sticks" in the menu section. I also look through my recipe book and decide on a few things I want to make and then make sure to add the ingredients onto the list and add the dinner idea to the menu section.
Click image for larger.
While at the grocery store, sometimes there are things on sale which I buy to make an additional meal from so I'll add that to the menu section. When I get home from the grocery store, I cut off the menu section in the bottom right corner and put the menu on the fridge. That way, we know what meals we have ingredients for. Then I trash the rest of the list and put a fresh new list on the fridge.
It may sound complicated but it actually has been a huge time saver. Also, it makes it easier for DH to do the grocery shopping since the items are typed out (he can't read my hand-writing). Anyway, I just thought I would share in case this can be useful for anyone else. I'll copy/paste my list in the next post in case anyone wants to do this and wants to start with my list.
ETA: Since the list is on cardstock, it makes it easier to write on while at the store. I also fold the list in half so that it creates a harder surface to write on and it makes it easier to handle.
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Re: s/o grocery shopping - here's how I do my list and menu plans
Here's a copy/paste of the list in case anyone wants to use it as a starting point.
Produce
Seasonal
Peppers
Apples
Grapes
Bananas
Small Salad Tomatoes
Large sandwich tomatoes
Lettuce
Shredded carrots
Spinach
Onions
Potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Pizza dough
Dairy
Lemonade
Sausage
Turkey kibasa
Lunch meats
Butter
Cheese sticks
Cheddar Shredded Cheese
Mozzarella shredded cheese
Sharp cheddar cheese block
Whole wheat Tortillas
Sour Cream
Cream Cheese
Cottage cheese
Yogurts
Eggs
Coffee Creamer
2% Milk
1% Milk
Pepperoni
5/6 Drinks
Choc sauce
Coffee, tea, juice
7 Cereal
Cereal
Granola bars
8 Staples
Pasta sauce
Pizza sauce
Pasta
Parmesean
Stuffing
Canned corn
Canned Vegs
9 Ethnic
Beans
Stirfry sauce
Other sauces
Brown rice
Cous Cous
Salsa
10 Packaged
Canned soups
Canned meats
Packaged meals
Mac N Cheese
11 Baking Goods
12 Chips/Dressing
Salad Dressing
Croutons
Mayo
Chips
Pretzels
24/25
Hotdog or hamburger buns
Sandwich flats
Loaf of bread
Bagels
PB
Kashi
26
Frozen meals
27
Broccoli
Carrots
Spinach
Peas
Corn
Ice cream
Desserts
Meats
Seafood
Lamb
Stew meat
Chicken
Steak
Pork for BBQ
Pork steaks
Ground beef or turkey
MENU
Kendra, your organization skills never seize to amaze me!
I use GroceryIQ app on my smart phone and DH writes down what he needs. We grocery shop together (one kid in each cart) and go our separate ways while in the store. He buys stuff I don't eat, such as frozen meals for lunch, drinks, snacks he takes to work, etc.
Well, I am finally getting a smart phone in the next few weeks so I'm excited to see whether there are some apps that I can incorporate into my system. I'll check out that GroceryIQ app.
That's nice that you go shopping together. DH doesn't like shopping with me because he doesn't like doing monster shopping trips like I do. I find grocery shopping a chore so I try to do it as infrequently as possible whereas he doesn't mind going twice in one week as long as there's not more than 10 things on the list. LOL.
We use the Cozi apps on our phones for our grocery lists. We share an account, so one of us can add something to the list, and it shows up on the other person's phone. I love it.
As for what we do, I usually plan out my meals for the week on Saturday, and then we go grocery shopping. We usually cook extra on weekends so we can eat leftovers on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesdays, I usually make something very simple (pasta and salad, soup and sandwich, or a prepared meal from trader joe's). DH works from home on Thursdays, so he's in charge of dinner that night. We go out or get take-out on Fridays.
The Cozy app sounds neat, especially since you can share an account. DH doesn't have a smart phone but I have a feeling that after I get mine, he's going to want one.
This is so amazing. I love that you jot down your menu in the bottom corner. Right now, I keep two lists going in my phone - weekly menu and a grocery list, but I inevitably miss something.
The good thing about keeping both in my phone though is that things stay on week to week - like milk, apples and C's yogurt are always on the list. I just delete and add whatever else. Hmm. Now you've got me thinking - I could totally break it down in my phone by aisle/area of the store.