Foodie Friday: Seven things to do before going to the supermarket or grocery store

Istiqlal (Independence), 10 Raḥmat (Mercy), 172 BE - Friday, July 3, 2015 about 8:48 am Pacific Daylight Time

1. Coffee: Drink at least one carafe of coffee before leaving the house. Remember, you have to be wide awake while driving to the supermarket or walking to the bus stop.

2. Eat: Eat a substantial breakfast or lunch before leaving the house. You do not want to be hungry when you enter the grocery store because you will purchase more then you intend.

3. List: Make a grocery list and take it with you when you leave the house. Put the list in your purse or packet and do not leave it lying on the kitchen counter or in the refrigerator.

4. Coupons: Check your coupons before you leave the house to make sure you have all of them. If you use e-coupons downloaded to your shoppers card then you need to download them 24 hours before going to the grocery store.

5. Cellphone: Make sure your cellphone battery is fully charged before you leave the house because you will need it in case of an emergency. Traffic being what it is there is no guessing what could happen on the drive to and from the grocery store.

6. Aisles: Take a logical approach when moving through the grocery aisles. Even if this is the only exercise you get during the week, you still need to take a logical approach so that you don't forget to get anything. A logical approach to walking the grocery store aisles means less stress.

Family History Friday: Grocery Shopping with my Grandparents

I remember going grocery shopping with Grandma and Grandpa. My grandparents went grocery shopping once a week. On Friday, Grandma would make the shopping list and then on Saturday, when Grandpa was off, they would go to the “grocery store”.

On Saturday, morning Grandma would get up and make breakfast. After breakfast, she and Grandpa would go grocery shopping. They always went to Safeway in Blackwell, Oklahoma. I can’t remember for sure, but I think Safeway was the only grocery store in Blackwell at that time. There was another privately owned market in Blackwell, but Safeway (I think) was the only supermarket in town.

When they arrived at the grocery store, Grandpa would push the shopping cart while Grandma picked the items from the shelves and put them into the cart. They would start at one side of the store and go up and down every isle until they had bought every item on Grandma’s shopping list. Since Grandma always wrote a complete list, they didn’t have to buy anything that wasn’t on the list.

The only exception my grandparents ever made was when one or more of their grandchildren went with them. Grandpa always bought something for the kids, even if it wasn’t on the list.

My Grandmother Made Grocery Lists

Every week on Wednesday or Thursday Grandma Newland would sit down in the kitchen and make a grocery list. Then one either Thursday or Friday, Grandma and Grandpa would go to the grocery store. Grandma never went to the store without a grocery list.

I'm going to have to get into that habit myself. Between rising gas prices and the economy I can't afford to make seven trips to the store every week because I forgot something. A grocery list would also cut down on unnecessary purchases. If I make a list and stick to the list then I won't buy anything I don't need.

I always enjoyed watching Grandma make her list. The first items she put on the list were those she remembered needing. Next Grandma would check the cupboards to see if she had forgotten anything. After that, she went to the laundry room and checked the laundry detergent and bleach. Grandma never forgot anything that she needed.