A new year means it’s time to make a list of resolutions to put you on a fresh path: to get your health back on track, to put a focus on value, to continue saving time and money.
As you might suspect, successful resolutions start with planning — taking some time to save some time!
- Make a shopping list.
- Some people find it helps to keep more than one list, one for pantry, pharmacy and cleaning items, and one for perishable foods.
- List staple items on your pantry list before they become a last minute necessity. Enlist the help of family members so you have a running list that includes supplies as well as foods. Now you are ready to buy when the price is right.
- The food list should be managed by the person responsible for keeping the refrigerator full and preparing most meals.
- Don’t just let meals happen — plan them in advance. Use a brand new 2010 calendar and plan meals weekly, at least. Remind family members to note when they have special requests for food. This is your basis for the perishables shopping list.
- Add to your cooking skills and food experiences. Meals from scratch or almost-from-scratch can be money savers, with the added benefit that you control the nutrition. Buy a basic cookbook or check out the Giant Eagle website for recipe ideas.
- Invest in equipment to make it easier to cook at home. A crock-pot, grill pan or vegetable steamer are basic tools that can make cooking easier, more nutritious, and less expensive in both money and time.
- Double your recipes for some seasonal comfort foods and freeze the extras. This is the season for a hearty soup, chili, beef or ham barbecue, meatballs in sauce and, of course, meatloaf. Need some help? Contact nutritionist@gianteagle.com.
- Share the experience. On a cold winter night, invite family and friends to a cook-in and make enough for everyone to enjoy the experience of cooking, eating and taking home another meal!
Have a question for Judy about this article or need some other meal and snack solutions to meet your budget? Send her an e-mail at nutritionist@GiantEagle.com.
January 2010