I've been taking stock of my habits including their impact on the environment and find that my driving is most frequently to the library and secondly to grocery stores. Since I love doing the first and only love the outcome of the second I am trying to rethink my approach to groceries.
Typically I would go to Trader Joe's (a drive across town), Vons (close by) and CVS (walking distance) each week plus stop at Sprouts occasionally (again a drive across town). Now since I find grocery shopping boring, I am thinking that I could go to Trader Joe's every 2 weeks and Vons every week but am not sure how to transition to that.
In addition, with the CDC announcement that it is only a matter of time until Coronavirus epidemic spreads to the US (no surprise there) I have been thinking about the need to have pantry supplies for extreme illness as well as for earthquakes and power outages. Again, not sure how to set that up.
I'd love to hear from you!
1. How often do you shop for groceries and how do you get organized to do it?
2. Did you do it differently in the past and why did you change?
3. What do you have in your pantry in case of illness? Please include over the counter meds and other supplies of that sort.
Thanks!
I'm the oppose of you. I love going to the grocery store. I love reading packages and I try to buy something-new-to-me from the international aisle each week. I go to a very large store that has everything under sun including clothing every week three seasons a year. In the winter I once a month and go to a smaller store closer by in between. Both are within 5 miles.
ReplyDeleteI'll be moving near a Trader's Joe's and can't wait to shop there.
My pantry has lots of soup, juices and over-the-counter meds for cold and flu season. My freezer is stocked with means in the fall in case I can't get out.
I hadn't thought about juice - good addition! Wish you could do my shopping LOL.
DeleteWe've recently had the flu/ virus discussion and acknowledged we will want to be prepared if we cannot or or not want to leave the house for 14 days. I have a small freezer full of lots leader meats and some ready made casseroles and frozen veg but we've decided to add canned goods and breakfast and drink alternatives so we are getting things like cereal bars canned stews and fruits and such. We are very much not preppers but just figure its wise. As to shopping specifically I go to one every two weeks and do an order pickup and may make a five minute run in between for fruit and milk. Trader Joe's we hit maybe every two weeks (we don't get produce there). I hate grocery shopping with a passion.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you hate it even more than I do! Cereal bars and maybe those supplement drinks might be good additions. Thanks.
DeleteWe live in town. Everything is close by. So we (both my wife and I) go shopping probably every other day. We don't keep any medicines around, either, for the same reason. We love living in town (after living in an inconvenient suburban housing development for most of our lives).
ReplyDeleteInteresting how differently everyone experiences shopping.
DeleteI am aiming to cut back on grocery shopping trips. That is the reason I do most of my driving. I have several favorite stores, all near by, but I am cutting back on the number of trips. One thing I bought is a box of masks in case of an epidemic of some sorts, they filter out germs.
ReplyDeleteLet us know how your efforts to cut back work out and what the challenges are! Yes to masks but they have their limits. We have N95 ones left from preparing for wildfire events but I understand you can't wear them all of the time. Did a bit of research today and hand sanitizer, disposable gloves, bleach type cleaners, decongestant, Tylenol or generic, Ibuprofen or generic were all suggested.
DeleteI am the same with grocery and library being my top two. I do go to the Thrift store or Home Goods when I just want to get out of my house and walk a little bit. I can look and think about what I would do with something and usually don't spend anything. I have been worrying about what to stock up also. I'll be interested to hear what others are doing.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking having a long illness supply of paper goods including paper plates, etc as well as TP, paper towels, trash bags, etc would reduce recontamination. Easy to prepare food for 2 weeks including food for someone who is ill (juice, soup, applesauce, etc.) plus fever reducing meds, disposable gloves, disinfectant for surfaces, etc. There is not much specific advice out there right now beyond what to have for the flu.
DeleteHi Juhli, I go once a month for a big grocery shopping trip and then fill in with milk, produce, something I might need for a new recipe. I keep soups, lots of veggies and different types of canned beans, chicken and tuna in cans, breakfast bars in stock at all times. Paul often asks how long I think we could live/survive on our pantry. I bet we could go several lean months on what we always have on hand. I keep antibacterial soap, disinfectant wipes at all times. Probably a good idea to wipe down the grocery cart handles these days. I haven't been too worried yet about a pandemic but we are flying to Phoenix and I have been concerned about being on the plane. Almost tempted to wear a mask. Oh, and I usually have several containers of frozen homemade soup in the freezer.
ReplyDeleteI heard an interesting interview on NPR this week that said that commercial airplanes use the same type of air filter that is used for air going into operating rooms. Of course that doesn't help if the person sitting near you or the staff are ill but I didn't know that level of air filtering occurred. I need to increase our pantry and disinfecting/protective items!
ReplyDelete