KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – BE EFFICIENT AND SAVE MONEY GROCERY SHOPPING

KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – BE EFFICIENT AND SAVE MONEY GROCERY SHOPPING

Everyone is so busy these days. We need to make grocery shopping as easy and as streamlined as possible. Start your list by going through your refrigerator freezer and pantry. Check expiration dates and the condition of all meats and produce. Toss as necessary.

Use your favorite store sale flyer as a roadmap for the week’s menus. See what meat is on sale and plan your meals around them. Chicken breasts on sale? Plan two different meals using them. Buy the value package. Use what you need for the week then freeze the remainder in freezer bags in individual portions. Ground beef on sale? Make spaghetti and hamburgers. Freeze the rest in one pound portions. Always check your inventory in the freezer before stocking up. It’s silly to buy more chicken if you have 8 portions in the freezer. If you must make sure you rotate and date everything you freeze. As a rule I try to use all freezer meat portions within 4 months. Later than that meat loses texture and flavor. If you have any doubt about the freshness of any freezer item throw it out. It’s not worth it.

Know your store. Make your list according to your path through the store. Make your list and stick to it. Doing this will result in fewer impulse buys. Beware of the displays at the end of every aisle. These are known as endcaps in the industry and are often used to push higher priced impulse buys.

Familiarize yourself with shelf tags. This will tell you the price per ounce of everything in the store. Sometimes buying the larger package doesn’t always end up being the big bargain that they seem. Often you might be saving only a cent or two per ounce. This might not be worth it especially for those with limited storage and freezer space.

Buy produce in season when possible. Berries freeze nicely and will taste great in the middle of winter. Take advantage of farmer’s markets and freeze as much fresh produce as you can. Tomatoes can be peeled cored and frozen in freezer bags. Beans corn and other veggies need to be blanched first. Drop cleaned and prepared vegetables into boiling water. After the water comes back to a boil cook one minute the cool down immediately in an ice water bath.

If you’ve noticed the deli is now carrying all different types of cheese and olives and hummus. Quite often these come with a higher price than similar items found in the dairy and regular grocery aisles. Always check and see if there is a like item cheaper.

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO