Family Chow Hall

List-Making 301

December 2nd, 2005

After this, I promise I will post more recipes…

Now, a grocery list is really a combination of three lists. The first I already talked about — the list you get when you know what meals you plan to cook. The second is that list everyone has hanging on their fridge (I hope!) that you scribble on when you run out of something. (Right now mine says: basil, apples, deoderant, nuts, juice…) The third is made of the extras — things you will need for breakfast, lunch, and snacks.

Note: Make the kids help with the grocery list! If they don’t then you will get the blame for missing something. They have to be responsible for it, too. Also, if you take your kids to the store, stick to the list. If they didn’t think of it at home, then don’t buy those tooty-frooty sugar loops.

Before you put the final list together, think about how you go through the store. Do you start in the back and work your way forward? I go to the left, get my miscellaneous stuff like shampoo and diapers, then go to the back for the milk, and work my way forward. Try to picture the store by category. Divide your list into headings, something like this:

miscellaneous
dairy
cleaners
snacks
cereal / breakfast
baking
meat cooler
canned & dry food
bread
freezer
produce
deli

My husband once actually made a map of the store for me while I did the grocery shopping. He carried a clipboard and looked like an inspector, but it was so helpful! I rarely have to hunt for anything, and my list is in order according to where things are placed. I just go down the list — I hope you get the picture. You will be prepared and well-stocked and shouldn’t have to run to the store for one or two items. Put the meal list on your fridge — let someone different choose each day or let your schedule reign.

I hope this hasn’t been too boring. I have met so many people who have no plan for their meals that I felt it was important to have this one in my archives.

Coming soon — French Toast…

Entry Filed under: Mixed bag, Philosophy