i've been meaning to write this post for a while now. probably as long as i've been thinking about changing the way i shop. because we have a pretty big shopping centre close to home, the convenience of two-minutes-down-the-road and i'll get those things we need for dinner (plus all those added extras that were on special or the treats my tastebuds fancied at the time) was becoming an all too common occurence. sometimes i'd be there four times a week. i was spending too much time and money there. in that energy sapping place. throw in an almost toddler who can be happy with a punnet of cherry tomatoes for about five minutes and it was fast becoming a stressful part of my week.
but there was one thing that really did it for me. it really made me change.
there i was, pushing the trolley, telling ché we wouldn't be long, when one of the surfie-lookin'-fruit-and-veg-guys said to me: "hey, you're here a lot aren't you."
the guy that stacks the apples had noticed how much i go to the grocery store.
it wasn't my little problem anymore.
other people were beginning to notice.
"Oh, it's just that i live up the road, it's just easy" - i very quickly got out of there.
but truth be told, there is absolutely nothing easy about going to a big grocery store with a toddler. nothing. apart from the cappuchino at the end, there's not much to enjoy about it either.
and then heather, the gorgeous yogini-muma who writes beauty that moves, wrote a post about groceries and how much she spends. read that post (most importantly, read the comments section) and ask yourself: "how much do i spend on food?" . i'm really inspired by the way she lives. the way she shops, cooks and feeds her family. with intention, simple organisation, and a whole lotta love.
so how have i changed the way i shop?
a beautiful friend, muma and yogini runs the most fabulous business. on a monday morning (once a fortnight) she heads down to the markets and buys a small truckload of organic fruit and vegies from local and regional farmers. she brings it all home, separates it into 40 boxes and delivers those boxes to doorsteps across the central coast. my doorstep is one of them. it's exciting to receive such fresh goodness in a box. even better that i know i'm supporting a local muma and lots of local farmers.
as for the pantry goods and dairy? I, once a week, head to the local organic store and if I need to, I'll go to the big grocery store (by myself, and I run around there, as quickly as I can - dodging the surfie-looking'-fruit-and-veg-guy).
i'm spending less time shopping, and more time making good wholesome meals from in-season fruit and veg. it tastes good and it feels good.
throw into the mix the best kale from grandad's garden, plus my own herbs and well...it works for us.
thanks for all your kind comments re. weaning ché. sage tea helped to stop the milk production and i'm feeling great. apparently ché is too - no complaining so far, anyway.
This is a great post Jodi, I've recently fallen into the trap of being busy, busy, busy and not planning what I cook, so have been going to the supermarket every couple of days since it is the only place open after work. I mix it up between Woolies and Coles so they don't notice how often I am there ; ) But lately I have been aware that shopping at the supermarket does not make me happy. Thank you for reminding me that what I really want to do is free myself from the supermarket giants and shop more locally. All it takes it sitting down for maybe a half hour each week to plan the week's meals, and going to the local organic supermarket and green grocer to buy the ingredients. And I'm sure my body will thank me for it too, pizza for dinner on a regular basis is not the healthiest option is it? : )
ReplyDeleteOh your post is making me homesick!
ReplyDeleteWe have a great friend who owns an organic food store & he would drive to my place every Tuesday with everything we needed.
To do that now he'd have to board a plane first.
*sigh*...I must suss out our new home more & see what's available, thanks for the inspiring reminder...XXxx.
Yes, and all that being in the car too. Months back I put my foot down and though we only do one big shop, I was sick of having to duck down to our small, community shopping centre for a missing ingredient. Like you, there'd always be something else to pick up. We also had a fair bit of waste because we were shopping "blind" so to speak. Now, before the shop, I make a list of what we're cooking that week and only buy what I need - along with the usual weekly top ups of fruit and lunch fillings for the kids. I reckon we're saving between $50 and $80 a week - and I know what I am cooking and have even started preparing portions of meals ahead of time. If I have the oven on for something, I'll also roast a veg for the next night's lasagna. I noted this week when we got the electricty bill that was also down on what it was for the same time last year.
ReplyDeleteI found exactly the same thing was happening to the point where people new us by name - so I now buy at the local farmers market and if I need anything get home delivery too! I love beauty that moves - it is a brilliant bvlog and she has some fantastic recipes.
ReplyDeleteWow, great post. Thought provoking. I've been thinking a lot about this sort of stuff. I used to buy organic and wholefoods only, but seem to be moving further away from my ideals. Slowly we're moving closer to where we were. Buying in bulk, buying local only, avoiding the supermarkets. And doing it on food, by bike, or working it that errands coincide so as to use the car less.
ReplyDeleteI've only just discovered your blog, and am keen to have a look around. Looks lovely so far, and lots of great links. :o)