Shopping and Planning 101

In order to make all of our lives easier, I designed a shopping list template that allows me to easily fill in the items that you will need for the week.  It will also help you to become familiar with the format and should make your shopping easier.  There are blank spaces included in each list so that you can include any other items that you might need to pick up as well.

For those of you who haven't seen my house, I have a very large, very well-stocked pantry.

I try to keep the essentials on hand so that I can create quick and easy meals when things don't go according to plan or when I haven't yet had time to shop.  Stay tuned for more ideas on organizing your pantry, but here's a list of what I keep my pantry stocked with.  It's a great place to start on your shopping, though if you stock all at once be prepared for the blow to your budget.  

Pantry Essentials List

Many of the items on the weekly shopping list will also be pantry staples, so only buy what you need.  I include all of the items needed so that you don't get home and realize that you are missing something.  When you print out the list each week, go through and check off the items that you already have and add any that you might need.  

I generally shop at 2 stores throughout the week.  All of my produce and proteins come from our local Sprouts Farmer's Market, which is by far the cheapest and best quality option we have for the fresh stuff.  Find whatever is closest to you and go for it.  The rest of my items, dry goods and such, come from our local chain grocery (and honestly whichever chain seems to have more of my list items on sale that week).  While I firmly believe in putting good food into our bodies, I don't necessarily think that brand or store always make a huge difference.  While I will spend the extra money to buy grass fed meat, I won't spend more on things like dry beans and grains or condiments.