Organizing Food

[Katherine]

I would love to hear ways to organize food buying. I've been called a "messie" as long as I can remember (aww :). I think it's simply that organization hasn't always been important to me. Lately, buying groceries has been much more of a challenge because I'm wanting things to go more smoothly, especially since we live rurally and getting to the store is quite a drive and lots more time than it was where we used to live 7 years ago (pre-Karl days).

So I'm trying out buying groceries from recipes (except for snicks & snacks & extras like that). I forget some essential items, although I'm getting better about not buying things I have *plenty* of.

I'd love to hear the strategies of others whether they're making their shopping list from recipes or not. Is that just too unbelievably complicated or am I onto something (those who have tried it or have an opinion/much better ideas)?

[Rue Kream]

I'm afraid this is going to sound psycho-organized (because I am *g*), but here's how we make our grocery list.

I have a general list of groceries I made years ago printed out. I go over that, and anything I know we need goes on my grocery list. Anything I'm not sure of goes on a '?' list. I ask everyone if there are any particular recipes they want, then I get out my recipes and flip through for inspiration. Again, anything I know we need goes on the grocery list, anything I'm not sure of goes on '?'. As I go through the recipes I also make a list of the ones chosen, which we call our 'make' list, so anyone who's hungry can check it and see what we have the ingredients for.

Ok - so we're at three lists: the grocery list, the '?' list, and the 'make' list. Jon takes the '?' list and goes through the pantry/fridge/freezer. We add whatever we don't have to the grocery list. Finally I ask everyone if there's anything in particular they want and if they think of anything not on the grocery list, I add it.

We definitely save money when we do it this way, and eat better too.

[Amanda Gauthier-Parker]

I don't think it's too complicated! I keep a list on the fridge of things we need as we run out of them (dairy, etc.). Then I sit down once a week or so, usually the night before I plan to shop. I look at our schedule, and plan dinners that will work with the time I'll have to cook. I like to cook, so I spend more time if I have it.

I have a list of the kids' favorites, but we also eat seasonally as much as we can, so I have get creative. They're pretty good veggie eaters, as long as there's some meat in there somewhere. :) We get organic produce from our CSA once a week. So I look at what we're getting, search my cookbooks or the internet for ideas, plan some meals using those ingredients, and then add what I need to my shopping list.

I shop at the big discount store for staples only once a month because it's a drive, and then fill in with Trader Joe's or the Albertson's a few blocks from us in between. (Milk, o.j., etc.)

~Amanda
http://crunchychristianmom.blogspot.com

[Bettina Zhula Maroni]

Hi

Apart from the suggestions given above (making a plan in advance, writing everything down as it runs out), I do a lot of improvisation when I cook. I never have all the ingredients. The only thing you need to know is which can be substituted by which. For example, you can exchange apricots for raisins. Or use vinegar instead of white whine (but be careful not to use too much).

Try to have always esssentials at home like Risotto rice, canned tomatoes, pasta, some onions, garlic and a few "versatile vegetables", like broccoli (can be used with pasta or rice). It helps a lot with improvising. Don't stick to close with the recipes, try to get a feeling for what works and what doesn't. Experiment. Deschool in the kitchen :-)