Ten Grocery Store Staples- Part 1

Do you look forward to your weekly trek to the grocery store? The shopping, the spending, the loading, the unloading, the putting away...Maybe you try to make it a monthly event! I don't know about you, but grocery shopping usually takes me at least a couple of hours from start to finish and I'm just shopping for two. What a blessing grocery stores are, though. I am very thankful for the convenience that they bring to modern-day life.

I have found that when I make a list (you know me), it cuts back on the amount of time and money I spend. Back up. I have found that when I make a weekly meal plan and then a list, this really helps me shop with purpose and resourcefulness. 

On Saturday's, I usually sit down and come up with dinner ideas to last us through the next Saturday. I try to search a blog or website for one new recipe that I can incorporate into our weekly dinner lineup. Wednesday's and Saturday's are usually our leftover/soup/tuna days and we enjoy a meal out about once a week. After I have created my meal plan, I proceed to make my grocery list. 

Here are some of the items that I typically put in my shopping cart. You will see I am in the process of changing our diet to reflect a more wholesome/clean/natural eating style. Note I said, in the process :) It is not always easy to find the purest items without a Trader Joes or Wholefoods nearby, nor am I always willing to pay the heftier price for an organic item! Thankfully, the commissary is doing a tremendous job stocking their shelves with healthier, reasonably-priced items, which I have enjoyed hunting out and discovering.

1. Ground Beef- This ground beef is USDA organic and does not have antibiotics or synthetic hormones. The meat comes from cows who live on family farms and are pasture-raised. It's not a cow share, but this is the best I can do for now:) 

Check out WHY eating grass-fed beef is worth your moo-lah. 

2. Chicken Breasts- These chickens were raised cage-free and contain no added hormones or steroids. While this is better than most of the chicken lining the shelves, it really is not the cleanest option. If you are a chicken-eatin'-finatic like we are, I would encourage you to search your grocery store for the most natural brand you can find. 

Watch this clip from Dr. Oz on WHY you need to know what's in your chicken.

3. Chicken Broth- Speaking of chicken, look what I found in Target recently! This is a no brainer for me and the price is super reasonable!

3. Milk- I like to drink Almond Milk, but Jared prefers regular milk, so I was thrilled to find this healthier option at the commissary. This milk is from free-range cows, free of artificial hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides. Milk should be one of the first things that you research when you are striving to clean up your diet, rid yourself of stomach problems, or treat asthmatic issues. If anything, do your gut and general health a HUGE favor and switch from skim-milk to whole milk! 

                              Check out WHY whole milk is the healthier choice.

4. Turkey Bacon- Many will say no matter what the animal source, bacon is just not good for you, but Jared and I would respectfully disagree:) We love eating turkey bacon with eggs or in a whole wheat wrap for our breakfast. It also makes a yummy sandwich filler. Godshall's knocks Butterball out of the park! No slimey texture or funky aftertaste. Nice thick slices that cook up great on the griddle. MSG free too. However, I just discovered the Applegate Farms brand at Target the other day. I haven't tried it, yet, but after a quick comparison to my Godshall's brand, it has me converted.
 Farewell, Godshall...

Check out WHY I plan to say goodbye to Godshall's and hello to Applegate Farms.

5. Turkey Burgers- Have you tried these raw patties, yet? (Well, after you've cooked them of course, hah). We buy ours from Target. They are delicious! It says All Natural on the label, but Fooducate gives it a B+ for containing natural flavorings. It may be a slight compromise to some, but for us, it is a worthy one in order to satisfy our cravings for a juicy burger :) 

Check out WHY natural flavors are not necessarily natural. 

6. Chicken Sausage- Have you caught on by now that my husband is a carnivore? Alright I must admit, I really enjoy eating meat too. I was actually a consumer of chicken-sausage long before my husband ever was and now I have him hooked. We chop them up in the frying pan for breakfast or use it in a pasta dish; however, they taste the most delicious when Jared fires them up on the grill...

Check out WHY I buy this brand and all their other flavors!

7. Eggs- Since Jared and I go through two dozen eggs in a week, we want to make sure we are consuming eggcellent ingredients (yes, I did just say that). I know, organic, cage free eggs are more expensive, but why pay less for something that is not going to benefit your body and promote optimal health? At least, that's what we have to tell ourselves when making this purchase. Maybe one day we will raise our own chickens :) 

Check out WHY organic eggs are worth the cost.

8. Mayonnaise- Speaking of eggs, did you know mayo contains eggs? (You probably did, hehe). Lo and behold, this mayonnaise is made with cage-free eggs. We use it on sandwiches, in tuna salad/chicken salad, and various recipes. Oh and while we are on the topic of condiments, don't forget to look for ketchup that does not contain high fructose corn syrup. :)

9. Salad/Spinach- I bet you were wondering when something green was going to make the list. We LOVE eating salads- grilled chicken salads, Dharma Blue salads, taco salads, side salads.  I am so proud of my hubby for migrating from his traditional Iceburg + cheddar cheese + crouton mix to the salad concoction he made for himself the other day: spring mix + butter lettuce + spinach + yellow, orange, red peppers + tomato + cranberries + bacon + one whole apple + parmesan cheese + croutons + flaxseed + tumeric + chicken. Wow! Way to go, honey! I make it my aim to buy organic lettuce because it is something we eat a lot of and it is on the Dirty Dozen list. 

Check out WHY Spinach is on the Dirty Dozen List.

10. Salad Dressing- I am a honey mustard connoisseur, so when Jared disclosed to me while we were dating just how much he loved honey mustard and had it as a side for nearly everything, I knew I had found the perfect match. I am hesitant to post this picture of Caesar dressing because I feel it is being disloyal, haha. Just kidding. But seriously. You should try Bolthouse Farms brand of dressing no matter if you like honey mustard or not!

Check out WHY it's important to be extra picky when selecting salad dressing. 

To be continued...

In the process of getting rid of processed,
~Charity~


Do you have any grocery store staples that you would like to recommend?