"Trim Healthy Mama" Shopping

My husband snapped this pic of me last week leaving the grocery store.....this is basically the story of my life.

So I thought in the spirit of grocery shopping and the spirit of the Trim Healthy Mom book, I would give y'all some shopping tidbits that have helped me.  Again, if you haven't read the book, I would highly recommend it. If you've started the book or want to just eat healthy in general, here is a list of things I would suggest getting right off.  Some foods are truly super foods, meaning that they pack a lot of punch for a little amount of calories and carbs.  Also, some foods are available only at certain stores and are considerably cheaper at other stores.  Of course if you don't have these stores near you or just can't find what I'm talking about, there is always ordering online.  Here goes your basic list to get started on a trim healthy mom lifestyle.........

1. Whey Protein.  This must be whey protein isolate, not concentrate. The best brand is Swanson's Premium that you can get online.  Also Jay Robb is easy to find at Kroger and Whole Foods if you don't want to order online.  It is just as good, but a good bit more expensive.

2.  Coconut Oil.  For cooking, Louana Brand that you can get a Walmart is good, but for eating, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods have an organic that is great.

3.  Stevia.  Nunaturals has changed their formula, but I still like it and it's basically pure stevia.  Truvia is good as well and easy to find.  It may take awhile to get used to the taste, but don't give up.

4.  Raw almonds.  Great to snack on and making almond flour and almond butter is so easy if you have a good food processor or high end blender.

5. Cocoa powder and 85% dark chocolate bars.

6.  Oolong Tea.   Kind of hard to find if you don't have an Asian store near you.  I order mine from Swansons when I get my protein powder. It has great health benefits and ups metabolism.

7.  Omega 3 eggs.  These are full of protein and pack a lot of nutrients in their shells. Walmart has the best price on these. 

8.  O% fat Greek plain yogurt.  Just don't buy anything but plain Greek yogurt anymore. You can add all fruit jam (Polaner) or berries and nuts.  So much less sugar and Greek has twice as much protein.

9.  Frozen and fresh berries.  This are the best fruits because of they are low on the glycemic index and pack tons of antioxidants. 

10. Hemp and Chia seeds.  These are so good for you and can be added to just about anything to up the nutrient content.  I get both of these from Whole Foods.

Well, this should get you started!  Anyone want to add to my must have THM list? : )

Grocery Shopping Gone Crazy

So, in the past 2 weeks, I have been to 7 different grocery stores.  Now this is more than usual, mostly because of Easter coming up and just being out many various things that come from various stores.  Now before you think this is crazy or without rhyme and reason, let me explain.  First of all I am blessed to live in an area where there are many different types of grocery stores not too far away.  I hate to waste gas driving far just to save money (just doesn't make sense to me) but if I'm in an area where there is a store I rarely frequent, then I will just run in for a few things.  Each store I visited these past 2 weeks, has it's plus and minuses, which I will explain. I know we are all feeling the pinch when it comes to grocery budgeting.  Prices have risen across the board, and if your family is like mine and your trying to eat healthier, then it really can be "sticker shock." Now, remember, I'm feeding a household of growing children and I like to cook most of our things from scratch. So, here is where I've been shopping lately.......

1. Harris Teeter-for those who don't have a HT near them, this store is similar to a Kroger or Publix.  It's my "go-to" neighborhood grocery store and my favorite.  They do double coupons up to $1 all the time and frequently do triple coupons. They have lots of samples for the kids and we know everyone that works there.  We like going there and seeing all our friends and getting free cookies. They also have small shopping carts for the little ones and race car shopping carts that can hold up to 3 kids! This store has great lighting, a smooth layout, pleasing decorations and is just such a nice shopping experience. Plus, this is where I use my grocery game membership that I've talked about in other grocery shopping posts.  I save a good bit of $ with their deals and using coupons on sale items.  But, without coupons or buying their name brand things, it is pricey, but over all such a nice experience.

2.  Walmart-We have a new Walmart that is just groceries.  It's nearby and great!  The prices can't be beat but they don't ever double coupons.  They have an aisle with many large and bulk size items, just like Sam's.  They also have a good bit of "southern" items that I can't find anywhere else around here.  They have great prices on school supplies and toiletries.  But they have no fresh deli or bakery and no free samples for the kids, or special grocery carts for the little ones.

3.  Aldi's-Many of my large family friends swear by Aldi's to save money. It really is a neat concept with no bags, baggers and shopping carts you put a quarter in to use.  The prices on produce are great and if you are OK with their name brand things, then it is even cheaper than Walmart.  They do have some "name brand" things, but they are not any cheaper than other stores.  I'm a little skeptical of their brand but so far what I've gotten there hasn't been bad.  It's not that close to my house so I don't go very much.  To be perfectly honest, I'm not crazy about the atmosphere, but it is cheap.

4.  Fresh Market- The ultimate grocery store, my family thinks.  This store is purely ambiance and decorating.  It's so nice to visit when you're having a bad day : )  But don't ever do a big shopping there or you will probably pass out in the cashier line (I almost did once!)  Two great things about this store are on Tuesdays the milk is $2.99 a gallon, their chicken dinners are a great deal all the time ($13 for a rotisserie chicken, 2 sides and cornbread) and their meat counter is awesome for special occasions.  Oh, and my teenagers absolutely love their pies.

5.  Whole Foods-I love this store.  It cheers me up, but one of my friends calls it "Whole Pay Check."  It is pricey and you have to know how to shop there to get good deals.  My local WF does a "saving money" workshop every few months.  I went to that once and it did help me. Basically, buy the bulk things and they also have bulk prices for everything.  I buy 4 milks when I go, for example, to get the bulk price.  They have things other stores just don't, like large bags of Swiss water decaf coffee beans.  They have a great deli, salad bar, bakery, cheese counter, etc.  Not to mention awesome produce and lots of free samples.  Also, I love being able to shop there and know that nothing there GMO, has high fructose corn syrup, or hydrogenated oils.  

6. Trader Joe's-There are some things you can only get at TJ's for the low price they offer.  They have great organic produce prices, if you don't mind all the packaging.  Most of the store is prepared goods from far away and really geared more to singles or small families.  I do love their sprouted bread (which is healthier due to being low carb and high protein), their soaps, nuts and random other things.  There flowers are a great price too.  I don't go here often, and if you've never been to one, it's a little hard to explain.  It's similar to Aldi's (actually owned by the same German company now) in that it's almost all their own brand name.  My kids don't think there food is very good.  I guess they are spoiled : )

7. Target- My neighborhood Target does have groceries, but I rarely go there for food items.  They have good coupons and good sales, but I find that I spend money on toys, clothes, jewelery, home goods, etc, that I just don't need.  So, I like to limit how much I go to Target because I like it so much.  But it is nice to grab some groceries that you may desperately need if you are in there already. 

This picture was taken this summer at BJ's. I've found that with the gas I spend to get there, the membership cost, the fact that they are picky about using coupons (except their own) that I don't really save money and probably buy things we don't need.  I've let my Sam's and BJ's memberships expire and I'm not missing them at all.

I just love the free kid wagon at Whole Foods.  Each kid can pick out one thing from the wagon to eat : )

Couponing

Future couponing mom in training

IT'S SUPER DOUBLE COUPON WEEK AT OUR LOCAL GROCERY STORE!!!!

Team "MK and CJ"

Well, I really don't get that much excited, but I know people who do.  They go to the store right when it opens and get all the free things with their coupons.  Then when the "normal/average" couponer like me arrive a few days later, all those free things are gone.  It's OK if you are one of those people, I just don't have the time or coupons to be one of them.  I love saving money, but time is also just as valuable as money to me. Therefore, I don't like to spend a lot of time or money (buying newspapers) or computer ink on the whole coupon thing.  So I have worked out how I can save a good bit of money and not spend too much time. I  also don't like to come home with a bunch of unhealthy food or things that I will never use. The way I have done this is pretty simple.....I use the Grocery Game.  (No, I'm not a rep or trying to get business for them : )  I have found it the easiest, simplest and least time consuming way to coupon.  It does cost a small fee, about $1 a week.  Check it out at thegrocerygame.com.  With the grocery game, it takes me about 30 minutes a week to organize and clip my coupons.  I then save anywhere from $50-$100 a week.  I think that's a pretty good return with the amount of time I spend.  I do buy the Sunday paper for $1.50 each week (the home delievey price), so really I'm only spending $2.50 a week and not printing any coupons either.  The game lets you pick what store you shop at and then tells you what is REALLY a good deal (not just what is on sale) and what coupon to use.  It also includes all the store brand deals so there have been times that I have not clipped any coupons and still saved big.  The cute thing is, my kids think the grocery game is when I give them a coupon and they go through the store and find the item for me.  They love to do this.  Like today when we went the store was pretty quiet and we got three carts and split into "teams."  We all went around finding our items with the coupons and I tried to make it a homeschool, educational experience : ) I'm trying to teach them how to be frugile and healthy at the same time, which is not an easy task. They love to play the grocery game!

Team "Patrick and Luke"

Managing Groceries

Groceries.......groceries.....well it's a good thing that I like to shop and cook (smile). I do have a grocery budget and I do have a weekly plan.  I have to, right?  Well, this is it.....I do this thing called "The Grocery Game".  I pay about $1 a week and I get a list of what is the best sales and what coupons to use at my favorite/closests grocery store, Harris Teeter.  Check out the website online.  I think most states have it now and it is really great.  I get the Sunday paper and that is just about the only coupons that I use.  At first, I payed for 3 store lists, but I found it too time consuming to go to 3 stores in one day.  So, I do this grocery game and do a big shopping at Harris Teeter once early in the week.  I save alot using the coupons and the list that the website gives me.  Sometimes I save almost as much as I spend.  Then later in the week, I do a big Sam's shopping or Whole Foods shopping (I alternate).  I try not to go to the grocery store any other time because then I would just spend more money.  I'm pretty stock piled, so I make it work.  Also, when things are rushed or their is sickness in the house I use the Sam's click and pull option.  This means you can order your groceries online and they will have it waiting for you all shrink wrapped at the door for no extra charge.  It's great!  Then my husband can pick it up on the way home from work (smile).  I buy all my diapers, wipes, vitamins, toiletries, paper products and even school supplies at these stores.  I do go to Target once a month (if I go more than that I spend too much......I just love Target).  Well, this is how this mother of 9 has done if for the last 2-3 years feeding 11 mouths plus friends.  Oh, and I usually only take 1-3 children with me to the store.  It's so great to have built in baby sitters now!

Answers to the large family questions I receive on a regular basis

1. What kind of vehicle do y'all drive?

A 12 passenger 5 year old Chevy van with too many bumper stickers on the back. But my husband also bought me a red mini-cooper as a surprise for my 40th birthday. It's a perfect run-around car when I have 3 or less kids with me.

2. How many gallons of milk to you go through a week?

at least seven and a 1/2 gallon of cream for our coffee :o)

3. Speaking of groceries, how often do you go to the grocery store?

twice a week I do a big shopping and sometimes I have to send my husband or son to pick up one or two things.

4. How often are you at the pediatrician?

surprisingly only about once a month and that is usually for a scheduled check-up.

5. When and how do you homeschool with so many kids?

We homeschool every morning from 9-12pm. I try to not plan anything during those hours that is not school related. Then my kids finish up their "homework" in the afternoon by themselves. My older ones help watch the younger ones while I rotate my alone sessions with them.

6. How do you go on vacations and do you stay in hotels?

Well, my husband is in the hotel business so we get a good deals on hotel rooms and we get at least 2 adjoining rooms, sometimes 3. But we have learned that renting a house or condo. is more spacious and comfortable.

7. Did you have your children naturally?

Yes, I did, but I did have to have one c-section.

8. Do you cook all your meals?

Yes, I love to cook, but we do eat out about 3 times a week (2 lunches and 1 dinner).

9. When do you find time for yourself?

My husband is great about making sure I have time to myself. I work out alone every day, (I need this to clear my head and it's a great stress reliever) either in the morning before my husband leaves for work or around lunch time when my mom or a sitter watches the kids ( I use that time to run errands too). I also have Friday mornings to myself when my children go to homeschool tutorials at our church. My husband and I also have a date night every other Friday and I enjoy my monthly book club with my friends.

10. Is your house crazy loud and messy? (it's amazing how many strangers ask me this :o)

yes, at times, but we strive for order and God gives us peace. Many times people come in our house and say, "wow, you have 9 kids here!"