It’s crazy how the week is flying by. On Tuesday I felt like it was never ending and now it’s almost done! Wednesdays are usually really busy for us because I teach a spinning class from 8:30 -9:30 then I take Addie and Anna to Music Together from 10:30-11:30. By the time we get home after playing on the playground there, it’s a whirlwind of lunch and naps.

Anna woke up after only a short nap yesterday and played dress up while Addie was still sleeping.

She is obsessed with trying on shoes. Her shoes, my shoes, Addie’s shoes (like these) even Brady’s shoes.

While Addie was still sleeping, Anna and I pulled out some stuff for Cindy and Tom to use when their “Tiny Baby” arrives in the next few weeks!

The girls practiced being tiny babies in the bassinet (Thanks Micca!) and the little tub.

After a few minutes of running around the front yard, some sidewalk chalk and a snack, we took Addie home and headed to the store.

This got me thinking about how I plan my grocery shopping and what the reason was behind it. It’s not easy or realistic to go to a few stores every week but these are some of the main ingredients I get when I do go to all of the stores. This list always changes but it’s always a good start!

Regular Grocery Store: Heinens or Giant Eagle

Organic Whole Milk – Usually some brand is on sale

Eggs – We go through a lot of eggs. Brady loves to hard-boil them, Anna loves them scrambled and I have a few during the week for breakfast one day.

Almond Milk – For me.

O. Skim Milk – For Brady, Addie and me sometimes!

Peanuts – Brady likes to snack on peanuts and I am addicted. He likes them with very little salt though – ewww…

Lettuce – We only buy lettuce from the grocery store if we have gone through our Costco pack. Realistically, we go through about 6 heads a week. Between both of us eating salads every day for lunch and sometimes dinner – we should own stock in Romaine.

Tomato – These are a staple – I will get them anywhere.

Yogurt – We do YoBaby Stoneyfield Organic, Chobani, Yoplait, you name it. All three of us eat a good amount of yogurt.

Seasonal Fruit and Veggies – I buy these at every store.

Trader Joes

Soyaki – So great for veggie stirfry and to marinate with chicken and tofu.

Spicy Peanut Dressing – My obsession – especially with this Honey Roasted Tofu Salad

Nut Butters – Almond, Sunflower, Peanut – all of them.

Multigrain Baking Mix – This is great for breads, muffins, and biscuits or in a quiche.

Honey Roasted Peanuts – They have the b.e.s.t. honey roasted peanuts of anyone and any brand, and believe me – I have sampled them all.

Almonds – I love the slivered dry roasted for oats.

Skinny Frozen Green Beans – They are so tender and flavorful, perfect to pull out as the addition to any meal.

Organic Cherry Tomatoes – The sweet ones are the best! Anna can eat them by the case!

Lite Coconut Milk – A good deal for lite coconut milk.

Harvest Grain Mix – This makes a great salad of any kind. You can add some veggies and a meat if you’d like with a little homemade dressing and you have dinner!

Organic Pears – The best pears. They are so flavorful and juicy and only seasonal at TJs.

The sample of the day – I often get sucked in to buy what they are sampling. That is how I find lots of my TJs favorites! They are smart with their marketing!

Vanilla Almond Granola – A few found favor thanks to the sample table. This is great on yogurt and fruit!

Whole Foods

Nutritional Yeast – Bulk Bins

Bulgur – Bulk Bins

Quinoa -Bulk Bins

Wheat Berries – Bulk Bins

Couscous – Bulk Bins

Small grain Brown Rice – Bulk Bins

Lentils – Bulk Bins

365 Natural Crunchy Peanut Butter – The best texture of crunch peanut butter! It’s gritty!

Seasonal Produce

Other Randoms – Things I have seen on blogs or heard about and want to try!

Costco – All things we go through a lot of.

TabouliWith

Hummus

Lettuce

Avocados

Little Apple Sauce Squeezer – for the kids

Apple Crisps – freeze dried apples, pears and peaches

Sweet Peppers

Protein Bars – Clif, Zone or Pure Protein for Brady

Meat/Fish if we have a party planned or are out of our freezer stock.

Q for U:

Do you buy everything at one store or shop around all of the time?

With gas perks at Giant Eagle, it has made me think my running around. That is why I stick to my favorites at other stores!  And how do you save money and make it all work out, without needing an online accounting degree to end each month in the black? Many people want to know.

$100 American Express Giveaway: Only 1 More Day to enter!

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