Especially those who live in the city often have a supermarket in the immediate vicinity. So it happens that you go shopping once, sometimes twice a day, to meet your daily needs or because you just feel like doing something specific. That has never been a problem – but then Corona came.
The virus makes shopping with the mask and the distance rules a little more difficult and you should try to reduce the number of purchases per week. This also takes the pressure off the supermarkets and there are no long lines in front of the shops.
We'll tell you how to better compress your purchases here:
Create meal plans
In order to make more targeted bulk purchases, it makes sense to sit down together before the start of the new week and create a plan of the dishes for the next 7 days. It is best to include all house residents, since everyone has different tastes, wishes and intolerances.
For example, everyone can choose the dishes for a day or two a week, depending on how many residents there are. So everyone gets their money's worth and the brainstorming of ideas does not stick to a family member. Do not hesitate to involve the children.
Calculate quantities correctly
Buying the right amount is essential for the right purchase and, above all, the shelf life of the products. If you buy too much, there is a great risk that a part will become inedible and cannot be used. You literally buy for a ton. Likewise, it is not expedient to buy too little. Then it won't be just one shopping per week.
In the current situation, around 50% can be added to the normal consumption value that normally applies in the family. This is because we only eat at home and there is no need to buy from the bakery during the break or to eat outside.
Sort shopping list
Everyone knows this: You are already at the other end of the supermarket and realize that you have forgotten tomatoes. So again across the store and again to the vegetable department. This not only takes your nerves off, but also time. In the worst case, you forget it completely and have to go to the supermarket again.
Our tip: sort the shopping list by department. Write down the vegetables, dairy products and baked goods together. This saves you the way between the shelves and you can always work through the departments that you just pass.
Rethink shopping times
Yes, Saturday morning is a nice time to shop. However, you are certainly not alone in this situation and queues may form in front of the markets.
So maybe deviate from the usual traditions and look for time slots in which the supermarket is not quite as full. So you don't even get tempted to turn around and go shopping again.
Keep the tried and tested
There are a few specific things that always go: spaghetti with pesto, vegetable bake, or fish with baked potatoes. It makes sense to always have the ingredients of such proven dishes at home, especially if they can be stored well.
Correct storage
Some types of fruit and vegetables do not understand each other and quickly become overripe. It is predominantly apples that have the effect on other types of fruit that they ripen faster and therefore also spoil faster. Therefore, always store apples and other fruit separately. Bananas prefer hanging and carrots in the fridge, but cucumbers don't.
Recycle leftovers
Something that also works very well is the recycling of leftovers. Leftover pasta can be fried well with egg the next day, for example. Cold potatoes from the previous day are turned into fried potatoes and leftover white cabbage can be placed in a mason jar with salt, water and spices and thus processed into coleslaw.
The freezer works wonderfully for many things. For example, if there is still pasta sauce or lasagna left. Frozen leftovers are good for days when there is not much time left to cook. It's quick, but it's still not a fast food.
Permanent shopping list
It is a lot easier if you start the new list right after the last purchase. Tip: hang up a list with a pen in the kitchen, where everyone can add what they can think of.
So at the end of the week you have at least the basic foods that are missing in writing and only have to add ingredients that are missing for the dishes.
Would you like to read more about the topic and exchange ideas with other women? Then check out the "Coronavirus Forum" BRIGITTE community past!