This weekend was a blast and by the time Monday rolled around, I was pretty much out of food. So, I scraped together what remained…
and hit up the grocery store, still drenched from my morning workout.
Sorry fellow shoppers.
I had no list, no meal plan and felt like a fish out of water. And though I did decently at keeping an eye on overall cost, I still ended up with a cart full of random.
Without a plan, I almost always convince myself it’s ok to splurge on lunch, which is always eaten as soon as I crank the car.
Then when I got home I got quite the kick out of my atypical choices. When I’m not sure what our meals will be, I always end up grabbing a lot of convenience foods.
I’m not wild about doing this, but it at least guarantees I won’t be without a snack or desperate dinner option (macaroni and peas) for the girls. Also, I get sucked in by sales!
That tuna fish above was basically half price. Plus I’ve been mixing it with mayo, a little mustard and relish lately and Kaitlyn has gobbled it up. I love having that high-calorie, nutrient-dense mix for my peanut.
Also on sale, kale chips. I’m such a sucker. Sure I can down a bag in less than 5 minutes and it fills me up about as much as a handful of carrots, but they’re delicious and oh, did I mention? on sale!
Then there are always the few completely random items that I’m not even sure what they are, yet they end up in the cart.
Has anyone tried this before?
In the afternoon we met up with friends at the pool.
Where the skies opened up and a torrential downpour came down on us so we spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out at their house.
And after all that new food I purchased? Well we still ended up with leftovers for dinner.
And a handful of chips, a handful of blackberries and a few bites of the girls’ salmon, because that’s how dinner goes down when David isn’t there.
Now here we are today and I don’t have a clue what’s for dinner. I find this so much more stressful than meal planning. Some remind me next time to take the extra time to make a list!
What about you?
List maker and meal planner?
What easy foods do you end up grabbing on the fly?
Karen says
I just saw those chia pods in our local grocery store…..I did not however, buy one.
I would be very interested in what you think when you taste it? Let me or us know:)
Thanks
Brittany Dixon says
To me the texture is odd! Hailey thought it was ok, I wouldn’t buy them again for myself, but Kaitlyn slurped it right up!
Lisa O says
I thought Chia Pod was Australian! Obviously didn’t check the origins on the label… I tried the coffee one just last week and was not a fan. Homemade chia puddings are much nicer, this one was like a thick gel with an off flavour.
Just discovered this recipe if you’re interested in trying a much yummier, homemade version!
http://collectivehub.com/2015/06/amy-chaplin-vanilla-chia-puddings/
christina says
i’ve always admired your organizational skills. gotta say, you’ve inspired me many times over the years! i can’t stop buying kale chips. i just tried those chia pods too. i can’t decide what i think about them. i don’t hate them but i don’t’ love them either. def not worth the million dollar price tag.
Brittany Dixon says
the million dollar price tag- HA, definitely! After trying them yesterday I agree, not worth it for me. Odd texture!
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
This is ALL ME. It drives my husband crazy (he, who can leave Target solely with the paper towels he came in for) but I get so confused because I have no idea what I need and just grab what I want.
Ashli says
I loved the chia pods! I have bought them on my “no list random shopping spree” too! They are very good but I haven’t bought them since because they are usually pricier. Great for when I was nursing since I needed the extra calories and snacks for fuel. I agree though, when I get away from our list I end up spending more and not having all my necessities! Also happens when I have used instacart! Great concept but when you know your store well, it seems like instacart does not.
Nikki says
I bought the chia pods a couple times (and likes them!) and then quickly realized they are something I can make myself.
Natalie @ The Ravenous Mommy says
I hear ya! There are some days where I go to the grocery store without a plan and don’t really want to get anything… or i buy too much! Having a meal plan makes it so much easier.
Christina says
Before I got married, I would fly by the seat of my pants at the grocery store. Typically, I would spend $50-$75, come home, unload the groceries, and then I realize that I had nothing to eat for dinner. All my random purchases never quite added up to an actual meal. I’m much better now about making a meal plan and a shopping list, but there are still some weeks when I grab a few frozen meals from Trader Joe’s and call it a day 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Having some frozen meals is always a good idea! I need to get on restocking mine. Good reminder 🙂
Ashley N. says
I have been curious about the Chia Pods! They are a bit pricey but the flavors intrigue me. You’ll have to let us know if you like them! If I don’t grocery shop with a list or at LEAST a plan, I go haywire. I bring home 3 bags of “nothing” and can barely put together a meal-ha!
Brittany Dixon says
Chia pod verdict is I though Eh weird texture, Hailey thought about the same but Kaitlyn LOVED it 🙂
Brynn says
Lists are my saving grace. I love using an app on my phone and I can add to it all week long when I know I am out of a particular food or get an idea for a meal. When I don’t have a list, my haul looks very similar to yours. And always sushi!!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
I try to plan at least 2-3 meals so I know I have ingredients for that but I usually don’t plan much past that because our schedule is so random and sometimes it’s a dinner out or a last minute frozen pizza in the oven because I don’t have time to cook! But I’m with you, I HAVE to at least have a list!
Jennifer U says
Grocery shopping without a list is a complete disaster. But, I love meal planning so I usually have a few ideas in my head.
However, I can at times over complicate dinner or be too ambitious for a week night. When I do find myself with a terrible weekly meal plan where nothing will work out – my go to is your homemade pizza dough for an easy dinner or I will whip up some Cuban inspired black beans with rice and plantains. I always keep a few cans of beans in the pantry just in case!
Recently I have been buying a club pack of chicken from Whole Foods and marinating the entire pack and grilling it on Saturday or Sunday evening. We then use the chicken for quick lunches and dinners all week long. Its been a true life saver!
Brittany Dixon says
I’ve done the same thing sometimes where I try to plan too many new recipes or complex meals. Now I really try and limit it to 1 (2 tops) new recipes a week so it doesn’t stress me out 🙂
LOVE your idea of marinating the whole pack of chicken. I should definitely so that some weeks.
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
I love those kale chips! I really want to try chia pods!
Heather says
I know without a doubt that having a list is better than not having one… but I still can’t manage to regularly meal plan lately and we’ve been having a lot of random, thrown together stuff that isn’t always the best. It probably doesn’t help that we all have different things we prefer either. Ha ha. I blame the summer craziness… we have a ton of projects we’re working on and meal planning has been the furthest from my mind. I try to at least keep healthy fillers on hand, though. We like the same pouches for healthy on the go snacks as well as dried fruit and Bitsy’s Brainfood cookies lately.
Brittany Dixon says
We devour Bitsy’s around here too! I keep a bag in the car for whining emergencies 😉
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Those kale chips are my favorite ever. I LOVE that flavor!
Brittany says
Funny I unintentionally decided to forego the list this week also… And splurged 30 dollars on supper last night that wasn’t worth it and I am still kicking myself. Meal planning saves my sanity for sure!!! And my wallet! Going to be an interesting combo of foods on the supper menu this week!
Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks says
I went to Trader Joe’s the other day and left with sauerkraut, chocolate, salsa, and bananas. I actually apologized to the cashier because it was such an odd combo.
Jerrica says
I too am a Whole Foods shopper and I MUST have a list and go alone. If I don’t have a list, I end up buying random things that don’t go together and cannot for the life of me pull together a meal I want to eat. That leads to an extra grocery trip within a few days and my grocery budget just hemorrhages. It is insanely frustrating to spend so much on a cart of food that doesn’t get me anywhere. Also, my husband LOVES grocery shopping but I just can’t take him. The add ons that happen…oh boy.
Niki @ Life With Niki says
I am a list FANATIC! I love making lists and constantly find myself going through them like crazy. I have tried all of those chia pod flavors and I really enjoy them. I like mixing some protein powder in and topping them with something like granola! Although they are a bit pricey and could easily be made at home, I love their ingredients and cute packaging.
Christine says
I’m a list maker, especially for the grocery store! I even list out my food items by aisle, hahaha. And I need to plan my meals else we will get take out which I try to reserve for Friday nights! My go-to’s if I didn’t make a list are mostly frozen items like frozen flatbread pizza, frozen chicken breasts, frozen mini meatballs for the little guy, frozen fruits and veggies and frozen raw shrimp! Between all that I usually can whip something up if we are low on food or I didn’t plan a specific meal!
Stephanie says
I’ve been dying to try those kale chips! The website says they carry them at a few of the Whole Foods near me, but they’re not in the chip section. Booo
Brittany Dixon says
Oh man, when you do find them I’d love to hear what you think! They’re my favorite pre-made brand I’v found yet.
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says
I’m definitely a list maker, especially when it comes to grocery shopping. If an item isn’t on my list 99% of the time I forget about it and it doesn’t make its way into the cart.
Hilary says
Oh I am totally a list maker and meal planner, I love the stress free feeling of having it all done in one day!
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
I’m not a huge fan of those chia pods, but then again, I believe it was a texture problem with me. If you are a fan of chia seeds in general, I think you’ll like the pod!
Brittany Dixon says
I tried it yesterday and I wasn’t a big fan either- the texture. But Kaitlyn loved it!
Jodie says
I’ve seen the chia pods but it’s so much more cost effective to make your own.