Loved this episode! I try to vary where I shop, too, though it's mostly because the chain supermarket near me -- the ONLY major supermarket near me -- is awful in the sense that it has very iffy non-shelf-stable products. I regularly have to return items that expire the day after I buy them. So, I've started going elsewhere to get fresh, whole ingredients, and even though it's annoying to drive to so many places, I really enjoy the quality and the experience of buying from smaller shops, etc. And I also suffer in the winter when there's not much seasonal produce. It's so hard!! In the summer, my fridge is filled with cherries, peaches, watermelon, berries, and so much more. But, in the winter, I am constantly looking for a fruit to snack on since I don't really enjoy dried fruit. Sigh. The struggle is real, haha.
Completely. Hence why I go to all the other stores now! I was talking to someone else at PT the other day, and she mentioned the same problems with our local grocery chain. She also goes to 3 or 4 different stores now for her weekly shops because it's the only way we can get decent ingredients that don't spoil immediately.
Honestly, I'm trying too much at once right now! I tend to want to dive right into something I'm excited about and change all the things. I see that I've done some of that here and am pulling back a bit.
But to answer your question, I've done some sourdough bread-making and have gotten the hang of it, but even though it's not a lot of work, I don't keep up with managing the starter. I'll need to make a new one. I've also signed up for a CSA, which I'm excited about, and my plan is to share extras with friends/neighbors/family if that happens and/or a local food pantry; I just have to check what they accept.
I'm going to be pulling back my work hours quite a bit this summer, so I hope to have more time to focus on the things that really matter to me.
I think this is my favorite of your episodes, ever! I ate up every word. I feel very much the same, for many of the same reasons. I think the most powerful and reasonable topic you touched on is the idea of using what we have, and not expecting to have access to every single ingredient at all times (even though they are actually available at the grocery store).
Oh my goodness, Emma, what incredible praise! Yes, learning to cook with/eat what's on hand truly unlocked a door for me and has made this whole journey SO much more doable.
Thank you so much for sharing my grocery scams post! I loved listening to this episode — it sounds like we have extremely similar values, it was like listening to me, but it wasn’t me 😂 Although if I wasn’t also doing the freelance musician thing and had more time to make my own cheeses, yogurt, and butter, I totally would!
I loved that post and even re-read it a couple of times! It definitely sounds like we have some things in common...and I get that sometimes "now" is not the time to add in a new system/process.
I do about half my shopping at a local online only store with very curated items. I still go to a regular supermarket and frequent local spaces for seasonings and spices. I live within walking distance to a Whole Foods and an independently owned franchise of a chain that some people in Toronto/Ontario don’t like. I find, however, some local independents really jack up their prices ☹️…the same brand of eggs at one place near my tennis club is $3 more than at the online store I use!! Needless to say, I didn’t buy any there. They’re otherwise great for prepped items.
There's a wide variety of prices on specific things like eggs at different stores here, too. It may be that the smaller store is also paying a lot more for those same eggs - sometimes depends on relationships with distributors, size of buy, etc...
Loved this episode! I try to vary where I shop, too, though it's mostly because the chain supermarket near me -- the ONLY major supermarket near me -- is awful in the sense that it has very iffy non-shelf-stable products. I regularly have to return items that expire the day after I buy them. So, I've started going elsewhere to get fresh, whole ingredients, and even though it's annoying to drive to so many places, I really enjoy the quality and the experience of buying from smaller shops, etc. And I also suffer in the winter when there's not much seasonal produce. It's so hard!! In the summer, my fridge is filled with cherries, peaches, watermelon, berries, and so much more. But, in the winter, I am constantly looking for a fruit to snack on since I don't really enjoy dried fruit. Sigh. The struggle is real, haha.
" I regularly have to return items that expire the day after I buy them." This would drive me batty!
Completely. Hence why I go to all the other stores now! I was talking to someone else at PT the other day, and she mentioned the same problems with our local grocery chain. She also goes to 3 or 4 different stores now for her weekly shops because it's the only way we can get decent ingredients that don't spoil immediately.
I'm loving this journey with you! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Thanks for being here, Suzy!
Thank you for sharing all of this! I've been working on changing my practices, and this is a great help!
Oh good! I'm so glad to read that. Is there a specific area you're focusing on right now?
Honestly, I'm trying too much at once right now! I tend to want to dive right into something I'm excited about and change all the things. I see that I've done some of that here and am pulling back a bit.
But to answer your question, I've done some sourdough bread-making and have gotten the hang of it, but even though it's not a lot of work, I don't keep up with managing the starter. I'll need to make a new one. I've also signed up for a CSA, which I'm excited about, and my plan is to share extras with friends/neighbors/family if that happens and/or a local food pantry; I just have to check what they accept.
I'm going to be pulling back my work hours quite a bit this summer, so I hope to have more time to focus on the things that really matter to me.
I think this is my favorite of your episodes, ever! I ate up every word. I feel very much the same, for many of the same reasons. I think the most powerful and reasonable topic you touched on is the idea of using what we have, and not expecting to have access to every single ingredient at all times (even though they are actually available at the grocery store).
Oh my goodness, Emma, what incredible praise! Yes, learning to cook with/eat what's on hand truly unlocked a door for me and has made this whole journey SO much more doable.
Your link to your March post reminded me - I made the granola and it was a big hit!! My teenager’s friends were gobbling it up.
Oh, yay! That makes me so happy to read :)
Thank you so much for sharing my grocery scams post! I loved listening to this episode — it sounds like we have extremely similar values, it was like listening to me, but it wasn’t me 😂 Although if I wasn’t also doing the freelance musician thing and had more time to make my own cheeses, yogurt, and butter, I totally would!
I loved that post and even re-read it a couple of times! It definitely sounds like we have some things in common...and I get that sometimes "now" is not the time to add in a new system/process.
I do about half my shopping at a local online only store with very curated items. I still go to a regular supermarket and frequent local spaces for seasonings and spices. I live within walking distance to a Whole Foods and an independently owned franchise of a chain that some people in Toronto/Ontario don’t like. I find, however, some local independents really jack up their prices ☹️…the same brand of eggs at one place near my tennis club is $3 more than at the online store I use!! Needless to say, I didn’t buy any there. They’re otherwise great for prepped items.
There's a wide variety of prices on specific things like eggs at different stores here, too. It may be that the smaller store is also paying a lot more for those same eggs - sometimes depends on relationships with distributors, size of buy, etc...