Tips:
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To save time when you’re shopping for groceries, use different colored highlighters to mark items on your list that are in different sections of the store. For example, highlight produce section items in yellow, dairy items pink and so on. This will prevent you from having to go back and forth across the store for something you have forgotten.
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Here’s another tip along this same line: Start with an 8 x 11 sheet of paper. Write “Produce” in the left corner and then half way down the page below it write “Dairy.” In the top right corner, write “Meat” and half way down the page below it, write “Bakery.” In the center of the page, write “Canned Goods.”
Here’s an example how it should look:
ProduceMeatCanned GoodsDairyBakeryKeep a stack of these to use to write your grocery list on instead of just jumbling all the items together. Change the titles to whatever works best for you. For example, if you are a vegetarian then you may want to replace meat with Dry Goods. If you like, you can make these on the computer and print of a stack of them to to use as needed.
Menu:
Reuben Dog Casserole
Boiled Potatoes
Dill Pickles
Tossed Salad
Rye Bread or some crusty bread
Ruby Pears
Recipes:
Reuben Dog Casserole
1 can (27 oz.) sauerkraut, rinsed and drained
1-2 tsp. caraway seeds
8 hot dogs, halved lengthwise
1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Swiss cheese
Thousand Island Dresssing
Place sauerkraut in a greased 2 quart baking dish. Sprinkle with caraway seeds. Top with hot dogs. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 3-5 minutes more until the cheese is melted. Serve with salad dressing. Servings 4-6.
This next recipe is great any time but it might be one you would want to put in your Christmas file because it has such a pretty color for Christmas. It’s also a good “pantry” recipe. You can keep all the ingredients in your pantry for a fast and easy dish when you need it.
Ruby Pears
1 can (29 oz.) pear halves, drained
1 can (16 oz.) cranberry sauce
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
Place pears, cut side up, in a greased 8 inch square baking dish. In a pan, mix the remaining ingredients, cooking and stirring until sugar is dissolved. Spoon over the pears. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.
For lots of quick and easy menus that you can make in 30 minutes or less, check out our Quick And Easy Menus On A Dime menu guide.
Photo By: Jeremy Keith
A year or two ago I took the time to make a shopping list with 8 columns which correspond to the aisles in my favorite grocery store–almost like a map! Each column contains the items I usually buy in that aisle, plus some empty spaces to write in other items. It is so easy to print, circle, and write in my list, plus it reminds me of staple itmes I need to check on before shopping.
Now that I’m having back problems and can’t stay on my feet long, it is so easy to give this prepared list to a family member to shop with. Even people who don’t usually shop can easily find everything on the list!
I liked your idea of the grocery list – Because I have done that for a number of years now. I designed it in Excel and it is there when I run out of printed ones. I have a bunch of heavier paper (card stock) that I got really cheap and I usually use it to print on, that way I can scribble on it without going through the paper. Then I use the back of it for notes etc or tear into quarters and use for smaller lists.
Did my shopping list using your 2nd way–with different categories. I stopped pre-printing them though because I found that I felt the need to place something in every category whether I needed it or not. For me the list also helped me get in & out of the store very quickly. These days my store gives me 5 cents per bag I bring in–so I bring my own and then pack them with like items so I can get the stuff away quickly.
The recipe for Reuben Casserole I make a stove top version sauteing fresh cabbage, caraway seeds & onion, add a some pickle juice & water–top with hot dogs, cover & cook until dogs are done. I serve the cheese on the side and make a fresh loaf of rye bread (Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day, free recipes online). I think the Ruby Pears would transform this meal to a new level–thanks so much.
I listed grocery items in the columns along the left side of an excel spreadsheet and stores where I could purchase them across the top. In the intersecting boxes I wrote the prices. Now I know where to buy everything to get the best deal. Eventually you learn what a deal looks like and don’t even need to consult the excel spreadsheet.
The ruby pears look yummy. When I saw boiled potatoes listed I wonder who would need a recipe for that. Thankfully, you assume that your readers know that much.
I know grizzly bear mom but many of our readers have literally never been taught to boil water or peel a potato through no fault of there own so usually I try to do things that even a beginner could handle.
I meant to say that I wrote the prices per ounce. Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to comparison shop.
Love the tip on using a highlighters to mark your grocery list for items that are in the same section of the store. I can’t tell you how many times I have gotten to the far side of the store only to discover I forgot to pick up a produce item from my list. I’ll definitely be putting this one into practice.
I do the same thing Pam and what to kick myself every time I am at the far corner of the store and forgot something right by the door when I walked in. We use to have a very small store but had everything we needed and with good prices. It was so nice because even if you forgot something you didn’t have to walk back miles to get it.
I love the idea of highlighting like items. I am always running from aisle to aisle at the end of my shop because I forgot something on an earlier aisle. When my kids were small, I had them do the running but now that I am doing everything by myself, I hate having to do that. So, the highlighting, I think, will ease my shopping journey. I have a big shop this weekend so will try it out.
The stores are designed to keep you there as long as possible because the longer you stay, the more you spend. You are very wise to tell us to stay out of stores! THAT’S probably the best tip.
how many days can I put the rubin cassaroll together
Joanne I’m not for sure how many days before using you can make this. I would think you could mix it the day before and the most that would happen to it is it would get a little watery from the sauerkraut. Maybe one of our readers could tell you although this recipe is so easy that I wouldn’t think it would take more then 5 mins. to make up right before using.