Health discussion

goji berries juiceGrocery Savings - What Worked For Grandma Probably Won't Work for You

Something that has not changed in this fast-paced technologically advanced time we live in is the simple need of most families to save money on their monthly grocery bill. But grocery savings in your grandma's time and even in your mother's time were not necessarily the same as grocery savings today.

How does such a fact impact you, today, in your quest for a lower monthly grocery bill? Simple. If you were raised by your mother (!), then you are probably still using her methods of saving at the grocery store.

Now you're paying attention.

In the last twenty years several things have changed in the way we shop for our groceries. Convenience food, once that little-used novelty, has morphed into, quite simply, the way we choose our food. I think my personal favorite in this category (I'm being a bit sarcastic here) is the friendly fruit snack. Don't get me wrong, we buy our fair share of fruit rolls, fruit chew-y things, and fruit-stretchy-pieces in our household. But let's be honest here. The grocery industry started with a highly nutritious and CONVENIENT food (a piece of fruit) and, well, changed it. Somehow along the way, we as consumers have begun believing this 'change' is more convenient (huh?), more tasty (yum...added sugar) and better for us all around (now we look for percentages of fruit...instead of a piece of fruit...which is one hundred percent fruit).

Now I know it's no accident that our thinking as consumers has changed when it comes to a piece of fruit. Huge amounts of money are spent every year through marketing campaigns to convince us to change our thinking.

And that's something that has changed quite a lot since mom and grandma's day in our friendly grocery store.

What used to be gentle persuasion is now serious business. Your grocery store wants your business so badly that your whole shopping experience is manipulated from the moment you walk in the door. Personally, I don't think this is such a bad thing. Grocery shopping has risen to the level of art in many stores, providing the consumer with a quite pleasurable experience.

Nonetheless, as an adult in charge of your family's grocery budget, you had better be paying attention or you can kiss all grocery savings goodbye.

I know my mom would've laughed at the idea that she was supposed to hand over extra money because someone had repackaged a piece of fruit. But then my mom cooked, too. She worked full time and came home every night and put a complete meal on the table.

What she didn't have to contend with was long commutes, rampant amounts of afterschool activities and a culture which was telling her kids daily that fast and yummy beats nutritious and cost-effective every time.

Today's mom is fighting an uphill battle if she wants her family to eat together more often than not and if she wants that food to be healthy and fit within her food budget. (If you would like more strategies on grocery savings, see the resource box at the end of this article.)

My mom gardened, froze and canned food. Today's mom needs to be a savvy label-reader and able to discern when 'convenience' means buying pre-packaged or when it is really more convenient for her to cook her own meal. Both can be true in our current food economy.

So...if you're still clipping coupons because your mother did, better get out a calculator and a clock to see what you are really saving on your groceries, and if it's worth your time to do it. (The answer is, it depends upon your buying habits and your family's eating habits.)

Today's consumer has to think on her feet and be aware that she is a player in the grocery game, whether she wants to be or not. It is not difficult to maximize grocery savings for your family, but you'll need to have the knowledge and resources to do the job. In addition, you need to give yourself permission to learn a few new tricks that can get your monthly grocery shopping done more efficiently plus save you money at the same time.

That's something I'll bet your mom would be delighted for you to learn.

Colleen Langenfeld has been parenting for over 25 years and helps other moms enjoy mothering more. Get free grocery savings strategies at http://www.paintedgold.com/Organize/grocery-savings.html .

What Makes a Good Cook?

Trained chefs are supposed to be good cooks, but I have had lousy meals at famous restaurants. I have also had five-star meals in friends' homes. One friend served pork tenderloin, sourdough bread, Napa cabbage slaw, and chocolate souffle. Her simple meal was a gourmet meal in every sense of the word.

In the dictionary the word cook is defined as "to prepare food by the action of heat." I think there is more to cooking than that. What makes a good cook?

A good cook understands recipes. Before the cook starts to prepare a recipe he or she reads it all the way through. The cook understands abbreviations, cooking terms, and follows the recipe step-by-step. After the cook is familiar with the recipe he or she may change it to suit personal tastes.

A good cook can use equipment. The cook can use a mixer, food processor, blender, immersion blender, grill pan, and other appliances. This cook is also familiar with kitchen tools like a whisk, mellon-baller, and microplane.

A good cook masters basic techniques. The cook knows how to saute, poach, braise, steam, grill, shallow-fry, stir-fry, and microwave food. In addition, the cook knows how to make a white sauce, thicken sauces with flour and cornstarch, beat egg whites, and temper eggs.

A good cook relies on fresh ingredients. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are the starting point for meals. The cook buys fresh fish and flavorful cuts of meat.

A good cook sharpens knives. As the old adage says, a dull knife is a dangerous knife. For this reason and cutting ease, a good cook cares for knives properly, keeps them sharp, and stores them safely.

A good cook practices food safety. He or she washes hands thoroughly before touching food and during preparation. Separate cutting boards are used for meat and chicken and washed well after use. Cold food is kept really cold and hot food is refrigerated promptly after a meal.

A good cook plans interesting menus. Some cooks prepare recipes from one culture, while others prepare recipes from many. Each part of the meal fits together like a fascinating puzzle.

A good cook makes simple things well. Only a good cook can make rich coffee, fabulous soup, and fluffy scrambled eggs. Though the cook is able to prepare complex recipes, he or she excels at the simple ones.

A good cook cleans up the kitchen. My mother told me this when I was a teenager and I have never forgotten it. She was an excellent cook and I learned a lot from her. She taught me to take good care of pots, pans, and dishes.

A good cook always adds love. You cannot rush when you are adding love, you must pay attention to what you are doing, and take the time to do it. Whether it is the first ingredient or last, a cook's love is what makes food so delicious.

Copyright 2007 by Harriet Hodgson

http://www.harriethodgson.com
Harriet Hodgson has been a freelance nonfiction writer for 28 years. She is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists and the Association for Death Education and Counseling. Her 24th book, "Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief," written with Lois Krahn, MD, is available from http://www.amazon.com A five-star review of the book is posted on Amazon. You will find additional reviews on the American Hospice Foundation Web site ("School Corner" heading) and the Health Ministries Association Web site.

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