grocery list

With less than 24 hours until Thanksgiving dinner, it's a mad dash to greet your guests while putting the finishing touches on your feast. It's likely that you've forgotten to pick up an essential ingredient or two or three, but now is not the time to panic. If the grocery aisles are beginning to look like a dizzying kaleidoscope, here's is a quick, cost-effective guide to help you find the best consumer-approved, quick, or ready-made Thanksgiving products.

Pies — Opt for a fresh Whole Foods pecan pie ($11) with a flaky and buttery crust, toasted pecans, and a caramelized filling. Otherwise go with an equally pleasing frozen pie option like Marie Callender's Dutch Apple Pie ($9) or Trader Joe's Pumpkin Pie ($5).

Mashed Potatoes — Out of 12 other store-bought mashed potatoes, Bob Evans Original ($5) scored the highest in Consumer Reports and is noted for its authentic flavor, creaminess, and peppery flavor.

See more Thanksgiving products.

We always talk about saving money on groceries, but I'm wondering what are the common staples you reach for in the grocery store. I always get items like milk, eggs, bread, chicken, fish, bananas, oranges, and some fresh vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or lettuce. To satisfy my soda addiction, I occasionally buy some sparkling water, and once in a while I reach for some cheese! As you can see, I don't really buy processed meats or frozen foods.

I know all of us have different diets, but I'm interested to know what the typical grocery list looks like. What do you reach for when your browsing the aisles of your local grocery store? Don't be afraid to add your whole list!

The following post was written by New York-based trainer David Kirsch.

How often have you had every intention of eating a salad for lunch and grilled fish for dinner but instead, your crazy schedule left you thinking that eating from a to-go container was the only thing you had time for?

As your dedicated trainer, I’m here to remind you that you are worth the effort of a homemade meal and that you can actually save time and even lose a jean (or jeggings!) size with fresh, clean, wholesome foods from your own kitchen. Still think you have no time to eat right? Follow my simple strategies that keep even the busiest of my clients slim and healthy.

For starters, you may have gotten a little attached to your favorite ice cream treats this summer or fell back into that old BBQ cheeseburger addiction, but as we head into the fall, there’s no better time to clear your kitchen of all those temptations and make room for nutritious foods that will keep you energized all week long.

It’s time to Kirsch your kitchen! To learn how to do just that just keep on reading.

I'm the one who does the grocery shopping in the family, because, well, I love it. Since eating healthy is such an important part of who I am, I take great pride in choosing bell peppers with the perfect hue of deep red, bananas that have the least amount of imperfections, and avocados that are almost at peak ripeness. I've sent my hubby to the store, but even with a list, he always seems to forget some of the essentials.

Spinach, carrots, peppers, and cucumbers for salads are staples on my list, as well as fresh fruits to nosh on such as bananas and pears. Those are musts for our household. What about you?