YumSugar

Do You Prefer to Shop at the Farmers Market or Grocery Store?

partysugar — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:30:58 -0700

Are You Buddies With the Staff at Your Local Grocery Store?

partysugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 06:50:09 -0700

On average, I shop at Mollie Stone's on California Street in San Francisco twice a week. I've been picking up groceries there since I moved into my current apartment two years ago. Naturally, I've developed a relationship with everyone from the fishmonger to the spirits director to my favorite checkout guy, Travis, who always asks what I'm making. Being friendly with the supermarket's staff not only helps me get better service, but it also means I have a more enjoyable shopping trip. I have a feeling I'm not alone in the matter, so tell me, do you converse with the workers at your market?

Do You Grocery Shop on a Certain Day of the Week?

partysugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:50:58 -0700

YumSugar normally picks up her groceries on Sunday nights, but I shop for food as I need it, be it Monday, Tuesday, or Friday. How about you?

Do You Talk on the Phone While Grocery Shopping?

partysugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:50:04 -0700

For some reason, I can't talk on the phone while I'm at the supermarket. If I'm on the phone, I will walk around aimlessly and not get what I need. How about you?

Celebrity Chefs Share Recession Tips With Oprah

partysugar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:30:08 -0700

Yesterday celebrity chefs Tyler Florence, Cat Cora, and Curtis Stone made an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. The chefs shared recipes and tips on how to cook more affordably during the recession. They also went into the kitchen of viewers to perform culinary interventions. Stone helped a couple cut their takeout budget by learning to cook, Cora taught a family how to use fresh ingredients to make healthy dishes, and Florence showed a mom the best way to feed her children. The chefs provided some great suggestions on how to save money when grocery shopping. For their ideas, read more.

Use a lesser cut of meat. A whole chicken is cheaper than chicken breasts. Opt for pork shoulder instead of pork tenderloin.
Use a slow cooker. They're ideal for turning lesser cuts of meat into fantastic dinners.
Purchase a whole block of cheese and grate it yourself. In the end its cheaper than buying the pregrated bags.
Be smart at the meat counter. According to Stone, steaks that are nearing their sell-by date are usually marked down.
Select cheaper fish. Skip salmon and choose tilapia.
Always shop with a list. Cora says that people spend 50 percent more if they don't have a list.
Buy only what you need. If you want three bananas, break off three from the bunch.
Plan meals that share ingredients.

How do you save when at the supermarket? Please share your helpful hints below!

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Yummy Links: From Cheaper Groceries to Top Chef Casting

partysugar — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:45:13 -0800

Ten ways to save money at the grocery store. - Chow
Treat your valentine to a decadent chocolate dessert. - Gourmet
Show your children how much you love them with homemade chocolate pancakes. - Al Dente
Learn the difference between coconut milk and coconut cream. - The Kitchn
Taste-testing the market's best chocolate bars. - Cooking With Amy
Do food scares change the way you eat? - The Epi-Log
Want to be on Top Chef season 6? Head to your local casting call. - Serious Eats

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Do You Buy Generic/Store-Brand Food?

YumSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:23:33 -0700

With the rising prices of food, and the strange economy, the prices on generic/store-brand goods are looking mighty appealing. There are certain brands I enjoy, and others I don't like at all, but if it means saving a few bucks, maybe I can make do. How about you?

Thanksgiving Tip: Don't Shop on Wednesday

partysugar — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 16:14:11 -0800

Try to get all of your Thanksgiving grocery shopping done before next Wednesday. Heading to the grocery store the day before Thanksgiving is like getting on the freeway in the middle of rush-hour traffic - not a good idea. Shoppers are inevitably grumpy, store clerks are stressed, shelves are empty, shopping carts are nowhere to be found, and the checkout lines are gigantic.

If you've made your lists you should be able to shop for nonperishables like vegetables, canned goods, alcohol, and dried foods today or tomorrow. Shop for last-minute items like fresh herbs and flowers on Tuesday afternoon. Pick up bags of ice the night before from your local convenience store and store in coolers outside in the garage or your back patio.

Most stores and bakeries are open on Thanksgiving morning, so make a quick pit stop to pick up bread and any forgotten ingredients as early as possible. Treat yourself to a coffee while you're at it, it's going to be a long day!

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Do You Taste Grapes Before You Buy Them?

YumSugar — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 07:03:33 -0700

Grapes are available year round, but their peak season is now. When you're purchasing grapes, do you test them by eating one first? Or do you just grab them and hope for the best?

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Do You Use Coupons When Grocery Shopping?

YumSugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 01:13:39 -0700

On June 26, 1981 one of the world's craziest coupon-clipping excursion occurred. Virginia Campbell of Mountain Home, Idaho is reported to have purchased $24,460 worth of groceries for only 67 cents! I don't know what's more impressive, the fact that she got it for practically free, or the fact that she needed $24,460 worth of groceries! Either way it got me wondering, do you use coupons when grocery shopping?

Source: Benton News