Tips on Grocery Shopping
Food Choices
My trips to the grocery would be best described as restocking trips. Sometimes I 
use a list, but mostly I have a fairly good idea of what I need. I usually go one to three times per week. The first stop is always the produce section. I buy a selection of fruits and vegetables that my family and I can consume in a week.
Seasonal fruits and berries are always on the staples list. Greens and
vegetables such as summer squash, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage are more perishable and are generally purchased in smaller amounts with plans to use them over the upcoming several days.
Vegetables such as carrots, winter squash, onions, and sweet potatoes will keep for a while and I usually keep them on hand all of the time. Occasionally a seasonal or special vegetable will give me an idea for a specific meal.
Next on my route is the bakery for fresh loaf of organic stone groun
d whole grain bread. Fresh meat and cheese are sometimes on the list.
The remainder of my shopping trip is usually just replacing staples from the pantry and refrigerator such as pomegranate juice, 2% organic milk, soymilk, organic plain yogurt, free range eggs, organic peanut butter, bottled sauces and salsas of different varieties, whole grain cereal, tea bags, paper towels, dog food, etc.
Lately I been trying to feed my dog more fresh food or a can of wild salmon instead of the processed stuff. In winter I usually keep fresh frozen berries and vegetables in the freezer when fresh items are not available for a reasonable price.
Notice that I have not spent much time within the isles of prepackaged food. My cart does not include cookies, processed crackers, or packaged meals of any type. Life can be practical, healthier, and even more comfortable without all of it.
During the warmer months shopping trips include regular visits to local seafood markets and fruit and vegetable stands for locally grown produce. Supporting your local markets and growers whenever you can is an important way to support your community.
Mail order can be a practical way to obtain quality food for a reasonable price. Free range meats of different varieties are available online. My freezer always contains a large package of mixed nuts obtained from a reputable source instead of a local grocery.