Kitchen Hints` of the Day!

Grocery Shopping Hints.............


* If you can save money, over the course of a month or two, by buying in bulk, plan to do so. But be sure that you’re going to use all of it before it gets bad — it isn’t cheaper to buy in bulk if you don’t use it.
* Buy produce in bulk when it's in season or on sale and freeze it. After washing, submerge small amounts of veggies in boiling water for a minute; cool in ice water. Drain, then pack in a freezer container. Wash berries and lay in a single layer on a baking tray and freeze; place in an airtight container.
 * Don't limit it yourself to the same fruits or vegetables every week. Try a new fruit or vegetable each week
* Store Employees may agree to mark down prices on items that are expiring the next day — just ask!
* Canned salmon. It has more calcium than fresh, and it's also a more economical choice.
* Shop only once a week. You’ll tend to spend more if you stop at the store every day or several times a week.
* Clean out your fridge, freezer, and cupboards once a month. Use up what you bought before buying more.

Kitchen Grumblings...

Saturday I was at a local Kroger. Had everything I needed and rolled toward the checkout. I had a

choice of 4 lines and of course i ended up picking the wrong line. I was third in line and two carts quickly got behind me. The person that was checking out of course wanted to put a couple of items back and get a bigger size, then she had her own grocery bags and wanted certain items in certain bags, and then (and this always a bad sign if you're in a hurry) she opened up her coupon notebook!! So I settled in for long wait. Looked at a couple of gossip magazines and then started looking at the candy selection.



Having been diagnosed with Diabetes 2 quite sometime ago I rarely even look at candy unless Sugar Free candy like Hershey's Sugar Free Dark Chocolate Bites. But scanning the candy selection I saw some very small bars and packages of candy, real small sizes. Then I noticed they had some regular size bars and bags but they were marked Giant or Extra Big. Well these so called Giant and Extra Big bars and bags were just the normal size of candies back when I ate candy, around 2002 I guess. And I'm not even commenting on the inflated prices. But I guess the shrinking sizes of candy is no worse than other shrinking sizes and inflating prices of all grocery items. Just grumbling, thanks!  

Warning Shoppers You Are Entering The Jungle Zone!

The Entrance to the "Jungle"

Spent the early morning at Jungle Jim's Market where "Shopping is an Adventure!" I love going to this place! You can find almost any item your looking for here, ANYTHING! I took along my camera with me just to show you around a bit. I left with 2 packages of fresh boiled Lobster Claws, Squid, Cheese, and plenty of Produce!  


Discover a World of Food and More!

Jungle Jim's International Market is more than a grocery store, it's a destination! With more than 200,000 square feet of shopping space in each of our stores, there are over 150,000 products from which to choose.

Still looking for a pumpkin?

In addition to all the grocery items, you’ll find store tours, food demonstrations and lots of fun and attractions for the whole family.

Our stores also offer more gift shops, boutiques, restaurants and conveniences than any other mega store in the region. Stop in for an hour or make a day of it. However you do it, shopping at Jungle Jim's is an experience you won't forget!

http://www.junglejims.com/

M y favorite Deli!

"Say Cheese!"

...and my favorite Produce Dept.

Now that's fresh Fish, live in the tank.

Just one section of the huge Hot Sauce choices

It's not Grocery Shopping it's an Adventure!

If you live in the Cincinnati - Fairfield are you know about Jungle Jims. If you've never been you have to make it a point, it's a one of a kind grocery shopping experience! No matter what the fruit or vegetable I'd bet the Jungle's got it. A deli with every kind of cheese, meats, and olives imaginable. To go through every aisle you'll need a good part of your morning to do so.

Food, grains, fruits, and vegetables from every country. The Seafood Dept. is unmatched! They even have live tanks where you can get fresh Tilapia, Trout, and Large Mouth Bass. They have different fish in the tanks from time to time. They always have 2 of my favorites fillets Walleye and Lake Perch. The Meat Dept. is just as incredible. Fresh meats; Beef, Pork Chicken, Bison, and a good selection of Wild Game. In another part of the store you'll find Quail Eggs and even Ostrich Eggs from time to time! The Beer and Wine is full of all varieties from around the World The entire store is an adventure! I'll leave the link to Jungle Jim's below. Got to go I'm fixing a Turkey Pastrami and Colby Longhorn Cheese sandwich with a side of Stuffed Olives for lunch, thank you Jungle Jim's!

Discover a World of Food and More!

Jungle Jim's International Market is a superstore unlike any other. With 1 1/2 acres of produce, 75,000 international grocery products and cigars from 70 countries, there is much to discover. This huge grocery store also offers more gift shops, restaurants and conveniences than any other mega store in the region. Dazzling displays of fresh produce, aisles of wine and beer, artisan breads, exotic spices and more are around every corner. Enjoy freshly baked goods still warm from our scratch bakery, food demonstrations and made-to-order delicacies from our Sub Shop. Be amazed by our selection of fresh-caught seafood, meat, hot sauces, imported cheeses and international foods - plus all the American groceries and household items usually found in a supermarket. Just when you think you've seen everything, wander through our Candy Department and be serenaded by Elvis the Lion, learn new culinary techniques in our Cooking School and even get a beautiful flower arrangement.

At Jungle Jim's International Market, we're not just a store; we're a destination!

http://www.junglejims.com/

Save Money on Groceries

A some very good articles on your grocery shopping from Diabetic Living On Line web site. You can follow the link at the end of the post for all the articles.

Save Money on Groceries
By Lori Brookhart-Schervish



Grocery shopping doesn't have to break the bank. A few tips and tricks can help you save on food without a lot of hassle. We'll show you how to do it.
Track Your Spending

You'll never know how much you save on food if you don't know what you spend. Look at it as an experiment. That way, you aren't locked into a new system and won't feel guilty if it just doesn't work for you. Give yourself the freedom to try new ways to save money on groceries.

    * Set a timeline. For example, try shopping for two weeks the way you normally do and two weeks using a money-saving tip like those you'll find on the following pages.
    * Write down what worked. Keep track of what you spend and how much you save.
    * Add another tip or two. If you are satisfied with your new way of shopping, keep going!
    * Make it a family affair. Like any game, saving on groceries can get addictive. Bring the family in on the secret and watch everyone get excited about your growing dollar signs.

Plan Your Meals Before You Go to the Store

This is an important step that can make a big difference. The better you plan, the more likely you are to make better food choices. If your cupboards and refrigerator are stocked with foods you can easily grab for snacks or meals, you are less likely to spend money dining out.

Make a list. Write down the foods you eat on a regular basis or the foods your family gobbles up in one night. If there is a recipe you plan to try this week, get the ingredients ahead of time so you are prepared and not distracted by running back and forth to the store.

Stock up. When you spot a sale or coupon for those items, buy as many as you can without going overboard. If the item can be frozen or has a longer shelf life, having extra on hand could save you another trip.

Shop sales. This might not work for everyone, so this could be one of those experiments. Instead of making a shopping list before you go to store, shop the sales and then plan your meals after you have purchased your discounted groceries. This could work well with whole foods like produce and lean meats, which can be mixed in all types of healthful recipes.

Clip Coupons

Coupons are not a new concept and are still offered as inserts in most newspapers once or twice a week. But if you're not a coupon-clipper or lost your knack and want to test the waters to see if they can really make a difference without a lot of hassle, then give it a try for a couple of weeks and see how it goes. According to Randall Putala, author of Better Groceries for Less Cash -- 101 Tested and Proven Ways to Save on Food (We Deliver Vegas, 2008), you can save money every time you shop by using a system that organizes and updates coupons. His system: clip coupons while he watches TV on Sunday and categorize them in envelopes.

"If I save less than $50 a week [at the grocery store] then I've done a lousy job," says Putala, advertising executive and family shopper for five.

You can also find coupons online. Smart Money Magazine lists these coupon sites among its top picks:

    * www.Coupon.com
    * www.CouponCabin.com
    * www.CouponMom.com
Freeze Meals for Later

Prepare double the servings (or more) and freeze them for a quick meal you can pop into the microwave later. This can save money as well as time on those nights you might default to greasy, expensive takeout or a trip to the store to buy frozen dinners.

Labeling your leftovers is another great way to make a meal a two-for-one deal. This might seem like a no-brainer, but we have all done it: You reach into your freezer and pull out a frozen container of ... mystery food. If you don't know what it is, you probably won't eat it!

Others ways to make your freezer leftover-friendly:

    * Pick a night to have a smorgasbord and thaw all your labeled leftovers to make room for more.
    * Freeze portion-ready servings for a one- or two-person snack or meal for convenience and portion control.
    * Use space-saving freezer bags to store soups and vegetables. These bags allow for easy thawing in a pot of water.


http://www.diabeticlivingonline.com/food-to-eat/nutrition/save-money-on-groceries/?page=1