Posted in Homestead Kitchen

Some ladies grocery shop for a weeks worth of meals at one time, some may shop for two weeks and some a whole month at a time, and recently I have read some blogs were some are doing 3 months at a time.   I have often thought of women out on the prairie getting their needed supplies for the winter or for several months at a time.  That would seem like quite a challenge to take on!

I have done some of the above methods (other than shopping for my whole winter ~smile~) but had fallen into this comfortable easy mode of shopping weekly.  I say comfortable, because it never seemed that big of a deal if I forgot something, after all I would be back at the store next week.

Last year as I watched the gas prices start to climb and climb and climb I decided that going to town (which is 45 minutes away) could no longer be a weekly event. Not to mention that living so far from town means when I do go, it is an all day affair.  So that would mean less time away from my homestead and all of its needs.  

I decided that menu planning and grocery shopping for 2 weeks at a time would be the first step.  I sat down with my favorite recipes, cookbooks, lists of meal ideas and a blank calendar to fill in with planned meals. 

I kept in mind any days that were busy and would need simple meals or crockpot meals, I kept in mind my husbands days off so I could have the luxury of an easy or favorite family meal for those days. 

Then I filled in my calendar.  I planned the whole meal so that I could make sure I had everything needed on hand.  I even planned any baking I wanted to do during those two weeks.

I also wrote down breakfast and lunch meals.  These meals are pretty basic and repeat themselves often, so the planning is very easy.

After writing everything out it was then time to make the grocery list.  I started with the first meal and wrote down everything that I needed to buy to make the meal.  I then went to the next meal and the next doing this.  If I needed hamburger for more than one meal I put a check mark by “Hamburger”..  3 check marks means 3lbs., 4 check marks means 4bls. and so on. 

Then I split up the list according to the different stores I shop at.  I wrote under each store the needed items from my master list. 

Then I checked my pantry for basic supplies and asked myself do I need any spices, salt, oil, or other baking items?  I don’t want to run out of something simple like baking powder or cinnamon when baking time comes around.

With my nicely complete list I was then ready to go shopping.  J

Before I leave for any big shopping trip I get the kitchen cleaned up, clean out the fridge to make room for the items I will be bringing home and I plan something very easy for that night’s dinner.  Either something I can make quickly when I get home, or I get out my trusty crock pot and start my meal before I leave.  

If your shopping day will be long, don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes, keep your lists in order and you will have a productive shopping trip. 

When you get home and unload your groceries you will have the satisfaction of knowing your home is well supplied and you are ready for each night to come for the next 2 weeks.  That alone is a great feeling and one that will motivate you to do it again!   

Crystal Miller

Crystal and her husband Tobin, along with 6 of their 8 homeschooled children make their home on 18 acres in SW Washington State.   Crystal enjoys caring for her home and family and her farm.  You can visit Crystal’s website: The Family Homestead  or Crystal’s Country Store where she sells her own goat milk soap, ebooks and more!