#luckysmarket

[curryhealthcenter]

7 TIPS FOR HEALTHY GROCERY SHOPPING WHILE ON A COLLEGE BUDGET

Health Nut Photo: Denae Duren

Health Nut Writer: Denae Duren

I’m pretty sure I can count on one hand how many times I’ve gone grocery shopping over the summer purely because grocery shopping STRESSES ME OUT, HARD. Just the thought of preparing a list, going to the store, carrying my bags into the house, making room in the refrigerator to put things away… it’s just too much, especially after a full day of classes and work. However, over the years I’ve come up with a few tricks that help me tackle my grocery endeavors and I’m excited to share them with y’all!

  1. Budget for the month, week, day, etc.

      a. Decide whether you’ll go grocery shopping on a monthly, weekly, or daily basis. I prefer to plan on a weekly basis.

      b. It is easiest to begin thinking about how much money you’d like to spend each month on groceries/food in general, then break it down to biweekly, weekly, or daily. The USDA publishes a monthly reports for the average U.S. cost of food at home at four levels: thrifty plan, low-cost plan, moderate-cost plan, and liberal plan. The information is categorized by weekly and monthly cost, gender, and age group. For me, this is a helpful tool when deciding how much to spend on groceries each month based on my income. If my income is lower than other months, I choose to stick to the thrifty plan rather than one of the other levels.

  2. Shop weekly advertisements for different grocery stores

      a. Knowing where the sales are before you start making a list will help you decide what you’ll be eating in the coming weeks.

  3. Be on the lookout for individualized discount and rewards programs

      a. Stores such as Albertson’s and Lucky’s have apps you can register for to receive personalized discounts and/or rewards for shopping in-store (sign-up for Albertson’s here, and Lucky’s here). Missoula Fresh Market has a nifty gas rewards program that rewards 10 cents, sometimes $1 off PER GALLON of gas for the money that you spend in-store on groceries. You can either sign up here, or in store. Natural Grocers offers an email rewards program for spending money at their store that you can sign up for online, and the Good Food store offers a rotating coupon that you can receive via email each month!

  4. Know what you like to eat

      a. I know, this seems like common sense, but if you know what your “go to” foods are from each food category, you’ll be able to prepare snacks and meals with minimal items that also taste great. Here is the way I lay out my grocery list:

  Fruit: bananas, blueberries, apples

Veggies: zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots

Grains: brown rice, pasta/couscous, lentils

Protein: chickpeas, tempeh, peanut butter

Sauces: pasta sauces, Tasty Bites, hummus

Dairy: cheese, soy milk, Greek yogurt                                         

  After you’ve nailed down all your favorites, it’s easy to add in “filler” items that you’d need to make a specific meal. Just from my items above, I could prepare pasta with chickpeas, a brown rice bowl with veggies and tempeh, a sheet-pan meal of tempeh with veggies, Greek yogurt with fruit and peanut butter, you get the idea. It can be helpful to generate a loose meal plan by deciding which night of the week you’ll have each of your meals so that you don’t skip out on using all the food you’ve purchased.

  5. Prepare your list and purchase ONLY what is on the list – seriously. No matter how much you want to “treat yo self,” you do not need those Oreos and Chips Ahoy that are on suuuuuuuuch a good sale… I promise.

  6. Don’t be afraid to purchase off-brand items

      a. Especially organic off-brand items. I’ve found that they have the exact same ingredients, sometimes even less ingredients than name-brands, and are much cheaper!

  7. Shop the Good Food Store bulk section

      a. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the majority of our food dollars - 81 cents per dollar - goes to processing, packaging, advertising and transport. Ridiculous, I know. Shopping in bulk food sections (Albertson’s, Rosauers, and Fresh Market also have them) can save you a ton of money. Purchasing only as much as you need is also a perk.

  Additional suggestions:

      - Don’t shop when you’re hungry

      - Shop at the Farmer’s Market – produce is often cheaper… and local (Missoula Farmer’s Market, Clark Fork River Market, Missoula Saturday Market)!

      - Shop with your friends, roommates, partner, etc., - everything is cheaper at Costco

 There are many strategies for shopping healthy while on a budget and these are only a few. Spend some time figuring out what works best for you, your wallet, and your tummy. Another great way to take care of yourself is to attend a self-care fair!

Credit: University Center Student Involvement Network

The University Center Student Involvement Network is hosting a Self-Care Fair on the oval this Thursday the 12th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.! There will be tables from different student groups offering swag, essential oils, DIY facial scrubs, self-care tips you can put to use for the rest of the semester, time and stress management education from Curry Health Center Wellness, our famous stress-busting kits, sleep tips, and so much more!

[lmoehr]

Hey vegan lovers try these goodies at your local Luckys or health food store and grab this. Thanks to Molly for the samples. If you like a snack that is tad sweet and tasty then try one of these. #supportsmallbusiness #vegan #luckysmarket @moehr2offer (at Lucky's Market Vineland) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2FkKdIJQMb/?igshid=1qdsauhyhodlu

[bouldersausage]

Our Delicious #German #sausage will awaken the senses with its blend of all natural herbs and spices. Available at #sprouts #Luckysmarket and #Safeway #bouldersausage

[icarethp]

Two openly transgender candidates won elected office during yesterday's voting around this country. We applaud them and the citizens who elected them… And we view this as more progress in the fight for equality. #lgbtq #ourfund #luckysmarket #TheHumanityProject #respect #diversity #selfworth #helpingkidstohelpkids #lovewins

[jerilynnphoto]

Lucky’s got the (vegan)meats!!! I see you, you fabulous store!! You are making life and our little corner of the world so much easier, healthier and cleaner! Yayyyy!!😃👏🏼 #luckysmarket #themeats #veganmeat #veganchick #vegan #planteater #whatveganseat #govegan🌱 #compassionateliving #crueltyfree #climateaction #betterhealth #healthierchoices #kindnessmatters #nomeatnoproblem #meatlesseveryday #empathchick (at Lucky's Market Coral Springs) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7SBJurg-Dq/?igshid=1qph3pcdfcep8

[taylorrainbow]

So yesterday I got to meet #Jefferson such a sweet #cat his mama takes him with her to #luckysmarket haha thought I'd share with the world of #catlovers #catsofinstagram #happycaturday #smooshface https://www.instagram.com/p/B5ordkkHQiv/?igshid=2kq6yh7frdq8

[kikiscastle]

I agree #luckysmarket - I agree. (at Lucky's Market) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4oJQL_DFe-/?igshid=sa23nwjdtd6q

[tshelburn]

Salmon filets on some @chayder_grilling cedar wraps. Smells great! #salmon #seafood #luckysmarket #cedar #cedarsmoked #cedarwraps #chaydergrilling #fogocharcoal #kamadojoe #kj #kamadojoenation #jjgeorgeoutdoor #firesquad (at Springfield, Missouri) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3A_zf0nJBh/?igshid=82k5dgyzxpiv

[flchefnicole]

Stopped at @luckysmarket for some veggies and grabbed a bowl of snacks from their ah-mazing olive bar for the drive home. Lucky me! . . #wheresmycheeseplate #charcuterie #foodie #olivesfordays #luckysmarket #momlife (at Lucky's Market Springfield) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2x8noYgS9e/?igshid=1nai32gp6ck2q

[kikskikskiks]

Let’s check the place out, I said... with two full bags I left with 🤣 #suckerforfood #thegoodthings #pink #breastcancerawareness #luckysmarket What a great ending to an amazing day! #carnivore #cookingwithkiks #kikssaucesandcondiments #foodietribe #foodlover #lovetocook #foodie #swede #goodeats #argentino #florida #entrepreneur #locallove #localvendor #localbusiness #supportsmallbusiness #supportlocalbusiness #delicious #getyourkiks #getinmybelly #fortlauderdale #lauderdalebythesea #lighthousepoint #pompanobeach #deerfieldbeach #wiltonmanors #argentinoenlacocina #lovewhatyoudo #homecook #deliciousfood #beardgang #bearded #beardedman

[globaleyesmagazine]

Attention Winnipeg shoppers- Luckys Supermarket on Winnipeg Avenue has avocados on sale don’t fall for their sales pitch. This is what you’ll get☹️#globaleyesmagazine #luckysupermarket #luckysmarket https://www.instagram.com/watson.beatrice/p/ByiID99HpVD/?igshid=1mosgl96sn8rr

[lizspiletic]

This is what happens when you go into the New @luckysmarket in Ormond Beach...went in for Zicam come out with a made to order Pizza😂🍕...who cares if I get a cold? pizza takes priority...Amazing Market, they, a great addition to our community! #luckysmarket #luckysmarketormondbeach #urbanistarealty #spileticrealtoraturbanista #healthyfood #pizza #organic #ormondbeach #florida #colorado #denver #miami #miamibeach #realtor #realtorlife #realtorsofinstagram #investmentproperty #zicam #Interiordesign #freshproducts #freshproduce #juicebar #sushi #freshcut #deli #bakery #sipsndshop #saladbar (at Lucky's Market Ormond Beach) https://www.instagram.com/spiletic.realtor.at.urbanista/p/BxbXNDRFOpZ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2p338z2o0euz

[leza05]

Surprises from my girls are always ❤️. I am very blessed ❤️ #cabistylewithleza #iamgoodenough #ufalumni #gainesville #iamgnv #gainesvillerotaryclub #saltwatertaffy #luckysmarket #wine (at Gainesville, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw-OeprA2z8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1h7yph744hl2j

[jerilynnphoto]

Are you kidding, Lucky’s Market? $.98 blackberries😲😲😲 WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME?!?! It’s the last day, dammit😞 🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇 #blackberries #sofuckincheap #😲🍇 #luckysmarket #veganchick #yayy #planteater #empathchick (at Lucky's Market Coral Springs)

[tshelburn]

Salmon cooked in a @lodgecastiron skillet so the skin is crispy then topped with gnocchi in a brown @bannerbutteratl sauce made with shallot, fresh sage and lemon. Good eats! #salmon #seafood #luckysmarket #lodgecastiron #bannerbutter #shallot #freshsage #lemon #gnocchi #butter #traderjoes #wusthof #kamadojoe #firesquad (at Southern Hills, Springfield) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2GB89ZHEpU/?igshid=zja4zs61bvrv

[xbklynx]

When you are cleaning Brussel Sprouts at work ! #666 #veggies #luckysmarket