Outsmart the Grocery Monster | Theresa Albert

Back to school means back to the grocery store where the time and money you spend are being manipulated on both subtle and blatant levels.  Once you know the magician’s tricks, you will find that you have only the items you want in your cart and a little more money in your pocket. Know that everything that happens from the moment you walk in the door is designed for your comfort (aka, to make you feel happy so you slow down and buy more).

Behind the curtain:

·         Know what things cost! A sale isn’t always a sale if you don’t know how much your favourite eggs cost next door.  Use online flyers or spend a few minutes with the ones delivered to your door.  Is $4.99 per pound a good price for eye of the round or is this sale tag enticing you to believe so?  You need a point of reference before you even enter.

·         Read coupons carefully!  Here’s the scenario:  you picked up the 16 ounce can of tomatoes you thought the coupon was promoting only to find that it was the 28 ounce can? You find out your error at the register and what do you do? Buy the wrong one anyway that cost more than the brand you usually buy.

·         Choose your store wisely! Store marketers regularly monitor your habits and behaviours in while in the store.  They lay out the store to maximize time spent and items purchase (and renovate “to serve you better” when they spot a dead zone that doesn’t get much action).  Frequenting one store will mean that you can put your fingers on exactly what you need and be able to compare from week to week how your grocery bill is adding up. 

·         Take a list! Some online flyers have wonderful email-able lists that can be built and sent to your own mobile (or someone else’s!) It helps to have a list that includes all of your items sorted by store aisle.  Nothing slows you down more than having to criss cross the store in search of one forgotten tin. 

·         Don’t smell the baked goods! You know that isn’t just a mistake, right? The smell from the in store bakery is purposely pumped back in to tickle all of your sense.  Ok, so you can’t stop smelling but you can prevent it from enticing you by eating before you go.  Or pick up a package of chopped fresh veggies and munch on them while you stroll.  You didn’t get enough veggies today anyway, you may as well make it work for you.

·         Don’t listen! The music is carefully chosen to suit the likely person in the store at a given time. Folksy romance tunes in major chords? Must be Friday night when the young couples or singles are shopping. This helps them feel all mushy and needy so that they seek comfort in the form of food.  Do yourself a favour, plug in your headset and listen to something angry to pick up the pace and knock out that sentimental drivel.

·         Look up and down, not just straight ahead. The priciest items are set at eye level and the ones enticing the kids are down around your knees. Do look for in store signs that signal a price reduction (and go back to step 1) or house brands that may cost less and be the same darned thing that is in the name brand anyway.

·         Halloween is 2 months away! You will see all the displays for this candy-fest now and you may think “hmm, if I buy them now, I won’t need to go searching later”. It’s a trick. You will (or some other little gremlin will) eat them now and still need to find them later. 

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Theresa Albert takes on the challenge of demystifying myths surrounding food and health. Millions learned just how smart and funny she is through her Food Network Canada Show called Just One Bite! She has authored two books published in both Canada and in the US: Cook Once a Week, Eat Well Every Day and Ace Your Health, 52 Ways to Stack Your Deck.

For more tips and tricks on how to eat well sign up for Theresa’s newsletter at www.myfriendinfood.com

Lunch Box List

Below is the essential Parent Club Lunch Box List - feel free to bookmark, print, comment or share with the club!

Crunchy Category

• cut vegtables: carots, celery, broccoli, cucumber, peppers
  
• pretzels, fish crackers, rice crackers, popcorn, crackers
  
• dry cereal
  
• cereal bar
  
• crunchy fruit: apples, grapes

Soft Category

• yogurt, cheese
  
• soft fruits: pears, banana, clementines, orange slices, raisons

Wet Category

• apple sauce, fruit cups, drinkable yogurt, juice
  
• pudding
  
• wet fruits: watermelon slices, cantalope

Treat Category

• brownie, cookie, muffin

LUNCH

• sandwich
  
• room tempreture pizza
  
• thermos with spaghetti
  
• bagel and cheese (or just butter)
  
• pita with filling (call it a wrap)
  
• crepe
  
• thermos with egg or tuna salad
  
• green salad and vingrette
  
• cereal and milk

*Kids relate to textures. Kids who have wobbly teeth might prefer softer foods until the Tooth Fairy comes. Hot kids might appreciate some wet snacks to help cool them off.

Back to School Tips

I, for one, am fairly excited it's back to school season. It's been a great summer. It's been fun. But it's time to move on (seriously...let's move on).

And I have been busy writing back to school themed articles...

These were for the good folks at everythingmom.com

Building Homework Habits

Tips on How to Organize the Night Before

Fit to be Tied: Tips On Tying Shoes

If you care to share back to school tips for fellow Parent Club peeps - send me an e-mail or put it in a comment here...Next week I'll be running a series of back to school posts - which include lunch box tips, getting school ready and why does your school bag smell?...

School Nerves

"Will they like me?"

"Am I dressed cool enough?"

"Will I have a friend?"

School nerves are twittering...um...no...it's not the kids...it's me...about the other parents in the school yard. I swear it feels like gr. 9 all over again...the little fish in the big pond - the odd duck out - strange.

I don't "do" the school drop-off/pick-up (because really it drives me nuts) so I don't know a whole lot of school parents. Now, I do volunteer at school and go on one field trip/per child each year (field trips kill me - wrangling 4 excited children in a whole 'nother language is stressful)...so I know some parents.

However, on the first day of school - when I do take the kids I'm always nervous. Moms in high heels and blackberries, Moms with lulu pants, Moms who are too cool and connected with everyone, Moms who are "in the know" -- I feel so much the odd duck. (perhaps I have confidence issues - or am paranoid - confinoid).

Am I alone in this? Does anyone else feel confinoid about the parents at school?

Parent Club Interview: Best Tools for Schools

The What: Best Tools for Schools - a "Made in Canada" business created by two mompreneurs: Laurie & Candace.

The Concept: Order school supplies on-line. Fundraising component for schools. Making life easier for parents.

The Interview: (between Caroline - Parent Club and Candace - Best Tools for Schools):

Parent Club (PC): How does Best Tools for Schools work?

Best Tools for Schools (BTFS):Best Tools for Schools puts together customized school supply kits based on each schools supply lists. We assemble the kits and deliver them to the school the week before classes start. $4 from the sale of each kit goes to the school to help with their fundraising efforts.

Our program is so easy that we only need one contact at the school to help co-ordinate the lists on our websites. We are web based, which means no forms to go home or cheques to collect. Everyone wins. Parents are relieved of the hassle of shopping out the lists, teachers lists are put together according to their specifications and schools receive money towards their fundraising efforts.

We also have a Donate A Kit option. Upon checkout parents are asked if they would like to donate a kit to a child in need at their school. They can choose between a junior kit or a senior kit. These are kits we put together using the same brand name products we use for all our other kits. Principals will be able to discreetly identify which children need these items at their school.

(PC): What is the timeline?

(BTFS): Once a school has decided to run our program, we can get their lists on our website within 48 hours. Letters to parents and lists can be printed off of our website to be sent home to parents. The success of our program in a school is greatly enhanced if the school promotes it through their school newsletter, flyers home and on their school website.

(PC): What is the responsibility of the teacher/parent/student?

(BTFS): Once the Principal has approved our program for their school, we need only one contact person to help us get their lists on our website and to take delivery of the kits the week before school starts. Our goal is to make the process as simple for possible for the schools to run.

(PC): How does fundraising work?

(BTFS): $ 4 from the sale of each kit goes to the school as a fundraiser. In addition to raising funds for the school, Best Tools for Schools offers a valuable time-saving service to parents.

(PC): Can parents order Best Tools for Schools, independently, on-line or does it have to be a whole school order?

(BTFS): To ensure that our lists are accurate we require the principals approval to run the program for the whole school. Parents can then go on and order their individual kits.

(PC): Mom-made-business is a great thing to support. What made you become a momprenuer?
(BTFS): Laurie and I are both actively involved in fundraising efforts for our children's school. We know first hand the obstacles schools face because of budget shortfalls. We also are very familiar with the school supply lists that come home each year, a dreaded task for many. Finally, we were both actively looking for a business opportunity. Best Tools for Schools is the answer to these three things. We've received nothing but positive feedback since we began.

(PC): Where can we read you?

(BTFS): Laurie and I take turns blogging at www.toolsforschools.ca. This is where we let you know about schools we've signed on, events we'll be at and offer what we hope is useful information. Candace also blogs for yummymummyclub.ca - See Mummy Juggle.

Their "green pledge" is a testament to their commitment as parents and as business owners to environmentally responsible acts. As it notes on their website;"Wherever possible, Best Tools for Schools buys in bulk and asks our suppliers to eliminate unnecessary packaging.

Every bit of cardboard is recycled. Our kits are made from unbleached cardboard, which is a 100% recycled, non-toxic, environmentally friendly product.

We have created a paperless process, eliminating paper-based forms by establishing an online order system. Invoices are sent to your mailbox and it is up to you if you wish to print it for your files or file it away on your computer."

The Post-Mortem: I "met" Laurie and Candace on twitter a few months ago and then "met" them (in person) in May. From tweeting to actual face-to-face conversation; I find Laurie and Candace to be lovely, honest, helpful ladies who really know their stuff.

The concept of making life easier for parents - more organized for schools - all the while - minimizing the impact to the planet -- is simply smart. Best Tools for Schools is the complete turnkey solution.

Parent Club Green Idea: Sending Coins to School

This Green Idea was e-mailed by a Parent Club reader...

You know how the school is always needing you to send in forms and cash for things like Pizza lunch, Scientist in the school, field trips, purchasing 50th Anniversary T-shirts etc. (and then there is also the Daycare…)

And how the amount the come up with always seems to include coins?? You know how you never seem to be able to find an envelope when you need one and how all those crazy utility companies always send you an envelope to pay your bill with even though you always pay it online?

Well I have started saving the utility bill payment envelopes (and any other unsealed envelopes I get from birthday cards or in the mail for other promotional stuff) and I put them in a basket on my desk and then whenever I need an envelope for something I take a big black marker to cross of any unnecessary info on the envelope and write something on it like “Boy 1 – Pizza Lunch $$ - Room XX” That way I reuse before the school hopefully recycles the envelope!!

Maybe other people have been doing this already but it is just something I have been feeling good about doing so I thought I would share…

We LOVE LOVE LOVE when readers share ideas, tips, comments, rants & experiences. To the tens of people who read Parent Club ;-) -- thank you and keep em' coming!

Back to School Check list

Back Packs
Adjust straps to ensure it fits well on child's back. Write name or label back pack. Ensure it has extra pockets for change of clothes, snack containers or lunch bag.
(Parent Club tip; personalized labels are easy but it is just as good to write on shirt tag with a permanent marker - make a family logo - like a happy face or moon - for pre-readers to recognize their belongings)

Lunch Bag/Containers/Bottles
Do they drip or spill? Can the child open them all-by-themselves? Is each item labeled with child's name?

School Shoes
Can the child put them on/take them off without help? Write or label the child's name on each shoe.
Parent Club tip - side of shoe is a good place to write name with permanent marker)

Snacks
Choose nutritious snacks - that are routine to your child. This is not the time to be trying out new foods to impress on the teacher how well your family eats.

Look to Parent Club on Thursday for some tried and true snack and boxed lunch ideas for kids!