Grocery shopping????

Just wondering...how do you do your grocery shopping, and how does it affect your eating habits? How does your environment affect the way you do your shopping? Are you healthier because of it?

I live in Chicago with my boyfriend. I do not have my car down here with me, but he has his. With how difficult parking is here, its not worth it to take the car to the grocery store, because we would end up spending 20 minutes trying to find parking again and that doesnt even guarantee that we will be close to our building.

So we walk to and from the grocery store-which limits how much food we buy. We dont buy any sort of beverages at all, except for milk once in a while. There is a convenience store in our building so we will sometimes pick up juice or diet coke from. That stuff is way too heavy to carry!When I lived at home, I always had a ton of food to always choose from because we had a giant walk-in pantry in addition to tons of cabinet space-so living in a condo in the city has been a big change from that. (I kinda miss that!) Usually its rice, eggs, veggies, chicken breast, potatoes, some fruit, yogurt, maybe pretzels, sometimes bread and lunch meat. That is our basic list, of course with a few other things in addition to that. We always have peanut butter around-but we dont have to buy that very often...We never buy prepackaged snacks or things like frozen dinners.

Food prices are also about 2 to 3 times what they were back home. And thats a the Jewel. For meat we shop at Whole Foods, but sometimes the prices at Jewel are so good that we buy them from there. I feel like overall, living in the city has made me healthier-simply out of the way I do my grocery shopping. Ive always been a healthy/thin size, but now Im definitely even littler.

A bit off subject, but have you considered investing in a bicycle with some panniers?

I usually just buy food for next two/three days, or stuff for what what I am going to cook in the evening.

UD

I have considered it, but I am TERRIFIED of riding on the street. And you can be fined up to $200 dollars for riding on the sidewalk. I have this image of myself riding along minding my own business, and then having the driver of a parked car open their door, with me smashing into it haha. A bike would be a better option though, if not for my 'worst case scenario' thought process!

I know this might sound crazy but I grocery shop probably at least on average once a day...because I work and pass several grocery stores on my way to and from work I pick up certain foods that the other stores either dont carry or run out of...in general its all fruits and vegetables however, there are some canned goods as well as natural foods that are only stocked in one or the other of the stores.  I have tried to "stock up" however, most sald stuff just doesnt remain fresh and ends up wilting to where its just not appealing to eat.

I try to do a medium sized grocery trip weekly - with a smaller trip or two for things I forgot. I don't know that my environment influences my grocery shopping.  There are several stores in my area and I have several options just on my way home from work.

Over the summer, my husband and I biked to the grocery store a couple times.  You're right, not taking a car is really limiting and it proved too limiting for us.  We still bike if we're home and just need one or two things but it doesn't happen very often. 

My schedule really affects what I buy.  If I'm going to be really busy throughout the week, I have to plan meals accordingly.  Luckily, my husband and I are creatures of habit and don't mind eating the same things often - we eat the same breakfast and lunch everyday on weekdays.  It's easy and we don't have to really think about it anymore.

Generally, we buy soymilk, tofu, fruits, fresh and frozen vegetables, wheat pretzels, mustards, clif bars, whole grain bread and natural peanut butter.  I keep the pantry stocked with quinoa, tvp, vital wheat gluten, brown rice, dried beans and spices - usually replacing things once a month or so.   

That is why riding close to the car doors is not a good idea. ;) Anyway just thought I would post a link to forum thats all about commuting by a bicycle. Just to give some food for thought. :) http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f= 20

UD

Aren't there any online grocery stores available to you guys? I'm addicted to mine, it's so convenient b/c I really hate grocery shopping.