My grocery shopping secrets

Hey!

Yesterday I got a message from someone asking: "How do you always seem to have the right ingredients? I go to the store and still come home with nothing to make for dinner!"

I laughed because I used to be that person - wandering the aisles for an hour, spending $150, and still ordering takeout because I had random ingredients that didn't make a meal.

Here are the 5 secrets that changed everything:

Secret #1: I shop the same sections every time Produce → Protein → Dairy → Pantry staples. That's it. I skip the middle aisles unless I need something specific. This keeps me focused and saves time.

Secret #2: I buy ingredients, not meals Instead of thinking "what am I making Tuesday?" I think "what base ingredients can make 3-4 different meals?" Chicken thighs, bell peppers, and rice can become stir-fry, stuffed peppers, or a one-pan bake.

Secret #3: The 5-ingredient rule If a recipe needs more than 5 main ingredients (plus basics like salt, oil, garlic), I usually skip it. Simple ingredients = simpler shopping = less stress.

Secret #4: I always buy backup proteins Eggs, canned beans, and frozen shrimp. If my planned dinner falls through, these can become a meal in 15 minutes.

Secret #5: I shop with a full stomach Game changer! I make way better decisions when I'm not hungry. No more impulse buying cookies I don't need.

The result? 30 minutes in the store, ingredients for 6-7 meals, and I never have that "there's nothing to eat" feeling.

Here's what's in my cart every single week:

• 2-3 proteins (chicken, fish, beans)

• 5-6 vegetables (whatever looks good)

• Eggs (always!)

• Greek yogurt

• Grains (rice, quinoa, or pasta)

• Fresh herbs (usually parsley or cilantro)

• Lemons (my secret weapon!)

Want to see exactly how I turn these basics into amazing lunches?

My lunch collection has 30 recipes that use simple, everyday ingredients but taste way more exciting than a sad desk salad.

Every recipe is designed with real grocery shopping in mind - no weird ingredients you'll use once and forget about.

What's your biggest grocery shopping struggle? Running over budget? Taking too long? Buying stuff you don't use? Hit reply and let me know!

Happy shopping! Sarah

P.S. - Pro tip: Take a photo of your fridge before you go shopping. It's saved me from buying duplicate condiments so many times!