Shop the Perimeter

The most exciting thing I did today was a trip to Fred Meyer.  I say “exciting” in a sarcastic tone but it was actually a pretty good trip.

Fage yogurt was on sale and I cleared the shelf of the 2% with honey!

I realize Fage is pronounced fa-yeh but it’s so freakin’/flippin’/other-f-word’n good that I call it my f-yeah yogurt, and it was on f-yeah sale today!

In an effort to shop smarter and healthier, I try to follow the “shop the perimeter” rule and thankfully the clearance rack is typically somewhere along that perimeter.  I always check it out but try not to buy something I don’t really need or use just because it’s on clearance.

Today’s clearance check resulted in a couple of good things though, organic sweet potato puree and some natural stretch mark oil.

Okay, so I kind of broke my rule… I’ve never used sweet potato puree before but I decided to get a couple of cans because I have seen some dog treat recipes that call for it and I’ve been wanting to try some homemade treats for Koko.  So now I have to!

(My all-time favorite clearance score was last March when Albertsons was clearing out their canned organic pumpkin, 3 for $1.00!!!  I still have some, doesn’t expire until this December!)

And the Natural Stretch Oil is not for me, haha!  I have two pregnant co-worker friends and I love the Earth Mama Angel Baby line of products so I had to scoop them up for my friends.  Not that I have actually used them myself, but it’s a safe, non-toxic, certified organic line, and based here in Oregon which I love.  Non-toxic body products are important for everyone, but especially while pregnant – your baby soaks up everything you do!

My main reason for grocery shopping today was to get a chuck roast.  Robyn from Add a Pinch, who I first discovered through the Red Faced Runners, just posted a recipe for Roast Beef with Espresso Sriracha Sauce which I thought sounded amazing but she also linked to her Balsamic Pot Roast and I decided I’d try that one tonight.

I’m trying to be better about meal planning and I’m thinking some weekend crock-potting is probably a must, and what’s more fall-apart tasty than a good pot roast?  I’m hoping this will provide enough leftovers for a few lunches I definitely need because weekday lunches are typically fast, cheap, easy, and fake when I’m not prepared, and that’s not good.

Do you meal plan?  Any tips?