Weekly Shopping/Eating Habits

[EcclesCake]

There has been much eager anticipation awaiting Sibton's return from Lidl and it has got me thinking.

I have my veg delivered, use a butcher, use deli's and specialist grocers for my exotics and visit CostCo for bulk stuff. The supermarket is a place an I visit on an almost daily basis for odds and ends as I decide what we are eating on a day by day basis.

Do you do a weekly shop and plan your meals in advance, do you know the day of the week by what is on your plate that evening? Or do you prefer to freestyle, visit the supermarket after work looking out for the reduced labels, letting simple economics dictate your supper?

What are your priorities when deciding what to eat - seasonal ingredients, cost, eating what you fancy, confidence in knowing that all the family will eat it, excitement of experimentation?

If you could, what would you change about your current shopping and/or eating habits?

[rockyracoon]

I'm having a bit of a moan indoors at the moment over dinners, nobody seems to like what I dish up, but nobody wants to come up with an alternative, as a result, I shop on a thursday for dinner that night, fri, sat ( kids at nan's on a sunday, so take away for me and himself), then shopping again on monday for that night, tues and weds. Bores the hell out of me.

[gness]

Hi Eccles. Only me to feed and I eat tiny meals. Aldi and Lidl for basic stuff. Local deli for cheeses meats etc.. Lost our green grocer last year so farm shop when I go to town. No big supermarkets.
Eating what I fancy dictates what I buy.

[woofgang]

Waitrose delivery about once a fortnight and odd purchasing in between. i try to get a healthy diet over about a week so a chips and doughnuts day will be followed by a few fruit and veg ones.

[cathfromsaron]

we spend £50-£60 weekly! i plan all meals and shop once per week!

i use the local farm greengrocer, and their yummy deli counter!

we get a tesco delivery, or i go myself!

we frequent aldi and lidl every now and again!

i would have a chef and washer-up if i could change anything!

[ummmm]

I do a daily shop unless OH comes with me. He grabs meat...

I go greengrocers for fruit and veg (mainly) sometimes the butchers but they don't seem to be that good anymore. No fish mongers in Northampton so have to use the supermarket. I only really look out for offers on toiletries.

[mrs_overall]

I usually shop twice a week and plan meals for the following 3 or 4 days. If my lot don't like what I cook, they go without. I do accept requests - Youngest Junior O has been pleading for fajitas for a week so I am cooking them tonight.
I never have any leftovers or waste (I am from Yorkshire!) and can make soup out of anything

[sunny-dave]

I used to get an organic veg box ... which certainly stimulated the menu planning neurons a bit.

Gave up eventually when the "What The Funicular can I do with another butternut squash (or beetroot, or celeriac)" questions got a bit too trying.

Now use local butcher and farm shop and greengrocer plus regular hits on Aldi.

Just wish there were still decent local independent bakers - all driven out of business by s*dding Greggs :+()

[shaneystar2]

I have big shop delivered by Sainsburys once a month but that's mostly non food or not fresh food as such .Shop locally around Morrisons and local butcher Sometimes go the local market for eggs and veg .Sometimes my bro takes me to a lovely farmers market in Beccles .We don't eat a lot of fancy stuff .There's only the two of now so I don't plan meals in advance .To be honest cooking and shopping for food is a chore for me these days .I get fed up it with day after day .

[Psybbo]

We go once a week to Sainsburys, having checked what we've run out of, sometimes treats from M&S. Now I'll keep a close eye on Lidl offers. OH plans better than I do, as I wouldn't bother eating much if he was away. Eccles I updated the OP.

[EcclesCake]

RicRor, deciding on a meal is the hardest part. If the family can't put forward their own ideas I'd be peeved too. Reminds of the old line 'Don't bring me a problem, bring me a solution'.

Which is something Mrs O seems to have achieved with her requests approach. BTW, I think fajitas make brilliant family food - healthy, fun and you can accommodate almost every taste as it is a DIY meal.

It's interesting to see how you use 'proper' shops as well as supermarkets. I find it hugely frustrating that there are so few greengrocers and fishmongers about.

[EcclesCake]

^^^Oops sorry Rocky, I knew the name was 'R' something....

Ok, so do any of you churn out the same meals week in week out, or have a safe repertoire of meals that make regular appearances.

[mrs_overall]

I don't churn out the same meals each week and I make a point of trying out at least one new recipe a week.
I do have some dishes which are firm favourites. My youngest would live on my cottage pie if I let him

[tonyav]

I have to eat what ever the Mrs chooses to cook.

[gness]

Too right Tony and be grateful!
I never made the same meals when I had a family. Ma`s accident on the menu tonight again was often heard.

[EcclesCake]

Brilliant approach Mrs O, I think it's really invigorating to try new recipes especially in an attempt to broaden the horizons of fussy eaters.

I suppose I should admit to doing a bit of professional research with this thread. I've been asked to give a presentation and need to get an understanding of typical family eating.

[Dee Sa]

I still have a milkman and luckily a local butcher we also had a nice greengrocers stall at weekends but they have retired since new year and we all still miss them, the rest comes from Aldi, Lidl, Asda and sometimes Tesco only venture into Waitrose at xmas, but I do cook from scratch 7 days a week, well a couple of nights Mr S will cook for me.

[mrs_overall]

Sorry Eccles, but we are not a typical family. Friends are aghast that I go to so much trouble. Most of them serve up the same things week in week out and processed food (which I try to avoid) such as chicken nuggets feature frequently at their mealtimes

[vodkancoke]

My brother has started up an organic fruit, veg, meat, fish and cheese delivery service so I get everything from him on a weekly basis. I live on my own so I don't need much!
I buy everything else in bulk from Costco and I use M&S, Sainsbury's and Waitrose when I need to.

Seasonal is important to me, that was drummed into me at both cookery school and the restaurants I have worked in

If I wasn't such a foodie and if I didn't love cooking and baking I would save so much money! lol

[tonyav]

Vodka, you could afford more shoes then ;-)

[vodkancoke]

I could Tony....many more with the red soles! lol