Organizing Your Grocery Run

We know these are very trying times for people, filled with uncertainty and stress. Going to the grocery store is more of a big deal and limiting the number of times you go is probably on everyone's mind. We would like to help you out a little! If you are like us, we tend to make lists for everything, grocery lists are number one!

Here are a few tips for navigating through the grocery and getting everything on your list!

- Know your Aisles

Most grocery stores are set up the same way. Produce and dairy aisles tend to be

on the outer edges of the store. This is where you will find all your fresh

veggies, salad/olive bar, milks, eggs and bread usually. The inside aisles tend to

be more dry goods such as baking ingredients, snacks, canned goods and pasta.

Knowing where things are in your grocery really helps cut down on time and

confusion. There's nothing worse than walking through the store trying to find

a missing ingredient.

- Plan Ahead

Creating a plan for the week is a good idea to make sure you have enough food

to get you through. Plan different meals for each day using similar ingredients.

This way you don't need to spend too much money at the store since you are

reusing the same ingredient (such as rice or tofu). If you need ideas on different

meals to make, looking online or in your favorite cookbook is perfect! Before we

go to the store, the cookbooks are spread all over the table and we are trying to

see what the next delicious meal will be. Write down the ingredients you need

for each recipe and see if you have them already in your house so you are not

over buying.

- Make Lists

Making a grocery list is key to ensuring you don't forget anything and have to go

back to the store. If it makes it easier, separate your list into sections such as

produce, baking, frozen, and bread and dairy. Be sure not to forget a pen to

cross off items as you are shopping. Sometimes walking into the store without a

list is a guaranteed way to forget something. Unless you have a super powerful

memory! And then we're jealous.

You are now ready to conquer the grocery store run! Hopefully, your next trip will be quick and easy! Oh! Try and remember your reusable bags, to help the environment!

Below you will find three different recipes using the same everyday ingredient most people have! Rice! We will tell you how to make easy rice dishes that will satisfy you and your family. Boil one big pot of rice and have three different meals...can't beat that! By the way, the best method for cooking rice we have found is this,

Pour as much rice as you think you would like to make in a pot.

Cover with cold water and move it around vigorously with your hands.

This starts to get rid of starch on the rice.

Then just rinse with cold water in a strainer and place back in the empty pot.

Cover the rice with cold water only about a half inch above the rice! About to the

first joint on your finger tip.

Bring to a boil, cover and let simmer until liquid is gone. This takes about 20-30

minutes for brown or white rice but will take closer to 40 minutes for wild rice.

Just keep an eye on it.

Your pretty much done, just fluff with a fork and enjoy.

Okay, back to the recipes...

PINEAPPLE RICE

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons sesame seed oil

1 cup diced yellow onions (about 1/2 large onion)

pinch of Himalayan sea salt

1 large red pepper diced

1 large carrot diced

4 cups cooked jasmine rice

2 1/2 tablespoons tamari or coconut aminos

1 1/2 tablespoons honey

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (optional)

1 1/4 cups diced pineapple

2 scallions sliced

3 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Instructions:

Heat 2 1/2 tablespoon of oil in a wok or large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onions and a pinch of salt and cook until the onions start to soften, about 2 minutes. Mix in the red pepper and carrots and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the rice and mix well with the vegetables. Continue cooking and stirring the rice for about 1 to 2 minutes. In a small bowl, quickly mix the tamari (or liquid aminos) with the honey and pour that sauce over the rice. Add the pepper, if using, and stir until well incorporated. Add the pineapple and sliced scallions to the rice and stir to distribute. Turn off the heat and mix in the chopped cilantro. Serve immediately.

Serves 4-6 people.

Rice Pudding

Ingredients

1 cup cooked rice

2 cups Almond milk (or any other plant based milk you enjoy)

2 tablespoons Maple syrup (or more if you like things sweeter)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

Place rice and milk in a pot and bring to a boil. Then, not covering the pot, let it simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed. This is when you add all other ingredients. You can always adjust the seasonings to your liking. Also, if you would like the pudding to be creamier, take about 1 cup of the cooked rice and milk and add it to a blender. Blend until smooth and add back to the pot. Allow the rice pudding to chill. Top with more cinnamon and whatever toppings you like, walnuts, raisins, chocolate chips....you name it. Enjoy

Makes about 4-6 servings.

Veggie Fried Rice

Ingredients

1 cup cooked rice

1 tablespoon lighter oil like avocado (can use olive oil as well, avocado just gets hotter)

2 cloves garlic sliced

1 inch piece of ginger grated

1/2 cup broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)

1/2 cup carrots sliced (fresh or frozen)

1/4 cup frozen peas

1/4 cup frozen corn

2 tsp tamari or soy sauce

2 tsp rice wine vinegar

1 tsp toasted sesame oil

If you have a wok, use that, if not a large frying pan works! This recipe will cook very fast! Heat up oil in the pan and get nice and hot over medium high heat. Add the garlic and ginger, only cook for a minute or two to release flavors, don't want to burn it! Then add all the veggies are let cook for another 5 minutes. Add the cooked rice, tamari, and vinegar. Let this all cook for another 3 minutes just to get hot. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. When it is just about finished, drizzle the sesame oil on. Serve in bowls and top with sliced scallions, lime, sriracha and sesame seeds if you have them. Enjoy!

Make about 4 servings.