Gleaning in Groceryland!!

Happy Monday........or is it!!!! Truth be known, I go a little limp in the knees when Mondays roll around... you see, Mondays are normally 'Grocery Shopping' Days...stand back everyone...she's gonna faint!!! Now I don't know exactly when this strange phobia of 'Food Shopping' reared it's ugly head...or for what reason it did so...but it has...and that's that! Don't get me wrong, I love to cook and I do it pretty good (or so I have been told) but it's the actual shopping part that brings on the hebbie jeebies!! I make my lists prior to Monday...check it twice for mistakes or over buys (stuff I already have on hand but it is so far back in my cupboard that I forgot I had it...oh wait, there are actually 4 of those...OOPS! Time to do a little rotating!!)

I get dressed in actual street attire (a hard task in itself as 'sweats seem to be a fashion statement with me of late) ...I drive over to pick up my Mom to take her with me so that she can shop (and show off her highly detailed and organized shopping list...is it normal to alphabetize a shopping list???) anyway...we arrive at Smith's and it is at that point that I realize...I forgot my Freakin list........I think I might have a few screws loose or a death wish...not sure which, but this is a regular occurrence with me...I seriously am going to try duct taping the list to me next time!

So NOW the real fun begins......... taxing my brain until smoke comes out of my ears as I TRY to remember what was on the list...SOMETHING...ANYTHING!!!

My Mom at this point is busily bustling through the throngs of Happy Monday Shoppers.... while I stand and 'stare into space' with a look that I am sure scares small children and the faint of heart. Milk...yeah, I need that, bread...wouldn't hurt, Portuguese Sardines packed in Mustard oil...hmmmm I am pretty sure that was not on the list.
So I want to share with you all a method of shopping that I developed over the years for situations like this......the "Jodi's Guide to Glean Shopping "...

First off...Act Normal..grab the basket and just blend into the crowd...throw in 2-3 staples so that you don't look too suspicious... now as you are walking slowly down the food aisles...take quick short glances into others carts...quickly now...and DON'T STARE...otherwise they will be onto you. Notice what they have in their carts...take a good mental picture and then 'go and get that item'.... walk up and down each aisle... not to closely to the shopper in front of you...Tailgate Gleaning is a NO NO! ....Just slowly walk past them, saying excuse me...flash a big smile and then look into their basket as you pass...'snap'click' 'snap' take that mental picture...now back track and grab what you saw.... I have actually prepared wonderful meals for the week just by looking and thinking...hmmm ...they are having spaghetti, Pot Roast...YUM, is that Tilapia ? sounds good!!! And there you have it....Forget you list..not to worry...just glean ideas and products from others...works like a charm!!! Of course... there were those times in the beginning when I came home with bunion ointment, rudabeggas, pickled pigs feet and a extra large pack of 'Huggies' ...I was inexperienced back then... and got caught up in the moment! Now I know when to hold em and when to fold em...
It's an Art Form ...and saves you from those 'Listless' Monday's

Have Fun....(now where did I put that duct tape?)

Jodi