Shopping goddess - Overview and Helpful Hints:
Basic Overview: shopping every other week takes about 2
hours (give or take). Keep an eye on the shopping list and inventory to
determine when to go shopping. When something gets circled on the list, we
still have one of whatever left. That way, you can let the list build up a
little bit to make the trip worth it.
During PA shift check the shopping list and inventory
because sometimes things don’t get circled and you’ll get an idea of when you
need to go.
Before you Go: before you leave check the list and inventory
again just to make sure everything you need to get is circled. More often than
not, people forget to circle things so ALWAYS double check inventory and
shopping list. Also ask Don about credit card limit. Remember to bring reusable
grocery bags. When you return from shopping read the totals from the receipts
to Don and put them in “Kate’s Box” (the horizontal file holder on Kate’s
desk).
Sprouts: depending on how much frozen food we have, buy 3
bunches of kale (or whatever greens you pick, kale is the easiest to cook and
is usually on sale) for 1 package of chicken. We usually go through greens
quicker so that’s just a general guideline to use so sometimes you might have
to adjust it. There should technically always be four containers of frozen greens
and protein, its okay if there’s less, but just make sure we don’t run
out. Typically buy 3 bushels of parsley,
if there’s still a whole one in the fridge get 2. Buy fennel bulb based on bone
broth; if we have bones and can start a batch, get a fennel bulb. Overall, just
use your judgment.
Vitamin Cottage: there are a few things we get from here
that we go through quickly so buy multiple:
Burts Bees Honey chapstick (3)
Rosemary (4)
Plant enzymes (2)
Dish soap (2)
Water: good way to determine when to go shopping. If three
or more of the 5 gallon jugs are empty check the shopping list/inventory, use
your judgment. It is easiest to bring 2 of the jugs in, get everything else on
the list, check-out and tell the cashier how much water you have/will be getting
and make two trips if necessary. Also, they will help you load the water into
your car if you want, sometimes they offer but you might have to ask.
Rewards: sign up online so you can use your phone number. Go
to naturalgrocers.com and in the upper right-hand corner click Npower sign
up/log in.
Sam’s Club: the most important thing we get at Sam’s is
paper towels so buy 2 depending on how much we have. Also there’s a few things
you can get here or wherever is most convenient:
-organic extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
-hydrogen peroxide
Online Shopping: the billing address is my home address in Collierville, TN 38017.
Also the phone number for the billing address is my wife's cell phone (all of this
information is on the paper above the phone in the kitchen). When you order
from Herbal Healers when you check out click “order with credit card on file”
and then scroll down and enter the “HHA Member Number” which is DB1048. You’ll
still have to put in the credit card info even though it says it’s on file. For
Super II, order 3; Reishi Mushroom, ½ pound ground; and Colloidal Silver, 2oz
with dropper BUT check with Don before you buy anything.
Other: there are some things that you can obviously get at
multiple different stores (such as EVOO, hydrogen peroxide, Burts bees
chapstick, etc.) to save time and gas, get it where it’s convenient. For
example if we need EVOO but nothing else from Sam’s Club get it at Sprouts or
Vitamin Cottage. Also, generally speaking, get the bigger quantity of things if
it is available (ex., T gel shampoo, hand lotion, coconut oil, etc.).
As the shopping goddess, you’re also in charge of running
other errands for Don unless he asks someone else. The most common would be
sending his mail. If Don asks you to mail something go to Leonard’s Mail Store
(off Magnolia and Howes). Kate and Ken have an account there so when it’s time
to pay say he/Kate has an account.
Also, when you return from shopping don’t hesitate to ask
the PA to help you unload water and groceries.
IMPORTANT: the shopping goddess is in charge of getting cash
for Don’s haircuts ($15) and staff meetings (usually about $100). You can get
cash back and Wal-Mart and King Soopers in amounts of $60 so try to plan ahead
as much as you can by looking at the calendar to see when haircuts and staff
meetings occur. Sometimes you’ll just have to go to either King Soopers or
Wal-Mart and get something we use but it’s not circled on the list (ex.
Hydrogen peroxide, dryer sheets, etc. use your judgment). Also Wal-Mart doesn’t
have 10 dollar bills so get change at King Soopers or a bank. As a last resort
it is possible to get checks from Kate so if it comes down to it, text her to
see if she or Ken will be in town, but again, this is a last resort situation.
Bones: we usually go through Meadow Maid Foods at farmers
markets. Email Cindy Ridenour (cindyr@meadowmaidfood.com)
to see if/when she will be in Fort
Collins and to place an order. 20 lbs lasts about 4-5
months. She only takes cash or check. If you can’t get cash text Kate to see if
you can get a check. If that doesn’t work out you can buy organic bone broth at
Sprouts/Vitamin Cottage. Try getting on Google and searching for organic
grass-fed beef bones. They don’t have to be beef, but they do have to be
organic. If that doesn’t work consult Kate.
Additional liquid bone broth options. There is a big
difference between beef broth and bone broth! In terms of vitamins, minerals
and nutritional content. Bone broth must be organic and can be found premade in
those square boxes they put soup in nowadays at Vitamin Cottage (now called
Natural Grocers) and Whole Foods. Check for some at Sprouts. Buy organic beef
bones from Vitamin Cottage or Whole Foods but of course they cost more. Get
knuckle bones and or marrow bones.
Lastly, don’t hesitate to ask questions about anything you
aren’t sure about. Don and Barb are both good resources. You can also call
stores to see if they have what we need or to price check.
