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2020 SHOP SMALL GUIDE

11/27/2020

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The holidays are here friends! It really is wild to think about how quickly 2020 has flown by, but not without some "bumps" along the way. Everyone -- every single body and business -- is shifting to make things work despite what's going on in our world. For me, it definitely makes celebrating and showing my loved ones just how much I care (no matter how small the gesture!) that much more meaningful and special.

This 2020 holiday season, I *really* hope you'll consider buying local for your holiday shopping list. Keep scrolling for some of my personal picks for #ShopSmallSaturday that won't break the bank because everything listed is $25 or under! 
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#1: Eat To Sleep: What to Eat & When to Eat It for a Good Night’s Sleep ($18.00)

You know that friend (or family member) that's all about their self-care? This book from Karman Meyer, RD, LDN is an awesome add to their routine. Sleep is so very very essential -- according to the CDC, 1/3 of American adults are walking around without enough sleep each day -- so sleep really is the perfect thing to perfect in 2021 :)

#2: Tiramisu Paperie Being Productive AF Mousepad Notepad ($12.00)

Who doesn't need a little more organization in their life? This tear-away notepad can be for anyone in your immediate family or even your work family! I personally really like using them for meal planning :) 
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#3: CityFit Live Monthly Membership ($10.00)

There are lots of options to stay healthy even while at home, but my very favorite comes from my CityFit family! With this virtual fitness membership you get unlimited access to 25+ weekly classes (including nutrition talks from yours truly :)) that are geared towards giving YOU the freedom to fit wellness into your week. (Pst... there's also the option to purchase a 6-month membership for $50, making each month less than $8.50!) ​

#4: Three-Piece BeeKeepers Mixed Set ($20.00)

With so much cooking at home, having a fail-safe way to keep leftovers fresh is essential! These adorable reusable food wraps can appeal to any personality you need to gift as they come in several designs and size sets (most $20 and under). 
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#5: Nashville Community Education Gift Certificate ($10.00-125.00)

We *almost* had to say goodbye to Nashville Community Education this past year, but you can help support this invaluable organization that provides adult learning to Middle TN by purchasing a gift certificate for the loved one who loves to learn in your life! Classes are diverse AND affordable and NCE has everything from sewing and social media, to Spanish and meal planning (*hint hint*) ;) Best part, most classes are being offered virtually so you don't even have to be located in Nashville, TN. 

#6: Nashville City Saver* ($25.00)

We have been LOVING using our Nashville City Saver around town so I feel it's a wonderful gift for a foodie friend or family member. It comes with access to their FREE mobile app which gives you even more savings + all your book discounts at local Nashville restaurants like Daddy's Dogs, Greko Greek Street Food, Sunflower Cafe and so many more! (*NOTE: This link is an affiliate link - meaning at no extra charge to you, I will receive a small payment for visit to this website.) 

Who are you shopping for this holiday season? Tell me in the comments below!

lindsey
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SERVICES WE TRIED: SHIPT

10/18/2020

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How many ways can you get groceries during the pandemic?! We recently tried Shipt thanks to our friends at The Kitchn! 
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What are the benefits of Shipt? 

  • CONVENIENCE! Not many other services deliver straight to your door, so no matter if you are staying safer at home, don't have the time to shop for what you need, OR just don't like shopping period, Shipt is a great option. Also, Shipt claims that they can get your goods in as soon as 1 hour, but I haven't personally tried this yet :) 
  • CUSTOMER SERVICE! With Shipt, you actually get a personal shopper (aka "Shipt Shopper") who is in constant communication with you to ensure you have a great experience. During my recent order, my shopper (1) text messaged me before shopping to ask if there was anything else I needed, (2) notified me when an item was out of stock, and (3) kept me updated on his status regarding check-out and delivery the whole way. Talk about transparency!
  • VARIETY! Shipt partners with more than just your favorite grocery store! In my area, I could also order from retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond, CVS, Office Depot & OfficeMax. How cool!? 
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What are the cons to Shipt? 

  • I'm my opinion, higher pricing is not something I want to see as someone who is pretty budget-conscious. (FYI: According to Shipt, the price of items "...will vary slightly from in-store prices to help cover the costs of picking, packing and processing. Our members can expect to pay about $5 more using Shipt than they would on a $35 order purchased in the store themselves.") Don't forget this is in addition to your Shipt membership AND any tip you leave your Shipt Shopper. 
  • When items are out of stock, I find it stressful to make an decision on how to proceed. When you're shopping in-person at a store you can see all of the available options in front of you, can quickly learn about a product, and make the best decision given your options -- obviously that's not the case when you're shopping with Shipt. 
So where are you when it comes to grocery shopping right now? Are you going in-person? Outsourcing this weekly errand? I'd love to know in the comments below! 

lindsey

P.S. If you're interested in giving Shipt a try, save $10 on a full year of unlimited delivery service (just $89 vs. $99) HERE! #myshiptkitchen #shiptpartner #kitchncabinetshipt #sponsored
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FREE PRINTABLE FOOD WASTE WORKSHEET

6/14/2020

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Hey friends!

You're likely all aware that the U.S. has a major food waste problem. According to the FDA, 30-40% of the food supply is wasted in the United States! Not only is this putting strain on our mother earth, but it's
money you could've kept in your wallet and nourishment that could have gone to those in need. We can ALL do better. And what better time to start doing so than now -- when our pantries and freezers are likely overloaded due to the COVID-19 craze. Keep scrolling for my simple FOOD WASTE WORKSHEET that you can print off today! 
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As a registered dietitian nutritionist, I assist a lot of people with healthier eating habits and practices. It's my passion! But no matter the exact eating issue we're trying to tackle, some form of food journaling or assessment is typical to help us uncover all the "areas of improvement". :)

​So, in similar fashion this FOOD WASTE WORKSHEET is designed to allow you to (A) track what and how much food you're currently wasting, and then (B) decide exactly how you're going to do better about food waste in the future. It's not enough to simply say, "I've got to stop wasting food!" -- we must uncover a "How are we going to reduce wasting food?" that's realistic to our households. 
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Here's an example of how I filled out my FOOD WASTE WORKSHEET. (I personally like including how much I paid for the item as it helps reinforce how much money I'm throwing away.)

​And there is no right or wrong when it comes to your "Save It Strategy" -- try to settle on something that is easily achievable for you and your family. If you're having difficulty figuring out a way to prevent food waste with any particular item, feel free to reach out to us or your personal network of friends, family, and colleagues for ideas. 
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Printable Food Waste Worksheet_TheMealPlanningMethod.com
File Size: 16 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Feel free to use this FOOD WASTE WORKSHEET in whatever way that ultimate assists you, but I would recommend going through your fridge (and pantry and freezer) for items that are on their way out before you make your next grocery store trip. Not only will this give you an opportunity to see what you already have on hand to hopefully prevent any potential food waste from happening immediately, but will also give you an extra reminder NOT to over-purchase or hoard items at your next grocery trip. 

I'd love to hear what foods items you typically waste and how you plan on "saving" them in the future! Tell me in the comments below or tag us at @themealplanngingmethod on Facebook or Instagram.

lindsey 
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