We've got a milkman! Ah well, 2 litres of blue milk is twice the price of Asda's current offer of 4 litres for £2 but Dairy Crest's Milk and More did have a special on Country Life butter this week so I ordered half a dozen and, anyway, milk is my weakness because I had the habit of popping into Tesco Express for it and being coaxed into the ease of shopping there, buying too much on impulse. One hiccup - our new milkman couldn't find our house but the company phoned, I directed and he got to us eventually. Oh, and the Rich n Creamy yoghurt turned into Virtually Fat Free (not my bag, Baby).
I've also gone halves on a weekly fruit and vegetable box from Cossey Produce with Holly and Mark. I eagerly await the first delivery.
And then, of course, there's our WsM Food Buying Group - collectively we spent over £250 and so qualify for the discount. Thanks Holly for instigating and organising this. So exciting! I've ordered some things practically unknown to our cupboards, including quinoa, which I've never, ever used or even seen. Recipes are welcome.
Today, I spent about an hour and a half shopping in Weston's town centre: spices, pulses and some fresh produce from Eastern Delight in Orchard Street, where I discussed lamb recipes with the woman who works there. I was appreciative when she opened the door for me and my bags, laden with cheese, eggs, ham and enough sausages to last us a month from Palmer's the Butcher, bread from Winnie's Bakery (both next to Silica) and dried fruit and seeds on special offer plus the baking powder I so needed for our next cake-baking sesh from Julian Graves in the Sovereign Centre. I faltered at sugar buying and dipped into Marks & Spencer's, the only place that was heaving; exactly what I'm trying to keep away from - the crowds, the crowds.
What qualifies as a supermarket? Like I said to a friend I bumped into in Palmer's, I don't want this to be an exercise of self-flagellation, do I? Not the point at all. So, one day I may have to contemplate browsing the flour and sugar aisle at Co-op or Waitrose. As long as they're not busy!
The biggest plus is that we've been eating a wider range of nutritious and tasty food than we have since my now five-year old was weaning, when this brand-new, eager mother insisted that everything had to be fresh. I was at my healthiest during pregnancy, not so much with The Glow but due to a solid, well-balanced diet, without any of my vices/addictions. Ahem.
Meals are now better planned, waste is already less and I'm having fun in the kitchen and in the shops. Fun, yes, fun! I told my daughter that she could pick any fruit from Fruitline in Worle. She chose a single orange and hugged it to her face all the way to the car, "I just can't stop smelling it!" She made Fairies spring from it on peeling and sucked the huge thing dry. The pineapple was also fresher, so much so that it stung her lips. Our Somerset Brie is ultra-creamy too!
As for the economics of the whole thing, I won't know that for maybe a couple of months but it looks as though it won't be any more expensive than my manic trips to Stressco or Asda.
Happy Eating :-)
