Works For Me: Kitchen Edition

Organizing A Grocery List

Well, Shannon has inspired us to share our best kitchen management ideas.

Since I am not known for being organized (at least not at the level of having any helpful tips), I want to share with you how I organize a grocery list.

Whenever I make a grocery list, I divide it into categories, leaving space under each one. Then, I fill in the items I need. Here is an example:

Deli
1/2 pound turkey breast

Produce
tomatoes
lettuce
oranges

Meats
ground beef
chicken breasts
something for dinner tonight

Frozen Foods
popsicles
box broccoli
toaster strudel

Dairy
milk
sour cream
cheddar cheese

Breads
loaf bread
rolls for dinner
hot dog buns

Snacks
something for lunches
tortilla chips

Sodas
diet coke
bottled water

Misc. (like detergents, cat food, etc.)
Tide
dryer sheets


I also separate the list into certain aisles. After I've shopped at a store a few times, I remember that the salsa is on the same aisle as the soups or the spaghetti sauce, for example. So I group those items together on my list.

Here is an example of separating them by aisle/type of canned good:

Other
cream of chicken soup
beef broth

Spaghetti sauce
Pasta
Parm. cheese in the can

You can just divide up your list each time or, if you are really organized, you can make up a grocery list form on your computer and print one out every time you shop.

Grouping items on your list together that are near each other in the store keeps you from running from aisle to aisle and then back again.

You know that feeling. You are in the dairy section and look down at your list and say,"Oh Man, I need some tomatoes!"

Then you go back to produce to get the tomatoes, look down at your list and see "sour cream."

I hate that.

Do you have any more tips for kitchen management? Share them over at Shannon's.