I hate grocery shopping, like truly I hate fighting the lines, weaving with the cart, and putting up with other people. I like people just as much as anyone else, on my time. But the grocery store is a lot like the airplane, people seem to lose all self control and common sense when they enter. It is amazing to watch from the sidelines, but to have to be in it, I want to pull my hair out. So I always seem to be running in, grabbing what I need and rushing out. All while not really thinking about what I am grabbing, just getting it so I can get out. But being mindful about what you are shopping for will make you more mindful about what you are putting in your body.
I know I've said it before, and we hear it everywhere, our bodies are temples and we need to treat them as such. And with food being the fuel that keeps us trucking along, we really need to be mindful of what we are putting in it.
I am the first to admit that what I eat isn't always going to be perfect, sometimes that really isn't possible. I have days where I am running from one job to the next, and there isn't even one extra second to cook something from fresh and eat like doctors tell us to. And I'm human and not prefect, and then there are just those days were Chick-fil-A is calling my name. But even going out or eating on the road, there are choices that you can make that will keep you pointed in the right direction. Swapping out fries for a salad, or grilled nuggets instead of breaded. But don't beat yourself up when you fall off the path, just enjoy the reward or cheat meal, and keep moving forward.
When it comes to cooking at home and grocery shopping, take your time. Slow down and think about what you want, and how you want to feel after these meals. I think that old adage about shopping around the outside of the store and staying out of the middle aisles doesn't really apply anymore. There seems to be more organic selections in the stores now, than ever before. Still trying to stay away for processed foods is the better way to go. Trying to stick to fresh fruits and vegetables, hormone free meats and seafood, and away from "junk" food makes the world of difference.
Being mindful about your shopping, and what you are putting into your body, will make it easier to be more mindful about other aspects of your life. So as your wandering through the aisles and produce sections, stop to think. "How am I going to feel after I eat this meal?" If your answer is 'I'm going to feel like crap and regret it", then change up your choice. Remember the temple!
