Another Bonanza at Grocery Outlet!

Grocery Outlet {Click to Enlarge}

In anticipation of today's paycheck, I circled Grocery Outlet ads using my iPhone Flipp app. Of course, I had some knowledge of what I would find. Even so, if you have any experience with Grocery Outlet, you know that there are always surprises. 

I love healthy products! I do not appreciate the high-end prices of a natural market. I have been spending $4.79 for one Bragg Organic Sprinkle with a local mom-and-pop grocer. I found it for 99 cents today! The only difference was that the label was written in both English and French.

Here is a summary of my bonanza...
Retail value: $125.01
Total savings: $66.69
Balance due without tax: $58.32

What I bought...

• 3 - 12 oz. packages of Natural Applewood Smoked Uncured Bacon
• 3 jars of Bragg Organic Sprinkle
• 2 - 2 lb. packages of Organic Valley Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 2 - 1 liter bottles of Tejava Tea
• 1 Earthbound Organic Baby Spinach and Spring Mix
• 1 Earthbound Organic Baby Romaine
• 1 jar Kordatos Kalamata Whole Olives
• 1 jar Organic Peanut Butter
• 1 carton of Meadow Gold Whipping Cream
• 1 package of Aidells Organic Cajun Style Andouille 
• 1 package of Wensleydale & Cranberry Gourmet Cheese

Just a 2 lb. package of Organic Valley Sharp Cheddar Cheese was over 50% less! I would have spent around $19.00 for each brick at a natural store. I also try to stock up on nitrate and nitrite free bacon whenever they have it . 

I was told that the owner of my local Grocery Outlet loves Tejava Tea, so it will probably stick around. It sells for $1.29 each! This makes me smile.

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Saving Money

Do high prices keep you from eating healthier? I am sometimes stunned by the investment. If I were the only one eating in my family, maybe I could justify it. It is true that cheaper products are often inferior because manufacturers have cut corners, added sugar and chemicals. It costs more to do it right, but is this a reasonable explanation for huge markups?

I occasionally shop at Whole Foods. The store inspires me despite their preference for carbs. I buy hard-to-find products and food items that are on sale or have a store coupon. My aim is to leave without having spent $40 for just 3 things.

I tried couponing in my early 40's. I was never extreme enough to become a ninja, but I worked up a sweat. Just my low-level commitment gobbled up my life. Even then, I rejected junk and I had no interest in storing up needless bulk items. I also had a pet peeve for being stuck behind the shopper with 50+ coupons. If patiently watching the scanning process was not enough, there were always discrepancies between coupons and what was actually purchased.

Couponing is no longer a hobby, but I still use them. I have found that I can buy high-quality, healthy products in discount stores—even those without membership fees. Grocery Outlet is a prime example.

Here are some of my recent Grocery Outlet finds . . .

Chosen Food's Avocado Oil Mayo with Harissa; Tejava bottled tea; Bragg's Liquid Aminos and Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil; bacon, andouille and beer brats without nitrates and nitrites; organic chicken thighs; natural avocado dip without additives; huge packages of chicharrones; Chobani Mezé Dip with Smoked Onions and Parmesan; grass fed ground beef; and provolone cheese slices. (I make taco shells out of the provolone.)

I paid $62 after $54 was deducted! I bought a variety of items without buying too much of any one thing. I read labels for carb counts and hidden sugar. If one of my favs had gone up in price, I chose a less expensive similar product.

Unless the aisle is crowded, I usually make the NOSH isle (above) first on my agenda. I then head for the meat and cheese section. After I have selected things from these locations, I check my budget before moving to other sections.

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The Perpetual Tea Tray and Sugar

Green Pine Needle Cast Iron Teapot
[Click to Enlarge]

I resisted the low-carb lifestyle at first. My love for tea parlors made it hard to imagine high tea without scones, pastries, truffles, and mini sandwiches. I never added sugar to my tea, but carbs were a major component in everything else. I owned a handbook listing the tea establishments in and around California. I wanted to visit them all! I was off to a good start, too, until we moved to Idaho.

Since going low-carb, I no longer miss the sugar. I am content with a steamy pot of tea and a nibble of fruit or dark chocolate. However, I do miss the pomp of parlors—the indulgence and anticipation. So, it is my desire to recreate one of my favorite pastimes into something that is low-carb friendly.

I used to conduct workshops in retail settings. One of my favorite topics was The Perpetual Tea Tray. I challenged my guests to always have a tea tray prepared for the act of tea. Just add water! I then recommended changing the tray's themes to celebrate seasons and special occasions.

Stay tuned for my weekly feature: Tea for Tuesday. I will be expounding on the virtues of tea and teatime!

NOTE: The above photo spotlights some treasures that I have collected over the years. The pine needle cast iron teapot and mug are not only attractive, but they keep the tea warm. The napkin is from April Cornell. The bamboo tea tray was an exceptional deal from Grocery Outlet!

Teatime. Free time. Me time.

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Fat Sat | Noshing

In my last Fat Sat (Fat Saturday) post, I praised the virtues of Grocery Outlet, which included their NOSH merchandise. So, today I went low-carb NOSHing on a budget . . . and look what I found! 

All of these products are low in carbs and without additives, hormones, growth stimulants, and preservatives.

• 1 14 oz. bag of Mac's Chicharrones
• 2 18-oz. packs of Nature Raised Farms Uncured Bacon
• 2 8-oz Butterball Turkey Breakfast Sausage Patties
• 2 12-oz. packages of Park's Finest Slow Smoked Hickory Beef Franks
• 2 6-oz. packages of Pocino Natural Italian Dry Salami

9 items: 1 snack and 9 meat

Total: $27.48

Savings: $21.62

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Fat Sat | Grocery Outlet

Fat Sat will be a weekly Everlovin' Low-Carb feature. The post title is short for Fat Saturday and will feature LCHF (low-carb-high-fat) news, tips, and inspiration.

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I now have a Grocery Outlet in my neighborhood. Being unfamiliar with the store, I immediately pictured heavily processed food. I was curious though, so I attended the Grocery Outlet Grand Opening. I was delighted to discover their NOSH merchandise (natural-organic-specialty-healthy), which includes many low-carb essentials.

I found plenty of products labeled gluten free, but nothing specifically identified as low-carb. Gluten free products usually replace the culprits with other carbs, so I read a lot of Nutrition Facts. I ended up scoring some quality goods at serious savings!

The only drawback of any outlet is the limited availability of products. Yet, I have seen many favorites reappear.

Here are some of the low-carb items that I have picked up at Grocery Outlet...

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