| When grocery shopping, buy fresh, organic, hormone-free and cage-free! Why? Food the way Mother Nature made is safe and wholesome. Organic food doesn’t contain toxins like pesticides and chemicals or preservatives. Everything is in it's natural form. Processed and synthetic foods have well-known health hazards, so, you be the judge. Other suggestions include:
- Never buy sodas at the store. Treat yourself when you go out to eat (on occasion).
- Keep more foods at the home so you don't eat out so much. That can get quite expensive after awhile.
- Read labels carefully. Stay away from products which are high in sodium, sugars, high fructose corn syrup, low in fiber, low in vitamins and minerals and that contain white flour.
- Shop at off-peak hours. Avoid the rush! You'll get better (one-on-one) service and you'll get out of the store faster!
- Long lines? Grab your favorite magazine from the rack and park yourself in line! You'll be surprised at how fast the lines go when you're not paying attention! I like to bring my own music when I shop too. I have an MP3 player I carry with me into the store that plays my favorite tunes. Works wonders while I'm standing in line too.
- When you shop, shop quickly and with a purpose. The next time you shop for groceries, keep your eyes forward, and mind your wallet and your stomach all at the same time. Bring a calculator if you have to. If you're on a budget, "stay on budget!"
- Get only what you came for. Walk in with a list. Another benefit of making a list? Before you go to the grocery store, make a list of the items you need. You'll be less likely to impulsively shop and buy fattening foods that will destroy all your hard dieting efforts. If you find yourself reaching for that bag of evil candy bars, picture the body that you want to have in your mind. Then ask yourself, "Will this bag of candy crappers help me look like that?" Your answer will be a definite "NO!" You have the power to take control over your buying urges. Resist becoming a slave to food and your impulses and slick commercial advertising.
- When you're in line at the grocery store, or any other store for that matter, just don't stand there – do something productive! Read a magazine, newspaper, pamphlet … anything but those darn gossip magazines. Make a list of other things you must do that day to make your day a complete success! Whatever you do, waiting in line is not the time to be gazing over at the chocolate bars and other tooth decay products! Eyes and mind focused on making lists and reading educational, informative literary pieces instead of those gum and candy boxes behind you!
- Never shop when you're hungry. We've all heard this one before. Well, it's true! When I walk into a grocery store hungry, I'm in trouble right away and so is my bank account! I buy everything in sight. I practically make my dinner in the store and eat it on the way out! Not good! So, eat before you shop, not while you shop!
- Never buy dangerous goods at the super market? Dangerous goods? Yeah, you know, gallons of ice cream, whole cakes and bags of cookies! If you're at home sitting in front of the TV with a gallon of ice cream in your lap, you're bound to eat the whole gallon! Better to NOT buy such items and wait till you're out with friends at a restaurant or at a friend's house. There, you're more apt to order "one slice" or "one bowl" instead of the whole tub.
- Eyes forward on the cashier. Let NOT your eyes wander over to the candy stand so convenient placed for your pleasure. B.S. Those candies are not there for your pleasure. They are sinister, destructive, addictive medicines that you should not touch.
- Get in and get out! The less time spent in the store, the less you are apt to buy. Walk in, get what you need and then walk right back out! Never look back!
|
BY BART SMITH, AUTHOR OF B.S. THE BOOK 