Grocery shopping tips during Coronavirus quarantine #2

[ilovewings]

Thank you for sharing. These are among reasons that DH and I prefer to select our own fresh produce, fish, meat, groceries, etc. I've watched "professional shoppers" in Nino's who appear to move rather quickly in fulfilling orders for Fresh To Go customers. Nino's started offering curbside pickup long before COVID, but I'm sure there are now many more customers utilizing the service. I understand the need to be efficient in filling carts with requested items, but the haphazard manner in which they "pick" items leaves a lot to be desired. As I mentioned previously, I like being able to select my own fresh produce, fish at the seafood counter, meat at the butcher shop, etc. I know exactly what I'm getting.

I spent a lot of time yesterday researching the produce delivery programs available where I live. There are many from which to choose: Doorganics, Imperfect Foods, Misfits Market, Hungry Harvest, Farmstop, Farmbox, The Good Trade, among others. Besides Nino Salvaggio's, there are a couple of other local international marketplaces that also offer online orders with curbside pickup. I read about the different "boxes" from which to choose and pricing is competitive. Some purveyors offer choices while others send what's fresh and available at the time of delivery. Thanks to those here who have shared their experiences with produce delivery services and my research, I would definitely consider using one of them if it became necessary for our circumstances.

I definitely want to pick out my own fish, meat and produce: of course if i couldn't, then i would have to use one of those delivery programs. I am so amazed when we go to Nino's: they have 8 different kind of kabobs, steak/chicken: they have so many kinds of steak, 3 different kinds of chicken salad. the place is amazing. I could probably spend all day there if left to my own devices!!!

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

no bacon for me (vegan) but I do like a little bit of coleslaw with vinaigrette and I used to love cabbage rolls (haven't had them in decades but I do plan on making a vegan version someday)

but boiled cabbage no thank you

I did some searching and found dozens of recipes for vegan stuffed cabbage. Combinations of whole grains like quinoa and brown rice, and/or assorted vegetables - I might even make one of the recipes for a Meatless Monday.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I definitely want to pick out my own fish, meat and produce: of course if i couldn't, then i would have to use one of those delivery programs. I am so amazed when we go to Nino's: they have 8 different kind of kabobs, steak/chicken: they have so many kinds of steak, 3 different kinds of chicken salad. the place is amazing. I could probably spend all day there if left to my own devices!!!

I never go to Nino's when I have to be somewhere afterwards or am otherwise in a hurry. It's easy to get carried away while perusing the floral and gift displays, selecting fresh fruits and vegetables, choosing a gorgeous piece of swordfish or perfect pork chops, meandering up and down aisles checking out the unusual and awesome products, chatting with managers and other staff who we know. I always feel happy when I've been there. I love "my Nino's"

 

[ilovewings]

I never go to Nino's when I have to be somewhere afterwards or am otherwise in a hurry. It's easy to get carried away while perusing the floral and gift displays, selecting fresh fruits and vegetables, choosing a gorgeous piece of swordfish or perfect pork chops, meandering up and down aisles checking out the unusual and awesome products, chatting with managers and other staff who we know. I always feel happy when I've been there. I love "my Nino's"

It is an awesome place!! you mentioned some other international grocery stores--- where are they located and are they anything close to as good as Nino's?

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

It is an awesome place!! you mentioned some other international grocery stores--- where are they located and are they anything close to as good as Nino's?

Prior to Salvaggio's opening in Troy, we used to go to Papa Joe's at their original location on Rochester Road just north of Troy. They moved farther out in Rochester Hills several years ago. We visited the new store a couple of times, but the location isn't convenient, and we prefer Nino's. Papa Joe's also has a Birmingham location, but we've never been there. The other international market that we visited a couple of times when visiting my sister on the east side is Vince & Joe's in Shelby Twp. Again, way to0 far, and we prefer Nino's.

Re: My previous post. Due to the pandemic, trips to Nino's are much shorter, and DH and/or I try to get in and out as quickly as possible. Very little chatting, meandering, or lingering I still love going there, even if my visits are curtailed.

Papa Joe's Market - Metro Detroit Catering and Gourmet Market

Vince & Joe’s Gourmet Markets

 

[ilovewings]

Prior to Salvaggio's opening in Troy, we used to go to Papa Joe's at their original location on Rochester Road just north of Troy. They moved farther out in Rochester Hills several years ago. We visited the new store a couple of times, but the location isn't convenient, and we prefer Nino's. Papa Joe's also has a Birmingham location, but we've never been there. The other international market that we visited a couple of times when visiting my sister on the east side is Vince & Joe's in Shelby Twp. Again, way to0 far, and we prefer Nino's.

Re: My previous post. Due to the pandemic, trips to Nino's are much shorter, and DH and/or I try to get in and out as quickly as possible. Very little chatting, meandering, or lingering I still love going there, even if my visits are curtailed.

Papa Joe's Market - Metro Detroit Catering and Gourmet Market

Vince & Joe’s Gourmet Markets

I didn't know they had a Nino's in Troy LOL
We don't meander either- we kind of have a list, get what's on the list
and leave------ maybe when this pandemic leaves us we can spend more
time enjoying the wonder of Nino's ----- those other markets look nice too
but much less convenient!

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I didn't know they had a Nino's in Troy LOL
We don't meander either- we kind of have a list, get what's on the list
and leave------ maybe when this pandemic leaves us we can spend more
time enjoying the wonder of Nino's ----- those other markets look nice too
but much less convenient!

The Troy store is about 10 minutes from our home in Rochester Hills. Nino's is on the corner of South Blvd. and Rochester Road. The south side of the corner is Troy; north side is Rochester Hills.

 

[LadyL]

I did some searching and found dozens of recipes for vegan stuffed cabbage. Combinations of whole grains like quinoa and brown rice, and/or assorted vegetables - I might even make one of the recipes for a Meatless Monday.

Yayyy! I have looked at recipes before but I'm sort of learning to cook a lot of things so it all seems so complicated sometimes. But I'm gaining confidence as I have a few things that I can make without referring to a recipe now. If you make it, let me know how you liked it.

 

[Midwestmom2019]

Never mind the pandemic. Hurricane watchers beware:
Costco limits water to 3 cases. So I grabbed those plus every junk food that I could find. Nutella. Chicken Alfredo. Muffins. Bread. Toilet paper. Then good food: Fresh berries. Salad greens. Frozen salmon. Aspirin, Excedrins and Sam-E. Whatever I was missing, I purchased. Whatever is coming, come on. We’re ready for you. Even the dogs got rawhide chews.
I have more than needed for a hurricane week in the canned, rice, flour, and yeast department.
It started pouring rain while shopping and while everyone cowered under the eves, I just walked out into the rain. Dripping wet, I loaded cold food into my blue cooler, stacked everything else on the seats, and drove home. What else could I do? I guess wait with everyone for it to pass. But it rained for a long time, even after I got home and unloaded on that end. No reason to drive in the dark. Pandemic has really brought out the bad in people. Staying safe is paramount.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Yayyy! I have looked at recipes before but I'm sort of learning to cook a lot of things so it all seems so complicated sometimes. But I'm gaining confidence as I have a few things that I can make without referring to a recipe now. If you make it, let me know how you liked it.

Will do, but it won't be until fall/winter. I make stuffed peppers, too, and have done those without meat several times. Whole grains, lots of veggies, and cheese. I will probably do the same type of recipe with cabbage rolls and top them with a sweet and tangy tomato sauce.

 

[JDG]

Got a great buy on canned fish. Tuna and salmon, have enough for the rest of our lives.

It will come in handy when the schools open and the numbers go way up as well as during snowstorms when we won't want to go out.

I love a bargain! woohoo!

 

[JDG]

The Troy store is about 10 minutes from our home in Rochester Hills. Nino's is on the corner of South Blvd. and Rochester Road. The south side of the corner is Troy; north side is Rochester Hills.

Madonna grew up in Rochester Hills. Just a quick aside.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Madonna grew up in Rochester Hills. Just a quick aside.

I knew Madonna when she studied ballet with the late Christopher Flynn. Madonna was in high school, and I was an adult student of Mr. Flynn when my husband and I relocated to metro Detroit after college. Madonna and I took ballet classes together for a few years before she left for the University of Michigan and then went on to dance in New York.

 

[JDG]

I knew Madonna when she studied ballet with the late Christopher Flynn. Madonna was in high school, and I was an adult student of Mr. Flynn when my husband and I relocated to metro Detroit after college. Madonna and I took ballet classes together for a few years before she left for the University of Michigan and then went on to dance in New York.

No matter what you think of her 'style', she's one very smart cookie!

Still going strong into her 60s, well done Madonna.

Did you like her as a person? Just curious.

 

[oviedo]

Never mind the pandemic. Hurricane watchers beware:
Costco limits water to 3 cases. So I grabbed those plus every junk food that I could find. Nutella. Chicken Alfredo. Muffins. Bread. Toilet paper. Then good food: Fresh berries. Salad greens. Frozen salmon. Aspirin, Excedrins and Sam-E. Whatever I was missing, I purchased. Whatever is coming, come on. We’re ready for you. Even the dogs got rawhide chews.
I have more than needed for a hurricane week in the canned, rice, flour, and yeast department.
It started pouring rain while shopping and while everyone cowered under the eves, I just walked out into the rain. Dripping wet, I loaded cold food into my blue cooler, stacked everything else on the seats, and drove home. What else could I do? I guess wait with everyone for it to pass. But it rained for a long time, even after I got home and unloaded on that end. No reason to drive in the dark. Pandemic has really brought out the bad in people. Staying safe is paramount.

balancing hurricanes is always difficult - for now, my freezer is full but I also have plenty of charcoal to cook with - last time we were without power for 7 days and I did not lose any food - used my frozen meat as it began to thaw but that didn't happen until day 4. I usually keep frozen water bottles to serve as ice which is nearly impossible to find and I also freeze tupperware - last hurricane, I froze my Aldi box wine bags and used them to keep the fridge stuff cold - It was not easy filling them up with water after the wine was gone but worth it- they are substantial.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

No matter what you think of her 'style', she's one very smart cookie!

Still going strong into her 60s, well done Madonna.

Did you like her as a person? Just curious.

When Christopher Flynn moved to a brand new studio in Pontiac from his original ballet school in downtown Rochester, DH did not want me to drive there alone. He would take me to evening classes with our infant daughter in tow and sit in the waiting area while I took class. Madonna asked to hold my our daughter a couple of times and offered to babysit. We were lucky enough to have family who would watch our daughter when we went out, but we would have definitely asked Madonna to babysit if had been necessary because we knew that she loved kids and was a responsible sibling. Madonna is a very intelligent and creative woman. Even as a high school student, she was destined for success.

 

[ilovewings]

i scored a pack of 5 Clorox Wipes at Costco today
one pack of 5 allowed pet member
i couldnt believe they had it!!!!

 

[Midwestmom2019]

i scored a pack of 5 Clorox Wipes at Costco today
one pack of 5 allowed pet member
i couldnt believe they had it!!!!

In a hit or miss world, I check everything, each time I go. When it’s there, I get it bc when I need it, it might not be there. Not hoarding. Planning.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

i scored a pack of 5 Clorox Wipes at Costco today
one pack of 5 allowed pet member
i couldnt believe they had it!!!!

Which Costco? We go to Costco on Telegraph north of Square Lake in Bloomfield Twp. They haven't had Clorox wipes for months

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

In a hit or miss world, I check everything, each time I go. When it’s there, I get it bc when I need it, it might not be there. Not hoarding. Planning.

I agree. I'm already reading reports about the impending flu season along with continuing COVID. Fall and winter are going to be difficult, and we'll probably hunker down and not venture out much. Best to be prepared.