3 tips to turn newbies into supermarket pros in the new normal

Every once in a while, we’ll be pushed to do things we don’t normally do. For some of us, going to do the groceries is something that’s way outside our comfort zones. It’s true—the reality is there will be people, who are totally clueless when it comes to buying groceries. But that’s okay, it’s nothing to be ashamed about, as everyone can always learn something new and get better at it.

What’s most important when it comes to buying groceries, especially during this pandemic, is making the most out of your grocery trips. You’ll want to be in and out of the store as fast as you can like a real supermarket pro in order to avoid risks to yourself and your family.

Here are some tips to help you be a better grocery shopper in the new normal:

1. Write down a carefully planned grocery list

To make the most out of each grocery trip, you’ll have to step up your planning. That means estimating what you’ll need to buy and how much of it you’ll need to buy (within your budget, of course) in order to prolong the time it takes until your next grocery trip. You may have to calculate more thoroughly than usual here, but if it means being able to do more physical distancing and reducing the risk of the virus, it’ll be for the better.

2. Go extra early or in off-peak hours to avoid crowds

Many people will be thinking the same thing and this will be harder than it sounds, but you should try to avoid times when the supermarket has more people. While stores will enforce a maximum capacity limit, you’ll still want to avoid people as much as you can. Try to go extra early so that stock doesn’t run out on you, or figure out the times when there are fewer people in the store—and of course, don’t forget your protective gear!

3. Make a list of “plan B” items

But sometimes, no matter how careful you plan, no matter how early you go, there may be some items and products that won’t have stock. If, for example, there is no more of a certain ingredient in the store shelves, you should be ready with a quick replacement so that you don’t spend too much time in the supermarket, risking yourself further.

Fortunately, there’s always something that works, such as your trusted kitchen and cooking partners from NutriAsia, which have been delicious staples of households for decades. In the company’s latest video, a clueless dad calls up his son to ask for his help in preparing a special meal to surprise Mom, and the resulting adventure is nothing short of adorable, thanks to the help of some handy NutriAsia products like the UFC Spaghetti Supreme Pack. 

No matter how challenging situations might be, it’s definitely easy to make the most of them—and your grocery trips—with NutriAsia’s products!

Be a Shopwise Home Wise Mom!

When you're a busy mom, a trip to the grocery is not a chore, it's a getaway! Mommies like me enjoy walking through neatly-stacked aisles, thinking of what new dishes we can serve our families. That's why when you find that matches all your needs, from Papa Alfredo Olive Oil, Southdale Farm Butter, Sun Harvest Jam, Veneto Italian Water, Brewtime Tea, and Red Peak Australian wine and even Aquabliss, BacAttack and Vitapet at the sweetest deals, you know you've stuck gold.

This March, Shopwise and Mommy Mundo have partnered for our best grocery trip yet. Last Saturday (March 3), Shopwise HomeWise Moms' first leg happened at Shopwise Alabang. The event featured a cooking demo with Sabrina Go, author of www.sinfullysabrina.com and an empowering mom talks with Ms. Minnie Jumaquio, the mompreneur behind Snug-a-Hug. 

Sabrina Go shared new recipes; Adobo Sushi and Ube, Mango and Cheese Crepes.

Sabrina Go, www.sinfullysabrina.com

Adobo Sushi

For Japanese rice

     Rinse the Japanese rice and drain. Repeat until water runs clear.

     Cook in the rice cooker.

For Sushi Rice

     While Japanese rice is warm from the rice cooker, mix the cooked rice, sugar      and rice wine vinegar until rice cools.

For Sushi rolls

     Lay a nori wrapper on top of your bamboo mat. Get some rice and start patting it down gently on the nori wrapper, covering more than half of the wrapper, leaving a bit of space on the top part (away from you).

     Spoon some of the adobo creating a horizontal line an inch from the bottom of the rice layer.

     Take your bamboo mat from the bottom and roll like a cigar, making sure that the adobo is tucked in nice and neatly. Try to roll as tight as you can. Dampen the top sheet of your nori wrapper to seal your roll. Repeat

     Slice 1-inch thick pieces and top with garlic bits. serve with adobo sauce for dipping.

Ube, Mango and Cheese Crepes

Crepes

     In a blender, combine flour, sugar, salt, milk, eggs and butter

     Puree until mixture is smooth and bubbles form on top, about 30 seconds. Let batter sit at least 15 minutes at room temperature (or refrigerate in an airtight container, up to 1 day; whisk before using).

     Heat a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium. Lightly coat with butter. Add 1/3 cup batter and swirl to completely cover bottom of skillet. Cook until underside of crepe is golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.

     Loosen edge of crepe with a rubber spatula, then with your fingertips, quickly flip. Cook 1 minute more. Slide crepe out of skillet and repeat with remaining batter. (Coat pan with butter as needed)

For Ube-Mango filling

     Whip the cold cream cheese until loosened. Add the powdered sugar and ube extract, whipping until incorporated and smooth.

     Add the heavy cream and ube jam until light and fluffy.

     Carefully fold in small cubes of cheese and diced dried mangoes. Set aside and chill.

     Place Ube-mango filling in crepes, fold,top with fresh mangoes, dust with powdered sugar and serve.

Ms. Minnie Jumaquio shared her experience juggling career and motherhood with the help of some mom-hacks she's picked up along the way.

Mark your calendar for another leg on March 10 in Shopwise Araneta Center, Chef Golda Liamzon is set to help guests level up their wise-mom skills in the kitchen, with Rochelle Rivera sharing mom-hacks that has helped her through difficult times. Prizes, raffle draws and exciting giveaways are also on the agenda. Participants just need to sit back, relax and enjoy learning together with their fellow moms. 

Where better to gain new tricks up their sleeves than in Shopwise? Many moms have made Shopwise their shopping destination of choice as it offers a wide selection of fresh goods, groceries, clothes, toys, and home accessories in a comfortable setting. Shopwise offers freshness and budget-friendly variety, the stuff wise moms are made of. And of course, no wise moms is complete without Shopwise' Loyalty card. Just head on over to the customer service to apply and get your Wise card now to enjoy amazing deals and perks! Check out their website www.shopwise.com.ph/wise-card to see more details on what exciting perks await when you become a Wise Card holder.