Tips for stretching your food dollars
"As food prices continue to rise it's more important than ever to stretch your food dollars. Over the years I've discovered different ways to save money on food and groceries, and I want to share some budgeting and spending ideas with you this week.

I make a grocery list and 'try' to stick to it. I leave a note pad on the refrigerator to keep track of the food we need to replenish. Before shopping, I compare weekly grocery ads to find the best prices. If there is a good deal on something and I use the product on a regular basis, I buy it in multiples (especially the buy one-get one free items). Replacing name brand items with a generic equivalent also helps the budget. I have found that many less expensive generic products taste as good as the more costly name brand products." Posted at 6:43 AM Central Time

An amazing new book about grocery lists



So there used to be, like, no fun or interesting books about grocery stores and grocery store... stuff. Then Julian Montague released his amazing and comprehensive "The Stray Shopping Carts of Eastern North America: A Guide to Field Identification" in 2006. A marvelous achievement! Have you seen it?

And in 2007 I submitted my own opus, "Milk Eggs Vodka: The Lost Grocery Lists of America," a compilation of abandoned grocery lists discovered in grocery carts, market floors, and parking lots across the country.

And now here we are in 2008. What's left? Oh, plenty, trust me. Hillary Carlip also collects other people's discarded shopping lists. And she's been doing it longer than I have. She recently put out a wonderful book called "A la Cart: The Secret Lives of Grocery Shoppers," in which she imagines and assumes (quite literally and astoundingly!) the identity of the shoppers behind her found lists and writes some backstory about them. I love it. You will too. More: alacartthebook.com Posted at 8:41 PM Central Time

My new book: "50 Sad Chairs"
I probably should mention that my new book is out. It's published by the weird and wonderful folks at BlueQ. It's a nice little photo book of the sad chairs of St. Louis. No, really. Discarded chairs in alleys. Abandoned chairs on street corners. Abused chairs on loading docks. You get the picture. You're gonna like it.

Check out www.50sadchairs.com to see some page samples and (if you want) by it at Amazon or Blueq.com.

C'mon! Posted at 11:51 AM Central Time

Buying Organic
See which of the country's largest producers are behind your favorite organic snacks. Posted at 9:10 AM Central Time

Supermarket Follies
"I am an anonymous cog on a very small wheel in the gigantic machine that is the UK retail sector. I work in an administrative capacity in the local outlet of a UK supermarket chain with national coverage and high (and positive) brand recognition. I work for and with fools, morons, cretins and idiots. Then I get dragged out onto the shop floor and have to deal with the customers ... Some of this is rumour, some of this is speculation, some of this is innuendo. None of this is made up by me. Most of it is 24ct fact. Which bits? Probably, generally, the bits that seem likeliest to have been made up." Posted at 9:41 AM Central Time

The Best Peanut Butter in the World
"I love peanut butter. But more importantly for the statement you are about to read here, I know peanut butter. I know peanut butter the way Da Vinci knew fluid mechanics, the way Einstein knew physics, the way Grand Master Flash knows a turntable, the way Tom Brady knows how to perfectly balance throwing touchdowns and humping supermodels. I have eaten it. I have coddled it. I inhaled. What can I say? That's how I spread." Posted at 9:15 AM Central Time

Study: $90 wine tastes better than the same wine at $10
"In a study that could make marketing managers and salespeople rub their hands with glee, scientists have used brain-scanning technology to shed new light on the old adage, 'You get what you pay for.'

Researchers from the California Institute of Technology and Stanford's business school have directly seen that the sensation of pleasantness that people experience when tasting wine is linked directly to its price. And that's true even when, unbeknownst to the test subjects, it's exactly the same Cabernet Sauvignon with a dramatically different price tag." Posted at 9:14 AM Central Time

One last hurrah for 2007: A new set of top 10 lists
Since we do it every year, and this is the last day of the year, I figured I'd better get to it. So without further doo-doo, here is a highly debatable, wildly underwhelming collection of funnyish lists: The Top 10 found grocery lists of 2007.

Happy New Year! Posted at 9:38 AM Central Time

Stained Glass Cookies Recipe

Stumped about what cookie to make for XMAS? These "stained glass cookies" will wow everyone:

"We can EAT these?" Andrew (age 5) asked incredulously.

"Yes, you can eat them," I replied, "they're cookies. You can also hang them from your tree."

"What's inside?" asked Matthew (7).

"Lifesavers. And Jolly Ranchers."

"LIFESAVERS? AND JOLLY RANCHERS?"

It's as if Santa himself had just poked his head through the fireplace. The boys, my young neighbors, dissected and demolished the ones they had each picked out to eat. It was all I could do to keep their hands off the remaining cookies. Oddly, they went straight for the hard candy center, and only after that was discussed ("What is this, watermelon? Must be a Jolly Rancher") and devoured, did they move on to the cookie border.

Thanks Chris Glass! Posted at 11:29 AM Central Time

Thank you!
I just wanted to let everyone who bought my book this year know that I donated a percentage of the royalties to a couple great causes:

1. The St. Louis Area Foodbank (feeding struggling single-parent families, the elderly and the working poor)


2. Mentor St. Louis (a school-based youth and literacy organization)

Thank you! I hope everyone has a great holiday season! Posted at 1:02 PM Central Time

Fill up the grocery cart, roll off with savings
"It's easy to forgo coupon clipping and comparison shopping during the holidays. Yet this month is the worst time to abandon tactics that never go out of season." Posted at 9:23 PM Central Time

The official 2008 Grocery List Collection calendar
Just in time for the holidays, the official 2008 Grocery List Collection calendar features dozens of strange and funny found shopping lists from around the world. Categorized much like my book, "Milk Eggs Vodka: Grocery Lists Lost and Found," this calendar has weird lists, hilarious lists, unhealthy lists, foreign lists, artistic lists, sad lists, super-short lists and more.

Details: 12 months (all of 2008, in fact!), 13.5" x 19", coil binding, white "lineny" paper (100# weight), with full-color ink throughout. Order it at Lulu.com for just $24.95! Posted at 2:51 PM Central Time

This being our 2007 Holiday Gift Guide

It's that time again! Yes, it's time to spend lots of money on... stuff! The holidays are here and for the 3rd year in a row grocerylists.org is lending a caring, capitalistic hand by seeking out the coolest gifts this season for all the special people in your life. For the gadget freak Egg & Muffin Toaster | "And you thought the drive-thru was fast! Make your favorite breakfast sandwiches — at home — in minutes. The Egg & Muffin Toaster brings innovation to the toaster category by combining the functions of a toaster and an egg poacher into one easy-to-use appliance. It even heats your breakfast sausage or bacon! The Egg & Muffin can be used solely as a full functioning toaster or poacher or can be used simultaneously to make the ultimate breakfast sandwich in just 4 minutes! Simply add the necessary ingredients and start the machine." ($29.88) For the know-it-all cook Foodie Fight game | "Calling all food lovers!! This deliciously addictive trivia game allows players to strut their culinary stuff and prove who is the smartest foodie of them all. With a thousand questions on topics ranging from culinary science to celeb chefs, it is a feast o' fun from Chronicle Books." ($18.95) For those with messy, soupy, saucy stirring residue on their counters Lazy Spoon | "Ever on the lookout for unusual spoons, we've uncovered a lazy one. This spoon rests comfortably on the edge of your pot waiting patiently for you to stir or serve. Beautifully crafted from Wild Cherry Wood, it is a functional work of art. Available for right or left handed cooks. Handmade in the USA. Measures 12"." ($27.00) For the chewy brownie edge eater freaks Edge Brownie Pan | "For corner brownie fans and chewy edge lovers, it's a dream come true — a gourmet brownie pan that adds two chewy edges to every serving! It's the Edge Brownie Pan from Baker's Edge, and it's the first (and only) brownie pan specifically designed for chewy edge lovers. The pan's patented sidewalls also improve baking performance by circulating heat evenly to the pan's middle, where food typically takes longer to bake. The size is just right — 9" x 12" x 2", so it's a perfect fit for box mixes and most recipes for 9" x 9" and 9" x 13" conventional pans. The pan also has a quality nonstick coating and smooth, round corners for quick and easy clean-up." ($34.95) For the lobster lover Live Maine Lobsters | "Point, click and crack at LobsterAnywhere.com — home of the finest live Maine lobster and fresh seafood delivered overnight. Our live lobsters are local, hard shell and always fresh all year long! We've built a great reputation by only shipping premium hard-shell Maine lobster and fresh seafood. No Boston lobster here. Caught by local fisherman, direct from Maine. Live Lobster Maine is in season all year long." ($Variable) For those keen on green Avocado of the Month Club | "You're probably well familiar with California's most popular avocado — the Hass. With a subscription to Avocado of the Month Club you'll get some of the best tasting Hass avocados you've ever had every month. But the delicious taste of Hass is only the beginning of your avocado adventure! As they become available throughout the year your subscription will include other delicious fruits like the Bacon, Reed, Lamb Hass, Zutano, Pinkerton, Ettinger and even the stunning Nabal with fruits reaching over 1lb. each!" ($365.35) For the recently broken-hearted "The Ex" — unique chrome knife holder | "THE EX, A radical alternative to the typical block o' wood, will revolutionize the way you store your knives! No knife holder has taken a greater stab at the theatrical than this specially designed Ex knife holder. Et tu, Brute? This 5pc knife holder is unlike any cutlery set you have ever seen! This whimsical, artistic kitchen accessory holds 5 high quality stainless steel kitchen knives (included) in a rather unorthodox fashion — STORE YOUR KNIVES IN AN ANONYMOUS EFFIGY DEDICATED TO WHOMEVER YOU PLEASE! Take out your frustrations as you store your knives! Makes a perfect gift and a guaranteed conversation piece! Plastic casings house every knife to prevent blade exposure." ($$99.95) For the person that wants a customized cookbook TasteBook | "We started with a very simple idea—to remix the cookbook. As a group of food-loving, culinary junkies who aspire to become great cooks someday, we set out to create the perfect cookbook: A personal cookbook that reflects individual tastes, cultures, and culinary aspirations. A fresh cookbook that's never frozen. You can add more recipes whenever you want. A collaborative cookbook that's made with a little help from your friends. And then we took it one step further. Why not pair up with cookbook authors, editors, and bloggers, call them Guest TasteMakers, and have them create TasteBooks anyone can order or remix themselves? Oh, and yes, we definitely wanted to be able to add recipes from that funky folder. Now that's tasty." ($Variable) For the game lover Puzzle appetizer plates | " Jigsaw. Just the piece you've been missing: our interactive white porcelain plate sized for appetizers, tastings, desserts. A fun get-together interlocked for serving in a row or grid at table or buffet. Porcelain with a dipped white glaze, dishwasher- and microwave-safe." ($2.95) For the farmless city slicker Rent Mother Nature | "Since 1979, Rent Mother Nature has supported New England family farms by offering our customers an opportunity to share in these natural harvests. You can surprise that special someone by 'Renting' them a maple tree for pure maple syrup, beehives for distinctive honeys, pistachio trees, coffee trees, apple trees, peach trees, citrus trees, sheep (for a blanket), cows (for Brie or Cheddar cheese), and much, much more! For over a quarter-century of Renting Mother Nature, the harvests have always been delivered (right to our customers' doors)." ($Variable) For someone with lots of dough Bread Keeper/Slicer | "Keep breads and home baked goods fresh longer with this clear plastic bread keeper. The bread container has a built-in slicing guide which allows you to cut even slices every time. This bread box is expandable and can accommodate a loaf up 11" x 6 1/4". Air vents help maintain adequate air circulation to create an ideal storage environment for baked goods." ($12.74) For the future coronary victim that you love Bacon Salt | "Our mission in life is to make everything taste like real, delicious bacon, without the fat or calories. You can contribute to this cause by making a purchase below. Choose from 3 bacon-filled flavors — Original, Hickory and Peppered — or buy all 3!" ($4.49) For the coffee snob Lello 1375 Cremissimo Ariete Espresso/Cappuccino Maker | "Constructed of heavy-duty stainless steel and simple-to-use controls, this 950-watt espresso/cappuccino machine makes it easy to brew cafe-quality coffee drinks. The unit's high-performance ThermoBlock 15-bar pump-driven system provides uniform and constant pump pressure to make a superior espresso with good crema and a frothy thick milk cappuccino. Its removable 2-1/4-quart water reservoir can be refilled from the top at any time during operation, and a cup-warming area allows up to nine cups to be warmed before use. Designed in sleek, attractive housing, the espresso/cappuccino maker measures 9-1/2 by 9-1/4 by 12-1/2 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty." ($119.99) For the crybaby cook Nor Pro Stainless Steel Onion Holder | "Holds food secure while you cut even, thin slices. This 18/10 stainless steel slicing is ideal for slicing onions and tomatoes. The onion holder features a stainless steel handle with sharp, heavy-duty prongs." ($8.00) For the alcoholic who doesn't like the taste of liquor Twist 'n Shot gelatin cups | "The solution to the pesky problem of getting your gelatin shots out of the glass. Twist the rim of the cup to release the gelatin. The new Twist 'n Shot makes it easy to get your shot out with one simple twist of the wrist. Our Twist 'n Shot gelatin cups come in 4 fun colors: Blue, pink, yellow and orange, and are available for purchase in 3 different package sizes" ($13.99) For someone on a roll Kaiser Bakeware Rolling Pin with Upright Handles | "The vertical handles on this rolling pin are no gimmick. They help to provide a firm grip, making it easy to apply a firm steady pressure for perfectly rolled dough and pastry. The handles also keep hands clear of the work surface, encouraging a smooth motion without the risk of bumped knuckles. Made by Kaiser Bakeware, the rolling pin is constructed from durable solid hardwood. It measures 11 inches wide, meaning that it can be used to roll out bar-cookies or pizza crusts inside a standard-sized jellyroll pan. Heavy-duty bearings ensure years of trouble-free use, and a wipe-clean finish makes cleanup quick and easy." ($20.00) For the people who likes this very site — our very own book! Milk Eggs Vodka: Grocery Lists Lost and Found | "This book is a compilation of abandoned grocery lists that have been discovered in grocery carts, market floors, and parking lots across the country. If we are what we eat, then this book reveals deep truths about the average American (not to mention more mundane truths like a surprising number of people enjoy onions, and, for most people, mayonnaise is very, very difficult to spell). Separated into chapters (funny lists, sad lists, unhealthy lists, organized lists) the book also includes commentary by the author and some very special recipes created from found grocery lists. Sidebars and food facts round out the menu." ($13.59) There you go. For more great gift ideas, check out last year's GLC gift guide and the first one from 2005. Happy Holidays, everyone! Love, The GLC Crew and keaggy.com

Posted at 2:45 PM Central Time

Meat+Alphabet=
...one awesome project by Robert J. Bolesta: An "alphabet made of raw hamburger. Each character hand-shaped, packaged, and photographed individually." (Thanks Douglas Wilson!) Posted at 5:44 PM Central Time

Free stuff: It's the November GLC giveaway!
HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY CONTEST! | Every month I give away books at keaggy.com and grocerylists.org. Usually, first response gets the book for free. But because the holidays are coming up, I'm changing things around a bit. The upside: I'm giving away a lot more than usual so you can score a free gift for someone. The downside: This giveaway is a contest — meaning you can't just write in and ask for a book. You have to jump through a hoop this time. But it's an easy hoop.

Anyone who contributes a list and a note saying which prize you want will be entered into a random drawing for that prize. So just email a scan or mail me a real grocery list — it can be found or one of yours. The deadline is Thursday, 29 Nov 2007! The prizes will be mailed the very next day.

The rules are hereby changed: This giveaway is now just like all the others. First request gets the prize for free. Limit one per person. Just ask: contact me here.


Gone! Sent to Rachel of Baltimore, Maryland
Hidden Kitchens: Stories, Recipes and More from NPR's The Kitchen Sisters | Free book: "NPR listeners are probably familiar with Nelson and Silva's radio program, 'Hidden Kitchens,' in which they interview amateur cooks who use improvisational methods to prepare food in unconventional places. This book expands on that concept, with Nelson and Silva offering expanded commentary and a handful of recipes from their interview subjects. While the cooks profiled use everything from George Foreman grills to makeshift fryers to whip up their meals, the recipes assume the reader has a conventional, working kitchen and are fairly straightforward and easy to make. But it's the stories behind the food that comprise the book's soul. The Sisters solicited tips from listeners in researching this book, which provided them with plenty of leads, though the verbatim transcripts of phoned-in tips that appear on nearly every page, and sometimes several times on a page, can make for a frustrating read. However, Nelson and Silva's mini-expose on the popularity of the George Foreman grill among the homeless is a solid piece of reportage that blends in the narrative of Foreman's life with that of the people who depend on his countertop appliance for their meals. The Chili Queens of Texas, women who sold tamales, chili and tacos as unlicensed street vendors at the turn of the century, also receive an in-depth profile, as do cooks on the NASCAR circuit. The book isn't so much about Rube Goldberg-like contraptions used to cook food (although there is some of that) as it is about American ingenuity and people making the most of what they have." By Nikki Silva and Davia Nelson —Publishers Weekly (List price: $15.95)


Your Baby Planner | Free journal/planner: "This three-in-one pack makes an ideal gift for any mother-to-be. Joanna Trevelyan has worked as a health journalist and writer for 17 years. During this time she has been deputy editor of Nursing Times and editor of The Midwives' Journal. She has written eight health books, including Care of the Mother and Newborn for the midwifery profession. Lauren Floodgate is a journalist with ten years experience and a number of books to her credit. Her specialty is in creating stunning and original projects for personal events. Lauren is author of the Baby Project Portfolio." (List price: $24.95)


Gone! Sent to Cat of Omaha, Nebraska
Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Coldplay | Free CD: "Rockabye Baby! transforms timeless rock songs into beautiful instrumental lullabies. The soothing sounds of the glockenspiel, vibraphone, mellotron, and other instruments will lull your baby into a sweet slumber. Using Coldplay's gorgeous melodies and imagery, these gentle recordings are sophisticated enough for everyone to enjoy. Introduce the apple of your eye to these essential masterpieces of rock'n'roll." (List price: $16.98)


Gone! Sent to Tracey of Lakewood, Washington
Destined for Destiny: The Unauthorized Autobiography of George W. Bush | Free audiobook: "Underscore unauthorized. Dikkers, founder and editor in chief of the satirical publication theOnion, and Hilleren, former public radio producer, joined to craft this humorous look at the life of President George W. Bush, as if penned by the forty-third president himself. They chronicle Bush's privileged childhood, his uninspiring academic performance, and his rise to wealth and influence in business and, finally, politics with the help of family connections. Written in imitation of Bush's breezy style, the facts are all there, but the tone is heavily satiric. Illustrations include a report card with grades altered, a loyalty oath signed by Laura Bush, and--after Bush's proclaimed religious conversion--the presence of Jesus in photographs of his life from babyhood through the presidential swearing-in ceremony through his speech at ground zero after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Bush detractors will find this book hilarious; his fans will be apoplectic." By Scott Dikkers and Peter Hilleren —Booklist (List price: $29.95)


Gone! Sent to Matt H. of St. Louis, Missouri
CHiPs: The Complete First Season (1977) | Free DVD: "'CHiPS,' which stood for California Highway Patrol, followed the daily beats of two state motorcycle patrolmen as they patrolled the freeway system in and around Los Angeles. Officer Jon Baker was the straight, serious officer while Frank 'Ponch' Poncherello was the more free- wheeling member of the duo; both reported to Sgt. Joe Getraer, who gave out assignments and advice in handling the cases. Each episode saw a compilation of incidents, ranging from the humorous (e.g., a stranded motorist) to criminal investigations (such as hijackings) and tragic incidents (such as a fiery multi-car pile-up with multiple deaths. Other aspects of Ponch and Jon's daily work were highlighted as well; the social lives of both officers (they were both single) often provided the lighter moments. On occassion, Ponch and Jon were assisted by a female 'Chippie' at first, the very beautiful Sindy Cahill; and later, the more wholesome Bonnie Clark." (List price: $39.98)

Enter simply by emailing or mailing your list and gift choice!

keaggy [[at]] gmail.com

Grocerylists.org
P.O. Box 752
St. Louis, MO 63188
USA Posted at 8:23 AM Central Time

200 more lists added
I just uploaded 200 more found lists, bringing the online collection to 1,800. I'm pretty sure I've got another couple thousand not yet scanned (um, someday!). Anyway, enjoy lists 1,601-1,700 and 1,701-1,800! Posted at 9:41 AM Central Time

How to Stretch Your Warehouse Club Membership Fee
"Shopping at warehouse clubs is convenient -- but I'm not sure that I actually save money there... what bugs the heck out of me is the membership fee. In my mind that negates any savings earned. I grudgingly pay it for the convenience but believe me, I make the most of it. How?" Posted at 7:48 AM Central Time

Plattsmouth, Nebraska, Carts #1
Check out this amazingly mundane yet eerily beautiful photograph of shopping carts. Captured by Kate Bingaman-Burt of Obsessive Consumption fame, archival prints are available at 20x200. Posted at 7:59 AM Central Time

Free books: It's the October GLC giveaway!
ANOTHER FREE BOOK! | Update: The book is gone! Back so soon? Yes! And you know the deal: The first person to write in and request the book linked below gets it for free. Limit one per person and send me your mailing address — although we won't use your email or postal address for anything other than sending you the book. And hey, if you've won a book here already give someone else a chance! Email me for a free book while they last.

Gone! Sent to Chris of St. Catharines, Ontario Canada
Organic, Inc.: Natural Foods and How They Grew | "In recent decades, organic food — the idealistic, natural alternative to industrial agribusiness and processed packaged foods — has grown into a multibillion-dollar business. Fromartz's portrait of the adolescent industry reveals that that success has prompted an epic identity crisis. Big corporations like Kraft and General Mills own the bulk of the market, and half of all organic sales come from the largest 2% of farms, alienating those most committed to producing chemical-free fruits and vegetables on small family farms, and selling them locally. Business journalist Fromartz uncovers the trailblazers' tactics: how Whole Foods Market developed a religion of 'moral hedonism,' how Earthbound Farm launched a revolution with bagged salad mix and how Silk soy milk became 'the number one brand in the dairy case, among all milk and soy milk brands.' But if big business is now the muscle of the organic industry, Fromartz demonstrates that small growers remain at its heart." By Samuel Fromartz —Publishers Weekly (List price: $14.00)

Update: The book is gone! Posted at 8:40 PM Central Time

Grocery Shopping Out of a Vending Machine
"Japan is truly the innovator behind the vending machines, having invented them about 80 years ago. Now the new news is the fact vending machines are popping up all over the country selling beer, underwear, fried foods, potted plants, sexual lubricants, and anything else you could possibly imagine. In fact, it is quite possible this year that a Japanese consumer could complete their entire grocery store list just by hitting the vending machines if they knew where to go." Posted at 7:39 AM Central Time