FACTOR Meals

 There are numerous meal plans out there.

I want to eat reasonably healthy but, my urge to cook sways with my mood. I visit two fast food businesses so often, they know my name or face and know what I want.   (It's not Cheers and I'm a creature of habit.)

I ordered 8 meals.

The meals are not frozen. They arrived at my front door in an insulated box

with a cold pack at the bottom of the box and one on top of the meals.

The company tries to make everything as environmentally friendly as possible. There are instructions on how to dispose of the cold packs and the box.

Each dinner is in a plastic container housed inside a cardboard sleeve with the dinner's name on the outside. 

Further information on the back gives cooking and storage instructions, nutrition facts and other pertinent information.

My first meal I microwaved as directed. It was not very palatable.

                                       BUT,

I followed the directions of a FACTOR poster and after that the meals were delicious.

 I took the meal out of the plastic tray, placed it on a heat safe plate, covered it with foil, and put it in a 375-degree preheated oven for 12-15 minutes.   

It was delicious. It tasted homemade. The portion size was more than I could finish so I covered it and put it in the fridge.

 I have enjoyed all of the meals. I have 3 more to go.  I have one more box coming and after that I will discontinue. Not because of the meals but because of budget. 

This was something I wanted to try for the new year. I did and it's done.

That's it 🍽🍽🍽

Grocery Shopping Online, "First Time"

(Late and only 5 photos. email had not sent the pictures I took. Grrr😠 )

this photo copied from online

Grocery shopping is right up there in the top five of things I dread doing. I will make all kinds of excuses to myself as to why I can’t do it. A day turns into a week. A week turns into weeks.  

During this time, I’m eating fast food.  I have three places I’m a regular. Being a creature of habit, I get the same thing every time.  Not surprisingly, the full-time employees pretty much know what I want and will ask, “You want the Kid’s Chicken Finger meal?”  The answer is always,” Yes.” I get the Kid’s Meal so that I won’t feel as guilty for eating fast food.

I’ve been told the proper way to food shop is to;

•  have a list of menus for the week. 
• Make a list of the items you’ll need for the menus.  
• Stick to the list when you shop. 

I don't want to do any of the above three. It's okay. You can call me lazy. I know my strengths.

I had a menu sheet from a previous time I wanted to eat nutritiously 🤩.  I decided to use it to try online grocery shopping.  I chose ALDI.

First, I had to register at Instacart. I'm assuming it is the software agent used by grocers for online purchases.  I went to ALDI's website and discovered that they also deliver. (even better) As an extra incentive they will give you $10 off your first three purchases of $35 or more. (I'm beginning to like this) AND, delivery will take place within one hour. ⭐⭐On a previous site I'd seen delivery within 2 hours. Still, that's great.

The page was categorized by departments such as Produce, Meats, Canned Goods, etc. I typed in my items and the amount I wanted. 

I apologize for my poor pictures. 

The ones I took haven't downloaded to my e-mail yet.

I pressed ENTER and immediately I was taken to my $ sum along with any other fees.

Order Totals

Items Subtotal		$58.07
Delivery Fee		$3.99
Sales Tax		$5.80
Tip		$10.00
Service Fee		$2.90
Credit/Discount Applied		$-10.00
Total		$70.76
Savings from ALDI		$4.71

ending in 4355

   Charges

Original Charge

$

70.76

Shortly afterward I got a text  stating that the shopping had begun. As the shopper shopped, she'd send me a text if an item wasn't in stock and would send pictures of a possible substitute. I'd let her know yay or nay. On only one item did I ask her to omit it from the list. She made great choices.

Within an hour and 10 minutes I got a text stating that my delivery was on the way. Turns out she was actually at the door. After omissions and substitutions my bill ended up at $59.??  A new list and total lets you see what was substituted, price, amount and etc.  You can also add on to the list while the shopper is still in the store. I chose to pay by credit card in case a discrepancy came up. Debit is cash and hard to retrieve.The service fee is what the delivery person is paid. I  put in a tip.

The delivery person was prompt, polite and all about business. I did ask if we could take a pic together since this was my first time.  She consented and then was out of the door. Afterward I received a picture of her from ALDI along with her first name. Reminded me of Uber's set up. There may have been a picture before she began shopping but the cell wasn't behaving properly until I texted her back during the shopping to let her know I wasn't getting the pics.

I was pleased with the service and will use it again. I also plan to explore other online grocery store programs

Well isn't that grand? 2 minutes after I'm about to close this post, the pictures I sent to my email have arrived. 😠Not adding them.I'm done.

That's it***

Next week: Winn-Dixie Sleepover

Do you detest grocery shopping as much as I do?

Suppose you could get someone to do your grocery shopping for you?

 That was the subject of a magnificent lecture I attended today led by KAT’s Inc.  CEO  & President, Maurice Mercer.  He fascinated me even more by saying , “Seniors get a flat rate.”

The idea for his company came about when his own mother Kathryn Jenkins

an MSN was stricken with a debilitating illness which no longer allowed her to do her own shopping and other errands. You can read more about the background of his brainchild on the website. 

Some of what I remember from the lecture included the following:

• Employees/shoppers/delivery persons (Hereafter referred to as ESD) are bonded, insured and under a company insurance policy for other incidentals. They are given a background check.

• They will shop at the stores you want them to.

• Stores will give the senior discount on senior discount days when KAT’s tells them they are shopping for a senior.

• ESDs are part-timers and wear red t- shirts with the name of the business on front and  shopping cart logo.

• ESDs will go to more than one store, up to 3 stores if they are  within the same area. Otherwise there is an upcharge.

• ESDs  will put the groceries up for you if you are unable to do so.

• Clients may e-mail, text or phone in their orders.  Orders phoned in after 7pm go to voicemail.

• If an ESD can’t find an item a client has listed, the ESD will call/text to ask the client about substitutes.

• Shopping lists need to be at KAT’s the day before the shopping.

• ESDs give clients a time window as to when the delivery will be made.

After giving the basics of the business Mr. Mercer took questions from the audience. 

My questions were;

•   Must clients sign a contract? No. But they must have a credit card on file even if they pay by check. No cash payments are allowed.  

•    May a client use coupons? Yes. The client can mail in the coupons. If the ESD has to pick them up and then shop that is an extra fee. KAT’s also uses digital coupons they may find online.

This is a service that is certainly needed by seniors/disabled or chronically ill. I found Mr. Mercer’s responses to be full of human compassion and well thought out. I will be using this service at least once just as an experience.

This free program was sponsored by Senior Services Division of the  Human-Community Services and Economic Development  and was held at Cooper Green Mercy Health Services.  There was also free parking with a validated ticket.  I will be attending future programs sponsored by the organization.

As I age I want to stay informed of the services out there for me.

That's it