I keep Swiss chard, mushrooms, onion, carrots, and celery in my fridge at all times. From these and other ingredients I always have languishing about, I can make a miso soup with fried tofu and soba noodles, a real food tuna casserole, simple sautéed greens on quinoa topped with a poached egg and some Parmesan, a fantastic quiche or omelet, healthy fried rice, or a sautéed sandwich. With the way I cook, and since I buy dry goods in bulk, having those five veggies means I can always make a healthy meal with whatever we have lying about.

My go-to shop is: pack of salmon fillets, pack of boneless skinless chicken breasts, 2 veggies, salad fixings, and a bag of sweet potatoes. I usually have pasta and rice in the pantry, so those few groceries can last the two of us for a few days.

Cous cous (pantry staple that I rarely run short on), chicken breasts, veggies to quickly roast in the oven. Also, spaghetti sauce and pasta on hand always. And eggs.

Laminate it? Tape it to your checkbook? How about get a notes app on your phone and keep it there.

I get burrito fixings - fresh meat & veg - because I always have some kind of rice, beans and cheese on hand and we make our own seasoning. Another go-to is chicken breasts, because I can make a meal out of those just by adding baked potatoes and then make burritos the next night...

Also? Some of us actually like paper and are smart-phone holdouts and there are no "apps for that". Just saying...

Knock Knock Stuff makes some great organizational paper goods, including this grocery list...
http://www.knockknockstuff.com/catalog/categories/pads/kk-pads/all-out-pink-pad/
and this weekly meal planner...
http://www.knockknockstuff.com/catalog/categories/pads/kk-pads/what-to-eat-pad/

They're both magnetic, so I keep them posted on the fridge and fill out one of each sheet before I make my weekly grocery run!

I don't quite do this, but I do have a list of "basics to check levels on before I make up my shopping list," stuff like pasta, black beans, cannellini beans, lemons, flour, etc. That way I make sure to check how much is left of those items I use pretty regularly....

But I like this idea, I might do this!

I keep a plain sheet of paper on the fridge. As I use things up, I just jot down what it was on the list. I've even got the husband writing things he needs on the list. I just take it with me when I go shopping.

QUOTE: Laminate it? Tape it to your checkbook? How about get a notes app on your phone and keep it there.

*snort* If you're so frazzled you don't have time to plan a menu for the week or even to make a coherent list and find yourself standing in the grocery store, minutes ticking down...I hope you remembered to charge you smart phone.

just sayin

Ours is pretty simple: Dried beans, unbleached flour, sugar, milk, bread, cheese, veggies and fruit. Most everything else, I make from scratch, or use less frequently... oh wait, add some sort of vanilla frozen yogurt.. that's a nightly essential.

When I don't have time for planning meals that means I don't have time for shopping either. So I go straight to the freezer! There is always something delicious and just ready to be heated up. :)

i don't have a default grocery list exactly... but I do have a grocery list that is basically just a checklist - I have all the stuff that I typically buy there, as well as stuff I just buy sometimes... or for special occasions. It's a double sided list broken down into categories so that items found together in the same-ish aisle are grouped together.

Then before I head out the door, I check off the the things I need! And during the week if I run out of something - I pull it out and check that off too.

it's a big help!

Just take a picture of the list to remind you so you don't have to keep track of a piece of paper.

Oh my gawd, are we really having a high-and-mighty argument about paper vs smart phone?

I don't want to live on this planet any more.

I keep a checklist of some items sorted by store, with the usual price paid, that way if I end up near the only or best place that has whatever I can grab some or if I find a better deal elsewhere I can take advantage of that. I also have an inventory list of food items (and their best by dates) that are at the cabin I live in part time. Plus I keep a list of the size of various things I'm on the lookout for, like plastic storage bins to fit a particular space or my window sizes if looking for curtains. All the lists take up very little room and I keep them in a small folder in my daypack along with any coupons I may have. I make changes on the fly in red ink as needed and update the master copies on my computer so I can print clean new copies if needed. Sounds more complicated than it really is but this has often saved me time, trouble and money. There's a master inventory list of tools and supplies at the cabin so I know if I'm going to undertake a project that I have the right stuff to get it done.

Take a picture? If you have an iPhone, just keep a grocery list using your 'notes' app. I have a permanent grocery list with the basics, then add other things when necessary.

This is an interesting idea that gets at the heart of my biggest problem: cooking is easy, but figuring out what to have for dinner makes me crazy.

Here is my fallback recipe, which has only 3 ingredients - Chicken thighs, cilantro and creme fraiche - and is special enough for company.

Pound the thighs first to make them flat (or skip this step but it will take a little longer to cook). Season them with salt and pepper, then fry them in a little butter/olive oil.When they are cooked but still tender, add a couple of glops of creme fraiche to the pan and stir around to deglaze the pan and heat the creme fraiche through. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and check seasoning.

Serve with whatever grain you have and a salad. This takes minutes to prepare and is surprisingly much more delicious than you'd think. I've also tried it with scallops and pork medallions.

where can I find/make/buy those produce bags that are in the picture above? I would love to have some smaller ones.

I usually write things I need on old mail that I planned on recycling anyway. That way it gets used again before I put it in my bin.

I love how different some of the go to meals are. From burrito's to pasta to miso soup!

Food is so personal!

My go to's (I'm a vegetarian and so is the BF) are wraps, spinach, onions, great cheese, tomatoes, zucchini, peppers and tofu.

We'll always have quinoa, pasta, canned tomatoes and canned beans at home. I can do anything from there!

living in switzerland, mostly doing grocery shopping in the migros chain stores. and yes, there is an app for that. very handy, you can scan the items you buy and later you just check the items you want to buy again. the app also informs you about items on sale etc. the idea of keeping a permanent list is excellent, will save you lots of money and hassle.

I have the grocery list in my head.

My wife and I use a Google docs spreadsheet for a shopping list. We both have capable phones and can also edit from any computer. Our recipes are on Google docs so we can see what we need if we are suddenly inspired to make something.

I also do the google docs with my bf. We have a standard list and share our menus for the week to make sure we have everything to make them.