The Newsmagazine of Long Beach Island and Southern Ocean County

By Gail Travers | on August 17, 2022

Whew! As I drive back home to LBI over the Causeway after doing major grocery shopping on the mainland, I feel like I’ve run a marathon, obstacle course or maybe even a “tough mudder” race. These days, a trip to the supermarket can be a mental and physical feat that requires much planning, stamina and patience. If you’re looking for an exceptional complete workout, an expedition to the supermarket, especially during the summer season, ticks all of the boxes.

Before even leaving the house, there’s a huge amount of mental exercise required to prepare for the shopping trip. First off, the timing of the trip is crucial. Early morning usually works best, and definitely avoid Friday afternoons and weekends, as the return trip will put you right into the shore traffic backup. Be sure to schedule at least a two-hour block of time and fortify yourself with a substantial breakfast.

Prior to leaving, you must complete a list of tasks. Take inventory of your fridge, freezer and pantry to see what is needed, ask members of the household what they need, check the weekly flier for sales, make a shopping list, then go on the phone app and activate digital coupons. Finally, log onto the express order phone app and place a cold cut order. This last activity is usually something that makes me very, very happy and reduces my shopping stress … until today, that is.

I digress from my theme here, but I have to vent about today’s deli experience. Before the express order app was available, I used to dread the long wait in the deli line (I admit, I am very impatient). Then for a while, I placed my order on the store computer when entering, which was a little better, though still usually required waiting. Ordering the cold cuts at home, before even leaving, is ideal. When you get to the store, you can simply go to the deli case and pick up the order – no waiting at all! However, today when I went to pick up my order, only one of my four items was there in the case, just my cheese.

Someone had “stolen” my ham, salami and roast beef! The deli employee agreed; it appeared that a customer had absconded with most of my order. Who would do that? The deli man shook his head in disbelief and promptly sliced the missing three items, which I appreciated.

Back to the main story … Next, continuing through the aisles to locate the groceries on my list is like a scavenger hunt. Just when I had finally become familiar with the store’s layout, they recently reorganized, relocating much of everything in different areas. What a frustrating fiasco for all of the customers as we do multiple laps around the store! Thank goodness for store employees who kindly field endless questions asking, “Where can I find …?” I’ve also found that other customers are often very helpful, as they are experiencing the same challenge and sympathize with your frustration.

Nevertheless, I’d estimate that since the reorganization, I’ve at least doubled my steps per shopping trip, resulting in the added bonus of a decent cardio workout. Additionally, maneuvering and dodging other customers and carts along the way, and strategically planning how you will get to your next aisle stop presents added physical and mental challenges.

Finally, after locating everything I need on my list, it’s time to check out. I usually don’t mind waiting a little while in line, as it gives me the opportunity to catch my breath, relax for a bit, read a magazine, and sometimes chat with other shoppers. I’ve found that fellow shoppers are usually quite friendly, and the conversation helps pass the time.

Likewise, I usually find the store checkers to generally be quite pleasant. Today the checker commiserated with me about my stolen cold cuts. She said she’d be on the lookout for someone with the missing meats. We laughed that maybe the store will have to start keeping the deli pre-orders in a locked case and customers will have to show their ID for pickup. A little comic relief is always appreciated, and some experts do say that “laughter is the best medicine.”

Now in the habit of using my own canvas bags to pack the groceries, as per the new laws, the workout continues. Doing my small part to help the planet feels good, and honestly, I prefer using the sturdy larger bags. It’s a win-win as carrying the heavier bags adds additional weight-bearing exercise to the shopping workout (especially important for us over-60 women).

Unfortunately, today I had forgotten to activate my digital coupons before leaving, and the app wasn’t working while I waited in line, so I probably missed out on some deals – frustrating! I could have gone up to the front desk to get reimbursed, but I knew that my popsicles were starting to melt and I still had to drive home in the extreme heat. Despite extensive planning, always be prepared for little bumps in the process, and don’t let the stress negate the benefits of your shopping expedition. Speaking of stress, you may want to avoid looking at the receipt total, as the price of groceries these days is definitely a stress-inducer.

I can’t omit the always dreaded “finding your car” step as one of the mental challenges of the marketing expedition. What a relief when you quickly spot your vehicle without having to circle the parking lot (though that does provide some extra steps). Luckily, I had remembered to put a cooler with ice in my car today (a step I failed to mention in the “get ready task list” above), so the popsicles made it home in semi-solid form.

Once home, lugging the bags into the house, then putting the groceries away are the final tasks that complete the lengthy fitness regime. Though I complain a bit every time I go to the supermarket, I know I’m fortunate to be able to easily get to a store to purchase everything I need. And if you consider the benefits of the physical and mental workout, along with a bit of socializing along the way, you can’t beat the marketing experience for a total well-rounded activity!

Linda Lucia Hochuli lives in Surf City.

i cannot believe this story was actually published… a 13 paragraph step by step of a woman grocery shopping. with no actual point to the story. this is like a story CNN would pick up.

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