17Aug

Walmart Free Grocery PickUp- An Honest Review

Walmart Grocery Pickup Review… is this service for you?

What if you had an assistant that would run all your errands? I know- glorious! But, that is what Walmart and many grocery stores are offering… an assistant does all your shopping. You simply drive up, grab your groceries, and off you go!

Meal planning is great, but if food isn’t in the house, a home cooked meal isn’t happening. Since we are all juggling so many responsibilities, the idea of someone taking over grocery shopping may sound appealing or even, magical. (Use my 5-Minute Healthy Meal Plan guide to make this even easier!)

After speaking with a friend who was convinced that this service has saved her sanity this summer, I was intrigued but skeptical. I like everyone else love a good deal, but Walmart and I have a love-hate relationship. I go there for certain items but will put it off until I absolutely can’t wait any longer. And rarely, do I buy many groceries there.

But after getting a $10 OFF coupon to try their free grocery pickup service, I decided to give it a try. Anything that could save me the frustration of walking into that gigantic store, carting around 2 small kids, and standing in forever long lines to check out sounded like a win.

Not to mention driving up with messy hair, no make-up and in gym clothes, disguised by my extra large sunglasses sounded pretty awesome. This service obviously has a convenience factor, but the real question was would it come through in quality and service?

There were 3 reasons I was skeptical that this service was something I would want to use:

Will the person shopping for me be as picky about my produce as I am?
Will I need to go to another grocery store for some items or can I get everything I want and need at Walmart?
Will the the pick-up service be efficient and pleasant?

If you have been curious too, this is my honest Walmart Grocery Pickup Review…

How to Get Started

The program works similarly to any online store you order from- create a login, use the search bar to locate the items you are interested in purchasing and then head to check out. At that point you select a grocery pick-up time, enter your credit/debit card and submit.

Before heading to pick up groceries, download the Walmart Grocery app and ‘check-in’. This let’s them know you are on your way and alerts them when you arrive.

NOTE: You are not charged for groceries until you pick them up.

Overall, the website and buying process are pretty easy to navigate.

Quality of the Produce

No one will ever be as picky as I am about produce, but my Walmart grocery shopper certainly exceeded my expectations. Fresh and vibrant produce is very important to me. I tend to be very picky and will change up a meal or side dish if certain produce does not look appetizing and vibrant.

The bananas and avocados were underripe, which is how I usually buy them anyway. All the other produce I purchased (lettuce, zucchini, tomatoes, shallots, sweet potatoes, cucumber, cabbage) were all in good or excellent condition.

Overall, the individual that selected my produce did a nice job and while some of it required a few days to ripen, I would prefer that as opposed to bruised or overripe produce. However, if you need an avocado that is ready-to-use that day, you might want to pick it out yourself in store.

NOTE: Because some produce is sold by weight, the Walmart shopper finds produce as close to the specified amount on the website as possible. For example, if you ordered 1 pound of bananas, they will try to find a bunch close to that weight. Your card isn’t charged until you pick-up your groceries and accept what was provided.

Is Walmart REALLY a 1-Stop Shop?

It’s no secret that Walmart has a lot of products and brand options. Some individuals may be able to find everything they are looking for and more, without needing to go elsewhere. While I found the Walmart Free Grocery Pick-Up to be a valuable tool and it certainly saved me some time, I still find that I am going to another grocery store each week for certain items. This service makes my trip to Walmart practically hassle free but it doesn’t meet all of my grocery needs.

Was I Wowed and Amazed?

The employees that have brought out my groceries each order have been incredibly pleasant, friendly and swift. On all but 1 occasion, I haven’t waited any longer that a couple of minutes for an associate to greet me with a cart full of groceries, ready to load them in my trunk. There is no need for you to get out of the car- they do all the work.

Every single grocery pick-up employee I have engaged with has been kind and considerate, greeting me with a smile. This service far exceeds service I have received inside the same store. That reason alone makes the Walmart pick-up worth it!

Favorite Parts About this Service

It is free and there are no markups on your groceries.
Your ‘Favorites’ is a categorized list that shows all the foods you have bought in the past making it super easy to select you weekly go-to items without searching the website.
This service is not solely limited to food. You are able to purchase toiletries, paper products, cleaning supplies, baby products, school supplies, office essentials, garden supplies and even some toys and outdoor games.
Most products have a price per unit making it easy to compare brands for the best value.
You get to determine when you want to pick up your groceries. Select a 1 hour time frame that fits your schedule.
If they do not have the product you selected, Walmart will offer a ‘substitute.’ When you pick up your groceries you can accept the substitute or decline.

Cautions?

Every Walmart is different. Some are newer stores, others older. Leadership may vary a bit from store to store. Your local Walmart may kill you with kindness and good customer service or it may be lacking, but you probably won’t know until you give it a try. It’s likely that even if you only use this service for certain household products or haircare or diapers, you will save yourself time and money. It is important to note that you must spend $30 or more to use the Free Grocery Pick-Up.

Overall Experience

Pleasantly surprised- that’s me. I will definitely continue to use this service regularly- it really has saved our family time and money. While I still prefer some other stores for certain grocery items, I have had at least 5 positive experiences with this service, purchasing a variety of fresh, frozen, packaged food items along with household goods. Because the service is FREE, you really have nothing to lose AND if you use this referral code, you can receive $10 OFF your first order of $50 or more. (Note: I do receive a referral coupon if you sign up using this link.)

walmart free grocery pickup review

Hopefully, this Walmart Grocery Pickup Review gives you a little hope if you are drowning in area of meal planning and prep. As a mom and nutritionist that is passionate about helping moms find practical solutions to make mealtime and healthy eating easier, a free grocery pick-up is definitely worth a try. Even if you use another grocery store pick-up service, this just might become your new favorite thing!

NOTE: I was not paid or compensated for this honest review. All of the opinions are my own and based on my own experience with this service.

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9Aug 2

Recipes

Strawberry Banana Greek Yogurt (No Added Sugar)

Perfectly sweet and creamy, this Strawberry Banana Greek Yogurt uses up very ripe produce to make a delicious snack or breakfast.

It looks like a commercial brand from the dairy case but doesn’t have any artificial colors or sweeteners, added sugars, or thickeners and costs much less than the individual snack cups. Strawberry Banana Greek Yogurt is kid-friendly, mom approved and a cinch to blend up!

Greek yogurt is a perfect snack, contributing protein, carbohydrate, calcium, potassium, vitamin D and many other nutrients. The balance of protein and carbohydrate provide sustained energy and keep us full. But as easy as it might be to plop some fresh or frozen fruit on top of plain greek yogurt, flavored yogurts are popular.

Some brands have begun lowering the added sugars in their flavors since customers have communicated that this is important to them. But, it is actually possible to blend up a delicious greek yogurt without any added sugar… and you can do this in less than 5 minutes.

Remember that fat is necessary to absorb fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin D. Also, in the case of yogurt, a little bit of fat helps reduce some of the natural tang in yogurt. This recipe uses low-fat greek yogurt, but the reality is that you can use fat-free, full-fat, or even a non-greek yogurt.

Several times I have dispelled the myth that ‘bananas are bad‘ as some might claim. In fact, bananas are quite exceptional at sweetening foods without needing added or artificial sugars! This recipe has 4 grams fiber per serving helping to manage blood sugar. Also, eating meals that include a balance of complex carbohydrate, protein and fat keeps blood glucose from spiking and helps prevent cravings from taking over your thoughts.

The key to avoiding added sugars in this Strawberry Banana Greek Yogurt recipe is to use very ripe fruit. Double or even triple the recipe to make enough to portion out for the week or for each family member. Top with a generous handful of your favorite nut to turn your yogurt into a satisfying meal that will last you hours.

If you don’t have time for meal prep in the kitchen, that’s okay. This recipe will only require 5 minutes of your time- that’s it!

Strawberry Banana Greek Yogurt (No Added Sugar)

Jennifer Hunt, RDN, LD

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe

Servings 2

Ingredients

1 medium banana very ripe
1 ¼ cup sliced strawberries very ripe
1 cup low-fat plain greek yogurt like Fage brand

Instructions

Place bananas and strawberries in food processor and blend until pureed, about 20-30 seconds. Scrape down the sides as needed. A high-powered blender could also be used.
Pour puree into a medium bowl and stir in the yogurt until well combined. Chill until ready to eat. Divide into 2 or 4 servings.

Notes

If you prefer chunks of fruit in your yogurt, pulse fruit until desired consistency.
Very ripe fruit will produce a sweeter yogurt. If it is not your preferred sweetness, add 1-3 tsp honey OR the equivalent in stevia until it tastes perfect to you!
The puree makes a generous cup. If desired, you can keep the puree separate and stir in several tablespoons when ready to eat.
There is absolutely no added sugar in the recipe- it’s all from the fruit and yogurt. But if you want a lower sugar/carbohydrate yogurt, you can stir in an additional ½-1 cup of greek yogurt.
If you do not like greek yogurt, you can use low fat (non-greek) yogurt for this recipe. Do note that it might turn out a little “loose” and the nutrition will be slightly different.

Nutrition

Calories 171; Total Fat 3g; Saturated Fat 2g; Cholesterol 6mg; Sodium 39mg; Potassium 383mg; Carbohydrate 25g; Fiber 4g; Natural Sugar 17g (Added Sugar 0g); Protein 13g.

Yummy Ways to Eat It!

Pour into a popsicle mold for a fun afternoon treat!
Top with additional sliced bananas and strawberries.
Use as a dip for skewered fruit.

If you are looking to save money, reduce added sugar, and find a new easy recipe for the whole family, this one is berry sweet and flavorful!

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3Aug

Health Life

How to Regain Momentum and Motivation When You’ve Lost It

If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you. –Fred DeVito

These familiar words ring true. But, has your challenge ever felt “too big?” Overwhelming, perhaps? Staying motivated along the journey of weight loss or even weight maintenance seems to become a struggle for most everyone at some point.

“Maintaining motivation” is one of the most commonly reported challenges I hear when talking with individuals about health changes. Even though I am a nutrition professional, I am not immune from this same struggle as I discussed in this article.

The question everyone is asking is “how do I stay motivated?” To be completely honest, I doubt anyone “feels” motivated all the time. In fact, I think you will be hard pressed to find anyone that could respond positively to that question. But, as we know, feelings provide us with information but not necessarily truth or fact. Feelings can make you aware that you are not on the path you want to be on, but they won’t necessarily provide the solution to the right path.

If we look to “feel” our way back to the path, to motivation, then it just might not show up. But, if we look to discover the strategies and disciplines we want to have in our lifestyle to move us forward- which can lead to some great feelings- then regaining motivation is within your grasp!

I know exactly what it’s like to feel like a ‘loser.’ To look all around and wonder why I am not further along, why I didn’t learn a lesson and move on, why I haven’t put some practices into place that I have been talking about for waaaayyy too long. I know what it’s like to feel discouraged, frustrated and overwhelmed– all negative feelings.

All of mankind can relate. It’s part of the human experience.

While challenges often cause us to dig deep and find an inner strength that we didn’t know we possessed, sometimes, we set a goal that is too big for the moment. It can cause us to skirt around the goal or avoid it altogether, making no progress in the direction we want to go.

For example, if a physician told you that it would be ideal to lose 40#, that might feel ridiculously difficult. But if he encouraged you to lose 5 pounds and then work to maintain that weight loss, many would say that they could achieve that.

If you want to accomplish a goal, it has to be realistic.

After clawing my way out of some of my own personal pity parties and working with hundreds of individuals in my office, I believe there are 3 strategies that help us regain motivation and momentum:

Take A Step Back

This feels so counter-intuitive because when you already feel behind or like a failure, stepping back to see the big picture feels like defeat will only look bigger! But, the reality is that stepping back helps us see if we are using the right strategies to shoot for our goals. Are you aiming at the right things?

It can often be helpful to include a healthcare practitioner, close but honest friend or mentor/coach who can help provide perspective and ask questions.

Recently while mulling over one of my own challenges, I found myself going through all the things I was “doing” as if to pat myself on the back for my exorbitant efforts and martyrdom. Then I asked myself a common coaching question, “How is that working out for you?” Ouch! Well, it wasn’t! I needed to change my strategy and put my energies into another area.

Taking a step back isn’t about regurgitating all your efforts or finding excuses, it’s about getting a big picture perspective.

Vision is absolutely necessary to go anywhere. Whether in business, health, parenting or any area of life, it’s important to know your “Why?” Stepping back can help you recapture that reason again. And that is truly motivating!

Find 1 WIN to Celebrate

When you feel stuck in a pit of despair, momentum is hard to come by. No one wants to attempt climbing out, right!? It feels too hard, too exhausting, too time-consuming. The best way to give yourself a glimmer of hope is to celebrate a win.

Think back to any time in the near or distant past when you achieved a win! Regardless of how small, you must find 1 thing to celebrate. You see, you are stronger than you think, but when “feeling weak” you have to be reminded of your actual strength. This win doesn’t even need to be topically related, although it might be helpful. The point is that for a moment, you need to relive an accomplishment and remember what it felt like to nail it!

A win doesn’t need to be significant to anyone but you. You can even do it right now…

Make Your Next Step the “Lowest Hanging Fruit on the Tree”

Business Coach, Christy Wright, frequently talks about this strategy when encouraging women in business through her Business Boutique. Because big goals can overwhelm us, fear stops us in our tracks. We are paralyzed. Time passes and our feelings of self-worth diminish.

Instead of walking down that path- well, really not going anywhere we want to go, we can use a different strategy… choose the lowest hanging fruit on the tree. Create a super simple goal and then go do it! This doesn’t mean losing sight of our big goals. It means asking yourself today, “What is 1 thing I can do to move the needle?”

For example, if your BIG goal is to run a 10K race with your best friend for non-profit fundraiser, maybe one step today is to go on a 30-60 minute walk.

When you wake up each morning and strategize how to move the needle just a little bit, a week or 2 will go by and you will begin to see progress. But, too much mental energy focused on the ultimate goal doesn’t actually accomplish anything. The goal helps direct our vision but the implementation of the strategy actually gets us there.

What strategy, behavior or practice will you do today?

You haven’t lost your motivation and momentum for good! You just have to uncover it again and make it easy to take a step that makes you feel good!

The best way to predict the future is to create it. –Abraham Lincoln

Today you have an opportunity to create YOUR future- one little piece at a time. But remember,

Motivation is what gets you going. Habit is what keeps you going. –Jim Ryun

Those “feel good” feelings are available for enjoyment, but they won’t move the needle. Only you can do that.

TRUTH: Last of all I want to remind you that your strength must come from the Lord’s mighty power within you. — Ephesians 6:10 (TLB)

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27Jul

Recipes

Super Simple No-Guilt Blueberry Syrup

July is National Blueberry Month! Therefore, it is the perfect time to celebrate these perky sweet berries with a no fuss recipe that is as “easy as [blueberry] pie,” no actually, MUCH easier! It can hardly be called a recipe it is SO SIMPLE, but I guarantee that you and your family will adore it!