Shopping

Now for shopping. This page is devoted to what to buy, what not to buy, where to shop, and tips on how to shop complete with a printable shopping list. 

First... your best bet is to think and buy fresh...

Next... if it is packaged or processed, don't buy it...even gluten-free products can be low in nutrition and high in calories...

Where to shop...

The following are some of the best places to shop in the Rochester / Buffalo area as well as on the east coast:

• Wegmans... every day you get their best... the shopping experience of all shopping experiences... if you live on the east coast, need I say more???
• Lori's Market Basket of Holley NY... a family run farm with fresh produce, a personalized CSA program, and the largest variety of specialty items in the Rochester / Buffalo area
• Hurd Orchards of Holley NY...featured in Oprah's O Magazine, it is a family-owned fruit farm and canning company nestled in the fertile lake plains of Western New York. 
• Rochester Public Market...an outdoor farmer's market where you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and cheeses as well as share recipes, stories, and more.
• Lori's Natural Foods Center .... a bit pricey, but you can count on their offerings to be fresh and healthy
• Sauder's Country Store of Seneca Falls ...it's your chance to go back in time when life was simpler and food was grown the old-fashioned way.. naturally. A charming country store in Seneca Falls run by Mennonites, ... it's a fresh alternative to today's grocery shopping experience.
• Kettle Kitchen of Intercourse, PA... a simply fun, simply homemade, simply delicious shopping experience... from homemade jams, relishes, cheeses, and ice cream to handmade furniture, clothing, and quilts made lovingly by the local Amish community
• Whole Food Markets... an online marketplace where you can buy everything organic for less.

Helpful tips...

• Buy fresh foods that are naturally gluten-free such as fruits, vegetables, and lean cuts of meat. Make these the focus of your diet.
• Limit your purchase of packaged or processed foods. While they may be gluten-free, they tend to be low in nutrition, high in sugar, fat, and sodium, and high in calories.
• When buying packaged items, be sure to shop in the gluten-free or natural food sections of the store.
• Always read labels. Wheat-free is not the same as gluten-free. Learn to decode food labels for often "hidden" fats, sugars and sodium or "unsafe" gluten-laden ingredients.
• Buy gluten-free flours and meals in bulk as they are typically less expensive than pre-packaged ones. What's more, it's a great way to try out new flours and nut meals before committing to a larger quantity. 
• Make your own all-purpose, gluten-free baking mixes rather than buying pre-packaged ones to save money and experiment with interesting flour and nut meal combinations. 
• Bake from scratch... but be sure refrigerated items such as eggs and milk are room temperature before use for best results. 
• Watch your fiber intake. With reduced reliance on grains for your daily fiber, be sure to eat fiber-rich fruits and vegetables using the following chart to stay regular.
  
  
• Buy online. We understand that Amazon.com gives discounts for repeat orders; Bob's Red Mill offers great deals on gluten-free items; and Whole Foods is the "go-to place" if you cannot find something you need anywhere else.
• Look for online coupons on sites such as BeFreeForMe.com.
• Most of all... have fun! This is your chance to be creative and try out new recipes!

Sample Shopping List...