Hey Sars,

I have a problem — as does everyone. It’s not about boys or living conditions or anything like that.

I’m scared of the grocery store. Seriously.

I’m 25 years old and have never really learned how to grocery shop. I try making a list, but all the ends up on it is “bread, chicken, peanut butter, diet cokes…”, and I end up with nothing that makes a full meal. When I eventually get to the store (once every couple of months), I wander around and aimlessly put things that look good — again not really ending up with a full meal. I eat out usually (mostly fast food), and it’s really wearing on my hips and my budget. I love fruits and veggies, but never learned how to pick ripe ones. Is this normal? Is there a class out there: Grocery Shopping 101? Should I have taken home ec in high school? Do they even teach home ec anymore?

How can I learn the proper way to grocery shop? (Please don’t suggest mom/grandparent/etc., that’s not an option where I live.)

Thanks!

Petrified by Produce

My first suggestion: shop from recipes. Grab a cookbook or go to a recipe site online (epicurious.com, for example), pick out a few things you’d like to make during the week, and shop from those lists.

At home, try to maintain two things: a stocked larder of canned/frozen non-perishables so that you always have something mealable at home; and a grocery list, kept somewhere in the kitchen, so that when you run out of a staple like onions or Diet Coke, you can put it right on the list for your next trip to the store.

Try to keep a supply of things that can do a lot of different duties, like tomatoes, which you can slice for sandwiches, quarter for salads, mince for saute, and so on.

I can’t really offer much guidance on how you know when produce is ripe/fresh or not, because every fruit and veg is different in that regard, but if you eat enough of various things, you get a sense of them after a while.

Lastly: try not to shop hungry. Going to the supermarket when you feel snacky means you get home with a bunch of snacky items and fewer meal provisions.

Readers? Email subject line: “produce.”

Hi Sars,

I’ve managed to weasel myself into a fourth-year English course that had the pre-requisite of some knowledge of “genre theory.” I promised the professor that I would be able to hold my own because of the background reading I would do…

I thought I was pretty smart, having a firm grasp on the definition of genre. Having now made this wild promise, I find I have no idea, really, what genre theory is (other than it seems pretty removed from my understanding of genre), let alone what books to read for a background in it.

Have you and your shiny B.A. met this theory? If yes, could you recommend a book or two to start with? I’d ask the professor but I think I’ve already made myself annoying enough in her direction.

Thanks ever so much,
Theoretically regretting her begging emails

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Dear Begging,

I haven’t met this theory; I’ve heard it mentioned, that’s it. Wikipedia has this slender article on it, but not much in the way of background reading. Searching “genre theory” on Amazon, quotation marks included, brought up this book, among others, but I don’t know how good it is.

Readers? Short explanation of genre theory and/or reading recs, please. Email subject line: “genre theory.”

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Sars,

I have a fairly unsexy query. After years of oblivious quaffing, I have had a wake-up call, gone to a professional and been diagnosed as someone with a drinking problem. It’s very early days but I’m taking steps to fix this.

I’m writing because I am part of several online communities, but don’t really feel that any of them, cool as they are, can offer support on this issue. Do you know of any down to earth, non-preachy and/or (going for gold here) witty online communities who offer useful support to those of us with booze problems? My support system here is pretty tiny and I look online for support with other stuff, so I’m really hoping there is a community out there that I’d relate to.

Thanks,
Make mine an Irn-Bru

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Dear Irn,

Good for you for getting the help you need.

Readers: we need online recovery-focused communities. Non-sectarian preferred. Email subject line: “AA.”

[8/25/06]

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