Let me start by warning you that this claim is strictly based on my own first hand experience. It does not borrow from any research or scientific study undertaken on drugged lab rats in remote Pennsylvania and such. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, lets go shopping, shall we?
There are of course, all sorts of grocery shopping. Those done with long lists and discount coupons, personally the worst kind if you ask me. Then there are the quickies when you have no time. Storm into the store, grab items by their collar, and then march them over to the express counter. Only the billing at this point usually takes a lifetime. Well, you were in a hurry not the cashier.
Those of us, who are lucky enough, also have the option of ordering over the phone from our local grocers. I find that this only works if you are either very sure or not at all fussy about your order. Exploring and comparing brands and prices are more often than not met with the phone being disconnected on the other end. Really, your grocer is a busy man or didn’t you know that?
That brings me finally to the kind of grocery shopping that I really enjoy and highly recommend. The kind that is more of a relief than a chore. The kind that effortlessly engages your mind, body and soul in ways that is profoundly therapeutic to say the least.
There are a few ground rules to that naturally. One, choose a store/supermarket of your liking. Some place with good lighting and air conditioning, plenty of room between shelves. And most importantly, polite, unobtrusive staff who know their Henkos from their Heinekens.
Once you’ve chosen your store, make sure you have enough time to do your shopping. Comfortable shoes and easy relaxed garments are the next thing to put on your checklist. The day and time you chose for this experience is also important. Ideally, a weekday at an odd hour is perfect. Or else an early Sunday morning outing also works out beautifully. Before the whole world and their Chihuahua descend, you are out and safely home with bliss written all over you.
Now that we’ve established all the dos and don’ts, allow me to take you on a typical day out to my favourite grocery store in town.
Welcome to Hypercity. A place anointed by the Grocery Gods themselves. Located in the northern suburb of Mumbai at Malad west, it is a place where dreams come true. Or at least mine do, on a regular basis. The sprawling expanse of grocery goodness includes among other things a bakery, wine& liquor store, a delicatessen, fresh fish, meat and poultry, fruit and vegetable market, a dedicated heath and organic food section, all other household items one can think of or ever need, from toothpaste to dog food, you name it and they have it all. The cherry on the cake is of course, the wide variety of products from various international markets that cosily hang out with all the local produce.
As I walk into the store I am always filled with eager anticipation. Phone on silent. I-pod plugged in, if I’m in the mood. Move over Alice, your wonderland has some serious competition from mine now.
I do not walk or for that matter, even stroll around the store. I glide through the aisles with the shopping cart merely an extension of myself. I know that I have a grocery list tucked somewhere in my handbag for reference, in case I need it. I do not take it out in fear of ruining the moment. Yes, I also have a budget to shop to. And somewhere within these defined limits, I have a cornucopia of pleasures waiting for me at every shelf.
I am not hunting for anything in particular. I have no agenda. This state of mind usually allows me to relax and heightens my senses to what’s around me. As I, yes, glide through the different sections; the neatly arranged shelves shamelessly flaunt their products with great flourish. My gaze sweeps across them and what’s mine to pick, seems to leap out with uncanny synchronicity. I fill up my shopping cart, mentally ticking off my grocery list. A new brand of gourmet coffee or a beautifully packaged jar of peanut butter, a quirky sounding biscuit brand or a fresh batch of organic health food, they all make my heart race a bit faster and bring a rosy flush to my cheeks with their delightfully unexpected appearance. I am torn between sticking to my original list and giving way to decadence.
You see I am not an impulsive shopper who needs to buy stuff just because it is there. Nor am I one of those people who simply can’t stick to a budget. On the contrary, I am a pro at shopping with tight budgets. The dilemma here is rather a delicious one. How to indulge myself with a thoroughly expansive gesture that doesn’t compromise too much on my essential purchases or my financial well-being. I must confess, I do get my jollies this way, every single time. I am always on the look out for these sort of challenges lurking among the merchandise in stores, big and small.
However, no respectable cook’s grocery shopping can be complete without a visit to the fresh fish, meat and poultry section. And I so want to be a respectable cook. Well, off I go then to earn my badge of honour. I usually keep this for the last. All that raw fish and meat with their pungent and sometimes gamy presence doesn’t exactly inspire lingering. So, fresh cuts of the choicest fish and meat quickly find their place in my already groaning shopping cart. And with that I think I am done for the day.
As I push my cart to the billing counter, I decide to do a quick cross-check of my grocery list. Most definitely, don’t want any casualties when I get home. I glance at my watch to realize a good hour has gone by. And I’ve been on my feet all this time! Surely, this must count as some sort of aerobic activity? Even though physically I am feeling the stirrings of pleasant exhaustation, my mind and spirit are stimulated and satiated to a point of peachy well-being.
Wait. Before I walk out with my groceries there is one more thing to do.Treat myself to a generous scoop of my absolute favourite Madagascar Dark chocolate gelato from Gelato Italiano. Yes, one last reason to finally wear that million dollar smile all the way home.To all you dark chocolate lovers out there, let me tell you, there cannot be a better guilt free indulgence than this. And believe me, I ‘ve been looking for one all my life.
