Posts filed under 'service'
I’m in love with … my grocer. Sounds scandalous, but really it’s among the best relationships I’ve had. For a delivery fee, my grocer will shop for me from my very specific list, call with questions, pack it up and deliver it to my door per my instructions.
Something that makes your life this much easier sounds almost too good to be true. But, true it is and, thus, Willy Street Co-Op’s delivery service has stolen my heart. It’s saved me from torturous grocery shopping trips with the kids and made my life a little more stress-free.
Here’s how it works. Check out Willy Street Co-op’s web site. Become a member (see site for membership details and options — you’ll need to stop by the co-op at 1221 Williamson Street to officially sign up). Then, register for on-line shopping and fill your virtual cart. Delivery fees depend on where you live in Madison, but generally are up to $10. Delivery days also vary by region. And, if those don’t work for you, you can always pick up your order at the co-op — packed and ready to go — for a mere $3.
This was my experience: I placed my order at 9:30 one Tuesday morning and by mid-afternoon, vóila, my groceries were delivered. My order ran the gamut from bulk items (like flours, and baking supplies and dried fruits and nuts) to frozen foods, fresh organic produce to and heatlh and beauty products — from face and shaving lotions to deoderants and vitamins. The delivery staff even called me a few times to clarify: They didn’t have a one-pound turkey breast as I’d ordered; the smallest was 6 pounds … did I want that whole bird? Or, how ’bout a small roasting chicken instead? Perfect. Thanks for checking.
The fact that you can give special instructions on the order — where to leave it, where to reach you, etc. — is a major bonus, as is the fact that you can choose how you’d like your bulk items packed (in plastic bags or bottles, or you can purchase other packaging if you prefer). And, if you’re not in the know, the co-op is about the best place in town to find organics, satisfy special dietary needs and philosophies (gluten-free, wheat-free, vegan) and purchase locally grown and produced foods and products. Its got a great deli and bakery, too. (We always order our birthday cakes there. Can’t beat the banana cake: moist and delicious; thick cream-cheese frosting; feeds a crowd; only $20.)
Really, this service is a sanity-saver. We’ll be ordering weekly, especially as it’s a great way to help track and control the grocery budget. Usually, when it comes to keeping tabs on my spending in any grocery store, well, forget about it. By the end of a trip with the kids, I’m just throwing things in the cart, or dashing for the door with only half my order. The co-op lists all weekly and monthly specials, and I find looking at the list online and adding/deleting items to my cart that way infinitely easier than returning to aisle 1 to reshelve a product while my 1-year-old protests.
For more details check out the co-op’s site or call (608) 251-6776. This is definitely one retail affair worth having!
Mama Kate
February 6th, 2008
There has been a lot discussed in the media recently regarding Jenny McCarthy’s recent book about her son Evan who has autism, called Louder Than Words: A mother’s Journey in Healing Autism. This book has been extremely helpful to a lot of parents who are trying to find out if their child has autism and what do do after their child has been diagnosed.
Now there is also a visual tool at autismspeaks.org calld the ASD Video Glossary where parents can watch video of a child without autism and a child with autism interacting with the same environment. This will be helpful to a parent, since it can be hard to tell if your child does have autism. By watching the videos, and the childrens’ different reactions to their environment, you can be better prepared to ask questions of your doctor and be better equipped to explain what worries you about your child’s behavior.
“… an innovative web-based tool designed to help parents and professionals learn more about the early red flags and diagnostic features of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). ”
Pass this on to anyone you know who would find this helpful. Mama Jen
October 15th, 2007
MomAppeal got a sneak peek at the hip and family friendly cafe Bean Sprouts that opens in Middleton—Money magazine’s number one city to live in– today!
This is something I have been waiting for—a local, chic, modern, healthy and FUN place to bring your family. I promise…no big mascot will chase you around while you listen to the beeping sounds of games that you still hear in your head long after you left what you thought would be a “family friendly” restaurant.
When you walk in, the modern and airy cafe greets you with a wonderful boutique retail section to fill your gift giving needs. The shining stars of this wonderfully put together retail area are soft and functional little luxuries by Baby Jar, aprons for your tot by Lucy and Michael, Magic Beans and much more.
There are two family restrooms, each containing a standard toilet and a tiny kids toilet next to it that looks and works the same, but is about half the size! I still can not get over that detail!!
There is also a kids bar where kids can eat with friends while they sit on tiny stools. The kid’s bar is situated next to a fun nook that has a huge chalk board and toys. There are also little steps up to a section of the cashier counter to get your kid in on the ordering of their meal. So much thought was put into this cafe—kids are sure to be just as wowed as you are!
Then…the menu…absolutely amazing and unlike any other menu I have seen. Don’t tell your kids, but when an * appears next to a food item, you can look and find out what healthy items such as cauliflower and zucchini purees, sweet potato, creamed spinach and white bean puree may be hidden in your own or your child’s foods…so smart, so healthy, and soooo delicious. With the help of Gale Gand who used to have a show on the food network, this healthy and interesting menu was conjured up with perfection.
For the baby section of their menu, they have itty (3oz) and bitty (5oz) which can be prepared smooth or chunky for those that have a texture preference—Love it!! The “Baby Dahl” which is a savory dahl with organic chicken, or the “Easy Cheesy” which is cauliflower and broccoli in a gruyere cheese sauce are sure to please your little baby, and that’s just the beginning! Oh yeah…their organic baby food can be delivered weekly to your home, so put away your blender, relax, and give your baby a healthy meal from Bean Sprouts! Good gift idea for a new mom by the way!!!
The main menu which allows kid portions or adult portions is full of healthy and fun items such as “Bunchkin Burgers” made with ground turkey and topped with lettuce and Roma tomato, “Wheat ‘Za” which is a pizza (available with a number of toppings) with a homeade sauce. Each have an * next to them which means they contain a combination of the healthy purees. Healthy sides with clever names such as “Melon Bisque,” “Edamame Snappers,” “Banana Octopus” and “Polenta Flower,” are available with the meals, and they are WONDERFUL!
An adorable addition to the events at Bean Sprouts, is that every Tuesday, you can dress up for tea with your little ones and enjoy an additional menu of tea and treats all day—so neat and unique!! You can also have you kid’s birthday parties hosted there as well…hmmm…I think I know what we’ll be doing next year!
For a treat, try the “Banana S’mores” or the Polenta Blueberry Muffins which are out of this world good!! Really, they have been haunting me since I left, and I am not a lover of sweets…
I could go on and on about this wonderful cafe, opened by fellow parents Shannon Payette Seip and Kelly Parthen of Cinematters, but you should go check it out for yourself! Enjoy! Mama Jen
July 18th, 2007
Just a note for you to check out the newest fitness guru to enter our scene, Anke Johnson. Anke is an expert Certified Health Coach who can help you with your total health plan…from incorporating organics, getting into a fitness routine, learning to deal with your stressors and creating a non-toxic environment for your family—AND she’s a mom! (She can even collaborate with you via phone and email which is important for us parents who have a hard time getting away often.)
She is a dynamo, who is inspiring, easy to talk to, easy to relate to, and she really knows how to work with your personal health needs and goals effectively.
Check out her bio on our Fit Mama tab as well as more information at www.naturalsolutionsbyanke.com
Word is that she and Dustin also have some plans to join their efforts at times!
July 17th, 2007
We all pay enough for shoes for our feet, so why do we stop when it comes to shades?
If you are in Las Vegas, you MUST go to Lunettes in in the Paris hotel and casino.
They offer a wide variety of high-end sunglasses from Fendi, Gucci, Prada, Chanel, and many others. The best part—go when Julie is working–the lady has miles of style and will help you find the perfect fit for your face…after trying on so many in my life, leaving stores with some winners and some losers, this service is worth the extra price!! Happy Shopping! Mama Jen
June 27th, 2007
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