18 Jul Inside the Fridge: Natalie Wynn

Inside the Fridge welcomes Natalie Wynn! You will no longer find this newlywed, fitness fanatic and Fresh Life Finding’s blogger frequenting Taco Bell as she did in her college days. Born and raised in Georgia, this healthy Southern gal has a passion for kids and everything healthy! Natalie currently resides in Florida where she spends her time chronicling a life of food, fitness and fresh finds. Natalie hopes to use her degree in Early Childhood Education towards a career in teaching kids how to stay healthy and active.  Check out Natalie’s fitness tips and favorite foods at Fresh Life Findings.

Below we ask her questions about her grocery shopping and food habits – with actual pictures from her fridge!

ITF: Where do you shop for food?

NW: I like to shop at Publix every week for my basics and Whole Foods for my specialty items.

ITF: Do you love food shopping or dread it?

NW: I love food shopping but dread spending the money!

ITF: What is the single most important thing on your mind when you are shopping for food?

NW: I always try to stick to my meal plan that I make each week so the most important thing is to stay on track and not buy extra foods that I don’t need.

ITF: How often do you shop?

NW: I shop once a week and occasionally stop by the store throughout the week if I need an extra item.

ITF: How many do you shop for? Ages? 

NW: I shop for my husband and myself. He’s 27 and I’m 24.

ITF: What is your weekly food budget? 

NW: Our weekly food budget is $125 for groceries and we budget around $75 for eating out.

ITF: How many times a week do you eat out? (based on 21 meals/week)

NW: We eat out twice a week, once for a date night and once for lunch.

ITF: How do you plan your weekly meals? Create a spreadsheet of fly by the seat of your pants? 

NW: I spend time on Sunday evenings searching recipes and seeing what I’m in the mood to cook for the week. I type up a document in Word and make a list of the ingredients I already have at home and what I will need before I make a trip to the grocery!

ITF: What is the most coveted food in the fridge right now for each member of the household? Why?

NW: My husband’s most coveted food in the fridge is Coconut Milk because I usually buy Almond Milk since most groceries stores don’t carry Coconut Milk.  Every other week I make a special trip to Whole Foods for specialty items and buy him Coconut Milk. My coveted food is Chobani Greek Yogurt. I always buy enough for the week but am stingy about sharing it 🙂

ITF: What is the oldest item in the fridge right now?

NW: The oldest item in my fridge right now would have to be our bottle of champagne we are saving for our year anniversary.

ITF: Do you believe in leftovers?

NW: Oh yes! Leftovers are a life saver for me when my husband wants something to eat and I can re-heat whatever is in the fridge.

ITF: What brands do you swear by? Why?

NW: I love Chobani because I have tried a lot of greek yogurt flavors and theirs is my favorite. I also love Bob’s Red Mill products. His ingredients are always fresh and perfect for making waffles or make oatmeal!

ITF: What food/s are important when recalling food memories?

NW: My favorite food growing up was homemade macaroni and cheese. It always reminds me of my birthday when my best friends’ mom would make me a big batch of it.

ITF: How have your cooking/shopping habits changed over the last 10 years?

NW: College was my first time food shopping on my own and it included foods such as Easy Mac and Ramen Noodles. When I left college and the “freshman” 15 had taken its toll, I realized I needed to change my lifestyle. I started shopping for more whole foods and clean vegetables and fruits. I no longer microwave my dinners, I cook them!

ITF: If one person could cook for you tonight, who would it be?

NW: If I could have one person cook for me tonight, it would be Giada de Laurentiis from the Food Network. I have always watched her show Everyday Italian and love the food she cooks.

ITF: What words of wisdom or advice do you have for other folks who are doing their best every day to fill the fridge?

NW: Purchasing foods that will be good choices when you need a snack is always a priority. If you buy junk and keep it in the fridge, you will eat it!

Thank you Natalie!

And please contact robinsbite intern Leah if you would like to be featured on Inside the Fridge. Her email is Leah *at* robinplotkin *dot* com