Skip skipping the dishes, and eat your best life at home.
Okay, maybe that doesn’t make much sense but many folks that I know are (re)discovering their love for cooking and baking during these times of social distancing. I’ve been keeping a “COVID Cookbook (Vol. 19)” while I try to figure out how to make the best use of the food in my fridge and pantry before it spoils.
In this post, I’ll go over some of the ways you can keep your fridge and stomach full.
Go grocery shopping
While it’s best we all stay at home, the fact is that you’ll still need to venture out for something or another. Grocery stores, being an essential service, are staying open and stocked. Except for toilet paper, presumably because everyone is shitting themselves nonstop.
Besides the main grocery chains, don’t forgot to support local grocers such as London Road Market, Urban Grocer, Umami, Asian Supermarket, and Purple Carrot. If I missed any, please let me know in the comments below!
When you go shopping, do it safely and keep the basics in mind: wipe down your cart (most stores do this already for you), stay 2 meters away from others, don’t touch your face, and remain civil and polite. This short video does a great job of explaining this:
And make sure you show your appreciation to our amazing grocery store workers!
Get your food and supplies delivered
If you cannot leave your home because you are self-isolating, have limited means of transportation, or are at risk, have someone bring food to you!
Save On Foods, Costco and Walmart offer online grocery shopping, with either pickup and/or delivery. For our local grocers, contact them to see what options are available.
If you checked out our Mocha Local post, they also are offering a Local Essentials Box:
At the end of the day, if you need a stiff drink, both Andrew Hilton Wine & Spirits and Theoretically Brewing Company (we once made beer there) offer delivery:
I’m sure your favourite liquor store does delivery too, but if they don’t…
Hire a personal shopper
Lethbridge has some great service providers who you can call on when you need a shopper, hitman, and so on…
- Go To Girl Solutions
We’ve used G2G in the past for some house cleaning, and can’t recommend them enough! They also offer concierge services, like running errands, pharmacy pick-up, doing your shopping, meal delivery, housework and more. - Leave A Light On Delivery
In their words: “We can deliver anything. Food, groceries, pharmacy, spirits, convenience store, personal shopping, literally anything you can order we can deliver. We also service southern Alberta and charge a km rate.” - Simply Delivery
In their words: “Simply Delivery aims to deliver ANY product sold in your local business community to your door, as well as provide businesses with pick up and delivery solutions, supplies, documents, waybill services, bank runs and so on.”
Order take out
While you can’t dine in, you can still order take out! Lethbridge has a great number of restaurants, and they’re hurting right now. If you find that you burn boiling water while cooking, you might want to consider giving your favourite joint a call!
Our friends at Dylan’s Piggyback Poutinerie deliver burgers, poutine, and beer!
And for our restaurants and businesses weathering the storm, don’t forget to purchase gift certificates and frequent their business once this all blows over!
Lastly, thanks and shout-outs to the fine folks in the Small Business Success Lethbridge Facebook group for suggesting businesses that are open during this pandemic!
Where to get help
If you are symptomatic, don’t rush to your doctor’s office or emergency. Call 811 first. Remember, you don’t want to spread COVID-19 if you might have it.
Are you worried you might actually have COVID-19? Take Alberta Health Service’s self-assessment tool here: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page16944.aspx
Need to speak with a medical professional? Speak with a Registered Nurse by calling 811 (1-866-408-5465).
If you’re in urgent need of food or supplies, fellow Lethbians in the Lethbridge Support Circle Facebook group are ready and willing to help out their neighbours.
I’m a webslinger located in Lethbridge, AB. I love all things nerdy, like cartoons and videogames, and am also a bit of a foodie. When I travel, I always keep my eyes out for hot springs and great places to adventure with my wife, Melissa.