It’s football season if you haven’t noticed. Players on my fantasy team have been dropping left and right, Big Ben is injured for a few weeks, and that crisp fall air makes you want to cancel your FlyWheel spinning class and just eat carbs on the couch.
The trick to this is like any true mom sport – finding balance and time for both. I like to think of my shopping outing as exercise and a true football experience in itself. Living in New York City, dodging shopping carts and shoppers in the Walmart aisles requires some bob an weave tactics just like Jerome The Bus Bettis. Personally, I love Walmart because it’s a one-stop, affordable store where you can pick up all your tailgating needs (and the last thing I want to do is have to drive around to multiple stores and keep buckling and unbuckling a toddler), but just like any good coach, you need to go in with a game plan.
3 Tips for Tailgating Shopping like a Pro
1. Have a strategy.
Shopping is fun, we get it – but sometimes you need to have a game plan that gets you in and out. We’re moms. We have a million things to do and grocery shopping can’t take the leisurely pace of our grandmothers. Have a route to take: shop the fresh foods first to fill up the cart, then grab the dry good/processed essentials, avoid the home decor and kitchen supply aisle at all costs. Ok, it’s football season, you don’t have to deprive yourself THAT much. Check out what cute football themed items you don’t already have – especially if they’re black and gold.
2. Meal Planning.
It’s an age-old rule to never shop on an empty stomach, and to try and prep your meals in advance. This way you have an idea of what you need, and don’t end up spending money on food that will be wasted, or impulse buying. Luckily for us tailgaters, King’s Hawaiian comes in all shapes and sizes at Walmart: sweet, butter, mini, small, hamburger, hot dog and even hoagie size rolls. Always plan your tailgate parties to have finger foods – even with adults, it’s better to pick and eat smaller sizes than let large sandwiches go to waste if they can’t eat it all, or (gasp!) if they don’t like it.
The Great Tailgate Must-Have List
– Kings Hawaiian buns (variety, people!)
– Buffalo sauce (it’s a Pittsburgh tradition! Frank’s Red Hot and butter over, well, anything!)
– Mini meats, sliders of your choice (chicken, beef, pulled pork, or veggie patties all work great!)
– Finger foods, live a little (it’s okay if you’re always eating healthy, football always counts as a cheat day go go ahead and pick up a bag of Doritos).
– Finger foods, healthy (okay, so people might judge you, but I happen to LOVE carrots and celery with my hot sauce!)
– Beverages (you just can’t serve water at a tailgate, sorry. Again, football days are meant for cheating so grab some sodas, beers, and juice for the kids).
3. Have a backup plan (your Hail Mary).
So you get to Walmart and GAH! there are no more mini King’s Hawaiian sweet sliders! Oh the humanity! This is where defense has to kick in and win the game. Great tailgaters and moms are good at swallowing their fears and wiping the anxiety off their foreheads in a single swipe. Learning to improvise in the game is a talent – learn to polish yours here. Don’t freak out, instead grab the long hoagie buns and cut them into threes. They work just as well for bite-size treats.
Stay tuned to see what recipes and food ideas I layout and an upcoming Steelers game in October for more detailed ideas on tailgating at home (or the game!) Want to follow along on social media? Follow the hashtag #KHgametime.
This blog post was sponsored by KING’S HAWAIIAN but the opinions are my own.
I love King’s Hawaiian – you are so right. Planning ahead for what you will serve will make all the difference.
LOVE their buns – and that some are sweet and some are buttery. haha can never have too much butter! mmmm