Reaching your New Year's resolutions with Harp's Foods

A year or so ago, I wrote a blog about why we love living in Elkins. One of the features was our local grocery store, Harp’s Foods. We love that store and I get a kick out of telling people all the stuff we can get there that one wouldn’t think of for small town grocery store.

It occurred to me a couple weeks ago that a person could shop at Harp’s for most of their New Year’s resolutions. I’m not making major resolutions this year except to take life as it comes and to live in the moment. That said, I thought I’d show how a person could use Harp’s for many resolutions.

Three quick things: Harp’s did not ask me to write this blog so it’s not sponsored in any way. Also, the Harp’s in Elkins is considered a mid-sized store so larger stores might have more available options. Lastly, all of these pictures are taken in flourescent lighting with a cell phone so forgive the low quality!

Eat/drink better

This is probably one of the biggest resolutions, right? Another, similar goal is to eat more local food. Harp’s has all that:

They mark much of their local food so customers know where their food comes from. This creamery is right here in Elkins.

IMG_20151231_192414 — You can purchase a growing variety of organic foods, fresh produce, and a variety of meats.

IMG_20151231_192626 — I love that they have a variety of citrus in the winter. I can’t eat a whole navel orange and prefer the smaller Cara Cara oranges’ flavor anyways. The clementines are also pretty great! The Vitamin C is great for the immune system, too.

IMG_20151231_193431 — Now that you’re making all this food at home, you’ll need a variety of good utensils.

IMG_20151231_194243 — Same thing with appliances. You might be wanting to try new cooking styles and you can easily do that with appliances from Harp’s.

IMG_20151231_195506 — One of my resolutions each year is to refocus on drinking better. I need more water but I also drink no-calorie drinks with electrolytes.

IMG_20151231_195802 — With these containers you can chill water, measure water, and carry water. Drink water.

IMG_20151231_200331 — Supplements are an important part of a balanced diet. We often get our vitamins here. I happen to not be able to have whey-based protein but Harp’s does have a variety of protein drinks.

Many people choose to eat and drink better simply to improve their overall health and sense of well-being. Some also have the goal of losing weight. Harp’s can help you monitor that goal, too:

Get organized

Office supplies, planners, and notebooks galore.

Try new things

This could also involve food, such as learning a new cuisine.

In the past year, John and I have become fascinated with a wide range of Asian-style foods. We have a pretty good section for that cuisine for a small town store in Arkansas! I love their selection of sauces, especially.

Life’s full of new adventures that have nothing to do with food.

Adult coloring and art journaling have become a new big thing.

Start a new garden or if you already have one, try new items. My apologies for the blurry seeds picture. I should have gotten closer!

And that leads us to….

Unplug/get outside

We are so connected to our computers and our phones that more people want to get out in nature and just enjoy life. Or, perhaps simply unplug during an indoor activity. Harp’s has stuff for all of that, too.

Tailgating chairs and coolers are a must for fun times outside.

Harp's has end caps of books throughout the store. Some are also in the inspirational category, which could assist a personal growth type resolution, too. — Harp’s has end caps of books throughout the store. Some are also in the inspirational category, which could assist a personal growth type resolution, too.

Wait, aren't these plugging in? Earbuds are great for exercising outside and discovering new music. — Wait, aren’t these plugging in? Earbuds are great for exercising outside and discovering new music.

Save money

Harp’s offers multiple ways to save money. You can then use that money to do something cool like saving for vacations or getting out of debt.

12291173_10153265182161868_124238829412889026_o — The Harp’s card earns you money off at the gas pump but it also is a way to get digital coupons from the Harp’s Foods website.

We sometimes use the 5/9.99 produce feature, especially in the summer. We buy all our ingredients for my Farmers Market Pasta Bake at Harp’s.

Our favorite, however, is the 5 for $25 feature. We usually stock up on ground pork, chicken drumsticks, and lean ground beef.

Let me mention something else about the meat. With beef prices skyrocketing lately, we’re trying to find ways to use ground pork more (like in Asian spiced meatloaf). Harp’s is the only place I’ve seen ground pork consistently offered. They also have tri-tip, which is a favorite from my husband’s childhood.

Another way to save money is to take your own lunch to work. This doesn’t really apply to me since I work from home, but for the rest of the world, check these out:

I kinda want to get some of these lunch buddy tools just because they look like fun.

One last thought: another great things bout Harp’s is that if they don’t have an item, they are willing to see if it’s feasible for them to get it for you.

What are your resolutions and goals? Have you checked out Harp’s to get the tools to meet those goals?

1 comment / Add your comment below

Jenny says:

January 6, 2016 at 16:41

I love our local Harps! It’s my favorite local grocery store. I’m hoping to eat more whole foods this year, as well as a few vegetarian dinners per week.

Reaching your New Year’s resolutions with Harp’s Foods