It’s a clichéd slice of European life: a woman walks down the street carrying a bag full of groceries and without fail there is always—always—a fresh loaf of baguette. It’s a funny archetype, but there may actually be some truth to it. Baguettes become stale quickly and are meant to be consumed sooner rather than later. Therefore, if you must have baguette, then you must buy it often. And, for many Europeans, grocery shopping on a daily basis is a very common experience.

While in North America, we head out every week or two for major grocery expeditions (Super-sized tuna-—check. Mega container of popcorn—double check!), our European counterparts are going to the butcher for meat, the bakery for bread and the local market for fresh produce every evening. The thought process is, “I’ll buy it today and cook it today”—repeat, repeat, repeat.

There are no studies to say that this way of shopping is better or more beneficial, but it does reinforce what we already know—our friends across the pond have a much different attitude towards food than we do. When you buy food on a regular basis from sources other than the major supermarket chains, you’re choosing produce that won’t have the same shelf life as something that has been chemically-altered to stay fresh in your refrigerator for a month. Shopping and cooking the same day also means taking the extra time to make the regular purchases and prepare the meals. And, in our go-go-go society, that is a very foreign concept indeed.

So, take it easy and learn to enjoy shopping for and preparing your meals. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Aim to buy fresh fruits and vegetables from the market at least a few times a month. You'll enjoy meeting your local producers and definitely taste the differnece in your meals.

Try a little fish every once in a while. There are other ways to get protien into your diet without eating a pot roast all the time. Give up meat for one meal a week—you won’t even miss it.

Treat yourself to the simple luxury of artisanal cheese. Once you have truly delicious cheese, you'll never go back to the processed, oil-packed stuff again. A few Canadian cheeses to try include Bleu Bénédictin, Friulano and St. Maure.

Turn the TV off and actually set the table for dinner. Put on some of your favourite music, light a few candles and take pleasure in your dining and your company. Slow down when you eat and actually appreciate the flavours of the meal you've prepared.

Try joining a wine of the month club. It's a fun way to try different varieties and learn which ones you tend to favour. Pour yourself a glass with your evening meal. Leave the stressors of the day at the door, savour every sip, relax and wind down.

Don’t be afraid to take shortcuts! Today, you can buy good-quality, gourmet main dishes at the supermarket or speciality grocer that you can round out by making the side dishes yourself. You’ll be just as beloved for your great skills as a shopper as you are for being a great cook.