Grocery Shopping in Portugal + Easy Weekly Meal Prep
Sundays are rest days for me — no gym, no heavy workouts. Instead, I love to start the morning with a slow sunrise walk along the coast. The sound of the waves instantly sets the tone for a calmer, more grounded day. Even when it’s cloudy, the mornings here on Madeira Island feel magical.
I usually keep it to about five kilometers, just enough to wake up my body while still keeping energy in reserve for the week ahead. My walk often takes me to the charming fishing town of Câmara de Lobos — one of my favorite places on the island. It’s quiet, colorful, and full of cats lounging around the cliffs.
This ritual always reminds me why I love living here: the mix of natural beauty, active mornings, and community life. After a jog back to the scooter, I head home ready to take on the main project of the day — resetting my fridge and pantry with a full grocery haul.
Grocery Shopping in Portugal: Weekly Reset
After my walk and shower, I opened the fridge… and it was completely empty. Not even yoghurt toppings left. That’s usually my sign that it’s time for a serious shopping trip.
Living on an island like Madeira, shopping can be a little unpredictable. Sometimes I can find organic products easily, other times they’re almost impossible to get. So I always make a detailed shopping list before heading out. It saves me from forgetting key ingredients and helps me stay on track with my budget.
Today, I drove to one of the large shopping malls on the island so I could try to get everything in one go. Driving here still feels like such a gift — the winding coastal roads and ocean views make even the most ordinary errands feel special.
This week’s total came to €153 (about $180), which will cover Joen, Lara, and me for at least a week — and some items will last much longer, like nuts, cleaning supplies, and pantry staples.
Once I get home, I always start by cleaning the fridge before putting new food away. Nothing fancy, just a quick wipe-down with disinfectant spray, followed by a damp cloth to remove any residue. Then comes the fun part: restocking and organizing.
Unlike the Pinterest-perfect kitchens with labeled jars and rainbow color-coding, I usually keep most food in its original packaging. Still, I try to make sure the fridge looks fresh, clean, and welcoming when I open it.
One little trick I’ve learned: storing asparagus in a glass of water keeps them crisp and fresh for days. The same goes for herbs, which I wash and wrap in a paper towel before sealing in an airtight container.
Even if I can’t always shop 100% organic, I focus on variety, balance, and keeping the house stocked with healthy basics — plus a few fun treats. Because balance is everything.
Easy Meal Prep for the Week
With the fridge freshly cleaned and stocked, it was time to get into meal prep mode. Sundays are my reset days — when I batch cook and prepare the staples that keep the week flowing smoothly.
One of Joen’s favorites is my homemade granola. It’s super simple and far healthier than store-bought versions. This week’s mix included:
- Whole almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts
- Pumpkin seeds & sunflower seeds
- Shredded coconut
- Rolled oats
- A touch of sea salt
- Local honey for sweetness
I bake everything for 15–20 minutes at 150°C, stirring halfway. The result? A crunchy, golden granola that smells like caramel. Once it cooled, I stored it in jars so it’s ready to sprinkle on Greek yoghurt bowls.
Next up was meal prep for Lara. Once a week, I boil a whole chicken just for her. After it’s cooled, I carefully sort the meat into small pieces. She gets so excited — patiently watching like a little sous chef. I always save the chicken broth too. It’s full of collagen, which is amazing for my skin and also great for making soups later in the week.
For myself, I prepped a batch of low-carb bread. It’s a recipe I’ve used since my keto days, and it’s ridiculously easy. This time I swapped Greek yoghurt for cottage cheese to boost the protein and cut the fat. Once baked and cooled, I sliced it into pieces perfect for tuna sandwiches and stored them in glass containers in the fridge.
Finally, I made a big pot of broccoli boiled in chicken broth for flavor. I set aside a portion for Lara and kept the rest for my own meals. Adding a little seasoning and shredded chicken turns it into a simple, nutritious dinner — not glamorous, but deeply satisfying.
These kinds of small steps mean that during a busy week, I always have healthy, ready-to-go meals waiting. It saves me time, reduces stress, and helps me stick to my diet without feeling deprived.
Afternoon Coffee, Scooter Ride & Evening Wind-Down
After finishing the shopping haul and meal prep, Joen and I decided to take a break. We hopped on the scooter and headed downtown for a coffee date with Lara. She adores riding in her little kangaroo bag — ears flapping in the wind, looking completely at ease.
Our destination was Motya, one of our favorite cafés in Funchal. They serve excellent coffee, along with delicious teas and treats. Joen indulged in three mochis (I was so jealous — they looked heavenly), while I stuck to my perfectly brewed coffee. Since I’m dieting, coffee is one of the small luxuries I allow myself, and when it’s good, it feels like such a treat.
After coffee, we strolled through the streets with Lara, enjoying the cool breeze. She loves these outings just as much as we do, and watching her curiosity is one of the small joys of our daily life here in Madeira.
Back home, I wrapped up the last bit of my weekly prep. With the low-carb bread cooled and stored, broccoli and chicken broth ready, and Lara’s meals sorted, I felt completely prepared for the week ahead. It’s such a good feeling knowing the fridge is full and meals are organized.
Joen was working late, so I had dinner alone — a simple bowl of chicken and broccoli. Afterwards, I sat down to research my next dream trip: Japan. I love ending Sundays with a bit of inspiration, setting the tone for the week to come.
By the end of the day, I felt calm, productive, and ready to take on the week — exactly what Sundays should be about.
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