My Instacart Experience, Feel Good Foods and a Promo

I'm here to  make your life a wee bit easier.  While at a Christmas event on Sunday evening a friend told me about Instacart.  What?  Why had no one shared this online grocery shopping business with me before?  Have I just had my head in a hole all this time?  Well, I won't let you keep wallowing in the dark on this . . . I'm here to share so you too can have an easy shopping experience!  And, at the end of the post I have a PROMO CODE for $5.00 off your order.  Soooooo, you have to keep reading, or at least, hang around enough to scroll down to the end.Now, for the shopping experience and review:  As I mentioned, I had not heard of Instacart.  A few years back I was a HUGE fan of a company called Webvan.  I was such a fan that, I bought stock in the company.  Well, unfortunately, the company went bust, but not for my lack of support!  It was an online grocery shopping service that would bring your order straight to your door, with no charge and no tips.  During the time I worked full time and had three little lively boys underfoot so it was the best thing since sliced bread.  It was too good to last.  There were warehouses to keep and vans running all around Atlanta - maybe it was just too much, too fast.Instacart.com, on the other hand, is more of a delivery service without the overhead of its own vehicles and warehouses.  Whole Foods has partnered with Instacart in all of the 15 cities it currently serves: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Boulder, Colorado, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, Oregon, San Francisco, San Jose, California, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. In the coming months, Instacart and Whole Foods Market expect to expand the in-store pickup option to all of the cities Instacart serves.However, Instacart is not only a vehicle for Whole Foods.  In my area I can choose from Whole Foods, Kroger or Costco for shopping and delivery.  If Instacart is available in your city, you simply input your zip code and your store options will be given.I had a good experience with Instacart.  I placed my order late on Sunday evening and was able to choose my delivery window for Monday when I knew I could be available.  My Mondays are pretty much jam packed from 8 am until after all the carpools are finished around 6:30 pm so a grocery run on Mondays just doesn't happen.  When I learned Sunday evening that  I had to have goodies for a school party, it was the perfect time to try out Instacart.  (I owe my old neighbor a HUGE thank you for spreading the word!).  I did not spend a lot of time on the website, but it was easy to navigate.  I simply put in the items on my list in the search window and chose from the options available.  There was also a place to let them know if you wanted to substitute an item if your chosen one was unavailable.  My only issue with my delivery was from my own mistake.  I was in a hurry, and had not paid enough attention to the website and ordered three cartons of milk and somehow missed the chocolate milk I intended to order.  My delivery person called me from the store to check on an item and let me know how far away he was.  He was incredibly nice and right on time.  No complaints there from me!The first delivery is free.  There was an option to tip online, so I chose that option as I often find myself with no cash for tipping.  The website gives the following info on its fees:All Instacart customers receive free delivery on their first order; thereafter the cost is just $3.99 for two-hour delivery or $5.99 for one-hour delivery. Customers can also purchase a $99 annual Instacart Express membership and receive free delivery on any order over $35.I did do a little google search on this and there are some negative comments out there about Instacart increasing its prices.  I would need to do my own shopping and comparison on this.  My order was pretty small so it was under $50.  For me, on this occasion it was worth it.  As I think about it, I am positive had I gone to the store personally I would have spent more than $50 as I would have picked up "this and that" as I strolled down the aisles.  You know what I'm talking about.  And heaven forbid take a child with you to the grocery store!  Your entire grocery bill will automatically explode!So, I give it a thumbs up  and will use it again - especially during this time of year when the days seem to be more packed with more things to do, and more traffic out there AND more folks fighting for the parking spots!  At least we might can take some of that stress off our plates some this Season.  See more HERE.Speaking of the Season and having a little stress in our days, did you know there are FOODS that you can eat to help your mood?  Well, yes there are! One of my favorite websites, Sharecare.com gives us FIVE FOODS that will help lift your spirits.  Except for No. 1, they are all favorite foods of mine - guess I should be in a good mood then!1. Peppermint: It's nature's drill sergeant, telling your brain to wake up and focus! Perfect for helping you handle all those must-do holiday details. The next time you're dragging, pop a piece of peppermint gum and listen to your brain say, "Can do!"S2. Dark chocolate: An ounce or two may be just enough to release the feel-good brain chemical serotonin. Plus, you'll get a three-way energy kick from chocolate's caffeine, theobromine, and phenylethylamine (a cousin of amphetamine). And the antioxidants in 70% dark chocolate do your arteries good, too. No wonder we crave the irresistible stuff.3. Wild salmon (mackerel and herring, too): Logged more miles in a day at the mall than you usually do in a week on the treadmill? The accumulated anti-inflammatory action of omega-3 fatty acids in a fish platter or a grilled salmon steak can help ease the wear and tear on your tired body.4. Half a dozen Blue Points: You get more zinc from six Blue Point oysters than you need in a day in order to fuel your production of testosterone -- the hormone that keeps both men and women in the mood for love. Oysters are also a storehouse of dopamine, the brain's pleasure chemical.5. An omelet: Just two eggs give you an entire daily quota of vitamin B12, a nutrient that's crucial to your brain's supply of good-mood chemicals. Make it a veggie omelet, add a whole-wheat bagel, and you'll be good to go for hours. . . and for few calories!We are having Wild Salmon for dinner, I always have Dark Chocolate on hand, love to have 2 eggs most days and you know how I love oysters.  Check out oysters' good stuff here.  Should be in good shape here with these foods.Oh yeah, I haven't forgotten!  If you make an Instacart Order, use PROMO CODE IRo215F1 for $5 off your order!Happy Shopping!Have you tried Instacart?  Is it available where you live? What is your feedback?  Are  you a peppermint lover? What foods make you feel good . . . besides wine . . . .Happy Humpday!  Make it a good one!