Inside My Real Grocery Haul: What I Buy for My Family’s Health at Decicco & Son’s

A man shops for vegetables at DeCicco & Sons; displays of cheese, produce, and a "Sleepy Hollow" sign promote the brand's new location with "Low Calorie, High Protein" text for added nutrition.

Hey everyone — today I’m taking you with me on a grocery run to the beautiful new Decicco & Son’s in Sleepy Hollow. This might just be their flagship store, and let me tell you — it’s a stunner. For those who don’t know, this is a beloved Westchester-based grocery store just outside NYC, and today’s haul is all about what I actually buy for myself and my growing family (shoutout to my newborn son, Nathaniel!).

Let’s get into it.


🫐 Berries on Deck — Antioxidants First

First up: blueberries. I grab these every single time I shop. They’re packed with anthocyanins, a powerful antioxidant tied to cognitive health. Even though raspberries are my favorite for taste, blueberries dominate my berry intake.

For the rest of the fam? Strawberries. A household favorite, especially for my wife. I also picked up a berry and kiwi mix — our night nurse starts her day with yogurt and fresh fruit, and this blend is perfect.

Also grabbed: oranges for that daily citrus hit. Rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants, they’re a staple in my routine alongside grapefruit.


🍄 Lion’s Mane + Sprouts = Brain Boosters

Found some fresh lion’s mane mushrooms, which is a huge win. These are amazing for brain health and something I try to eat twice a week, usually with chicken or steak.

Also grabbed: broccoli sprouts, which are incredibly rich in sulforaphane — an antioxidant that’s been linked to cancer prevention, especially important if you eat a high-protein diet. I have these daily; the rest of the family sticks to traditional broccoli, which we also picked up.

Other veggies in the cart: asparagus (loaded with vitamin K, folate, and B6).


🥗 Dressings & Healthy Fats

Shoutout to Bolt Farms — their dressings are creamy and delicious, but still macro-friendly because they’re made with Greek yogurt. I went with the cilantro avocado today.

Speaking of avocado — it’s another monounsaturated fat powerhouse (great for brain and heart health). I grabbed a spicy avocado spread, which we fly through at home. Easier to portion and prep than fresh avocados.

Other great sources of healthy fats I prioritize:

  • Olive oil
  • Walnuts
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Almonds

🐟 Protein Picks: Fresh + Frozen Wins

The seafood section at Decicco’s is next-level — from fresh cuts to frozen finds like:

  • Seafood sausages (yes, really)
  • Seafood burgers
  • Crab legs, mussels, octopus — all packed with omega-3s

🥩 Meat Choices: Quality & Lean Protein

When it comes to animal protein, I’m always checking:

  • Does it pass the protein test? (Protein grams x 10 = max calories)
  • Is it lean? (Less than 4g of saturated fat per serving)

For example:

  • The 90/10 grass-fed ground beef passes the protein test but not the lean test.
  • Venison is a great option that passes both.
  • I also found reasonably priced grass-fed skirt steak and strip steak — big win.

Reminder: Stick to around 1 lb of red meat per week to avoid excess saturated fat, which is linked to elevated LDL and heart risk.


🍗 Poultry Game Plan

Chicken is almost always lean, but super lean versions (like 99/1 ground turkey or chicken breast) can be dry. I prefer chicken thighs or 93/7 blends for better taste and texture.

Example:

  • Chicken thigh: 110 cal, 22g protein, 1g saturated fat — perfect.

🧊 Frozen Staples + Sweet Treats

I always stock up on frozen veggies like:

  • Broccoli
  • Asparagus
  • Green beans

They’re a lifesaver on busy nights.

In the snack aisle, Decicco’s doesn’t disappoint:

  • Protein bars: David’s, Quest, Legendary Pop-Tarts (still waiting on clarity about collagen protein bioavailability!)
  • Dark chocolate: Endangered Species’ espresso bar or 88% cacao — high in polyphenols
  • Frozen treats: Enlightened chocolate PB, Yasso (avoid the chocolate-coated ones), and classic Halo Top (stick to the 300-calorie pints)

🥖 Bread + Final Thoughts

Grabbed some high-fiber bread, including Keto Life and Nature’s Own. Love having fiber-rich options on hand for balanced meals.


This Store Is a Must-Visit

After shooting content in tons of grocery stores, I have to say — this Sleepy Hollow Decicco & Son’s might be the most beautiful one I’ve ever seen. It rivals even high-end spots in NYC. If you’re in Westchester, go check it out.

Eileen Pallotta

Coach

"Habits make history."

Eileen is responsible for guiding clients through personalized coaching that delivers life-changing results through consistency, strategy, and accountability. She manages client progress, provides tailored nutrition guidance, and offers ongoing support and education to ensure every individual feels empowered, understood, and set up for long-term success.

When she’s not coaching clients, you’ll find Eileen throwing weights around in the garage or chasing step goals trying to keep pace with her husband and four kids… most often on the sidelines of various sports fields.

Specialities:

  • BA Journalism and International Business
  • 15+ years Fitness and Nutrition Coach
  • Precision Nutrition Level 1
  • Certified CrossFit Trainer
  • Certified CrossFit Level 3 Trainer
  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer Certification
  • CrossFit Level 2 Certification
  • CrossFit Kids Trainer Certification
  • CrossFit Nutrition Certification
  • CrossFit Movement and Mobility Trainer Certification
  • CrossFit Goal Setting Trainer Certification
  • CrossFit Olympic Lifting Trainer Certification
  • CrossFit Gymnastics Trainer Certification
  • CrossFit Strongman Trainer Certification
  • CrossFit Running Certification
  • CrossFit Lesson Planning Certification
  • CrossFit Scaling Certification
  • CPR and AED Certified

Elise Ladaw

Director of Coaching

“Science is Stronger”

Elise’s primary role as Director of Coaching is to ensure that the coaching business runs smoothly and is driven by science based principles concerning nutrition and exercise science. Her goal is to continually work to enhance the overall client experience, educate the clientele, monitor key performance indicators related to the coaching services, and foster a company culture of continuous learning among coaching staff.

When Elise is not helping the company with all things coaching she is either in the gym lifting weights or taking long walks through the grocery store finding new tasty and macro friendly nutrition products.


Specialities:

  • BAS Food Science 
  • NQ NPC Figure Competitor 
  • ACE CPT 
  • J3 University

Michelle Freedman

Chief of Operations

“Practice not perfection”

Michelle holds a crucial position in supervising the daily operations, aiming for operational efficiency, fostering growth, and contributing to the achievement of the organization’s strategic objectives. Beyond providing structure, Michelle is actively involved in coaching and managing social media activities.

Away from refining policies and operations at Jake Zemer, LLC, you’ll discover Michelle outdoors, often barefoot with her kettlebells, engaging in adventures alongside her husband, two children, and two bulldogs.

Specialities:

  • BFA Graphic Design 
  • 10 years Corporate Fitness Management 
  • ACE CPT & GFI 
  • ACE Nutrition Specialist 
  • Kettlebell Master Instructor 
  • FMS I & II
  • USA Weightlifting 
  • Pre/Post Natal Certified  
  • TRX 
  • Schwinn & Maddog Cycling