Another thing that wasn't on the list that I am starting to depend on and cannot really imagine being without is the coop services in the city. All you have to do is join a coop, click on the meal plan you want on the Internet, and they deliver each day's dinner ingredients and cooking instructions straight to the door--a complete balanced meal, tasty, and very fresh. I use a separate coop for organic breakfast ingredients and fruit. This has saved me sooo much hassle as a housewife!
Now thats a cool idea! Wouldn't mind having something like that here in the states.