Remember when I decided to just say no to Trader Joe's? Yeah. I can't anymore. They win.
The apple cider was addictive and I'm pretty sure they put some sort of drug in it to keep me coming back. But the apple cider is gone now, and I thought I was free from Trader Joe's hook. Wrong. They have a new cider - pear with cinnamon - that is also quite good. It's not quite as good as the apple cider, but it's still festive and delicious, especially when warmed. But this has moved far beyond frivolous cider, into world of real life needs.
Saffron.
Have you ever bought saffron? I haven't, and it's because it costs $17. I'm not exaggerating. I don't care if a little goes a long way, that's a ridiculous price to pay for a little spice that turns food yellow. Unfortunately, it's also a key ingredient in Spanish cooking. Ever since we returned from our trip to Spain, my husband has been asking me to make paella. I told him I would, with the caveat that I was sure it would never taste anything like what we ate in Spain and that would have to be okay. It was okay, and every now and then he asks when I'm going to make it. My one hesitation was the cost of that darn saffron.
Last week, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona played against each other. Oh wait, I should translate that: A soccer team from Madrid and a soccer team from Barcelona played against each other. These are the two best professional soccer teams in Spain, and probably two of the best professional soccer teams in the world. They also happen to be the two teams we saw play (not against each other) when we were in Spain, so watching them play against each other brought up a lot of memories from our Spain trip. And inevitably, paella came up again. Thankfully, I was sick last week so I didn't have to make it. I really did not want to pay $17 for a stupid spice.
Enter Trader Joe's.
I went to Great Harvest to pick up bread for my husband's birthday french toast, and I picked up a couple of other remaining ingredients at the Trader Joe's next door. While I was there, I looked at the spices because I was running low on a few things and they usually have good prices on spices. And there it was, in all its flowering glory - saffron for $5.99.
I knew at that moment that I could no longer be mad at Trader Joe's for making me spend money on things I don't need. Don't get me wrong, they still have plenty of that, but they also had the one thing I did need at a much lower price than I had ever seen, and I knew it would make my husband so happy to finally have his paella.
Damn you, Trader Joe's!!!
I kid. You win.
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Monday, December 6, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Meet the Grinch
Remember my family's Christmas Flat Stanley project? Well, I thought it was time to meet our "Stanley" - the Grinch from Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It may seem odd to have the Grinch be part of a project that helps us find our Christmas spirit, but I think the Grinch and his story are a perfect example of how Christmas Spirit can be found in the unexpected.
Even before we started this project, the Grinch was already special around our house. My husband has Grinch pajama pants that he wears every Christmas morning. It's our family tradition to wear Christmas jammies on Christmas morning while we open presents, so our Grinch also reminds us of this fun tradition. Just thinking about being with the family on Christmas morning makes our hearts grow three sizes.
He's pretty cute, isn't he? You can also find a Grinch, or other Dr. Seuss characters for only $5 - they're the Kohl's Cares merchandise this year!
Just a little reminder that Christmas is coming!
 |
| In the car, on our way to pick out the other "Stanleys" |
Even before we started this project, the Grinch was already special around our house. My husband has Grinch pajama pants that he wears every Christmas morning. It's our family tradition to wear Christmas jammies on Christmas morning while we open presents, so our Grinch also reminds us of this fun tradition. Just thinking about being with the family on Christmas morning makes our hearts grow three sizes.
He's pretty cute, isn't he? You can also find a Grinch, or other Dr. Seuss characters for only $5 - they're the Kohl's Cares merchandise this year!
Just a little reminder that Christmas is coming!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Follow up: Just say no
In follow up to my post, Just say no, here's a picture and a review:
My outdoor fall decorations:
See, I told you it was cute.
As far as the orchard salad, my husband and I both thought it was good and my guests wanted seconds so I think that's a pretty good endorsement. I added some Craisins and and used an extra sharp (as opposed to a sharp) white cheddar cheese from Trader Joe's, but I think goat cheese would also be delicious. Then again, I love goat cheese. My only complaint is that I thought there was too much dressing for the salad, but I suppose that could easily be rectified by adding more stuff or saving the dressing for later!
And as further proof that you should just say no to Trader Joe's: My guests loved the Trader Joe's apple cider. They live very close to a Trader Joe's and said many times that they were going to have to buy some when they got home. I told you Trader Joe's is dangerous. But of course, I'm going back tomorrow to get more cider.
My outdoor fall decorations:
See, I told you it was cute.
As far as the orchard salad, my husband and I both thought it was good and my guests wanted seconds so I think that's a pretty good endorsement. I added some Craisins and and used an extra sharp (as opposed to a sharp) white cheddar cheese from Trader Joe's, but I think goat cheese would also be delicious. Then again, I love goat cheese. My only complaint is that I thought there was too much dressing for the salad, but I suppose that could easily be rectified by adding more stuff or saving the dressing for later!
And as further proof that you should just say no to Trader Joe's: My guests loved the Trader Joe's apple cider. They live very close to a Trader Joe's and said many times that they were going to have to buy some when they got home. I told you Trader Joe's is dangerous. But of course, I'm going back tomorrow to get more cider.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Where exactly CAN I buy toilet paper?
Shortly after I wrote this post singing the praises of Target, Target made the news for two not so great reasons - its donation to the a group backing a conservative gubernatorial candidate and the "college essentials" beer pong display. I immediately felt like I should discuss these issues on my blog, but wasn't exactly sure what to say. However, because today is Spirit Day, I feel like I should at least address the issue.
A couple of years ago, one of the professional associations I belong to booked a conference at a hotel and later found out that the owner of that hotel (a major chain, but independently owned) had made a campaign contribution to the group that supported Prop 8 in California. They wanted to move the conference in protest, but in doing so, would break the contract made with hotel and cost the group a lot of money. A major debate ensued, the subtext of the discussion being whether the professional association, and its elected leaders, represented the beliefs of its members.
My stance on political donations has always been that the story becomes what somebody wants it to be. I noticed this during the 2000 election, when I read a story about the largest corporate donors to the presidential candidates/political parties and noticed my boyfriend's company at the time was listed as donors to both. I could be angry that they had donated to the "wrong" campaign or political party, but realistically I understood why - it was business.
I don't fault companies for making decisions based on what makes the most sense from a business rather than a social perspective. Businesses are designed to make money and are fiscally responsible to their shareholders, so businesses support politicians that can help their businesses. I often wish that weren't true, but considering I invest money in the stock market and not in an envelope under my mattress, it would be hypocritical of me to suggest that business must change.
As the article about the Target donation states, Target donates to both political parties. Maybe it's true and maybe it isn't, but it's hard for me to imagine a big corporation like Target, with business interests across state lines, would put all its political eggs in one basket. Sadly, one donation was to a group supporting a politically-polarizing candidate, and I'm very sad that Target wasn't more careful with their donations. But I understand it.
The second reason - the beer pong displays - demonstrates Target's astute but insensitive marketing. Binge drinking and drinking games in college are huge problems in this country, and marketing beer pong supplies as an "essential" captures the image of beer pong and drinking as an important part of college life. It may be an accurage image, but that doesn't mean it should be marketed as such. Students die from alcohol-related incidents every year, and treating alcohol consumption so cavalierly sends the wrong message to current and future college students that beer pong is the norm. At the same time, it is a norm for a lot of college students so should Target be punished for capturing and capitalizing on that trend? It's a business.
I considered whether I should boycott Target and then asked myself - where would I shop otherwise? In fact, I found an article telling me where I should shop otherwise and burst out laughing. Sam's Club? Really? Aren't I supposed to boycott Walmart too? Oh, and Costco too - there's a whole list of reasons to boycott them. And wasn't I supposed to boycott Kmart too because of... something. I don't remember what - guns maybe? Discrimination against customers? Or maybe it was discrimination against employees? I'm not sure what it was, but I'm pretty sure there's a good reason why I'm boycotting them too. Heck, I'm even supposed to boycott Whole Foods, and they're generally seen as one of the good guys.
The reality is that we want our businesses to be socially conscious, and we want them to be socially conscious about our own ideals, but our own ideals often clash with the ideals of others. Gay marriage isn't allowed in most states - why? College students continue to binge drink despite the national attention on student deaths - why? To oversimplify the issue, people have different values. So do businesses. So do business owners.
I'm not happy with Target. I'm not happy with Walmart. But I'm really not happy being overcharged for toilet paper. In times like these, my practicality often overshadows my ideals. Call me weak-minded. Call me financially responsible.
Today is Spirit Day and I don't want to minimize the importance of remembering Tyler Clementi, the college student who committed suicide after his roommate outed him online, and the other five teenagers who killed themselves after being taunted for their sexuality. That is six people too many, and it doesn't begin to capture the depth of the issue.
We can argue that Target has a role in the homophobia and anti-GLBTQ environments - that the opposition to gay marriage by politicians who are being supported by Target's donations further perpetuates the idea that GLBTQ individuals are somehow second-class citizens who aren't deserving of equal rights, and that Target's actions are a contributing factor to these tragic suicides. If that's the case, by all means, boycott Target. But if we do that, shouldn't we look at the practices of every business we frequent and decide if their actions align with our values, if their actions perpetuate any injustice in the world and not simply jump on a latest political bandwagon? It's not easy to align all of our beliefs, thoughts, and actions. In my case, I suspect I'd have very few places to shop or eat. Maybe that's okay.
What I really don't want is to overshadow that broadcasting what happens in the privacy of a someone's own bedroom - whether gay or straight - without his consent is wrong. Shaming others for an aspect of their identity - whether sex, sexuality, race, religion, country of origin, hair color, or eye color - is wrong. Mocking others for their personal preferences - whether it's choice in music, books, television shows, or comic books; or playing or not playing sports, musical instruments, or video games - is wrong.
We don't just need to raise the awareness of anti-gay bullying. We need to raise the awareness of bullying. And we can't stop with awareness. We need to move toward prevention.
And much as their actions made me angry, I'm not convinced that boycotting Target is going to prevent a teen from committing suicide. Nor do I think that getting rid of beer pong kits will prevent binge drinking. But perhaps ensuring that that teen's privacy is respected might prevent suicide. Perhaps teaching others to respect differences, regardless of how uncomfortable or scared these differences make us, might prevent suicide. Or maybe changing the culture so that binge drinking or hate or homophobia or bullying isn't perceived as "the norm" or that suicide isn't viewed as the only solution to these problems might make a bigger difference. Maybe providing more mental health services, more crisis services, and more professionals trained to deal with these issues might make a bigger difference.
And then maybe, MAYBE, there won't be any financial OR voter support for polarizing political candidates.
A couple of years ago, one of the professional associations I belong to booked a conference at a hotel and later found out that the owner of that hotel (a major chain, but independently owned) had made a campaign contribution to the group that supported Prop 8 in California. They wanted to move the conference in protest, but in doing so, would break the contract made with hotel and cost the group a lot of money. A major debate ensued, the subtext of the discussion being whether the professional association, and its elected leaders, represented the beliefs of its members.
My stance on political donations has always been that the story becomes what somebody wants it to be. I noticed this during the 2000 election, when I read a story about the largest corporate donors to the presidential candidates/political parties and noticed my boyfriend's company at the time was listed as donors to both. I could be angry that they had donated to the "wrong" campaign or political party, but realistically I understood why - it was business.
I don't fault companies for making decisions based on what makes the most sense from a business rather than a social perspective. Businesses are designed to make money and are fiscally responsible to their shareholders, so businesses support politicians that can help their businesses. I often wish that weren't true, but considering I invest money in the stock market and not in an envelope under my mattress, it would be hypocritical of me to suggest that business must change.
As the article about the Target donation states, Target donates to both political parties. Maybe it's true and maybe it isn't, but it's hard for me to imagine a big corporation like Target, with business interests across state lines, would put all its political eggs in one basket. Sadly, one donation was to a group supporting a politically-polarizing candidate, and I'm very sad that Target wasn't more careful with their donations. But I understand it.
The second reason - the beer pong displays - demonstrates Target's astute but insensitive marketing. Binge drinking and drinking games in college are huge problems in this country, and marketing beer pong supplies as an "essential" captures the image of beer pong and drinking as an important part of college life. It may be an accurage image, but that doesn't mean it should be marketed as such. Students die from alcohol-related incidents every year, and treating alcohol consumption so cavalierly sends the wrong message to current and future college students that beer pong is the norm. At the same time, it is a norm for a lot of college students so should Target be punished for capturing and capitalizing on that trend? It's a business.
I considered whether I should boycott Target and then asked myself - where would I shop otherwise? In fact, I found an article telling me where I should shop otherwise and burst out laughing. Sam's Club? Really? Aren't I supposed to boycott Walmart too? Oh, and Costco too - there's a whole list of reasons to boycott them. And wasn't I supposed to boycott Kmart too because of... something. I don't remember what - guns maybe? Discrimination against customers? Or maybe it was discrimination against employees? I'm not sure what it was, but I'm pretty sure there's a good reason why I'm boycotting them too. Heck, I'm even supposed to boycott Whole Foods, and they're generally seen as one of the good guys.
The reality is that we want our businesses to be socially conscious, and we want them to be socially conscious about our own ideals, but our own ideals often clash with the ideals of others. Gay marriage isn't allowed in most states - why? College students continue to binge drink despite the national attention on student deaths - why? To oversimplify the issue, people have different values. So do businesses. So do business owners.
I'm not happy with Target. I'm not happy with Walmart. But I'm really not happy being overcharged for toilet paper. In times like these, my practicality often overshadows my ideals. Call me weak-minded. Call me financially responsible.
Today is Spirit Day and I don't want to minimize the importance of remembering Tyler Clementi, the college student who committed suicide after his roommate outed him online, and the other five teenagers who killed themselves after being taunted for their sexuality. That is six people too many, and it doesn't begin to capture the depth of the issue.
We can argue that Target has a role in the homophobia and anti-GLBTQ environments - that the opposition to gay marriage by politicians who are being supported by Target's donations further perpetuates the idea that GLBTQ individuals are somehow second-class citizens who aren't deserving of equal rights, and that Target's actions are a contributing factor to these tragic suicides. If that's the case, by all means, boycott Target. But if we do that, shouldn't we look at the practices of every business we frequent and decide if their actions align with our values, if their actions perpetuate any injustice in the world and not simply jump on a latest political bandwagon? It's not easy to align all of our beliefs, thoughts, and actions. In my case, I suspect I'd have very few places to shop or eat. Maybe that's okay.
What I really don't want is to overshadow that broadcasting what happens in the privacy of a someone's own bedroom - whether gay or straight - without his consent is wrong. Shaming others for an aspect of their identity - whether sex, sexuality, race, religion, country of origin, hair color, or eye color - is wrong. Mocking others for their personal preferences - whether it's choice in music, books, television shows, or comic books; or playing or not playing sports, musical instruments, or video games - is wrong.
We don't just need to raise the awareness of anti-gay bullying. We need to raise the awareness of bullying. And we can't stop with awareness. We need to move toward prevention.
And much as their actions made me angry, I'm not convinced that boycotting Target is going to prevent a teen from committing suicide. Nor do I think that getting rid of beer pong kits will prevent binge drinking. But perhaps ensuring that that teen's privacy is respected might prevent suicide. Perhaps teaching others to respect differences, regardless of how uncomfortable or scared these differences make us, might prevent suicide. Or maybe changing the culture so that binge drinking or hate or homophobia or bullying isn't perceived as "the norm" or that suicide isn't viewed as the only solution to these problems might make a bigger difference. Maybe providing more mental health services, more crisis services, and more professionals trained to deal with these issues might make a bigger difference.
And then maybe, MAYBE, there won't be any financial OR voter support for polarizing political candidates.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Just say no
I've spent the last couple of days preparing for our guests, which basically involves a lot of cleaning. I believe I've made my feelings about this subject known - I hate cleaning. But I'll do it if it means I will have happy guests!
I've also done quite a bit of decorating in preparation for our guests. My living room is cute, but my porch is cuter! I took some pictures, but haven't uploaded them to my computer yet. When I do, you'll be impressed by my decor I promise.
But even more than cleaning and decorating, I've been shopping! My trip to Michaels did some damage, but my second and third (!) trips were worse. It wasn't all random fall decorations though. I bought two picture frames for photos I've been meaning to hang since we moved - the rest was random fall decorations. But aside from trips to Michaels, I've been doing lots of grocery shopping, including a trip to Trader Joe's.
I am not obsessed with Trader Joe's, unlike many of my friends. I used to drive by Trader Joe's every day on my way to and from school in Michigan, yet I only shopped there once. I live fairly close to a Trader Joe's in Charlotte, and yet I've only been there twice. It's just not a place I feel the need to visit very often because I can't find what I want, but I end up buying stuff I absolutely don't need. It's a sneaky place like that.
My first trip to Trader Joe's in Charlotte was more out of curiosity than anything. My sister told me about their pizza dough so I thought I would try it out, and I was curious about what other fun stuff they had. I did buy the pizza dough, but my favorite item was the apple cider - yum! My family has a tradition of drinking hot apple cider at Christmas, and this stuff rivaled the mulled cider my mom makes. I quickly realized that any apple cider I bought this season would have to come from Trader Joe's.
And the cider is what brought me back to my second trip today. I decided to make an orchard salad, and the dressing called for apple cider. I knew immediately that the Trader Joe's cider was the only appropriate cider. I also thought that I'd have a better chance of finding organic apples and pears at Trader Joe's than at the regular grocery store - mostly because I'd already looked and we had neither. So I made my special Trader Joe's trip today, and yet again found myself getting sucked in to the random stuff they had - Dark chocolate covered cranberries! Plantain chips! Pumpkin cream cheese spread! Spices for $1.99! Clearly I absolutely had to have all these wonderful items!
Except I didn't. Well, except for the $1.99 rosemary because I ran out and it cost $4.00 at the grocery store. But I didn't need or really want a single one of those other things. Chocolate covered cranberries? I'm sure they're delicious, but I'm not even a chocolate fan. But they just looked so good!
This is why I can't shop at Trader Joe's, or places like Williams-Sonoma or Crate and Barrel or even Michaels. I see things that are unique and interesting and somehow I think, "I must have this item!" even though I have no need for said item. I'm easily swayed and impulsive, which is an expensive combination in stores that offer unique products to bored housewives.
I think one of the hardest parts about being a housewife is looking for ways to fill my day that doesn't involve spending money. It's so easy to run to Target for a few "essentials" and end up dropping an extra hundred dollars on things I really don't need. In the same vein, I find myself becoming easily bored and seeing new and different products at a different grocery store is an easy way to break a cycle of boredom. However, I know I need to be careful and not let my impulsivity overtake my practicality just for the sake of doing something different. I'm sure the chocolate covered cranberries are delicious, but for the sake of my waistline and my wallet, I have to remind myself that it's okay to "just say no."
I've also done quite a bit of decorating in preparation for our guests. My living room is cute, but my porch is cuter! I took some pictures, but haven't uploaded them to my computer yet. When I do, you'll be impressed by my decor I promise.
But even more than cleaning and decorating, I've been shopping! My trip to Michaels did some damage, but my second and third (!) trips were worse. It wasn't all random fall decorations though. I bought two picture frames for photos I've been meaning to hang since we moved - the rest was random fall decorations. But aside from trips to Michaels, I've been doing lots of grocery shopping, including a trip to Trader Joe's.
I am not obsessed with Trader Joe's, unlike many of my friends. I used to drive by Trader Joe's every day on my way to and from school in Michigan, yet I only shopped there once. I live fairly close to a Trader Joe's in Charlotte, and yet I've only been there twice. It's just not a place I feel the need to visit very often because I can't find what I want, but I end up buying stuff I absolutely don't need. It's a sneaky place like that.
My first trip to Trader Joe's in Charlotte was more out of curiosity than anything. My sister told me about their pizza dough so I thought I would try it out, and I was curious about what other fun stuff they had. I did buy the pizza dough, but my favorite item was the apple cider - yum! My family has a tradition of drinking hot apple cider at Christmas, and this stuff rivaled the mulled cider my mom makes. I quickly realized that any apple cider I bought this season would have to come from Trader Joe's.
And the cider is what brought me back to my second trip today. I decided to make an orchard salad, and the dressing called for apple cider. I knew immediately that the Trader Joe's cider was the only appropriate cider. I also thought that I'd have a better chance of finding organic apples and pears at Trader Joe's than at the regular grocery store - mostly because I'd already looked and we had neither. So I made my special Trader Joe's trip today, and yet again found myself getting sucked in to the random stuff they had - Dark chocolate covered cranberries! Plantain chips! Pumpkin cream cheese spread! Spices for $1.99! Clearly I absolutely had to have all these wonderful items!
Except I didn't. Well, except for the $1.99 rosemary because I ran out and it cost $4.00 at the grocery store. But I didn't need or really want a single one of those other things. Chocolate covered cranberries? I'm sure they're delicious, but I'm not even a chocolate fan. But they just looked so good!
This is why I can't shop at Trader Joe's, or places like Williams-Sonoma or Crate and Barrel or even Michaels. I see things that are unique and interesting and somehow I think, "I must have this item!" even though I have no need for said item. I'm easily swayed and impulsive, which is an expensive combination in stores that offer unique products to bored housewives.
I think one of the hardest parts about being a housewife is looking for ways to fill my day that doesn't involve spending money. It's so easy to run to Target for a few "essentials" and end up dropping an extra hundred dollars on things I really don't need. In the same vein, I find myself becoming easily bored and seeing new and different products at a different grocery store is an easy way to break a cycle of boredom. However, I know I need to be careful and not let my impulsivity overtake my practicality just for the sake of doing something different. I'm sure the chocolate covered cranberries are delicious, but for the sake of my waistline and my wallet, I have to remind myself that it's okay to "just say no."
Monday, October 11, 2010
At least my living room is cute...
I have guests coming this weekend! I love visitors!
And then I went to Michaels.
I used to visit Michaels regularly, but I stopped going in the last few years though I couldn't remember why. I love the crafts, the decorations, the picture frames, and the random candy at the front of the store. I love the weekly 40% off coupons Clearly, there must've been a good reason why I stopped going to Michaels.
Two hours and $100 later, I remember why I had to quit Michaels. But my living room looks cute.
I resisted getting out my Fall decorations this year, partially because I knew they were in the back of the storage area and I wasn't in the mood to move a million boxes to get to the one, lonely, sad box of Fall decorations. However, I thought about having guests and wanting to make a good impression, and decided that decorating would make our place feel more welcoming. So I moved a million boxes, knocked my head on the door jam of the storage area, and injured my hip flexor, but I got out the box of pitiful Fall decorations.
And then I went to Michaels.
I used to visit Michaels regularly, but I stopped going in the last few years though I couldn't remember why. I love the crafts, the decorations, the picture frames, and the random candy at the front of the store. I love the weekly 40% off coupons Clearly, there must've been a good reason why I stopped going to Michaels.
Two hours and $100 later, I remember why I had to quit Michaels. But my living room looks cute.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Grocery store musings
I've been mulling over this idea since my trip to the grocery store a few weeks ago to buy organic spinach leaves.
I had a very specific purpose for the spinach leaves - spinach pesto. I love pesto and don't mind buying the prepared stuff, but I like to customize mine when possible to boost the nutritional value. A few years ago, I made a spinach, parmesan cheese, and garlic bread for Halloween, a recipe I got from an episode of 30 Minute Meals, and the color and flavor reminded me of pesto. Then, I read about adding kale to pesto to boost the nutritional value, and I was reminded of the spinach mixture I spread on the bread. Thus, spinach pesto was born. I made a batch and made some sandwiches and tossed it with two different pasta dishes, then froze the rest in ice cube trays so I can defrost and use it whenever I'm in a pesto mood.
(I'd post a recipe, but I don't really have one - it was a container of spinach, 2 cloves of garlic [too much], a lot of basil, a handful of parmesan, zest and juice from one lemon, and olive oil blended in the food processor. No pine nuts - I have a fear that my husband, who is allergic to some nuts but has never had a reaction to prepared pesto, will die if I put them in and I'll get arrested for murdering my husband - but technically they should be in the recipe too. You figure it out.).
As I shopped for my organic spinach leaves, I found myself questioning why I had to buy organic spinach leaves. I knew from experience that the frozen spinach didn't work as well in the pesto (too much water, even if it's squeezed out really well). And because the spinach would remain raw, I knew I needed to be especially aware of the chemicals and pesticides. So I shelled out an extra two bucks for the organic spinach.
It struck me as silly that I was buying spinach leaves, let alone organic spinach leaves, to make pesto when I could so easily buy a container of pesto that would probably be cheaper. Sure, it may not be as nutritious, but I could easily cook some extra vegetables to go with my meal and still come out ahead money-wise. I was also bothered by the price of the organic spinach compared to the pesticide-laden variety. If the chemicals and pesticides are really as bad as we're told, shouldn't they be banned?
As I tooled around the grocery store picking up a few other items, I felt like I was being ripped off. Organic milk costs twice as much as regular? Whole wheat bread is 50 cents more? Generic cereal is a dollar less but has more sugar in it?
I had a very specific purpose for the spinach leaves - spinach pesto. I love pesto and don't mind buying the prepared stuff, but I like to customize mine when possible to boost the nutritional value. A few years ago, I made a spinach, parmesan cheese, and garlic bread for Halloween, a recipe I got from an episode of 30 Minute Meals, and the color and flavor reminded me of pesto. Then, I read about adding kale to pesto to boost the nutritional value, and I was reminded of the spinach mixture I spread on the bread. Thus, spinach pesto was born. I made a batch and made some sandwiches and tossed it with two different pasta dishes, then froze the rest in ice cube trays so I can defrost and use it whenever I'm in a pesto mood.
(I'd post a recipe, but I don't really have one - it was a container of spinach, 2 cloves of garlic [too much], a lot of basil, a handful of parmesan, zest and juice from one lemon, and olive oil blended in the food processor. No pine nuts - I have a fear that my husband, who is allergic to some nuts but has never had a reaction to prepared pesto, will die if I put them in and I'll get arrested for murdering my husband - but technically they should be in the recipe too. You figure it out.).
As I shopped for my organic spinach leaves, I found myself questioning why I had to buy organic spinach leaves. I knew from experience that the frozen spinach didn't work as well in the pesto (too much water, even if it's squeezed out really well). And because the spinach would remain raw, I knew I needed to be especially aware of the chemicals and pesticides. So I shelled out an extra two bucks for the organic spinach.
It struck me as silly that I was buying spinach leaves, let alone organic spinach leaves, to make pesto when I could so easily buy a container of pesto that would probably be cheaper. Sure, it may not be as nutritious, but I could easily cook some extra vegetables to go with my meal and still come out ahead money-wise. I was also bothered by the price of the organic spinach compared to the pesticide-laden variety. If the chemicals and pesticides are really as bad as we're told, shouldn't they be banned?
As I tooled around the grocery store picking up a few other items, I felt like I was being ripped off. Organic milk costs twice as much as regular? Whole wheat bread is 50 cents more? Generic cereal is a dollar less but has more sugar in it?
I hear and read news reports about how American, and children in particular, are injesting too many chemicals, eating too many empty calories, and not eating enough greens or whole grains. In those same articles, I hear calls for the end of convenience foods, the end of hormone injections, the end of processed sugars! We must save the children!!!
I'm very fortunate to be married to someone who makes a good salary, but I don't have amnesia. That is to say, I remember 10 years ago when I was in grad school and I had to buy books at the beginning of each semester, so I ate ramen noodles for three weeks because they were 10/$1. I'm thankful I'm not in that position at this point in my life, but I'll also never forget those days either. Some might call that experience "character-building." I call it being broke and doing what it took to get by.
The thing about that time in my life is that I was extraordinarily busy. I was taking 14 credits each semester, which is full time for an undergrad and super full time for a grad student, and working 20 hours at a graduate assistantship that covered 9 credits of tuition each semester. I also had an unpaid internship as part of my schooling that was supposed to be 16 hours each week (it was always more). I left my apartment at 7:30am and arrived home around 9pm Monday-Thursday, studied into the wee hours, and worked all day Friday as well.
Ramen not only fit my budget, it fit my lifestyle. I was busy, I was broke, and I didn't have time to grocery shop or cook. In retrospect, I was pretty much eating salt and getting no nutrition except the calories I needed to function on a daily basis. But, bad for me food was better than no food at all and that was a decision I had to make. I got by.
I made my schedule like that out of necessity. I had to work, I had to take my classes, and I had to pay for it. I empathize with people who have to live and work this way. In this economy, it seems more people are working just to make ends meet and everyone seems to be looking for ways to save money. At the same time, everyone is looking for something quick and convenient because they just don't have time to cook. Everybody is working more, running from one commitment to the next, and doing more with less.
And as I wandered around the grocery store with my organic spinach, something just clicked in my head.
We eat based on our lifestyle. We buy foods we can afford, and we buy foods we can prepare in our given schedule. We don't eat organically because it is expensive. We don't buy fresh fruit and vegetables because they go bad. We buy prepackaged food that is loaded with sodium and fat and preservatives because we only have ten minutes to make and eat dinner. We live in urban and suburban areas where houses are built on top of each otherwith no room to grown our own gardens, and where farmers markets are run on Wednesday mornings while we're at work or Saturdays when we're running kids to soccer games (and don't forget about the lack of parking!). We get fast food because it's all of the things we need - fast, convenient, and (usually) cheap.
I've read all sorts of articles, blogs, and comments about how we need to change our behaviors and change our mindsets in order to be healthy Americans. But as I think about how I ended up as a real housewife of Charlotte - essentially out of economic necessity- I wonder if we really can change. Sure, I'm a housewife who has the luxury to buy organic spinach so I can spend the time to make spinach pesto - but could my friends? Could I do this if I was a single girl, living on a social worker or teacher salary?
And frankly, if I was a single girl, living on a social worker or teacher salary, would making organic spinach pesto even be a concern of mine?
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Ode to Target
Did you know there are some towns that don't have a Target? Yeah, I don't want to live there either.
I'm not sure what it is about Target that I love. Maybe because it's clean. It's laid out well. I know where everything is. I don't question the quality of the products. I trust the Target brands of ArcherFarms, Market Pantry, and Up & Up. I don't have to get a salesperson so I can buy razor refill cartridges. There are plenty of checkout people. The list could go on and on.
I do remember when Toledo, Ohio built its first Target. I was in junior high. This was monumental in my family and we went there after church every Sunday. Okay, not every Sunday but it seemed that way. I don't know how we knew about Target and why were obsessed with the place - I think we had one where we lived before or there was one in Milwaukee near my extended family. Either way, we'd been exposed and we knew the beauty of Target before the rest of Toledo. Yeah, we were cool.
Then Target topped itself with the creation of Super Target. Oh Super Target. If I could put the movie spotlight with the choir of angles singing on this blog over the words "Super Target," I would. I love it that much. A Target AND a grocery store? And generally reasonably priced? What's not to love I ask you?
We had a Super Target when we lived in Davenport, Iowa. When we moved in, Super Target was the closest store. The fact that we could do ALL of our shopping there was just the icing on the cake. The downside of the Super Target was that I had no idea there was a whole other world with stores and parks and schools if I turned the other direction out of our neighborhood. But who needed those anyway? I had Super Target.
I live fairly close to a Target in Charlotte, but Walmart is walking distance so I find myself at Walmart far too often. It's just so easy to walk to Walmart to get sunscreen or toothpaste or a lawn chair whenever I feel like it. However, I don't linger at Walmart. I have in my head what I want, I find, I buy, I leave. I don't go to Walmart to browse. I usually check myself out because it's faster. Walmart is convenience and nothing else.
Target, on the other hand, is a compulsion. Today, for example, I wanted to see Toy Story 3. We have a movie theatre in walking distance (the same place as Walmart) and a movie theatre a few miles away, in the same place as Target. I went to the movie theatre a few miles away because I knew I could shop at Target after the movie. Did I need anything? No. Did I want anything? No. Neither of these stopped me from going, spending 90 minutes browsing around, and leaving with a shopping cart full of stuff and $150 charge on the Visa.
This is just one reason I love Target today:
Vitamin Water Zero, 10 for $10. My husband likes this as an alternative to soda. I could argue with him about what else he could drink instead, but it's not worth it. Our grocery store is running a 5 for $5 special (so the same), but only had 3 flavors. Target had 6. AND they had 4 packs of two of the flavors for $3.84 so it was LESS than the 10 for $10 deal. Score.
Oh Target, I don't knew where I would be without you. Don't ever change. Except maybe to a Super Target...
I'm not sure what it is about Target that I love. Maybe because it's clean. It's laid out well. I know where everything is. I don't question the quality of the products. I trust the Target brands of ArcherFarms, Market Pantry, and Up & Up. I don't have to get a salesperson so I can buy razor refill cartridges. There are plenty of checkout people. The list could go on and on.
I do remember when Toledo, Ohio built its first Target. I was in junior high. This was monumental in my family and we went there after church every Sunday. Okay, not every Sunday but it seemed that way. I don't know how we knew about Target and why were obsessed with the place - I think we had one where we lived before or there was one in Milwaukee near my extended family. Either way, we'd been exposed and we knew the beauty of Target before the rest of Toledo. Yeah, we were cool.
Then Target topped itself with the creation of Super Target. Oh Super Target. If I could put the movie spotlight with the choir of angles singing on this blog over the words "Super Target," I would. I love it that much. A Target AND a grocery store? And generally reasonably priced? What's not to love I ask you?
We had a Super Target when we lived in Davenport, Iowa. When we moved in, Super Target was the closest store. The fact that we could do ALL of our shopping there was just the icing on the cake. The downside of the Super Target was that I had no idea there was a whole other world with stores and parks and schools if I turned the other direction out of our neighborhood. But who needed those anyway? I had Super Target.
I live fairly close to a Target in Charlotte, but Walmart is walking distance so I find myself at Walmart far too often. It's just so easy to walk to Walmart to get sunscreen or toothpaste or a lawn chair whenever I feel like it. However, I don't linger at Walmart. I have in my head what I want, I find, I buy, I leave. I don't go to Walmart to browse. I usually check myself out because it's faster. Walmart is convenience and nothing else.
Target, on the other hand, is a compulsion. Today, for example, I wanted to see Toy Story 3. We have a movie theatre in walking distance (the same place as Walmart) and a movie theatre a few miles away, in the same place as Target. I went to the movie theatre a few miles away because I knew I could shop at Target after the movie. Did I need anything? No. Did I want anything? No. Neither of these stopped me from going, spending 90 minutes browsing around, and leaving with a shopping cart full of stuff and $150 charge on the Visa.
This is just one reason I love Target today:
Vitamin Water Zero, 10 for $10. My husband likes this as an alternative to soda. I could argue with him about what else he could drink instead, but it's not worth it. Our grocery store is running a 5 for $5 special (so the same), but only had 3 flavors. Target had 6. AND they had 4 packs of two of the flavors for $3.84 so it was LESS than the 10 for $10 deal. Score.
Oh Target, I don't knew where I would be without you. Don't ever change. Except maybe to a Super Target...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)