I am crazy about food. I love to eat! But I am also crazy about the price of our food, and the nutritional quality.
This has been a great week for both. I have spend a lot of time on food this week. I am always on the hunt for fresh food at the best price. Organic is very important to me. As vegetarians, we eat a lot of vegetables (duh), and I want to make sure they are top quality. Since we moved to PA, I have tried out numerous food stores, and I think I have narrowed it down to my top few places to get good, cheap, nutritious food.
Whole Foods: Expensive, yes, but not for everything. I can get bunched organic spinach and kale pretty cheap, and organic oatmeal and nuts from their bulk bins. Plus, their almond milk is decently priced. Even their regular milk runs about the same as everywhere else. And their organic frozen vegetables are my staples. Everything else is too expensive. I have to get in and out, and not be distracted by all of the healthy, earth friendly, overpriced extras.
Trader Joe's: Okay, I can't believe I'm saying this, but TJ's is kind of a crock. They are supposed to be healty, but almost everything is processed or prepared. Which is fine, but not so healthy. However, they do have a few great finds, including cookies, protein powder, and almond butter. And they are really nice.
Sam's Club: Although I used to feel like the produce there had no soul, I have recently been able to find a lot of staples, including organic apples and spinach, for a reasonable price. Sam's is now at the top of my list for a big stock up.
Co-op/Farmer's Market: We also have a co-op and a farmers market nearby. I think they will be even better in the summer.
Once I have all this food, I still have to figure out how to prepare it. Mac is a devoted "meatatarian" and Oli likes pasta and fruit loops. Even tim is more of a pasta/fake chikn' guy. I love salads, smoothies, and my favorite morning oatmeal. Most nights, when I tell Mac what we are eating, she says "yuk, that's disgusting" (almost no matter what it is). Most days, when I pack her lunch, she says "yuk, that's disgusting." However, she loves tacos and "salad bar" (where I put out a lot of fixings in little bowls and she can make what she wants). The key seems to be smaller bites that she can put together, instead of a big meal. So this weekend, I ordered her a laptop lunchbox, which is really a bento box that I can just stick little bites in. Since I never know what to pack her, I'm hoping this will help. Dinner is still hit or miss.
I am so jazzed up by my food week. I made it to 3 out of my 4 main stores, used lots of coupons, and am already thinking about what I can pick up next time. I am a loser, but at least I can eat to suppress it.
