Although Whole Foods and Wild Oats are frequently our destinations for food shopping (about once a week), my parents and I like to travel, a few times per month, to the Mustard Seed Market (which is located much further from where we live - Whole Foods and Wild Oats are practically located around the corner from us). And as a bonus, the Mustard Seed is part of a small shopping plaza; so with so many stores to hit, we always plan to spend the entire afternoon out. This past Saturday marked yet another one of our special "weekend excursions."
Since last week was plagued by humid, 90 degree temperatures and thunderstorms, it was a nice surprise to be able to go out in breezy (68 degrees! practically unheard of in June!), sunny weather. My parents broke out their sunglasses for the occasion :0)
While I was enjoying the summer sunshine and nice breeze, I was eager to start shopping! But before we could embark on our mission (to browse through the stores in the shopping plaza, and to fill up our empty fridge at home), we had to have lunch first.
We decided to have lunch at the restaurant located on the second floor of the Mustard Seed Market. Featuring the best natural and organic ingredients available right in the store, the restaurant boasts an array of dishes and cuisines, including an extensive offering of vegetarian and vegan entrees (score!!). Pictured above is the COLOSSAL vegan club sandwich that I devoured for lunch - with the help of a knife and fork of course, haha. Generously filled with fresh avocado, tomato slices, sprouts, and hickory-baked tofu, this sandwich (served on whole-grain bread baked right in the store's bakery) was a real treat. After my parents and I finished our lunches, we were ready to head downstairs, grab a shopping cart, whip out our grocery lists, and begin on our mission!!
It can be a bit overwhelming when trying to navigate through the Mustard Seed, since the store is quite large (and since I don't go there very often, I'm not sure where everything I need is located); but that makes the food more shopping fun - it's like going on a scavenger hunt, with my grocery list as the guide.
After making our way through the checkout line with our overflowing shopping cart, I volunteered to push the groceries out to our car - it was a bit tough, but I made it, haha. I'd say our "weekend excursion" shopping trip was a complete success - not only was it a nice afternoon, but our fridge is full again!! So in about a week, it will be time to go food shopping again... I'm counting down the days :0)
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9 comments:
How lucky are you to have all these resources at your fingertips? And hhow lucky are you to have health conscious parents? When I was your age, my parents were like "Eat meat or die." So glad for you!
Hey, you're like me! I get so excited to go food shopping. I'm always bugging my parents to drive me to the store when I discover a new recipe with ingredients I don't have. The only bad thing is that Whole Foods is kinda far away from where we live. We only have the local grocery stores to rely on. My parents don't care, but I do. I'd much rather go to Whole Foods than H.E.B.!
I love shopping for fresh food too--it's a wonderful feeling to restock on the fruits and veggies!
judging by your entry as well as the comments already left here, it seems like lots of vegans get super excited about grocery shopping. i really love going to food stores or markets and looking through things, and whole foods is my very favorite. i find the atmosphere a lot more appealing than some other grocery stores.
"H.E.B." is just a regular supermarket, but I think they only have these in Texas it stands for Here Everything's Better.
Your parents are so cute!
I love shopping for food too! Unfortunately, we don't have any whole foods or natural food stores close enough to visit every week. When we do go, we have to brainstorm other places to go in that area to make the 20 mile trip into Austin worth it. You're so lucky!
I am with you on shopping. I love grocery shopping. It is more fun than any othe shopping I can think of. The really fun part is the treat I pick for myself each time. On my last shopping trip it was Chocolate Hemp Seed milk and eight ball zucchini.
By the way I think your parents are awesome for the way the are supporting you. I am the only vegan in our family. Our daughter who lives with us until her wedding in September is pretty much a vegetarian and my DH is omni man, but supports me and tries everything. I have to say I am blessed.
I know it feels a little crazy but the sight of my refrigerator stocked full of fresh food totally excites me. Like you, I alwo enjoy grocery shopping. You never know what new gems you'll find.
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