Oops she did it again π
I got sucked in once again to the Whole Foods trap!!! I should have known it was coming; I had to go to Target to pick up some swiffers and paper towels and Target happens to be connected to Whole Foods. Can you really just go into one and not the other?! I guess not. I did do pretty well though in terms of price. I spent $95 and got a week’s worth of groceries for us, which is $15 more than last week but you know what? I’d actually rather spend the extra $15 and know that my veggies are organic. It’s a toss up but in my mind, quality is worth more than quantity because you only have ONE body and you need to treat it right!
Here’s the loot:
- Carrots
- kale
- oranges
- lemon
- leek
- parsley
- grapes
- celery
- super cool green bags that apparently keep produce fresh for two weeks!
- Baked tofu
- ginger
- dried northern beans
- wheat berries
- whole wheat pastry flour
- oats
- onion
- frozen spinach
- some sort of tempeh lunch thing
- Raw almond butter (on sale for only $8.99!!!!)
- goat cheese
- Yerba Mate tea
- Fage
- unsweetened vanilla hempmilk
- cereal
Okay so I didn’t “need” this stuff necessarily, but I forgot to get lotion at Target and I’m out of bubble bath and both of these were on sale! These bath salts smell heavenly. I love this line!
I also got some chicken, which I forgot to take a picture of. So for less than $100, I think I did pretty well! I packed all my produce in green bags—-
And I’ll let you know exactly how long this stuff stays fresh because the box boasts most produce will keep for up to two weeks!
So, anyways, back to my morning pre-Whole Foods shopping spree. I ran my two miles outside in the wet grass and then came inside and did about 20 minutes of a morning flow yoga download. I’m just so sore that it was rather painful, so I stood on my head for awhile and called it a day. π
After yoga, I followed Bobbi and Angie’s suit and made a green monster for my raw snack of the day! And woah, was this guy EVER green!
Muhahahahaha
In this lovely concoction I used a frozen banana, 1 cup almond milk and a HUGE handful of baby spinach:
It was SO delicious! I swear, there was no way you could taste the spinach. You’ll just have to trust me on this one. All this bad boy tasted like was a banana almond shake. I promise!! I felt so great after because I had downed an entire salad. π
And then around 12:30 I met my friend Lanie for lunch! We went to a total hole-in-the-wall in downtown called Cafe Hey and I was super impressed by their vegetarian, vegan and healthy options! I love little hippy places π
I got a cup of the soup of the day, which roasted red pepper and tomato along with a half of the hummus and veggie wrap
What a steal for $6.99! The soup was homemade and delicious. Not a speck of cream was used; rather it was light and flavorful. The half hummus wrap had been pressed so it was all warm and toasty and the hummus definitely tasted homemade as well. I would definitely go back!
After lunch Lanie took me to explore the Asian market next door
I was in heaven! I’d never been in an Asian market before and they had eeeeeeverything! I could have roamed for hours. In the end, I walked out with this small plate + bowl because I couldn’t say no.
Okay, seriously, how cute is the cat plate?! One look and I just had to have it. It helped that it was only $2. π
Lanie loves the market!
I’m home and its about to rain AGAIN. I secretly love it though. Ryan is coming home earlier tonight and I am making us a gourmet dinner, Rachel Ray style! See it when I come back π
I forgot to tell you!
I have started to have a serious Twittering problem lately! Follow me at EatLiveRun π
Angela
May 20, 2009 at 11:55 amhaha WOW that is the greenest green monster I have ever laid eyes on!!! I’m adding this to my GM page!!! lol.
I love the WF buys…making me want to go back there already!
Nicole
May 20, 2009 at 11:55 amThere is no way I’d ever be able to go into *just* Target or *just* WF if they were right next to eachother. That’s a super dangerous combination!
Runjen
May 20, 2009 at 11:59 amWow, so jealous that you have a WF and Target next to each other! Did you find the bags at WF? I may to try those.
Sarah
May 20, 2009 at 12:01 pmthe green bags didn’t work for me- maybe I did something wrong? I dunno, but I hope they work better for you!
Jenna
May 20, 2009 at 12:03 pmWhat a fun day!!! π I have alba body scub and I love it! I need to look into getting some lotion as well.
Mandy A
May 20, 2009 at 12:04 pmif we had a target and whole foods that close together – I would be in BIG trouble! π
Erin W.
May 20, 2009 at 12:06 pmHi Jenna! I just recently found your blog, and I l*o*v*e it!! You eat exactly the way I like to eat – and I’m learning all kinds of new recipes from you. My new obsession is the overnight oats. OMG – so good! I just bought chia seeds today, so I can make the holiday chia pudding. I’m looking forward to that.
Hope you’re having a good day!
Mel
May 20, 2009 at 12:10 pmTarget and Whole Foods together is my idea of absolute heaven! It’s a good thing there is nothing here like that because I would spend all of my money there!
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini)
May 20, 2009 at 12:11 pmOh my gosh. My two favorite places on EARTH!! I can’t resist a Target and WF’s trip.
Glad you had such a great time with your friend. Everything looks so delicious.
I can’t wait for the rain too =)
elliebelle
May 20, 2009 at 12:13 pmThat’s a ton of loot for $95 at Whole Foods!!! Great job. The produce just looks soooo much better there than a regular grocery store. π
The Novice Berker
May 20, 2009 at 12:17 pmOh my goodness, such cute dishes! And I can never leave Target without buying something; I’d probably run myself broke if there were a WF right nextdoor!!
Lovely grocery buys today! π
Abby
May 20, 2009 at 12:27 pmThere isn’t a WF within 100 miles of where I live, so I am super jealous (However, there is a “Super” Target that I could live in…). So, gotta go to the local Health Food store instead.
Anyway, on to the green bags. I’ve found them to work really well for things like bananas, strawberries, asparagus, broccoli and sugar peas. I tried to keep mushrooms in one, but I didn’t see much of a benefit (they turned brown just as quickly).
Holy hummus sandwich, by the way.
Beth
May 20, 2009 at 12:32 pmI totally have that cat plate hahaha!
Angie
May 20, 2009 at 12:32 pmO-M-G, Target & Whole Foods…together?…I would never see my pay check again!
Emily (The Experimentarian)
May 20, 2009 at 12:33 pmOMG! You’ve just had my perfect day! I agree, if I had a Target and Whole Foods together, I would probably never leave! Shopping, running, goign to lunch and exploring a new market sound so wonderful!
Danielle
May 20, 2009 at 12:40 pmI’m so eager to try a green monster, but don’t have any fresh spinach on hand. Do you think frozen would work? Anyone tried it?
Melanie
May 20, 2009 at 12:41 pmMan, your day sounds like the best day ever! We don’t have a WF here, but I sure do wish we did. I love Asian Markets…there’s a Japanese grocery near my office called Hatoya and we like to go there often to stock up on rice seasonings, miso….all of the good stuff!
runeatrepeat
May 20, 2009 at 12:42 pmI always say I love “hippie” places π
Holly
May 20, 2009 at 12:44 pmA Target connected to a Whole Foods? That pretty much sounds like heaven!
Rachel
May 20, 2009 at 12:50 pmOh man, I’m gonna chime in and say that I’d be in big trouble if I had a Target + Whole Foods combo in my area! Helloooo impulse buys! Hehe. You did well!
I love Alba products. Sometimes I think about switching everything over to them. I’ve found some pretty good deals for their products at http://www.vitacost.com
Heather
May 20, 2009 at 12:52 pmSo many things to comment on! My secret is that the best part about heading down to Tampa (besides seeing my best friend, of course) is going to the Target/Whole Foods!!! I miss Wild Oats sometimes but I love Whole Foods and cannot resist that store. Alba stuff is some of my FAVORITES! Their pineapple face scrub and coconut cream lip balm/gloss = to die for. And do tell how the green bags worked for you! I bought some and found they worked great for lettuce and berries, but everything else didn’t last as long as I hoped. Your green monster is the prettiest shade of green! I’m slacking on raw Wednesday because I’m sick and all I want is Amy’s no-chicken noodle soup and crackers π
Linda
May 20, 2009 at 12:53 pmDude, you have a Trader Joe’s, right? Raw almond butter is only $4.99 there everyday. I don’t understand paying nearly twice as much for another brand.
jenna
May 20, 2009 at 2:37 pmLinda,
Unfortunately I’ve never even been INSIDE of a Trader Joes. We don’t have any in Florida! I wish! π
Marissa
May 20, 2009 at 12:54 pmI would be in so much trouble if there was a Whole Foods near a Target! π
Glidingcalm
May 20, 2009 at 12:55 pmone of my coaches gave me those green bags for veggies for my birthday! i haven’t tried them yet, so you’ll hafta let us know how they work!!!
wow 6.99 is a steal! the hummus wrap looks amazing!!
and if I was in the asian store, I would have gone crazy…..esp with asian style tofu!
Maggie
May 20, 2009 at 12:59 pmThose are my two favorite places!! That is sooo awesome you get the chance to go to both! I’ve been meaning to try a green monster…I will today after my workout. Do you think if I make it with hemp unsweetened milk it will taste the same?
Maggie
Megan (The Runner's Kitchen)
May 20, 2009 at 1:01 pmI cannot resist Target or the grocery store (esp. the organic/natural section!) I just wrote a blog post about my grocery habits π
http://runnerskitchen.wordpress.com/2009/05/20/grocery-habits/
Jenny
May 20, 2009 at 1:04 pmhaha target is dangerous girl – you did some major damage π
emily
May 20, 2009 at 1:05 pmtarget + whole foods = dangerous combination! i would probably have to stay away.
love the plate and bowl!
Michelle Hisae
May 20, 2009 at 1:08 pmOh geez, 2 of the best stores in one place? That’s a marvelous disaster waiting to happen. I wouldn’t have been able to restrain myself either!
I love alba products. They’re pretty great, and their price tags aren’t as bad as most natural beauty products.
Alison
May 20, 2009 at 1:11 pmJealous of your BIG TUB of 2% Fage! I can only find big tubs of 0% and FULL fat. Do you hear me Wegmans??
megan
May 20, 2009 at 1:18 pmi have never been to a whole foods, but i’d love to go! your groceries look awesome – perfect for a week’s worth of healthy eating! yum π
Sheri
May 20, 2009 at 1:31 pmGah! Two of my favorite stores together…I would be in heaven! That green monster sure is green and looks scrumptious!
Love the bowl and plate…too cute!
kirsten
May 20, 2009 at 1:35 pmwhat a cute cat plate !! I will follow you on twitter, I am developing a major addiction to it also π
sue
May 20, 2009 at 1:36 pmtarget and whole foods RIGHT next to each other? wow my bank account would look even sadder than it does now!
katie s
May 20, 2009 at 1:43 pmLove the colors!! Can’t wait to see the gourmet meal!!
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats
May 20, 2009 at 1:44 pmTarget PLUS Whole Foods!?!?! That’s the most dangerous combo EVER!! I love both those places so much! Ugh, I seriously love Asian markets – I could wander around them all day long!
Victoria
May 20, 2009 at 1:46 pmI love those green bags. They have definitely worked for me.
katie s
May 20, 2009 at 1:47 pmJust out of curiosity, how is yerba mate tea different from anything else?
jenna
May 20, 2009 at 7:06 pmKatie S,
Here’s a little Mate info that I found online:
” The leaves of the rainforest mate tree naturally contain 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids, natural caffeine and abundant antioxidants. South Americaβs yerba mate and Asiaβs green tea are two of natureβs most treasured, health-giving daily rituals.”
A green tea is one that is not fermented and not roasted. Healthwise, green teas are superior to oolong and black teas as many of the beneficial antioxidant compounds are protected by the green tea production process. Black teas may taste sweeter because they are fermented and then roasted, but this flavor comes at the expense of its life giving properties. Just like in nature, green is life giving.
While yerba mate and green tea share many of the same benefits, (antioxidants, polyphenols, flavenoids, bio flavenoids, and theophylline) modern science shows that yerba mate has 52 more active compounds than green tea. There are 196 active compounds in yerba mate compared to the 144 found in green tea. In fact, yerba mate can boast higher polyphenol and antioxidant counts than either green or black tea.
Basically—its a tea from the rainforest that gives you a little caffeine jolt and is really, really healthy!
Sonia
May 20, 2009 at 1:48 pmI disagree on spending so much on groceries. I believe and look for local and farm fresh produce. However I do not see the need to spend so much on food. To each his own I guess.
Lara (Thinspired)
May 20, 2009 at 1:51 pmTarget AND Whole Foods?! I agree-how could you not?! I think you did great on your grocery shopping! I can’t wait for the report back on those green bags.
bobbi
May 20, 2009 at 1:51 pmgreat looking smoothie, man if there was a WF near me I would be in trouble!!!! I am so going to find you on twitter!!!
Shannon (The Daily Balance)
May 20, 2009 at 2:03 pmnice loot! I still have to try a green monster…
Lindsey (fiteats)
May 20, 2009 at 2:12 pmI am making a green monster for my afternoon snack today and now I’m really excited about it! Make sure you keep us posted on how those green bags work out for you!
Diana
May 20, 2009 at 2:15 pmi NEED to get to a Whole Foods!
Beauty smoothie!
Diana
Help Meghan Run
May 20, 2009 at 2:15 pmThat is SO green! π Please let me know how that unsweetened vanilla hemp milk tastes…I have been looking for it. And you absolutely need to try making your own almond butter!
www. HelpMeghanRun .com
Kayla
May 20, 2009 at 2:22 pmYou didn’t do bad at all! I bet a big chunk of that difference between what you spent today and what you spend at the regular store was the green bag, and that will pay for itself after it keeps some of your produce fresher longer.
magicanderson
May 20, 2009 at 2:54 pmMy mom bought a box of those bags and shared them with my sister & me. We’ve all had good luck with the bags, most recently for grapes and strawberries.
Ellen (Peace in Motion)
May 20, 2009 at 3:27 pmthose green bags totally work! I put mushrooms in them once and forgot about them for about 3 weeks… still fresh as the day I bought them when I found them.
I would have ZERO ZILCH NADA money if there was a combined target and whole foods. Seriously I’d be broke as all hell!
Amy A.
May 20, 2009 at 3:34 pmJENNA!! i am about to email you about an email I got from a college alum who is also applying for the Goode job! I just want to show you what your competition is up to (I voted for you!)
Abby
May 20, 2009 at 3:43 pmJust to add one more thing on the green bags…I know I paid $10 for them at the regular grocery store, but oddly enough, our Home Depot sells the same thing for only $3 and they worked just as well!
K
May 20, 2009 at 3:50 pmTarget AND WFs?! I would be bankrupt! I loved seeing your grocery haul – you’ll have to give us the 411 on the tempeh π LOVE the bowl!
Michelle
May 20, 2009 at 3:58 pmTarget connected to Whole Foods??? I am sooo jealous!
spicygranola
May 20, 2009 at 4:32 pmA Target connected to a Whole Foods?! No one stands a chance! I have some Alba passion fruit body scrub and lip gloss. It smells so great.
Lisa D
May 20, 2009 at 4:56 pmo man if you think 8.99 is a steal for raw almond butter just wait til you get to trader joes!! Also, I have those green bags, you need to make sure there is ABSOLUTELY no moisture on the stuff you put in, I think they do a decent job with my herbs and spinach. That lunch looks awesome and I wish I had a target/whole foods combo!
bibixs
May 20, 2009 at 5:01 pmCongratulations on the great phone interview!! π
and i love asian markets! i don’t think i could have shopped so little in there!
KZ
May 20, 2009 at 5:05 pmMy cat has that bowl and a small plate to match π
Renee
May 20, 2009 at 5:22 pmHi Jenna –
I follow your blog, and I wanted to share mine with you. It’s focused on Baltimore, but there are general postings, too: http://www.examiner.com/x-10966-Baltimore-Food-Examiner.
I’ve also added you to my link list on the right! (And voted for you for the wino job, haha.)
Katrina (gluten free gidget)
May 20, 2009 at 5:55 pmCongrats on your interview!
Kate, btw, is my new found love!
Katrina (gluten free gidget)
May 20, 2009 at 5:55 pmum… I meant Kale, not Kate. (thought I’m sure Kate is a lovely person!) haha
Beth
May 20, 2009 at 6:06 pmmake sure the produce is dry when you put it in the green bags… if it’s wet, it will go bad faster (just had to throw out a bunch of spinach b/c of this…)
Danielle
May 20, 2009 at 6:12 pmOh my, my, my gosh! Target and Whole Foods in one super building?!?! How did you ever possibly leave? I don’t think I could make it outta there alive π not even kidding.
RuntoFinish
May 20, 2009 at 6:44 pmseriously the green bags totally work, it’s kinda freaky!! wow I want some soup now
brandi
May 20, 2009 at 7:01 pmah….so jealous of the WF – we don’t have one.
that bowl and plate are so cute!
tiffany
May 20, 2009 at 7:09 pmCute stuff from the Asian market!
I hope the green bags work better for you than they did for us. I am convinced they actually made our produce spoil FASTER than normal, unfortch.
Annie D.
May 20, 2009 at 8:26 pmI’ve never been to a Whole Foods. I DO shop at Trader Joes- there, they have Raw Almond Butter for only $4.99!!!! It’s wonderful. Hopefully a TJ’s ventures out to where you are soon!!!
Jocelyn
May 20, 2009 at 9:13 pmas a canadian without wholefoods right next door and absolutely no target..I’m so very jealous π lol but I love everything you got! and you did well with the moola too..
LOVE the cat plate!
elise
May 21, 2009 at 7:51 amlove the kitty plate. i couldnt avoid WF either yesterday. it CALLS my nameeeeeee. maybe even worse than starbucks!?! im curious what you think of those tempehtations…i wasnt a big fan. but im not a huge lover of tempeh to start with. i tried the bbq flavor and it seemed like a very basic packaging ploy (just chopped and added to bbq sauce??). hmmm…maybe the other flavors will be a it more worth the $$ and convenience?
Graze With Me
May 21, 2009 at 7:59 amThose green bags work really well, especially for potatoes, yams, mushrooms and greens. The only issues I’ve ever had with them is reusing one that was damp inside for yams – they got moldy after a couple of days. But they last forever!
Diana (Soap & Chocolate)
May 21, 2009 at 9:43 amYOU HAVE A TARGET CONNECTED TO A WHOLE FOODS?!?!? Remind me never to move to your town – no one will ever see me again. That’s freaking amazing. Thanks for the yerba mate info in the comments above, PS, I’ve always been curious. π
Hangry Pants
May 21, 2009 at 1:39 pmYou have the best anthropologie-esque shirts and dresses. I want to raid your closet!
Jenn
May 22, 2009 at 11:04 amI must say you do much better than me at whole foods. I spent $200 dollars and it only lasted me a week! And I live by myself! I think i may be eating too much haha
Lisa
May 22, 2009 at 7:44 pmThat is the cutest plate! I am beginning to think Aus is much more expensive in terms of organic food. I could never get that much for that price here! I love your blog. x