Being off on a weekday is really amazing for me for three main reasons: morning Netflix in bed, no lines at my apartment’s laundry machine, and less humans at the grocery store. My grocery store of choice is, of course, the brand new and beautiful Philadelphia Whole Foods (2101 Pennsylvania Avenue), and being able to swoop in and out of that place as crowd-free as possible is a true #blessing. In addition to adoring everything about the Philly dining scene, I’m always fascinated by what people buy at grocery stores (I shared my things you gotta try at Whole Foods three whole years ago and the obsession has not ceased). So, after one particularly indulgent midday trip, I thought I’d share what I have going on in this fridge of mine.
Philly Girl Fall Life {2016}
Happy weekend, ladies! I hope you’ve been enjoying a little more frequency in my posting since I’ve been back. I’m trying really hard to stick with it, and that’s why I knew, despite the fact that this week has been non-freakin-stop for me, I had to get this post out with all of the exciting things that have hit my inbox (and my life). So grab a LaCroix on this chilly (#yesssss) Saturday afternoon, buckle up, and let’s get into it!
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5 Things You’ve Gotta Try At Whole Foods
I am a Whole Foods Market (929 South Street) addict. My addiction partially stems from the fact that I like to know where my food comes from & feel better about its production, but also because they really have very unique, specialty items. Each time I visit, I discover new things I absolutely love. And despite every human around me saying “wow, isn’t that store so expensive?,” I have found the prices are reasonable enough to propel my addiction further.
Here are five of my favorite gems I’ve found at Whole Foods lately.
5. Chia Pod® in Vanilla Bean
I’ll admit, I had no idea what this was when I picked it up. But I heard great things about Chia seeds (good for cholesterol, lots of fiber & Omega 3), so I gave the vanilla variety a try. The packaging is great (it has a spoon in the lid) for running out the door to work, and the flavor is amazing. The texture might throw you off at first, but trust me on this one.
4. SeaSnax
Never did I ever think I would enjoy chomping on dried seaweed, but when looking for something crunchy to bring with my lunch, I gave SeaSnax a try. Each package has 16 calories and is made with seaweed, salt & olive oil. They are kind of . . . loud . . . to eat in the office, but they also keep you occupied for awhile.
3. Cypress Grove Chevre Midnight Moon
One of the best things about Whole Foods is the cheese counter. After a quick sampling over a year ago, I fell in love with this goat’s milk cheese. It is creamy and delicious, and I normally ask for a small piece (under $5) to pair with some wine & crackers.
I was never really a cereal person until I tried Puffins. The peanut butter flavor is my favorite, and they’re perfect for me because they take a long time to get soggy in soy milk. When I get distracted while getting ready for work, they’re still OK to eat when I come back to the bowl. (My life is a first world problem.)
1. Tofu Shirataki
These noodles became my BFF during my first low-carb kick. They literally have 3 grams of carbs and no cholesterol. They come in a refrigerated packet that you have to cut & drain and then WASH, thoroughly. They do not need to be cooked, but I have found they taste best if you put them in with the sauce & veggies overnight and let them sit to absorb the flavor. Let me be clear, these do not taste anywhere near as good as real, carb-containing pasta, but they are a great alternative.
What gems have you scored at Whole Foods lately?
Post-NYC Reflections
New York City is an amazing place. There is a unique hustle & bustle about the city that I personally have not been able to find anywhere else in the world. But each time I go, for a quick trip or for work or most recently for Lucky FABB, I appreciate my own city so much more.
The morning after I returned from three crazy days in NYC, I hopped in my car and drove over to Whole Foods, as I love to do early on Saturday mornings. This trip was more out of necessity, as I traveled an insane amount last month and needed fresh groceries desperately. I decided to get a few other errands out of the way on my trip, so after a stop at Starbucks for breakfast & a latte, I ran to Fine Wine & Good Spirits and the bank, three stops I completed entirely in about a half hour.
Once at the grocery store, I roamed the aisles peacefully, not bumping into anyone or even having to wait in a long line. I walked to the (free) provided parking lot, and got in my car. And just as I reached the bottom of the spiral ramp leading me back out into my city, I stopped. The side street was empty. It was calm. And it was so, so beautiful. I was instantly, once again, filled with joy about the city I live in. I know Philadelphia is mine, and I belong here. I am blessed (yes) to get the opportunity to travel and experience other places, but I am always so happy this is the place I get to come home to.
Whole Foods Dinner: Salmon, Guacamole, Bacon & Arugula Sandwiches
One of my favorite things about living in the city is the amazing access to good food – whether it be fab restaurants, delicious markets or even great grocery stores – anything & everything is within walking distance. So since the weather has been beautiful the past two days and I was in desperate need of a supermarket run, my boyfriend Jordan & I headed down to Whole Foods Market on South Street.
I had pre-selected a recipe to try for dinner from my new cookbook, “Foolproof,” from Barefoot Contessa. I purchased it to get myself to free shipping while shopping online @ Barnes & Noble on Black Friday, and was infatuated upon first read. So, I decided to adapt one of Ina’s recipes for last night’s dinner!
And here is the yumminess I came up with: Salmon ,Guacamole, Bacon & Arugula sandwiches.
I am going to give you the recipe in the terms of my aspiring chef brain only. Keep those expectations low 🙂
Salmon: we bought 2 6 oz fillets of tequila lime salmon at Whole Foods. Preheated the over at 375 degrees. Sprayed some tin foil with cooking spray and wrapped each piece individually. Stuck on top row of oven for 20 minutes.
Bacon: Line a baking sheet with foil and turn the edges up. Using a package of applewood smoked bacon, place strips on the foil so none are overlapping. Bake for ~15 minutes and remove from grease immediately. Place on paper towel to dry. (I don’t even know what I ever did before I saw this “recipe” for how to bake bacon on Pinterest. It comes out 100% perfectly EVERY TIME.)
Guacamole: 2 avocados, half of a lime, salt, pepper, cilantro, 2 chopped up garlic cloves, and stir. Y-U-M.
Bread: we bought “Organic Prairie Bread” from Whole Foods – and it is literally perfection. Toasted that baby up in the toaster oven for crispy perfection.
To assemble, smother both sides of the toast with guac. Place a few pieces of arugula on either side, followed by your bacon & salmon. Combine together, slice, and enjoy!
Again, I really love that I can run to Whole Foods, grab yummy & fresh foods, come home & cook a new recipe at a reasonable hour. This recipe was definitely a success, and I can’t wait to pick up more adaptations from my new cookbook!
What are your favorite recipes to cook on a weekday? I’d love to hear them!
