Grocery Hopping

I was at the grocery store last night – actually, I was at both of the grocery stores that I go to. Like everyone else, I have to balance my desire for delicious food with my pocketbook (that old “Champagne taste, beer budget” conundrum), and I find that this leads me to shop in multiple stores. I don’t cut coupons, because they’re usually for processed foods that I don’t eat. And in-store specials are usually for larger amounts of food that I can use. A bargain’s not a bargain if half of it goes to waste.

Luckily, where I live, there is an abundance of grocery stores, from basic to upscale (Foie Gras, anyone?), and a Trader Joe’s. If you don’t know TJ’s, they have fantastic quality foods that they source themselves, and then sell for much less than regular stores. When I shop, I go there first, to get those items (milk, salad fixin’s, soy burgers, olive oil, etc.), then I go over to the regular store to fill in the gaps (more veggies and fruit, meats, and my favorite whole grain bread). I’m certainly not alone in this, as I always see the same people at the second store that I just saw at TJ’s half an hour before.

I also shop at the local Farmer’s Markets in season, where we lucky Puget Sounders have an embarrassment of riches for local produce. And I’m a year-round “Marketeer” – a regular at the Pike Place Market, the legendary, 100 year old Public Market here in Seattle. I love the Market! Oh, my, it’s half the reason I moved to Seattle 12 years ago. Acres of produce vendors, butchers, fish stores, delis, restaurants, and crafts, with that stellar view of the Sound, and Mountains. Add the historic buildings, buskers, and a swirl of locals and tourists, and it’s just the most joyful place I know in Seattle. I’ll post more about the Market later.

Lunch today is a Smoked Salmon and cucumber sandwich with lemon and pepper and a salad. I consider it a delicious trial run for the Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwiches I’m bringing to the card game on Sunday. I don’t always eat all that fish that we’re supposed to get in our diets, so smoked salmon is, for me an easy way to make sure I get those valuable fish oils. (Don’t worry - I got it for a great price at Trader Joe’s!)