unexpected gushing over a grocery store :)

[floatingleaf]

I discovered the Whole Foods store today. Some of my American flisters (especially mellacita ;) will probably die laughing to read this, but I have never been to one before. There just never was one close to where I lived. Now there is, and I have been driving past it on my way to work ever since they started the neverending road construction that forced me to change my route. But it's situated at a busy intersection, and for some reason I assumed it didn't have a parking lot - so I was kinda nervous about going there and trying to find a spot along those crowded streets. However, I decided to check it out today, no matter what - and sure enough, it does have a parking lot, right behind the building (which is why you can't see it from the intersection). A really spacious one, too. *headdesk* Anyway... as soon as I walked in, my jaw sort of dropped and I just wandered around in a daze for quite some time, before I was even able to decide where to start.;D The variety of fish and seafood, the cute little vegetarian pizzas, the exotic sauces and salads, the fruits, the cheeses... They even have those delicious Mighty Leaf organic teas that my sister gave me an assortment of for my last birthday. Not to mention the toiletries, the kitchen utensils, the nice ethnic decorative items, the yoga DVD's, world music CD's etc.etc.etc. And the place is about 3 miles away. Why, oh why didn't I go there before???... *shakes head at stupid self*

Well... better late than never, I guess. I honestly don't think Jewel or Dominick's is ever going to see me again.:P

On the other hand, though, I didn't really buy that much, and yet somehow spent over 60 bucks. *shudder* But then, the food is probably going to last me most of the week. I even got some organic soil for my tree, which my parents helped me transfer to a bigger pot last weekend, because it's growing like mad.:)

Another thing that caught my attention was the noticeably lower percentage of obese people around than you usually see in most other American grocery stores. Which is, I think, a very good sign. I keep telling myself that the few significantly overweight customers I saw were the ones who have only recently started shopping there.:P

Of course I am not naive enough to assume that bringing most of my groceries from Whole Foods instead of Jewel will automatically solve my weight issues. But I think it might help. Combined with joining Weight Watchers, it might prove to be a big step in the right direction. If only I could get the sleep issue under control as well... (I finally called my doctor about the sleep study results, but guess what? She's on vacation. *scowls* So I have to remain clueless until sometime towards the end of next week...)

Comments

[mellacita.livejournal.com]

I'm fat and I shop at Whole Foods. :P But I am usually one of the only ones. It does have a certain demographic about it. I do love that store, even though it is pricey. I avoid the dry goods there and buy grass-fed meat and milk and some produce there. It's good for specialty items too.

Granted, I just started going there this summer, too, and since shopping there I've started dropping weight. ;) It does crack me up to see Jewel referenced. I grew up on Jewel, but they don't have them out here and I get oddly nostalgic for them.

I fear you will run screaming from me if you meet me in Toronto. LOL.

[floatingleaf.livejournal.com]

I have a Jewel about seven minutes away (on foot) from my front door, so mostly I go there to save time... but if I want to treat myself to some really good-tasting (though sometimes very calorie-heavy) food, I go to a Polish store, because that's what I grew up on.:D (you know, pierogi, pork cutlets, pickled herring, cabbage & mushrooms, thick soups and sauces, salads rich in mayonese and other scary stuff that's probably majorly contributing to my raised cholesterol level... *sigh*)

Run screaming from you? But girl, your new and improved lifestyle inspires me so much. I just might run screaming AFTER you to get you to share some of those healthy recipes.;)