Maybe it's because I used to work in a grocery store. Or because I come from a restaurant family. Or maybe it's because my inner fat kid is not so inner; my grocery store glee is written all over my face.
I can't explain why walking into a grocery store makes me feel so... confident, but that's exactly what I feel. Of course it's more fun if I'm not setting a budget for myself and I can let my stomach take the reins...but let's get real, when does my stomach not dominate my choices.
Perhaps, I'm an épicerie snob. "You don't know what quinoa is? Oh. I guess we can just get you some oatmeal..." I try to think of it like I think of books: the more I know the better, right? Or maybe I was better off not knowing the pleasure of Fage, but once you've tasted "100% natural, authentic Greek strained yogurt", you can't go back. You're doomed.
I love the lights. I love the neat rows. I love filling my cart with fruits and veggies and then looking with thinly-veiled judgment at the lady behind me with the Uncrustables. And if I do happen to be buying frozen pb&j (more commonly known as the laziest of lazy), I do it with unmarked bills and sunglasses bigger than the frozen pizza I'm smuggling under my sweatshirt.
Most importantly, grocery shopping is about ME. Right now, the only mouth I'm obligated to feed is mine, and if I happen to be providing dinner, then my lucky guest. Maybe I'll enjoy it less when I have to share my food, but that's something for future me to think about. Sucker.
My future husband better build my dream house far from any of the following if he doesn't want mortgage payments to be applied directly to my waistline: Lunds, Whole Foods, Kowalski's, Publix, Trader Joe's or Costco*.
*Jumbo bags of frozen Alexia sweet potato fries? YES, PLEASE.
1. I AM THANKFUL I AM ABLE TO GROCERY SHOP WITHOUT VERY MANY FINANCIAL LIMITATIONS; IT MAKES ME HAPPY TO FILL MY CART WITH TASTY FOODS AND FILL MY BAGS WITH POSSIBILITIES FOR THE WEEK(S) TO COME.
