Panning for Gold at the Supermarket

I am a sucker for milk, half and half or cream in glass bottles from a farm. I imagine it to be richer, more wholesome and a taste of old times. Photo from THIS LINK.

Yesterday, I masked up and went to Kings, the supermarket down the road, and bought a lot of luxury items. Since the pandemic began, Dan has done most of our in-person shopping at more affordable ShopRite. I Instacarted in between his excursions--from Kings and Stop & Shop. 

Anyway, this jaunt was a rare revisit for me. My choices are more foodie- and brand-based than Dan's. I think it's okay if it's not always, or we would likely go broke. My order also included staples we both buy, like sliced deli turkey, wet dog food, orange juice, clementines and baby spinach.

ALI VS. DAN (KINGS VS. SHOPRITE)

luxe vs. ordinary

Blue brand dog treats vs. Purina Beggin' Strips. Sugar is worth it.

Ronnybrook Farm whole milk from cows in Hudson Valley, New York--presented in retro glass bottle-- vs. Bowl & Basket ShopRite brand gallon (in plastic).

Organic Valley grass-fed half and half vs. ShopRite brand.

Viva paper towels vs. what's on sale. (Viva is best.)

Bouquet of big, rosy, crunchy radishes on stems vs. bag of machine-cut baby carrots.

Horizon organic vanilla and chocolate milk cartons for school lunches (on sale, buy one 12-pack/get one 12-pack free, save $19.99) vs. mini cans of Coke for home. (Soda should be just for parties.)

Fine organic Honeycrisp apples to celebrate the first day of school and deliver with Punch vs. no gifties to brighten day, unless I specify. (I brought a box of 5 reds to the house where Punch is so far "podding" for live schooldays with a brother and sister, her friends. She arrives before the bell at 7:50 am. Two of the apples were for the parents, who work from home. I've offered to do some days here, too.)

Upscale Smash Mallow individually wrapped flavored marshmallows for single Punch treat vs. oh, I don't know, Pop-Tarts, Oreos and garish orange Takis in equally garish purple bag.

American Flatbread vegan and regular frozen pizzas vs. Celeste individual cheese pizzas for 99 cents each. (I can't give Dan a bad rap, though. He does get vegan entrees for Figgy, and he is earnest.)

Prosciutto de Parma, thinly sliced at the deli before my eyes vs. prepackaged.

Frozen Van's Waffles (vegan) vs. Eggos.

Beauty watermelon wedge, ready to slice in neat triangles, vs. huge whole watermelon, which we have no room for, will never eat entirely and makes a mess when you cut it. 

Can of Amy's Thai Curry Sweet Potato Lentil Soup vs. Progresso Italian Wedding.

Juicy, ripe whole cantaloupe vs. early green bananas (sometimes).

Fancy coffee beans from a woman-owned company in Anaheim, CA vs. the biggest can he can get of Chock full o' Nuts. Giant.

Perfect roasted, salted cashews vs. peanuts.

Two sliced artisan loaves from Bread Alone, based in Upstate NY, vs. honest to God, the occasional loaf of soft white Bimbo brand squishy bread because he finds the name and white bear logo cute. It is,  but....sorry I'm being a food snob. I know Bimbo has its fans. He has also bought Wonder Bread.

Balthazar Bakery baguette for the bruschetta.

Kings brioche dinner rolls vs. um, most ordinary burger buns.

Anyway, here is my TCOY LIST:

1. 35-minute walk.
2. About to take pampering shower. 
3. Made colorful dinner: Roasted-tomato bruschetta on small toasted baguette slices, melon with prosciutto, watermelon, fresh mozzarella slices. But nevertheless, bad behavior at dinner table. Sigh. I tried. My family can be a handful. Figgy loves the bruschetta; it's vegan.
4. Other good foods eaten: kale, toasted peasant bread, Ronnybrook milk in coffee, turkey on whole-grain bread. Healthful choices have kept me calmer, fewer mood spikes.

Good night.