My grocery list has evolved over the years, from junk-laden to calorie-obsessed to balanced. You will find some convenience foods in my cart, but this Three Things Thursday post highlights three items that I just can’t take short cuts with anymore.
For years, bagged salads were a staple. They certainly got me into the salad habit and made it very easy to pack a salad for lunch at work or round out dinner with a big bowl of leafy greens. But now, I can hardly stand them. There is a chemical taste to the lettuce that I can’t ignore, and they always seem to wilt and go bad very quickly. I discovered that I can make my own bagged salad by buying a package of romaine hearts, chopping and washing one or two at a time, and keeping the washed, chopped lettuce in a storage bag. It stays fresh for a few days, and tastes so much better!
Baby carrots were another diet staple. I probably ate more carrots than Bugs Bunny ever did to fight off afternoon snack attacks. I laughed at myself when I learned that the only thing “baby” about baby carrots is their size–did you know that they are made by paring down full-size carrots? Recently I noticed that when I am parties or restaurants that serve carrot sticks made fresh from regular carrots, they seem to have more flavor. I started buying bags of carrots and peeling one or two at a time to munch on. It feels so retro!
I grew up eating instant oatmeal almost every winter day–Maple & Brown Sugar or Apple Cinnamon flavors were my favorites. I still keep a box of plain oatmeal in the pantry to take along on road trips, but I do not fix instant oatmeal at home. The old fashioned oats taste so much better (and seem more satisfying), and cook just as quickly in the microwave–but I have to watch it carefully so it doesn’t bubble over into a gooey mess!
Are there convenience foods that you have given up on?
What fresh/whole foods are worth the hassle to you?
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Best part about overnight oats – they don't bubble over – even with 2 minutes in the microwave. You just have to plan ahead.
I totally agree with all three of these things. I'll do instant oatmeal in a hotel breakfast buffet only. I don't buy baby carrots anymore. I do buy the occasional packaged lettuce, but I agree that it does have a different taste and look. I can tell when someone serves a bagged salad.
I gave up on that oatmeal too. Used to love the apple cinnamon flavor. Now I do the slow cooking steel cut oats. My husband found a quick cooking variety but I don't like the texture as much.
A simple apple is inconvenient for me with my braces. I have to pack a knife, and you guys wonder why I'm stabby.
I do use convenience foods, but the amount of effort I put into eating a simple apple is my excuse.
So, maybe you should buy the pre-cut apple slices?
these days I am too too much much about the convenience foods.
the precuts.
I know the husband and the child will snag those and eat them and never in a million years (the former I mean :)) CUT AND WATCH AND TRIM AND EAT.
Ah, yes. We have two pints of strawberries going bad because **I've** been too busy to wash and slice even though they've been home wondering what there is to eat!
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I've given up on a lot of the same types of convenience foods but when it comes to spinach I still buy the stuff in the bags or plastic boxes (although I do buy organic).
I do too. The baby spinach, arugula and baby field greens taste fine to me–but you do need to eat them quickly.
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