Grocery Shopping

This may sound ridiculous, but I enjoy my trips to the grocery store! I get in my own little world, do some people watching and am by myself. So, today while I was shopping I asked myself this question, "Why do entire families have to go to the store at the same time?”

Of course, I decided to venture out to Wal-Mart, the busiest damn store of all and it was crowded and the lines at the register were about a 20 minute wait. I usually go to my local Kroger where the employees are friendly and know me and I've found that the prices are slightly lower but for some reason the urge to roam a huge, get it all in one stop store, took over my, what is usually sensible, brain! It happened to me the other day too while driving through Seagoville on the way back to work after a delivery.

While in the Seagoville store (yes, Wal-Mart too) I observed a wide variety of people and noticed that most of them had teeth missing. I am not one to judge, but just wondered why so many people could walk around in public with missing teeth, especially in the front where they could be seen. I understand the state the economy is in and some people may be strapped for money to see a dentist, but for God's sake, put down the cases of beer and cigarettes and save that money for a tooth!

Now, back to today’s little adventure. I learned a long time ago that it is best to do my grocery shopping by myself because if I left it up to my husband he would buy the super large quantity items and if there is a sale on something, he'd buy as many as he could get. Yea, that makes sense if you have the room to store it plus there are only 3 of us in our house and it’s just not logical, to me that is. So, here I am maneuvering up and down the isles which are jammed with carts and entire households mulling over items, children running around your legs and climbing in and out of the baskets, parents thinking it's cute to let their kids push the basket, cranky seniors in motorized carts that can't drive, cranky, screaming kids that just want to be at home watching Barney and then to top it all off, the women with their huge notebook or box of coupons strategizing in the isle how they're going to save a buck! Oh, I forgot about the crazy guy, who I suspect had Turrets Syndrome, yelling obscenities throughout the store (always a great scene for the kiddos)!

Good grief, leave the kids at home with dad, cut and organize your coupons at home and learn to drive your cart! Do you realize how much easier shopping could be if this could happen? Wow, shopping would be a relaxing adventure for everyone. For me, it's a comedy in the making and I see humor up every isle!

This is just my opinion and when I got home I asked John why entire families had to go shopping together and he said, "Because they love each other". What? Let's see what happens next time I need to go and ask him and Kyle to come with me! Do you know how much more money I'll spend with the two of them at my heels?

Since I've been discussing the grocery store, here's a healthy recipe for you to try.

Veggies On Top
by Christine Spangler Bilas

1/4 cup Olive Oil
3 cloves of garlic (finely chopped)
1 Lemon (juice)
Salt
Pepper
1 Zucchini
1 Yellow Squash
½ Red Onion
2 Carrots
5 Mushrooms
½ Broccoli head
1 Bell Pepper
¼ cup Red Wine
Parsley (handful, chopped)
4 cups Rice (prepared)

Slice all vegetables into nice big pieces and place all in a bowl. Add garlic, lemon, salt and pepper to taste and toss. Set aside.

Heat skillet with olive oil on medium and when pan and oil is hot place all the vegetables in skillet. After 5 minutes add wine and continue to sauté until vegetables are golden and soft yet still crunchy, about 10-15 minutes.

While vegetables are sautéing toss parsley in rice and distribute on 3 serving plates. Once veggies are done, remove from skillet and place on top of rice. Serves 3

You can also serve this dish with steak, chicken, pork or shrimp. Just prepare separately and then add to each plate.