Aisle after Aisle of Possibilities

I love the grocery store. Whether home or on the road it is a favorite spot for me. I travel an hour and a half to pick up staples like olive oil and soy sauce at Trader Joe's. If I see a Whole Foods I make a point to try to stop in and indulge in a luxurious little treat, like a super creamy goat cheese or a fig and hazelnut spread. I went all the way to Thailand and had 3 requirements for the trip and one of them was to visit a Thai grocery store in Bangkok (and, yes all 3 of my needs were met and then some!).

You know there is something quite enjoyable about just going to my local Price Chopper or Hannaford though too. I am generally an early riser and often will do my grocery shopping on a Sunday morning around 7:30 or 8:00am. The store is relatively quiet and produce is freshly stocked and I can hear my own thoughts.

What is it about the grocery store that is so appealing to me? There are a few reasons. I think the most important is the aisles of possibilities that await me. I can slowly stroll up and down the aisles reading labels for ingredients, recipe ideas and nutritional content. I can see what the freshest looking protein is and build meals around it using seasonal produce and pantry staples. I am not a creative type by trade-I can't paint or sing or dance but I can dream up a recipe or menu and the grocery store is MY palette. It is a tool that allows me to express my point of view.

I can take my time, going back and forth when a new thought pops into my head and grab that package of mushrooms or the perfect purple potatoes to turn into a delicious salad when the idea hits me. I am also a coupon shopper who loves a good bargain, so between my improv menu planning and my coupon sorting I am not a quick shopper (don't get me wrong, I can be in and out in 15 minutes or less if I need to be...but I don't enjoy it). I often am in the grocery store for 1 - 1 1/2 hours to do weekly/bi-weekly shopping for 3 people.

I know that I am not the only one who loves to grocery shop either. I may take it to the extreme but many working moms that I know have said it is a weekly solace to go out and do the shopping, regain some control and perspective on their lives in that brief hour walking from aisle to aisle checking items off their list. I know several people who travel for Trader Joe's, a friend who immediately went to a grocery store after a 6+hour flight to London and folks that go from store to store looking for the best value for their money or the perfect ripe beefsteak tomato.

Next time you are in the grocery store I hope you open your eyes to all the possibilities.