tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post7670091337613466328..comments2024-03-12T11:57:57.408-05:00Comments on Creative Smiles - my little crafting world: Curiosity and the Grocery StoreDonna Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16493910748228055970noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-9884613630634059982015-10-18T22:06:58.212-05:002015-10-18T22:06:58.212-05:00Hello Donna, I so appreciate you visiting and beco...Hello Donna, I so appreciate you visiting and becoming a follower on my blog, Thyme to Create. Thank you so much. I am glad you liked the Vintage Pistol that my husband created. He enjoys making digital artwork, and with a little encouragement from me ;) he will do more I'm sure. <br /><br />Thank you and pop over any time!<br /><br />Mary<br /><br />*Just an added note, yes, I am seeing more and more out there on the store shelves of instant foods. It's boggling for sure. :))<br /><br />Have a happy day! Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14840661617672788207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-65600284069132093852015-09-09T04:48:33.082-05:002015-09-09T04:48:33.082-05:00Ooooh those cupcakes are such a distraction!
Larg...Ooooh those cupcakes are such a distraction! <br />Large supermarkets .... my least favourite place to be. I call them Palaces of Hell! And because of that I drag hubby along for moral support if I need to go there. Suffice to say we'd both prefer to be elsewhere! For fresh produce, I shop at a whole food store. I don't eat meat but hubby does. We have it delivered from a local organic farm. We live in a village, and go shopping at nearby allotments and farmers markets for fruit and veg. There are also various free-range farms nearby where we get fmilk, cheese, cream, eggs etc. We are blessed in that we just have 2 mouths to feed and that gives us the luxury of choosing nature and not having to buy large quantities of anything. Supporting local farmers is important to us. Life is a struggle for them these days because of the discounts prices of large supermarkets. I do most of the baking myself. Once a month I make up a batch of short crust and flaky pastry and store in the freezer for pies, tarts etc. NO...I don't make my own bread LOL! Unless I have a craving for something special. We get it from our local baker who does it in his wood-fire oven. The thought of having to shop in the supermarket is keeping us in our little village! LOL.<br />hugs, <a href="http://sunnysummercrafts.blogspot.pt" rel="nofollow">Asha</a> Peanuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03623412002975349128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-11611569495539570192015-09-06T22:04:11.571-05:002015-09-06T22:04:11.571-05:00Hi Donna, Australian supermarkets are much the sam...Hi Donna, Australian supermarkets are much the same but we have local freshfood markets on the weekend. We buy nearly all fresh and most meals are made from scratch. I like to know where my supplies are grown and what is used to grow them . It's taken me years to realise that most packaged foods have so much added to them and most seem to come from China and Asia. Feel that if I don't supprt our local farmers and producers we will lose them all. I dropped over to say thanks for following my blog and your kind words when this post caught my eye. I am sorry if it is long and boring.<br />Many thanks <br />Jeanette (cosie)cosiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16404886114416480337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-49802355605167387102015-09-03T01:10:05.559-05:002015-09-03T01:10:05.559-05:00Lovely picture of the shoes there. Too good to eat...Lovely picture of the shoes there. Too good to eat. LOL.Monicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13349015297815818701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-89721623732906974702015-09-03T01:08:45.372-05:002015-09-03T01:08:45.372-05:00What an intersting post this makes and I just like...What an intersting post this makes and I just like you and your hubby like to cook from scratch. I am a lover of all things natural and would just be happy cooking the least amount of things with the freshest ingredients possible. I look at food in the most natural manner and feel not too good with getting stuff in a bottle. Processed food is not the first thing on my mind, though we eat Italian tomato sauce in our pasta but I always make sure that I add in fresh onions, garlic and tomatoes to this and in a large quantity.<br />Asia is also getting full with processed foods yet, real Asian food uses fresh herbs and spices. And that is what I like. I encourage my children to eat fresh foods and fruits more than the ones from packets. It could be a challenge though but I don't give up and try and educate them in subtle ways and something does go in. Lol.<br /><br />Hugs,<br />MMonicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13349015297815818701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-14911586614793704402015-08-30T03:52:05.259-05:002015-08-30T03:52:05.259-05:00Hi Donna love those 'shoe' cakes they look...Hi Donna love those 'shoe' cakes they look really yummy, I love to eat organic food whenever possible the local grocery store is rubbish for fresh food, nothing tastes the same as it used to if it has a taste at all which is why I like to buy organic, Donna I want to thank you for the comment that you left on my blog about cookies several other people said the same thing I am just so out of touch. Have a lovely weekend<br />hugs<br />Lorraine xcoldwaters2https://www.blogger.com/profile/08215580207737032353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-4107565085847111202015-08-26T20:14:49.310-05:002015-08-26T20:14:49.310-05:00Donna, Sorry it took me so long to post but I had ...Donna, Sorry it took me so long to post but I had to say something about those cupcakes, they are so cute and I bet they cost a lot.... and I'm pretty sure they taste no more then a box mix cup cake. I'm like you I do not do the shopping my hubby does that he likes to go so that is fine with me. Well have a great week.<br />Hugs, Pat♥Patricia St Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05349229783436872365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-62828276560180557482015-08-25T08:32:13.320-05:002015-08-25T08:32:13.320-05:00Donna here in Johannesburg, South Africa, the fres...Donna here in Johannesburg, South Africa, the fresh produce section is about 25% the size of the whole store. And there is a whole isle of frozen veggies and a whole isle of tinned foods. Fresh meat is also a huge section. We do not have that much pre-prepared stuff here. I personally love cooking everything from fresh veggies and meat and do use frozen veggies as they say its healthier as it is frozen straight from harvesting and does not lie on trucks transported to shops and then also lie on the shelves in stores for quite some time. Nothing as good as a home cooked meal. Less salt and preservatives xxx Thanks for this lovely interesting post.<br />Hugs <br />Desíre <br /><a href="http://desiref.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow"><b>{Doing Life – my personal blog}</b></a><br />Desire Fouriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15406075794117462274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-66366975083884157522015-08-25T07:42:40.763-05:002015-08-25T07:42:40.763-05:00Hi Donna, it's great to read about how much fu...Hi Donna, it's great to read about how much fun the grocery trip can be :) I also enjoy it. Those show cupcakes are amazing! I mostly cook from scratch, simple low-fat meals with lots of salads. We enjoy meals out but I like to know what I'm eating and it's expensive to eat out. But when I was working at a stressful job with long hours and travel I didn't cook too much and caught a lot of colds and flus, eating convenience & restaurant foods. Glad you were out & about. Also nice to read you have a son :) Take good care, hugs, ShirleyxxPaper Creations by Shirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04587466253656100353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-71591630826772887692015-08-24T22:29:08.913-05:002015-08-24T22:29:08.913-05:00I love those shoe cupcakes, Donna, and was so sure...I love those shoe cupcakes, Donna, and was so sure it was a photo of something from your very own kitchen. I was anxiously awaiting the recipe and instructions. :-D When I think back to all the years I was raising kids and either working full time or going to college and working part-time, I wish all those delightful heat and serve meals had been available. Now that they are in my usual grocery store, I rarely take 'advantage' of them because I need more control over salt, fat and carb content than those foods offer. So, like you folks, I'm still pretty much a 'from scratch' person but then, I only cook for one so it's not a great burden.NanaConniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06724115459143098604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-23659867737573426832015-08-22T18:45:58.866-05:002015-08-22T18:45:58.866-05:00I'm sure my grocery stores are exactly like yo...I'm sure my grocery stores are exactly like yours, and I do marvel at all those prepared foods. Lucky thing for folks in a rush or who don't know much about cooking. I like to cook from scratch, but even then there are prepared foods going into those meals -- Bisquick, soups, different sauces and condiments. I'd never leave the kitchen if I did it completely from scratch! Interesting thoughts, Donna!Leslie Millerhttp://lesliekmiller.typepad.com/running-with-scissors/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-9810489248915655712015-08-22T08:53:58.956-05:002015-08-22T08:53:58.956-05:00Woo such a yummy picture you have shared. The cann...Woo such a yummy picture you have shared. The canned / just heat and eat culture has still not gained popularity in India. At one point I did succumb to buying some like lasagnas but then health concerns prevented me from buying as a habit !<br /><br />Cheers<br />Dr Sonia <br /><a href="http://cardsandschoolprojects.blogspot.in" rel="nofollow">Cards Crafts Kids Projects</a>Dr Sonia S Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06521277849861402377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-69828521411800429632015-08-22T08:11:09.040-05:002015-08-22T08:11:09.040-05:00Hello, Donna! So nice to hear that you've been...Hello, Donna! So nice to hear that you've been able to get out to the grocery store! I don't buy a lot of pre-packaged foods as I have so many food sensitivities, so I confess I really don't know much about them. I occasionally buy the prepared BBQ chickens at my grocery store and they are yummy! I also buy one of their prepared green salads - it's hard to find one without cheese, but there is one that they make, and I buy those quite often. I also buy the pre-washed salad greens to use in my smoothies and salads. I hope you continue to have the strength and energy, my friend! Sending hugs!KT Fit Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08869423405259440438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-84392716163231550302015-08-22T04:43:21.839-05:002015-08-22T04:43:21.839-05:00Oh, I enjoyed your post, Donna and I had to LOL at...Oh, I enjoyed your post, Donna and I had to LOL at those little shoe cupcakes at the top!!! How creative some people are to think of doing that, hey!!!<br />Over here I do most of my grocery shopping at two stores: Pick&Pay which is the one I do most of my grocery shopping at, but not my fresh veggies and fruit - they're more expensive and not the same quality as the fresh produce market, Golden Harvest. All my canned food, dairy products, bread, eggs, rice, porridge, household products, etc I buy at Pick&Pay - I think it is more or less the same kind of store you have, although they don't stock that much of the ready prepared-meals as my other (and favorite) shop I visit regularly. It's called Woolworhts and they have a clothing department as well. They sell the most wonderful ready-made meals (fresh, not frozen), desserts, cakes, bread, meat, cold meats and some lovely specialty products, too, and then they have your normal day to day stuff like tinned food, milk, eggs, fresh herbs, veggies and fruit, ect. They are a more up-market store than Pick&Pay, but surprisingly not that much more expensive than the other stores. It is a delight to shop at Woolworths, but I can't afford to shop there every day - just for special treats and when I need some specialty product for a recipe, like some special fresh herbs. I also cook from 'scratch' most of the time, as I love to prepare very healthy meals for my family. I love to spoil my family a lot with lovely food and sometimes I really cook up a storm!!! <br />So nice to hear that you're well enough to go to the shop and bring us this lovely post, Donna!!!<br />Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!!!<br />Hugz Petra Swarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00163449202125032021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-86817792485836911272015-08-22T02:54:52.890-05:002015-08-22T02:54:52.890-05:00Those look so yummy..........Those look so yummy..........craftieodmaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12887915342118597572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-21393945375422776992015-08-21T17:00:01.146-05:002015-08-21T17:00:01.146-05:00I don't even know if my store has the items yo...I don't even know if my store has the items you talk about I go in directly to what is on my list then out to the farmer market at the side of the road . I never noticed packaged dinners in the meat department My first thought was I should pay more attention but my reality is I don't care and don't want to know .....LisStampsnob.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06308018065303167957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-996587852850451272015-08-21T16:40:48.017-05:002015-08-21T16:40:48.017-05:00I cook mainly from scratch for the most part and o...I cook mainly from scratch for the most part and on an occasional basis will use some prepared foods if there is a time crunch for me or if I am just too tired to make a meal. We grow lots of our own veggies so we freeze them for future use. So that helps and I think if you make more things from scratch you can control the fat, salt and carbs in dishes. That is important for our household as hubby is diabetic and also has heart issues.Verna Angerhoferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13966604332988555300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-48981560154169760422015-08-21T16:39:39.412-05:002015-08-21T16:39:39.412-05:00Hi Donna!
Unless I'm sick or on vacation, I...Hi Donna!<br />Unless I'm sick or on vacation, I'm a from scratch cook, also. And I don't pay much attention to the goodies premade because I'm generally dashing in the store and right back out. But these cupcakes are fabulous! They would be perfect for next year's Mother's Day Luncheon, and don't look too hard to assemble at home. Thanks for the idea!<br />Glad you're feeling well enough to shop!<br />Hugs,<br />DebiDebihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00102266631629096453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-10801330394187021352015-08-21T16:00:40.492-05:002015-08-21T16:00:40.492-05:00I prefer to cook from scratch too but then again I...I prefer to cook from scratch too but then again I suppose the younger generation prefer the ready cooked-hence the decline in fresh fish and butchers shops I suppose.Morrisons have a fresh butcher counter as well as the ready packaged but not a great variety in fruit and veg as our nearby Asda but they don't have a butcher counter but a good selection of meats and chicken/bacon and stuff packaged.If you are pushed for time or can't be bothered state of mind an omelette is still a quicker and healthier option than the additive stuffed ready meals--love the cake shoes<br />Carol xcrafty-stamperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06035030152353532791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-43947974174589248832015-08-21T15:42:06.315-05:002015-08-21T15:42:06.315-05:00Great post. I have rarely used the prepared meal ...Great post. I have rarely used the prepared meal packets in the deli - the only reason I haven't is that my oven doesn't work. Otherwise, they would become pretty standard at my house. I love those cake shoes!Jean Bullockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14105691830742212579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-80885561684610134062015-08-21T14:52:07.635-05:002015-08-21T14:52:07.635-05:00Sorry Fantastic cake design, they look yummy..
Hug...Sorry Fantastic cake design, they look yummy..<br />Hugs Pam xpamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00070728154149824283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-22429147102230595922015-08-21T14:51:34.034-05:002015-08-21T14:51:34.034-05:00I shop at Fred Meyers here in the Pacific Northwes...I shop at Fred Meyers here in the Pacific Northwest, they have a nice selection of everything you will ever need.<br /><br />Hugs DianeDianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04485385380988942947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-26773763783888836362015-08-21T14:50:46.959-05:002015-08-21T14:50:46.959-05:00I used to cook from scratch Donna, still do most d...I used to cook from scratch Donna, still do most days! some days we have a ready meal afraid my DH cannot turn the gas on never mind cook!!! I have always been a stay at home Mum. <br />Fantastic card design..<br />Hugs Pam xpamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00070728154149824283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-50095126348329073242015-08-21T14:35:27.597-05:002015-08-21T14:35:27.597-05:00I love to cook, but I'm not much of a baker. I...I love to cook, but I'm not much of a baker. I don't really have a sweet tooth...I have a salty tooth ;) We have a fabulous grocery store that was just remodeled and they carry anything you could think of in a grocery store. I live in a college town, so there is quite a bit of diversity. They have products for so many different cultures. There are restaurants, juice bar, you name it. So I love to do the shopping!! Have a great weekend :)<br /><br />Lisa<br /><a href="http://indymermaid.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">A Mermaid's Crafts</a>Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03633160117849720501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047286263309535644.post-76422430028591414972015-08-21T12:37:06.926-05:002015-08-21T12:37:06.926-05:00Those cakes are fab, almost too good to eat. Note...Those cakes are fab, almost too good to eat. Note I said almost:) LOL<br /><br />Here in England it depends on where you are in the country and what store you go to. I love Morrison's as they have a large fresh fruit and veg section. They also have a fishmonger, baker and cold meats section. They have a fairly large range of cleaning products, frozen goods and tinned goods. <br /><br />Hope you have a nice weekend. SueSuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12576612050864003090noreply@blogger.com