Check out my progress on “Excuse me, where do you keep the lard?”
As I’ve mentioned before, part of my job as a departmental assistant is to do the grocery shopping for the foods lab. I went about my duty today, with list in hand. It may surprise people to hear that the experiments we do in the lab do not all involve healthful ingredients—just a few weeks ago, I had to buy potato chips, Oreos, and whole milk. I swear, I could see the judgment in the cashier’s eyes when I checked out.
I digress. Onto today’s weekly sojourn to the Teet. One of the labs to be completed next week (in which I’ll be partaking) is the fats lab. We’ll be analyzing the differential effects of various kinds of fat (saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, hydrogenated, etc.) when used in recipes. As you might imagine, oil, butter, and margarine were all on the list. Much to my chagrin, there was another item remaining—lard. To be honest, I have never even seen lard, so I was a bit perplexed as to where to find it in the store. I searched next to the vegetable shortenings, in the dairy case, and even at the meat counter. No luck. Finally, I had to ask an employee the humiliating question, “Excuse me, where do you keep the lard?” His response: “We don’t carry that.” Lovely.
I must admit, getting up the nerve to ask this question was quite a feat for me. Not only is it slightly embarrassing to ask as to the whereabouts of a notoriously heart-clogging ingredient, but also because I am generally disinclined to ask for help while shopping. I’m not sure from whence this reluctance came—I chalk it up to my overall shyness around new people. My dad lovingly refers to this phenomenon as “being a chick-chick”, i.e., being needlessly timid.
Am I alone in this? How do you feel about seeking assistance when you shop?
Onto the day’s (lard-free) eats.
Protein waffles are becoming a Friday morning habit…I don’t mind if you don’t.
Lunch was just a quick Waldorf Salad, as I had some homework I wanted to finish before the weekend gets started.
Tonight, I prepared another B-Hut recipe—Spicy Peanut Butter Coconut Tofu. I served with a modified slaw, similar to my Mango Slaw, but this version featured pineapple and a soy-ginger vinaigrette.
With that, I bid you good night. Happy weekend to all!
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
Such yummy eats! those ww protein waffles especially look delish! ok, and your spicy pb and coconut tofu! I’m making it this week sometime, CAN”T WAIT!
I used to never ask for help at the grocery store due to my timid nature. Something changed, though, and now I ask the minute I can’t find what I’m looking for. This means I spend less time wandering aimlessly around through the aisles, and have more time to look at all the good foods I just possibly might buy!!
I’d rather eat lard from healthy, free-roaming pigs than hydrogenated vegetables made in a lab somewhere…you usually have to go to a butcher, or try a spanish grocery store if you live near any
I’m with you! I hate asking questions anywhere, really. Basically, anything around people I don’t know, I tend to get needlessly shy. I don’t like it, but I’m not sure how to get over it either, ha.
I’m don’t like to ask for help when it’s a weird item I might be embarassed about, but otherwise, I like to ask for help because sometimes things are in bizarre places. I’m buddies with several grocery store team members now, and it makes going shopping more fun (didn’t think that was possible!)
I’m the same way! I like to pretend I know where everything is. If I’m in a hurry, I will ask, though.
I seriously DO think of you every time I eat Ak Maks!
I used to be so shy when I was younger that I would refuse to go in a checkout line in a store to buy something. I would make my mom do it instead!! Over the years though I have gotten a lot bolder and can pretty much do or ask anything. I think this has come in part from eating disorder and learning to stand up and fight for myself and gain confidence.
I am healthy eater and I enjoy lard – I wouldn’t eat it every day, probably not even once a month…maybe not even once a year – but adding a little lard to your roasting veggies is quiet indulgent and I believe in everything in moderation!
Shari from http://www.goodfoodweek.blogspot.com