Check out my progress on Tainted Smoothie-Topper
A few nights ago, I busted open a fresh box of Cascadian Farm Cinnamon Raisin Granola for the very necessary crunch factor in my smoothie. I’ve enjoyed this product before, so I was surprised when I had to spit out my first nibble. It was horrible–it tasted more like bleach-dipped cardboard than sweetened oats and fruit (and yes, I do know what bleach tastes like–but that’s another story). Normally, I would let something like this go, but the fact that it was a fresh box that had cost me $3, I decided it was worth returning. Off to SuperTarget I went, determined to defend my case and get my money back…and I did, no questions asked. I used to think it was ridic to return food to the grocery store–I would laugh at my Nana who would return leftover Halloween candy every year–but now I think it’s a wise money-saving strategy if you’re unsatisfied with the product. Have you ever returned a grocery item? Did you have much trouble doing so?
I was all psyched about saving $3…so I then went and bought myself a pair of forty-dollar shoes. Oh, well.
Here’s today’s collection of non-tainted eats:
Wednesday
Due to my contaminated granola stash, I had to resort to the never-ending box of Kashi Vive for crunchiness. I just don’t like those yogurt clusters–so I picked them all out, leaving just the tasty twigs and flakes. I swear, I’m not obsessive at all.
strawberry-pineapple smoothie with berry HempShake, soymilk, & yogurt-less Kashi Vive
Thursday
After seeing my recent review of fruit/nut bars on CalorieLab, the folks at Kardea Nutrition kindly offered to send me some samples. Always on a quest for ways to add to my mammoth bar stash, I agreed to give Kardea a try. Although I had seen these bars all around the food blogosphere, I had no idea that they were intended to keep cholesterol levels in check–bonus! This flavor was quite tasty–it reminded me of the Lemon Chalet Cremes sold by the Girl Scouts. If only I had had one hand for my Girl Scout Oats Challenge… While this bar was delicious, I am not too keen on its inclusion of isolated fibers (psyllium hust, chicory root fiber). A high fiber count is good, but some studies show that naturally-occurring fiber is best for optimal health.
Lemon Ginger Kardea Bar
approximately the size of Nestor the Nano
Raspberry-Lemon Oat Bran with coconut milk, vanilla extract, raspberries, ginger, lemon juice, Lemon Ginger Kardea, & a dash of lemon zest
In a recent issue of Clean Eating, there was a recipe for a Mushroom Herb Tofu Scramble, which piqued my interest. Their recipe included the obvious mushroom, herbs, and tofu, plus minimal flavorings. I used my own scrambled tofu recipe instead, omitting the soy sauce and ginger, and cutting back on the turmeric. I was quite satisfied with the result–it looks like eggs, right?
Mushroom Herb Tofu Scramble with fresh dill & sweet basil; oat bran pita; salad with cucumber, steamed red onion & broccoli, & balsamic vinaigrette; grapes
Over the years, I’ve seen many a recipe for butternut squash-spiked mac and cheese. I made my own version tonight but with one special addition–white beans! I pureed the butternut squash and white beans with garlic, cayenne, and a dash of nutmeg to make a savory sauce. Once combined with the hot pasta, I topped it with reduced-fat mozzarella and baked it for 20 minutes. It was fab! Let me know if you’d like me to post a specific recipe.
Baked Butternut Squash-White Bean Mac & Cheese; greens with figs, walnuts, & Balsamic vinegar
crusty and delicious
Alright, I have a chem test tomorrow morning, so I guess I’d better spend a little quality time with my text book and calculator. Nighty-night.
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
I’ve never returned any groceries to a store, but my cereal has never tasted like bleach so I totally don’t blame you! Especially if it was $3!
oh man your butternut squash mac n’ cheese sounds awesome! such a smart idea
I’ve had the same thing happen with a chocolate bar before – luckily the store took it back without hesitation.
haha, i love that you rewarded your savings with $40 shoes, sounds like something i would do. i haven’t taken groceries back ever, but if i had a need to, i totally would! loving the spinach salad!
Good luck on the chem test! Those can be so brutal. I have a genetics exam on Monday, but I’m almost looking forward to it compared to chem
Mmm, lemon ginger. That sounds like a flavor that I would never pick out for myself (I like to stick with “safe” choices like…well, chocolate) but that sounds really good. I shall have to expand my bar horizons!
Lindsay
Nestor the Nano! How charming
That mac ‘n cheese dish sounds great! Mm mm good.
I’ve tried some pretty bad protein powders (especially rice protein). I bought a container of chocolate rice protein (I believe it was the rainbow light brand) , and not only did it look like dirt, but it tasted like it. After all the frustrating tries and money wasted, I just had to return it. I love Whole Foods–best return policy! Saved about $15 and bought $50 shoes
Oooh butternut squash and white beans sound like a fabulous addition to mac & cheese!!!
Yea, I returned some really nasty fish once. They’re usually pretty cool about it as long as you’ve got a legit reason.
glad you enjoyed the Kardea —- did you get the other flavors as well? As for the fiber source, I agree that whole foods are good…but both the psyllium husk and oats are included because they have been clinically proven to be heart healthy through their abillity to lower cholesterol levels…..NIH actually recommends these fibers for heart health…so enjoy the bar and enjoy this bonus.
i hope you do well on the chemistry test! god, i hate all mathematical-based science. good luck! and all of the food looks AAHHHHHmazing of course. i’d love to veganize that man and cheese, it looks so delicious.
-JB
http://cardiovegsular.wordpress.com
Yes, I did get the other flavors, and I am looking forward to trying them! Thanks for the info regarding cholesterol and fiber sources.
ugh! Sorry for the terrible granola experience!! Glad you got your money back. I’m always afraid to complain too but have done it a couple times and have been shocked how easy/not fussy it is! Worth it- especially when you just paid $3 for the box! Love love squash in mac and cheese. I think the addition of white beans was a great touch (hooray for extra protein)
I have never returned a food item…didn’t even know you could!
I actually just returned my first grocery store item the other day. It was buy 1 get 1 free on english muffins and I bought one thinking it would be 1/2 off but instead I ended up just buying it for full price without getting a free one. It was so easy to return though, she didn’t ask me anything about why I was taking it back! I would have definitely taken back that granola too. So weird it tasted like bleach – I have an unopened box of it, hopefully you just got a odd one! I look forward to eating anything with cinnamon and raisins
It’s totally one of the best combos ever!
I returned something to TJs once and it was so easy peasy it blew my mind! That scramble looks amazing! Love the shroomies
Hope your test went well!!
oh good for you for returning it!!!!
Love that tofu scramble, it does look like scrambled eggs! How did you get it to look so yellow?? I am looking up your recipe next.
You could totally enter that Butternut Squash White Bean Mac in a recipe contest! Seriously, you are so innovative!
your nano has a name! awesome.
i would return it, too. well done. sometimes im just too lazy, especially in nyc bc i buy most of my groceries from smaller shops/health food stores…and they arent so eager to refund things that you purchased with cash…receipt or not.
I returned an un-opened bottle of oil once. lol. Oh and soymilk that had expired. I had just purchased the soymilk and while I was walking out notice the expiration was months prior. ugh. Yay for midwest supermarkets…
I have actually returned a lot of different grocery items before. Surprisingly it’s not that difficult! Not too many questions asked, fortunately!
I would love to see a recipe! That pasta looks delicious! yum!
Glad I found your blog! Check out mine, I should be hosting a giveaway soon!
xo,
keri
That reminds me I have some of those bars I need to eat!
http://ajangel25.wordpress.com
hey girl, i’d say that the seitan recipe is good for a few servings. my mom and i each had some a couple times. and i ended up throwing away the last bit of it because it was around for too long. i’m guessing you could halve the recipe? but you can wrap it in foil and refrigerate it for multiple uses.
-JB
http://cardiovegsular.wordpress.com
Please post the recipe of butternut squash (semi) mac n cheese…that’d be great!!!