Stock Up!

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Basically, I had a foodie dream afternoon.  My mom and I started things off with a Ladies’ Lunch at a little place called Lulu’s Tea Room.

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My favorite thing about Lulu’s is the cute dishes.  My tea cup was leopard print, and the creamer poured out of a tiny ceramic elephant’s noise!

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I ordered the spinach quiche, tomato and dill soup, fresh salad with vidalia onion dressing, and sweet bread and cream.

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The quiche was the best!  It wasn’t super egg-y and the crust was amazing.

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I had three cups of tea while I was there – Earl Grey, English Breakfast, and Lemon!

 

After Lulu’s, my mom and I went shopping again – this time, I was buying the Husband a Valentine’s Day present (hope he likes it!).  I also stocked up on special goodies while in Earthfare:

 

  • A dozen cans of Libby’s Canned Pumpkin.  We can’t get pumpkin in Florida during the post-holiday months!
  • A jar of Barney Butter!
  • A jar of Hot Pepper Raspberry preserves.
  • Two jars of vegetarian korma sauce (basically, Indian curry).

 

I also got a loaf of French bread and ate a portion in the car.  It was SUPER chewy and crusty.

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Don’t act like you don’t do that, too!  🙂

 

After our errands, we came home and made dinner.  It was basically a bunch of leftovers and takeout meals!

 

Santa Fe casserole, sweet potato, green beans, asparagus soup, and more French bread.

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Now, I am munching on a few squares of chocolate

 

Because we do a lot of shopping at Costco, we are always pretty well stocked with things like peanut butter, oatmeal, and nuts.  I also must always have yogurt on hand! 

 

What do you always stock up on?

{ 61 comments }

 

  • Emily February 5, 2010, 8:09 pm

    I love quaint little tea rooms! So cute!!

    Where did your mom get her plates? I ADORE them!

    • Caitlin February 6, 2010, 8:05 am

      she got them at a little local shop about 5 years ago 🙁 sorry! i hate it when that happens.

  • Laura February 5, 2010, 8:11 pm

    I always have my favorite soup, yogurt & milk in the house. I couldn’t live without them.

    That Tea Room just looks simply adorable, I’m a huge fan of interesting tea cups.

  • Kt F @ ThroughTheFinish February 5, 2010, 8:18 pm

    Quiche + tomato soup + salad with onion dressing + tea = my perfect meal! Supremely jealous over here.

    I always stock up on yogurt, soup, cereal, pb/almond butter, frozen veggies, and fruits (apples/bananas/oranges)! Those are just necessities.

  • Mo@MommyRD February 5, 2010, 8:20 pm

    You have had the cutest restaurants on this trip.

    I stock up on oats, cereal, fresh spinach and/or spring mix, frozen broccoli, wine, and chocolate. 😉

  • Danielle (Coffee Run) February 5, 2010, 8:25 pm

    I can’t believe you can’t get pumpkin in FL post-holiday! That’s what I always stock up on 🙂

  • Karla February 5, 2010, 8:28 pm

    Fun!!
    They don’t sell Barney Butter in NY! I broke down and bought 3 jars on Amazon!

  • Allison February 5, 2010, 8:30 pm

    I stock up on peanut butter and green tea. And apples. Those are things that I eat every day. Sometimes, all at once!

  • Cyclist Kate February 5, 2010, 8:34 pm

    I always always have loose leaf black tea, canned beans (usually garbanzos and black beans, but I mix it up), grains (brown rice, quinoa, oatmeal), pasta, canned tomatoes, peanut butter, baking ingredients, almond milk, plain yogurt, fruit, and fresh vegetables on hand. That way I can always whip up a decent meal. I usually have a bunch of other random ingredients around, too, depending on the week’s meals.

  • Evan Thomas February 5, 2010, 8:38 pm

    I stock up on oats. They aren’t going bad and they aren’t going anywhere but in my stomach!

    • Sarah February 5, 2010, 8:53 pm

      I get oats too! Best deal ever. Plus I get organic chicken broth and wild canned Alaskan salmon for my Omega-3s.

  • Jenna @ EatingGreen, StayingLean February 5, 2010, 8:40 pm

    1. I love tea rooms, they’re so cozy and always have delicious foods!
    2. I can’t even tell you how jealous I am that you got to grab a dozen cans of canned pumpkin (not the organic kind). I tried your pumpkin yogurt concoction, got completely hooked, wrote about it on my blog (and referenced you, obvi) and THEN realized that there is a SHORTAGE of pumpkin because of rain last summer…meaning that we won’t be able to get it in New England (and maybe florida in your case) until they harvest in August of 2010.

    So sad. I’m at the point where I’d pay someone extra money just to mail me some, haha. I love pumkin everything…who knew it would be so absolutely delicious in yogurt!

    • Jennifer February 5, 2010, 8:53 pm

      Me, too!!!!! I fell in love with the pumpkin yogurt, bought a bunch of yogurt, made some homemade granola, went to buy pumpkin and it was GONE!!!! Grrr….I was so mad! What is a good sub for the pumpkin? I love the greek yogurt, but not by itself! 🙁 I thought of fruit preserves…but I don’t know….any ideas?

      • Caitlin February 6, 2010, 8:06 am

        what about cold mashed sweet potato? i bet it would have a similar consistency and taste. i’ll have to try it and let you know!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) February 5, 2010, 8:50 pm

    I love little tea houses with their mismatched tea stuff. Makes me happy.

    We always have at least 2 jars of Almond Butter in our fridge. We also have baby carrots, hummus, yogurt, apples and oatmeal.

  • Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] February 5, 2010, 8:50 pm

    I don’t shop much @ Costco because I am buying for 1 most of the time, but I always have oats, nuts & yogurt on hand too. Bananas, avos, milk are also a few of my other staples.

  • lauren @ Eater not a runner February 5, 2010, 8:51 pm

    I always stock up on CEREAL! I get nervous if I don’t have enough 😉

    Also, so jealous of the tea room. I love tea and my nickname was lulu when I was little so I would love to go there!

    • Caitlin February 6, 2010, 8:07 am

      aww lulu is such a cute nickname for a little girl!

  • Megan February 5, 2010, 8:59 pm

    I love that french bread pic.. I always dig into my food before I get home because I can’t wait that long!

    And Costco = the BEST for stocking up.. my mom bought me a Costco size bag of oats that I’m pretty sure will last me the rest of the year!

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) February 5, 2010, 9:03 pm

    What fun groceries! My pantry always needs to have nut butter, oats and hummus. Besides that, its contents are always changing.

  • Sarah February 5, 2010, 9:09 pm

    I absolutely love the elephant creamer. It’s so adorable!

    I always have oats, lentils, and spinach! Random combinations but ingredients for some of my favorite meals. I (might) believe in oatmeal for breakfast 🙂

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is February 5, 2010, 9:19 pm

    That elephant cup and leopard cup are just so adorable!!

  • Joelle (The Pancake Girl) February 5, 2010, 9:21 pm

    That tea room looks so cute!! I def want some of a French baguette now too- would make for a yummy sandwich this weekend!

    I stock up on sweet potatoes, peanut butter, cereal, and frozen veggies. I feel lost without those items haha.

  • Amanda February 5, 2010, 9:47 pm

    I stock up on anything thats super cheap and non-perishable. Most of the stuff I stock pile is not food though, things like diapers, laundry detergent, cat litter, etc.

  • Krista February 5, 2010, 9:47 pm

    I think it’s so weird that you can’t get pumpkin year round in Florida! Who’d a thought? 😉

  • caronae February 5, 2010, 9:49 pm

    I love your elephant creamer! I stock up on apples since they last a while, dried fruit, nuts, beans, and grains! Yum!

  • Matt February 5, 2010, 9:51 pm

    I usually stock up on pantry staples when I find them on sale. Stuff like peanut butter, cereal, oatmeal, ect…

  • Lindsay February 5, 2010, 9:54 pm

    Sounds like an amazing day with your mom. When we go shopping each week, we have to make sure to buy at least 3 gallons of milk as my brother drinks it like it is going out of style and we also stock up on pasta and cereal.

  • Laura Georgina February 5, 2010, 10:01 pm

    Too funny on the canned pumpkin! I don’t blame you one bit.

    I’m a canned tomato and dry pasta hog. It’s embarrasing and makes me look like I’m still waiting for Y2K. And once, I went home after visiting my mom with 30 boxes of Jiffy Corn Muffin mix (becaues they didn’t have it in Canada and the southern girl in me was addicted to the stuff)–gulp, don’t judge…

    • Liz c February 6, 2010, 5:07 am

      Just FYI – Jiffy corn muffin mix has animal lard in them! I just couldnt eat them knowing the fact. I still loveee corn bread though 🙂

      • Caitlin February 6, 2010, 8:08 am

        yes i discovered that last fall too but i pretend not to notice now… i have it so infrequently (like, twice a year)! are there any healthier versions available? do you know?

        • Jamie February 6, 2010, 10:10 am

          I think Krusteez makes a corn bread mix that doesn’t contain animal lard.

      • Laura Georgina February 6, 2010, 10:14 am

        EWWWWWWW. So sad to know. I wonder if they always did?? Maybe that’s what made them so addictive…. I never get them anymore because it’s almost as easy to make your own.

  • Jessica @ Fit Chick Wannabe February 5, 2010, 10:07 pm

    I always make sure I have enough Pria bars and pasta. I eat the Pria bars before my workouts….and pasta is always the perfect easy fall-back dinner…or lunch…or breakfast. 🙂 lol

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee) February 5, 2010, 10:41 pm

    I am always stockec up on yogurt, oats, cheddar cheese, string cheese, canned beans, tortillas and chicken. We make a lot of mexican-style dishes and cheese and tortillas are a must for us!

  • Jesse February 5, 2010, 10:46 pm

    i always stock up on tea and i like to have a variety in my house. and VEGGIES. lots and lots of veggies/fruit. i eat a raw lunch every day of an assortment of fruit/veggies so i always have to have those on hand.

  • Retta @ RunRettaRun February 5, 2010, 10:50 pm

    My essentials: coffee, fruits, veggies, oatmeal, pumpkin puree, PB and yogurt. Can’t live without the stuff!

  • *Andrea* February 5, 2010, 10:51 pm

    that tea room is adorable!!! i love all things leopard print and miniatures. how cute 🙂

  • Jenna February 5, 2010, 10:54 pm

    Cute leopard cup

  • Lo February 5, 2010, 11:01 pm

    omg my nickname is LuLu…i must go to that place…and i stock up on naturally more almond butter when i go back home 🙂

    lolo

  • Jaclyn February 5, 2010, 11:08 pm

    Flavored peanut butter…
    White chocolate wonderful, dark chocolate dreams… you get the idea!!
    😀

  • Amber K February 5, 2010, 11:29 pm

    I try to stock up on as much as I can. The only bummer is that I eat a lot of fresh fruits and veggies and so my husband and I seem to end up at one store or another every other day or so! At least we explore good food a lot!

  • Angela (oh she glows) February 5, 2010, 11:46 pm

    Well I picked up 250 pounds of organic bob’s red mill oats today…does that count? heh

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) February 5, 2010, 11:55 pm

    I try and stock up on Almond Breeze (I buy about 4 cartons), yet I still go through it SO fast.

  • TorontoGirloutWest February 6, 2010, 12:29 am

    I’ll admit it – I stock up on almonds, craisins, carob chips, and Maranatha AB. I live 2.5 hours from the nearest Costco so I get loads of my faves when I’m there! This last time I bought four MASSIVE jars of Maranatha creamy AB!!!!

  • Ashley February 6, 2010, 12:47 am

    Just so you know, I bought organic canned pumpkin at the Publix on Michigan and Orange (south of downtown) the other day.

  • Laura Smith February 6, 2010, 1:17 am

    i live in a dorm..but i always have Amy’s in my freezer, PB, yogurt, fruit, larabars, and granola in my room 🙂

  • tiffnie February 6, 2010, 2:44 am

    I love the red plate and bowl at your mom’s. And also that ceramic elephant from the cafe!!! I’m glad you have such a good day and that you get to spend quality time with your mom 🙂

    I have to stock up on Fuji apples and bananas. I have one of each every single day and if I don’t have them, I kind of feel off.

  • Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com February 6, 2010, 3:19 am

    2% greek yogurt and unusual squash varieties are my key stock up on things! You can only get them at one brand of supermarket over here, so when I see them, I never know when I’ll next be able to get them – hence why I have three unusual squash varieties in my car!! (It’s cold outside and I have no fridge space…). Oh, and like the above comment, I always have apples and bananas cos I have one of each a day, as well as a supply of dark chocolate! Can’t live without it 😛
    LOVE the leapord print cups – I’d almost be tempted to drink tea if that’s what it was served out of everytime 😛

  • Stacey February 6, 2010, 7:15 am

    That tea place looks so cute and quaint 😀 Jas and I always stock up on Cliff and Cliff Zbars..we like to have a variety of a stash to choose from before our workouts!

  • Melissa S. February 6, 2010, 7:28 am

    i saw pumpkin at publix down here…it was even the organic stuff in a can for a dollar?! does that mean i should stock up!?

    • Caitlin February 6, 2010, 8:09 am

      i did NOT like the organic pumpkin… so much so that i ate 1/2 a can and tossed it – it’s super watery and bleh.

  • Diana (Mymarblerye) February 6, 2010, 8:17 am

    I live an hour from whole foods so when I go I stock up on LIFE essentials…peanut butter and almond butter…

  • Ildie February 6, 2010, 9:24 am

    I have to have yogurt, spinach, oats and green tea in the house or I go crazy. Crazy I tell you.

    I need that fierce leopard print mug in my life. Adorable!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing February 6, 2010, 10:05 am

    Oh yum girlie… I LOVE French Bread. Hot, fresh, chewy french bread is like… omg. Words can’t even describe.

    Haha 12 cans of pumpkin!! Did you get any weird looks?

    • caitlin February 6, 2010, 11:42 am

      hahah yes the cashier stared at me.

  • jodie February 6, 2010, 11:34 am

    I always stock up on coffee and yogurt.

  • Katie@ Two Lives, One Lifestyle February 6, 2010, 4:01 pm

    Any time my mom buys Italian or French bread, I always tear off the end as soon as it’s bought! Not sure when I started doing it but now it’s kind of expected and they tease me 😀

  • Amy February 6, 2010, 4:19 pm

    Haha. I was just reading this post on the train and scrolled down to the photo with the french bread hanging out of your mouth. My husband happened to glance over at that moment and we just burst into laughter. 🙂

    • caitlin February 6, 2010, 6:15 pm

      yay! i am glad i made you smile 😉

  • Jenny February 6, 2010, 6:09 pm

    I wish we had a Tea Room! That looks really fun 🙂

    I always much stock up on Greek yogurt (in fact I did today) because sometimes it does not get shipped to Oxford. I bought a good bit of it when I was home this weekend! I also stock up on Kroger’s All-Natural PB when it’s on sale, because I go through a jar fairly quickly and it’s my favorite!

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