Mighty Maple Is Back In My Pantry

 

Thank goodness Spring is really only a few weeks away (in my mind that is) because my 11 mile run outdoors Saturday morning was just down right horrendous due to the weather conditions. This was one of those runs where you mentally battle to keep yourself going.

For some reason, I had it in my mind that I was running outside, sort of assuming the temperature would be somewhere over 20 degrees. Every degree counts, trust me.

When I woke up Saturday morning and saw it was more like 14 degrees, I questioned my sanity as I layered up and headed out the door.

I have become so accustomed to running indoors this winter that besides the frigid air and the dodging of ice patches, the layers of clothing needed to run Saturday were so totally weighing on me that I felt as though I could barely move and couldn’t pick up speed for the life of me.

I would have pictures of my layers for you but my phone died towards the end of my run, most likely because I spent many miles on the phone with my friends who were kind enough to be up so early to keep me mentally distracted.

Why didn’t I just go home and call it a day? Ha, never.

Why didn’t I switch to the treadmill where it was warm? Hmm. Good question.

Anyway, I did a little food shopping Friday afternoon (Trader Joe’s and Target) to free up the weekend and avoid having to take my son with me since that always leads to extra money spent on items I would never buy.

Fruits and Vegetables:

• Butternut Squash
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Romaine Lettuce
• Kale
• Cucumber
• Avocado
• Frozen peppers and Brussels sprouts
• Apples – because I never have enough
• Fresh Berries – haven’t had fresh containers in the house for months!
• Pineapple- for a recipe coming this week!

Misc:

• Gardein Meatless Crumbles – Never bought this before
• Chia Seeds
• Tomato Paste
• Trader Joe’s brand Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt
• Nature’s Path Organic Dark Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

What I forgot (because I always forget something):

• Trader Joe’s Sweet Chili Sauce
• Coconut Oil Cooking Spray – always need an extra in the pantry

If you have never tried Trader Joe’s Sweet Chili Sauce, you just must remember it next time you shop there.

Took this picture before I ran out of the chili sauce.

In cause you were curious, these are staples in our house:

• Island Soyaki
• Sweet Chili Sauce
• Carolina Gold Barbeque Sauce
• Coconut Oil Cooking Spray
• Balsamic Vinaigrette – my son loves this dressing

Now, even though I didn’t schlep my son along with me to Trader Joe’s and Target, I did feel the need to locate a few new snacks for him. It’s really hard to figure out what to send him each day in his backpack with the nut-free rules and all.

I love Nature’s Path Organic products and I knew I couldn’t go wrong with a Dark Chocolate Chip Granola Bar.

May I just throw in here my Red Mango yogurt from Saturday – Red Mango serves Nature’s Path Organic Pumpkin Flax Granola in the toppings bar, in case you were wondering.

I also picked up a container of prepackaged apple slices mixed with grapes.

Of course I could have made my son a fresh fruit mix each day but in case you didn’t know, or in case you forgot what it was like to be a kid, children really like “packaged” snacks.

I don’t know if it is the marketing blasted at them or the fact that most processed and dare I say, junk snacks, come in individual bags – whatever the reason, I know my son prefers me to hand him something wrapped or packaged, even if it is a bag of apples and grapes.

I don’t need a packaged snack – all I need is an apple with a dab of peanut butter and I am a happy girl.

All is right in the world when my pantry is restocked with Mighty Maple again.

The other day I finished the last jar of Mighty Maple so I went without it until  I was able to locate a few jars yesterday. Even though I still had a good 14 jars of Crunch Time in my pantry, it just wasn’t the same.

I would say it’s human nature to just want what you can’t have but when it comes to Mighty Maple, I am pretty sure it’s a case of true love – nothing compares.

The only packaged snack at the moment on my list is the new Quest Cookies & Cream bars that just hit store shelves. All weekend I meant to get to the store to pick them up but of course, I forgot.

You know, people debate the whole are-Quest-Bars-really-clean-eating and question the ingredients even though Quest claims to be the cleanest protein bar on the market.

If you want my opinion, and that’s all this is, my opinion, if the majority of your diet is “clean”, does it really matter? I don’t eat very many Quest bars or any other packaged bar or snack but I do feel that just about anything you enjoy has a place in the diet.

After reading the below article, I have decided my theory will have to apply to the cherry on top of my Red Mango creations.

Five Additives You May Want To Avoid

I like my one cherry on top. It makes me happy. Don’t take my happiness away.

The internet can really make you insane, yes?

Have a great Monday!

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Three things on your grocery list from the weekend?

Favorite peanut butter?

Have you tried the new Quest Cookies & Cream bar? I heard it’s terrific!