Vegan Day 4 & 5: Heaven is a Super Target

I have a major announcement: I'm pretty sure I located heaven on earth today, and it was in the grocery section of a Super Target. Have you guys ever BEEN to a Super Target?!? I hate to sound so blatantly consumerist, but damn. That is some good stuff. Unfortunately, there isn't one anywhere near my house. I just happened to be about 20 miles outside of Nashville meeting up with an old high school friend who was passing through the area (hi, Teri!) and we met at a Starbucks near a Super Target, so I decided to go inside and pick up a few things I needed. Best decision ever! They have so much stuff! And it's cheap! For real, I can't get over how awesome it was! Somebody stop me from using exclamation points, because I am out of control!

For all of my insane joy over the grocery section, I actually didn't purchase all that much. I did, however, buy two different kind of nut butter. Have I confessed my little nut butter "problem" here before? Behold the ridiculousness:

Yep. I live alone. Problem! (The one hiding in the back is Kroger brand creamy peanut butter. It is the most shameful one. Also, I don't really eat the MaraNatha one because I think it is gross.)

The new additions to my collection were the Dark Chocolate Dreams PB (only $3.69!!!) and the packet of Justin's Maple Almond Butter. I had to limit myself to two kinds at Target, but they had soooo many other delicious sounding options. Did you know Archer Farms has flavored peanut butter, like cinnamon? They do. I wanted it. But I abstained. A girl can only eat so much nut butter at a time.

Now that I've got that embarrassing little confession out of the way, let's move on to my eats of the last two days, shall we? First up is Sunday. One weird thing about trying to follow a vegan diet is craving (and purchasing) things I would never normally gravitate towards. Like these waffles.

I wanted something different for breakfast and I'd seen these on many a blog before, so I decided to give them a shot.

I topped them with some berries and maple syrup. They were good, for freezer waffles, but I won't be buying them again. Stupid vegan diet making me buy unnecessary processed foods.

Later, I was out and about and realized I hadn't eaten anything but waffles all day. I pulled into a Panera, hoping I could find something both healthy and vegan. I think I succeeded? (There were a few ingredients in the salad dressing and bread I didn't recognize, but they didn't set off any warning bells.)

This is a Greek salad without feta and a baguette on the side. (Sorry for the cell phone pic again. I seem to have difficulty remembering to bring my camera.) This is the first time I've had their Greek salad without the feta, and honestly I really liked it! I think the one major thing I am taking away from this challenge so far is how unnecessary cheese has become in my diet. Since rolling it way back due to my lactose intolerance, I don't seem to need or crave it as much as I used to.

Later, I saw Eclipse and ate a vegan cookie from Whole Foods. The cookie was far better than the movie. (I did kind of enjoy the flashback sequences, even though they seemed to come from a completely different movie. Hmm. Maybe that's why I liked them.)

Today, I ate my standard banana/Barney Butter/granola bowl for breakfast, had a venti iced coffee with soy and vanilla from Starbucks while chatting with my friend, and then had the EXACT same meal from Panera (with the addition of a fruit cup) while out doing some shopping. I seem to find myself out and about during mealtimes frequently. I need to work on that, my wallet will thank me.

Now, I am tired and need to eat dinner. I am feeling lazy, so I'm thinking some nut butter on toast will do the trick. I do have a few jars to finish up, after all.

Comments

[Robyn @ Frugal 'n' Fit!]

I am in complete agreement: Heaven IS Super Target! Would you believe that we don't have Target (Super or non) in Canada?! I know, a complete travesty. This is why I make many 2.5 hour trips to Buffalo in order to stock up on the goodies.

I covet your nut butter collection!

[Sarah]

We do a lot of our groceries at Super Target...I love the selection!! I usually hit up Super Target and then Whole Foods (and Costco if it's a mega-shop) on Saturday mornings and love that they have a Starbucks!

[Kristina]

I LOVE Target. All Target. (we call it Tarjay Le Boutique).
and my nut butter obsession is close to yours... I laughed at your photo, then AHEM looked at mine. Almost the same.

Barney is my favorite, and I LOOOOOVE that Mighty Maple.

NOM !

I am loving your vegan posts, as I *ONCE AGAIN* just went vegan. We'll see how long until it's called "Vegan Excluding Goat Cheese". They don't harm goats for that wonderful cheese...

:)

[Autumn @ Good Eats Girl]

Target in any of it's forms is one of my favorite stores! They are wonderful and I can spend oodles of money and time in them!

[Ashley @ thehungryscholar]

You are a vegan demon, look at you go!

My next college has Super Target, this one didn't. I'm glad to return to society.

[Jess- The Semi Abnormal Gal]

Your nut butter collection looks a lot like mine! I am obsessed with the PB & Co brand. WCW is my crack! Super Target rocks my socks off! Sadly the closest one to me is about 2 hours away, but it's right by my college roomie's house, so I stock up when I visit!

[Phouse1964]

I love those little packets of almond butter!

Hey, could you use almond butter in the crisp topping? (think how yummy that could be!)

[Carrie]

Thank you everyone for supporting my nut butter addiction.

Phouse, that is an interesting idea! I might have to try that next time.