misslucktser's Profile

holy, OMG, YES

Who needs sex when you have Bacon AND Chocolate AND Caramel and and and... jesus!

I don't feel like this is a PRO-WHOLEFOODS post. WF is just the most well known face of the gourmet natural/organic market industry. Like Starbucks for coffee, right? So, I don't necessarily think AT and TheKitchn are coming into this with the angle of promoting Whole Foods as the only choice.

Now, with regards to the article itself. I HAVE made the choice between bills and healthful food before. Food wins. Has my credit been affected during the recession because of this? Definetly yes. Happily, my health hasn't. I shop the sales at Whole Foods, I choose organic on the most important things, I shop farmers markets as often as possible (which can be more expensive than you think), and feed my dog a diet that is also extremely healthy. If my health suffers the rest of my life does. If my finances suffer, atleast I have my health.

I bought in an "up and coming neighborhood" several years ago. I had a good job and found a good deal, then I was laid off. The recession has proved to kick my own ass and that of many of my friends. I no longer collect unemployment, I am, by all charts and economic graphs, in the population segment that can only be described as living in poverty. Most of my new neighborhood has been living like this for years. A largely immigrant and illegal alien community, the stores are stocked with cheap HFCS/wheat/corn laden treats/foods. I have stopped shopping at my local grocery store because things are constantly out of date or spoiled. There is no emphasis on health when the fresh/unprocessed section is less than 10% of the geograpy of the store. Is there an obesity issue here? Yes. If the foods aren't available, they won't buy it. Interesting side note, I often pay more for healthy versions of things at the "regular grocery store" than I do at Whole Foods.

As far as it only being hipsters or yuppies shopping at WF, spend a weekend day there, or a week night. The staff and customers are some of the most diverse I have scene. The reason many people choose WF is simple... accessability. I can go to WF and get everything I need, paying more for some things and far less for others. I can know that the staff cares about the quality, and the products are not out of date, the produce not rotten, and I can also know that the staff has been educated to deal with food sensitivities. As someone with a food intolerance, Whole Foods makes sense as a reliable source for the things I need. Otherwise I need to shop at 5 stores, spending more time and ultimatley more money in the long run getting too and from these places.

I know that I have rambled a bit... I guess I just get really annoyed with being called prententious, a yuppy or a hipster , all with unattractive insulting tones, because I choose to know the animals I am eating were well cared for, the packaged goods free of allergens that affect me negatively, the staff treated well, & the items being sold fresh and in stock. I was an obese youngster, my parents and siblings are still well within the obese realms. I make less money than them, and they make very little, but our choices vary widely. I am now far more slender than I was growing up.

So, is this a socio-economic issue? Weight? Yes. When you have documented proof that grocery stores in outlying, lower income neighborhoods raise the prices on stables such as fresh produce, milk, cheese and eggs, because their consumers can not make a choice such as someone with higher income or resources, living in a neighborhood with many more options. However, it is a falisy to think that healthy must mean more expenxive. I stated briefly above, there are many things at my local store that are far pricier than the local WF. The key is to shop sales and shop wisely.

I love Ella Vickers' line!!! I decided to carry them in my store because they are so awesome. What a lot of people don't realize is that they actually come in three sizes. They aren't advertised on her site that way however they are listed on mine that way. I also carry a really cool duffel shaped pet carrier from her! I love the crispness of the white sail cloth. It looks great and is easy to maintain.

Now, while I like the looks and as much as I wanted my dog to love and use one of these in the house she chose differently. I had just finished a big show and brought all the product back in to my condo... stacking boxes and beds where ever I could find room. After I get out of the shower I see that my boxer has pulled ALL of the different beds off the bench where I had them stacked and has apparently performed a bit of her own goldilocks and the three bears.... she passed over Bella Creature Comforts, West Paw and Ella Vickers...settling into a Big Shrimpy. Thankfully it's a floor model and not actually for sale.

Oy Vey! So, YES in fact there were chickens. Once that I personally experienced... like 10 years ago. Back when the buses weren't buses but weird vans and no one knew about them except for some musicians, artists and the obvious residents. They terrified my ex as they were often beyond capacity and sometimes you'd be forced to stand. I never minded them.... like an extension of the subway at rush hour but much more interesting. The live chickens would come from the poultry shop. It wasn't racist.... it was just reality. You do your shopping and take it back home on the bus. It is what it is.

civita- I know you said no pseudo subs but what about a nut milk? the almond or hazelnut would give anice flavor with the root vegetable. Just a suggestion.

Also, being a recently diagnosed Gluten-sensitive individual last year I was forced to make the entire meal in order to ensure safety. Now, I am a foodie so .... it WAS a 5 course with sides gourmet extravaganza. I have no dairy issues so dairy and butter and fat and meat were all included BUT no gluten. If anyone needs the recipes/menu.... let me know. I started cooking the night before and served dinner for 7 at 4 pm.... nothing was premade and the turkey was brined overnight. Very easy but elegant meal. Let me know!

There are commercially available acoustic tiles for ones ceiling that have paw prints though. Not nearly as sensuous and organic looking as these floor tiles but very cool none the less. They used them at the Washington animal shelter reno and an old arch. firm I worked for used them in a children's area at a neighborhood clinic

Doppel,

I was macro for a few years.... until I caved to the temptations of a s.o. who would come into my bed at 3 am smelling of Big Mac. NYC is a very macro friendly place to live...Boston is not. Surprising since the us macro movement was based in Boston at one point. I wasn't a hippie either actually.... a former goth turned indie not quite willing to put the work needed to be hipster chick living in the w'burg. Now..... mmmm Duck tastes good.... but damned if I didn't develop a gluten intolerance. I guess karmically I traded the Duck for the grains.

I love Vancouver.... very green friendly! An architecture firm I used to work for did an amazing project out there that I considered investing in.

Oh and to those who don't like the room.... I think its sweet but only teetering on quirky. It needs to be pushed fully over the ledge. It has great potential

um.... I sooooo love this.

If only they had something like this at the annoying cafe's and coffee houses that INSIST on adding milk and sugar for you!!!

I wish I could point to a pantone strip and say Yo... I want mocha #68 or whatever the corresponding shade would be. This would be easier than... "a little more...a little more....keep go... WHOA! Enough....ah crap...wait let me drink a sip and you can add some more coffee"

V in Boston-

Oh my god! I had a similar thing happen all over my friend's kitchen. My famous beet soup is now also infamous. When they sold their home a few months ago you could still find flecks of pink in odd places if you looked for them.

So, are beets a big Boston thing?

Michele in East Boston