The beauty of Clearance Foods

Yes it is possible...

Eat Well, Spend Less!

More often than not you can go to your local grocery store in the UK and find there designated clearance areas with amazing finds!

The first time I saw this, I couldn't believe my eyes! A bag of lettuce reduced from £1 to a mere 1op?! This is insanity! Brilliant insanity! Yes, sometimes you have to fight your way through. There is always that one lady that knows exactly what time things are coming out and exactly what she wants and nothing, not even I or my Turkey at over 6ft tall will stop her from getting it. The feeling is intense at times.

A large part of me feels completely embarrassed of the fact that I'm fighting for my food. Only a little over a year ago, I was buying organic produce in Whole Foods, West Vancouver. And now, look at me, I push, I shove and I am quick, all to get the coveted 10p lettuce which is still very much fresh and perfect for dinner. The other lesser part, the one that doesn't care what anyone thinks, at some point in the process of fighting for that amazing piece of 30p Salmon (reduced from well over £6!) completely takes over the whole of me. Then I become this pre-historic creature fighting for food and survival. "I will not let my final food bill reach £15" is all that fits into my head. And I don't.

My Turkey and I have a fabulous partnership, we divide and conquer. He goes to the bread section. I go to the fridge section. He is a vegetarian, so there is no point for him to go through the fridge bits. He will look at a deliciously fresh and meaty piece of chicken breast and will actually not see it. He once got me some pork pies. Now.. the thing about pork pies... that will probably go on a whole new other posting! No comment for now I suppose. So, he goes for the bready stuff. Bagels, loafs, buns, potato pancakes, croissants, pita... you name it, we have purchased it on clearance.

To be honest, half of the time I would've never bought these things, but the price is amazing and then... the best thing happens. When you reach a certain age, you are in a groove that you like. You feel comfortable in it. You understand it. You control it. This very much extends to food. You start buying things that you know how to cook, how to use, what they taste like, what to expect. Outside of home, at a restaurant it's easy getting out of that groove, after all, you are not the one cooking it, dealing with the smells and cleaning it! But at home, it's a whole other story most of the time. Sometimes we may try a little harder, but the vast majority of us see themselves repeating recipes that we know work, are good, easy and very quick to clean (specially after a long and stressful day at work). Clearance items then provide a forceful escape of your every day home food comfort zone.

Lessons to be learned? Don't be afraid to get something that is very unusual to your normal buy. Push yourself, and don't hold back. It's only food! It's bound to be just fine anyway. Also, it is a bit embarrassing fighting your way to reach for that glorious pack of superbly cheap white seedless grapes, it's easier said than done, but swallow your pride and reach in. Then... with the money saved, walk into a marvellously beautiful shoe shop and go nuts! At least that's the plan for me when the business starts settling.

Best buy yet? Sun Cream! 50spf, spray, great brand. £13 down to just £3.

Rant, Rant, Rant

Our wedding... the event of the year! Okay, it wasn't really the best party ever, or the ultimate best thing anyone has ever seen in their lives. But, to me it was perfect. Everything about it was magical and beautiful, and at the end of the day, well, it's only my opinion that matters that sticks around as memories! (My Turkey's opinion too, by the way.... but that's it)

Which then makes me wonder. Why did I get so upset when I started finding out pretty much nobody was going to come?

In retrospect, I had huge expectations. I assumed that because I made the effort to go to peoples weddings they definitely would make the effort too. And by making the effort I mean time and money I did not have was spent on them and I ended up with lots of work and credit card bills.

But... that didn't happen. Only 7 bothered. The rest, I may be wrong as one can never be sure of anything except of oneself, but I don't think they even tried.

At the end of it all, to me, it wasn't about who was there, but who actually really wanted to and did everything they could to do so. It would be so stupid to think that everybody would drop everything and flock half way around the World just for me, for us. But those that did really and honestly without any b.s. tried, to me, it's as if they had been there.

But the other ones... the ones that used the excuse of "I don't have money" well.. that's just not true is it?

Day in and day out money is spent on crap. I see it all the time, and just like everybody I'm guilty as charged. The only difference I guess is that I know that's the case!

Man up! Say "I could come to your wedding but I would much rather spend the money on me. I'm sorry, I love you and all but I love myself more."

Fair enough!

It's a harsh truth... but you live and learn.

And all I can say is thank you. Thank you very much for making me see that I should never try hard enough to make you happy, that I should only try hard enough to make me happy.

It's so selfish, and it sounds so horrible to spell it out just like that... but that's exactly what it is. I'm just writing it.

So there... this could go on and on and on. But that's my rant.

It's off my chest and I can happily say that I have moved on.

I can say that having the wedding in SA was the best thing ever. The Turkey and I were so incredibly happy with our 7 guests! And as more and more days go by... I realize that the best thing about that day was marrying my Turk. But that's it. So I'm glad we made the choice of going with our gut.:)

Note to self: always go with your gut. So far it hasn't let you down :)

Back from food filled honeymoon!

And... that's it. Back to reality. No more four course meals. No more freshly baked Italian style, actually maybe more New York Italian style pizzas. No more first dessert, second dessert and yes sometimes even third and fourth...

It was a brilliant idea. Although I like a bit more adventure, going on a cruise means three very very important things will happen:

1) You will have very little internet or phone access, yes... FREEDOM!

2) You will be treated like a silly tourist, a bit of an annoyance at times, but this means you can put on a sticker, follow your group and forget about being responsible for absolutely anything!

3) You will eat more than you ever should... and depending on the cruise line, the food quality is surprisingly very high, which means, you will have no reason to say no!

So... before further ado, thank you to all of those that really and truly helped! Even the little gifts counted, South America is surprisingly expensive and ice lollies were absolutely essential throughout the trip!

If you were a bit too cheap... well, lets just say I know. Actually that's not true, let's just say I didn't know but I do now. I comes first in the alphabet. Not U. I finally get it! It took me nearly 30 years, but I get it. I I I I I I I. Duly noted.

I'll do a little rant on this on the following post... I don't want to distract from the fact that I am really and truly grateful for all the love and help towards our honeymoon! I had a wonderful time and I finally feel.... relaxed!