Growing up in Iowa, I always enjoyed going to our local Hy Vee grocery store. It wasn't grand in the scheme of our town, just a small town grocery store with small town people inside.My favorite part of going to the store was I got to ride on the bottom part of the take out carts pushed by the sackers.
These were huge double trayed carts that could easily hold 12 sacks of groceries.
I wish I could find a picture for you, but unfortunately they are as antiquated as I am..lol
My mother was a true house wife. She made all of our bread from scratch, made homemade spaghetti sauce, and ice cream, lemonade and cakes. I miss going to the store for our monthly stock ups of flour and sugar, canned tomatoes by the gallons. The grocery store had specials in the summer, like an entire loaf of bread sliced and filled with the most delicious ham imaginable, all for $1.50. There were at least 10 sandwiches in that bread bag. I would beg my mother to let us have a bag and go to the park and have a picnic, and often she would comply with my begging. I thought it was brilliant and it fed my mother and I for the entire week. The only accompaniment we needed was mustard and some chips!!
While we didn't get it very often, it sure was a treat for an 8 year old kid!
So today I have decided to make my favorite Hy Vee salad.
It is called Spring salad and it is my absolute favorite salad.
It is not E2L standard, nor is it overly healthy. But.... it is....comforting.
I do not have a picture of it, as I have not made it yet. But I will give you the recipe so you can make it if you like. I highly recommend it!
Spring salad
1 box large sea shell pasta, cooked al dente
1 large cucumber, washed and sliced thin
1 head of broccoli, chopped
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
Your favorite ranch dressing, I use a vegan ranch pkt with sour cream
Toss everything in a bowl, pour over ranch dressing and stir to combine. Let chill for about 3 hours. Serve with grilled boca's, lays potato chips and some crisp watermelon, and think about your childhood!
I have not been to a Hy Vee in years and I am sure it is not vegan, vegetarian or E2L friendly, but the thoughts and memories of shopping time with my mother there, lingers on.
And other news....
I have decided that I am going to reintroduce my regular vegan foods back into diet. While E2L is great for weight loss, and I have lost a total of 26 lbs. It is doing nothing for my disease and is playing wildly with my blood work and my pain levels. I have followed the plan to the letter, without cheating or substituting.
I am not ashamed for calling it quits, nor am I unhappy with the results of the plan. But, with my situation in life I am tired of giving up and not getting better. I want something good to eat and comforting, not plain unappetizing nourishment. I can hardly stand food anymore and I have no appetite for anything at all. I ate my favorite pasta the other day and it was bland and lifeless to me.
I know you all will support me. I have the greatest followers and friends here. I am still going to stick to healthy foods, but sometimes a girl needs a cookie....ya know!
I promise to blog more, now that I am not obsessing about food 24/7 and I will be excited to make you some great school time treats and fall meal plans soon!
Looking forward to talking with you more,
Vivacious!
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