Kitchen heroes

The truth is, I've always enjoyed going to the market. Many of my childhood memories include weekly (sometimes more) trips to Publix with my dad, riding around in the cart or pushing a miniature cart around before they all got stolen (thanks, Miami). I loved looking at all of the food and getting the free Kids Club cookie at the bakery counter. Something about Publix is so quintessentially Florida to me (much like the now defunct Burdines, R.I.P.) and leaving it behind when we moved to Texas made me a little bit sad. I eventually settled into Tom Thumb, eatZi's, and Central Market, but never forgot about my beloved Publix. When I decided to go to college in Florida, I was irrationally excited about the chance to shop there again. Mostly because I was living in New York by then, and in my opinion there are truly no grocery stores here that compare to those of the South.

But I still like going. And I've discovered some products there lately that I'm really enjoying and want to share with you all!

Ola No Nut Vanilla Granola. If you're like me and prefer your granola on the plain side and nut-free, look no further. I have searched high and low for a good, simple granola and I have fallen so in love with this that I now buy it two bags at a time. My favorite way to eat it is sprinkled atop a bowl of berries, bananas, and honey, but it's good enough to eat in handfuls, straight outta the bag. (I haven't seen this anywhere other than my local gourmet market, but I'm told that Whole Foods carries this brand.)

Alexia Spicy Sweet Potato Fries. I am not at all ashamed to say that I ate these two nights in a row this week. They're such a good sidekick to my beloved Applegate Farms Turkey Dogs. I love them with ketchup, and they require no additional seasoning (for my taste, at least). Plus, the nutrition stats aren't horrifying!

Ben & Jerry's Blueberry Vanilla Graham Greek Frozen Yogurt. Oh, how I have been waiting to wax poetic on you my little friend! I was unsure about this because I am far from Greek Yogurt's biggest fan, but this is so delicious I can't believe that it's not actual ice cream. There are three other flavors, but the only other one I really want to try - Strawberry Shortcake - is the one flavor my market doesn't carry. So for now, I'm sticking with this. At 200 calories for a quarter of the carton, this is an indulgence I never feel guilty about.



Tell me what you've loved at the market lately? Especially if your market is a Publix.