Secrets & Surprises

Secret: All I’ve wanted to eat lately has been this Straus Family Creamery Organic Nonfat Maple Yogurt.Surprise! It tastes really good mixed with peanut flour…

…and blueberries?

Secret: Despite my great love, I only buy this yogurt when it’s on clearance. (Two for $1 each!)However, there’s probably no surprise that I’m figuring out a way to make it myself.Secret: The photo above was taken following the one shown below.
Surprise! I actually lifted the berries out and licked off the yogurt to make for a better photo.

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Speaking of yogurt…

Surprise! Maria sent me coupons for FREE Voskos (up to $2.50).
Secret: I waited until they were on sale at Sprouts for $2.50 apiece, so that I could get the biggest amount of yogurt for free. [And while I love the non-fat, we all know I prefer my 2% Greek yogurt...come on Voskos....make it already!!!]Are you really surprised that I will go back on Wednesday, the day the sale changes, to stock up on more? [Or that I keep looking at the photo above and thinking, "The Leaning Tower of Voskos!"]

Secret: I have a hard time going to the movie theater without bringing snacks.Surprise! Yes, that’s hummus.
Secret: I love this World Market purse, not only because it’s cute, but because the side pocket has no bottom, and you can hide things in between the lining.
Surprise! This time, I also had a Diet Coke and a small popcorn (because who doesn’t love movie theater popcorn????)Secret: I did smuggle the empty containers out just so I could take a picture when I got home.
Surprise! The popcorn and Diet Coke were free. (Well, sort of.)

The secret here is that I bought a Groupon for 10 movies, 10 drinks, and 10 small popcorns for The Paramount‘s Summer Classic Film Series.

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Surprise! I love old movies. And YOU might be surprised at how well some of them stand the test of time. [And fine, Cactus Flower wasn't actually part of the series, but it is HILARIOUS...y'all need to watch it. It's much funnier than the Adam Sandler/Jennifer Aniston modern take, Just Go With It.]

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Secret: I really don’t mind going to the movies alone.
Surprise! Sometimes a solo Sunday matinee is just the way to recharge for the week.

Secret: Sometimes all I want at the end of the day is a Diet Coke.Surprise! I’ll even drink Diet Pepsi if that’s all I can find hidden in the back of the cupboard.

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Surprise! I packed a lunch for today.Why? Because I’ve been keeping a secret. [And no, it's not that I pick my nose, despite what the photo below might indicate to the contrary.] Surprise! After being laid off from teaching…I got a new job! Yep, y’all…I am officially a “Foodie In Training.” Did you know that there really was a job title of “Foodie”? And that I managed to procure it?
If you live in Texas, you know about Central Market. You know that it is a high-end grocery store where shopping is an experience of the kind where around every corner you see something new and exciting in the way of food-dom that you’ve never seen before, or that you didn’t know existed. The produce section provides the kind of peace—even on a busy weekend—that only beautiful, robust, colorful, fresh vegetables and fruit can (to the type of people who find solace in staring at produce, that is). You know it’s the type of store that stocks 15 different kinds of store-made sausage, 12 types of specialized salts, and so many different types of cheese that someone with a lactose intolerance might start to feel uncomfortable.

It’s been called “a Disney World for foodies.” And now, I’m on my way to becoming one.
I am working towards “earning my stripes,” which is the green-and-white striped apron of all Central Market Foodies, who (to quote from CM’s own website) “love food, and they dedicate themselves to tasting it, learning about it and sharing their knowledge with you (or anyone else who asks, for that matter).”
I’m still figuring it all out, and it’s a whole new world* from teaching. I know I have a LOT of training to do to become a ‘store expert.’ I’ll share snippets when and if I can, but what it boils down to is I get to spend all day talking to people about food. The store’s motto is “Celebrate Food. Celebrate Life.” and as cliche as it sounds, I truly feel like the vast majority of employees do feel that way and are happy to be at work.

*I always wanted to hang out on a flying carpet with Aladdin, though.

[Oh, and did I mention that my commute has gone from 40 minutes in the morning and an hour and a half at night to TEN MINUTES both ways? Hello, improved quality of life! What am I going to DO with all this time?]