Positive Press

a trip to whole foods

I was out gallivanting… or getting out of the house for a bit, for the mutual if individual sanity of both my wife and myself. I work from home, so the weekend represents opportunity, and if we aren’t doing something as a couple, I try to get out some on my own.

First, I headed to my branch of the San Jose Public Library, a great system, and I’ve enjoyed a number of theirs, and others. Locating a Lucky Day title I was mildly interested in, I picked it up, knowing I’d have to consume it in three weeks or return it early.

I don’t necessarily take three weeks to read a single book, but I’m usually reading at least a few books at once, so things take a while. After delighting in a chapter of one, I switch “channels” and go to something else. It is usually a pleasant device, and I get fiction, thrillers and memoir, or whatever genres are on my plate.

Next, I was ready for lunch but am trying on weekends to not eat before Noon. I headed to Recycle Bookstores’ main location, in San Jose, to see what surprises they might have for me.

I didn’t find anything I liked, but got to see the library cat, browse interesting sections, and expand my knowledge of their selection. The atmosphere at the main location is pleasant and undemanding, and the visit was agreeable.

Lastly, it was definitely time for lunch. When I am at the main location of Recycle Bookstore, I tend to stop by Whole Foods for their salad bar. I was jonesing for Panda Express, but get that more frequently, and something told me to vary my selection.

Parking at Whole Foods was OK, but unparking was bad. Next time I’ll place my vehicle further from the store entrance, hopefully resulting in a better, unparking scenario. That would be one not fraught with cars trying to run into me, and too many pedestrians to stay away from.

Inside was heavenly. I grabbed a large cardboard container, and filled it with all manner of vegetables (all ones good for my kidneys, like cabbage, onions and cauliflower), tortellini, dolmades, falafel, grapes, rice, baked chicken, quinoa and some casserole type action.

The outdoor tables invited, and I had books, but they were in the car, I needed the facilities and it was a little noisy, so I headed home, cleaned up and poured my cardboard box into a bowl that perfectly accommodated my repast.

Pairing it with my favorite Cheetos, I dug right in. It was all delicious, both the warm and the cold stuff. Usually veggies play second fiddle to chips in my luncheon selections, but here, the salad won out easily, outclassing the Frito-Lay treats.

I filled out a form to try and win a gift card from Whole Foods that I learned of from my sales receipt; if I succeed, I’ll probably be eating a lot more salad bar.

(mine was $12.99 LB)