The shopping cart and I went off the rails this morning when I rounded the corner and found the Jell-O Lemon Meringue snack. I wondered if a mass-produced gelatin product would taste like the real thing. Would I save myself the “mistake” of going through the trouble of making a lemon meringue pie, just to have everyone I know tell me, “you know you can just buy it in little cups in the store?” I had to find out.
So, I picked up a pack, brought the groceries in—and helped Nate clean up all the spilled milk in the back of the car because apparently, my driving is so bad that groceries hurl themselves at the window to get out. Then, I rewarded myself with one of the pudding cups.
Thoughts and impressions:
–Very lemony.
–The meringue does kind of taste like a real meringue, but there’s not a lot of it.
–I miss the crunch of a pie crust.
Overall, I enjoyed it, but not as much as the real thing. As a pudding snack, though, it’s kind of refreshing. I might scoop it up with a gingersnap to get that crunch in there, next time.
So that brings me to “next-time serving suggestions:”
–Dump all the pudding cups into a pre-baked pie crust. Top with whipped cream. Tell my family I made everything myself. Get compliments.
–Dump all the pudding cups into a pre-baked pie crust. Top with whipped cream. Top with a crash helmet. Strap the whole thing down in the car as I drive recklessly to work. Tell everyone I made it myself. Get compliments at work, but also Teams messages such as the following: Who parked their dumb*$$ car like this? (And there would be a picture of my car parked sideways across two spaces.)
–Repeat steps one or two, then really show off by serving each slice on a custom-made plate fashioned from the grocery lists from which I’ve deviated.
Your Turn: Do you make a grocery list when you go shopping? Do you ever deviate from it?
Fixin' Leaks and Leeks 
I try to give myself permission to deviate from the list on one unnecessary item, within reason. Helps reduce guilt and reminds me perfection is overrated. 😀
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Ah! Great advice–love it!
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There was a time when I liked to take those little pudding cups to work for my lunch. I haven’t had one in years. Nor have I gone grocery shopping in years! (Hubby took that over when Covid first hit.)
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I used to pack them as well. Chocolate was my favorite.
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Great essay. A powerful movie about a disabled person is Coming Home. Jane Fonda and John Voight star in it. It came out in 1978.
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Most of the fun in shopping comes from making lists. I am a very list-happy person, but often deviate from or just add to whatever we need. The only definite rule we follow is not to go shopping on an empty stomach!
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I do love a good list as well! Cheers!
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My husband does most of the shopping nowadays but we both make lists, and both deviate from them but if I put something specific on the list for him, he does not deviate (make substitutions) unless calling me first. (lessons learned.)
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Excellent! Yes, Nate adds to my list as I’m making it–and he looks through the cupboards and refrigerator to tell me about items we already have.
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M and I kind of have a system. We usually put required items on a list and then add what we “feel like” that week, which isn’t the best thing to do! We don’t usually buy processed items although ice cream can be a serious weakness.
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Ice cream is always on the list 🙂
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I always have a list, and I always deviate because my eyes wander and see things I have forgotten or succumb to temptation.
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When I’m the one shopping, I rarely deviate, but when I’m with someone else at the store, a lot of extra things go into that cart 🙂
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Hi. I apologize for my earlier comments. They were meant to go on another person’s blog. I wasn’t paying attention! As for Jello products: you’ve reminded me that my mother made them frequently when I was growing up. I always liked them, but haven’t had any in a long time. Back then there was a competing brand called Royal. I wonder if Royal is still around. Take care. Neil
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No worries! There were some great movie recommendations there 🙂 My mom used to make finger Jell-O–with extra gelatin for protein. It was a really good snack.
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Of course I go shopping with a list, it’s the first rule not to waste food 😉 But it happens to deviate, specially with something delicious like the dessert you choose
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Yes–a list really helps keep things on track 🙂
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I always make a list, but there’s always space for that one treat – especially if it’s something I don’t always find! I guess we all deserve a reasonable reward for going grocery shopping, don’t we? Especially if it’s a big shopping trip to a full store! 🙂
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There’s always room for Jell-O 🙂
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I make a grocery list mainly. When there’s an abundance of fruits and veggies at the farmers market I buy what looks good, unless someone specifically tells me they want X…when I hit a market I rarely buy things not on the list. However I admit I do a small shop about five days a week
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It would definitely be hard to stick to a list at a farmers’ market 🙂 So many great options.
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I consciously think about who’s home for dinner. I hate wasted food
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I think the pie crust is a must!
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I agree!
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Thoroughly enjoyed reading your article! Thanks for sharing this amusing grocery store escapade! 😄
And to answer your question – I don’t make a written shopping list. The logic is that if I really need it I must remember without making a list. 😁
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Ah–that’s a good strategy. In my case, I’d probably save some money that way. Sometimes the list gets overzealous.
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The Art of Personal Shopping: Finding Your Signature Style
https://noseypepper.com/fashions/the-art-of-personal-shopping-finding-your-signature-style/
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