My Monday To Do List was a mile long:
1. Went to Radio Shack to return a photo card reader that was a piece of crap. <–No other word for it. Proceeded to wait around for 20 minutes for a $17 dollar refund, and was seriously questioning if it was worth it because time is money.
2. Went to Michael’s craft store to return a cork board I had bought but that started eroding and leaving black cork particles over everything the minute I unwrapped it. <--Instantly catapulted it into the Return It category.
3. No returns at Target. Just a quick Benjamin$ spent. Poof. Target is a money pit but I did need to restock some essentials.
Here’s some of my stash
This Jif Natural Peanut Butter was on sale. I admit, I don’t buy “natural” peanut butter as a matter of course. I buy whatever is cheap. Or in this case, I noticed the Low Sodium notation on the jar. Sold.
Given that I am not a fan of salty things, it was a good snag for me.
In the past, I’ve used Jif Naturals, Skippy Naturals, high end “designer” nut butters, TJ’s nut butters, you name it, I’ve tried it.
My two fave nut butters: TJ’s Sunflower Seed Butter
And Peanut Butter. In any form and all brands. Some brands are better than others, but I’ll eat just about any brand.
And yes, I will even eat the non natural kind that’s filled with refined sugars and additives. And I admit that I like it.
I used to adore Triscuits + Reduced Fat Jif Peanut Butter + lots of cocktails with maraschino cherries in my early 20s and made many “dinners” of of that combo. And I cherish those memories. Those were fun days and “dinners”.
Jif Reduced Fat peanut butter will always be a lifelong fave because of those memories!
4. After Target, it was time to get a lovely run outside in. 75F, sunny, no wind, no bugs. Loved it.
I stopped and smelled a few roses and took my time and savored the beautiful day. (Not really, but I did see these pretty roses)
After my run, I went into the garage for 15 minutes of at-home yoga, i.e. garage yoga, stretching, and core work.
5. I also changed the sheets on my bed. It was sheet day. Hate the process, love the final result. I sleep much better on clean sheets.
6. And after that peanut butter talk, all I can think of are peanut butter recipes. <–I have an entire post dedicated to them.
Everything from Peanut Sauce Baked Tofu
to
to
Raw Vegan Spring Rolls with 2-minute Peanut Sauce
to No Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars (vegan, GF)
So if you’re a peanut butter fan, here’s my stash of peanut butter recipes
Thank you for the wonderful comments on my last post, Blogging 105. I am so glad that it resonated with so many of you. Just how much to share, how much of yourself to reveal, and what to do about people who unintentionally find out about your blog are topics that seemed near and dear to everyone’s heart and I loved reading your comments on thoughts on how you handle these matters.
And I’m glad the whole five-part Blogging Series was helpful. Thanks to all the (new) bloggers and (new) readers who chimed in to tell me it helped you. I had fun writing the series and organizing my thoughts on it all.
Questions:
1. What did you check off your list on Monday?
2. Do you have a favorite nut butter? Brand, type, kind?
I know this question is asked repeatedly in the ‘sphere and Janetha just asked it, but I always love hearing the answers. I may hear about something new and amazing!
And anyone want to admit to liking the cheap stuff right along with me?
3. How good are you about returning items?
I admit, that for $11 bucks, I almost didn’t complete my Micheal’s return.
And for $17, I was borderline with Radio Shack.
But that was $28 bucks I then took to Target, so was glad I did made those returns.
If you’re interested in saving money, also check out Target Coupons and Radio Shack Coupons at MyCoupons.com.
I used to let my returns just get lost in the shuffle, let the item collect dust, or give it away, but I am much more conscious and conscientious now, and actually make the return. If time is money, then all those “little” items are money, too. And they add up so it’s better than I return things if they’re not going to work out rather than just wasting my own money.
And I really try to avoid even buying things that I am on the fence about, in order to avoid even dealing with returns, but sometimes you get an unexpected dud and it just has to go back.
Enjoy your day!
Peanut butter is love! I buy Jif and Arrowhead Mills. I used to go for the crunchy kind (hence, Arrowhead Mills), but I recently discovered the joys of going creamy (so Jif)! Love love love! I have yet to try sunflower seed. I plan to get cashew butter this weekend to try making “cheesy” veg food!
don’t buy cashew butter!!! It’s the EASIEST nut butter of all to make. Soak and blend and in 2 mins you’re done.
see this for chocolate coconut cashew butter ( modify to your liking)
https://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2011/04/chocolate-coconut-cashew-butter.html
it’s soooo easy to make at home. don’t buy it. of ALL The nut butters out there, it’s the easiest one b/c cashews are so soft and easy to work with.
Thanks for this! Good thing I was able to see your reply as I plan to go to the health food store bright and early tomorrow morning.
Speaking of going to the store, I was thinking of buying nutritional yeast for the first time tomorrow when I replenish my stock of flaxseeds. Is nutritional yeast a pantry staple or just one of those healthy stuff that are good to have?
Thanks!
https://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2010/03/nutritional-yeast-nooch-info-10-recipes.html
i love it and cant imagine life without it
My sister is the return queen. I really hate to have to return things. I’ve I question the purchase at all, I typically won’t buy it b/c I don’t want to return it. Now, if it’s falling to pieces immediately or defective, totally returning it. I used to LOVE triscuits with PB – triscuits also go well with peanut M&Ms’ LOL.
back in that era, peanut M & M’s were also a daily staple! lol
I get such satisfaction from returning things, I love it! Although the wait to do so sometimes is ridiculous!
i’m horrible with returning things I always procrastinate and then forget about them!!
I am actually pretty good about returning things. Last week I bought a natural sweetener to try out that I thought was on sale. Once I was home I realized I had paid much more than I thought, so instead of opening it I saved it for my next trip to the store and returned it. It wasn’t that much money but I don’t need a sweetener that was probably going to collect dust after one use anyways.
My favorite peanut butter is teddy’s unsalted chunky or creamy! It’s usually just about the same price as the sugary ones, but I prefer the taste much more.
I have heard great things about Teddy’s before. I need to try it.
I am a horrible shopper, so I return most things. Especially clothes. I love Jiff Natural and Skippy Natural too. I will even buy the store brand natural. I’m cheap though, so I don’t typically buy expensive nut butters.
Target is SUCH a money pit!!! People I know coast to coast say the same thing: go in for 2 things, come out $200. later. I just don’t get why that happens!
My favorite nut butter is Trader Joe’s Raw Unsalted Almond Butter! I’ve been wanting to try the sunflower seed butter. I know I will probably have Ella eating that once she starts eating food since we will have to avoid the nuts for a long while at first.
Skylar would rather have fruit or veggies over nut or seed butter. Always has. Feeding kids and their choices is never a dull moment!
I love your photos! Especially the ones of the pretty roses. So lovely! And the weather sounds gorgeous. I’m more than a little jealous!
Nut butter is one of the things that I am adamant about only eating all natural varieties. I have no idea why, but I get certain things stuck in my head and don’t really like to eat them when they aren’t organic/all natural. Nut butter is one, maple syrup another, fish, and eggs also. Such weird quirks I have, because I will chow down on a bag of neon-orange pure chemical cheetos or eat veggies I know aren’t organic. Isn’t it odd the things that get into our heads?
And oh how I wish I had your dedication. I always say I will return things, but we are so scatterbrained and disorganized we almost never do. Ugh!
UGH. I am awful about returning things. I think if I lived closer I’d be better about it, but by the time I drove back out to the shopping center and dealt with the traffic and crowds and drove back, I’d just be in a bad mood because half my day would be gone. And so, I have brand new, with tags clothing hanging in my closet as we speak because I am a terrible clothing shopper. Grumble…
Ahhh, but PB!! I used to practically have a life goal of trying every flavored kind out there. Now? I go for the $1.99 ($1.49 w/ coupon!) “natural” store-brand kind. I used to only like the sweetened kinds. Now I dislike (most) sweetened kinds and prefer it with just salt & peanuts!
It takes me a while to get around to “returning” items, speaking of which I need to return my Pumas because, fail, they ripped after a mere month! Erg.
My list yesterday interrupted by a nasty phone call. I got everything done, but with a heavy heart after that call. I almost didn’t want to finish my responsibilities but I did. I couldn’t let someone’s immaturity slow me down!
PB? Uh, don’t eat it all that often. But when I do, I love it.
I have that Degree deodorant with the free body spray! :) The spray actually smells really good!
I’m not good at returning things usually unless I’ve spent a lot of money on them. I honestly don’t even think about it most of the time.
Ive had the body spray too…I like it!
The only thing on Monday’s to-do list was go on a run, do laundry, and go out to dinner with my mom and sister. Check, check, and check! :)
My favorite nut butter used to be pb&co.’s white chocolate wonderful but I was just sent their 6 jar package as a gift and I am now in love with the cinnamon raisin swirl!
Wooo girl what a great day!! Perfect weather for your run. SUNFLOWER SEED BUTTER IS CRACK
Ugh– I HATE returns. But I do lovvvvve Target :-)
I love Futters, Trader Joe’s, and Peanut Butter & Co. nut butters the best :)
I’m really bad about returning things, but luckily I very rarely buy anything that I would want to return any way because I don’t buy a lot of things apart from the essentials and extra food things that I can’t return if I don’t like them.
I do have a favourite brand of peanut butter, but it’s more expensive so if I don’t have as much money that week/month I’ll buy a cheaper one. But I do think it’s worth spending the extra money if I have it, because I enjoy that brand so much more.