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!
I always have peanut butter in the pantry and more and more, I have been having almond butter as well. I have tried some of the expensive brands, but if I see a BOGO, I will definitely buy that brand!
I totally get the whole time is money thing! my dad taught me long ago the value of time is just as important as the value of money – and if your hour is worth more than ______, is it worth it? (perspective is also a good thing here, as well as free time vs. work time, at least to me. :D taht said, I’ll do a return if I have one. ;) if nothing else, it gives me another chance to SHOP!
AH I’ve been meaning to make wraps with rice paper FOREVER and I keep forgetting. THANK YOU for reminding me, Averie! :)
I am a nut butter addict myself. I’ve heard many people raving about TJ’s sunflower butter and I am so jealous there aren’t any TJ in Florida! Send help :D
what? no tj’s in FL?
that’s crazy! and yes, their SFSButter rocks!
I hate JIF! I was a Skippy kid through and through! Thanks for the linkage. XO
I’m the queen of returning things…because I’m the queen of being disappointed by so many products-ugh!
I like any peanut butter too, don’t think I’ve ever tried one I didn’t love!
welcome back hon!! :)
I am terrible at returning things, but luckily I never have to return my peanut butter! I don’t know if I have a specific favorite, but I do know that I love our Kellogg’s FiberPlus(R) Chocolatey Peanut Butter bars. Yum!
I love nut butters! And your spring roll with peanut sauce is still one of my favorite recipes :-)
aww, thank you :)
So funny… I just got a bottle of that Olay toner at Target. They didn’t have my regular Neutrogena brand, so I opted for the Olay. Love it! Smells so good and makes my face tingle! Not planning on going back to Neutrogena.
I have been using that Olay for about 8 years ever since I refused to pay $30 bucks for some water + alcohol (essentially) from Lancome.
After trying lots of diff brands, the Olay is always the one I go back to b/c it doesnt have salicyclic acid, doesnt leave a weird feeling on my face, and is cheap!
I love that I can talk toner with you :)
I am legitimately jealous of your returning skills. I suck at it, really. It’s pathetic how things just go to waste in what should be labeled an “I’m too lazy to return this” cemetery.
And I may or may not have had a piece of toast with peanut butter and raspberry jam for dessert last night… :-)
I saw the Jif on sale at Target too! I actually ended up buying the Skuppy that was on sale and it’s for our puppy ^_^; I still got a jar of organic PB along with some almond butter in the fridge. But I love me my classic Jif and Skippy PB. As long as it doesn’t have HFCS I’m happy.
If I can return an item, I will do it. Even if it’s only for $5 I will return it because it’s $5 back in my pocket that can go for something else I really need (or want).
I saw the white chocolate pb at walmart the other day and nearly fell over. They need to start doing that with other nuts, so people that are allergic to peanuts (like me *tear*) can enjoy them too! It looks so fabulous.
how good would white choc sunflower seed butter be! or white choc cashew butter.
Use white choc not dark :)
https://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2011/04/chocolate-coconut-cashew-butter.html
I weigh the cost of driving back out to the store, the cost of the item, and how much of a hassle I think it’ll be to determine whether or not I’ll actually return something.
I actually used to LOVE Jif peanut butter. Now, I actually prefer the taste of the all-natural stuff. Just one ingredient, peanuts! But I also love sunflower seed butter and the dark chocolate dreams from peanut butter & co. So delish!
I had so many errands to run yesterday too! It was an on-the-go day!
For almond butter, my favorite brand is MaraNatha; for peanut butter it’s Trader Joe’s. Both are AMAZING!
Sounds like a very busy day, but great peanut butter recipes.
1. Working, ugh! And chores at home.
2. TJ’s almond or sunflower butter and I’ll occasionally buy the luxo, local nut butter blends.
3. Pretty good, I hate wasting money.
Gotta love peanut butter.
I don’t return things because I never get anything without spending TONS of time thinking it over making sure I won’t regret it. I have issues buying things.