Wednesday, April 14, 2021

B Is For Bananas (And My Belligerence About Produce In General)


A
great deal of advice exists about Food Shopping. Don't go to the grocery store hungry! Shop the perimeter of the store! Stock up on great deals on meat and nonperishables! Honestly, I ignore all that. I find that I have my own Internal Rules about Food Shopping, and most of them can be distilled to these two:

1. I'm not paying that; they're crazy.

2. I will buy this no matter what it costs.

Produce falls into the #1 category constantly. I am weekly dismayed at the price of some items of produce, and will happily (but begrudgingly) do without until Those People come to their senses. If They think I am okay paying $1.50 for a single English cucumber, They are insane. That is Madness. Likewise, my threshhold for a bunch of broccoli is $2.50, but it had better be some damn goodlooking broccoli. And do not get me started about mushrooms or avocados. I'll need medication.

Pretty much every week, I snap a photo of the sign overhanging the tableau of Bananas and send it to my friend Leanne in southern Maryland, who never looks at prices and simply buys whatever she wants from Peapod, the online grocery service. Or sends her saintly husband Jim to the store for this and that. They buy Bananas weekly, and I often fuss via text message about how the price continues to go up on Bananas here. Here is today's sign:

Good heavens! I remember not so long ago when Bananas were 39 cents a pound. Then they went up to 47 cents a pound. Each time, I communicated my outrage to Leanne. "We just paid 98 cents a pound," she said airily. "That is criminal," I texted back. "No way in hell I'd ever pay that. You're being robbed." Ever philosophical, she replied, "But we don't have snow here."

Which made me wonder, would I trade better weather if it meant higher-priced produce? 

For those of you who wonder about my Grocery Rule #2:  I will buy this no matter what it costs, that is reserved for things for which there is no substitute, such as certain wines, Hellman's mayonnaise, Philadelphia cream cheese, Heinz ketchup, Campbell's tomato soup, Old Bay seasoning, and such things. You have things like that, too, I know. Store brands or other labels will simply not do. 

I haven't bought Bananas in a couple of months. I am resentful about how fast they become overripe, no matter how many tricks I use. I've also developed a particularly bad habit of craving peanut butter with my Banana, and we all know how irresponsible I am with peanut butter

 And I'm not caving in to Them and paying Their heinous high prices. It's flagrant Produce Profiteering, that's what it is, and I'm not going for it. 

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47 comments:

  1. Well first let me start with my usual - Yay a Nance post!

    Next up, if I go to the grocery store hungry, all bets are off. I'm going to spend a minimum of $300 on things we will never eat before half of it goes bad. I do the stock up on BOGO and sale items, because who doesn't want to save money on things we actually use all the time?

    When I enter the produce department I just get what I want and I desperately try not to look at the prices. It's my thing, what can I say? I have to have my fresh produce no matter what! It falls into your #2 rule. At the same time there are lots of other things that fall in that #2 rule - Stop telling me off brands are the same thing, they usually aren't!

    Live on the wild side Nance, buy the damn bananas! :D

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    1. Martha--Yay, a Martha comment! ;)

      I have stocked up on so much meat that my freezer is an embarrassment. I have more chicken than the Colonel. It must be a genetic thing; my sister's pantry is stuffed to bursting. Somehow we learned to amass food for an Apocalypse. Or a pandemic.

      I agree that off brands are usually not comparable to our tried and true labels, even when they are made by that same company. Of course the stuff won't be identical. Why would it be?

      If I truly wanted bananas, I would get them. But I have to be in the mood, and they don't last like, say, apples or grapes do. Bananas have a shockingly short shelf life. They have a terrible ROI for me. I'd rather splurge on berries or avocados, which are frustrating in their own way, but far more worth it.

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  2. I take your point but have to admit that I'm the exact opposite of you. I'll buy the produce no matter what the price, but will forego the staples because I think they're too pricey. We all survive in our own ways! Great post.

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    1. Ally Bean--Thank you.

      Oh, I buy lots of produce regardless of cost. I, too, need fresh things in my house. I cannot recall the last time I served frozen veg, and those used to be staples around here. We've drifted away from that, even though I know that frozen is just as good as fresh as far as nutrition.

      I play the Waiting Game with some staples, too, like Barilla pasta, stocking up when it goes down to a dollar a box. It's the principle of the thing: why pay more when I know it will be substantially less in a few weeks?

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  3. I'm guilty of not paying too much attention to the prices. That being said, when I see produce on sale, or a BOGO, then I do gravitate towards that variety. I stopped buying bananas for a long time after our kids left the house and then when our beloved Cocoa (boxer) passed away; she lived for bananas. Recently though I started buying a few each time I shop and eating them myself so that I can use the peels to feed our staghorn ferns. You might think I'm insane, I didn't even look at the price of bananas yesterday.
    To feed my plants. *sigh* It does sound insane.


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    1. BB Suz--I like the fact that you only buy a few bananas so that you can feed your plants. I'd do the same thing, especially if I found out that my basil loved banana peels. I would buy champagne for my basil, seriously.

      Today, I had to stop at a different store for a few items no longer carried by my beloved grocery store. It was no hardship since I was on my way to visit my mother. I did NOT look at the prices because...why? I wish I would have noticed their price on bananas, though. Just for comparison's sake. ;)

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  4. I'm from the School of Leanne when it comes to grocery shopping. I don't look at the price of most grocery items except for meat. As for banana, I don't buy a lot of them but when I do it's usually the frozen chocolate covered kind. Best of both worlds. Haven't seen the kits to make your own lately but I haven't looked for them either. They really do have a short shelf life, don't they.

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    1. Jean--Dear heaven, The School Of Leanne...I can only imagine. LOL.

      When the boys were little, we went on a chocolate covered banana kick after getting them as a treat at the zoo. We simply melted chocolate chips for ours. I think Sam went around chocolate covered himself most of that summer.

      I am now rethinking my stance on bananas.

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  5. Mike is (mostly) the provisioner (how is this not a word? Did I spell it incorrectly? Should I copyright it?) these days. When I go to the store I get what I want & only sometimes pay attention to prices. I do like a lot of store brands, so I'll go with that if there is one. We've REALLY enjoyed getting our Misfits Markets produce boxes every two weeks. I love that I can get mangoes all the time & they're usually just part of our regular price. The problem is that even though you have some choice in produce you sometimes just end up with two bunches of kale & no one really wants that.

    Mike's dad eats bananas & I'm the happy beneficiary - Mike buys a bunch and splits them between us.

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    1. Bug--Honey, provisioner IS a word. It's in the dictionary (several of them, in fact). It's also the name of several commercial enterprises. I hate to deflate your excitement. But it IS a great word, and I love that you used it here. YAY!

      There used to be a terrific store brand at a now-defunct grocery chain here back in the 80s and early 90s. The brand was called President's Choice, carried by Finast. It was a top-tier store brand, and it was very, very good.

      I agree with you about both kale and mangoes.

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    2. Our big grocery store, Loblaw's., carries President's Choice, purported to be personally selected by the Loblaw President. ?! It used to be a top brand, but a lot of the items have deteriorate over the years. But if you find President's Choice Milk Chocolate mix, grab it. Do not price compare, just grab it and run.

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    3. Mary--Will do! If I ever, ever am allowed back into Canada (O! Canada! Where wines and maples grow!) I will look for that product and buy it with reckless profligacy.

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    4. Well I'm relieved to know that I'm not just making words up! Blogger apparently just doesn't know it :)

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    5. I do hope you can do a wine run this spring or summer. They are coming along with the vaccines, slowly, but we are getting jabbed. At present we have a severe lock-down until mid May. I am hoping we get out for the grandkid's 18th birthday. Her father put a bottle of wine away many years ago for this event. I will report.

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  6. I see what you are doing here with your blog title (A, B,...will C be next?) I wonder what the topic will be "crafts", "cats", "customs", "chocolate"... can't wait to find out! ;)

    I don't buy bananas often because they go from too ripe to mushy very quickly and I never get it right. But you will be happy to know that the bananas at my store were 79 cents so your bananas were a good deal! Also, now I am thinking of Gwen Stefani's song "BANANAS" so thanks for that!
    Thanks for a great post!

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    1. Ellen--Yes, I'm hoping that the alphabet will make my writing life a bit easier here. I briefly considered Benjamin Franklin for letter B, but despite having plenty to say about my experience with him, I decided on bananas instead.

      This post was detained by a visit from my mother, unbelievably gorgeous weather, and a bit of sloth. I apologize.

      I am so sorry that the Produce Profiteers at your grocery store are gouging you so shamelessly for bananas. How upsetting for you. Sometimes, I find it helpful to stand in front of ridiculously priced produce and roll my eyes, sighing dramatically, and repeating the price with a tone of incredulity. It's best if there is a sympathetic shopper nearby. Woefully shaking your head also lends authenticity.

      I always think of Stefani when I type bananas, saying each letter as she does in the song. But whenever broccoli is involved, I think of this.

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    2. LOL! I have seen that video before and that guy is a scream! "Recipe stealin' bitch!" I did just laugh out loud! Thanks for that!

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  7. BANANAS: In my local supermarket, they are 20 cents per banana. How many bananas it takes to make a pound, I do not know. (Google says about 3 bananas, so… make that 60 cents/pound.)

    PRICING: Well, the pandemic taught me about how much supply and demand affects that, for sure. Of course, I only know the usual price for things I buy, and there’s a lot that I never or rarely get (such as most canned food except for occasionally tomato paste, tuna fish and chickpeas.) I do pay attention to the outrageous pricing on French cut lamb chops and will snap them up for a special treat if there is a sale.

    AVOCADOS: I WILL ALMOST PAY ANY PRICE (Not wishing to push any buttons, lol.) Local prices here: Large Haas - $1.79-$1.99 each @ local Whole Foods, otherwise known as Whole Paycheck. I only buy them there:

    a) Because I am making something special for invited guests.

    b) Fiesta Mart doesn’t have any that are not either rock hard or mushy. The big ones there are just under a dollar each and most days they have a lot that pass the touch test for ripeness perfection.

    c) Some days… the craving is such that *I will pay almost any price to get a decent one.* (The same applies to Manchego cheese.)

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    1. Ortizzle--Lamb is always pricey. I rarely make it--no pun intended, although that is how I like it--so I usually get it when I spy a really great deal on it. We had a small boneless leg for Easter. Leftovers were grilled, then tucked into pita for gyro-type sandwiches.

      Canned tuna is also ridiculous. I only use solid white albacore, and I prefer it packed in oil. The cuts seem much nicer. Whenever it goes on sale, I grab plenty. I use lots of canned beans like white beans, kidney beans, black beans. And canned tomato products.

      Avocados here are the smallish ones and go from $1-$1.50 each. I buy them at a dollar and then tailor my menus to accommodate them. Cinco de Mayo brings a nice load of decent ones, and I rejoice. (Haas really are the best, aren't they? The others are really substandard.)

      I feel about Jarlsberg the way you feel about Manchego. And if Jarlsberg is for some batty reason not available, I can be reasonably happy with Guggisberg baby Swiss. Temporarily. I mean, I'm not a complete snot.

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    2. LAMB - The only cut I normally buy is those lovely French-cut chops. I make them the way they do in Spain: high heat in a sturdy pan (cast iron if you have it) and about 2 minutes on each side. Mr. O. loves them. Very rarely get a leg of lamb unless I want to make a lamb stew, which is very nice as well. I love your suggestion for grilled leftovers! The Texas equivalent for the pita-filled version would be fajitas, which is the same concept served on pan-toasted tortillas and topped with sautéed red & green bell pepper strips + (wait for it...) mashed guac!! Much workier, of course, but so yummy!

      AVOCADOS - Haas is the only alternative. I think I mentioned this way back in a previous post years ago, but those nasty Florida bright green-skinned avos are watery and utterly tasteless. I wouldn't eat them if they were free, lol!

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  8. In my non-salad days I used to keep a detailed log of what I bought and what I spent on groceries. I have a precious book where my mother did the same thing during WWII when money was tight.
    Now, hallelujah, we are on pension and relatively affluent and I pretend not to notice something being far, far too expensive to buy as I put it very carefully into my cart. JG still does the 'too expensive for what it is' thing, so sometimes I have to leave him home.
    My daughter and granddaughter like greenish bananas. My criterion is soft or hard. Too soft and they are doomed to be banana bread.
    Yeah, a Nance post. Brightened my day.

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    1. Mary--Thank you! I love being a Day Brightener. I shall try to be more timely in my posting, truly.

      Rick is irritated by my parsimony; he tells me, "Just buy what we need or what we want. Who cares?" For me, it is the Principle Of The Thing. Like JG, I chafe at paying what They say when I think it is ridiculous or exorbitant. Rick will Do The Math, and say things like, "Nance. It's a difference of 25 cents. For Chrissakes, I'll give you the quarter at home. I have a ton of them in the ashtray of my car. There's probably one sitting on top of the dryer. Just buy the damn thing."

      But that's not it at all. I'm just being stubborn and nonsensically virtuous. In my mind, I'm Stickin' It To The Man. It's all very...stupid and complex. And very Nance.

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  9. As did the broccoli video.

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    1. Mary--Isn't that thing the Absolute Best? It's among my favourite things on the Internet. I watch it at least once a week. He is a genius.

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  10. Wanting to shop as infrequently as possible over the pandemic (and not trusting Instacart shoppers to select my bananas for me, my biggest frustration has been finding both green and yellow specimens. True, I don't mind over-ripe ones so much (I will eat them even when they've turned into banana pudding), but my goal is have a continuum of states of ripeness on hand, so that each day offers one reaching peak ripeness. They tell me under-ripe ones are the healthiest, but I don't care for them at all. Hereabouts (southern Maine and coastal NH), supermarket bananas are $.49/lb and convenience store specimens (always ripe to over-ripe) are 3 for a buck. Be aware that organic bananas are not sprayed with the ripening inducers and unless stored in a bag may not ripen at all. One lovely bunch I bought over a month ago stayed green and turned hard as wood. I put them outside against the base of a tree where they eventually turned black, but still haven't rotted away or even softened.

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    1. Yahoonski--I don't mind an underripe banana every now and then, as long as it's not too tannic. Once it starts getting really dark, I have to peel it and freeze it for eventual banana bread.

      I had no idea about organic bananas. Imagine! If I put out bananas here, the possums, raccoons, or skunks would probably drag them off. And no, I don't live out in the country at all. I just have a shocking amount of wildlife in my area for some reason. Often on my front porch.

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  11. This post made me laugh! I have some things that I will refuse to buy because of price, and then realize that I'm not in fact "showing them." You know, because they don't care. ;-)

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    1. Bridget--What do you mean They don't care!? Do you mean I'm taking a stand for nothing!?

      LOL.

      I remain a Woman Of Principle regardless of its impact on Them. That's how I roll.

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  12. Oh Fresh fruit . I was hoping to eat it every day in Mexico on our next visit. But a pal of my son's got Hep A. he's doing fine but I'm looking for the vaccine prior to our trip!

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    1. kathy--Okay! Have fun planning your trip.

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  13. For me I refuse to buy "chain store" produce!! I go to Farmers markets. For instance...chain store fresh strawberries $4.98 a quart. Farmers markets 2 quarts for $4.50. I often find store brands better tasting than name brands. Others? No way. Milk, I pay top dollar for Mootopia lactose free milk. No way around that. Etc. Etc.

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    1. Anni--You're lucky that in TX, you have the luxury of year round fresh produce at farmers' markets. Here in NEO, we only have that during a few months of the year. However, I just bought strawberries for $2.50--really nice ones, and very flavourful.

      My youngest granddaughter drinks something called pea milk. I have no idea of the cost of that. Or what it tastes like. ;)

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    2. Almond milk is costly, but vegan is as a general rule. I never heard of pea milk. I buy lactose free milk for taste AND shelf life. "Normal" milk has about two weeks shelf life, while lactose free has over a month for expiration since it's double pasteurized.

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  14. I definitely look at prices, because I have to. Wish I didn't! I always buy bananas, though. Love avocados but they were $1.80 for one the other day. That is too rich for my blood. Am vegan and gluten free, so everything costs a fortune. I've tried the "pea" products; not a fan. Think it might be an acquired taste.

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    1. Elle--There is NO avocado worth almost $2.00. That's preposterous. Some grocery stores are simply overpriced on everything because of where they are or who they are. I'd love to shop at Heinen's, a really terrific grocery chain in NEO that has an awesome wine selection and a bakery to die for. They have incredible prepared foods, too. But their overall price structure is compensating for that and for the clientele they wish to attract. I get it. And while I could afford to shop there, I just cannot bring myself to pay for their reputation and cache.

      My dear friend Shirley of www.glutenfreeeasily.com has celiac, and she is very careful to not rely on many gf products, preferring instead to "eat clean" on her own and make gf things. Her website is a treasure trove of recipes and hints and references. She comments here in fits and starts when she can.

      It is quite expensive to eat vegan and gluten free. It knocks out a lot of things that many people/families are able to build meals upon, like pastas and roasts, sandwiches and even lots of takeout options. While I know I'd be quite happy being vegetarian, I would have a struggle with the transition to a gf diet. Although, while staying with Shirley, I ate gf and felt quite satisfied!

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  15. Since I just got back from the grocery store this is a time important post. I don't buy bananas because no one eats them, but I eat an avocado everyday in my smoothie and I will buy them whatever the cost. The right kind of toilet paper is a must, again no cost matters and I need to have a huge stash. Wonder what that means about me?

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    1. Meredith--I, too, don't buy off-brand or store brand toilet paper. I try not to look at the price. Same with paper towels. I don't need to stockpile either one--even during the pandemic--because I figured I'd somehow find some, even if it meant just a roll or two of a different brand. I wouldn't be happy about it, but I'd make do. Fortunately, I never had to.

      I used to make smoothies regularly. I wonder why I stopped. I never used avocado, but often used fruits and vegetables together. Maybe I tired of cleaning the little blender and/or assembling the items. Probably that, coupled with discovering peanut butter.

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  16. I'm old...I remember when bananas were $0.19/lb. We usually buy one (1) banana a week. And it cannot be too ripe. We each eat one half...any more and I would have to get sick! Unless there was peanut butter to go with the banana...Our list of things we will buy at any price is very close to yours.

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    1. Vera--I'm old, too. And now, a single banana is that much at Trader Joe's and other stores that sell them singly.

      I have to be in the mood for a banana, and that fruit does not lend itself to my capriciousness.

      (My freezer has a lot of bananas in it that I wasn't in the mood for. Sigh.)

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  17. You may recall that I wrote about my banana hoarding back in the early days of my blog. I ended up with bananas in my freezer then--and still--because the bananas would always turn brown before I could get to them and then they were only fit for baking, smoothies, or ice cream. I have not bought a banana in over a year (they're not one of the options for the produce boxes we have delivered--no doubt because they can't keep bananas "just right" either) and yet, as I just said I still have some bananas in my freezer. I think I have about five left. I used two last night when I made mango ice cream. The bananas add to the creamy factor and their sweetness allows me use less honey in the recipe. I threw out two bananas last night because they'd fossilized in the freezer to pretty much nothingness. LOL

    As far as the cost, I do have price limits but they're not set in concrete. I couldn't say I only buy bananas if they're less than 50 cents a pound for example but sometimes, I'll see a price for pricier produce like artichokes and think I'm not paying that. If I am paying on the undefined higher end, I also want those artichokes (or produce of choice) to look really good. LOL

    There are so many items that I feel like I'd practically pay anything for though. That is good as we don't have a lot of grocery options in the county. There are plenty in town but I've never been one who wants to go to several grocery stores. I rationalize that my frugality in other areas allows me the freedom in the grocery shopping area.

    I still hate grocery shopping so having food delivery the last year has been wonderful. Pricier but wonderful.

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    1. Shirley--I do remember! I've tossed a few of mine, too, because they look so unappetizing.

      Mango ice cream sounds so good. There's a place here in NEO called Mitchell's Ice Cream that makes the world's best mango sorbet. All their ice creams are heavenly.

      I'm with you about going to a lot of different stores for things. I used to do that and pat myself on the back for being so savings conscious. Now, I value my time too much. Like you, I figure that it all works out since I don't spend big bucks on other things.

      Being retired, I don't mind grocery shopping. Even with the pandemic, taking proper precautions, I don't mind it much. It's so much better now than it was when I was working. It feels like a leisure activity.

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  18. If the urge should ever hit you to travel to Alaska, I beg you to stay far from the grocery stores, as everything there is criminally priced. I am more like your friend in MD, I buy what I need or want, unless it’s insanely priced. I tend to feel like I want what I want, and if I can afford it, I buy it. At the same time, I have my issues and need to be reminded to splurge to replace old lightbulbs or whatever. We are all contradictions in our own ways, right?

    Also, while I will pay what I must to get fresh produce, I DO LOVE A DEAL and work on at least getting points on my credit card if I must pay too much for bananas. Here in CA, you would THINK that produce would be cheaper, right? But when I go to the farmers’ market, it’s even more expensive than the grocery store, but the quality is so much better.

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    1. BTW, while bananas generally do not belong in the fridge, if you choose to splurge on a few and worry that they will go bad, PUT THEM IN THE FRIDGE. The peel may turn brown, but the banana will be fine. Don’t do it with an unripe banana, but once it’s about like you like them, go for it.

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    2. J--I've been to Alaska on a cruise, so I've not run into grocery shopping; however, guides on tours told us about groceries there, especially during winter, and especially the produce. Yikes!

      I agree that some of our shopping habits are due to Issues. When Rick and I first were married, we were poor. I'm talking balance the checkbook down to the penny, do laundry at the parents, eat every Sunday at the parents, roll change to see one movie a year poor. Grocery shopping was a minefield of budget bombs. Once I landed a secure teaching job, we at least had my steady pay and benefits, but with him being in construction, his was always a question mark. It's hard to let that kind of breathlessness go.

      Stuff at farmers' markets is always higher here, too, unless we go to the Amish stands. Those are very inexpensive and the quality is quite nice.

      Thank you for the tip on bananas in the fridge. I always thought that was a huge no-no.

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    3. The main banana eater in our house is my daughter, and she sometimes eats one or two a day, and sometimes eats one or two a week. If they get too ripe for her, I save them in the freezer for banana bread, or smoothies, or ‘ice cream’ for the dog. But recently I got tired of doing all of that, or we had enough bananas in the freezer, so I popped them in the fridge, and they were fine. Perhaps not PERFECT, but better than rotting on the counter.

      My sister in law likes them so over ripe that my brother used to throw them away before she could eat them. She finally had to put a post it note on them saying, ‘please don’t throw me away, I’m ALMOST ready!’ HA! He couldn’t believe she would eat them like that.

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  19. I hear you! I mostly ceased tracking all that pricing when my household numbers dwindled down to just me. One day, I just thought, I don't want to think about all that any more. I'll gamble my funds won't run out before I die, though as I note prices are going up I may have to reconsider.

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    1. Joared--I don't want to think about All That anymore either. It's a little game I play, My Principles VS Shameless Profiteering. Sometimes They win, sometimes I do.

      We have to enjoy our food, though, don't we? Especially these times when we're not able to enjoy so many other things.

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Oh, thank you for joining the fray!

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