Plaza. West.

OOOOhhhhhh.  Aaaaahhhhhhh.  Plaza.  West.

Oh, another grocery store post.  Great.  But, if you read this one , this one, or even this one you need to know there is more than just the two stores I have the option to peddle on a weekly basis.  Another is Plaza West (as opposed to Plaza East).  Can you guess what the main difference is? (others would be Food Town and the most disgusting g-store I have EVER been into, Pueblo.  It makes me vomit in my mouth)

 Today is my grocery shopping day.  Wednesday afternoon, the kids are still in school.  I have been making my list and planning our meals for the next week.  But this morning, it hit me:  I HAVE NOT BEEN TO PLAZA WEST IN FOREVER.  I. Want. To. Go. Today.

Why?  What is the big deal?  Well, this is a HUGE stretch, but going to plazas West is KIND OF like going to Whole Foods.  Not because the two are similar in the products they sell because that is the most absurd thing I could ever publish on this blog and would probably go to hippie-ville jail if the foodies found out I said such a thing (talk about a run-on).

So what is the main difference other than what side of the island it sits on?  PW is bigger, better, cleaner, better stocked, carries better produce and its just different.  It has a larger selection of bulk items, larger quanity items, healthier brands (Annie’s, etc) and is well lit.  Its roomy.  They have more selection in the way of housewares, craft items, random useless items that I seem to find uses for.  But you still can’t push your grocery carts through the check-out lane.  Don’t try it.

And that is pretty much it.  I DON’T go there on a regular basis because I still have to go to Cost U Less, which is right next door to Plaza East, which is totally convenient.  And I am all about convenience in my life.  Anything to make it easier.

Is This Fo’ Real? #1

The Fisherman & I have always said we should have started a “scrap-book” of all the jacked up stuff we come across & see on this island….like quirky newspaper headings, horrible mis-spellings no journalist should ever make or classified ads.  I once saw scissors for sale.  Scissors.  And a goat as a 3rd place raffle prize winner.  Right after lawn-mower and weed-whacker.

So, I decided to make it a new category here:  Is This Fo’ Real?

If you are looking for half-full bottles of Elmer’s Glue for your kids this school year, Plaza is ALL stocked up.

Just in case you didn’t see it the first time, here it is again:

Is This Fo’ Real?

Fizzie Izze.

I’ve read about these yummy, sparkly drinks in some of my favorite mags like Coastal Living & Sunset and thought, Ahh, those look like they want me to drink them, and then reality set in of NO WAY IN HELL would I find them on my island, they are way too cool.

I am part of a food co-op on island (though rarely take advantage of the bulk prices) and had seen these for sale on the list…but cost out weighed the want.  They are an indulgence.  But, then again, aren’t juiceboxes???

Then.  Yesterday.  Grocery shopping at Plaza (east).  There they were.  In the bulk beverage aisle across from the dairy products.  12pack variety of Izze.  AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!  Someone must of messed up big time! (like the time we found Blue Bell Ice Cream in Puerto Rico)

At just $18.99. Ehhhh. I squinced.  $1.58 a bottle. Let me give it a whirl.  I’ve spent more money on worse things….

The box was the first thing I removed from the car when I got home, and immediately put one of each flavor in the fridge to get cold.  This variety pack was Sparkling pomegranate, Sparkling Blackberry & Sparkling Clementine (which is what I wanted to name a daughter)

Clementine was my first, and at first sip became my favorite.

Until I had Blackcherry at dinner.  Yum O.  Today, I will try pomegranate, and I doubt it will leave a disappointing taste.  They are fizzie like a ginger ale or sprite, but with a PUNCH of unique flavor.  No boring Cran-Rasberry here!  All Natural.  Nothing Artificial.  And the calorie count and sugar is not enough to prevent me from drinking them. 

Oh My Darlin’ Clementine!!!! (do you know the song?  My Daddy used to sing it to me)  The colors are as beautiful to look at as they are to quench my thirst.  The bottle cap is too cute…saving for my bottle cap magnets.

So yummy & refreshing, just what this mommy needs!  So, back off, these puppies are mine! Unless I am hosting a playdate at my house, then I’ll make sure there are plenty for the moms!

 …now, if someone could just mess up and send Topo Chico.

DISCOUNT!

You know what I am talkin’ about.  Standing in line at Plaza Extra (one of our grocery stores that I compare to the HEB on the corner of Oltorf & Congress in South Austin….or maybe even the old’ HWY 71 HEB,)  and the person in front of you asks for a discount.  A woman walks over and happily(?)  swipes a card for a discount.

Ever wonder who the people are who get the DISCOUNT!?  Well, if you are a St. Croix resident,

YOU CAN GET A 5% DISCOUNT AT PLAZA EXTRA

It happened today.  The gentleman in front of me asked for “an island discount”.  Well, heck, why can’t I get one of those?  So, I asked, and turns out, the peeps over at Plaza are so nice, they’ll give you 5% off your total grocery bill because they are so happy you are shopping in their store and paying their high prices for low quality and crappy selection.  Heck ya, I’ll take that 5%.

No signing up, no annoying dangly key tag, nothin’.  JUST ASK.  Trust me!!! Every little bit helps on this island!!!