Matt and I went to Sam’s Club today to check it out. He now has a membership through work and can flash the card to enter on the weekends too.
I was NOT impressed by Sam’s. Overall, there were many of the same things as in Costco, but it was missing a lot of Costco’s foodie items. I will admit that we went through pretty quickly and I did feel like I was in a stranger’s house because I am used to Costco, but I did not like it. So we up and went to Costco instead!
On the way there I snacked on my leftover Larabar half. I actually find Larabars very filling. Something about their density or the way I eat them (slowly) but they really work for me better than oat-based bars. [iPhone photos! Such a lifesaver 
]
At Costco we found some great scores!
Little brie’s that Jenna found!!
Cheap hummus and organic spinach
Two organic chickens that will last us two months. One for October and one that we froze for November (help stretch that dollar $$$ !!!)
Pena butter!!!! All we’ve got in the stash are various almond, brazil, hazelnut and pumpkin seed butters so it was time for a new peanut butter stash (because Matt is encouraged to eat the less-precious butters 
) He was so excited to taste them that he had a spoonful for a snack. I licked a bit – it was great! A like like Trader Joe’s but slightly more….fresh nutty and a little less roasty? These two huge jars were in the $6 range!
Cheeses for our picnic tomorrow. A tri pack of goat and Parrano
OATS, a new kind of multigrain Barilla and tuna, which Matt eats all the time.
Then we stopped into Harris Teeter to pick up a few extras. This trip was expensive, but we’ll only need dairy + fruits + veggies for the rest of the month.
We got all FALL things – squash, kale, brussels, organic grapes, local apples, carrots, and an eggplant.
I FOUND IT!!!!! I cannot wait to try this! Too bad I don’t have a meal/snack free until Sunday 
After all that shopping, we were ready to kick back and watch the Office!
Carrying on the theme of the month…
While we relaxed, our oven was hard at work on this:
The were the absolute best roasted root veggies I’ve ever tasted!! Butternut + carrot tossed in cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, canola oil, salt and pepper. Baked at 400* for 30 minutes. SO BUTTERY!!!
We turned them into a lovely soup!
We browned some frozen/thawed grass-fed beef
And some baby bellas
3 cups of chicken stock
and the last third of my pumpkin beer!! Yes, it was delicious, but I have a race in the AM and thought it would be fun to add. I think we could taste it!?
Dinner is serrrrrved
It was awesome!!!! Like a stew. It made about 4-5 servings. I added more cinnamon!
On the side we nibbled on Hazelnut Cocoa Brown Bread. Loving my cube method. It’s so much more fun to pop one of these in my mouth than to take a bite of a slice.
His mountain!!
Continuing the BROWN theme of tonight’s post, Karen brought over some of her famous Symphony Bar Brownies.
I usually do not like brownies. They are too dry and I prefer frosting and fudge. But these are the BEST brownies I’ve ever had (because they have a filling! And I love all things toffee!) Karen has been making them since we were youngins in college. And it’s a very easy recipe that uses brownie mix. It’s no secret – I’m sure the recipe is Googleable! Here are two versions I found.
His and hers –
Race For The Cure
We are off to bed because we have a 5:30 wake-up call for Race For The Cure. The race starts at 7:25!!!! I hate how early they start! I don’t know why it can’t be 8:30 or 9. Don’t they know we have to get there SUPER early to get all ready!? Charlotte runners – say hello if you see me!!!
Thank you again to all of you who helped me surpass by $126 goal and reach $200!!
Last year’s Race was really fun and I PRed my time. Then I ran the Jingle Jog in December and had a huuuuge back-up at the start and missed a PR.
But tomorrow I am not going to put the pressure on myself. I will just make myself sick with nervousness! I’m going to run as fast as I can on October 3, 2009.
You know the saying that your only competition is yourself? Well I don’t even think you can compare yourSELF race to race because there are just so many variables. Races are not science experiments!!!!!!! Factors like sleep, temperature, HILLS, crowds, GI tracts, fuel, hydration, weather, emotions all create so much variation that you really can’t even compare annual races. This year has a totally difference course with different hills and terrain, so I will do my best to run fast, but to compare myself with last year to a T isn’t a fair test.
Just like weight, calories, weight lifting reps, etc. – we cannot let the numbers override the pride of finishing strong.
See you at the finish line!
{ 64 comments… read them below or add one }
I LOVE Costco! I seriously do not know what I would do without their organic spinach, since I basically use it everyday. I find that the store near me is beginning to carry healthier items and that makes me happy. I have been eyeing that peanut butter for a while, now I will definitely be trying it. Good luck with your race tomorrow =)
good luck with your race! have fun at the same time!
and that’s a great looking brownie there!!
Jac
Good luck Kath. I ran the Race For The Cure in Boston last week. It’s a cause very dear to my heart, thank you for giving your time.
I have never been to Costco, only Sam’s and have too say I agree with you about not very many foodie choices. I also have never had a larabar, but wish I did… hmmmm. Anyway, your food always looks so good! Yum!
PUMPKIN YOGURT??????!!!!!!!!!! I have a new mission for tomorrow… The Race for the Cure is one of my favorites of the race season. So much positive energy! Good luck tomorrow!
Hmm, that’s too bad about Sams. Ours has alot of the things you ended up getting at Costco, but I guess different stores just stock different things. Also never been to a Costco, but looking forward to someday!
We don’t have a Sam’s club but we belong to a Costco. Honestly, I kind of like regular food stores better because I just can’t eat food from costco fast enough
I looooooove the new stonyfield, but I kind of like making my pwn pumpkin yogurt because it’s cheaper and more fun to make things myself I think. But I need to figure out their spice blend because it is perfect
OMG, i didn’t know they made pumpkin yogurt! not that they didn’t before but stonyfield officially rocks- must find that!
Hilarious post title, haha – I miss that song “Blue”!!
Awesome root vegetables!! I just posted about some; in addition to a fun “roots” photo (you’ll love it, Kath)
Good luck with your race tomorrow! My mother in law has breast cancer so this is an important cause in our family; thank you for giving your time for this race.
I’ve had those Symphony brownies at my husband’s work party once and just fell in love with them.
I totally squealed when I saw the pumpkin yogurt. I love all things pumpkin. I now have a mission to find this at my grocery store!
Hehe. I LOVE early starts
Good luck for your race!
I think I would really love to go grocery shopping with you–just throwing that out there
Question: do you always make your oats with old fashioned oats? do you ever use quick cooking or irish oats?
What a great dinner – the soup looks so warm and comforting – perfect for the fall weather!
I love brownies, but only fudgy ones! The cake-like ones are too dry for me!
I have actually been making brownies a variety of ways lately and am seeing which way produces the fudgiest brownies. So far I have tried brownies made with:
-vegetable oil, eggs, and water
-yogurt and vanilla
-mashed bananas and peanut butter
The methods I still want to try are brownies made with:
-black beans
-ground flax seeds and water
-applesauce
After I try the last three methods, I’ll post the results on my blog of which one made the fudgiest brownies!
Good luck on your race tomorrow!
Oh those Symphony Brownies are crazy good! One of my mom’s friends went through a thing a couple of years ago where she was making them every week (!!!).
I’m going to have to track down the pumpkin yogurt! That sounds wayy too good to miss.
Wish we had a Costco here! Sam’s is all we got!
I definitely agree that Sam’s doesn’t have a lot of the “foodie” items that Costco seems to. I only have a Sam’s membership but will be switching to Costco when it expires. Sam’s does have Sabra’s hummus and Thins which keep me happy!
Your fall eats look amazing!
That roasted squash looks awesome – def. going to have to try that method with one of the half-dozen butternuts sitting on my counter.
You should be grateful your race is nearby. We (meaning me, my hubby, and two small kids) had to get up at 4 a.m. to drive an hour to my last half marathon!
But then, like Kate, I like early starts. There’s just something about the air that early in the morning. Good luck tomorrow, I hope you smash your PR!
I wish we had a costgo! We only have Sam’s here, but it’s actually not that bad. We have the organic spinach, the oats, the hummus and some great produce and chobani yogurts!
Whenever I read about other people’s grocery trips, I always feel like a weird stalker, cause I’m like “oh man I wish I could buy that”
Pumpkin ypgurt sounds so good! We dont have a Costco, just a Sams, so I don’t know any of the good items at Costco!
I love your cute cardigan!
Oh my gosh, that Pumpkin Pie yogurt it SO GOOD! You will love it.
Good luck on the race tomorrow! Great reminder to take each race, each run, as it comes!
omg i found a pumpkin pie stoneyfield last week and it was sooo good! must get more! good luck!
I wish we had a Costco closer to us, I hear great things about it.
I refuse to shop @ Sam’s Club, it’s basically a giant Walmart and I wouldn’t buy food at Walmart, except maybe canned or boxes foods, but even that isn’t worth a trip just for that. We have a Costco about 80 miles away in New Jersey that we plan to go to before Thanksgiving. I can’t wait.
You got a lot of great loot today!! NICE!
Love the autumn theme.
Good luck again at the race, have fun!!!
Jenn
PS. Brownies are only yummy if they are cooked halfway; dry brownies suck!
good luck tomorrow in the race! i ran a race for the cure and it was so awesome!
We have that same giant box of oats! My fiance and I bought it in August and it is still going strong.
Oh yum , I am def copying that soup recipe to make this weekend- that looks amazing!
Oh my goodness pumpkin yogurt!! I had no idea that existed, it sounds so delicious (I love pumpkin anything).. I’m definitely going to be scouring grocery stores to find it now!
Seeing those mini brie cheeses everywhere makes me want to join Costco so badly!
You found the elusive pumpkin yogurt! SO jealous.
Sleep well and best race wishes!
I MUST get my hands on that Stonyfield PUMPKIN yogurt immediately!!!
That stew looks so yummy. I’m in love with butternut squash right now! Good luck with your race!
Love your blog Kath, but I’ve gotta say sometimes you’re pretty negative about stuff! You did *NOT* like Sam’s club, you do not like brownies, you *HATE* how early races start, they’re so expensive, etc etc. Maybe saying you don’t really care for, or aren’t a big fan of…keep it on the up & up! And remember the positive – you’re up early for a fun race!
The pumpkin Stonyfield is fabulous! I donated to the Race for the Cure, good luck!
I haven’t been in SAM but Costco is my fav place (after WF and Tjs), especially when my parents are around, otherwise there”s no chance I can eat them all!
love your brown cubes!
Those brownies looks yum…
My fav. brownies to make use oil instead of butter and they always come out soft and chewy
good luck on your race today. it’s for such a wonderful cause… very close to home for me.
have fun!
Good luck in the race! Looked like a great dinner to fuel you! I’ve been eating squash all week…it just feels like fall!
I have an awesome recipe for fudge brownies on my blog, they are the farthest thing from dry, they are rich, moist and fudgy, good stuff. Next up, I have to attempt to make them gluten free.
I am with you on the Sam’s club thing, we have a costco membership but spend way too much when we go. sigh.
Good luck at your race!!
Tell Matt to try the Kirkland brand tuna next time. It’s amaaaazing. Way better than the CotS stuff.
Loved looking through your groceries.
I’m still trying to figure out what is what and see if we have those things here in Portugal. So this is inspiring. eheh
Good luck for your race!
You have such a healthy attitude about EVERYTHING. Love it!
I am actually a big fan of Sam’s Club because a lot of the stuff I eat is cheaper in bulk! We don’t have a Costco, so Sam’s is are go-to!
OMG, Kath, so many great things about this post! First, little brie??!! Where has that been all my life?!
I love that Barilla pasta and my family does, too which is always a good thing!
Pumpkin pie yogurt sounds amazing; looking forward to hear what you think of it.
I am drooling over your roasted butternut squash and carrots!
Good luck with your race!
ive never been to a sams, but its hard to beat costco’s prices and selection. i bought that same hummus and a different brand too.
good luck on your race today, have fun!
I’ve actually never been in a Sam’s Club OR Costco, but I haven’t heard the best opinions of Sam’s Club. I think their selection is much more limited and not quite as good quality as Costco. It might be nice to have the option of both now though!
Those roasted veggies sound so good! I love all the spices you added on.
Good luck on the race this morning!
Wow pumpkin yogurt sounds amazing! Good luck in your race!
I recently checked out Sam’s Club for the first time too, and I was sadly disappointed as well! I will definitely be looking for those little brie’s…so cute! Good luck in the race!
i was thinking about your race this AM as i was doing my long run!! i hope it went fabulously — can’t wait to read the report!
Sarah,
Haha
I always use old fashioned, although I’ve had a few dates with steel cut. I like it oK, but I prefer the doughiness of rolled. I never use quick or instant anymore unless I’m traveling.
Kath
glad you had a successful trip to costco! all the food looks great and does your dinner and especially the brownies with gooie goodness in them
jenna
have never been to sam’s club OR costco!!! i grew up going to BJ’s but as an adult i’ve never had reason (yet) to buy in bulk.
How can 2 chickens last 2 months?
I’d love to know too…. how do you make the chicken last so long? Do you roast the entire bird or cut into pieces? We can go through half a chicken in one meal, but we are a family of 4 with 2 youngun’s.
I’ve just recently discovered your blog and LOVE it!!! Very inspiring!
Cheers!
Susan
I am such a Costco fan – a bunch of friends and I will go in on stuff then split it up to save $$, their cheeses are so good!…. The stew looks perfect and so great for fall, I’m totally making it when I’m home… and I am a total brownie addict, one of the priests on my campus makes them every thursday after mass and they are so unbelievably good, but it’s because of the fudge factor, a total requirement!
The recipe is Paula Deen’s but I’ve seen them everywhere…and they are super yummy!
When we moved somewhere with only a Sam’s, no Costco, I was very sad
I have to say that our Sam’s in New Orleans has many healthy options if you spend time looking around. I’ve actually seen many more in the recent months. It’s where I do a lot of my shopping and I save a lot of $ by going there. I actually buy the same Sabra hummus you got and organic spinach every week at Sam’s, along with many other healthy goodies. I wish we had a Costco, but since we don’t, Sam’s will work for me!
I have been searching for some fall flavored yogurts – I saw some posted on another blog too. I have had the pumpkin beer and it is tasty.
I’ve had those brownies before – they are always a bit hit. I have to make sure to cook them long enough so the bar melts.
I like costco way better than Sams too. And I NEED to find that yogurt- omg!
Sheila + Susie,
1 chicken will last us 1 week. I usually plan 1 meat per week, so that’s 1:4 weeks taken care of two months in a row.
Kath
those fall veggies look delicious!
What do you mean you don’t have a meal/snack free?
Do you plan your meals/snacks out ahead of time? How far?
Allison,
Just that I had lunch/dinner plans through Sunday.
Kath