My shopping was long and draining, but a success! I got most everything on my list complete.
So sad that Linens and Things is going out of business 😥 I’ve been a loyal customer of theirs since my mom used to take us on special girls’ day out trips. I got summer camp items there, most of my “going to college” gear, first apartment things. And today I got two new sets of placemats (both 20% off and with my giftcard) and raided the candle department. I wanted a shower curtain for our powder bath but I didn’t like any of the selection. I also got a free trial membership at BJ’s and got some Kashi cereals (a 3-in-1 pack!), laundry detergent, blue cheese, shave gel ( 
) and that peanut butter. For those two GIANT jars, it was only $6.99!! EarthFare’s PB might be best, but that price is unbeatable. I only had Smucker’s brand once before and liked it fine. It’s just “Peanuts, Salt” so it’s very peanuty! Lastly, I got my free Bath and Body Works lotion (Moonlit Path) and my watches both got new batteries. I didn’t make to early voting because the library I stopped into wasn’t participating 🙁
I took a Z-bar with me on my travels. I didn’t really get hungry until about 5:45 and had it then. It was pretty good. Not my favorite thing ever, but not bad either. I’d love to try the S’mores kind, but I haven’t seen them in our stores. What are y’all’s favorites? I didn’t care for the brownie one…
But it did take away my hunger well and sort of spoiled my dinner appetite 🙁
For dinner we made this Real Simple recipe: Polenta with Blue Cheese and Garlicky Chard. Ours was made with CSA bok choy instead of chard and featured raisins, red pepper flakes and a drizzle of maple syrup too. I also made the polenta with half milk half water (We used Bob’s Red Mill’s brand.)
The dish was good – but could have used even MORE flavor! The blue cheese was definitely the star. Make sure you use a real block of blue cheese and not the cheap crumbled kind if you make it. It’s all the difference in creaminess and bite.
On the side: the last two jalapeno muffins. I really liked having savory mini muffins to have with meals. Maybe I’ll make some this week.
(That’s water in my glass 🙂 )
The husband just found out he’s not working at Great Harvest this week (the new store he’s taking over for the dough/sponge job isn’t open yet) so he lucked out of going to bed at 8 tonight. I however, still have 2 tests this week so I must get to bed on time.
I am off to write my grandmother a letter, fold the laundry, take another bubble bath, and read!
Roxana says
Haha I love how that is water in your glass! I do the same, but with wine glasses 🙂
Megan says
Yummy dinner! I love Bok Choy and Polenta! Looks like you had a successful shopping trip!
I love the Honey Graham z-bars. I really like the Smores one, but others don’t seem so impressed.
BethT says
Blueberry is the best ZBar. Personally, I think the SMores tastes over processed and fake marshmallowy, so I wouldn’t search for it. Also, Smuckers was my go-to PB in NC (before I found Trader Joes) and I LOVED it!
VeggieGirl says
Linens and Things is going out of business?!?!!?!?!?! **dies**
Marianne says
Wait a second…LnT is going out of business?! Seriously?! I was just there this afternoon after work, and I did notice a sign on the doors saying they are no longer accepting their store credit cards, but it didn’t seem like they were having any sort of sale. I would think if they are going out of business in the US, they would be in Canada too. I have to stop off at that mall again on Wednesday, so I’ll look into it further. That totally sucks though!
Jenny says
Peanut butter Z-bars are amazing, as well as the chocolate chip, I think they are tied in my book!
I love that Kashi cereals variety pack, never seen that before.
Andrea says
blueberry zBar = awesome! i can’t believe LnT is going out of busines!?!?!
great deal on the PB! i think i spend that much on one jar 🙁
Lee says
Dinner Looks so yummy, Kath!!
I have tried the Peanut Butter zBar and liked the texture. But the bar itself was a little small and lightweight for me. I usually prefer a higher calorie snack in between meals, so usually I’d pair a >150 kcal snack with an apple or another piece of fruit to hold me over before my next meal. I live off Smuckers Peanut Butter, I like the texture much more than Jif, Skippy, or any thing else!
Betsy says
pb zbars are amazing. they taste like magic in bar form.
Nan Barber says
This weekend, there were 6 people standing with “Going out of Business” placards on the streets around the L&T in our town — advertising 50-70% off. I thought it was just another marketing gimmick until I read what Marianne said about the credit cards. I never went there very often, but I can’t believe they’re going out of business with their product mix…all of the (sometimes silly) stuff people like to buy for their houses. The last time I was there I bought a Calphalon skillet, 2 mattress pads, and 8 bed pillows!
Katelyn says
Our LnT has been closed for a while now! I’m not a huge fan of BB&B ever since we saw that according to their suggested registry, we needed 272 glasses!
Anyway, your dinner looked amazing, too bad it was a bit bland!
april says
how did you get the free lotion? thats so cool 🙂
Ashley says
Funny, I am a huge fan of the brownie flavor of Z-Bars. I think they’re delicious. Especially if you warm them in the microwave for a few seconds. I have only tried the Apple and the Chocolate Brownie, and wasn’t fond of the apple.
What other ones are good?
Gina says
Hi Kath!
I love the chocolate chip one but it is more of a treat than a snack! And, for some reason, it seems to make me hungrier! So I treat it like a treat and not a snack 🙂 And my kids like the brownie one the best.
Biz319 says
Great shopping! I love that shaving cream too.
Not sure I would try your dinner though – the maple syrup threw me!
Yea, hubby gets some rest!
Happy studing.
mh says
blueberry and choc chip are my favorites..they are amazing!! Yum! dinner looks great kath
Bridget says
Chocolate Chip Z-Bars are my favorite! I have liked all the flavors I’ve tried and I like that they are big enough to fill me up for a snack, but small enough that I don’t get too full.
Liz says
Mmmm polenta! I just made sage pumpkin polenta with maple balsalmic pork chops….I think it’d be right up your ally! I reminded me of pumkin oatmeal.
Cassidy says
That is the peanut butter I buy, but I buy the organic. IT IS DELICIOUS!!! It is the perfect mix of grainy and creamy.
caitlin says
im not suprised L&T is going out of business… they were also so expensive!
Mel says
I just found out that L&T was going out of business this weekend too, it makes me kinda sad.
As for Z-Bars, I really like the chocolate chip one, although I’ve only tried three different ones because they are really hard to find by me!
Teddy says
I’ll take a jalapeno muffin!! lol
Teddy
magpie says
The blueberry z-bars are pretty decent. Have you tried the brownie one warmed up in the microwave? It’s sososo much better that way. Actually all of them are pretty amazing warmed up.
emmy says
that dinner looks yummy! Real Simple has some surprisingly great meal idea – our turkey meatloaf (with roasted red pepper) comes from here and it’s probably husband and I’s favorite thing to make!
Nick says
Haha, as good as your Earthfare peanut butter is, I don’t know if it can compare to the Butter Toffee PB! When it comes to peanut butter, I don’t care how much it costs! Although Smuckers Natural is a good pb for being so commercial and widespread.
sarah says
i grew up on smuckers and love it. also pretty cheap is the whole foods store brand of pb — and it also contains just peanuts/salt (watch out, because their ‘organic’ type actually has other stuff like sugar and oils added). it’s usually about $3/jar (although the jars are likely to be smaller than the ones you got at bjs!)
polenta, bok choy, and bleu cheese: kath you are SO CREATIVE!
HangryPants says
I really like this recipe! It’s really different.
Also, I can’t get over that Matt works at Great Harvest. You’re so lucky! Or cursed, depending on which way you look at it.
Finally, no S’mores Z-Bars to be found near me either, but I tried on in N.J. and they taste very similar to the chocolate chip with a couple little marshmallow bits in it.
I think there are two bar people: larabar and z-bar. I am team Z!
Kayleen says
Hi Kath,
Two questions. I noticed that you rarely eat snacks anymore. How do you make through the day? I am much less active than you and find that hard as is.
Also, since you are an expert on greek yogurt. I find it tastes so much like sour cream even with add ins (I hate sour cream). I have tried oikos and fage. Do you feel choabni has a different texture? It looks more smooth. Or are they all alike it terms of texture and taste-in reference to plain.
zestycook says
Hey Kath, Diiner looks great as always… nice grocery shopping and good luck on the tests!!
zesty
Kristie says
That IS a pretty great peanut butter deal. I’d have snatched it up too.
Everything looks great. Love that dinner meal. I’ve never tried blue cheese, the idea of it kind of freaks me out, but you make it look so good…
madison (follow my weigh) says
i’m a fan of savory cornbread too =P
Kath says
april ,
I’m on their mailing list and get free coupons in the mail!
Nick ,
I think I’d have to agree with you that the Butter Toffee was the best I’ve had!! I’m going to save up and get another jar this winter 🙂
Kayleen,
I ate lots of snacks last week! But as for yesterday, my lunch was big and satisfying. I really try to only have a snack if I need one, and I often spoil my dinner with them. While some people love the mini meal style of eating, I think that snacks are often overrated. But I did have a Z-bar for a snack yesterday. Maybe try making your lunches bigger and surprise – you’ll need less snack.
Kath
Janie says
I was just looking at that recipe yesterday! I think I might try it later this week, and I’ll keep your comment in mind about needing more flavor 🙂
lauren says
I am not a huge zBar fan. Have just tried the brownie one so far and didnt enjoy it. I did, however, try the clif Nectar bar yesterday and LOVED it. the Lemon, Vanilla, Cashew flavor was awesome.
Josie says
Wow, that’s quite a steal with the peanut butter!
Moonlit path is my absolute favorite fragrance!
runjess says
That’s funny that you can’t find the S’mores, because that’s the ONLY flavor I can find right now!
Jen says
Dinner sounds delicious.
I would probably make the polenta with chicken broth and stir in a little skim milk and smidge of butter at the end.
Cat says
That all sounds so delicious!
I have only tried the Smucker’s natural once, but I do remember liking and and loving the ingredients. Have you ever tried the ZAP peanut butter? I heard it was great, but noticed one of the ingredients was hydrogenated grapeseed oil. Are hydrogenated oils as bad as partially hydrogenated oils??
Kath says
Cat ,
I haven’t ever tried ZAP but it does sound like it has trans-fats. Omitting partially still means they’re there 🙁
Kath