I got so much great feedback on yesterday afternoon’s post…I’m so glad you guys liked it! I actually posted that shortly before heading out later in the afternoon to spend a few hours with some of the girls.
I’ll tell ya, there’s nothing like spending time with some of your closest girlfriends, chatting, and munching on warm breadsticks from Olive Garden. It was a much-needed evening out!
Shortly after I got back home, Jay and I settled in to watch our Monday night TV line up, including How I Met Your Mother, The Voice, plus last night’s addition of the Jets game (which I don’t really want to talk about). But The Voice?!? Please tell me that you guys watched the last performance of last night’s episode…talk about goosebumps! I then proceeded to make Jay watch all the videos I posted yesterday with me again and we both had a few really good laughs. Too funny.
*****
Breakfast
This morning, I am extremely excited to have one of my favorites back into the routine…
Their oats seriously are my favorite, and they put my most recent canister of store brand oats to shame (I should have known better). They’re super thick and creamy like steel cut oats but cook up just like regular oats. They are, by far, THE best.
So this morning I whipped up a batch of Pumpkin Custard Oats…minus the custard part.
Because I forgot the egg whites. Crap.
Things were still tasty though, plus they were topped with a little Cranberry Pecan Love Grown Foods granola, so of course they were awesome.
I’ve got a few different things on the agenda today, so time to get crackin’!
Question for the Morning:
Do you tend to brand-shop when grocery shopping, or do you go with whatever is cheapest (i.e., the store brand, etc.)?
I’m actually semi-picky with this one and am definitely a brand snob with certain food items. My oats are one of them, but I’m also picky about other things like ketchup (Heinz), and waffles (recently found out the store brand is naaaasty).
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I change it up. I don’t feel like I always have to go name brand because there are some store brand products that are just as good, if not better, then some store brands. Obviously that depends on the product but because of that, I’m willing to change it up and try new things in terms of store brand products.
Elaine says
I pick and choose the products that I buy name brands versus the cheapest. I definitely have my favorite hummus, almond milk, cereals, and what not. But for items that don’t really seem to make a difference, I always try to get the cheapest to save a little money. I’ll need to try those oats! I’ve never seen/heard of it before, but I sure do love my oatmeal so I’m always looking for new brands and recipes to try :)
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
I don’t stick with brand name products. I tend to go with what is cheaper unless I have a specific brand that I am loyal to and for health reasons can only eat that particular brand. I find most of the time the no name products taste and do the same things as the name brands. I love shopping at Aldi for that exact reason :)
Khushboo Thadani says
Oh man, your Ketchup snobbishness is just another reason why I know we’d get along in real life…if it ain’t Heinz, it ain’t Ketchup…all I’m saying!
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige says
I’ve gotten pretty picky over the years. I tend to stick with my favorite brands, but actually, some of my favorite brands for things – like pickles, for example – are store brands!
Shari says
Warm breadsticks from Olive Garden = BEST THING EVER.
Donna says
I am definitely a brand snob and I’m not afraid to admit it. I am loyal to my brands for everything! I have, on occasion, bought store brand napkins or paper plates though, and they are ok. If I send my husband grocery shopping he will buy store brands of EVERYTHING and it drives me crazy! I hardly ever send him and if I do I specify what brand I want, not that it always works. My kids hate it too because they have become accustomed to the brands that I buy.
Lindsey says
Both, but I can be a brand snob for certain things, but then others like beans I buy the cheapest.
Natalie @ Free Range Human says
I definitely shop brands when it comes to food. It’s funny you mention ketchup…that’s one of my big ones! I will not do anything but Heinz!
Danielle @ Itsaharleyyylife says
It depends on the product but if its like ketchup I’ll just buy the store brand.. but if its like greek yogurt.. of course i’m buying chobani!
Beks says
I’ve never been a name brand product girl. Sometimes, I do, but most of the time, the store brand is made in the same factory, and I don’t believe in paying for labels.
Laurie @ Love, Laugh, Laurie says
I used to brand shop, but lately I put myself on a budget, so whatever is cheapest :) Thoughts on HIMYM? I wasn’t a huge fan, I don’t feel like it moved anything forward? Maybe I’m expecting too much!
Courtney says
We were sort of disappointed in it too…not much going on! Although we did say that they’re definitely making it seem like it’s going to be the last season with the way they jump to the future with Lilly and Marshal’s son, etc…booooo.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
A few things I’m picky about, particularly anything where the store brand has creepy additives (like lunch meat), but I got for the store brand when I can – I’m definitely a bargain shopper!
Lauri says
It totally depends on the food – Some things I’m ok with store brand and others I’m name brand all the way!! Greek yogurt is one – I LOVE Chobani and have tried many others that are cheaper but I keep coming back to Chobani….Ketchup and mustard I’m also brand loyal! Heinz and French’s all the way :)
Megan@funsizedfitness says
I usually brand shop-but only when my favorites are on sale! There are a few things that I don’t mind getting store-brand: regular oats, baking goods (sugar, flour, etc…), and frozen veggies.
Jade says
I go with store brand usually, except yogurt. Always Yoplait for me because there is a yoplait factory in my hometown that employs many people and gives back to the community, so I gotta support them!
Rachel says
I’m a marketing person so I always go for the brand names lol if I’m attracted to the design I’m sold haha
chelcie @ chelcie's food files says
i definitely like certain brands over others, (or brands that I grew up having), but now that I spend my own money on groceries a lot of the time I’ll just buy store brand because its usually cheaper
Erin says
I am picky about foods so there are some things I just can’t go generic on–but condiments, usually always generic.
As a Houstonian, I must say….GOOOOOOOO TEXANS :)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction says
Depends on what it is. I usually by the brand name but I won’t not buy the knock off.
Michelle@Peachy Palate says
I’m picky when it comes to things like nut butter and oats, and flours….I tend just to make sure to try and buy organic with everything else that I can! :)
Danica @ It's Progression says
I guess I’m not too picky when it comes to the brand but I’m always looking at and comparing ingredient labels. If they’re the same exact thing I’ll typically just go with whatever is cheapest!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
I’m actually pretty picky with brands… Things like nut butters, chocolate, ketchup, sauces, hummus, breads, yogurt, and cereal are always pretty specific… but some things like flours and frozen fruit/veggies I’m a lot more lenient with.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
I grocery shop mainly at Trader Joe’s so I buy all of there stuff. But when I shop say Target or my local grocery store, I compare the ingredient labels to store brand to name brand items. If the nutritional value and ingredients are the same, I buy the lesser price one, and sometimes thats the name brand!
Annette@FitnessPerks says
Never had coach’s oats?? I bet they’re good though!
I don’t usually care about brands, unless they’re ahhhhmazing (Chobani, for example).
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
I am always willing to try out the store brand, but once I find a brand that I like I definitely tend to stick with it!
Jentry Nielsen says
Oh my The Voice last night was amazing, I’m slightly addicted to that show! ha But that last performance was breathtaking! SO GOOD!
Some items I brand shop no matter what, yet with some items if one brand is on sale I can go with that! But things like my peanut butter, I don’t usually ever stray from my Skippy! ha
Andrea @ Vegvacious says
You made me so hungry for Olive Garden breadsticks!!! Sadly, Olive Garden closed its doors here and we have to cross the border into Michigan if we want to indulge!!!
I’m not picky on some items at the grocery store, but then there are some things that just can’t be replaced with a cheaper brand – Heinz ketchup was the first thing that came to mind!!
Eva @ Committed2Nutrition says
OH my gosh that voice was amaaaaaaaazing! That last performance..wowza!!! unbelievable. And, I love me some Adam Levine..my poor boyfriend haha.
I hear you on being a brand snob with some foods.. I am that way with oat bran. I really only like trader joe’s or bob’s mill inn. Otherwise I guess I am not that picky. I can buy the store brand or whatever’s cheapest on almost anything else!
Ashley @ Sweat for Sweets says
There are certain products that I keep going back to, mostly because I have to eat a gluten-free diet & find it hard to find products I LOVE. Once I find a g-free product I like, it usually sticks in the rotation! With all other products, I tend to buy whatever is on sale!
Kerry @ Totes My Oats says
There are a lot of things I am brand-loyal to like cold cuts, condiments, cereals, oats, and the list goes on! But, for things like sugar or butter when it comes to baking, I’m not picky.
michelle kim says
I’m also semi-picky. Usually for something like condiments, I’m fine with the cheapest thing. Then again, I usually go to TJ’s, so EVERYTHING is okay with me (I love the TJ’s brand as well as other brand-name stuff).
Brittany @ GOtheXtraMile says
Coach’s oats are my favorite! There is nothing like them. I brand shop for certain things – mostly cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and almond milk. For other stuff, I usually just buy the cheaper type unless it’s something I really want!
Shannon says
I’m semi-picky on this one too. I prefer getting things at sale prices, but if it’s peanut butter, it most certainly HAS to be Jif! I do like my Eggo waffles and my family always buys Heinz for ketchup and French’s for mustard.
Iris says
I’ve been dying to try Coach’s Oats!!! Thanks for reminding me to get some and add them to my breakfast rotation :)
Carrie @ Lift Eat Repeat says
Do you ever find granola gets kinda soft and chewy on,top of granola? It’s kind of a wierd texture for me!
Bek @ Crave says
I’m picky about some items in terms of brand, but not about others haha. I like my pb brands and salsa but things like cocoa, flour and baking products I usually go the cheapest.
Tara Deal | Treble in the Kitchen says
I honestly just buy whatever is on sale ;)
Becka @ simplybecka says
I am a brand loyal person all the way. There are some things that certain brands make that are just amazing. I am loving anything by “Food Should Taste This Good” right now. Their sweet potato chips are so yummy. I am glad I decided to try them one day at the store. I love when I find a new brand that is fabo. Have a great day. ^_^