My neighbor and I went to the Grocery Outlet last night, which is normally one of my favorite grocery stores for three reasons.

1. You can find the strangest items there and try them because of the reasonable prices.
2. The good prices on food, some of which is very high quality stuff that would cost a kidney at another store.
3. The owner of our local store is super involved in the community, promotes the success of local kids and supports the food pantry at the non-profit where I serve as development manager.

Last night I purchased $63 worth of food which ranged from organic strawberries to spaghetti squash, fancy chicken to fish nuggets.

It took all my self-control not to try it all last night as soon as we got home.

Then this morning I ended up on a two hour phone call with my traveling companion M catching up and discussing many of the topics I have touched on recently in this blog.

The teenager woke to the discussion of social unrest and the Coronavirus.

So at 11, I made a scrumptious brunch. And I think I purchased all of it at the Grocery Outlet:

• Fresh pineapple cored and cut by the teenager
• Cranberry cheddar
• Sea Hale Maple Pecan mix
• Kii crackers
• Betsy’s Best nut butter

Thoughts from both of us (the teen and I) on each item:

Great Midwest Cranberry Cheddar— the teen said if you had the cheese by itself it had a yummy sweetness. I couldn’t taste the cranberries but it was a really nice, creamy cheddar.

Sea Hale Maple Pecan Mix—I love the Sea Hale mango trail mix. A lot. These were little bags, great price at 50 cents each. I only bought one because they didn’t have much protein so I assumed that meant not many nuts inside. Turns out, it included dried fruit, apples and cherries. It was delightful. The teenager thought it was really good, super sweet and loved the dried fruit. We definitely want more of those.

Kii Naturals Fig, Black Sesame and Golden Flax Crackers— at first I thought man these things are chewy but then I realized I was eating the dried fig in the cracker. I loved the mix of super crispy and chewy. And the blend of sweet and savory. Teen labels them strange. “Not a bad strange, just strange.” I thought they were magnificent with the cashew butter. The teen thinks they are best with mild cheese. A tad expensive even at $2.99 for the small box.

Betsy’s Best Cashew Butter with coconut and chia— incredible. Creamy, coconut flavor a thick mouth feel due to the chia. The teen refused to try it. Delicious and I think the price was very reasonable.