whole indeed

Posted January 18th, 2008 by Michelle

Whole Foods is a frightening place. Not only is it enormous, it lulls you into thinking that NOW is the time to buy pears, crab legs, and a set of rechargeable batteries. At least, that is what I was holding when I got out of there, and that is how they parted me with over $40. I’ll admit I also bought pumpkin ravioli and crab bisque, but who in the crap *wouldn’t* buy pumpkin ravioli and crab bisque, given the opportunity?

I saw lots of folks I knew there, colleagues and friends, and I overheard ten conversations as I wandered the many aisles. Everyone, to a person, was talking about the same thing: the prices. That store is insanely expensive, and yet, all of us had arms and baskets full of *stuff*, glossy-eyed with our treasure troves, sticky from the strawberry samples, slowly wandering and filled with awe that so metropolitan a place could be found in our little town.

Trader Joe’s is next door, where I bought a week’s worth of staples for about $20. I know I’ll still spend the bulk of my time at Joe’s, but whenever I need to buy petrale sole stuffed with crab and shrimp, dolmas, and an organic, free trade cotton sweater all at the same time, I’m afraid that Whole Foods will once again tempt me inside.

I now need to be alone with my pumpkin ravioli.