Hello! How’s your day going?
First, let me say “Thanks?!” for all the stories in kind on my last post. Is it weird that it made me feel better that so many of you have had ‘problems’ on the run?
I had limited access to email in China so I would just use it to upload a post or update Instagram. I didn’t look at email at all so there is a HUGE pile of that waiting for me. But, before I could work on that I had to get groceries (I was down to condiments) and check out Sears for a new washing machine.
I did a big grocery haul from Costco to stock up on essentials.
My list:
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Eggs
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Egg whites
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Sabra hummus
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bread
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yogurt
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chicken
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salad veggies
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broccoli & green beans
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fruit
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coconut water
I also spotted the Skinny Pop on sale. Then, I saw the Boom Chicka Pop was on sale too. They were fairly similar in price so I compared nutrition information.
Boom Chicka Pop:
Skinny Pop:
Lunch was my first real salad in forever! (I was advised not to eat raw veggies/fruits that are grown in the ground while in China. The books actually say ‘no raw veggies’ but there was an gastro-doctor on our tour and he said just avoid the ground stuff. I had a little bit of lettuce from a salad at the airport though.)
GOTR Volunteer Running Coaches Needed
Girls on the Run of Los Angeles is in need of volunteer running coaches. It’s an amazing program that teaches running and self esteem lessons to young girls. If you are interested please check out GOTR coaches for more information.
Be careful with “Skinny Pop”… it claims to be many good things on the package, but the reality is they refuse to disclose hidden ingredients in their products.
It’s marketed on the package as natural and healthy, free from this and that. Sounds too good to be true, and unfortunately it probably is.
I’m allergic/intolerant to so many things it sucks, so I absolutely have to know what I’m eating, every ingredient. I was super excited to find Skinny Pop, as there’s so little I can eat when it comes to packaged snacks. At first it appeared to be free from virtually everything bad.
But when I contacted Skinny Pop to find out the actual ingredients in their “White Cheddar Flavor” they refused to disclose this information, saying it’s “botanical” and a “trade secret”. We traded several emails, and I politely explained my health situation, but they absolutely wouldn’t budge.
Any food manufacturer that refuses to disclose any ingredients is hiding something. And food labeling laws in the USA unfortunately permit this, which most consumers don’t realize.
Don’t believe what you read on packages folks, it’s all talk. If you care about what you’re eating… stay away from this stuff… you don’t know what’s in it.
Hi MKW, I am having the same experience with Skinny Pop. My 10 yr old son has many allergies and food intolerances, and I noticed that the white cheddar flavor lists “non-dairy cheddar flavor” as an ingredient, but won’t be more specific. My son is allergic to peas and I have a sneaking suspicion there may be pea protein in that flavoring, because anytime I’ve tried to find a non-dairy cheese it is always made with peas! They don’t seem interested in helping me out at all. We are in Ontario, I thought they had to disclose all ingredients by law….
The no flavored one is the best one. Why don’t you try that one instead.
Skinny pop without cheese…that is.
Skinny Pop almost killed me. I have a pea allergy and have been hospitalized a lot as this latest health craze has taken hold. Their packaging is a lie. The white cheddar has to have pea protein in it as I found out the hard way!
There is definitely something very wrong with Skinny Pop popcorn! About a year ago, I bought a bag of the white cheddar popcorn and almost immediately after eating the first (and only) helping, my throat felt sore and I was so thirsty. I just figured I had eaten a little too much and the salt had gotten to me. But it didn’t stop there. The thirst and sore throat continued and then my sinuses became affected. Lots of nose blowing and hawking and my head didn’t feel very good either. It took several days before the symptoms went away. So, then just the other day, without thinking, I bought a bag of Skinny Pop’s regular popcorn. “Ingredients: Popcorn, Sunflower Oil and Salt. That’s All. Nothing More. Nothing Less.” Well, wouldn’t you know, same thing, sore throat, then sinus issues! Grrrr! After mulling this over and researching my symptoms, the only thing I can figure is that it must be pesticide poisoning, whether it’s from the popcorn or the oil or salt. Whichever ingredient, the issues probably still come down to harmful chemicals, to which I am allergic. Has to be one or the other. If I wanted to feel this bad, I could just breathe bug spray. 🙁
Boom Chick A Pop used to be good. They have recently changed something in their recipe that make the popcorn dry and tasteless….plus it’s tuff! Several of my friends have also noticed the change, and we’ve all switched to Skinny Pop which is delicious! We’ll take the extra calories…it’s worth it!
I agree skinny popcorn is the best ,no sugar low sodium,cholesterol free,I buy them on line
Sorry to barge in here. Thought I’d let you know that Angie’s Popcorn reports 140 (Not 120) calories per serving on their site: http://angiespopcorn.com/project/sea-salt-popcorn/
Not sure which one is right.
I love a big, full basket of veggies!
Skinny pop ain’t so….I just bought that BIG bag that was on sale! How does the other one taste? I haven’t opened it and am NOT above returning it for the other!
Thank Monica. Welcome home and thanks for sharing your China adventure with us. 🙂
Yes! GOTR is the best!
Boom Chicka Pop for the win!
I love Boom Chicka Pop “lightly sweet” popcorn!
Costco has so many goodies…love that place! I will have to check out if there is a GOTR in Phoenix. Thanks for the suggestion!
Looking at your groceries makes me realize I really need to clean up my eating!
I was actually considering volunteering with GOTR near me in Ohio- I think its time to get serious about it. Maybe ill add that to my 2014 must-do list!
Now I feel inspired to go make my healthy grocery list -thx! 🙂
No raw veggies would be hard, but I think I would get over it fast sense I knew what could happen! I can’t wait to see how your Groupon experience was, I have been tempted before and just would love a second opinion!
Now I have the urge to go Costco. I think I will have to take a trip this weekend!
It is always a bit uncomfortable when your told to avoid certain food products when traveling. When in Greece I was told to not drink the water and I more than learned my lesson with that one!
Yumm pop corn! Looks like the skinny pop isnt the best or up to par to the other brand you had.
No raw veggies?? Eesh…that’s rough for salad peeps (like me)
K, your picture is going to make me fess up.
I bought sriracha for home finally. Haven’t had it on anything other than pho and Vietnamese foods before, but all your pictures and references to it prompted me to pick it up. It may help force eggs down my throat! And I love me some heat, so seeing it as a dressing? Yes!
Loved seeing and reading about all you did in China! Would love to hear your thoughts on a groupon vacation…it’s tempting, but scares us a bit to not be in control of our vacation/wonder what the quality would be.
Hey Monica,
I don’t mean to be nosey or anything but
Where is skinny runner? Did I miss an announcement
That she was ending her blog?
I know you are good friends with her.
Just hoping everything is OK.
Yes, she is doing great in real life 🙂
Have you tried ips – Intelligent Protein Snacks? They totally blow these other popped chips away. Sadly, not available at CostCo 🙁
it’s always the best feeling to have some veggies after going too long without them!
No wonder Skinny Pop tastes so much better!! Ha. Darn it.
Can’t wait for a full china recap!!!
I miss GotR so much!! I was a coach my senior year in college. It was so challenging but such a GREAT experience. If only I didn’t have a pesky 9-who knows when but after GotR is over lol.
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to volunteer for GOTR but they don’t have one around here – hopefully wherever we move next will have a local chapter!