Opti
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 10:45:38 GMT -5
Posts: 42,245
Location: New Jersey
Mini-Profile Name Color: c28523
Mini-Profile Text Color: 990033
|
Post by Opti on Sept 6, 2014 18:41:48 GMT -5
I just came back from grocery shopping and actually was wondering if the cashier had developed a fake customer smile for people who pay with EBT. Mainly because I bought some not cheap stuff that I like. So it made me wonder, what purchase below would be judged more harshly and why.
Purchase A: 6 pack Zevia soda a pkg Kale chips total ~10.98
Purchase B: 4 cases Sierra Mist(on sale) a pkg of potato chips(on sale) total ~12.50
|
|
swamp
Community Leader
THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 16:03:22 GMT -5
Posts: 45,622
|
Post by swamp on Sept 6, 2014 18:43:04 GMT -5
Purchase A. Because it's kale.
|
|
Opti
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 10:45:38 GMT -5
Posts: 42,245
Location: New Jersey
Mini-Profile Name Color: c28523
Mini-Profile Text Color: 990033
|
Post by Opti on Sept 6, 2014 18:48:53 GMT -5
OK, I guess you don't like Kale?
I actually love Kale chips and first tried it when I won a gift card at the office Christmas party. I bet you would approve of purchase A more if the Kale chips had been Bark Thins chocolate bark with Almonds?
|
|
mamasita99
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 3, 2011 5:42:27 GMT -5
Posts: 1,623
|
Post by mamasita99 on Sept 6, 2014 19:12:35 GMT -5
I can't get over the fact that soda can be purchased with EBT. One of the reasons I stopped drinking soda was to save money. I couldn't imagine buying it with other people's money. I probably shouldn't be a cashier!
|
|
ArchietheDragon
Junior Associate
Joined: Jul 7, 2014 14:29:23 GMT -5
Posts: 6,380
|
Post by ArchietheDragon on Sept 6, 2014 19:18:53 GMT -5
I doubt the cashier gives two shits.
|
|
Opti
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 10:45:38 GMT -5
Posts: 42,245
Location: New Jersey
Mini-Profile Name Color: c28523
Mini-Profile Text Color: 990033
|
Post by Opti on Sept 6, 2014 19:32:13 GMT -5
I can't get over the fact that soda can be purchased with EBT. One of the reasons I stopped drinking soda was to save money. I couldn't imagine buying it with other people's money. I probably shouldn't be a cashier! You might want to check out the stock of Coke, Pepsi, etc. My guess is they will keep lobbying to be on the EBT train.
|
|
dannylion
Junior Associate
Gravity is a harsh mistress
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 12:17:52 GMT -5
Posts: 5,213
Location: Miles over the madness horizon and accelerating
Member is Online
|
Post by dannylion on Sept 6, 2014 19:42:07 GMT -5
Oooo, I like kale chips. I tried making them myself, but it was not an unqualified success.
Did they have cheese on them? I like the ones with cheese on.
|
|
Opti
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 10:45:38 GMT -5
Posts: 42,245
Location: New Jersey
Mini-Profile Name Color: c28523
Mini-Profile Text Color: 990033
|
Post by Opti on Sept 6, 2014 19:51:44 GMT -5
Soda pisses me off the most as an EBT purchase. Zero nutritional value, tons of sugar, caffeine, and pretty much everyone on EBT has kids. The money is supposed to be used to keep the kids from going hungry. It's probably the single worst thing you can buy at a grocery store nutrition wise, and you know they're giving it to their kids. The ones waddling along behind mom that are already obese by age 10. It's just sad. I'm on EBT, no kids. I find it challenging to drink enough liquid everyday and I'm not good at drinking enough liquid when its just plain water. So one soda a day, sometimes is one of my cheats to get my liquid intake up.
Water is important nutrition too! (I don't do the caffeine thing. My preferred sodas are lemon lime or ginger-ale. Just want you to hate me accurately. )
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 10, 2024 16:25:51 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2014 19:55:15 GMT -5
Soda pisses me off the most as an EBT purchase. Zero nutritional value, tons of sugar, caffeine, and pretty much everyone on EBT has kids. The money is supposed to be used to keep the kids from going hungry. It's probably the single worst thing you can buy at a grocery store nutrition wise, and you know they're giving it to their kids. The ones waddling along behind mom that are already obese by age 10. It's just sad. Not necessarily. I'm a Diet Pepsi addict and my kids never get any soda. Partially because I know it's not good for them, and partially because it's my one indulgence and I refuse to share.
|
|
Opti
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 10:45:38 GMT -5
Posts: 42,245
Location: New Jersey
Mini-Profile Name Color: c28523
Mini-Profile Text Color: 990033
|
Post by Opti on Sept 6, 2014 19:55:41 GMT -5
Oooo, I like kale chips. I tried making them myself, but it was not an unqualified success.
Did they have cheese on them? I like the ones with cheese on. It was the cheaper brand I hadn't tried before. Even though it said Nacho Cheese flavor the ingredients didn't have a fake vegan cheese like I think Brad's Kale Chips. I love the Vampire Killer one. It feels like health in a clamshell to me.
How did the Kale chip experiment go? I don't get greens often, but someday I'd like to give home-made Kale chips a try.
|
|
dannylion
Junior Associate
Gravity is a harsh mistress
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 12:17:52 GMT -5
Posts: 5,213
Location: Miles over the madness horizon and accelerating
Member is Online
|
Post by dannylion on Sept 6, 2014 20:06:56 GMT -5
Oooo, I like kale chips. I tried making them myself, but it was not an unqualified success.
Did they have cheese on them? I like the ones with cheese on. It was the cheaper brand I hadn't tried before. Even though it said Nacho Cheese flavor the ingredients didn't have a fake vegan cheese like I think Brad's Kale Chips. I love the Vampire Killer one. It feels like health in a clamshell to me.
How did the Kale chip experiment go? I don't get greens often, but someday I'd like to give home-made Kale chips a try.
Some of the chips tasted all right. The ones I didn't burn. My oven has hot spots that appear to be random, and things get burned sometimes. Yeah. That's it. It's the oven. I haven't tried again because it was kinda fiddly work washing and drying the kale and getting it ready and all.
I did get some kale chips with parmesan cheese online from nuts.com that I really liked, but the weight of the cheese caused the kale chips to break into small pieces, so I didn't order any more. Also, they were pricey. I just checked the website and they don't seem to have that flavor anymore, so maybe others had the same problem with them.
One day when I have lots of time and patience, I will try making my own again. I used Melissa d'Arabian's recipe. (Even though she mispronounces her last name, sometimes her food looks good.)
Here 'tis: Kale Chips
I find kale easier to prepare on the stovetop.
I wonder if you can make chips from collard greens?
|
|
Opti
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 10:45:38 GMT -5
Posts: 42,245
Location: New Jersey
Mini-Profile Name Color: c28523
Mini-Profile Text Color: 990033
|
Post by Opti on Sept 6, 2014 20:12:37 GMT -5
I would think so.
I don't make greens much now mainly because I need to shepherd my grocery funds more now than when I was a UNIX admin with a nice salary. I like using Kale in potato hash and sometimes on its own as a side dish sauteed in olive oil with garlic. (Bacon optional. )
|
|
Opti
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 10:45:38 GMT -5
Posts: 42,245
Location: New Jersey
Mini-Profile Name Color: c28523
Mini-Profile Text Color: 990033
|
Post by Opti on Sept 6, 2014 20:14:47 GMT -5
Recipe looks nice and easy. Not sure what a head of Kale is, perhaps she meant a grocery store sized bunch?
|
|
dannylion
Junior Associate
Gravity is a harsh mistress
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 12:17:52 GMT -5
Posts: 5,213
Location: Miles over the madness horizon and accelerating
Member is Online
|
Post by dannylion on Sept 6, 2014 20:23:34 GMT -5
Potato hash with kale sounds good, Optimist. I like to make kale soup with lots of garlic and sweet Italian sausage and farfalle. Yum. Kale is good.
|
|
TheHaitian
Senior Associate
Joined: Jul 27, 2014 19:39:10 GMT -5
Posts: 10,144
|
Post by TheHaitian on Sept 6, 2014 20:23:57 GMT -5
I doubt the cashier gives two shits. As a person that works retail and many times I have to go up front to ring a register, I can honest to God tell you : 1,000,000 X
|
|
Opti
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 10:45:38 GMT -5
Posts: 42,245
Location: New Jersey
Mini-Profile Name Color: c28523
Mini-Profile Text Color: 990033
|
Post by Opti on Sept 6, 2014 20:27:10 GMT -5
Potato hash with kale sounds good, Optimist. I like to make kale soup with lots of garlic and sweet Italian sausage and farfalle. Yum. Kale is good. That sounds good too. Yes I am a fan of Kale. I didn't start eating it until later in life when I did a rotation diet to find food sensitivities/allergies.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 10, 2024 16:25:51 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2014 20:43:25 GMT -5
I'd never pay that much for kale chips; I roast fresh kale in the oven. It takes some attention but I've been happy with the results.
Have you tried lemon juice in water? That's really helped me increase my water consumption .
|
|
mollyanna58
Junior Associate
Joined: Jan 5, 2011 13:20:45 GMT -5
Posts: 6,722
|
Post by mollyanna58 on Sept 6, 2014 20:49:47 GMT -5
A because you only got a single 6-pack of soda, vs. B where you got many, many more cans.
|
|
Opti
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 10:45:38 GMT -5
Posts: 42,245
Location: New Jersey
Mini-Profile Name Color: c28523
Mini-Profile Text Color: 990033
|
Post by Opti on Sept 6, 2014 21:35:57 GMT -5
I'd never pay that much for kale chips; I roast fresh kale in the oven. It takes some attention but I've been happy with the results. Have you tried lemon juice in water? That's really helped me increase my water consumption . I do use lemon juice in water too. I've found when I over pour lemon juice I need to add Stevia or sugar so its drinkable. I also like naturally sweet herbal teas iced. However, my good glass pitcher died in a fatal tea brewing accident earlier this year. He imploded.
Apparently it was a life-shattering event...
|
|
JustLurkin
Well-Known Member
This is what you look like right now.
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 5:28:20 GMT -5
Posts: 1,109
|
Post by JustLurkin on Sept 6, 2014 21:44:14 GMT -5
Try TrueLemon, it's normally in the sugar section but is supposed to be all natural. It comes in packets (and different flavors, but I like the lemon) and I keep a few in my purse. Ooooh, I see they are offering sample packs, good cause they just came out with some new flavors: www.truelemonstore.com/category-s/1834.htm
|
|
Ryan
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 16, 2014 13:40:36 GMT -5
Posts: 2,217
|
Post by Ryan on Sept 6, 2014 21:48:29 GMT -5
Cashiers probably see so much they don't even pay attention, although I do seem to get the ones that always comment on what I'm buying e.g. Lots of animal crackers eh? Must have some kids at home!
I don't really care what someone buys either way. But if you're short on funds, I do wonder why people would choose to spend the money the way they do. To me, a six pack of Zevia pop and kale chips is a waste of money. I'd rather balance out healthy foods/indulgences in a more economical way like frozen fruit and graham crackers or something. Or actual kale and a bag of real chips.
|
|
Malarky
Junior Associate
Truth and snark are equal opportunity here.
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 21:00:51 GMT -5
Posts: 5,313
|
Post by Malarky on Sept 6, 2014 21:58:23 GMT -5
I'm on EBT, no kids. I find it challenging to drink enough liquid everyday and I'm not good at drinking enough liquid when its just plain water. So one soda a day, sometimes is one of my cheats to get my liquid intake up.
I'm not good at drinking enough liquid when its just plain water.
Put me in the category of not wanting to pay for this. Water is a healthy choice. I get that some places have water that tastes bad, for $5.00 you can find a Brita filter that will get you 3 months of filtered water. The fact that you don't want to drink water "plain" is an acquired taste. just like I "need " sugar in my coffee. Fact is, if sugar isn't readily available, I don't give up my cup of coffee.
|
|
Opti
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 10:45:38 GMT -5
Posts: 42,245
Location: New Jersey
Mini-Profile Name Color: c28523
Mini-Profile Text Color: 990033
|
Post by Opti on Sept 6, 2014 23:23:36 GMT -5
Try TrueLemon, it's normally in the sugar section but is supposed to be all natural. It comes in packets (and different flavors, but I like the lemon) and I keep a few in my purse. Ooooh, I see they are offering sample packs, good cause they just came out with some new flavors: www.truelemonstore.com/category-s/1834.htmYou are both generous and cruel. Now I know more about their product line which is not fully sold in my area. The spices look very interesting and I hope the True Grapefruit makes it out to one of the grocery stores near me.
I usually have some True Black Cherry Limeade or True Lemonade daily. I probably should see how long and economical using True Lime or Lemon would be for me. I unfortunately get tempted and indulge using True Lime or True Lemon in meals. Both work great in rice dishes for example and a dash of True Lemon can really liven up my tuna pasta salad.
Yes it would be good to change my True Lemonade habit for True Lemon to drop down my use of Stevia and crank my sweet tooth down a bit more.
(I only looked at the link because for some reason my sleep addled brain was thinking sample packs meant free True Lemonade samples! )
|
|
Opti
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 10:45:38 GMT -5
Posts: 42,245
Location: New Jersey
Mini-Profile Name Color: c28523
Mini-Profile Text Color: 990033
|
Post by Opti on Sept 6, 2014 23:39:57 GMT -5
I'm on EBT, no kids.I find it challenging to drink enough liquid everyday and I'm not good at drinkingenough liquid when its just plain water. So one soda a day, sometimes is one of my cheatsto get my liquid intake up. I'm not good at drinking enough liquid when its just plain water. Put me in the category of not wanting to pay for this. Water is a healthy choice. I get that some places have water that tastes bad, for $5.00 you can find a Brita filter that will get you 3 months of filtered water. The fact that you don't want to drink water "plain" is an acquired taste. just like I "need " sugar in my coffee. Fact is, if sugar isn't readily available, I don't give up my cup of coffee. Done.
Feel free to put me in the category of I'm mostly OK with what EBT covers now and I'm fine that my taxes now and in the past funded the program as it is.
FWIW, I just don't drink plain water fast enough and often enough to fully hydrate from tap water. Back in my Pharma days I use to line up 2 to 3 liter bottles of Smart Water on my desk and work on drinking them all b4 I left work.
I'm a foodie and non-foodies will likely never get my choices or preferences. Just like I'll never fully understand people who can eat the same thing day in and day out or need coffee. MHO is if you sleep enough, coffee is unnecessary. YM obviously varies, but I always drink my coffee black.
|
|
Opti
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 10:45:38 GMT -5
Posts: 42,245
Location: New Jersey
Mini-Profile Name Color: c28523
Mini-Profile Text Color: 990033
|
Post by Opti on Sept 6, 2014 23:44:30 GMT -5
Cashiers probably see so much they don't even pay attention, although I do seem to get the ones that always comment on what I'm buying e.g. Lots of animal crackers eh? Must have some kids at home! I don't really care what someone buys either way. But if you're short on funds, I do wonder why people would choose to spend the money the way they do. To me, a six pack of Zevia pop and kale chips is a waste of money. I'd rather balance out healthy foods/indulgences in a more economical way like frozen fruit and graham crackers or something. Or actual kale and a bag of real chips. To me frozen fruit and graham crackers would be a waste. I don't eat frozen fruit and I'm not big on graham crackers and most commercial products that might contain HFCS. Certainly the Zevia and Kale chips are a big splurge now. Somewhere in my apartment is a $5 off $25 coupon at Wegmans which will be used against today's receipt if I find it in the next few weeks. It essentially will make that bag of Kale chips $0.99.
|
|
toomuchreality
Senior Associate
Joined: Sept 3, 2011 10:28:25 GMT -5
Posts: 16,894
Favorite Drink: Sometimes I drink water... just to surprise my liver!
Member is Online
|
Post by toomuchreality on Sept 7, 2014 0:21:43 GMT -5
Soda pisses me off the most as an EBT purchase. Zero nutritional value, tons of sugar, caffeine, and pretty much everyone on EBT has kids. The money is supposed to be used to keep the kids from going hungry. It's probably the single worst thing you can buy at a grocery store nutrition wise, and you know they're giving it to their kids. The ones waddling along behind mom that are already obese by age 10. It's just sad. I'm on EBT, no kids. I find it challenging to drink enough liquid everyday and I'm not good at drinking enough liquid when its just plain water. So one soda a day, sometimes is one of my cheats to get my liquid intake up.
Water is important nutrition too! (I don't do the caffeine thing. My preferred sodas are lemon lime or ginger-ale. Just want you to hate me accurately. )
I'm with you on this . I too, have a hard time getting enough fluid in a day. I hate plain water. YUCK! If it has a LOT of lemon, like lemonade with very little sugar, I can drink that. But not just a squirt or a squeeze of a lemon. (I love lemons!) I drink soda sometimes and a lot of juice and Hawaiian punch.
|
|
Opti
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 10:45:38 GMT -5
Posts: 42,245
Location: New Jersey
Mini-Profile Name Color: c28523
Mini-Profile Text Color: 990033
|
Post by Opti on Sept 7, 2014 2:39:44 GMT -5
TMR is nice to have at least someone agree with me and understand my issues don't change just because I'm currently poorer.
I grew up drinking an 6 to 8oz glass of juice and the occasional soda as my Dad would buy a case or two of 1 to 2 liter glass bottles of soda at a beverage distributer. Things I generally don't drink, or go on the EBT card, include milk, soy milk, and coffee.
BTW, I love fresh squeezed lemonade... yum... <--------------------------------------------------- happy squeezed lemon!
|
|
toomuchreality
Senior Associate
Joined: Sept 3, 2011 10:28:25 GMT -5
Posts: 16,894
Favorite Drink: Sometimes I drink water... just to surprise my liver!
Member is Online
|
Post by toomuchreality on Sept 7, 2014 3:52:15 GMT -5
TMR is nice to have at least someone agree with me and understand my issues don't change just because I'm currently poorer.
I grew up drinking an 6 to 8oz glass of juice and the occasional soda as my Dad would buy a case or two of 1 to 2 liter glass bottles of soda at a beverage distributer. Things I generally don't drink, or go on the EBT card, include milk, soy milk, and coffee.
BTW, I love fresh squeezed lemonade... yum... <--------------------------------------------------- happy squeezed lemon!
I grew up drinking water, milk or kool aid. During my 2nd marriage, my husband was a control freak, and we could only drink water (if he was around). BLAH! I think it's important to get enough fluids, no matter what it's in. Esp. in the hot weather. Your economic status doesn't change my opinion. I'm just being me. <--------------------------------------------------- happy squeezed lemon! I love me some lemonade! Ü Sleep well, and Enjoy your day tomorrow.
|
|
truthbound
Familiar Member
Joined: Mar 1, 2014 6:01:51 GMT -5
Posts: 814
|
Post by truthbound on Sept 7, 2014 4:17:25 GMT -5
I can't get over the fact that soda can be purchased with EBT. One of the reasons I stopped drinking soda was to save money. I couldn't imagine buying it with other people's money. I probably shouldn't be a cashier! That. OPM shouldn't be buying anyone's groceries. But that is another discussion. Soda and chips are crap junk food. They shouldn't be covered.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 10, 2024 16:25:51 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2014 6:13:54 GMT -5
Soda and chips are crap junk food. They shouldn't be covered. Totally agreed- I'm always stunned when I see how much of our groceries are classified food-stamp eligible according to the receipt- a box of Good & Plenty, ice cream, a Hershey Bar...those are discretionary purchases and pretty much empty calories. You could argue that the ice cream has some calcium and protein, but that's not a very healthy way to get either. (BTW, we don't use food stamps- I'm just tracking what the grocery receipt shows.) I also agree with the OP that graham crackers aren't very healthy. They may have a trace of graham flour (named after its inventor, who created it as a health food), but a graham cracker is a cookie. I quit buying them years ago when I found they had high-fructose corn syrup in them.
|
|