"I love Whole Foods." That's right. I love everything about Whole Foods. I like the layout of the stores. I like the selection of products. I like the way the products are packaged. I like, I like, I like. Granted, the prices are higher in Whole Foods, but what they are offering is different from what the big chain grocery stores offer. I don't shop there all the time, but I do stop by frequently to pick up some of my favorite items. This Whole Foods location at 22nd and H Street NW in downtown Washington is close to the office. Well, relatively close to the office. It is on the George Washington University campus which is close to the Foggy Bottom Metro station which makes it easily accessible on the way home in the evening. It has only been open for a short while but most anytime you go in it is crowded which is a testament to how wildly popular their stores are.
Last night I stopped in for a few goodies.
Now this is a healthy basket. What you see here (starting top left) is freshly baked turkey with green beans and chopped, baked garlic bits. Moving clockwise, next is Wild Salmon Cakes. And finally a container of just freshy baked turkey. The green beans and turkey box is delicious and I would recommend it to anyone who is watching their weight or is dealing with Type II Diabetes, as I am. Yummy!! The Wild Salmon Cakes, . . . eh! There's a lot of bread in them there salmon cakes. I ate part of one hoping to find some salmon at some point but never really had any luck. I do not normally eat bread because it causes my blood sugar to skyrocket. I was afraid I would pay the price this morning when I checked my blood sugar from eating only part of one of these, and I did. My reading was 94 last night when I got home and 154 this morning. Bad!! Not "rush me to the hospital" bad. But higher than what I would like in the morning. My doctor wants my blood sugar no higher than 120 in the morning. So I was unhappy. Fortunately I can report that I just checked it and it has come down to 136. I'm happy again.
Here you see the prepared foods, of which there is an enormous array. The little containers in the middle have the freshly baked turkey that is in my basket. To the right are freshly baked breaded chicken nuggets. My hand kept going toward those and it took great effort to move it to the left a bit to instead pick up the fresh turkey box. Under the turkey and chicken nugget shelf you can see a glimpse of lo mein boxes and wraps of different descriptions. They also have freshly made empanadas which looked divine.
A little further down the freshly baked turkey and chicken nugget aisle was this beautiful display of, once again, freshly made pizzas. Great control. It took great control not to pick one of these beauties up. I do, on occasion, throw caution to the wind and have a slice or two of pizza. It just means a little more time on the treadmill. I think one of these might find it's way into my nice, clean oven this weekend. (More on the nice clean oven in an upcoming post.) The tomato and mozarella and basil one on the bottom left looks particularly good. But I don't think you would be unhappy with any selection here.
And finally, in the same general area with the turkey and chicken nuggets and the pizza, there was an excellent array of sushi and salads. I love sushi, but, once again, only have it rarely since the white rice makes my blood sugar spike. On the far left end here you see those wonderful avocado rolls which are rolled in brown rice. A much better choice for me and as delicious, in my opinion, as the ones made with white rice. I particularly like the avocado rolls. Avocados are good for everyone, in moderation, and especially those of us with Type II Diabetes. Avocados are high in monounsaturated fats, which are generally considered among the healthiest of fats. Researchers have found that a diet high in monounsaturated fats and low in low–quality carbs may improve insulin sensitivity. Monounsaturated fats also improve heart health — an especially important benefit for diabetics, who are at an increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Add a few thin slices of avocado to your sandwiches in place of mayonnaise, or mash a ripe avocado with cilantro, lime juice, and diced tomatoes for a delicious guacamole dip.
So that was my trip through Whole Foods last night. Never a disappointing stop to make. Even the most finicky palate will find something to their liking in Whole Foods.
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