What would you buy at Whole Foods?

[LVale]

My dear brother, who is the ultimate foodie and gourmet, sent me a gift card for $50.00 to whole foods. I have not a clue what to spend it on. I live in Houston, if that helps. I have never been to a whole foods market. Reason, the cost! I have been perfectly happy shopping at Kroger's and HEB. My husband drove by one and said the parking lot was full of BMW's and Lexus's. I do a lot of cooking from scratch , but I don't do organics. This is the first time I got a gift card, and no idea, what to buy! Help!

[weliveintheforest]

just go browse around! Is there anything you've wanted to buy that you couldn't get at your usual grocery store? maybe oils or fancy cheese or body care stuff?

[Jaxinator]

You could see what they have in the bulk section, since you cook from scratch.
Check if there's any fees for non-usage, and if not, take your time spending the money.
Oh and their reusable shopping bags are pretty sturdy, you could get a few of those.

[MegBoz]

You could indulge & buy some of the prepared foods if you want. I just went at lunch & picked up some shrimp salad.

But I actually go there for wheat berries! None of the regular grocery stores in my area have them! Also quinoa can be hard to find & red lentils.

Finally, DH read online that San Marzano are the best canned tomoatoes & Whole Foods is the only place in the area that has them. (We make homemade pizza & homemade sauce, but we also used canned tomatoes for soups, chili, etc.)

[texaspeach]

check out the bulk bins, or if you eat meat their meat and seafood are nice. I typically only buy dairy subs there or bulk items. I find the produce at heb or central market or farmers market to be nicer and a better value.

if you use supplements or homeopathics you could buy them there.

[HollyBearsMom]

I wouldn't even know where to begin. There are so many questions

• Are in a vegetarian or omnivore
• Do you like ethnic foods or lots of spices or bland
• do you have food allergies
• what are your favorite flavors
• do you like prepared foods
• do you love cheese
• i could go one an on and on

it is a GROCERY store and like krogers it offers THOUSANDS of food choices. Organic, non organic, brand name and store brand, canned, boxed, prepared, fresh, meats, cheeses.......

To me its like asking what to buy a Krogers or Stop and Shop....food of course. Food you and your family like to eat.

And Honestly, what do eeh cars in parking lots have to do with what is inside the store??

[lovbeingamommy]

I would have to say the bulk food bins would probably be your best choice for getting the most out of your gift card and especially since you cook by scratch that's even better. They have a lot of organic bulk items that you might not find anywhere else too easily.

[feminist~mama]

Hmmm- I'd look for hazelnut oil because my DP loves it and it's a bit hard to find!

Beyond that- it really depends on your goals. Are you hoping to get as much food for the $$ as possible? Or are you hoping to try a few spendy fun new items that aren't usually in your budget?

[rootzdawta]

Originally Posted by HollyBearsMom

I wouldn't even know where to begin. There are so many questions

• Are in a vegetarian or omnivore
• Do you like ethnic foods or lots of spices or bland
• do you have food allergies
• what are your favorite flavors
• do you like prepared foods
• do you love cheese
• i could go one an on and on

it is a GROCERY store and like krogers it offers THOUSANDS of food choices. Organic, non organic, brand name and store brand, canned, boxed, prepared, fresh, meats, cheeses.......

To me its like asking what to buy a Krogers or Stop and Shop....food of course. Food you and your family like to eat.

And Honestly, what do eeh cars in parking lots have to do with what is inside the store??

I tend to agree. It's a regular grocery store with more natural/organic options. Far from intimidating although I will admit, expensive.

I also agree that you could really stock up on some not-so-easily found grains like whole wheat berries, quinoa, amaranth as well as seeds, nuts and beans like red lentils, black chickpeas, etc. There's also a pretty extensive natural body section and my local Whole Foods sells things like organic cotton clothing, exercise equipment and DVDs. You could buy "green" cleaning products, recycled aluminum foil or things like kombu/kelp, sea vegetables which most stores won't carry.

Don't judge the store by the cars in the lot! I do most of my grocery shopping at stop and shop or trader joe's . . . and what I don't find there, I'm sure to find at whole foods.

[Thalia the Muse]

I agree that it depends on your goals -- regular groceries or spendy delights?

If it's the former, the bulk bin suggestions are good. Also, their store brand products are EXCELLENT. We buy their pasta, crackers, Fig-Newton-like cookies, and canned beans, and they're all really good and very well priced for the quality. Look for the 365 label -- that's their house brand.

If it's the latter, you will have no problem blowing $50. They have a great wine department, excellent cheeses, and nice meat and seafood counters with full-service butchers. Plus Lake Champlain chocolates, and crazy things like artisanal marshmallows.

[Tilia]

I love Whole Foods but there are none around me! I think the closest must be Chicago or St. Louis.

I would buy a couple of their reusable shopping bags. I have one from my last trip visiting the X-ILs and it is awesome.

Then I would spend the rest in the bulk bins, nuts and snack and such. Yum!

[zinemama]

If it were me, I wouldn't spend it on groceries unless I really needed to. This was a gift, so it should be spent on something just for you.

I would spend it on some of the expensive lotions and potions they sell - fancy shampoo or cream, Dr. Hauschka, nice bath soap or soak - that sort of thing. That's the kind of thing I don't tend to spend money on for myself but would enjoy splurging on if I had the chance.

[rhiandmoi]

I shop at WF a lot, and if I stay away from "novelty" foodie purchases, it is not any more expensive than shopping at Safeway. I like it because WF carries the bananas and milk that I like, and a decent whole chicken. Also the ones here have staffed meat counters so you can actually get a whole chicken cut however you like. Sure I can do it at home, but it is a lot easier to bring home the chicken already in pieces.

If I was going to spend a $50 gc, I'd go for some new salts, some cheeses, and maybe body care stuff.

[Chamomile Girl]

Originally Posted by Tilia

I love Whole Foods but there are none around me! I think the closest must be Chicago or St. Louis.

I would buy a couple of their reusable shopping bags. I have one from my last trip visiting the X-ILs and it is awesome.

Then I would spend the rest in the bulk bins, nuts and snack and such. Yum!

Well depending where in Iowa you are the closest might be the one in Omaha.

OP were I you I would go see if they have any local produce, eggs, or cheeses and try them out. Its always good to know/support your local foodshed.

[number572]

just go in & start walking around... you'll have NO trouble spending 50$ there! the ones i've been in carry books, candles, clothing (kids clothing & some shoes too), vitamins, jewelery, really great incense, soooo much in addition to awesome food. their prepared lasagnas are very good (well, we like them anyway). wow, have fun!!

[Red Pajama]

I only do a "whole foods run" occasionally. I stock up on the variety of whole grains they stock, speciality rice that's hard to find locally, cheeses, occasionally something out of produce.

I love when they have sample trays out. Oh, yum, the cheese.

[Sol_y_Paz]

What a thoughtful gift! It is a grocery store, so if you like to eat food, then that is a good place to go about it.
Go with an open mind and have a great time. I love that store. It is a far way from our home, so we only go once every few months but I really enjoy it when we make it out there.

[tanyam926]

What about non food items? I shop at WF regularly but I only buy a few things there.

I love:

Clearly Natural soap-it comes in yummy flavors, is all natural, and is made from glycerin which moisturizes very nicely, my fave is blackberry but is hard to find here so I usually buy strawberry and lemon. It's only $1.50/bar here.

Diva Cup-I just got one from there and haven't had an AF to use it but I have read rave reviews and it's about $35.00 so if you have been wanting one you could get it there.

Mineral Makeup-can't remember the brand but I LOVE it!

Hylands (or other brands) Homeopathic remedies-the kids cold and flu one really works great. It dissolves easily like teething tablets and dries up runny noses and makes my kids feel better.

Vitamins-whatever vitamins your family uses (I don't buy these there as I have a less expensive HFS to get them at).

And of course the bulk grains bin is something I regularly shop bc no other HFS in my area has them.

Have fun shopping!

[MamaEli]

There's so much there! But like others have said, it is rather expensive for certain items. Some things I always get there are the 365 coconut oil because it tastes really good and is the cheapest I've seen. Also, some Green & Black's chocolate, some triple cream brie, and some kombucha. Also, it has some of the best prices on Dr. Bronner's that I've seen, the big peppermint is usually only $8 and lasts forever. That would be $50 gone right there! Have fun!