I was excited to be able to spend yesterday in Greenville, SC! If you’ve never been to downtown Greenville and have the opportunity- take it! It’s such a cute town with big trees lining the street and lots of al fresco dining. Oh, and a big park smack dab in the middle of downtown. You think if it was so cute, I would have taken a picture, right? Yeah, well, I forgot.
I was too busy catching up with these girls
Those are two of my besties- Alexis and Christen and I don’t get to see them nearly enough! We had such a fun day together hanging out with Christen’s precious (almost) 4 month old, Crawford, and playing around the city.
Our adventures included a trip to my Mecca.
Ahhhh! I can’t wait for Charlotte’s Whole Foods to open next year! My friends indulged my excitement and we spent some time wondering around the store where I picked up 5 items I’ve never tried. I’m SO excited to try out some new foods! What did I get? …
Kale chips… in a package!
I’ve been intrigued to try these for sometime and had 2 employees help me locate them. Whole Food employees are the BEST. Not only did Tim open a package to let us sample (of a different variety), since it was my first time trying these, he said I could try them on him- AKA, no charge.
Tim- you rock. And Whole Foods, keep hiring these awesome people!
Dark Chocolate Covered Goji Berries
I’ve never actually tried a goji berry, so I figured what better way to give it a go than with chocolate covered ones? MMM!
Amaranth
I’ve seen this little grain popping up here and there and am anxious to try it out. Any recipe ideas?
Coconut Water
I’ve heard this stuff is a rehydrating dream, and between warmer weather and my body’s need for fluid- I’m excited! However, I’m not a big coconut fan, so I’m interested to see if I like the water.
Justin’s Chocolate Almond Butter!
I’ve tried Justin’s almond butter and peanut butter (both amazing), but never the chocolate almond- YUM!
Have you tried any of these products?
Which one is your favorite?
Have a wonderful weekend!
Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good says
I hear there’s a Whole Foods in the works near me, too, and I’m anxious to try it out.
The only product I’ve tried is the coconut water, and I didn’t care for it. I know it’s all the rage, but it’s not for me. My hubby, on the other hand, mixes it with almond milk and swears the combination tastes like butter pecan ice cream.
I have made kale chips, but have never had pre-made kale chips. I’ve had amaranth leaves, but not the grain. So, except for the coconut water, your new foods would be new for me too. 🙂 I hope you’ll share how you like them.
Rachel @ Rachel's Recipe Reviews says
Yummy! I have a whole foods by me (within 20min), but I’ve never been there! I better get my butt in gear and go! Everything you bought looks awesome! Let us know how you like everything.
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
I haven’t tried any Justin’s products…are you shocked? [They are just so expensive…]
I’ve used amaranth before (bought from a bulk bin) and it’s yummy. I think the closest comparison is millet, so any recipe for that should work. I have a fall-esque one I made up last year somewhere in my recipe list, but treat it like any grain—cook it up, add some herbs/seasoning, veggies, and definitely some meat for hubbs.
Corey @ the runner's cookie says
Amaranth and Justin’s nut butter are both on my “foods I want to try someday” list- which by now is about a mile long 🙂 The weather looks so nice where you are, and you are looking more and more beautiful by the day!!
Brooke @ Veggie Table says
My husband and I went to Greenville, SC two years ago and had a blast! I feel in love with the downtown area! Looks like you guys had a fun day! I was a buyer at Whole Foods in Birmingham, AL and one of the highlights of my day was being able to let customers try new products and seeing the smile/confused look on their faces when I gave it away for free! I miss WF – it’s now three hours away 🙁 Happy Friday!
Kelli says
I have tried coconut water (not that brand though) and I didn’t like it. SO many people I know love it but it was really salty to me. I guess if you’re more dehydrated then it loses that saltiness.
I completely agree that Whole Foods has the best employees! I’ve only encountered one unfriendly one and not even at my Whole Foods. I switched shopping from my old grocery store to Whole Foods because the other place’s employees were so rude and unhelpful! It’s a huge plus to have happy helpful people where you shop.
Suzanne says
I love Whole Foods! I am not so sure my husband loves that our grocery bill has gone up though. I am not a huge fan of the coconut water. Something about the texture – not quite creamy, but thicker than water. I don’t know. I’m just really weird when it comes to textures. Have a good day 🙂
Caree@Fit-Mama says
yum, a lot of cool new food finds!! I love justin’s butter …but the chocolate covered goji berries and kale chips are a must try!! I tried coconut water and I did not like it. I was disappointed… but I heard there are a variety of flavors or something?
Kelly says
I’m with you. I cannot wait for the new WF to open in Charlotte…but I wish it was going to be a little closer to my house. Like maybe a block away? I can’t believe they didn’t consult me when they were looking for a location! 😉
Jess @atasteofconfidence says
I’ve tried the rhythm kale chips – and really liked them! The ranch flavor was awesome.
Maria @ Oh Healthy Day says
I have tried coconut water and I’m not a huge fan. I’ll drink it, but I prefer the flavored ones. Perhaps you can add a bit of lemon juice if you don’t like the taste (I’ll try that too!)
Katie H says
I’m glad you had fun! I love kale chips. I’ve found that I like the ones that a girl at my yoga studio makes and sells better than the bagged stuff.
As for coconut water- love the stuff! It’s so awesome after bikram. If you aren’t a fan of coconut, I suggest trying the lime flavor. My favorite is the zico lime. Make sure it’s really cold too!
Shawnee says
I would love to check out all of SC. It just seems like such a fun place. Looks like you had a blast.
Donna@Love,Run&Travel says
I sooo wanted to love Coconut Water but i just couldn’t handle it, ick!
I’m obsessed with Kale chips though, i make a home made batch a couple of times a week!
Tanya @ Vegan Faith says
I love trying new foods. I love coconut water! It is my favorite. I just bought one for Alex for after the half tomorrow. I am anxious to try goji berries as well, I’ve heard so much about them! I recently just tried mochi for the first time.
Lauren @ Hungry Dancer says
I have tried those kale chips in the nacho flavor!! So good!! That’s rad that you got them for free!!
Linz says
I have tried the goji berries (without chocolate) and unfortunately was not a fan. I hope the chocolate ones are better for you!
Also I have tried the coconut water and didn’t like that either.
I guess I am just a blogger failure! LOL! I hope your new products are to your liking! And I can’t evn tell you how excited I am that our Boise whole foods is opening next year!! 🙂
Karlee @olivewineandfood says
i love goji berries! sometimes i put them in my cereal or oat meal. and dark chocolate goji berries….i must try these.
Roz says
What a fun day! And big WOO HOO for the great finds and great service at Whole Foods!!! I bought some of the coconut water a while ago, and I shocked how yuck I thought it was. I love coconut, so not sure why, but I tossed most of it, and will just stick with water. Let us know what you thought of it, and the rest of your treats. Have a good weekend Brittany and Baby D.
Sonya says
Kale chips are amazing. I tried making my own a few weeks ago but they did not turn out like I wanted them to. I’ll have to try again. Hope you enjoy!
Baking Serendipity says
I love Fridays and time with friends and Whole Foods 🙂 I’ve never tried kale chips before, but seriously want to!
Sara @ Nourish and Flourish says
I could spend hours perusing the aisles of Whole Foods! The kale chips in a package intrigue me…I’ve seen a similar version here (different brand), but they cost $7.99, which I can’t justify! Maybe I should just ask for a sample? 😉
I looove the chocolate almond butter! Justin’s chocolate hazelnut butter is to-die-for good too. But chocolate peanut butter is still my favorite. 🙂