There are some things I miss, of course. Picking up just about any delectable thing my appetite has in mind at New Pioneer, or sampling the goodies at the Farmers' Market. I miss experiencing good healthy food in abundance. Sure, I've found workarounds: the grocery store in Midland (3 hours away) has vegetarian sushi, Maytag blue cheese and a good Texas microbrew beer. The "health food store" in El Paso (a hard-working but dingy place) carries Frontier herbs and spices and I've become quite fond of cheap Mexican spices in incredibly large cellophane bags, so I don't have to buy tiny, expensive glass bottles of chili pepper. Edamame, though.....well.....I'll fess up to visiting McDonalds for their new Asian salad which settles for "health food" in Culberson County. I guess the lure of it in a dang salad is enough to pull me over the the dark side. In my defense, you can't buy the stuff in El Paso or Midland.
Yesterday, when I didn't show up for the local museum's pancake breakfast, my eating habits became a source of conversation. "She likes healthy food," someone said. Normally, I'd be a little self-conscious about being the center of attention and speculation, but I've come to accept that as a part of life here. And in this particular instance, it worked to my advantage.
The woman coordinating orders to ShopNatural Cooperative, called and gave me a copy of their catalog. Honestly, except for the produce, bakery, and wine and beer section, leafing through it is like strolling down the aisles at New Pi. Sure, they require you to buy some items in bulk--does anyone need $38 worth of pumpkin seeds?--but I can buy goat cheese, frozen organic lamb, anything in Burt's Bees or Paul Newman's line, good organic chocolate, artichoke ziti, and my beloved edamame! The next order is due this Friday, for delivery July 2. I'll be celebrating the 4th with Reed's Ginger Ale!
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