4 Words That Changed My Night

Oh yes. That’s right. Tonight was all you can eat Hy-Vee Soup & Salad Bar for dinner! Whee!

Ben and I were both driving home from work and decided…no. We just aren’t in the cooking mood tonight. Do you ever have those nights? 

We almost sucked it up and went home to prepare dinner according to plan – you know me and my plans. Per usual, I did have a dinner that I was going to cook tonight. It was a good one too! Alas, it shall be saved to be prepared tomorrow as the call of a fresh, bright, glorious salad bar was just too loud to ignore.

So we didn’t!

Hy-Vee is my grocery store of choice and it’s just my luck that they have incredible ready-to-eat food options – at INCREDIBLE prices! $6.99 gave me my choice of unlimited fruits, berries, vegetables, salads, pasta salads, desserts, soups, tacos and more!

In an effort to stay on track, I surveyed the options and loaded my plate up with salad, lean protein, vegetables, fruits, berries, cottage cheese, and a dabble of pasta salad!

I dipped my salad in a side of balsamic dressing and savored each and every bite of my entire plate.

Throw out all your preconceived notions about all you can eat buffets – they can be as healthy, or unhealthy, as YOU make them!

Sure – I could have gone for the gobs of mayo-rich pasta salads, chocolate mousse, walking tacos and ranch dressing. Instead, I loaded up my plate with clean, fresh, healthy options!

Look!

Alright. You know me and soups. Of course I HAD to try a couple spoonfuls of Cheeseburger Soup. It was to die for – super smooth, creamy, warm and cheesy.  It was also extremely rich, so I only needed a wee bit to feel satisfied.

Aaaand of course, I had to have dessert! Fresh Berries with Angel Food Cake and Granola.

Every good Iowan knows that fresh berries must be dearly cherished. They are a rare breed!

I definitely had my fair share…muwahahaha!

Ben’s plate was…well…slightly different than mine. For just $4.59 he got half a Rotisserie Chicken, Homestyle Mac & Cheese, Old Fashioned Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, and a Roll!

I gawked, but that was the best macaroni and cheese I have ever tasted in my LIFE!

He even fashioned an “all carb” sandwich out of his roll, mashed potatoes and mac. Oh Ben – such a character.

I am planning and cooking at home’s #1 fan – but the prices, variety and convenience of Hy-Vee’s ready to eat foods are an extremely good option when cooking just isn’t in the cards. If you plan a night like this into your weekly budget – you really can’t beat what you get for the money. Ben and I are thinking about making this a weekly option, so expect to see more!!

After dinner, we digested with a little stroll through the health food section, where I found this…

THE BULK BIN AISLE!!!! I usually do my weekly grocery shopping at another local Hy-Vee, so I had no idea these were even here!

It was one delight after another. Granolas, quinoa, lentils, beans, oats, nuts, seeds…eeek!

I just may have to switch my grocery store location to this one…yikes. I’m definitely one for change in my life, but switching grocery stores is major. You know what I mean?

Oook. While my dinner options tonight were healthy – they were also filling! I’m off to digest and catch up with my favorite show, The Biggest Loser!

‘Night folks!

~~~~~

Where do you grocery shop? Do you ever eat meals there?

Related posts:This or That Friday NightThis is Ladies Night, and the Sushi’s RightFriday Night Fun