Convenience Items II

[lindrusso]

A while back I posted a question asking what everyone's favorite convenience items were. It was fun to see differences in what was considered "convenient" to everyone!

Now I'm wondering what convenience items you WILL NOT use??

I won't use minced garlic - botulism stories scared me and besides, having a garlic press gives you fresh minced garlic in no time. I also don't use canned veggies unless desperate - though I did find that they are great for toddlers just starting finger foods. I just don't like the taste of canned veggies. I don't like using cookie or brownie mixes (but I'll use a muffin or cake mix in a pinch) or rolled cookie dough.

Actually, there's TON of convenience foods that I won't use, but I'm trying to think of some of the more commonly used items. The pre-packaged pasta and sauce (the kind where they come in the same package) or those breakfast cereals packaged with milk just aren't even a factor to me!!

The commercial for those breakfast-mate things really ticked me off. They showed a woman out in the fields trying to cut down her own wheat (an obvious crack at Martha, but not the reason they ticked me off) - as if pouring cereal out of a box and getting your milk from a separate container is DIFFICULT!! I didn't see the connection. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/confused.gif

Now my favorite thing to rant about is those new bagel things from Pillsbury. They are rectangular shaped "bagels" stuffed with jelly and cream cheese that you pop into the toaster. Since I don't even consider Lender's bagels (no offense to anyone!) "real" bagels, no way this will make it into my kithcen!!

Okay, I think I've gotten that off my chest for now....

[RUSTYSMOM]

I have to say Lunchables - I think they are terrible, despite the great adv of hte little boy elated becuse his mother finally saw the light and gave him something good for lunch!

[lanie]

I too do not like canned vegetables, use canned tomatoes most of the time though. I don't buy cake/muffin mixes (not much of a baker but when I do I prefer from scratch). I don't know the bagels you mean but they sound icky! Don't like buying frozen fish - sometimes buy frozen shrimp, but not fish fillets or battered things or already made beef/turkey burgers. I also just hate prepared spaghetti sauces like Classico - they all have a similar taste which I don't find appealing - but then again I love to cook and would rather make my own sauces. I guess I could go on and on - NOW I wonder what we do eat! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[MrsReber]

A woman after my own heart- how can anyone use a jar of minced garlic when it's not that difficult to keep fresh garlic and a garlic press handy? The taste is not the same at all, either. I would have to use an entire jar of minced garlic for anything to have any flavor! My husband bought it, before I moved in. He has some aversion to chopping garlic. He still asks me to do it if he's making something.

And canned veggies- except for artichoke hearts, I don't like canned veggies. They're way too soggy. It's either fresh or frozen.

I don't ever buy pre-shredded cheese. I don't see the point in paying more for cheese that I can simply grate myself. I even grate my own locatelli cheese. I would never in a million years buy a can of Kraft parmesan (or any other brand for that matter). Yuck!

Wow, I never even thought about those other items you mentioned- the prepacked spaghetti and sauce and the milk and cereal. Guess I don't even consider them food. I have to confess that I do like the Lender's frozen onion bagels. They are certainly not "real" bagels (we get awesome bagels in NJ) but I like them toasted with cream cheese or butter. Something from my childhood, I think.

[Mandy]

lindrusso I totally agree!

My latest thing are those Smuckers PB&J sandwiches. Now if you can't make your child a PB&J then you've got WAY too much going on in your life! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif

A few convenience items I don't usually use are pre-made pizza dough, pasta/tomato sauce, canned veggies, instant coffee http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif, pre-ground coffee. I'm sure there are others, I just have to think about it a little longer...

[valeriek]

I will not go near any frozen TV dinners (Stouffers, Healthy Choice, etc.). I see people bringing them in for lunch everyday and I always think how awful for them to have to eat cardboard for lunch. I also do not touch jarred pizza sauce. I'm with lidrusso on the canned veggies (except for canned tomatoes - or is that a fruit?). I do buy frozen veggies though (how strange I'll buy frozen vegetables but not a frozen meal). Instant mashed potatoes? You mush be joking. I also gave up the Ramen Noodle habit in college.

I could probably go on, but I think those are the main things I have issues with!

[CathyS]

Lindrusso

Whats this about botulism and minced garlic??? I use the stuff all the time, and am curious about any risks. My mom never, ever cooked with garlic when I was at home, and I'm somewhat intimidated by fresh garlic (dumb, I know) and always use the jarred. How long does fresh garlic stay fresh, anyway?

CathyS (no threat to any vampires!)

[valeriek]

One more thing...I just read Mrs. Reber's post and I totally agree about the shredded cheese. I just throw the blocks in my food processor (with the grate attachment of course!) and shred the block in seconds. Why pay more for something you can do on your own?

[bijoux22]

As much as I do prefer cooking with all fresh ingredients, I will admit to cheating with the following; canned diced tomatoes and minced ginger in a jar. One of my biggest gross-outs are the prepared salads (pasta, potato, tuna etc) in the grocery store's deli section. YUK!!! They always look old and crusty to me. It just gives me the willies thinking about it.

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by CathyS:
Lindrusso
Whats this about botulism and minced garlic

I wish I could remember where I read that, but I can't. Ooops - I probably shouldn't have posted that without anything to back it up. I don't want to start an unnecessary scare!!! I'll let you know if I find out more about it. Sorry!

Oh, and artichokes and tomatoes are an exception in my kitchen too!

PB&J pre-made sandwiches???? Is that a joke??? Ack! You're right - if you can't handle that, somethings DEFINITELY out of whack!

Tsk, tsk, MrsR - living in NJ and eating Lender's!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif I have to drive 20 minutes (used to be 40) to get a decent bagel.

[ML]

I have to second the thumbs down on instant mashed potatoes! Also, those cups of soup that all you do is add water?! I have never liked frozen meals- they just seem to be of such poor quality. And don't even get me started on things like Hamburger Helper- Yuck!!!

[Linda I LIght]

Well so far I have to agree on the canned veggies, hamburger helper, deli salads, frozen dinners,instant mashed potatoes, boxed cake mixes and I'm sure there are many more. One thing no one mentioned is "rice a roni" (sp?), a friend loves it and I can't see the attraction, maybe it's the sodium.

[phantomcg]

Well, I don't know if you would call it a convenience item, but I HATE those frozen turkey rolls. My husband thinks they are the greatest thing in the world.

Cheryl

[SueK]

Originally posted by RUSTYSMOM:
I have to say Lunchables - I think they are terrible, despite the great adv of hte little boy elated becuse his mother finally saw the light and gave him something good for lunch!

I'm with you on that one! Have you seen how much FAT is in those things??! When I pack my daughter's lunch, I always try to have lots of fruit, fresh food, etc. She takes lots of leftovers from our dinner the night before, and I always feel better knowing she's not eating completely processed stuff!

[AndreaU]

My "never, no way, no how" list: Lunchables (how hard could it be to make a sandwich and put an apple and some cookies together?); those individual cereal bowls that come with milk; individual-serving soups, oatmeal, etc.; canned parmesan cheese; bagged salad mixes (who can't tear up lettuce?). Most of hese stem from laziness in my opinion. Most of these "convenience" items are also environmental nightmares in terms of packaging. My husband & I both work but I make it a point to cook using the freshest items possible. I do shortcut occasionally with frozen ravioli, canned tomatoes for salsa, mac & cheese, but usually as a back up when I haven't made it to the supermarket yet.

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by AndreaU:
bagged salad mixes (who can't tear up lettuce?).

Now I must say that I like being able to get the bags with different types of lettuce - like baby lettuces, etc. If I wanted to make these salads using heads of romaine, radicchio, etc., I'd have a hard time finding them all at the grocery store. Also, I'd end up with too many heads of lettuce which would likely go bad. So, for me, it's not the convenience of tearing up (though that's a nice side benefit), but the convenience of variety without waste.

[Danielle]

Hamburger Helper, canned veggies, and instant mashed potatoes--yuck. But as for the cake mixes, garlic in a jar, bag salads, shredded cheese...guilty as charged. Life just gets busy sometimes, so thank goodness for some convenience items.

[BethH]

I'm guilty of using bagged salads, canned diced tomatoes, chicken broth from the box, already pitted olives, crushed ginger from a jar, shredded cheese--I've even been known to buy pre-shredded parmesan (not green can Kraft) when I have a perfectly good wedge in my fridge.
Total lazyness on my part, I admit it!!! At least I always use fresh garlic!

[sneezles]

After having read these posts, I'm beginning to think that either most of you don't work, have kids, kids that play sports. Ever had three boys play Little League at the same time-3 games at either 6:00 or 8:00-never failed! And with working it was impossible to feed them before a game-even harder to find the time to prepare it since they had to be at the field by 5:30! Or during soccer season-3 games all in different parts of the city! My time with my kids is more important than where the garlic came from or who mashed the potatoes!
Jars of garlic are always in my fridge-plain and roasted. My children were raised on instant mashed potatoes, some canned vegies, definitely pre-shredded cheese!! Will use jar of spaghetti sauce if needed. Kids wanted to try Lunchables and then they found them as gross as I did. While living in Singapore I had to use milk that sat on the shelf until you opened the box-an aquired taste but you learn to adjust. Living in the country now where the nearest grocery store is 20 miles and the selection isn't all that hot, I do use things that make my life easier so when a recipe I want to try calls for garlic and I'm out of fresh, I can use the jar or maybe the tube of paste!

I have also read once that a garlic press(and I do own two!) imparts some bitter flavor in some recipes, since most times you don't peel before pressing! Most of the time I enjoy reading this BB and have learned a lot of things but maybe it's just me but I truly felt snubbed by this thread!!

[ML]

Sneezles, Please do not feel snubbed!

I only have to cook for my husband and myself at the moment and it takes me forever-I am not the fastest in the kitchen. I don't know what I am going to do after we have a family! I guess I will learn to be fast.

By the way- arn't you from Texas? I am too and I was wondering what area you are from- being 20 miles from the grocery store.

[ElinorC]

Sneezles,
I agree with you. I think everyone has their own ways of doing things and have their own likes and dislikes. I would never criticize anyone for using any particular convenience food since I don't know the circumstances nor the tastes of the other person. I think people who do turn up their nose at someone else is (if you'll forgive the expression) 'a food snob'.

[Laura]

Sneezles, I have to laugh. For a post that started out as what convenience items we use, it turned into one that identified all the convenience items we refuse to use. I think the point is that we all have our preferences, and somethings, whether passed down from family or own aversions make us not use certain items. Personally, I think lunchables are disgusting, but you know what? My kids view them as an incredible treat. And while I do have the time to make a lunch for them (and do so 4 mornings a week) I can't tell you how many times they BEG me to buy them lunchables, and yes I do give in. Please don't be offended at any of the postings. Although I know no one on this board, I don't think anyone meant to offend other people. Personally for me, if it saves time, does not cost significantly more, and is not going to affect the nutritional health of my kids then I say do what ever works. Even if its a meal of canned corn, hamburger helper lasagne, bagged salad and pillsbury refrigerator cookies for dessert! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Susan]

sneezles, I am right there with you...
and even though my two kiddos are too little to appreciate Saturday morning cartoons, my husband and I faithfully watch them! ;-)

~~Susan~~

[Wendy w]

Sneezles,

Although I don't have children, you are right on! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/cool.gif You have had children for the right reasons and hey, if you are unable to cook, that's why God created convenience food. If I had children, I would want things to be about memories, but I would want them to eat healthfully also.

I like things from scratch for the most part, but there are some convenience items that are great!

My list of undesirable convenience items include: instant mashed potatoes, cake mixes, canned veggies (with the exception of tomatoes, beans and artichoke hearts),or "predone" garlic. Mrs. R is right about it being a matter of taste and lifestyle.

Have fun with your toys and forts! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/cool.gif By the way, I'm going to be a great aunt in January so I will have someone to play with!!

Wendy

[Zinnia]

All I can say is Ditto!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
I cook for 5, sometimes 6 people everyday and agree w/ everyone who posted. It's been sooooooo hard keepin' up with you guys lately too! All I have time for nowadays is reading on CL; there are so many good/new posts, it's hard to keep up with ya'll! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif
Some of us are married w/ 3 kids (& single, hungry friends!), or are young newlyweds; some work or don't work; some have $ & some don't, & some like to cook & some don't.
Reality is-(personally) bagged & trimmed salads, canned tomatoes, veggies, beans, broth, soups, tuna, pasta, waffles, etc. have saved my life many of times. That and if they are hungry-they'll eat or, oh well! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Zinnia

[Laura B]

I have probably used every convenience item there is! I may not always PREFER them, but I don't mind using them and there are probably none that I will say I just WILL NOT use.

I definitely do use intant mashed potatoes. I always used to make them fresh (I didn't even know there WERE instant for a long time). The first time I made instant, my husband commented on how GOOD the potatoes were and what did I do different??? I nearly fell out of the chair. Go figure.

[lindrusso]

Whoa - this posting wasn't created to make people feel bad or snubbed for their choices - so please don't feel offended!

I think it's wonderful that we live in a country where there are so many conveniences to choose from - whether we choose to use them in the end or not. Using minced garlic is just ONE way that I choose not to take a short-cut because I don't LIKE it - not because I look down on using it. However, I don't think twice about using pre-shredded cheese whereas others don't like it.

My husband and I have put a lot of thought into our lifestyle so that we may have time for the things we enjoy. For instance we are stopping at 2 kids because we both need a lot of "me" time to preserve our sanity. I don't want my life to be so busy that I don't have time to cook or garden - it's selfish, but it's who I am. Others, however do just fine with a busy lifestyle and even seem to thrive on it - no problem.

Different strokes for different folks. I think we all learn something by expressing and hearing our views on life.

[Nanci]

I have to admit when I first started reading the posts I was a bit taken aback. I felt like a cooking slug. Sneezles, I don't even have kids, but I do use convenience items. I guess it is a matter of personal preference and prejudices. I grate my own Asagio cheese for my homemade bagels, but my SOF often pops open a can of tomato soup and makes grilled cheese sandwichs after our night at the gym -- and I devour it!!!

I use fresh and bottled garlic, usually tear my own lettuce but do buy the fancy mixes for recipes, make my own sauce but use fat free bottled (usually doctored with fresh veggies) eat Mac and Chesse (from Kraft -- new favorite is Veveeta light). Also not opposed to using cooking spray.

Oh well --- you all know my deepest darkest secrets, but . . . compared to what I see other people eating I do o.k.

[sneezles]

Nanci
You stated it much better than I.
I guess my "love" of instant potatoes comes from being one of eight and it seemed it was always my job to peel (of course, I was usually grounded for something or other and always home...) After years of peeling that many potatoes, I almost never served them when I got married. Then with babies it was much easier to make just a small portion of instant. A couple of months ago we went to my mother-in-law's for dinner and she was making mashed in the pressure cooker. My youngest, now 13, asked what the noise was and thought it funny to make potatoes in a pot-when my mother-in-law asked how I made them he said "from a box"!

[sneezles]

OK, so maybe it was my lack of sleep last night that caused my reaction! I am no Martha Stewart but I do love to cook and really love to cook for a crowd but willing to use shortcuts, too! Bag of salad with pre-shredded cheese and Oscar Meyer bacon bits is my idea of a good lunch (throw in leftover grilled chicken and I'm in heaven!)
ML
Yes, I am from Texas and had lived in Houston for the past 15 years but his summer we moved to a small town 100 miles west of Houston. The population is 283 and the closest bigger town is LaGrange and it only has one grocery store...HEB, which I don't care for but it's that or an hour's drive to Katy!

[ML]

Well, I live in Tyler, a nice size town, however having lived in Dallas and Austin the selection is not the same.

Nice to meet a fellow Texan!!

[MrsReber]

Okay, okay, I'm going to 'fess up. I NEVER bought instant potatoes, but my husband is a big fan. He likes "real" mashed potatoes alot, but sometimes he prefers the consistency of good old Hungry Jack. Plus it saves me lots of time in the kitchen! At first I refused to make them, but he insisted. And sneezles, I think you are admirable for making your kids your number one priority. My sister hardly cooks at all, but she spends whatever time she has with her kids. And, by the way, I do work full time- leave the house at 6:05 and get home between 6:00-6:15 at night. Used to be much later than that - 8:00-9:30- but I would still try to cook, even if it were pasta and a jar of sauce (we really like Classico). It's all a matter of taste and a matter of lifestyle.

[sneezles]

MrsReber
Not really admirable...I had kids so I could play! And watch cartoons and buy toys! And build forts and watch the stars! And have guinea pigs for my cooking!!