A couple of days ago I made Pioneer Woman’s Chex Mix, and when I got to the part where you add the Worcestershire sauce to the butter, I had a flashback to 1998 when I went to a grocery store in Louisiana with my sister-in-law, Rose.
Rose is a fabulous cook, and she had a big ole grocery list of stuff she needed. We decided to divide and conquer the list, and one of the things I was in charge of finding was the Worcestershire sauce. Once I’d managed to locate everything, I made my way back to Rose and dropped the items in the cart.
She took one look at that Worcestershire sauce and said, “Ooooh – I can’t use that.”
I double-checked the bottle to make sure I hadn’t grabbed steak sauce or some other such nonsense, but sure enough, it was Worcestershire. So I said, “What’s wrong with it? Did I get the wrong size bottle?”
“Oh, no,” she replied, “the size is fine – but I can’t use French’s. I only use Lea & Perrins.”
I was completely fascinated. At that point, as a newlywed of less than a year, I hadn’t really been cooking long enough to have favorite brands (with the exception of Hamburger Helper, of course). So the whole notion that my sister-in-law had noticed a difference in Worcestershire sauces and then also had a preference?
FANCY.
However, now that I’ve been cooking for awhile (truth be told, after 12 years of marriage, some days it feels like I’ve been cooking FOR A SWEET FOREVER, AMEN), I definitely have favorite brands. I mostly buy whatever the store brand is, but when it comes to certain products, I am fiercely loyal.
Here’s my Fiercely Loyal list:
1) Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce (Rose taught me well)
2) JIF peanut butter
3) Blue Plate mayonnaise (I know. I’m a Southern girl and supposed to prefer Hellman’s. But I LURVE Blue Plate.)
4) White Lily flour
5) White Lily cornmeal mix
6) Maxwell House coffee
7) Campbell’s soups
8) Diet Coke
9) Hidden Valley Ranch dressing packets
10) Heinz ketchup
I think the only way I’d deviate from these brands is if I could get a competing brand for free. But even then I’d have to wave at these products – and maybe even whisper a bittersweet “I miss you” – as I passed them by in the grocery store.
What about you? What are your favorites? Or am I the only weirdo who has favorites?
(Please don’t tell me if I’m the only weirdo.)
(I find great comfort in my illusions of normalcy.)
As a northern gal I have quite a few favorites. Here are just a few.
1. Land o’ Lakes Butter
2. Domino Powdered sugar
3. Philidelphia cream cheese
4. Nothing Wal-Mart brand. Avoid at all costs the wal-mart brand. For cooking at least.
5. Pilsbury Best flour
6. Birds Eye Frozen veggies
7. Delmonte canned veggies
8. Tropicana OJ.
I have lots more but can’t think of them right now.
It’s funny because the number one rule as a coupon girly is that you cannot be brand loyal!! Because you do get so many products for free…however, that first cup of coffee in my house is SACRED around here and it will only be given the honors to Folger’s Carmel Drizzle. ;) Other than that bring on the freebies!!
Loved your list, it was very “suiting”. ;)
I too shop by coupons and have to be open to many brands. But my husband and oldest son will DISOWN me if I buy anything other than Kraft Jet-Puffed marshmallows. They say nothing else toasts as nicely over the campfire. I also prefer Nestle Tollhouse semi-sweet chocolate chips and my husband is in love with Aunt Jemima Butter Lite syrup.
here in canada i am loyal to:
1. Folgers Coffee
2. Bulls Eye BBQ Sauce
3. Green Giant canned veggies
4. Lea & Perrins
5. HP Sauce
6. Bryers Ice Cream
7. Tim Horton’s Coffee
It’s way to early to think of more right now…..
It’s like we are twins separated at birth!! Our lists are identical except for the mayo. I must confess I use Kraft or Helmann’s. And I would have to add that I am a Tropicana OJ girl or the Publix Premium brand. Ahh…food, glorious food!
You know, I’ve always been loyal to JIF, also. But the other day, I thought, “Why?”. I really choose it because it says ‘choosy moms choose JIF’! But I’m not so sure I’m choosy. So I bought Reeses, Peter Pan, and JIF and decided to have a taste test. After lots of tastes (and more milk to wash it down!), I really like Peter Pan! It was shocking! I like it’s sweet flavor, but even more I like its smoother, thinner texture. Turns out I kind of feel like I am going to choke to death when I eat JIF because it’s so thick. Who knew!
I am partial to Hunt’s ketchup. I come from a long line of Hunt’s (not of the ketchup fame) and if there is anything other than Hunt’s on the table at our weiner roasts at our very large reunions, well, there is heck to be paid!
SHOUT OUT for Blue Plate Mayo (from a fellow Mississippian in AL)and soft, fresh white Sunbeam bread for a juicy tomato sandwich!
My daddy always did the grocery shopping. I found out after I got married exactly why he bought what he did…cause it is the BEST!
Some of his faves that are mine:
JIF peanut butter (amen)
DelMonte canned green beans
Green Giant Niblets corn
LeSeur Sweet Peas ($1.44 a can at WalMart. Gulp.)
Hunt’s Ketchup (I do buy what’s on sale if it’s a great price.)
Hellman’s Mayonnaise, but I get over-ruled by a hubby who loves Dukes like his mama bought.
Campbell’s Soups
There are more, but those are my faves. Thanks for taking me down memory lane to grocery store trips with my daddy.
Oh, and my daddy would go down the aisles ahead of me and my sister with one of us pushing the buggy. He would start singing some silly song really loudly (“Yingle Bells, Yingle Bells, Yingle all da way” in the middle of July comes to mind) and we would run over his heels with the buggy! Ouch! It would never deter him though. I love my daddy.
1. Daisy sour cream.
2. Reiter’s (local brand) large curd cottage cheese. Sometimes I’ll throw caution to the wind and buy it with pineapple added. Yum!
3. Philadelphia cream cheese. No reduced fat, please. I’m on Lipitor for a reason. (A funny since I could eat nothing but veggies and still have high cholesterol.)
4. Yoplait Yogurt.
5. Kashi Fire Roasted Crackers. Their garlic thyme crackers are to die for, too. Go Lean Cereal is great! Their cookies? Notsogood. Ick.
6. Ball canning jars.
7. Brawny paper towels.
8. Surf detergent.
9. Smart rinse mouth wash for K-. I tried the Act rinse and though she used it because I told her it would be wasteful, she hated it.
:)
P.S. I’m Miracle Whip only and my husband will only eat Hellman’s. Yes, we have two jars of mayo in our fridge because I can’t stand real mayonaise without the ZIP! of Miracle Whip. Mayonaise is flat gross!
My kind of fun: lists and talking about food!!!
1. Sunbeam bread
2. Log Cabin syrup ONLY!!!!!
3. Lea & Perrins
4. Heinz
5. Blue Bell ice cream
6. Island Brewed Teriyaki Sauce (trust me!!!)
7. LeSeur Sweet Peas (LOVE that can!!)
My husband slightly rolls his eyes when we’re in the grocery store together, and I have to have certain brands of certain things like JIF peanut butter, Philadelphia cream cheese, Heinz ketchup, etc. And when it comes to ice cream, it MUST be Blue Bell ice cream. Really, it IS the best!
Blue Bell ice cream (from Brenham, Texas: worth a trip to our state).
My list is complete.
We’re you at our house last week when I told my future Mother-in-law “OH. I don’t skimp on some things in my pantry!”
For me….
Skippy PB
Kraft Mac and Cheese (can’t remember the last time I had it, but…)
Daisy Sour Cream
Jell-o pudding
Old Home Cottage Cheese
Bounty Cloth-like Paper Towels
And no….you’re no weirdo. : )
I’m a Hunts ketchup girl myself (and after finding out more about the Heinz family, kinda glad not to support them)
We are also a 2 “sandwich spread” household…i grew up on Miracle Whip- my hubby as mayo.
The only other thing is..I have to buy *organic* milk for my hubby and kids. for some reason, its easier on thier tummies
As a military wife, it’s hard to have a list of favorites because the next time we move, most of those favorites won’t be available. Except of course for diet coke and it is on my list, too. :) But, I grew up in NC and the only kind of mayo we had was Duke’s. I’ve never heard of Blue Plate.
Great list!
Here is mine:
1. Jif peanut butter
2. Tide and Downy
3. Tampax tampons
4. Scott toilet paper
5. Hunt’s ketchup (sorry)
6. Welch’s grape juice
7. Dr. Pepper
8. Yoplait yogurt
And these are things I used to be loyal to (b/c my mom was/is, but then I tried something else and found no difference):
1. Oscar Mayer hotdogs (The fat-free turkey franks from Ballpark are *surprisingly* tasty.)
2. Premium saltines (I actually prefer Zesta! Don’t tell my mom…)
3. Oscar Mayer bacon (Hormel is fine.)
4. Kraft cheese (Cheese is cheese. Except Sargento. That stuff is gross.)
5. Mayfield sour cream (Breakstone is good, but I don’t really like Daisy.)
Definitely not a weirdo! My must haves are:
1. Coke – the regular, original kind
2. Jif peanut butter (creamy)
3. Miracle Whip salad dressing
4. Freshlike peas (the tiny ones)
5. Bounty paper towels (nothing worse than cheapo ones that shred and fall apart)
6. Welch’s grape jelly
7. Name brand cereals – never store brand or generic
8. Quaker Oatmeal
yeah…I could go on and on….guess I better stop there.
Jif Peanut Butter
Smucker’s Jellies
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
Progresso Soups
Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup
Mountain Dew
Butter, not Taste Like Butter. That’s like saying some meat tastes like chicken when it’s not chicken. Or my mother cooking beef heart and telling me it was steak. Worse steak I ever had. So don’t lie to your children!
I only insist on Heinz ketchup and Charmin toilet paper (but not at the same time.)
Breakstone Sour Cream
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Hellman’s Mayonnaise
Diana’s BBQ Sauce
Newman’s Own Italian Dressing
Renees Caeser Salad Dressing
Kikkommen Low Sodium Soy Sauce
and I had to laugh at Tas’s Time Horton’s Coffee – there is perhaps no other food item more “Canadian” than that (except maybe Swiss Chalet Chicken) – we even send it over to our troops in Afghanistan for a “taste of home”.
Fellow weirdo here with a few of mine…
1) Diet Coke
2) Bounty paper towels (select-a-size is fab)
3) Hunt’s ketchup (also for political reasons, I admit, but I do love it)
4) Jif peanut butter
5) Q-tips (generic can be dangerous when the cotton comes off!)
6) Charmin Ultra (even in tough economic times we still get the “good” TP)
7) Dawn dish detergent
8) Cascade dishwasher detergent
9) Nabisco Nilla wafers
10) Graham crackers – any name brand over generic, which crumble too easily
11) Saran wrap – generic is a mess!
12) Mrs. Baird’s bread – I will buy and eat other brands, but she’s my favorite
I feel better after sharing – thanks!
C
Oh no your sister in law taught you well. Only Lea & Perrins will do at our house to. Ha, I even rhyme! Ok here’s my list
Lea & Perrins
Heinz Ketchup
Gain Laundry Detergent
Charmin Toilet Paper
Miracle Whip–Hubs thing, not mine
Coke-No subbing allowed at any time
Blue Bell Brand Ice Cream- once you’ve had it there is no other
JIF peanut butter
Welch’s jelly
Daisy Sour Cream
And last
Land O’Lakes butter
I’m with you on the White Lilly Flour, but do you know what I have to do to find it in PA? Beg, borrow, steal, and drive to VA! HA!
We don’t have White Lily flour up here. I use Gold Medal Organic. JIF PB all the way! Except I use organic Smucker’s in my oatmeal every morning.
Real Cheerios, none of that fake junk.
Dole canned fruits, Bush’s canned beans (though I will buy organic brands if they’re on sale), Muir Glen organic canned tomatoes.
When I used commercial laundry soap, Tide was it for me.
Oh DEFINITELY the Bounty paper towels.
Eight o’ Clock Decaf Colombian coffee.
Half and half (no non-dairy creamer for me).
Daisy sour cream (although I grew up on Breakstone’s, so I’ll buy it in a pinch).
Kraft Deli Deluxe american cheese – the individually wrapped ones taste like the plastic they’re wrapped in!
What a hoot! I knew I was a brand snob, but it appears I’m in good company! :)
Oh, and:
Heinz Ketchup, organic (we can’t afford organic everything, but little things like this ketchup make a difference)
Land O’ Lakes Butter
Target brand facial tissues (they don’t leave icky dust on my face)
Blue Bunny Ice Cream
Bounty paper towels
I am with you on the white Lily products and the Diet Coke. My issue is toothepaste. I really like Crest – paste and no gel.
Premium Crackers is one I’d add to you already wonderful list. I used Bold washing powder for years (as did my mother and my grandmother before me) but they no longer make it. Now I use Gain, but I still feel like I’m cheating.
Off the top of my head:
Maxwell House coffee
Stonyfield Farms yogurt
Secret deoderant/antiperspirant
Crest toothpaste
Grower’s Pride orange juice – my latest pregnancy craving. I MUST have a glass every single day and nothing else tastes the same.
I’m with you on the JIF. I’ve tried others, even the Skippy they have at Costco, but I will pay an extra buck for the JIF.
I feel very sorry that you don’t have a Trader Joe’s where you live. How do I know you don’t have a TJ’s? Because if you did, half of your list would contain TJ’s products. Here are some I can’t live without:
1. TJ’s mayo–Real Simple magazine rated it the best.
2. TJ’s Fair Trade Breakfast Blend Coffee. Makes my morning so happy.
3. Olive oil.
4. Marinara sauce – comes in a can, and costs $1.69, but is oh-so-good.
5. Chocolate chips – taste like Ghiradelli without the expensive pricetag.
Two other loyalty items I get at Target. Tide. I can’t live without it. And Target paper towels. They are equal to Brawny, but much less expensive.
I hate to be disagreeable with you on your blog. That’s just rude. But don’t you have Duke’s mayonnaise where you live? THAT’S the official mayonnaise of the South.
I thought that was the only thing I’m picky about (I have it mailed from South Carolina since we don’t live there anymore.) but when I started listing, I realized that apparently I’m weird, too.
Premium saltines
Heinz ketchup (I know! I know! I’m so sorry, GOP!)
Tim Horton’s coffee
Coke (no, a Pepsi is not OKAY!)
Newman’s Sockarooni Spaghetti Sauce
My loyalty list:
Crest toothpaste
Cottenelle Ultra Toilet paper
Dove deodorant
Cheerios (I’ve tried off-brands and they’re just not right!)
Heinz ketchup
Fiber One bars
Anything else, I will buy what’s cheapest (and still tastes good!)
Q-TIPS!!!! Any other brand of cotton swab will do nothing but stab you in the ear. And then fall apart. *shiver*
I also prefer JIF peanut butter, Green Giant veggies, Oscar Meyer weiners, Maxwell House coffee, Tide detergent, Downy fabric softener, Secret deodorant, and if I’m allowed to say it on here without being offensive… Tampax.
There you have it.
I do not have what one would call “refined tastes” or a “discriminating palate.” It comes from years of generic, store-brand groceries, what can I say?
However.
We do only use Prego spaghetti sauce. And my husband will drink gallons of Dr. Pepper, but not even a sip of Mr. Pibb. And, oh yeah, Velveeta is the only block of processed cheese food we will use at our house.
See? I told you . . . not refined at all.
Y’all crack me up – and I can’t believe I forgot about LeSeur peas, Secret deodorant and Blue Bell ice cream. Nothing else will do.
Fun list!
Here are my faves:
1.I, too, prefer Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce (Thanks to Mom)
2.Hidden Valley Ranch
3.Hellman’s Mayo (Although, recently I’ve been cheating with the Kraft w/Olive Oil—yummy!)
4.Heinz Ketchup
5.Sara Lee for ANY and ALL bread products
6.Blue Bell Ice Cream
7.Land O Lakes Butter
8.Kleenex Viva Paper towels
9.Kleenex Tissues
10.Cereals must be name brands, no generics here
Kraft cheese slices. I always knew when my mom went to the store b/c she bought the store cheese. If Daddy went, it was Kraft. That stuck.
My husband would quit speaking to me if I bought store brand cereal.
I’m sure there are many others, but the cheese is what stands out in my mind.
Oh, and I’m with you on Jif peanut butter. There is no other.
My list…
-JIF
-Miracle Whip
-Hellman’s for some recipes(never heard of Blue Plate)
-Charmin
-Tide
-Heinz
-Starbucks
-Martha White Buttermilk Cornmeal Mix (then I make my cornbread with whole Purity buttermilk)
-Diet Coke
-Dale’s Steak Seasoning
-Vlasic Pickles
-Smucker’s Jelly ONLY
and I could keep going!!
How ridiculous is it that I’m finding myself extremely peeved because so many readers are adamant about Jif over any other peanut butter. My mama (and now everyone in my family) REFUSES to buy that ‘swill’! It’s Peter Pan or nothing in our house.
So silly. How different can peanut butters really get? After reading the comments, though, I think it would behoove some other pb brand to do the PB Challenge and see how many women switch when there’s no pressure to feel like a “choosy mom.”
I would say that I definitely have my favorite brands, but when it comes to grocery shopping I am simply unable to buy the item that is not the least expensive. :)
I LOVE JIF, Breyer’s Mint Chocolate Chip, Nabisco Teddy Grahams, Diet Coke, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (ok, so I never buy a peanut butter cup that isn’t Reese so I guess that’s one of my “things”).
Quaker Oatmeal
Hershey’s Chocolate
Kellog’s Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
ok, I think I should stop now…this could go on forever.
Amen….Choosy mothers choose Jif (that was a good commercial, it worked)
Heinz
Pillsbury Cake Mixes
Kellogg’s Cereal
Folger’s Coffee, until recently got hooked on Starbucks Breakfast Blend.
Green Giant Canned goods
Kraft cheeses
By Allmeans Lea and Perrin
Lever 2000
Jose Quervo Silver Tequila and Margarita Mix
Whiskey Willy’s Bloody Mary Mix
woo hoo I could go on and on
Refering to the peanut butter comments: My husband and son are BIG PB eaters. They MADE me buy Peter Pan (my husband’s mom bought it when he was home). After a while, they asked me to switch it up. I went back to my JIF and they love it now. Peter Pan is good, but it tastes very sugary compared to JIF. So we have tried others. We just ‘choose’ JIF.
As the wife of a Publix man, I buy a lot of store brands and whatever is on sale at the time, but there a few items that are must haves:
LeSeur Peas
Dukes Mayo (never knew there was a difference until I tried it)
Kraft Mac & Cheese
Tyson Chicken Nuggets (for my kids..I don’t touch the things)
Breyers Ice Cream
JIF peanut butter
Kraft original bbq sauce
definitely partial to Heinz ketchup, Miracle Whip, charmin, diet coke, Tide, Cascade, Windex, Pampers…and a whole list of others. i buy mostly store brand canned foods, but some things just aren’t the same!
Here goes…
-Heinz(if loving you is wrong, I don’t
want to be right) :)
-White Lily flour
-Birdseye frozen veggies
-Duke’s mayo
-Gain detergent
-Dove deodorant
-Eight O’Clock coffee
I know there are more, but that’s all I can think of for now!
I’m a coupon, sales, penny-pincher shopper. But I have a couple things that I’m Fiercely Loyal about.
*Diet Pepsi, wild cherry flavor only
*Weight Watchers frozen entrees – the other brands are just gross
*Nestle’s Coffee Mate Sugar Free Hazelnut non-dairy creamer – this is the mac daddy of all loyalties. Will. NOT. tolerate. another.
*Pure-ology Texture Twist hair paste
The rest of the pickiness and brand name snobbery would be ALL. THE. BOSS’s. quirks and idiosyncracies. Resulting in many little irritating notes on my grocery list. And he thinks he’s so easy-going and laid back. {SNORT!}
I am not loyal to many brands, but Heinz ketchup is a MUST!!!
Another Canadian chiming in so I have to start with something from Tim Horton’s; Iced Cappucino. Mmmmmmm, there is nothing better. But here are some other things I’m a snob about (aboot) ;)
Kraft PB
Farmers Milk
Farmers Sour Cream (not just because Farmers is local – because it IS better)
Miracle Whip mayo
Aunt Jemima syrup
Uncle Bens rice
…just to name a few!
To name a few:
Skippy
Dove soap, unscented
Heinz
Brawny
Cascade
Pepperidge Farm breads
Kraft cheeses
Mt. Olive pickles
Kraft light mayo
Lea and Perrin, of course!
Land o Lakes butter
Nestle chocolate chips
The only brand name product my dear husband cares about/insists upon is CHARMIN Plus a touch of Lotion w/ Aloe…because it leaves skin soft and smooth*
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese or Velveeta Shells & Cheese (you can’t buy generic of these!)
Skippy Natural Peanut Butter
I live in Iowa and we have Anderson Ericson Dairy, and I will only drink their milk, use their dip and eat their cottage cheese & sour cream. It is the best!!
Cheerios
Bounty Paper Towels
I’m sure there are more but can’t think of them right now!
At my house, you will only find Blue Plate mayo, Heinz ketchup, Diet Coke, and Ruffles potato chips.
Tide (the new 7 Signs) is my preference for washing detergent, but I have to work overtime to afford it. I love the fact that it has a coordinating Downy fabric softener in the same scent. YUM!
I had more than I thought.
Coke – the real stuff
Twinings Tea, preferably Lady Grey
Daddy Hinkles steak sauce – My husband’s favorite.
Huggies Supreme Diapers and Pull-ups
Bisquick
Bounty Select-a-size paper towels
Charmin toilet paper
I have been using the same feminine products since I was a teenager.
Hidden Valley Ranch – If I did not get this, I would have a mutiny on my hands.
BAMA jelly; Kraft mac & cheese; real Coke (no diet stuff for this one!); Heinz ketchup; and Showboat pork & beans (though you can’t find it anymore—in fact in anyone finds a store in Bham that carries these, PLEASE, let me know)
We buy a lot of generics in this house, but, of course we also have our brand favorites.
I found Skippy Reduced Fat peanut butter when I tried South Beach years ago, and won’t veer from it now!
My husband insists that we buy Charmin toilet paper.
My favorite brand of ice cream is Turkey Hill, but they shrunk their containers again and that was enough to break my brand loyalty. A sad, sad day. :(
I used to be loyal.
Now I buy whatever strikes my fancy. (I’ve been reading about Galatians a lot lately. It’s all about freedom.)
Plus, I do most of my weekly grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s now, and they don’t carry many national brands.
I am a Duke’s Mayonnaise girl ALL THE WAY. Most other things I’m okay with, but I can’t handle any other mayo. I’m also all about some Hidden Valley Ranch packets and Charmin toilet paper.
Fun list!
I LOVE WHITE LILY FLOUR!! I’m from AL but now live in AZ, and actually had a friend of mine send regular shipments to me, as the grocery heathens in AZ do not carry White Lily (and converted my hubby, the sceptic, in the process!). Until the mill in TN shut down, at least. Do you still find it at the store? And is there a difference in taste/texture/bake-ability since the plant moved? I’d totally love to know :)
We have ONE brand to which we are completely loyal. Heinz ketchup – in fact, I’m afraid my husband would contemplate divorce (or at least make me go back to the store immediately) if generic ketchup showed up in our home.
Love, love, love your blog!
I’m beginning to think I A)haven’t been married long enough or B)am too cheap, because I can’t think of a single brand loyalty. I believe I’m a mutant of humanity.
I am brand neutral. I have little loyalty to any brands, which my husband finds puzzling. I enjoy trying new toothpaste, shampoo, and paper towels. I am SUCH a rebel.
Viva Paper Towels
Charmin Toilet Paper
Hellmann’s Mayonnaise
Hunt’s Ketchup
Purity Ice Cream Sandwiches
Coke
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese
This is FUN!
1. Dr. Pepper & Caffeine Free Dr. Pepper, NO generic or store brands or Mr. Pibb because GROSS
2. Mrs Baird’s bread. If I tell hubs to buy bread he will go to the local convenence store (the only 1 in town) & by their brand. Then I can’t eat it because the rancid, carcinogenic, fried cigarette store smell invades the bread. Seriously, horrendous. If you go into that store for a coke, you smell like a fried cigarette the rest of the day, ugh.
3. Philadelphia cream cheese-straight, no reduced fat
4. Del Monte canned fruits
5. BlueBell icecream, nothing else comes remotely close
6. Dove deodorant, but that’s not a food product, at least I hope no one considers it a food product…
7. Eagle brand canned milk
8. No Heinz ketchup, for purely political reasons…sorry
9. Jif PB
10. Miracle Whip, this is for Hubs. Mayonnaise makes him gag. I don’t get it but whatever. He doesn’t get my aversion to carcenogenic convenience store bread…
I’m pretty easy going about most things, and will settle for Aldi’s brand whatever. However, there are a few things that just can’t be replaced by generics–I’ve tried.
Here’s my MUST HAVE list:
Diet Coke
Hidden Valley Ranch dressing
Heinz ketchup
Kraft Mac and Cheese
Peter Pan or Jif PB
Miracle Whip (it’s where its at)
A1 Steak Sauce
ERA laundry detergent (becoming harder to find)
I always make my own party mix too.
My suggestion is to put all of the dry ingred. in a brown shopping bag….add the wet and shake…shake…shake!!! then
put in the oven…Pam, South Bend
Funny enough- I LOVE Publix peanut butter-I was a die hard Peter Pan Fan and made so much fun of my mom when I saw her Publix PB. BUT, it is sooo good. SO, when I’m back in The ‘Ham (I live in TX), I hit the Publix, load up, and smuggle a lifetime supply of Publix PB back home
to West Texas!
And, HUNT’s ketchup for the Hubs! He refuses anything else!
I’m not too picky but there are a few things that must be…
White Lilly Flour
A1 Steak Sauce
Hunt’s Ketchup
Quaker oats
Aunt Jemima syrup
Prego Sauce
Taco Bell Hot Sauce
Hunts Canned Tomatoes
Peter Pan or Skippy P-nut Butter
Clabber Girl Baking Powder
Other than that, I’m game for whatever is cheapest.
My mama raised me on Hellmann’s so that’s what I prefer. And Barnum’s animal crackers.
Oh and how could I forget….
Sunkist Orange Soda
and
Starbucks bagged ground Columbian Coffee
for my hubby. He will accept nothing else :)
Bluebell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream!
I’m loyal to all of the following…
1. Cotonelle toilet paper.
2. Bounty paper towels. (white only)
3. Dove shampoo and conditioner.
4. Merle Norman facial care and make-up.
5. Johnson & Johnson baby care products.
Oh wait…I’m supposed to talk about FOOD, right. Since I only cook when forced (hee hee), this will be a short list. Sorry…
1. A-1 steak sauce
2. Kellogg’s pop-tarts (the off-brand is ATROCIOUS!!)
3. Coca-Cola
4. Hunt’s ketchup
Have a GREAT day! I love, love, love your blog, by the way.
Hey…still waiting for your weekly Bachelorette re-cap. I so look forward to that after each episode.
Kraft Cheese is a must on my list! If not the only acceptable substitution is that from the deli counter that is sliced before my eyes! But, I’m right there with you on nearly everything. As a southern gal myself, I prefer Blue Plate, Lea & Perrins, Hidden Valley, JIF, & Cambells. We could sooo shop together!
You are not the only who is loyal to brands. I too only like the Lea & Perrins. The others just aren’t right.
I prefer Tillamook cheese & butter, brand name cereal (the generic doesn’t hold up as well) and, in my college years, only Top Ramen would do.
The only thing we are really snooty about at our house is TP. Cottonelle, please.
my list…some things are just worth it!
oreos
coco-cola
blue bell
bounty paper towel (i hate select a size)
charmin soft
nilla vanilla wafers
lea & perrins
crest (for hubby)
aquafresh (for me)
heinz (but i will check out that political thing)
downey
wisk
zest
dawn
cascade
lysol lemon scent
i bet there’s more but i only have a few minutes today to dwell on it.
love your blog.
I knew you were gonna get a load of comments on this one! Mine are all the same as yours except I do only use Hellman’s. In South Carolina the true Carolinians swear by Dukes Mayonnaise. (Pronounced D-yukes.)
I’d add these few:
Tabasco
Cottonelle bathroom tissue
Comet cleanser
Luvs diapers (newly converted)
Penzey’s herbs/spices/seasonings
Cascade dishwasher soap
and the big one: Kenmore appliances
ohh i’ve said forever there are some things you just DONT buy generic! now i dont feel so crazy!
Coke Zero
dukes mayo (it’s the only acceptable mayo in SC)
tampax tampons
heinz ketchup (i used to be a hunts girl)
minute maid orange juice
secret deoderant
Pantene shampoo & conditioner
Kashi granola bars
Blue Bell ice cream
lee & perrins
Kikoman soy sauce
Cheese its
and my husband refuses to eat anything other than Boar’s Head deli meat from Publix!
WOW i feel better :o)
One time my husband came home with generic brand saran wrap and tin foil, claiming there was no difference.
Oh yes, there is a big difference. I can’t go generic on things like Saran Wrap and Reynolds Wrap. Also, you will never ever find me going generic on cereal or soda (when I buy soda). Call me a snob I guess…
I also will only buy International Delight Creamer (not Coffeemate), JIF smooth peanut butter, Campbell’s Soup and StarKist Tuna.
I had NO idea another brand of Worcestershire sauce existed. I thought Lea & Perrins was IT! Just goes to show that I was raised on it.
I’ll normally buy what’s on sale or try the store brand, but like so many others, there are some things that have my loyalty:
Ritz Crackers
Campbells soups
(particulary Cream of Chicken, Mushroom, or Celery)
Hellman’s Mayo
Heinz Ketchup
French’s Yellow Mustard
Land O’ Lakes Butter (as if there is any other)
Smuckers jellies and preserves
(I used to buy BAMA, but the hubs is a Tennessee grad…)
Le Seur peas
Diet Coke (Thank you, Lord, and Amen!)
Sara Lee Whole Grain White bread
Well, with a lot of mouths to feed we can’t be too picky. We buy a lot of Great Value and Sam’s Choice at Wal-Mart. But there are a few that we buy the name brand. Peter Pan peanut butter (the colossal, industrial size), Dr Pepper, Heinz ketchup, and on the occasion we get ice cream; Breyers or Mayfields. (Mayfields is exclusive to a small area of the south, very fresh).
I am not much of a brand loyalty person. Except for peanut butter. We started using Skippy Natural Creamy a couple of years ago and I will use nothing else now. Every other kind tastes wrong to me. My kids and husband don’t notice, but I sure as heck do, and since I buy it, we stick to Skippy. Also, I currently love Mission brand corn chips. Not too salty, not too thin, perfect for our purposes (garnish for soups, nachos, chips and salsa). Oh, and I only buy Pace salsa. That is all. I think.
I’m usually willing to try the store brand for almost any item. Target brand hardly ever lets me down. Although I draw the line at store brand tampons – will. not. do. it.
Must-haves:
1) Peter Pan peanut butter
2) Miracle Whip (for me)
3) Duke’s mayonnaise (for my husband)
4) LeSeur peas (no contest here; they’re the best)
5) Diet Coke (duh)… my mom tries to pass off the “Big K Diet Cola” every now and then… um, no.
Philadelphia Cream Cheese, even though the generic is just fine, something about that silver box:)
Tide
Campbells
Cascade Complete
…I have looked all over for White Lily. CO stores may carry it, but I haven’t found it yet!
Oh, now that’s funny. My husband won’t eat any mayo but Duke’s. The only reason I don’t buy Heinz products is the fact that I despise Teresa Heinz Kerry. Her behavior during her husband’s election completely turned me off from her family’s products.
1. Hellman’s mayonaise
2. Folger’s Black silk coffee
3. Keebler Chips Deluxe original chocolate chip cookies
4. Peter Pan peanut butter
5. Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Crunch
6. Dean’s French Onion dip
7. Cascade
8. Tide
9. Oxi-Clean
10. Pampers diapers
11. Huggies wipes
12. Newman’s Own olive oil and vinegar salad dressing
13. PopSecret Homestyle popcorn
14. Herdez mild salsa
I used to be loyal to Heinz until Kerry ran for president. Now I’m a Hunt’s girl.
my list definitely contains Lea & Perrins (had steak marinated in it last night). I’m not that partial to a lot of brands but I must have:
Gold medal unbleached flour
Aunt Jemima cornmeal
Blue Bell ice cream
Brown Cow yogurt
Here goes:
1. Charmin
2. Oscar Mayer Bacon (I know you LUV bacon what is your fav?)
3. Dukes Mayonnaise
4. Wampler Sausage
5. White Lily Flour (Red label – unbelached, self-rising)
6. Jiff
7. Bryers or Blue Bell
8. Land-o-lakes Butter
9. Pure fruit jelly
10.Dial Soap (can’t live without it)
Thank you for your blog, I do enjoy it so!
Hope I get to hug you and all your sweetness and humor one day!
Love and Blessings, Debbie in Tennessee
This is where I am sooo lucky as my boyfriend just moved to the States with my from Sweden so I get to impart him with all my brand loyalty and not worry about what his mother used!! Kinda mean but o well
1.Jiff p.b.
2.Kraft mac and cheese
3.Kraft Miracle whip
4.Chefboyardee ravoli
5.Armour meatballs
6.Smuckers Jelly/Jam
7.Heluvagood dip From the north
8.Philadelphia cream cheese
Just to name a few
Hellman’s
Jif
Dale’s steak sauce
What else could I possibly need for culinary greatness?
Here are my must-have brands!
1. Jiff
2. Quilted Northern
3. Q-Tip
4. DelMonte canned green beans
5. Segafredo Zanetti Espresso
6. Miracle Whip
7. Land ‘o Lakes American Cheese (white)
I’m sure there are more, but I can’t think of them off the top of my head!
Thanks for sharing humor in the everyday!!
I tried French’s once for my chex mix–which is my fave thing to eat forever and ever amen–and was shocked at the diff. Will never use anything but lea&p again.
Other than that i am pretty cool with whatever comes on sale. Ok, except Coke Zero. Not much else will do in that category
I am also loyal to Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce, Jif, Maxwell House coffee, Diet Coke, Campbell’s soups, & Heinz ketchup. I only buy Publix brand canned veggies (green beans, peas, & spinach)-weird, I know. I recently had a coupon for a free Hunt’s ketchup. I bought and promptly donated it to the food pantry at our church.
Ooo, lists and food! I’m in heaven.
1) Kraft Smooth PB
2) Lactancia Pure Filtered 1% (or Skim) Milk
3) Kraft Raspberry Jam
4) Ritz “Original” Crackers
5) Cottonelle TP
6) Tide FREE Laundry Detergent
7) Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup
8) Red Rose Orange Pekoe Tea
9) Green Giant Peaches n’ Cream Frozen Corn
10) Robin Hood All Purpose Flour
Cheers!
1. Diet Coke
2. White Lily flour
3. Louisianna hot sauce (Texas Pete a close second)
4. Heinz ketchup
5. Hellman’s mayo
6. Bunny bread. (Can’t get it here)
7. Allen’s green beans
8. Jimmy Dean sausage- of any kind
9. Smuckers preserves or jams
10. Peter Pan peanut butter
This was fun. Thanks!
And I thought my husband was picky, HA! He will only eat:
1. Dukes mayonaise
2. Kraft shell mac & cheese
3. Jesse Jones hotdogs (no other brand!)
4. Coca Cola
5. Scott’s toilet paper (and please don’t get me started on the convo we had at the Kroger’s over which is better, HA!)
6. Breyers ice cream neapolitan flavor
7. Star’s chicken salad
8. Bunker Hill chili
9. Oscar Mayer deli sliced ham & turkey
10. Iced oatmeal cookies
And I thought I was picky, but I love him so I buy what he likes because he does put up with my crafting hobby.
Have a great day!!!
~Molly P