To Market, to Market ... to Find Organic Food

I was a vegan for eight years. I loved it. But I could not stop yearning for things I didn't know, and food I couldn't pronounce. So I stopped being vegan and began enjoying good, exotic, organic food.  These are some of my all-time favorites, and new discoveries:

Whole Foods, 471 Route 35, Middletown

It's a health food heaven, with a offers a wide variety of foods for people with specific diets — such as gluten-free as well as vegan and vegetarian restrictions.. It is a little more pricy than I usually like to spend, but worth it because I know that the food I am eating isn’t being pumped full of different chemicals that I cannot pronounce. Usually a plus. My girlfriend and I usually spend 15 minutes trying to pick a drink out from the fridge, and up to two hours just moseying through the aisles. The only downside to this place is that it is incredibly easy to spend too much while shopping so try to be aware of the cost that will inevitably be  at the register.  

, 1521 Route 35, Middletown

The store had no produce section and seemingly no working refrigerator, but had the biggest vitamin section I’ve seen in a health food store. The gentlemen at the counter couldn’t have been more friendly or knowledgeable about the products he carried. Upon my leaving of the store without purchasing anything, the guy at the counter asked if I needed anything. I didn’t think he would see me going and I sort of hoped I wouldn’t have to have that awkward reply of no that’s okay, I don’t want to buy anything, so I said, “No thanks I was searching for macadamia nut butter,” thinking that he wouldn’t know what it was, and reply no. He looked back toward the shelf and answered, “I usually do but we are all out right now, it doesn’t sell so much.”

Dearborn Market, 2170 Route 35, Holmdel 

Absolute produce heaven.  My girlfriend and I snapped a few shots of the produce and of the other groceries. A worker reprimanded us for having a camera in the store. Apparently, competitors use cameras to record prices.  Walking around,  we found that the store offers an entire deli section and even an olive bar. They had my favorite dried fruit snack ever. If you ever see a coconut rolled date whether prepackaged or fresh, buy it.

, 490 Broad Street, Shrewsbury

Because it is so close to my house in Shark River, I drive there nearly every day to shop.  I love it because no matter what truck is being driven on Route 35 with its big exhaust hauling behind, the second the front door opens an aroma of health surrounds you. The fresh fruits and vegetables are just right in front of the door. The nutritionist is just to your right and she couldn’t be any more friendly or helpful.  There is always someone in front of the door greeting you and letting you know that their help is available.  It’s kind of the like the grocery store version of Cheers or something. Somehow  they learn your name quickly and don’t seem to forget.

, Treasure Island Plaza Route 35, Shrewsbury

 I have lots of love for Trader Joe’s in Westfield. They have Two Buck Chuck (a bottle of wine for $2.99), they have free food at the sample bar, and amazing prices on their produce that makes me swoon like a schoolboy,  except my crush isn’t for a person, it is the $.70 eggplants.  . They won’t have their liquor license I hear, meaning I will still have to make the drive to Westfield for my Two Buck Chucks. 

, 625 Branch Ave, Little Silver 

A friend suggested I try it. It took a few drives from and to the train station until I realized that I had been cruising right past the tiny store's sign. Inside, they have a glowing salad bar, a table of baked goods and a juice bar. I always get my wheat grass shots there. I honestly don’t know why, but I feel like they have the freshest cut wheatgrass around.. They have one of the state’s most acclaimed nutritionists named Dave, who may I add has one of the loudest personalities I have encountered to this day. I asked him one question one day unknowingly being lead to the supplement he thought that I needed, once the whole situation was over I was left with a supplement in hand and no idea what had happened. 

Delicious Orchards, 320 Route 34, Colts Neck

The store is awesome. They have good prices for their items, they really do. However if you are like me or strive to be all organic, this place is not the right place. The fruits are as big as soccer balls, but if you are a bargain hunter for big products and little prices, this place is perfect. Despite what you might thing of this fruit and vegetable paradise,  the organic section was shoved tightly into a corner of the store.