The British Don't Cook

I just want to say thanks for all the great comments! It makes me feel good knowing that I am still connected to everyone.

Grocery Stores in London

The B&B has a kitchen that guests can use for cooking. I have been going the budget route, so I have been shopping in the local grocery stores. Fortunately, there are loads of them. In this area, there are 3 within 5-7 minutes walk.

My first experience in one of the grocery stores took about an hour. I walked the entire store picking up and looking at everything. What was the biggest shock was the amount of instant/ready made meals in the store. After going to a number of grocery stores, I have found that the first 1/3 of the store is dedicated to instant meals. For example, there will be different types of sandwiches, wraps, soups, salads, and dips. Then there will be a whole microwave section of instant meals, plus quick pizza's etc. Much more then I have ever seen in the states. If you pass the instant meal section, there are hardly any people in the rest of the store. But if you are at the front of the store where all the instant food is, the place is packed.

I have to say, the food prices are not bad at all. Considering I use to buy organic all the time, the prices seem the same or cheaper. I did pop into one of the organic places and found some of the prices outrageous.....asparagus for $12.99 a pound.

Here is a sample of food I bought in a regular grocery store and the USD cost.

French bread $1.62
Pasta Sauce $2.72
Mustard $2.72
Salad Dressing $1.64
Cookies (roll of 12) $0.54
Half of a cucumber $0.84
Chicken sandwich meat $2.78
Salami sandwich meat $2.26
Butter (2 stick) $1.96
Bag of salad greens $2.60

Grocery stores also have EVERYTHING packaged. I find it funny to find a packaged cucumber with its nutritional value stamped on the bag. Actually, the way they do the nutritional value is pretty cool. One of the stores has a list of 5 or so items stamped on the front of the package/box in large different colors. If you are looking at the stuff, you can immediately see which item has less calories, sugar, salt, etc. Nothing like the Americans who hide the information on the side or back of the box.

Since I am making my own food, I don't find the food that bad. :) It has some flavor. Hopefully, I will go out soon and let you know how bad the food really is!