My father is a wise man. His colorful aphorisms have peppered my life.
Of his many tropes, my favorite is about acquisition:
If you can’t eat it,
and it doesn’t make you money…
what good is it?
I recognize there are many things wrong with this statement. Clearly- this is not the logic to use when considering things like having a child or adopting a pet.
My father would buy me as many books as I wanted. He sent me to camp each summer and encouraged me in extra-curricular activities. He knows the importance of enjoying life’s pleasures. In fact, he is cruising the British Isles as I write this.
This is not the logic to employ when navigating life’s more philosophical pursuits.
No- This is the type of logic one needs to pack when navigating the aisles of Target.
When you head to Target for two things:
It is quite easy – dare I say unavoidable – to be distracted by items you do not need. Items you never knew you wanted until you saw them.
They are “out of sight, out of mind” items. You easily fall for them upon first sight – and they are quickly forgotten when you walk away. Unless they wind up in your shopping cart.
It’s during these pivotal moments when I hear my father’s voice.
“If you can’t eat it and it doesn’t make you money, what good is it?”
I’m often able to walk away.
Did I leave Target with just two things? Ah, hail naw. I’m female human.
I picked up a new bathing suit (my pool eats a bathing suit every two weeks), a travel tumbler (saves money in the long run) and some nude eye shadow (why do I even bother?). All practical items.
Then, you know, I saw these. They don’t make you money.
But you can eat them.
You can eat them together!
Lightly steam your carrots, sprinkle with gomasio and make this nutty dip:
Far-East Nutty Dip Baby Dip
- 3 T nut butter (I used the almond, peanut & cashew blend from Target)
- 2 T Bragg’s Aminos or soy Sauce
- 2-3 T water for desired consistency.
- Cayenne, Garlic Powder and Sweetener to taste.
Nuke it and stir until smooth, it thickens as it cools.
Totally Money.
Dip Baby Dip!!!
Oh, and about that sparkling coconut La Croix. 
Not for everyone, but I like it. Tastes like the smell of suntan lotion.
Curious? If you put it on your Target list now, you won’t feel so bad when it winds up in your cart later.
- What was your last Target acquisition? If you don’t have a target by you I don’t know whether to pity you or envy you…
- Do you like to steam or blanch your veggies for crudite? I always do.
- Did/does your Dad have any sayings?
hahahah i def do not live by that motto! i buy a wee too much all the time. esp when it comes to clothes and makeup :O… love that dip! very creative!
What the coconut La Croix?! I have never seen that and I lurve La Croix Lime and also have an affinity for coconut flavors and smells. I might need to head to Target to see if they have them stocked up in this region. Never knew it existed and now feel like someone left me out of the loop.
I think the last thing I bought at Target was a new comforter.
Definitely steam the veggies.
Never had a dad/father/pa/pops in my life so no sayings to share.
Missy, I’m now going to go on an obsessive hunt for the coconut La Croix. I’m in deep.
They are test marketing it at Target. I suppose you may already be there as I write this.
Have fun! Stay away from those $1 bins.
You know, I never went to Target, but had to hold myself at bay in not doing so.
Kind of glad that there has been more commenting on it because I think now I am not going to go and get any. Watered down, artificially flavored coconut goodness isn’t necessarily my schtick, but I will probably try it at some point. In the meantime, I will probably stick with my Lime and enjoy that crisp flavor it offers.
And those dollar bins are like a bully taunting, but in a way that doesn’t bring about bad feelings.
Darn the marketing at Target!
Skip it. Each an goes down a little harder…I am not sure it is a salvagable situation. Maybe rum could help it, but I don’t drink rum.
I agree about the suntan lotion smell/taste of the coconut LaCroix… However, I totally dig it. There is also a new Peach-Pear LaCroix which I like even more
Peach Pear? I want to go there.
okay how have I never tried any of these La Croixs? Do you think it would curb my Coke Zero addiction. I am trying to get back on the wagon with that and looking for some new drinks.! I love Target! Missy you are adorable and I am so gonna try that dip!
I’m balk on the crak, too. I love la coix…the ocounut has a very artificial taste so don’t expect it to taste subtle or like coconut water but I like it.
I saw that almond, peanut, and cashew butter the last time I was at Target and was *this close* to buying it, but I have a hard time spending money on something purely for me.
Which leads to my favorite aphorism from my dad: “It’s only money.”
last things i bought at target were a headband (that broke the next day) and clearance animal crackers for the m.
dunno about coconut sparkling water, but i love this tangerine/lime(i think) soda i used to get at trader joes ad i MAY have seen at publix the other day…
Oh man, I go to Target on like a weekly basis! My mom usually tries to go by herself because I tend to fill up the cart with some…um unnecessary items! The last thing I got there were some freeze dried mango chunks. They were so yummy and I loved that it was just made of mangoes! The sparkling water looks so good =)
We don’t have a Target. Sad, I know.
I often keep myself from impulse-buying by calculating exactly how much I’ll need before I leave, and bringing ONLY that amount in cash (and NO credit/debit cards!).
The coconut-flavored water intrigues me…though I should probably stick with regular coconut water, because it’s possibly the best thing ever for me, healthwise. Still, que interesante…
Regular coconut water is infinitely better — this stuff tastes like the smell of suntan oil. I like it, but probably won’t buy it again.
My dad always used to say “The bank has a lot of money”. Also, “You can’t take it with you when you die.”
Maybe not the best mottos to live by.
LOL! I love the smell of sun tan lotion. Now I really want to try that la croix! would your dad approve?
p.s.
I can’t pass up the dollar spot. Gets me EVERYTIME!
I think I know you enough to say skip the coconut flavor. Very artificial. I am eager to make a slushie out of it, though.
That is the perfect way to describe that drink! I’ve tried a few of them….I think I have to be in the right mood to like them (sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it)
Hope you had a great birthday
Uh, my hubby WORKS at Target so I spend ENTIRELY TOO MUCH TIME at Target. We just got Clash of the Titans (so not a need but it was on sale for $10/blu ray), a fan (totally a need right now) and beer (um, not a need and I’m sure it will make me look pregnant again but I just couldn’t keep listening to e.d. and keep saying no) All of that at 10% off, well that is my kind of life
My dad always said, “Look with your eyes not with your hands” and “As Gram used to say, you’ll get glad again.” I have found myself turning into my dad and use the comments that once drove me crazy to drive my own kids crazy. I just told my oldest tonight actually when he said he was mad at me, “Well, the good news is that you will get glad again.” He rolled his eyes at me.
And coconut water, not really my favorite. They also carry it at Costco, they were sampling it just last week. Or at least at the Costco in Denver that I went to.
Oh boy. I can’t decide if the 10% discount would cover the increased amount of shopping I would do if I worked at Target.
I love the quotes – especially your Gram’s. I think people’s isms are so brilliant …. it’s like our own set of slogans.
hahaha.. sounds like your dad is a wise man!
That dip looks GOOOOOOOOD
Ahh Target! Or as I like to call it Tarjay (French accent LOL)
You mean it’s not really pronounced TarJay? Heehee.
OMG is your dog a Min pin! I have one too
Aren’t they wonderful!?
and I totally hear you on buying things you don’t need. I am always tempted! Those travel tumblers are quite cool though
hope you are having a great monday!
Scott
Yup, her name is Zoe.
I need a good Target run! I think I’ll go Wednesday on my day off. And I’ll be sure to make a list. I always end up with a few things I didn’t come for, but usually pretty practical/useful items. You know, like rainbow colored bobby pins.
Rainbow colored bobby pins…Useful and fun!
I’ve never set foot in a Target, but heard tremendous things about it. As much as I was sad when they bought out an iconic Canadian discount department store, the idea of having local Targets definitely intrigues!
I would love to share a dad quote with you, too, but I’d like to keep my comment appropriate.
My dad’s a cute, swarthy little French Canadian, but boy! Does he have a mouth on him! 
I cannot leave a supermarket without at LEAST three utterly random and somewhat useless items that aren’t on my list. It’s a serious problem…I did not need and have NO use for cat shaped paper plates but I couldn’t leave them x
We’d be dangerous if we got together.
OH MY GOODNESS, your dog is SOOOOO cute!!!
I know that’s not really on topic but I had to tell you. He (she?) looks almost exactly like my dog. Love!
I’m not really sure my posts even have topics! Heehee.
Thanks. Her name is Zoe.
Friggin love Target. If I get out of there without spending $100 it’s a miracle.
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I am cheaper so I get the coconut diet soda from walmart but funny thing is: i thought the same thing! it is like drinking your suntan lotion! ♥ Now that nut butter sounds amazing, I will get it from target next time i get my frozen cherries (I love target frozen cherries, they are my absolute favorites and i eat them with yogurt almost every night!).
I need to get rid of mine. I choked down two cans. I can go no further. That nut butter really is amazing.