Lara Howard

teaching women to think on true things

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the day I bought 28 limes and 54 carrots {and what I learned}

I make my grocery lists based upon the store. I have my Aldi list, my Harris Teeter list, my Wal-mart list, and my Costco list. Theoretically. The other day I went to Costco with…just a list (bad idea) and three hungry kids (worse idea) and a touch of “I’m all done with this day.” (The lady might lose her cool.)

About halfway down my list I had the word “lime”. As in singular, “one lime” because I was making guacamole and you must have a lime if it’s gonna be any good. But I only needed one. Uno. A lime.

Did I mention my kids were with me? And I was kinda done?

So I saw the bag of limes in the produce section and weighed my options. I could buy this bag of 28 lovely limes or I could drive to yet another store with three hungry kids, get them out of the vehicle after they find their shoes that they somehow feel compelled to purge whenever we enter said vehicle, and take them into that store for a singular lime. I think not. So I bought the bag of limes — 28 of them — justifying it with dreams of lime desserts and lime drinks and lime…chicken.

Oh and carrots? Came to the same conclusion. Hello, you 54 full-size, crunchy carrots, you. Welcome to our refrigerator.

 

Carrot drill Sergeant

 

That night while I fixed dinner I put my kids to work, because this bushel of carrots won’t peel itself. And when my husband walked through the door and saw the bag ‘o carrots and the bowl of limes sitting on the countertop, he just gave me the look. You know, the “Why the heck are there that many carrots and limes in our kitchen” look.

I tried to convince him that we needed them. And that it was a way better financial deal. He nodded unconvinced, while I pressed on as a hopeful drill sergeant to my carrot-peel-covered children.

Today, one week later, I still have 18 limes in my fridge (because I gave about 7 to my sister). And the vast majority of that massive bag of carrots remains crammed on the bottom shelf of my refrigerator, slowly but surely becoming bunny food.

 

I have three morals to the story.

 

  1. Costco will suck you dry and leave you for dead. Just kidding. I still love Costco. But it always tempts me to buy way too much of…everything. Therefore enter on-guard. Consider yourself forewarned.

  2. Sometimes it’s best to say “no”. Just because we live in this consumer, dripping-with-stuff society doesn’t mean we always have to say “yes” to more. I’m mainly speaking to me. I am not a big spender but I know this. I didn’t need 28 limes! Say “no” lady. People around the world are starving for food and Bibles and I am throwing away rotten produce. That’s a problem to me.

  3. And finally, lime pancakes? Not so much.

    4.  

    Fill me, Lord…

    What has God been (re)teaching you these days?
     

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Comments

  2. Betsy D says

    Ha, ha! Thanks for the laugh this morning! Been there, done that…although never with limes and carrots. In case they are still in abundance, try squeezing lime juice on grated carrots and then a sprinkle of salt (seriously). It’s really pretty good and I was told once, is a popular Mexican “snack”. 🙂

  6. Kim says

    We’ve all been there! Don’t be too hard on yourself. 🙂 If the limes & carrots are still salvageable, which I would think they probably are, juice the limes and freeze in an ice cube tray. Once frozen put them in a ziploc bag and pull one out whenever you need a lime. One suggestion…lime rice! Yummy! Like Chipotle does it or I have a recipe that uses a little butter, cumin & lime. Everyone raves over it. For the carrots, slice them and freeze them too! Pull them out for stews, stir fry, sides or whetever other recipe you typically make with carrots. I buy in bulk and freeze things all the time.

  8. Caroline Brown Kolbet says

    God has been (re)teaching me to get up before “chaos” does & spend some time with Him. Now that the kiddos are back at school, I am back at work & EXTREMELY drained, I HAVE to have that one on one time with Him. It may be just half-dozing drinking some java, or reading some blog from this cool chick named Lara, or reading some daily devotional books. I love & miss u 2 pieces! Thanks for always putting a smile on my face!

  9. Sara Sluberski says

    I totally agree with you about Costco I now just ask my friends to get me that one bulk thing I NEED from there 2x a year, because its the only way to resist temptation. When Life gives you limes make the indian condiment Lime pickle! Yum!