Foods We Miss From Home - Eating In

As a continuation on yesterday's theme, we thought we'd share the groceries we miss most from the States.  Honestly, we didn't think about the fact that when we went grocery shopping over here, we would not see the same brands.  We miss our Publix dearly!  Our supermarkets don't have the most random American things that you sometimes really want.  For example, I had a heck of a time finding maple syrup.  When I did find it, it was insanely expensive (about $8) and it wasn't even Aunt Jemima!  =)

Our American recipes don't really work over here because half the time, you can't find the ingredients you need.  (The other half the time, you can't figure out how to convert the measurements!)  Here's a list of the groceries we miss the most; luckily we are able to get some of the non-perishable items when people come to visit and when we go home.

• Kraft Macaroni & Cheese - Yes, I know it's a "kid food," but it's my comfort food and they don't have it ANYWHERE over here! 
• Honey Smacks Cereal - Brian got really excited because we found Smacks in France, but they were NOT the same at all.
• Mott's Cinnamon Applesauce - A great addition to dinners!  We got semi-close when we found Bramley Applesauce over here, but it's still not the same.  =(
• JIF Peanut Butter - Can you really use any other brand to make a good PB&J?  Luckily we got a good stash when our friends Darrell and John came to the UK so we should be good until we go home again.  Thank you guys!
• Betty Crocker Cookie Mix - They have Betty Crocker over here, but the recipe doesn't even use butter and the cookies look and taste completely different!  
• Zatarain's Rices - They do a lot of the instant and plain rice over here, but we can't get a good rice mix to throw chicken in or anything.  (We specifically miss the basic Yellow Rice and the spicy Jambalaya to give us a Cajun kick!) 
• BBQ Sauce & Ranch Dressing - Two key ingredients for wings and any good football party! 
• Milk Chocolate Carnation Instant Breakfast - Brian's favorite breakfast drink.   

Every time we go home now, we try to leave space in our bags for our favorite brands.  (Please note that although a lot of these items aren't healthy, we actually eat pretty healthy - you just miss things and crave them more when you can't get them!)  Of course that is getting tougher now with the new 1-bag limit on Virgin Atlantic and British Airways!  We're totally willing to sacrifice clothes though for food!  =)