@robertsrandoms
robert.taylor34@gmail.com

The idea behind Robert's Random is for me to write about whatever I'm thinking about whenever I'm thinking it. I try to write 3-5 times a week, but sometimes real work gets in the way of that. Sometimes I'll share whatever random thought I might have that day but most of the time, I like to write about things going on in the news. I'm a total news junkie, I spend a lot of time online at various news sites. If I find a story where someone does something totally stupid or I wonder "what were they thinking?" I don't mind pointing it out incase others missed it or taking my best guess at what they were thinking. I like to laugh, I like to make others laugh. There's so much serious and wrong stuff going on in the news that when I find an unusual or light story, I like to use it. And while real life news events might be the focus of many of my blogs, I'm just trying to entertain you, make you laugh and maybe even think about something you didn't know before reading. I'm not trying to break any serious news or deliver any hard-hitting coverage. You'll have to read a paper or watch one of the network shows for that.

Cooking without gas: who needs Walmart?

Posted Sunday, July 20, 2014, at 7:47 PM

I like to spend Sundays cooking breakfast and lunch for the week. Then I put the food in plastic containers, take them to work with me Monday morning and I've got breakfast and lunch for the rest of the week.

This comes in handy on Thursdays and Fridays when I've forgotten about the time spent cooking Sunday and I'm like, "Hey, yummy lunch here in the fridge with my name on it. I don't even remember making this food. But I'll eat it!"

I decided Saturday afternoon I'd like to grill my lunch for the week, but I also knew I was out of propane. I went to the propane store here in town, discovered they had moved to a new location, went there and discovered they were closed on the weekends.

I gave up on finding propane and headed to the Air Force Base to do some other things. While I was out there, I noticed they sell propane at the Shoppette.

I was trying to decide between making another trip out to the base, breaking my seven-month Walmart ban or not grilling at all. I went to the BX and was looking at wood chips for my smoker and noticed bags of charcoal next to the wood chips.

The bags reminded me of the grill and charcoal that were left in the shed in the backyard by the previous tenants. I'd never used a charcoal grill before but figured now would be a good time to learn.

People have been telling me for years that charcoal is the way to go, but I've stuck with my gas grill. After a few minutes on google, I was ready to give it a try.

The smell of the grill while cooking is hard to beat. It's the classical grilling smell that can't be duplicated with a gas grill. The meat also kept in more of its juices than a gas grill does.

However, cooking with charcoal takes some work, or at least it would if you did it for a while. I cooked four pork chops and a piece of chicken. The charcoal was almost ashes by the time the chicken was done. If I had more to grill, I would have had to start the whole process over and figure out how to move the rack while it was hot to add more charcoal. Propane is much more convenient to use. It's much more consistent and all you have to do is turn a knob.

I'm going to get the propane tank filled up this week, but I enjoyed the chance to try something new and learn a new way to grill. (I took a break from writing this to run to Maverick and realized they too sell propane.)

Visiting different stores and new experiences is exactly what I had in mind when I decided to go the month of December without shopping at Walmart. I'm enjoying it and starting to think my month without Walmart might turn into my year without Walmart.

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Why wouldn't I be OK with that? People can shop wherever they want. I don't care. I'm also aware of the fact that not everyone gets to decide if they shop there or not.

But I started this project as a challenge to myself to see if I could go 30 days without shopping there and I've discovered not only can I, but I don't miss Walmart either. I'm having fun looking to other stores in town before making Walmart my default answer to whatever I need. I'm also enjoying the new experiences avoiding the store brings.

-- Posted by RTaylor on Sun, Jul 20, 2014, at 11:20 PM
Robert there are lots of other stores I prefer to shop in other then Walmart. I think you have great strength in sticking with your plan of not shopping at Walmart. I couldn't do it as I am a knitter and in this town its the only place to buy yarn.

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Mon, Jul 21, 2014, at 11:28 AM
I've not read a blog for awhile. I found such animosity and pettiness that it just got to leave a bad taste in my mouth. But I happened on this and I like that you're still keeping away from Wal-Mart. I've kind of come to feel the same way. I've been staying away, though not completely, but for a different reason. We're spending half the year in Fairfield, so Wal-Mart is a bit over an hour away. What I've found closer is a few places in Gooding. Riggs I believe has become a favorite. (That might not be the correct name) and right here in Fairfield is the Camas County Country Store, has everything I need, from bread to fishing poles (bought 3 for grandkids)

I'm happy without Wal-Mart. AND I should mention personal care and service.

Fairfield also has some great places to eat, where the people talk to you. Come I up!

Jessie

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Wed, Jul 23, 2014, at 11:17 AM
Fairfield is about an hour away, towards Sun Valley. Yes it's very kid friendly, and plenty to do if you are not into horses. There is a pool, golf course, plenty of hiking, and one of my kids favorites, a Kid Fishing pond stocked with fish for kids to fish in. Not once have we gone and not caught fish, and had a great time.

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Mon, Jul 28, 2014, at 12:16 AM
I've found that shopping without Wal Mart is infinitely more fun and personal. Norman, OK is not a small town, but I frequent the Homeland (Oklahoma version of Paul's), and have a favorite checker/bagger.

I've always found your blogs to be very civil toward Wal Mart, just acknowledging the benefits to shopping without the giant. They're very fair, and I always enjoy your latest conundrum.

Grilling with charcoal isn't bad for you in moderation (like most things, like the occasional Twinkie). The cancer risk is significantly (over 90 percent if you use garlic or rosemary) reduced if you marinate your meats before grilling.

As a moderately broke college family, my husband and I grill two or three times a month with our $20 charcoal grill. It's a nice treat (though I do make mean baked meats!)

-- Posted by lilmissmelmo on Thu, Aug 7, 2014, at 10:03 AM
As a fellow Walmart hater, I would say, "Carry on, sir."

-- Posted by BruceGibson on Sat, Aug 30, 2014, at 7:26 AM

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