What do I miss?

Well, it's been almost a month since I've moved to London. Wow...

Anyway, some people have been asking me what I miss so far*. Not a lot of things have really hit me yet. I'm sure I'll think of more in another month but today at lunch a few co-workers and I were sitting in the cafeteria discussing foods we missed from home (none of us are originally from the UK). It was interesting to talk to other expats about what they missed.

So far I haven't found brownie mix, cake mix, or pancake mix. Apparently I have to make them from scratch?? (Thanks for the brownie recipe Mom) To be fair, I wouldn't have had all of these items in the last month if I was at home, but not being able to have them makes me want them more. Someone today did tell me they sell these items at a Costco here. However, I would probably get a 2 year supply of pancake batter if I bought it there. But, the brownie mix is Ghiradelli and it comes with multiple packets so he might bring me a packet if he remembers. Now I just have to buy a baking pan.

Next item: light Ice Cream. I can't find it anywhere. Of course I love regular ice cream more, but my lack of self control in this area makes having a container of regular ice cream in my freezer very dangerous (although fortunately I do a lot more walking now). I did break down and buy some last week. I deserved it. I am adjusting to a new situation and need ice cream to cope. I'm still on the look out for light ice cream. In the mean time, it's probably better just to buy a cone now and then.

Also, there isn't any real Mexican food here. Today I had something that resembled an enchillada for lunch at work but my stomach hasn't been happy about it ever since. At least if I eat Taco Bell I know it will taste good even if I suffer later. I could use some Tostitos Gold and salsa about now.

On a more general level, I'm craving some good, home-cooked food. My family went to my grandma's house for dinner this Sunday and I was jealous. Grandma makes the best food, and I particularly love her pies! I heard there was apple cobbler. When I first arrived here I ate sandwiches, toast and cereal for at least a week. I didn't have any pots and pans and I was too overwhelmed when I went to the supermarket to figure out what to buy. Slowly I've ventured away from meat and cheese and now I have pots and pans. Most recently I discovered a supermarket with very nice prepared meals. Not frozen dinners, but more like recipes that just need to be put in the oven, etc. So last night I had some excellent chicken with parmesan cheese, pesto and pine nuts. Probably once I exhaust my options there I will move on to cooking for myself!


*This list of items obviously excludes the people, who are too numerous to list here.