Hiller’s is my Community Gathering Place
Mom Blog: Veera Mahajan
Living close to a Hiller’s store is so good for me, especially at this time of my life. I am a newly single woman, after many years of buying carts full of groceries and cooking pots full of food. My two boys have moved out to college so I don’t have to shop, cook or eat the same old way anymore.
I spend my early mornings running or doing yoga. After a good workout, I like to have a light healthy meal but don’t always want to cook for myself.
It is a blessing that I live close to a Hiller’s store. I usually stop on my way home from yoga and pick up something quick that is either ready to eat or quick to make. The fruits, vegetables and meats are very fresh and I always find something interesting to try.
Today, I came in with nothing special in mind. I thought I would let Hiller’s help me decide. I bought a medium cup of their premium coffee and a bran muffin and sat at a table by the bakery. I forgot to bring a book, so I let myself be entertained by the deliciously perfect aroma of freshly baked breads and chocolate cake. In the ten minutes that I am here, I see some other ladies also in workout clothes come to pick fresh bread. I see someone from my yoga class. We don’t really get time to talk there so this was a perfect place to get to know her and share a cup of coffee. Who knows – she could become a friend.
I finished my coffee and picked up couple of banana and strawberry yogurts before I made my final stop, at the gourmet salad bar. In a small box, I combined a few leaves of lettuce, a helping of carrots, a couple cucumbers, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, green peppers, cherry tomatoes, half a boiled egg. In a little box I get everything I like and I didn’t have to buy each choice separately or cook or cut it myself.
At Hiller’s, I can enjoy the home feeling without doing the cooking myself. I have already had my workout, my coffee and my breakfast. In this little brown bag, I have lunch, too. And, since I am so close to home, all I have to do is drive five minutes to my hot shower and be ready for the rest of the day.
I think tomorrow morning, I will come in for my usual coffee and since I am going to be working at home in the afternoon, I will buy some fresh catfish. I know I can count on getting the recipe from the guys in the deli. They always have helpful tips for cooking, and they are more than ready to share ideas. I like to experiment so I ask how they might make a particular dish and then I try to incorporate their ideas with mine for something totally different and tasty. I love that.
At Hiller’s, I feel like I am part of a community of people who like to cook and enjoy food. I love to walk the aisles and see what new items they might have stacked on their shelves. Everyone is smiling and willing to help me find whatever I am in a mood to cook. At Hiller’s, I don’t feel alone or bored. It is a nice, relaxing way to spend my morning and a good way to start my day!
