Greetings, if you have found your way to my small online space, welcome. My name is Sarah Williams.  This blog, which combines product reviews, cooking experiments, and rambling thoughts about Aldi—a store I spend much too much time in—is essentially my happy place.

Before you ask, I can honestly say that I get thrilled about going grocery shopping.  I unwind by strolling down an Aldi aisle and finding a weird kitchen gadget I didn’t realize I needed, while others perform yoga.  It’s an odd pastime, but at least it adds interest to life.

I created this blog because I would always ramble endlessly about anything I found when I got home from Aldi.  It might be a new chocolate bar, an unexpectedly delicious frozen pizza, or the fact that I finally bought that enigmatic seasonal item.  I eventually came to the conclusion that I should probably put everything in writing before my family intervened.  So here we are.

My life has always revolved around food.  More along the lines of “I love trying new recipes and then making my friends taste-test everything,” rather than “I’m a professional chef.”  Because the ingredients are reasonably priced and come in a very good range, Aldi makes that easy.  Many of the recipes here make use of everyday items I pick up on my regular grocery shopping trips.  There won’t be any convoluted shopping lists or hard-to-find items.  Just genuine meals that won’t break the bank, created with real food.

But for a moment, let’s be honest.  There is more to this blog than just food.  It has to do with the small pleasures that Aldi offers.  The excitement of discovering a jar of pesto that looks gourmet for half the amount you would spend elsewhere.  The thrill of finding a seasonal candle that fills your home with the scent of fall.  The strange sense of accomplishment that comes with cutting your supermarket cost but still leaving with a cart full of delicious items.  Here is what I wish to share.

Perhaps you are similar to me if you are reading this.  Your favorite Aldi purchases may already be in your possession.  Perhaps you’ve said to someone, “Really, their wine tastes good.”  Or perhaps you simply want to know what all the commotion is about.  In any case, I’m happy you’re here since this is a place for foodies, bargain hunters, and those who don’t mind laughing at themselves when their supper doesn’t look anything like the Pinterest photo.

What can you anticipate from this blog, then?  A bit of everything.  Reviews of products where I’ll be honest about what’s worth adding to your cart and what would be better off staying on the shelf.  Simple, enjoyable recipes that I’ve tried in my very real, everyday kitchen.  Random observations regarding the Aldi shopping experience, such as why I can never find my quarter when I need a cart and why the checkout line feels like a race.  Basically, anything that has to do with Aldi belongs here.

I’m not trying to be flawless.  I burn the garlic bread sometimes.  Occasionally, the recipe that I had hoped would be a masterpiece turns out to be a total failure.  Additionally, I occasionally purchase far too many snacks because they all seemed appetizing at the time.  However, that’s reality, and since we all have successes and failures, I believe it’s best to discuss them.

You can generally find me cooking, reading, or persuading myself that window shopping online qualifies as a pastime when I’m not writing about Aldi.  Strong coffee, warm evenings, and belly-aching laughing are my favorite things.  Honestly, sharing small pleasures, delicious cuisine, and a little bit of personality along the road is what this site is all about.

Why, then, Aldi?  because it seems friendly.  You won’t feel uncomfortable in this upscale store.  In addition to finding the most unusual seasonal goods that end up becoming your new love, you can get pantry essentials there.  You leave the store with exactly what you needed plus three more you didn’t need, but you’re not upset about it.  That’s how I like to shop.

I have no idea where this blog will lead.  Perhaps it will develop into a small group of Aldi enthusiasts exchanging cooking ideas.  Perhaps it will simply be a location where I can share my passion for great finds and reasonably priced cuisine.  In any case, you are a part of the tale if you are reading this, and you may not realize how much that means.

So, get your coffee, stay put, and let’s discuss Aldi.  Because it’s not just about the groceries at the end of the day.  Making life a bit simpler, a bit more delicious, and a lot more enjoyable is the goal.

Greetings from my adventures at Aldi.  Thank you for being here.

— Sarah