Wholefoods Kensington now open!

I've never heard anyone say this, but if they did, it would probably be because they had an encounter with that horrible fake shiny 'American cheese', or Velveeta.

I think that's it. There's definitely no shortage of incredible cheese in the US, but when they name something "American cheese" ... and it's not even cheese ... well ... there you go. 

Bill Bryson does it in his books and he should know better, but I think my rants about Bill Bryson are for another thread.  Man he irritates me.

Since we're on cheese for the moment... is Monterey Jack easy to find in the UK? I LOVE Monterey Jack cheese, and almost always use it instead of "American cheese."

I love how some of the american cheese packages say "processed cheese food." Food for cheese?

http://davespicks.com/pictures/20020427/badcheez.jpg

Since we're on cheese for the moment... is Monterey Jack easy to find in the UK?

not really... I've seen some out of Wales though. 

not really... I've seen some out of Wales though. 

 

I may cry!!

I may cry!!

oddly enough I found that in a Tesco in Scotland.

yes, gone are my days of popping by the shop to pick up some Monterey Jack. but no worries... there is easily two to three weeks worth of trying a new cheese every day even in the most basic supermarket.

Hopefully I can find something similar. Seems like Monterey Jack is the only real-dairy cheese that doesn't hurt my tummy (I'm lactose intolerant for the most part).

Since we're on cheese for the moment... is Monterey Jack easy to find in the UK? I LOVE Monterey Jack cheese, and almost always use it instead of "American cheese."

Depends on where you are - since you'll be based in London, I bet you'll be able to find some Jack somewhere!   It's a bit harder to find up here - Chris made friends with a guy at a cheeseshop in a town about 20 miles away who orders some in for us every so often, but it's still definitely a luxury item rather than an everyday food. 

I'm lactose intolerant as well (IBS) and I find that Red Leicester works for me (in reasonable increments, of course!) - it's an orange cheese, not too sharp but not too mild.

Depends on where you are - since you'll be based in London, I bet you'll be able to find some Jack somewhere!   It's a bit harder to find up here - Chris made friends with a guy at a cheeseshop in a town about 20 miles away who orders some in for us every so often, but it's still definitely a luxury item rather than an everyday food. 

I'm lactose intolerant as well (IBS) and I find that Red Leicester works for me (in reasonable increments, of course!) - it's an orange cheese, not too sharp but not too mild.

That's good to know, and thank you for the tip about the Red Leicester! Hopefully that might work for me as a substitute also. I love cheese and I wish I wasn't intolerant Soy cheeses substitutes are really just not the same.

I love cheese and I wish I wasn't intolerant Soy cheeses substitutes are really just not the same.

They really aren't!   And, yes - cheese is my weakness.  As I can't have milk anymore -  which I used to drink by the gallon - I'll gladly trade all the ice-cream and cream and dairy in the world for just a little bit of cheese!

They really aren't!   And, yes - cheese is my weakness.  As I can't have milk anymore -  which I used to drink by the gallon - I'll gladly trade all the ice-cream and cream and dairy in the world for just a little bit of cheese!

Totally agree. Did you ever try the veggie based cheese alternatives? 

Never again!

Did you ever try the veggie based cheese alternatives? 

UGH!   

My philosophy is simple:

The Real Thing (in moderation) > The Fake Version (in any amount)

This philosophy extends to soy milk (I'd rather just go without), turkey bacon (what's the point?*), veggie meat and dairy substitutes, diet Coke....



*Disclaimer: I totally understand the point of turkey bacon - and other meat substitutes - for vegetarians/people who don't eat a particular meat/people who prefer the taste of turkey bacon to regular bacon (like my sister).  I just don't see the point in consuming it myself!

My philosophy is simple:

The Real Thing (in moderation) > The Fake Version (in any amount)

Absolutely! 

My philosophy is simple:

The Real Thing (in moderation) > The Fake Version (in any amount)

This philosophy extends to soy milk (I'd rather just go without), turkey bacon (what's the point?*), veggie meat and dairy substitutes, diet Coke....

I totally agree. I do drink soy milk, but I don't use it as a substitute in cereal for milk, so I just don't eat cereal anymore. I just can't bring myself to be okay with the difference in flavor. (and I'm not much for turkey bacon, etc)

I got to visit the new Whole Foods yesterday and I am def going back! I didn't get to do a real shop, since I couldn't carry much on the tube but I could have spent a LOT of £££'s there. 

I did buy a bag of Terra Blue Potato chips, which I had not seen in the UK before, and some organic pumpkin seed butter.

For the nut butter fans, they do have the machines where you can make your own fresh nut butters on the spot.

It was great fun and I can't wait to go back with a car so I can indulge!!