Food: Part 2: The Grocery Store

Three of the major grocery store chains here in Australia are Woolworths, Coles and IGA.  (Note: Woolworths in Australia, like Target, has no affiliation with the American Woolworth's chain.)  There are smaller chains, but these three are the ones that I see around Melbourne the most.  There's not too much of a difference from grocery stores here than in the States.
However, there are three obvious differences that come to mind, mostly regarding products sold.

Number 1: You can buy sheets, towels and blankets (sometimes labelled "Manchester") at some of the grocery stores.
Number 2: There are small sections of some grocery stores that sell other household goods; like plates, toasters, tools, dvds, etc.
Number 3: Pretty much all the grocery stores have bottle shops (liquor stores) attached to them.

As usual, I had my phone with me to take some pictures on some recent grocery store trips... of course, I waited until the aisles were all clear of customers and employees, as I didn't want to have to explain myself, the foreign chick, with an obsession for documenting the humdrum of daily life.

I've also added in some photos from the chemist (pharmacy) that I found somewhat interesting as well.

Vegemite: The National Spread
This time around, I am going to try to acquire a taste for this black, salty, yeasty spread.  It's supposedly chock full of vitamins.  A decade ago, I gave it a try once or twice, but wasn't fully committed to the cause.  As of now, I'm serious about it.  I'm trying to figure out the best way to ease into it.  I'm told bread with butter, with Vegemite on top.  Aussies: other advice?

Vegemite made easy by Snackabouts!  This is reminiscent of Handisnacks (also made by Kraft), the crackers that had the "cheese" (if you could call it that) that you needed to spread around with that red, plastic rectangle (which I would always chew on afterwards and I know that I can't be the only one that did that!)

This would be dog food.   It's refrigerated and some of it is in tubes, like pre-made Tollhouse cookie dough.

Eggs aren't always in the refrigerator.  Americans, do not freak out... I assure you that there are many, many places around the world that do not refrigerate their eggs.  I believe that refrigerating/not refrigerating depends on the process in which the eggs were collected, farming practices, temperature in which eggs are kept, etc.

Billy Tea:  A "billy" is a pot.  I assume it's used when you are out in the bush boiling water for tea, per "Waltzing Matilda."  This particular brand of black tea has a bit of eucalyptus added to it.

Crispbread = Crackers, just like Biscuits = Cookies

The first few times I ordered a scone here, the baristas couldn't understand me.  I thought to myself, "I'm loud.  I have a flat American accent.  What's going on here?"  But then I remembered... it's not pronounced 'scone' with a long o (as in rhymes with bone)... it's pronounced with a short u (as in rhymes with bun).  Also, these chocolate scones probably taste like just like chocolate cake, which means they are probably delicious.

I am a condiments girl (mayo, ketchup, mustard, srichacha... bring it!) so you can imagine my delight when I have tons of relish to choose from.  Also available: spreadable sweet brown pickle relish, which is a prime ingredient in a yummy ploughman's sandwich, along with cheese, tomato and lettuce.   

Do we have such a thing as puppy milk in the United States?

Cereal 1: Yeah, whenever I see this brand, I find myself singing Metallica.

Cereal 2: Note that these are not General Mills' Cheerios, but Uncle Toby's Cheerios.  Uncle Toby's is a brand that  makes all sorts of (processed) health foods, like oatmeal, cereal and granola bars.  These Cheerios are not very similar to American Cheerios.  They are shaped like Fruit Loops, which American Cheerios eaters will recognize as being larger and bulkier than Cheerios.  For me, Honey and Oats has got nothing on Honey Nut!  Also, I kinda miss that annoying little bee that hawks General Mills' Cheerios.

Cereal 3: I can never say no to chocolate rice cereal.  Never.

Sensing a theme: Cheese and Bacon!

Meet Huggie, the Australian cousin of Snuggles! 

100's and 1000's, or what Americans would call "sprinkles."

Original flavor here: not "Nacho Cheese," but just regular old corn chips.
That said, still yummy!

A lot of pharmaceuticals available are the same as in the U.S., but the name brand slightly differs.  Here we have Claratyne, not Claritin. 

Room spray: I read the label and I guess you are supposed to spray this in a child's room right before they go to bed.  The chemicals are supposed to be soothing and induce sleep.

I don't know if AIM toothpaste is still sold in America, but all my followers should know by now that I do love a blast from the past!