Conserve-atory

My first encounter with Bonne Maman Strawberry Conserve was when I lived in The Netherlands for a few months. 

While doing groceries at Alberheijn, the packaging of this French brand immediately caught my eye. And since I'm a packaging nut, I eventually bought a jar.

Gosh! Once I tried it on toasted bread with butter, my immediate reaction was: "Whoa! This tastes as good as it looks!"

This brand is also available here in Manila, particularly Rustan's. Several times, when Mark and I would have dinner at the Rustan's Supermarket restaurant at the basement of Shang, I'd see the conserve. And at times, I'd buy it, too.

It's been months - more than 9, to be exact - since my last trip to Shangrila Mall and Rustan's. So I haven't gotten my Bonne Maman fix for that long, too.

But I'm certain this is online. All I need to do is look.

Let me begin looking now.

Fat Albert

Whenever I was in the Benelux area, one of my favorite destinations was Albert Heijn. I'm a supermarket junkie, and this was THE supermarket to go to whenever you're in Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxemborg. 

I still remember how I'd enjoy going through each shelf to try and find something interesting and unique to buy. My favorites back then were the raisin bun and the Spa Blau. 

It's been years since I've been to Albert Heijn. But as the saying goes: "If Mohammed can't come to the mountain, let the mountain come to Mohammed." 

So, Albert Heijn comes to me. In the form of these two goodies!

First, there's the calorrific Stroopwafels! I swear, each piece of this must contain a gazillion calories! And of course, Belgian chocolates. Still the best in the world.

Thank goodness for pasalubongs from Albert Heijn. Even the ones designed to make you fat.