This Tuesday Tiplet is my answer to the often asked question about a cart for you Ninja Foodi
The Seville Classics 3-Tier – NSF-Certifed Cart, allows me to adjust the height of the top shelf. It also is “just wide enough” for Darth Vader, an original Foodi 6.5qt & as the 8 qt has the same footprint so useful for both sizes of the Pressure Cooker /Air Crisp units. I assume it will also work for the smaller 5qt model.
The height adjustment allows one to have it be lower which – in my opinion benefits anyone because it is easier to “get inside” than when it is on a usual countertop.
I often need to sit in the kitchen for mobility medical reasons, the Seville Cart‘s ability to be adjusted lower is critical. It also makes it much easier to get a grip on the rim to remove the inner pan and lift onto the counter or into the sink. Since many older kitchens mean you need to use different electrical outlets to avoid blowing fuses etc, another reason for wheels.
Note, I do use a UL listed appliance extension cord. to avoid absent minded disaster – the Ninja cord is secured to the cart. Although I (so far) have remembered to disconnect before moving the cart – it always best to plan for an absent minded moment.
The other shelves are useful for storing frequently used accessories and even though the lower top means one shelf may have more limited height, it is a handy place for the PC Lid and Dehyrdrator Rack pieces.
The Cart’s wheels can be locked a feature I recommend for safety reasons.
Because this is related for commercial kitchens, its wheels can be locked as needed.
I use the space between the side of the cart and the handle for a basket to hold silicone accessories frequently used with Darth Vader, I originally purchased them from Seville for use my booth at craft shows more than 20 years ago.
Plain greek yogurt is often a main ingredient for sauces, dips and marinades. Chobani is one of the two brands I prefer. As a “hand up, not a hand out” sort of person, have always thought food banks a valuable community resource. Donating when I can. So was pleased to read this article in this week’s Aldi Reviewer.
“… Chobani is running a campaign, July 29-Aug 29 2020 called Food Bank Batch. In a partnership with Chicago-based charity Feeding America, Chobani is donating 100% of all profits from sales of its limited-run 4-pack PB&J Yogurt to the charity. The company is pledging a minimum donation of 800,000 meals, or $80,000. So when you see “food bank batch,” that’s what it means. This campaign is not limited to Aldi. It applies to all stores where Chobani PB&J Yogurt is sold. According to Charity Navigator, Feeding America has a 4-star rating, the highest rating the site gives. ,,,”
I might not have read this article if the banner drawing did not exemplify my “this kitchen was drawn by someone who does not cook. So had to read the article to see if it was in line with the image.
Of all the culinary e-news letters, I think Epicurious is my favorite. today, because cleaning my kitchen is both habit and a form of anger management – as in when I am annoyed, I take it out on something in my kitchen in need of deep cleaning. It is also important to me that my limited space be clean and organized.
Successful Food Craft is always a multi-step process.
It has been my observation that the “iffy” things about recipes found on the internet is always the technique details or more accurately – the lack of technique details.
This book may be quite worthwhile both as a “refresher” and for those who need some help learning to customize a recipe It does not matter what pan or appliance is needed, because all recipes start with “prep” and that seems to be where many of us tend to go astray.
Or, like most smart cooks, either you make it once to see how it works for you and yours
Or, need to make advance adjustments, based on taste or even allergy considerations.
I was pleased to find it once again (mine was damaged in a broken pipe incident) on Amazon.
This is a link* to the “used copy” Amazon Listings. I have had good luck “so far” . https://amzn.to/37LROvH
Hardcover: 290 pages
Publisher: Broadway Books; 1st edition (April 4, 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0767902793
ISBN-13: 978-0767902793
Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 1 x 9.4 inches
*This is an affiliate link and might result in a commission if you purchase this book.
I am putting this here so I can just give the link to “interested persons” This is “off the top of my head” so feel free to ask additional questions – eventually I will find a shopper/delivery person willing to help with additonal informtion and their viewpoint without jeopardizing their standing.
I recently, I opened a small group on the free speech platform GAB called ALDI Aficionados it is tiny, but if you happen to be a GAB member – please do drop by and talk “ALDI”
NOTE It does contain an InstaCart referral code which may result in benefit to your for your first order only and for me for a future order. If you do decide to give them a try, I hope you will consider using my referral code which “should” give you a free delivery and a credit to you and me for your 1st order https://inst.cr/t/NHE7cDZhr
Some details vary in different states, not all ALDI are currently partnered with ALDI and there are also differences (i.e. pricing varies even within the state and curbside pickup is very limited for ALDI
I think less than 5 of the 50 plus stores in Maryland.)
So the “bad news” first, There is a mark up per item averaging 10-14% depending on your area for ALDI. The prices you see are for the items in your nearest store – I played with this using family members zip code and as you know prices and partners (stores served) can vary from area to area even within the same state.
InstaCart has improved their website in the last few months, (added limited weekly finds available to order)
The “special request is still an exercise requiring patience “Most” but certainly not all of the current shoppers are relatively new and so may not be quite as good at subbing.
Tiplets: try to get a slot EARLY in the day. And right now expect that it may not arrive in the requested window. If you have a late day slot it is not uncommon for there to be insufficient shoppers at that time and so your order may get cancelled. Earlier slots (I try to get the 1st morning 10am-12 ) seem to be averaging about 1-3 hours later.
Be aware that as soon as you place your order, they will put thru an authorization against your debit or credit card. It will be higher than you order.
Since I want AM slots, I keep a running order until it hits the magic $35 needed for Express benefits. These benefits are no delivery fee, but there is still a service fee. And no upcharges based on time of day or day (I do not remember exactly since I have Express membership for a year, but it was several dollars before I did Express)
Just as if you went to the store yourself, if it is out of stock then depending on your instructions you will not get exactly what you want. The default is “let shopper choose” which I do not recommend. If you are fussy about brand, pick don’t replace. If you okay with alternatives, choose that and you can be detailed in the instructions. For example, my arthritis makes hard to lift a gallon of milk so I order two 1/2 gals 2%. . BUT my instructions are “If 1/2 gallon unavailable – okay to sub ONE gallon 2% or whole milk”
It is easiest to do the replacement and other instructions during the checkout, and MOST of the time those instruction now carry over from order to order.
Be prepared, especially if your order items price pound that your order may be higher than when placed. It may also be lower, InstaCart makes adjustments when it processes from an authorization to final total.
Refunds may take a few days to show up depending on your payment method.
It may be helpful to “keep an eye” on the order starting about 10 mins before your time slot and then once they start shopping – I wait until first item is moved to “shopped” = use chat to let them know you are available if they need you to approve subs.
Until this craziness (Covid-19), I preferred to put minimum tip on the order and then use cash on delivery. Anyone who has ever worked for tips will understand why but right now that may not be in your best interest.
With some many new folks working, I have gone to 15% when I place the order. The shopper can only see the value of the order “to them” – not sure what other info, but have been told definitely not the identity of the customer.
You can make changes (add/remove) right up until the InstaCart shopper official starts. Sometimes even while they are shopping if you use the chat function. To keep my “morning” slot I usually place the order as soon as I get to $35, and then add as needed. Why $35 = because that is the minimum merchandise amount needed for your Express benefit (free delivery, no service fees related to time and day requested)
Rarely have they upped the hold authorization against my card – which really only matters if you are using a bank debit card.
It may or may not be important – but if applicable – in most case EBT WIC and other government subsidy for food cannot be used. This varies from state to state – even when they are acceptable “in store”
The markups are a percentage, so if you start with a higher price such as you might find in Safeway or Kroeger then the actual $$’s will also be higher. It also varies according to Instacart’s agreement with a particular chain.
I do know the 5 “shippable” items I get from BJ’s every month or two are marked up a minimum of 20% AND the delivery and service fees were much higher than using Safeway & BJ’s own services.
And again, the percentage and base price seems to vary wildly from area to area even within a state.
A note about the Instacart Express “deal” With ALDI it is usually okay, but for other stores often much higher percentage. However in these times, since they partner with many places in my area including BJ’s & Costco for fresh foods as well as many of the Albertson chain of stores (our area has many Safeway) Petco, CVS, and a few others.
The down side is that If for example your local Safeway has a weekly special for hamburger or a bogo, those will NOT apply when you order thru Instacart.
I don’t know “for sure” about Costco – but for BJ’s their 2 day ship (which means right now it takes about 7-10 days to arrive) is about 20-25% less costly. So we try to get things that cannot be shipped when we have medical appts closer to the store.
Ongoing, if there are items you frequently order, do “Favorite” them. There is an option to shop your Favorites and that can be a time saver. Annoying and time consuming but a big convenience as you go forward.
If you do opt for the Express membership – it can be used for any of the stores in your area that are partnered with InstaCart. It may not be possible to see what stores are partnered in your zip code until you have created your account. And you will need give InstaCart your loyalty card or membership number. So you if you want to use InstaCart for BJ’s and Costco, etc, you will need a membership. InstaCart charges are additional.
Hope your experience turns out as positive as mine have been
I continue to be grateful for both the ALDI employees & InstaCart shoppers and other delivery services
If you have other questions, I will be happy to help if I can.
Again, I recently, I opened a small group on the free speech platform GAB called ALDI Aficionados it is tiny, but if you happen to be a GAB member – please do drop by and talk “ALDI” or use the newly returned private chat option to reach me @wheat is my screen name (yeah I always use my real name)
If you are a shopper/delivery person willing to help with more information to help your customers work with you, please comment (they won’t be made public) with how to reach you by email.
Successful Food Craft is always a multi-step process. 
I am putting this here so I can just give the link to “interested persons” This is “off the top of my head” so feel free to ask additional questions – eventually I will find a shopper/delivery person willing to help with additonal informtion and their viewpoint without jeopardizing their standing.