Brief update for this week and then, lets talk Maple Syrup

Ok so...we were at $160 and holding....until last night. We ordered and I took a cab home to bring said dinner home while it was still warm. Tonight my Husband (who is sick) begged off cooking, and I've got work to do....so we ordered again. I don't think we've decided that ordering will be included in the grocery shopping or not.

I don't have the final tally, but I will post it later...but without the ordering I think we are up to $180. So less than usual.

Lets switch topics. Maple Syrup. If you are Canadian chances are this stuff flows through your veins. But it can be soooooo expensive.

Last month my Husband and I went on our very first trip. We went to an amazing resort in St. Lucia, which was all-inclusive, including tips. We didn't want to not tip anyone, so we thought of things we could bring from home to share. Maple Syrup was our first thought.

I went to all the local grocery stores and we were looking at $8-12 per bottle (250ml typically). This was a little more than we were thinking of spending per bottle, especially when we wanted to bring a few bottles with us.

I instantly thought of St. Lawrence Market. I was going to go on a Saturday before leaving, sure I would find some thing. And find some I did.

In the south market you can hardly turn a corner without seeing something maple related. Obviously, the south building is the one more tuned to tourists, so the costs are actually much greater than even the grocery stores. I was starting to feel really let down.

I made my way to the North building which is only open on the weekend. It's where the local farmers come to sell their wares. Outside of the market was a honey stall and beside that a maple syrup stall. The prices were cheaper than the South building, but still more than I wanted to spend for how many I wanted to bring.

Dejected, I went into the North building to have breakfast (great breakfast made with food gathered from the farmers, at a great price...I just can't remember it right now). I walked around buying veggies, and at the far end I came up to a table where they sold apples. On one side of the table though was a small selection of maple syrup! I went over not expecting to find anything different than I saw anywhere else. Man I was surprised. I was able to get 4 bottles at 250ml each for only $5.50. Half the price of anywhere I looked, plus I was supporting a local farmer. It was awesome. And everyone loved it at the resort.

Now when I want maple syurp, I know that the best place and the best price is at the North market on Saturdays.....that is unless you know somewhere better....