A Little Rant

I like to rant.  I may even be famous for ranting. Well, I suppose it's wrong to say I am famous for ranting when I'm not being paid to rant like Jon Stewart , Monte Solberg or Rush Limbaugh.  But in my own mind I am famous for ranting.  Ranting is fabulous.  It's like getting on a soap-box wearing a pretty dress (Don't try and picture Rush Limbaugh wearing a pretty dress or this whole analogy falls apart.) I don't rant with the purpose of offending people, although it's possible I do, cause passionate responses to anything usually offends someone out there.

I think I'd like to rant a little cause a blog seems like the right place to rant, or maybe even rave.  I'll save the rave for another day.

For today -
The Pancake Mix Rant:

Pancake mixes are wonderful.  They are convenient.  Just pour some mix, add an egg and some milk and voila!  Pancakes!  or Waffles! or Whatever!  But do yourself a favour and don't go looking at the ingredient list.

This is exactly what I did today, and poor Jo-Ann had to endure the "live" version of this rant that I have decided to share with you, my faithful readers.

Normally, I don't buy pancake mixes, cause I like to make my own.  (mixes and pancakes)  However, I had bought a spelt-flour pancake mix a few weeks ago from Costco.  And my contemplations/ inner conversation prior to said purchase  (that I am sure you want to read) went like this:

"Hey look, a wheat-free pancake mix!
"At Costco, no less!"
"How convenient!"
"Sure it's twice the price of buying that much spelt flour, and I usually make my own, but think of the time it will save when entering into the laborious tasks of measuring and mixing."
"Plus, it's wheat-free."
"Let's do it!"

So I did.  I decided not to make a wheat- free version of the scrumptious Cinnamon-Oat Pancakes that I usually make and I bought the mix.   Then on Tuesday as I was making a convenient and quick lunch for my kids and some friends, (pancakes aren't just for breakfast, you know) I happened to glance at the ingredient list:

"flour, sodium bicarbonate, monocalcium phosphate, salt"

Now, at first glance, that looks like a totally unreproducible grocery list.  Those pancake mix people are so tricksy.  Lucky for me I homeschool and had to teach a basic chemistry unit this year.  Those unreproducible ingredients: baking soda and baking powder*.  I hang my head in shame.**

Honestly.

As Jo-Ann put it:  "Clearly, I am in the wrong business."

Am I alone in thinking this really isn't worth it?

Ok now, I am done my rant.  That wasn't so bad, was it? 

What things have you bought that, in the end, left you gob-smacked?

*(or the equivalent thereof)
**I am in no way saying it wrong to buy pancake mixes, or that you are less of a mother if you enjoy purchasing and using pancake mixes or other pre-packaged foods.