Chapter 1: The Crouton Revolution

Join me, Glennon Doyle, in rethinking the way we perceive our culinary choices, particularly when it comes to croutons. We often let societal norms dictate various facets of our lives, and surprisingly, croutons are often overlooked in this regard. It's time to break free from these constraints and explore new ways to enjoy croutons.

You might be wondering, “I already use croutons in my salad.” But allow me to expand your thinking further: croutons can serve as an excellent standalone snack. I stumbled upon this idea during a particularly sparse moment in my pantry when I was craving something salty. That’s when I noticed a bag of croutons beckoning to me.

For too long, we’ve restricted ourselves to using forks for croutons, when in reality, they are meant to be enjoyed with our fingers. It saddens me that it took me years to realize what should have been obvious all along.

The options are plentiful. Croutons come in delicious varieties like garlic, parmesan, Caesar, and Texas toast—flavors we would readily purchase as chips or crackers if given the choice. Are croutons really that different from pretzels, chips, or popcorn?

We have confined croutons to salads and perhaps soups if we’re feeling adventurous. But I’m here to advocate for a more significant role for croutons in our snacking repertoire.

Croutons deserve a spot in the snack aisle of our grocery stores. It’s perplexing that Corporate America has overlooked this opportunity.

Consider the scenes at buffets or college dining halls where kids and students eagerly pile croutons onto their plates, sometimes even directly into their hands. If we let chefs decide, we might only get a meager serving size of one or two tablespoons. But why should we limit ourselves? We don’t restrict our consumption of pretzels or popcorn in that manner.

Eating croutons solely on salads is akin to pursuing a pink stuffed bunny—an illusion of what we think we should do. Much like Tabitha the cheetah, we should wonder whether we could be living a more authentic and fulfilling life. So the next time you’re in need of a crunchy, salty snack, reach for that crouton bag. Let’s liberate croutons and ourselves, embracing them not just as a last resort when groceries are low.

Let’s challenge societal norms further by placing croutons in a bowl next to popcorn, chips, and dip. Initially, you might encounter some sideways glances or whispers, but soon enough, others will notice your refusal to waste your one precious life on arbitrary rules. They may even feel inspired to follow suit. Remember, we are bold and free like cheetahs!

Chapter 2: Snack Time Reimagined

Section 1.1: Croutons as Snacks

It's time to rethink how we utilize croutons. By embracing them as snacks, we can redefine our culinary experiences.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Flavor Explosion