WASHINGTON--The photo of First Lady Michelle Obama shopping at Target made news because it was thought her retail forays were rare. Mrs. Obama told NBC's Al Roker she goes out more "than people realize."

Roker, in a Tuesday interview asked Mrs. Obama about the Target run at a suburban Virginia store.

"Quiet as it's kept -- although not so quiet -- I do that more frequently than people realize. And it's amazing how people don't recognize you. They don't expect to see me at Starbucks or at Chipotle or -- you know, I actually took Bo to Petco," Mrs. Obama said.

"And the cashier asked me, oh, what kind of dog is that? I said a Portuguese water dog. He didn't recognize us because he didn't expect that we would be in Petco. So, you know, my secret's out, but we try to sneak out as much as possible. And it helps to keep our kids' lives normal."

Roker asked, "Did the cashier look at the -- twice at the credit card?"

"He recognized me. But plenty of people -- I've been in Baskin-Robbins a number of times. You know how the kids aren't really paying attention? They're looking right through you. They don't know it's me."

Roker asked if she shopped at Costco--and bought bulk bundles of toilet tissue.

"You know, we pretty much have our supply stocked," she replied.