Juicy Bits of Lemon

So today at Costco I saw these wafers... and thought, it's a two pack of 16.01oz each - why not try them

They are so scrumptious. The lemon flavor is so tart with a tinge of sweet. I love that they're all natural from Italy. Their perfect bite-size shape is too tempting.

You have to try them. I can't wait to share them.

Sweet and Salty

I am currently in love with Nature Valley's Sweet & Salty Nut Granola bars - Peanut bars.

My trainer eats them all the time.

I love peanuts, and the bottom layer of peanut butter cream is yummy.

They are a great, quick snack or meal replacement.

I've been encountering a lot of people with various food allergies. It makes me so grateful that I (knock on wood) don't have any. I love food too much.

Crab

I love seafood.

I especially love Crab.

When I was in high school we went to Alaska and we were at this 4-5 star restaurant in Glacier Bay and they had this crab dish... I would go back just to eat it...

I love fresh crab. Cook them live.

As a kid we'd go to the Asian market and buy live crab... bring 'em home and watch them move around and grab onto our chopsticks...then stick 'em in water and boil 'em. Then cut up the legs and sauté them in sauce. YUM.

You can always tell if a Crab is fresh - it slips out of the shell - doesn't stick like Velcro to the shell.

I wish there was a place near me I could purchase fresh, live crab to bring home and cook. YUM.

Produce Guy

I like the produce guy at any good grocery store.

Sometimes I just like having my cantaloupe, pineapple or watermelon picked out by them. I've always been guaranteed sweet fruit when I've had a produce guy pick one out for me.

So - good produce guys out there - Thank you.

Best Root Beer Float

After having this float - you will never be able to have anything less.

Weinhard's Root Beer

Haagen Daz Vanilla Bean ice cream.

You're welcome.

Basil

I love, love, love basil.

Fresh basil.

I can't get enough of the scent.

I love adding it in salads, sandwiches, lemonades... making pesto, etc.

My hubby and I were late to even consider a garden this year - but next year I'm growing basil. I am always buying it because I use it so often.

For those of you that do grow your own basil - if you have an abundant crop and would like to freeze it - here's a website to do just that.

La Boulange Café and Bakery

Next time I go to San Francisco - I need to visit La Boulange Café and Bakery.

I was shopping in our local Nugget Market and found these canisters of cookies. I purchased the Chocolate Chocolate Chunk and the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip.

I love baking - but sometimes it's easier to have something ready to go, on a whim. No planning necessary. Each canister has 16 pre-portioned, ready to bake cookies. They also use 100% organic flour.

I love finding little treasures when I shop at Nugget. I can't wait to try the pastries and other offerings at the actual storefront in SF.

Tonight - my hubby chopped up some dried mangoes and mixed them into the individual chocolate chocolate chunk cookies - mmmmmm nom nom nom.

NuGo

I love these NuGo bars.
My hubby likes them.
My girls like them.

They're one of very few all natural, high protein bars that actually taste good. They're like healthy rice krispie bars - with much more substance.

I buy mine in bulk from Costco.

Something from Canada

I found these the other day I was at Costco (see... I told you I loved that place). Dark Chocolate Pomegranate. There's a few other fruit juices in this...but boy is it delicious. I tend to buy specialty treats and hide them in the pantry from my husband. Turns out he's on to me... it's become his go-to spot to look for hidden treasure. So he's found the bag. Now I have to share.

BrooksideFoods is a product of Canada... "Oh Canada..." not just cold hockey loving mates... they make yummy sweets too.

Giant Box Stores

I am a Costco fan. Maybe fan is too weak. I am a Costco evangelist... I am not the type to stick to the same old list. If I find something new at Costco I am liable to try it. And I wonder why I can't keep the tab under a 100.

That being said, I also have a Sam's Club membership. Yes, I feel like I'm cheating on my hotter, sexier box club.

The Sam's Club membership is cheap - 40. I did it for the Pampers. We have the Exec Costco membership - which is great because we earn points towards...more Costco purchases. But I had to get Sam's Club because Costco stopped selling Pampers a few years back and Huggies never held it all in for my girls. I hear boys are great with Huggies. So I bought the Sam's Club membership for the giant Pampers boxes.

One day I decided to stroll the asiles. Which was a hard thing to do because, let's just face facts... just like Walmart (who owns Sam's Club) is like hanging out with the trolls under a bridge.... so is Sam's Club.

In fact, remember those SAT things... Costco is to Target as Sam's Club is to.... Walmart.

I did discover some things though. Sam's Club has great individually packaged snacks that my girls like. From Snyder's pretzels to Pirate's Booty. I'm telling you, Pirate's Booty in individualized bags has saved my sanity, many a car ride. They have other treats too.

But when it comes to the real stuff that matters, like fresh fruit and other staples - I trust only Costco.

I guess that's a long way of saying... if you can only get one membership - go for quality - COSTCO baby. But ... Sam's Club has a few fringe benefits too.

For the record - our box clubs where we are... are seriously across the street from each other... so a lot of us have both memberships.

Did you say Almonds with Dark Chocolate?

Yes, please!

We found these at Sam's Club. A giant 38 oz bucket of Almonds in dark Chocolate. Almost makes me feel like I'm being a health nut. (harhar)

Brussel Sprouts

I had never had brussel sprouts until recently... April of this year. My daughter who loves Olivia - the show that was spawned from the adorable series of books - had been asking for them since she had seen an episode with brussel sprouts.

So to humor her we bought a few and I searched for an Ina Garten recipe. Everything she makes is delicious. Her recipes make me seem like a fantastic cook. We loved Ina Garten's Brussel Sprouts (yum). Well, my husband didn't mind them - he personally doesn't like them. But enjoyed Garten's recipe. My 2.5 year old enjoyed them like I did. And my 4.5 year old who wanted them... was like her father.

Seriously... I like cabbage to begin with...and I now love Brussel Sprouts... with bacon please.

French String Beans

I love French String Beans. I love how slender they are. I love how easy they are to prepare. I love the crunchy satisfaction I have when I eat them. I love that I can get finicky, veggie adverse little girls to eat these.

I tend to do a quick boil of the beans, toss them in ice water and then toss with balsamic vinegar, and/or olive oil, kosher salt, freshly ground pepper... and some dijon mustard. You can also add some white wine vinegar too. YUM. I'll also add fresh grape tomatoes, broccolini, and even beans. The perfect summer veggie dish.

Hiatus

Oh my goodness. I can't believe how much I've neglected this blog of mine. What's sad is... I love food. I think about food all the time. 

Thank you Stepper for getting me back in gear.