I love trying and discovering new things…and I love hearing from others their recommendations and things they have discovered and love. I have found some great finds as of late that I would like to share:
CEREAL: The cereal market is banging. I have several new finds in this department. The peanut butter cereal market is flying off the charts. Whole Grain Peanut Butter Cheerios??? So, so addicting. Reese’s Puffs is an old school classic (decadent treat without hydrogenated oils). The best may be the new Peanut Butter Toast Crunch cereal from General Mills…speaking your name mom. OMG, I’ve died and gone to peanut butter heaven. Like Cinnamon Toast Crunch but even slightly better. Nature’s Path Maple Oat Clusters taste like french toast to me. And Kashi Berry Blossoms remind me of a healthful variation of Fruit Loops. I have my eyes next on trying the new Krave chocolate filled cereal, yep.
NUT BUTTERS: My go-to cheap peanut butter is the Trader Joe’s Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter but to mix it up I love Maranatha Almond Butter and Peanut Butter and Co’s Bees Knees Peanut Butter (honey flavored) and Chocolate Peanut Butter. And Sunbutter (from sunflower seeds) is top notch…just ask Chad who seemed to eat an entire container while visiting me.
WRAPS: I really am digging corn tortillas (the cheap kind does just fine but the Mission Artisan tortillas are yummy) and the TJ’s whole grain and corn tortillas for wrap sandwiches are great. So versatile and makes it really easy to pack a lunch or make leftovers amazing.
SPICES/SAUCES: Buying spices in bulk from QFC bulk bins. Makes replinishing cinnamon, cumin, paprika, sea salt and pepper much more affordable. Not to mention being able to just get a pinch of something if a recipe calls for it. Not a spice but same category to me…peanut flour. For a while TJs carried some but now you have to get Bob’s Red Mill or find it at the natural markets. It makes banana bread, muffins, cookies so delicious when replacing some of the flour with it. Also high in protein. And tahini sauce. Bought it to make hummus and babaghanoush but it is also one of the best ingredients in a quick homemade salad dressing. Love the nutty taste and creamy texture, plus the nutritional benefits.
MAKEUP: Cover Girl mascara…thanks to my mom for letting me use hers at home. The new sparkly nail polishes from the OPI line, James Bond collection for instance. The Aveda holiday lip duo continues to be a favorite of mine. I love the bold red of the first tube and the awesome shimmer provided by the second tube. And experimenting with my new and cheap hair tube for styling my hair with a big bun…ala Kim Kardashian.
FROZEN GOODS: Kashi frozen entrees. An excellent fast lunch if you need one. Try the Mayan Harvest Bake…so unique. I’m all about ice cream…still. I really like the Dreyers/Edy’s slow churned light in a lot of different flavors (Triple chocolate and peanut butter might win out though). Does this count: McDonald’s soft serve cones, because if so add this one to the list and in my hand often for $1.10. And now Menchies is having a frozen yogurt happy hour at the Queen Anne location where you can fill your cup as full as you possibly can and walk away for $5, happening every Friday night from 9-11pm.
SOUPS: Campbell’s Select Harvest soups. They are the best I have ever had from a can. The first several ingredients are all actual ingredients, the taste is awesome (I personally like the Southwest Chicken Chili and Clam Chowder the best) and the ingredients in the soup are actually recognizable.
SHOES: Suede pumps from H&M ($24.99) and comfortable. I still want them in navy (will I ever get them????????) but at least I have a pair in black and brown.
CLOTHES: Colored denim!!! Get them at Express. So much fun for spring and summer. Even have worn my bright pink ones to work with a blazer 🙂 I just scored a few awesome online deals through Groopdealz.com. The first is this awesome skirt that I got for $13 each in two colors (brown and black). I might get a fun color one too. They are one size fit all and tight but the stretch on them is so unbelievably flexible and comfortable. The other was this very cute print leopard scarf that is fun to dress black things up with ($1.50 online)
Chelsea
Evolving in the Emerald City 