Product Review | Wild Veggie Purees and Blueberry Breakfast Bowl

Wild Veggie sent me samples of a few of their products. I received complementary samples of their Butternut Squash Puree, Carrot Puree and Blueberry Breakfast Bowl.

The Butternut Squash Puree makes a great shortcut for my butternut squash soup or can even be served straight up as baby food. The Carrot Puree shaves a lot of prep time off my carrot bread and carrot souflee. Those two products are absolutely worth the time saved in food preparation.

 Max and I tried the Blueberry Breakfast Bowl on a recent Saturday morning. Max loves blueberries and he enjoys oatmeal, too, so I figured this would be a hit. The breakfast bowl is a blend of steel cut oats and quinoa and is topped with whole blueberries. I was skeptical about the bowl having a fresh blueberry taste, but it did!

This was the first time I’ve ever successfully got Max to eat quinoa. It really helped that it was blended with steel cut oats (a family favorite). The bowls are not overly sweet. As a matter of fact, you may decide to add a little bit of brown sugar, depending on your personal taste.

We stored the bowl in the freezer and then cooked it in the microwave. It was a quick, healthy breakfast that pleased both my toddler and me.

Max was very excited and kept yelling, “berries!” I think that means he liked it.

I think these are a great healthy weekday breakfast (or snack) for busy adults who want to eat something healthier than a fast food sandwich or sugary cereal. It’s a nice change from my typical healthy breakfast of Greek yogurt.

You can find Wild Veggie products in the freezer section of many grocery retailers. If you try them out, let me know what you think!

I was given complementary samples of three Wild Veggie Products. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

The Lime Shortage

photo from Wikipedia

Have you heard all the news stories about the lime shortage? Bad weather in Mexico (where we get most of our limes, at least in my part of the US) is causing supply to decrease and prices to skyrocket. I used to pay about .25 per lime at ShopRite, but on my most recent visit limes were $1 each. I couldn't bring myself to pay a dollar for a small, blemished piece of fruit. It's funny how as soon as I knew I couldn't get limes for a cheap price I had a strong craving for limes and lime juice. Salsa, margaritas, Thai food, chicken tortilla soup... all of a sudden I craved every single recipe that involved limes.

Shortly after I went into shock over lime prices, the media was flooded with explanations. Apparently the next crop of limes will be ready in May, so there may be some price relief in the short term.

In the meantime, I celebrated when I found a 5 pound bag of limes at Costco for $9 last night. Did I need five pounds of limes? No. Will I find a way to use them? Probably. I may even share a few. Apparently they're worth $1 a piece.

What are your favorite lime recipes? I'm hoping this batch of limes will last me a few weeks into April, so I'm looking for some good ways to use them. Anyone else feeling impacted by the lime shortage?

Grocery Tips | Stock Up and Save with Canned Goods

Last week I did a post for ShopRite's Potluck Blog to promote and support their semi-annual Can Can Sale. If you live in the mid-Atlantic region, you're probably familiar with the event, but even if you live outside this area, I shared some helpful tips for utilizing canned foods in recipes.

Take a minute to check out my post and let me know what you think!

List Obsessed | How I use my iPhone to get it all done.

I like lists.

Lists keep me on budget. They give me a place to dump preoccupying thoughts. Lists encourage me to plan ahead. They make me look like I have it all together when I'm called out on the spot.

I used to keep lists on paper. This worked well, but inevitably I'd lose the paper and be all out of sorts without my list. Now I keep all of my lists on my iPhone. If you don't have an iPhone there are list apps on other smart phones (and even regular mobile phones now), so you could apply these organization techniques to whatever mobile phone situation you have right now.

Organization is a big factor in family meal planning. You need to know what is in your fridge, freezer and pantry and you need to know what you still need to purchase. Having organized lists can help you stay on budget and can prevent the frustration of not having an ingredient you need when you get ready to prepare a meal.

I use something simple and free that comes with your iPhone: the "Reminders" app. If you have a Mac computer or you haven't updated your iPhone/iPad lately the icon looks like a checklist:

If you have an iPhone with the newest iOS (operating system), the icon looks like a list with colorful buttons in the left margin:

Either way, click on it and open it up. I keep the following lists running at all times:

Mall - When I get to the mall, what do I need and from what stores? I don't go to the mall as often as I used to, so this is helpful when I am in a time crunch.

ShopRite - I do most of my grocery shopping here, so this is a basic grocery list.

Target - I go here enough that the store deserves its own list.

Costco - I love Costco, but the store is overwhelming, so this list keeps me on track.

Menu Plan - This keeps me from losing my mind about what's for dinner. I also have a board on Pinterest where I re-pin recipes that I intend to use in the upcoming week.

Farmer's Market - I don't get here often, but they have great deals on grains, produce and spices, so I'm prepared whenever I finally get there

Pediatrician - Baby health questions for upcoming medical appointments

Resolutions 2013 - I keep my New Year's Resolutions in this app. When I'm losing focus, I pull them up. I also check them off as I complete them.

Trader Joe's - Another store I don't get to very often, but I like specific items, so a list keeps me on track if I ever end up in the store.

Blog Updates - Blog article ideas, design inspiration.

Errands - If I need to go to five places in one day, I actually make a list of the order of the errands to keep me on track. Life is hectic.

Freezer Meals - This helps me remember that I have three chicken pot pies and 72 homemade meatballs in our extra freezer. I add meals to this list as I add food to the freezer... otherwise they'd be lost in the abyss and found in the summer of 2015.

Packages - Because I order a lot of stuff online and I need to remember who may be leaving a package at the door while I'm at work during the day. I check off packages as they arrive.

HomeGoods/TJ Maxx - I love these stores for home items, so I make a list of what I'm looking for (pillows for the living room, artwork for Max's room, etc.) to keep me on track when I get there.

How does it work? Well, each of the categories above is the name of a list. First, create the categories that work for you. You can always edit or delete them. Next, click on the list and add items to your heart's content. I just add items to the list as time goes on. When I accomplish or purchase an item, I check it off and it disappears. Making eggs for breakfast and realize that you're almost out? Add "eggs" to the appropriate list. Clicking through Pinterest and see an awesome recipe, but you're all out of unsalted butter? Pick up the phone and add "unsalted butter" to the list. Does your baby have a strange rash on his hand, but you're already scheduled for an appointment next week? Add "rash" to the Pediatrician list.

Once you complete an item, just click on the check box/button and it disappears. The app also archives everything that's ever been on the list, just in case you need to un-click something. I get so much satisfaction from clearing a list, but I always leave the blank list there for future items.

You can also tell the Reminders app to give you an actual reminder (pop up on screen or an alarm) at a specific time. You can even take it one step further and tell it to remind you at a location. Yes, this means my phone will remind me to buy eggs the second I pull into the parking lot at ShopRite! Crazy, right? It can also remind you to grab your glasses when you get to your mom's house. The possibilities are endless.

My favorite part is that if you have multiple Apple devices/computers (iPad, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPhone) your Reminders app syncs seamlessly among your devices. This is a huge advantage if you end up using all Apple products. If I'm at work and I realize I need to pick up a pork roast on the way home, I just add it to the Reminders app on my work computer and I know it will show up on my iPhone as I'm walking into the grocery store on my way home.

Mobile phones aren't cheap, so you may as well make the best of them. I use my iPhone as my personal assistant and it really helps me stay on track.

Is anyone else using a list application to keep their life in order? Which one do you use?

Meal Planning | At the office

I spend a lot of hours away from home. On most days I eat both breakfast and lunch in my office and occasionally I'll work late enough to have dinner here, too. Since I've had Max, I've noticed that my hunger is urgent and I need to eat good food at more regular intervals. On my most outrageous days I'm up around 5:00 am and I start my 10-hour workday (including commute) by 7:00 am. If I don't plan properly, I'll be famished by 9:00 am and angry at the world. When I'm hungry, I often make unhealthy choices...

I used to stop at Wawa on the way to work several days a week. (For those who aren't familiar, Wawa is an awesome Philadelphia-area convenience store with a cult following.) I enjoy their coffee and their breakfast sandwiches and it was the only place I passed during my 36 mile commute. Last year Wawa moved to the opposite side of the highway, thus making it a time suck to stop there for food, so it became clear that I needed to stop relying on a convenience store for emergency meals and start planning better. Between Wawa being inconvenient, the office vending machine malfunctioning one too many times, and my desire to eat better and save cash, I knew I had to do something else.

So I applied my meal planning techniques to my workday meals. I still end up eating out about twice a week, but that's nothing compared to the damage I used to do before Max was born. And I'm human, so some weeks I go out to lunch twice in a row, or I skip breakfast, or I do well all day and end up eaitng Chinese takeout for dinner.

Here are some tips that keep me on track with workday meals and snacks:

1. I always have breakfast at my desk. I usually don't have time to eat breakfast before I leave home, but I normally walk out of the house with a green smoothie (I need to share that recipe!) and a cup of coffee. When I get to my desk I have instant oatmeal ready (yes, I need to share that one, too!) or I have Greek yogurt in my lunch bag. That normally holds me until about 11:00 am.

2. I immediately pack dinner leftovers into lunch portions. I try to cook dinners that reheat well in the microwave (spaghetti vs. crab cakes) and I place single servings into clear, shallow containers so I can just grab them on my way out in the morning. We waste less food and there's no "what's for lunch?" discussions when the food is sitting front and center.

3. Make your own vending machine. I keep single-serve snacks at my desk. Single servings aren't always economical, but I like the portion control. Shop sales or shop in bulk. I like to keep trail mix, nuts, Sun Chips, and even a few cans of soda (for weak moments).

4. Buy an office refrigerator. Some offices have a refrigerator for employee use. If yours doesn't have one and if you have the space and it's permissible, put a refrigerator in your office. Sure, it may cost you close to $100, but think about what you'll save when you can have perishables on hand. You can keep yogurt, coffee creamer, fresh fruit and milk for cereal right at your desk.

5. Keep utensils and cups handy. I always have paper plates, paper towels, plastic utensils and a water bottle at my desk. I drink water from the water cooler throughout the day and I also use the water to make instant oatmeal. If you keep your work space well-stocked you won't end up eating  yogurt with a fork.

Since I've returned to work I've had problems grocery shopping, doing laundry and cooking at regular intervals like I used to. I use my iPhone's Reminder app to keep running grocery lists for ShopRite, Target and Costco and I also have Siri give me reminders, too. If I find myself buying an item from a convenience store or vending machine I always consider adding it to my shopping list. Why pay $1.00 for a banana when you can get four for that price? Why pay $1.20 for a ginger ale when you can purchase smaller cans in single-serve portions for much less?

Consider how much money you could save if you carried your own food to work. Even if my husband and I spend just $5 per day eating out, that's $50 per week or nearly $250 per month for the two of us. I'd rather spend that cash sitting down and enjoying a few real restaurant meals during date nights.

Do you plan out your meals? I know a lot of people are on the dinner planning bandwagon, and that's saved me a ton of frustration and money. But how about lunches? Are you prepared with healthy options for a mid-morning or mid-afternoon hunger attack? If not, why not try?

Fresh Bruschetta + ShopRite Extra Virgin California Olive Oil

Please check out my latest post over on Potluck!  Bruschetta is one of my favorite uses for fresh tomatoes and basil.  If you live in the Mid-Atlantic region, ShopRite has a quality (and affordable) California Extra Virgin Olive Oil and it works well in this recipe.

Foods I Love and Baby Update

Max is 7 weeks old today.  I think I'm finally getting used to mothering a newborn (getting up every 2 hours overnight, preparation for diaper blowouts, dealing with baby meltdowns).  No, it's not easy, but babies must use their cuteness as a weapon because as soon as I get frustrated he looks at me and does something adorable.  Oh, babies!

I've cooked a few new recipes and I'd love to blog about them.  However, I'm typing this with Max in a  baby sling and sleeping on my chest and I don't know how much time I have.  Instead, here are some foods/drinks (both homemade and store bought) that I've been loving lately:

1.  Soups and stews - Summer is winding down and temps are dropping into the 60s at night.  My husband brings me fresh sweet corn every weekend (he gets 12 ears for $2 in Lancaster County) and I've been making corn and cheddar chowder and creamed corn. I've also made a large batch of chunky chili. I froze the leftovers for future meals. I know it will come in handy when I have a crazy day in a few weeks and I don't want to order takeout.

2. Edy's Fruitbars - I'm sure I mentioned this before, but these popsicles are the bomb! Costco sold them all summer in a 24 pack and ShopRite often has them on sale. Of course, you can probably buy them at every grocery store in America. My favorite flavors are Mango, Grape, and Lemon. The best part is that they are 80 calories a pop and have no artificial sweeteners.  I started loving these during my pregnancy and I'm still hooked on them.  Good thing I have a chest freezer in the basement.

3.  Boxed Wine - Yes, wine in a box. I was skeptical because I associate boxed wine with cheap, inferior product, but there are some decent choices out there. I decided to try boxed wine because I'm nursing Max and I have to limit my alcohol intake.  I enjoy cooking with wine and I also enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, but I felt that opening an entire bottle could be a waste.  I picked up two brands (Bota Box and Volere) at Costco and I was pleasantly surprised. I love that the wines stay fresh for 4 weeks (or more) after opening and that they come with a spout that allows you to pour just as much as you need, whether it's a full glass or just a splash for your favorite recipe.  I've been keeping one white blend and one red blend on hand for cooking and meals.

I've also learned a few things that have worked for me in parenting a newborn.  I know that every single baby is different, but here are a few things I've realized:

1.  Embrace the fact that you'll be up at odd hours.  I do most of the baby duty because I'm on maternity leave and my husband is working.  I'm also the one with the food since I'm nursing.  Max gets up every 2-3 hours (including all night long), so I use my DVR to record daytime talk shows and cooking shows to watch at 3am.  I also use the HBO GO app and the Netflix app to stream movies and television shows during those lonely late-night feedings.  I like to save the most interesting shows for 2am... gives me something to look forward to.

2.  Noise-canceling headphones are great for meltdowns.  No, I'm not telling you to ignore your baby, but when I can't figure out what Max wants I hold him in my arms and turn on my iPod.  I can see and feel him, so I can still console him, but I can listen to Thriller or my favorite financial planning podcast while my baby cries it out.  Sometimes I even sing to him.  By the time the album ends or the interview is over, he's often asleep.

3.  Amazon Mom is the bomb.  It's a version of Amazon Prime that offers free 2-day shipping on tons of stuff (including non-baby stuff) for free for 90 days.  I've used the service so much that I'll be paying the annual fee to continue it.  I've been able to find rare items in the exact color/style I need and have them delivered within 48 hours (or less).  This comes in handy for everything from DVDs to breast pumps to diapers.

4.  Baby wearing is convenient.  Granted, Max only weighs 7 pounds or so, but it's really convenient to wear him in a sling during the day.  I haven't tried it on an errand (I just use a stroller), but the baby sling is great for afternoons when he's fussy and just wants to be held.  I can keep him very close to me, but still fold laundry, start dinner, read email or do anything else that requires two hands without worrying about the baby monitor.  It's one of those things that works for me for now.

So that's my update.  I'm looking forward to getting some free time to write up some recipe posts, but until then this will have to do.  I'm happy that I'm still loving to cook and bake, despite the fact that I have to schedule my cooking around caring for Max.  I'm looking forward to Max getting big enough to help me in the kitchen.  What have you been up to lately?

ShopRite!

Did anyone out there having a crazy week like me?  October is a notoriously busy month at work for E and I.  Other than our weekend trip to Disney and a brief excursion last weekend, we haven't had any quality time in nearly a month!

That's my excuse for not cooking or posting new recipes for the past week or so.

Part of the reason I've been so busy is work, the rest is that I've been selected to be a member of a blogger panel for ShopRite!  ShopRite?  Blogger panel?  What?

First, for those of you who don't live on the East Coast between Connecticut and Baltimore, what is ShopRite?  It's my favorite grocery store.  ShopRite and Keeley go way back.  My mom used to buy my baby food there.  The chain is based in New Jersey and being that I'm actually a Jersey girl (kinda, I moved to Delaware in high school) I grew up shopping there with my family. They have the best prices on pretty much every grocery item and E and I go there nearly every Friday and/or Saturday night to get groceries for our culinary adventures. 

A PR firm contacted me in August and asked me to be part of a blogger panel for ShopRite.  I honestly thought it was a crock and E was concerned about me getting ripped off.  Long story short, the whole thing was real and I met many of the ShopRite executives and chefs as well as several other food bloggers at the New York City Wine and Food Festival last weekend.

Yes, that's right.  ShopRite sent me to the NYC Wine and Food Festival!  They also sent me a Flip video cam to docment the experience, so I'll be posting pictures and video soon. 

For the first time since starting My Life on a Plate I got to meet other food bloggers in person:

Jessica at Cinnamon En Spice
Emily at Cleanliness is Next to Godliness
Brandy at Nutmeg Nanny

Of course there were several other wonderful and enthusiastic food bloggers, but these were the three who were on my end of the table at dinner, so we spent a lot of time chatting!

Jessica, Emily, and Brandy already posted about their experience at the NYC Wine and Food Festival.  I had a very busy week, so I'm going to share my experience in a blog post this weekend, then it's back to cooking!

Over the next year I'll be working with ShopRite to review house-brand products, create recipes, and contribute to their blog.  Of course, I'll still be writing on my own blog, too!  I'm really looking forward to this experience and I'm looking forward to meeting more fun food people!

Food Storage and 100th Post!

This is my 100th post!  I anticipated that my 100th post would be on my one-year blogiversary, but I was a few days off.  This post isn't a recipe, it's a tip. 

I cook a lot of food, especially on weekends.  I live in a household of two, but it's not unusual for us to grill a pack of hot dogs, several hamburgers, four chicken breasts, a pork loin, and a few steaks in one day.  We love getting that hickory smoke/charcoal flavor in our food and we tend to grill enough meat for three days of lunches and dinners.  E has even been known to grill bacon for breakfast. 

I've learned through experience that there's no point in having a bunch of meals cooked and planned if you don't have ample storage.  This goes for your cabinets, your spice rack, your dishes, glassware, and of course your food storage containers.  My husband makes fun of me because I'm obsessive about freshness and organization when it comes to leftovers.  My favorite containers are the Premier collection from Rubbermaid.  I bought a set at Costco two years ago and they still look (almost) as good as new.

I prefer these containers becaues they are as clear as glass and I haven't had them shatter, break, or cloud up.  The lids are flexible rubber with a tight seal (and a transparent window on top).  They don't stain (hello spaghetti sauce and chili) and they don't seem to hold odors (hello raw onions).  I can open my fridge and figure out what's cooked and prepped for use within seconds.  Whole watermelon?  When cut up, it fits in two of the larger containers.  Grilled chicken?  Sliced and ready to go?  Lunch for tomorrow?  Packed and ready to grab and go.  They come in several sizes and configurations.

I even go as far as to use tiny labels to put the date each item was cooked or prepared on the lid of each container.  I don't like to keep cooked food more than 72 hours, and this stops us from having to decipher mystery food on trash day.  Fortunately, there's not much waste because we pack our lunches and plan our meals to incorporate leftovers.

These containers aren't cheap (I think I paid $26 for a set of 12), but they will last.  Plus, it seems that Rubbermaid will offer a replacement if yours are defective.

If you're going to cook, you need to have a plan for storing and using leftovers.  You also need a plan for storing your groceries so you don't buy duplicates.  It also helps to have a clean and organized fridge and freezer.  I know I'm always inspired to cook meals when I come home to a clean, well-organized kitchen.  I'm not perfect (there's a sink full of dirty dishes waiting for me today), but I do like to organize with these Rubbermaid Premier containers.

Hot Dogs and Sausages

Processed meats aren't healthy food.

Okay, we got that out of the way.  It's summer and as I mentioned in a previous post, my husband and I love to cook outdoors on our charcoal grill.  While we have several recipes that involve homemade marinades and special cuts of meat, sometimes we need some quick grub while we wait for our "real" dinner to get done.  Enter hot dogs and sausages.

I think of a barbecue as a meal in the same style as a fish fry:  you eat the food as it's done.  You don't wait for all courses to be ready before digging in.  That's why we pregame with hot dogs, burgers, and sausages, then wait a bit before moving on to the real stuff (steaks, chicken, pork tenderloin...).  It's also a great strategy for entertaining.  Dogs, sausages, and burgers are ready fast and are crowd-pleasers.  They keep kids happy and keep the hunger from taking over while you take your time on the more expensive steaks, seafood, and other cuts of meat on the grill.  Hey, we're in a recession.  Basic grilled fare is great for keeping the crowd happy until the "real" food is done.

So, as much as I enjoy cooking from scratch, I can't resist enjoying one of these on a nice, fresh potato roll:

 1.  Nathan's Beef Franks - I hope you can get these where you live.  They're a hot dog that kinda tastes like sausage.  It's hard to explain, but they have a smoky, slightly garlicy taste and they snap when you bite 'em.  I prefer the "bun-sized" over the traditional "bigger than the bun" variety.  I like to keep a 60:40 ratio of hot dog to bun.  The long, thin dogs just don't do it for me.

2.  Dietz and Watson Beef Hot Dogs - These are the standard for hot dogs in my family.  I don't care what's on sale, if we're firing up the grill and you ask for a hot dog, this is what I'm serving.  I think they're regional, though, so if you don't live in the mid-Atlantic, these can be difficult to find.  (On a semi-related note, D&W is also my favorite brand for deli-sliced American cheese.  I actually go to a different grocery store just to get it.)

3.  Hillshire Farm Kielbasa - Our favorite is the Lite version made with beef, turkey, and pork.  Who doesn't like a nice smoky kielbasa on the grill?  This brand isn't too greasy or salty, as others can be. We split it horizontally and grill it on charcoal for that extra-smoky flavor.





If I'm going to eat unhealthy food, you'd better bet I'm going to be picky about the taste and the brand.  Don't settle for just any hot dog or sausage, make sure you choose your favorite.  So what is your favorite brand of hot dog or sausage?  Is there some local brand that I'm missing?  Do you even like hot dogs?

Port

If you're a wine enthusiast, here's something new to add to your repertoire:  Port.  This wine traditionally comes from Portugal and is normally red with a sweet or semi-sweet taste.  It has a higher alcohol content than most other wines (18 to 22 percent) and is fortified with a brandy-type liquor.  It's a nice after dinner treat, especially when served with dark fruits (think dried cherries) and dark chocolate.  Since it's fortified with liquor, it has a longer shelf life than most wines (weeks, not days), which is great because this wine should be enjoyed in small quantities (about 2 to 4 ounces per serving) due to its strong taste and high alcohol content.

I was introduced to Port at a wine tasting a few months ago.  Since then, I've identified two affordable brands (less than $15) that can introduce you to the wonderful world of Port.  One bottle will yield many servings, so it can also be a great deal in these tough economic times.

Osborne Ruby Port was the first Port I tasted.  It's a beautiful dark red (almost burgundy) and the flavor reminds me of ripe sweet cherries.  It's sweet, but not to the point that it overshadows your dessert.  I've enjoyed this wine with a square of dark chocolate and I think it makes a great dessert and is the perfect ending to a nice meal.

I received a bottle of Fonseca as a birthday present this year.  Fonseca reminds me of raisins and spicy dark fruit.  It's also great with chocolate and dried fruits.

I'm still learning about Port. There are other varieties:  white, tawny, semi-sweet.  There are also varieties that come from countries other than Portugal.  And, of course, there are varieties with vintages that have been aged for a long time and cost more money.

I'm just a beginner, so I'm encouraging those of you who enjoy wine to consider serving yourself a (small) glass of Port with dessert.  There are even special smaller wine glasses for Port.  (Note to self:  I need one.)

Green Tea Ice Cream

No, I didn't make this from scratch, but I just have to tell you how my I enjoy this ice cream.  Okay, I just love Haagen-Dazs.  And no, I don't work for them. 

I LOVE ice cream.  Sometimes I don't eat it because I'm a bit lactose intolerant, but in small quantities, I'm fine.  I've had green tea ice cream a few times at Japanese restaurants, so imagine my surprise when I realized that Haagen-Daz makes it, too!  What will they think of next?

The ice cream is a beautiful mint green color and it's super smooth.  The best part is that it's not as sweet as other flavors.  It has the sophistication of mint chocolate chip (although not minty), but this fresh, mild taste that doesn't really remind me of tea.  I ate it straight up, but I bet it would be even better in a waffle cone.  The extra cookie sweetness of the cone would really make this suble ice cream stand out.

Unfortunately it's normally around $4 a pint, but sometimes I can get it on sale for $2.  Once in a blue moon, my store breaks it all the way down to $1.66 and then with a coupon... well, it's practically free!  Plus, March is Frozen Food Month, so maybe I'll find more frozen delights on sale. 

Haagen-Dazs Mango Sorbet

I'm a self-proclaimed dessert snob.  I don't waste calories on Tasty Kakes, Snickers bars, or Oreo cookies.  I seldom eat grocery store cakes and I definitely don't eat cookies from the refrigerated section of the grocery store.

But I love ice cream.  Always have, always will.  My mom says she spent many days at Carvel when she was pregnant with me, which explains my love of all frozen desserts, particularly frozen custard.

Unfortunately, everybody has to grow up sometime and when I grew up I learned that I'm kinda lactose intolerant.  I love rich ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery, Carvel, or Rita's, but it doesn't love me back.  I also don't have the metabolism I had in high school, so I needed to cut the lactose and cut the calories.  Enter sorbet.

Sorbet is non-dairy, fat free, and comes in so many yummy fruit flavors.  I've always loved strawberry, but last year I decided to try mango.  Well, it's my new favorite.

While I still prefer my desserts to be made at home from the freshest ingredients, I've gotta give Haagen-Dazs credit.  There's no point in me even slicing up mangoes and busting out the ice cream maker when there's a pint of this stuff waiting for me for about $4 at most grocery stores (yes, it's high, but it's worth it).  The color reminds me of a fresh peach, the texture is super smooth and the flavor is sweet, but a bit tart.  It tastes like a frozen mango.  If I can't get my hands on a fresh mango smoothie from the Vietnamese restaurant around the corner, this is the next best thing.  I know the price is a bit steep, but I get 3-4 servings out of a pint.  When I consider that I pay at least $6 for a restaurant dessert and $4 for a fresh mango smoothie, it seems like a good deal for me.

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

I "discovered" this wine while waiting in line at the Costco liquor store about a year ago.  I perfer dry whites and I love citrus flavors and a gentleman in the store told me that he buys this wine by the case because he loves its grapefruit flavor.  Grapefruit!  In wine?  Oh yes, I had to have some.  I love citrus scents and tastes.

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc did not disappoint. It's light and refreshing and it definitely has a nice citrus flavor.  Bonus:  It doesn't have a cork (I understand that unoaked wines don't need one), so I can travel with the bottle and open it anywhere (think really casual BYOB spots, hotel rooms, my cabin on a cruise ship...). 

Around my way this wine retails for between $13-15 per bottle.  I find that pretty reasonable.  If you live near one, I recommend purchasing it at Total Wine.  The store is large, has an extensive selection of alcoholic beverages, and really helpful staff.  Our location even does tastings on weekends.  Good times!

IZZE

I'm not a big fan of soda. Every now and then I enjoy an ice cold Coca Cola product, but for the most part I try to stick to water, coffee, iced tea, and the occasional glass of juice or lemonade.

A few weeks ago Costco put out a coupon for IZZE, a carbonated juice product. I bought a case for our week at the beach and surprisingly my husband and I both liked it. Our variety pack included pomegranate, blackberry, and tangerine flavors, but there are other options. IZZE isn't as sweet as soda, and each 12-ounce bottle had about 130 calories. My husband recently discovered the grapefruit version and makes his new favorite drink, la paloma, with it.

Drink IZZE!