We Tried Trader Joe’s Spicy Taco Sauce

Now, if you like salsa or hot sauce, do you really need taco sauce in your life? Taco sauce was created as a gateway to salsa, and as Gustavo Arellano puts it in Taco USA, it's "salsa shorn of its heat." The first companies to bring it to market in the late 1940s and early…

July 22, 20190Comments

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Ketchup Flavored Spud Crunchies

Canadians have known forever that ketchup chips are delicious, but Americans have been slow to get on board. But this summer, Trader Joe's is bringing them to the American market in two ways -- as part of its 4-flavors-in-one-bag Patio Potato Chips, and now in Trader Joe's Ketchup Flavored Spud Crunchies ($1.99 for a 4…

July 17, 20190Comments

Book Reviews

Trashed by Mia Hopkins| 5-star review

ARC provided by the author for review Are my eyebrows on fire? Trashed is a scorcher! Damn, Mia! Mia Hopkins keeps it sexy in Trashed (Eastside Brewery #2), wrapping Eddie and Carmen’s romance in a story that’s ultimately about culture, community, and the happily ever after we all deserve. Eddie’s six months out of prison…

July 11, 20190Comments

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Turmeric Ginger Coconut Beverage

I never really jumped on the golden milk bandwagon, despite all the hype about the health benefits of turmeric. I've usually seen golden milk, known as haldi doodh, as a powdered spice mix or in the refrigerated section. Trader Joe's Turmeric Ginger Coconut Beverage ($2.69 for a 32 oz. carton) is shelf-stable and lactose and…

July 10, 20190Comments

Dessert Recipes

5 Delicious Summer Berry Desserts

In the Pacific Northwest we're blessed with a summer berry season that'll last into early September. This weekend, I made my first round of tayberry and raspberry jam and I made a simple, gorgeous raspberry crostata that's perfect for two. Pie has never been my forte, but a rustic galette or crostata is right…

July 9, 20190Comments

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Strawberry Rose Fruit Spread

On its latest podcast episode, Trader Joe's previewed several new products due out this summer. Among them, Trader Joe's Strawberry Rose fruit spread ($2.99 for a 12 oz. jar). They called this one out as a "limited buy" meaning they bought a specific lot from the maker and when it's gone, it's gone. Well, I…

July 3, 20191Comment

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Pimento Cheese Dip

Upfront, let me say I've never made pimento cheese dip from scratch. I'm from California and it's a dip I've always associated with the South. So this "review" of Trader Joe's Pimento Cheese Dip isn't coming from a life long lover of pimento cheese. All I can tell you is, I'm gonna be making…

July 2, 20190Comments

Book Reviews

10 Beach Bag Books for Summer 2019

"Beach reads" get a bad rap, but there's not much else I'd rather be doing than enjoying a good book in the sunshine. So whether it's fluffy or scandalous or a total thrill ride, "beach bag books" isn't a literary value judgment, it's about whether or not it's a great way to spend a sunny…

July 1, 20190Comments

Book Reviews

SUPERFAN by Sarina Bowen | Book Review

ARC provided by the author's publicist for review Gah, Silas! Cinnamon roll of all cinnamon roll heroes! Sarina Bowen’s SUPERFAN, her latest set in the Brooklyn Bruisers world, finally gives us the lowdown on Silas Kelly’s longstanding crush on pop star Delilah Sparks. In this second chance romance. Delilah Sparks is the one…

June 26, 20190Comments

Book Reviews

EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER by Linda Holmes | 4-star Review

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley Evvie Drake Starts Over is wry, bittersweet, and an absolute delight to read. As EVVIE DRAKE begins, it’s been a year since Evvie’s husband died after a car accident. She’s still living in their too big house in Maine when her bestie Andy comes up with a plan…

June 25, 20190Comments

Michelle

We Tried Trader Joe’s Spicy Taco Sauce

We Tried Trader Joe’s Ketchup Flavored Spud Crunchies

Trashed by Mia Hopkins| 5-star review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Turmeric Ginger Coconut Beverage

5 Delicious Summer Berry Desserts

We Tried Trader Joe’s Strawberry Rose Fruit Spread

We Tried Trader Joe’s Pimento Cheese Dip

10 Beach Bag Books for Summer 2019

SUPERFAN by Sarina Bowen | Book Review

EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER by Linda Holmes | 4-star Review

It Looks Like You in the Dark by Mathilda Zeller | Review

Now Available: Wicker, the Short Story That Inspired the Film

Review: The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren