Thursday, May 19, 2011

Favorite Things

In the interest of time, my list will be simple and very much not all-inclusive.

In no particular order of preference or interest, currently, these are a few of my favorite things!

  • The middle click scroller ball button



Do you want to know why? I bet you do! I recently learned that if you point your mouse over a link and click the middle click scroller ball button (that's the condensed name, mind you) a new tab will automatically pull up in your browser. Genius. Try it by clicking this link to go home...err...to go to my home. Shameless home promotion.

And if you already knew this trick, tech geeks, please help me inform the rest of the world.

  • The Laughing Cow Swiss Cheese Spread

The free sample lures of Costco done roped me in on this one. I just noticed that the container says, "A French Favorite," which also makes me quite happy since I ♥ France and french things, even though I've never been there, but someday, my pretties, some day!


Anyway, I love these little 35 calorie wedges (not that the calories are THAT important to me) but they spread well on rosemary crackers, wheat thins, pretzels, bagels, crostini, etc. Not too mention they make a great spread or dip for crudité (veggie platter of sorts--just had to throw out some french, mais oui). I just really love having this convenient snack, especially at work, and as a pre-workout (little bit of carb + protein) snack. There are endless creative recipe possibilities if you practice your new found clicking skills here.



  • Scooby Snacks

I've been a little bit obsessed with these since I had them at a party while I was home in November. These little graham cracker bone-shaped treats were served with a delightfully fluffy pumpkin dip that I still need to get the recipe for from my Aunt. And if by obsessed, I mean that I've bought two boxes and consumed both in the past six months, maybe I need to work on my obsessive trait. Ha!

In any case, I don't know why these little treats make me so happy but they do. Just get a box and eat a few. They are just so darned tasty. And if you have kids, they will love them. I promise. I think. I don't know why they wouldn't, but I haven't practiced them on any kids yet. You could dip them in pumpkin dip, peanut butter, yogurt, or just eat them plain. Most of the time that's how I eat them, 9 at a time (that's a serving size).


  • Yakisoba Noodles


Again with the Costco products. I don't know the brand of these because we throw out the box in order to fit them in our freezer better, but these yakisoba noodles with veggies are so delicious. Hylan even loves them. You can see snow peas, mushrooms, red pepper, carrots, asparagus, edamame, broccoli, and the sweetest nuttiest chewy soy/sesame/Asian goodness noodles ever! Look for them at your Costco. They do not disappoint.

And since I have no time for cooking, these are heaven-sent. I often add an extra serving of peas or edamame (shelled soy beans) to the bowl and some type of protein like chicken or shrimp. Sometimes I'll even sprinkle sesame seeds or sunflower seeds (for a little crunch) on top, and always a healthy dose of freshly cracked black pepper just because I love it and I add pepper to almost everything. But even without any of these additions, YAKISOBA is great on its very own!


  • Sweet Potato Chips


  • Yes, thank you Costco again for expanding my delicious food intake. These chips are addicting! Don't believe me? Just try them. A little bit of sweet, a little bit of salty, and a lot bit of crunchy! I remember serving these at a family gathering and despite a few initial quizzical looks, people kept coming back for more with sighs of "mmms" and "yummies." Before we knew it, the giant bag was entirely consumed, even before the regular bag of potato chips (which we all know there is no such thing as "regular" because if you live in or near Pennsylvania, you have access to the best potato chips in the world--Stehman's, Utz, Herr's, Martin's...I mean seriously people, the chip aisles in PA grocery stores are ridiculously overflowing with local snacks...and don't even get me started on pretzels...).


    Sorry about that digression (and PA love fest), I just had to prove that I'm not a traditional potato chip hater. Costco also has a really good Kirkland brand (I believe) gourmet kettle cooked crinkled potato chip, but this is about SWEET POTATO CHIPS. I especially like these chips because it's kind of nice to get a smidgen more of nutrition while eating a salty snack with your sandwich.


    So, if you have a Costco, look for these golden orange chippies. Your first bite, you may not be wowed, but then you'll find your hand reaching back for more, and you'll be hooked.


    That concludes my favorite things post. Apparently, this post was brought to you by Costco and Pennsylvania. Two more of my favorite things.


    Thanks for reading!


    2 comments:

    DP said...

    Mmmh, way to make me hungry for Pennsylvania snack foods.

    Bridget said...

    Ahhh, this was so much fun to read. :)
    And those Yakisoba noodles look delish! We will have to try them! :)