Whole Paycheck Hidden Gems!

I've been wanting to write a little blurb about this for a while, and keep forgetting.

I have recently been on a Whole Foods kick and have become borderline obsessed with a handful of products. I mainly shop there for the difference in taste and quality (in my opinion) of produce and proteins, but I have come across some random hidden gems. Here are my favorites:

By far the best find at Whole Foods: Jules (or WholeTreat) Ice Cream Sandwiches. Organic shmorganic. These things are dangerously delicious. The ice cream is soooo good, and the cookie is like a soft chocolate graham cracker. They are, of course, ridiculously expensive, but well worth it.

 My second favorite item: Jules Organic Sorbet Bars: Blackberry flavor. Holy heaven, I don't know invented these things, but they are the best treat when wanting something cold and sweet, without a guilt trip after.

I realize butter seems silly, but it is something I can truly taste the difference in when cooking with this 365 brand organic butter, vs. non-organic (or margarine for that matter). It makes a world of difference with cooking. Obviously, not with it by itself. Gross.

Horizons Organic Reduced-Fat Cream Cheese. Delicious. Something about organic dairy products apparently has me hooked on taste. Rich and creamy.

 My husband and I were so hesitant to buy this 365 brand frozen pizza because we had no idea what the hell "uncured pepperoni" was. I still don't. But we decided to be daring that day and try it. Best. Pizza. Ever. It's a thin crust pizza, which I don't typically like, but this is awesome! Now, when we have a late night, post-bar craving, one of us says, "Let's make some uncured tonight!". Such a bad inside joke, but it has stuck.

 We bought this on accident actually, and were pleasantly surprised when we tried it. It's perfect with pita chips. But beware, we also "accidentally" ate the whole container and bag of chips in one sitting because it was so good. Oops






One the many advantages to cooking your own meals is that you control what goes into your body. You control every ingredient. Way back when, a new store opened up in Ann Arbor, MI when I was living there called Whole Foods. I had no idea what it was, other than a big new nice-looking grocery store. So, I decided to check it out. I knew very little about "organic", let alone the differences between organic, natural, conventional, etc., so I figured I better get educated if I was going to spend twice as much for a tomato as I normally would.

All summed up: organic refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products (produce, grains, dairy, etc.), designed to encourage water and soil conservation, and reduce pollution. Done. And although there are no chemical pesticides used, organic foods are not more nutritious.

To put it into perspective: do I want to pay twice as much (exaggeration) for a organic tomato from Mexico, vs. a locally produced non-organic tomato from my normal grocery store?? Hell no. For multiple reasons: 1) the purpose of organic is to be better for the environment. But it costs more money, and creates more pollution to have a produce truck drive to California from Mexico then just producing locally. Stupid. 2) "Pesticides" are still used on organic produce, they just are chemically produced pesticides. And domestically grown produce usually has less pesticide residue than imported foods. Also stupid.

Long story short: I'm not saying don't eat organic, just keep in mind why you would.