There are a couple of products out there I discovered all on my own (a good Whole Foods Madness sale didn’t hurt, either) that I wanted to share with everyone.
Just so you know, NO company is sponsoring this post, NO one sent me anything for free. I just happened to buy it, try it, and love it. Whole Foods has a liberal return policy and since I shop there often (because of the great savings I get with ROI Health cards – I mean SERIOUS savings here folks!) I like to try things…and return it if I don’t like it. I am not shy about getting my money back, you shouldn’t be, either.
Cucina Antica Ketchup, your kids will like it!
If you have been looking for an organic ketchup, look no further, Cucina Antica is our new favorite. I am not the biggest ketchup fan but my husband and daughter are – and this one is so much better than you think ketchup has a right to be. Very fresh tasting without being so gourmet that your kids recoil because it is too different than the mainstream junk that has corn syrup in it.
And my new favorite addition to my kitchen, Cucina Antica Tomato Basil sauce. Again, a bright fresh tomato sauce that doesn’t taste like it’s been on the shelf forever. I have been wanting to make my own tomato sauce for a while now but it seems like a ton of work, prep and storage for…tomato
Cucina Antica Sauces
sauce. Now I just buy a jar of this stuff and the guilt of not making homemade is gone. Yummy yummy! My only request is that along with their other organic products, they need to offer organic sauces as well. I use it not only for my spaghetti but also making homemade lasagna.
They come up on sale now & again at Whole Foods. I have also found them on the shelves at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods (All owned by TJX) for a steal, I stock up on them. If you shop at these places then you know the most random food products pop up on their shelves but not on any regular basis – so if you see them there, don’t hesitate, grab them.
When I have a big jar of sauce and I want to use just a little, I freeze the rest in half cup amounts so I can pull it out in single serving sizes. These sauces freeze & thaw well.
Have you tried any products from Cucina Antica? What do you think?
I am trying to spread the word about a website I stumbled on back in the spring. ROI Health is a site that offers great deal on healthy activities and food in your area.
Everyone that is familiar with me and the past year of dealing with my daughter’s digestive issues knows that I am a cooking fool these days. My goal is to get my meals as organic & simple as possible – and still taste good to my family. Shopping organic and healthy can be a challenge, it’s not cheap. But this website REALLY HELPS! You need to explore it because the savings are tailored for your geographic area - I am in Boston.
For me the best thing is the Whole Foods Gift cards. $40 for a $50 card. And they FedEx them to you for free! I have literally saved hundreds of dollars on groceries there since I started using ROI Health in May.
For my area there are coupons to Bed Bath & Beyond, City Sports sporting goods, CVS pharmacy, Fresh City restaurant, and Russo’s, a local produce/artisan cheese/dairy/meat/bakery yummy everything store that I want to buy everything. Another $50 card for $40!
There are no member fees. Only saving galore.
I really want this site to gain strength and members – the more people on board the better deals they can offer. I am really hoping for them to partner up with Trader Joes.
‘Like’ them on Facebook . Tell them where you want to find savings in your area!
I am in no way compensated for this post. I am just an enthusiastic subscriber to their services.
OK, it sounds like I am exaggerating here but I am not. I stumbled on this recipe by accident. It’s not my recipe. It’s quick and easy and by far the best tasting dressing I have ever had. AND as an added bonus it is the perfect chicken marinade. Or steak for that matter. I always have some on hand.
Bottled salad dressings can contain some nasty chemical additives that are just unnecessary. With a recipe this easy & delish, why not try it? You won’t be sorry.
Credit goes to Emeril Lagasse for this recipe.
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar (there are some good balsamic vinegars at Whole Foods that won’t break the bank, I use Lucini – $5 for 16.9 ounces)
- 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar, optional* (I use a tablespoon)
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (I use Celtic Sea Salt (highly recommend for it’s superior taste and mineral content)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (fresh ground is best!)
- 3/4 cup olive oil
Beat the vinegar in a bowl with the optional sugar, garlic, salt and pepper until sugar and salt dissolves. Then beat in the oil by droplets, whisking constantly. (Or place all the ingredients in a screw-top jar and shake to combine.) Taste and adjust the seasonings. Makes a smidgen over a cup of dressing.
And just like that – BAM! Done. First time I served this my mother in law said “This is a ridiculously good dressing, what is it?”
Try it. Let me know!
Many of my readers have kept up with the last year of my life, dealing with my daughter’s acute onset of intestinal issues that resulted in a hellish winter & spring, leaving her with post infectious IBS, some muscle issues, and headaches. We manage well for the most part, but it all begs the question – what is going on in our environment to cause perfectly healthy people’s bodies to turn on them all of a sudden? Our aut0-immune system is under fire, and it is scary.
A reader in Boston has reached out to me, and asked that I share her story, in hopes that someone will be able to shed some light on what could possibly be happening to her. Do you know of a doctor that could help her? A naturopath? A diet? Have you had similar issues and have found relief? Please reach out to her, make a connection.
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