My Latest Finds From The Grocery Outlet...

Like everybody else out there I prefer to eat well - even on a budget. Many of you know one of my favorite stores is the Grocery Outlet. Here are just a few of my recent finds there...
POM iced coffee - just .99! They normally go for $3.49
Paul Newman's spaghetti sauce for $1.99 (my favorite to use as a pizza sauce) - usually $2.99
Seeds of Change orrganic chocolate bars for .99!
Hagen Daazs Butter Toffee Pudding icecream for .99
You just can't beat that. If you haven't checked it out, I highly reccomend that you do. GO, I LOVE you! :-)
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

Living the Good Life On A Budget: Montinore Wines

Everyone needs a little drink now and then. Or two. :-) I think Jimmy Buffet may have said it best: "It's 5:00 somewhere." The economy is failing, my hours and pay have been cut, but I still enjoy a good bottle of wine - especially a refreshing Riesling. My recent favorite is Montinore's Riesling Sweet Reserve. Usually it's only $12 a bottle (a virtual steal for such a quality wine), but through the end of January they are having a 30% off sale on white wines purchased through their website or at their winery. Life doesn't get any better than this! It's crisp and refreshing - without being cloyingly sweet. In fact, it has just the right hint of sweetness without being dry. I don't know how they manage it, but it's darn near the best wine I've ever had (and I've had a few). LOL It pairs well with brie, blue cheese, and cambazola - all of which can be found at Trader Joe's for a good price. Please check out their website (http://montinore.com/) or visit them if you're ever in the Forest Grove/Mcminnville area of Oregon.

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Living the Good Life On A Budget: Trader Joe's

I've always loved Trader Joe's, but as prices rise even at bargain places like Winco, I'm appreciating TJ's even more. All of their products are organic, healthy, fair trade - and delicious. They have a new product called a "Take Home Thali For Two," which is basically an Indian dinner for $3.99! It includes rice, yellow lentils, and a potato & pea curry. Pair it with their classic or masala style naan (flat bread) and tomato chutney and you'd swear it came from a restaurant. I never have high hopes from Indian food in a box, but I was totally impressed! It cooked up so well in the microwave it seemed like it came off the stove top. Their multi grain vegetable lasagna is absolutely fabulous, as are their fish tacos with cilantro sauce (both found in the freezer section). Their breaded eggplant cutlets are perfect for making your own Eggplant Parmesan (just bake the cutlets as directed, add cheese and marinara sauce - I love Paul Newman's, but I'm willing to bet TJ's makes a good one, too). Their artisan cheeses are top notch and nearly half what you'd pay elsewhere. My three favorites are their blue cheese, brie, and cambrazola - which is like brie and blue cheese in one. They also happen to make the best tortillas and salsa verde. This salsa is so good it's hard to believe it's fat free, low calorie, and good for you. I use it for salad dressing, too - and it would be great with eggs (juevos rancheros). They also carry a huge selection of reasonably priced beer and wine, so you can really make dinner in feel like dinner out. If you haven't checked out Trader Joe's yet, put it on your To Do list. I guarantee you'll love it...
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

Living the good life - on a budget: series coming soon...

Let's face it - most of us have been hit by the struggling economy. Stocks are down, work hours are being cut - and worse yet - lay-offs and unemployment abound. As if that isn't bad enough, there doesn't seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel. So - how can we cut costs but still enjoy the good life? I have come up with a few ideas, tips, and tricks - and will post them soon in a series of features. I may even have a contest for the best submitted suggestion with a yet-to-be-determined prize. See you soon...
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com