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: The Grocery Outlet; My New Favorite Store...

OK - I admit it - I'm a bit of a wine snob and "gourmand," but my pay and hours have been cut by almost 1/3 due to the struggling economy. I have to have my wine and brie. What to do, what to do??? Fret no more - Grocery Outlet to the rescue! First of all, they carry wine and beer. How cool is that? I just had a glass of Glory Days Voignier that I picked up there for a mere $3.99 a bottle. I bought a few other brands for $2.99! Some of my other recent finds have been an Oreo cheesecake for $1.99 with real name-brand Oreos, not the cheap knock-off stuff, frozen Indian food microwave dinners for $1.99 (the same brand others carry for a whopping $5), and the most Delicious Greek yogurt with honey for .50! I even got a HUGE bag of fresh red and yellow bell peppers for $1.99 that I cut up in slices and threw in the freezer for fajitas later in the week. This place is freaking AWESOME!!! You simply have to check it out - especially as prices are even rising at bargain grocers such as Winco. And remember - the items are always changing, giving you a great variety. Hopefully there's one near you. If so - what are your favorite finds?
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Soapmaker: dennisanderson

Dennis Anderson was born and raised in Massachusetts by his Dad and Grandmother. "I think they had a big part in teaching me the importance of being responsible and helped give me a realistic look at life," he says. He relocated to the Northwest where he met Brandy, who introduced him to the Indie lifestyle. He credits her for getting him hooked on soap making. "I can be walking down the street and smell a scent, see a strange texture in nature, and all I can think of is how am I going to make this into soap." Although he's only been at it for a year, he's found ways to make his craft fun. "I love the beer soaps in my shop," he admits. "I really want to release more playful soaps and products that reflect my personality." While Etsy is currently a "second job" for Dennis, he plans to turn it into a full time career someday. In the meantime, he makes sure to be a "productive part of the (Etsy) community" while building his client base. "I feel like I was truly blessed to have found this site," he says. Please check out his shop: http://dennisanderson.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Star Wars Party

OK - I admit it - I'm a dork! I really liked Star Wars when I was younger, so I thought it would be fun to have a party last year, complete with steaming drinks. I even made an R2-D2 beer cooler out of a garbage can, aluminum foil, and posterboard. It was a blast! That's me as Princess Leia and my wonderful husband as Han Solo.

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/