Back in February, Living Social offered a great deal on a BJ's Warehouse Club membership. Because of that, I decided to take the deal and join BJ's. As I had no idea what they had, I walked around their Columbia, Maryland warehouse club and discovered Belle Sole Grilled & Marinated Asparagus. As I really like asparagus, I decided to buy a jar of it and see if it was any good.
I found the asparagus thanks to the marinade has a really nice flavor. Thanks to Belle Sole not overcooking the asparagus, the asparagus still has some crunch left in it. I don't care for limp asparagus. Belle Sole also earns points with me in that they tell you how much dry weight i.e. actual asparagus you get in each jar (1 pound .75 ounces) which weighs 2 pounds 2.2 ounces.
Price wise, BJ's offers this fine product at what I think is a very good price i.e. $6.99. I liked the price so much, I went back and bought 4 more jars of it.
Another interesting thing to me personally is the product is made in Peru. I have fond memories of Peru from my Globus Legacy of the Incas tour there. That the product in Peruvian made another point with me.
Overall, I was really pleased with Belle Sole's grilled & marinated asparagus. It has good flavor, the asparagus is crunchy and, BJ's offers it as a very good price. It can serve as a nice side dish to a meal or as a nutritious snack. This is one product I'd definitely recommend if you like asparagus. I give this product a big thumbs up. Bon Appetit!
Update: Yesterday (June 5, 2015), I visited the Columbia BJ's and to my great displeasure found out the BJ's there no longer has this product. I don't know where else you may find it as I've never seen it at Sam's Club or Costco. I would recommend this product if you can find it.
Update: June 7, 2015: I decided to drive out to the BJ's at Owings Mills, Maryland to see if they have this product. To my delight, they do however, if you want to buy some, you may want to move fast as they don't have many jars left. I don't know if they'll be putting out any more. I discovered another nice thing about this product. It has a long shelf life. According to the use by date on the lid, this product stays good for something like 2 years!
Friday, April 24, 2015
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Trader Joe's Rooibos & Honeybush Tea Review
I haven't written a review on a Trader Joe's product in a while so, I thought I'd do one.
Around March 13th of this year, Trader Joe's came out with a new product called Rooibos & Honeybush tea. The tea combines 2 traditional South African teas - Rooibos and Honeybush. Both are supposed to have a slightly sweet taste with the honeybush the sweeter of the two. Rooibos helps provide healthy antioxidants while having none of the caffeine of real tea.
Price wise, Trader Joe's is selling a 20 tea bag box of the tea for $2.49 in Maryland. According to the post they posted (http://www.traderjoes.com/digin/post/organic-fairtrade-rooibos-honeybush-tea), prices may be different in other parts of the United States.
Brewing time (per one of the tea bags in the box I bought) is 6 minutes for 1 tea bag, 8 minutes for a pot of the tea (put in 1 tea bag per person and 1 for the pot).
Taste wise, I didn't think the tea tasted much different from a straight up Rooibos tea. I found I like Trader Joe's Spiced Rooibos (also known as Ruby Red Chai) better though they may have stopped making their Spiced Rooibos (I haven't been able to find it in 2 different stores in Maryland).
Lastly, the tea is organic and Fair trade i.e. South African farmers are paid a fair wage for its production.
Overall, I thought this is a decent product though not a great one. There are other Rooibos teas out there that are just as good so, I wouldn't go out of your way to get this product. Happy sipping all!
Around March 13th of this year, Trader Joe's came out with a new product called Rooibos & Honeybush tea. The tea combines 2 traditional South African teas - Rooibos and Honeybush. Both are supposed to have a slightly sweet taste with the honeybush the sweeter of the two. Rooibos helps provide healthy antioxidants while having none of the caffeine of real tea.
Price wise, Trader Joe's is selling a 20 tea bag box of the tea for $2.49 in Maryland. According to the post they posted (http://www.traderjoes.com/digin/post/organic-fairtrade-rooibos-honeybush-tea), prices may be different in other parts of the United States.
Brewing time (per one of the tea bags in the box I bought) is 6 minutes for 1 tea bag, 8 minutes for a pot of the tea (put in 1 tea bag per person and 1 for the pot).
Taste wise, I didn't think the tea tasted much different from a straight up Rooibos tea. I found I like Trader Joe's Spiced Rooibos (also known as Ruby Red Chai) better though they may have stopped making their Spiced Rooibos (I haven't been able to find it in 2 different stores in Maryland).
Lastly, the tea is organic and Fair trade i.e. South African farmers are paid a fair wage for its production.
Overall, I thought this is a decent product though not a great one. There are other Rooibos teas out there that are just as good so, I wouldn't go out of your way to get this product. Happy sipping all!
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Costco's Master Carve Ham Review
Recently, I bought my third Costco's Master Carve Ham. I confess I've been very pleased with these hams. The hams are very easy to carve as they're pretty much flat. Other pluses to them are they're fully cooked, boneless, applewood smoked and come with as 12 ounce packet of red currant ham glaze though I've never tasted or used the glaze.
Price wise, I think they're a good deal. Costco sells them for $2.69 a pound. Shelf life wise, they seem to last up to 5 or 6 weeks depending on when you buy it from Costco. One down side I've found is that they're not available at all Costco stores though you can order one on-line (I haven't tried this).
Overall, I've been very pleased with this ham and would definitely recommend it if you like ham. It's easy to cut, ready to serve and lasts a while. Bon Appetit!
Price wise, I think they're a good deal. Costco sells them for $2.69 a pound. Shelf life wise, they seem to last up to 5 or 6 weeks depending on when you buy it from Costco. One down side I've found is that they're not available at all Costco stores though you can order one on-line (I haven't tried this).
Overall, I've been very pleased with this ham and would definitely recommend it if you like ham. It's easy to cut, ready to serve and lasts a while. Bon Appetit!
Friday, April 17, 2015
Virgil's Root Beer Party Keg Review
Last month, while shopping at the Columbia, Maryland BJ's Wholesale Club, I notice a pallet load of Virgil's Root Beer Party Kegs. I'd seen them before at the Columbia, Maryland Wegman's. This time, I decided to get one. The aluminum keg cost $10.99 and has 1.32 gallons/5 liters of their root beer. There are directions on the top of the keg that tells the 3 steps for operating it. First, you have to air the keg. You twist a red plastic switch on the top of the keg to do that. Second, you pull the red tap out of the keg all the way till it stops coming out. Lastly, you twist the tap till it starts pouring root beer. It's pretty simple.
Before you do those 3 steps, you should chill the root beer keg. The keg is small enough to fit inside a refrigerator.
Price wise, this keg could save you money. Wegman's is selling 4 pack 12 ounce bottles of Virgil's root beer for $1 a piece. As each keg has the equivalent of 14 bottles, you'll save $3 on of these kegs. Another plus of these kegs is you have less waste to throw out. Lastly, you can have the amount of root beer you want. Feel like just a smidgen of root beer, no problem with this keg. Like wise if you feel like having an extra large glass of this gourmet root beer.
The root beer itself is very good and prides itself on its fine ingredients that come from all over the world such as vanilla from Madagascar and cinnamon from Ceylon. Also, it uses pure cane sugar vice cheaper corn syrup.
Personally, I found I really enjoyed pulling myself a glass of root beer from the keg. I suspect kids would really enjoy this too. I'd definitely recommend this product. The only problem you may have with this product is finding it. I know Wegman's says it has limited availability i.e. not all their stores offer it (sadly). Happy drinking all!
Update June 7, 2015: the price has gone up on the keg at BJ's for some reason. Now, it costs $12.49. Also, you can buy a keg at their Owings Mills, Maryland store as well as their Columbia, Maryland store. However, you might want to move quickly if you plan to buy one at the Owings Mill store as they only have about 35 to 40 kegs left.
Update July 1, 2015: From July 2 to 15, 2015, BJ's has a coupon in what I consider it's 4th of July specials that will save you $2 on any Virgil's or Reed's soda. This obviously means you can save $2 on one of these root beer kegs till July 15th. Also, their Columbia, Maryland store has a decent supply of the kegs. While visiting that store, I walked by where they're located and, they have quite a few (I couldn't guess what the exact number is).
Before you do those 3 steps, you should chill the root beer keg. The keg is small enough to fit inside a refrigerator.
Price wise, this keg could save you money. Wegman's is selling 4 pack 12 ounce bottles of Virgil's root beer for $1 a piece. As each keg has the equivalent of 14 bottles, you'll save $3 on of these kegs. Another plus of these kegs is you have less waste to throw out. Lastly, you can have the amount of root beer you want. Feel like just a smidgen of root beer, no problem with this keg. Like wise if you feel like having an extra large glass of this gourmet root beer.
The root beer itself is very good and prides itself on its fine ingredients that come from all over the world such as vanilla from Madagascar and cinnamon from Ceylon. Also, it uses pure cane sugar vice cheaper corn syrup.
Personally, I found I really enjoyed pulling myself a glass of root beer from the keg. I suspect kids would really enjoy this too. I'd definitely recommend this product. The only problem you may have with this product is finding it. I know Wegman's says it has limited availability i.e. not all their stores offer it (sadly). Happy drinking all!
Update June 7, 2015: the price has gone up on the keg at BJ's for some reason. Now, it costs $12.49. Also, you can buy a keg at their Owings Mills, Maryland store as well as their Columbia, Maryland store. However, you might want to move quickly if you plan to buy one at the Owings Mill store as they only have about 35 to 40 kegs left.
Update July 1, 2015: From July 2 to 15, 2015, BJ's has a coupon in what I consider it's 4th of July specials that will save you $2 on any Virgil's or Reed's soda. This obviously means you can save $2 on one of these root beer kegs till July 15th. Also, their Columbia, Maryland store has a decent supply of the kegs. While visiting that store, I walked by where they're located and, they have quite a few (I couldn't guess what the exact number is).
Sunday, April 05, 2015
Cariloha Bamboo Throw Blanket Review
During my cruises on Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas with my fabulous Aunt Marge and cool Uncle Dave this past January/February, I made it a point to stop at the Nassau, Bahamas and Key West, Florida Cariloha stores. I really like their bamboo products even though they do tend to be more expensive then conventional ones. While visiting their Nassau store, I discovered that Cariloha had come out with a bamboo blanket. The blanket is made of 50% bamboo fiber and 50% polyester. Like all of their bamboo products, the blankets are incredibly soft. As I needed an extra blanket to keep me warm during the past winter months, I decided to get one.
The blankets come in 3 colors: harbor gray, sand and ocean blue. As blue tends to be my favorite color, I went with the ocean blue. Price wise, the blankets sold for $125 at the stores though I found out you can buy them $119 on their website www.cariloha.com/bed-bath/bedding.html. The blankets measure 50" by 70". Please note there is a difference between these blankets and their bamboo knit throw blankets. Their knit throw blankets aren't as plush though they are cheaper ($89 on their website).
After trying out my blanket, I can certify that it should keep you warm on cold nights. I do think they are a little more expensive then other blankets but, I they're worth it. They are incredibly soft and come in some very nice colors. Plus, bamboo is supposedly good for the environment. Lastly, I do like Cariloha. If you're in the market for a new blanket, this is one you might want to give a look at. They are really nice.
The blankets come in 3 colors: harbor gray, sand and ocean blue. As blue tends to be my favorite color, I went with the ocean blue. Price wise, the blankets sold for $125 at the stores though I found out you can buy them $119 on their website www.cariloha.com/bed-bath/bedding.html. The blankets measure 50" by 70". Please note there is a difference between these blankets and their bamboo knit throw blankets. Their knit throw blankets aren't as plush though they are cheaper ($89 on their website).
After trying out my blanket, I can certify that it should keep you warm on cold nights. I do think they are a little more expensive then other blankets but, I they're worth it. They are incredibly soft and come in some very nice colors. Plus, bamboo is supposedly good for the environment. Lastly, I do like Cariloha. If you're in the market for a new blanket, this is one you might want to give a look at. They are really nice.
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