Another Trader Joe's Temptation....

But this one is actually good for you! Do you like chocolate? Do you like tea? Do you like sweet indulgences that cost not one calorie? Well, get this....

Trader Joe's has naturally decaffinated Chocolate Flavored Tea! Its a wonder of modern science, I tells ya!

Divine Drinking in a box.

Its my favorite way to unwind, guilt-free. A great after dinner drink, midday pick up, or first-thing-in-the-morning-chocolate-fix. How does it work, you ask?

Dana's Delicious Mix:
1. Brew up a cup using the easy, single-serving teabag
2. Let it steep for about 3-5 minutes
3. Add a little sweetener (I prefer Splenda)
4. Add a little creaminess (I prefer organic unsweetened soymilk)
5. Put your feet up and enjoy!

*BONUS TIP: If you shake up your cream-of-choice before putting it into the tea, it creates a froth reminiscent of fancy coffeehouse milkfoam. (milkfoam is kind of a creepy word to type, now that I've done it.)

It's perfect because its not overbearingly chocolatey. More like a delicate tickle on your tongue, combined with subtle hints of vanilla and creme caramel. Its a very sophisticated blend of flavors which can be enjoyed just like coffee - black, sweetened, creamed, or all three ways! And indeed, it has nary a caloric gram to it.

Find it in your local Trader Joe's tea aisle. You'll be happy you did.

Dairy-free baked goods (not an oxymoron)

Dana here. I recently underwent an experimental phase whereby I avoided dairy (my coveted dairy!) for 1 month, to see how my body reacted. I'll spare you the details of my sinus issues, but I had reason to believe that dairy was a culprit. It was surprisingly easier than I thought. Especially due to my discovery of Vegan Oatmeal-Chocolate Chip cookies!

Now, you can get these delicious babies two ways:
1. Find Uncle Eddie's brand cookies at your local grocer, or...
2. Go to Trader Joes and get their privately branded version for $1 less.
Same cookies, different prices.

These magnificent morsels come in an unassuming paper sack, and I swear to you - if you didn't know these were vegan, you'd never guess. In fact, I plied some of my best, vegan-fearing friends with them (under the cover of a normal cookie) and only after their eyes lit up and they licked the final crumbs from their hands in delight, did I tell them "that shit was vegan, yo!" No one guessed, everyone was shocked, and I've definitely created some converts in cookieville.

What makes them so good? Well, let me count the ways.
1. They are infinitely better for you. No hydrogenated fats, no refined sugars, no artificial ingredients, high in fiber. But that's really not the point is it?
2. They are the perfect (and I mean perfect) blend of not-too-sweet and hint-o-salty. They are chewy with delicate injections of creamy chocolate chips. They are big enough to feel like you're actually treating yourself, but small enough that it doesn't feel like an overindulgence.

But be warned: Every single time Hunter and I buy these cookies, we finish the whole bag in one day. They are addictive substances. But, really, compared to chips ahoy - this is the way to binge! And even now that I eat dairy (though much less than I used to) these are still my preferred cookie, hands down.

They also come in a regular chocolate chip variety (Hunter's favorite) and a Trail Mix blend (no chocolate here, folks).

Try it. You'll like it! If you don't, you know Trader Joe's will take them back (even after opened and tasted). That's what makes them such a great store. But I'll save that for another posting....

Enjoy!