Stevia

Thank you to Megan (Phenomenal Female), I never forgot that she told me long ago how good Stevia is as a sugar substitue. While at Trader Joe's on Saturday, I saw they had it in the baking aisle under the Trader Joe's packaging, so I picked up the box that has 100 individual packages in it. I found it interesting that it said "dietary supplement" on it vs. "sugar subsitute" or something of that nature. But I bought it because Megan told me it was good. Well, man oh man was she right! I have certainly gotten used to the Splenda and other SF sweetener tastes over the years, but I have got to be honest, never really liked it. LOL! Well, this stuff was like real sugar. It was actually almost a little too sweet for me, so I may use just a 1/2 packet in my tea next time. So, in case you're interested to learn more on this product, it is available at most local health stores and organic grocery stores from what I have seen. On the web, you can check out www.stevia.net which has an interesting piece of info on the first page. Here's Wikipedia's explanation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevia and it even comes in flavors from makers like SweetLeaf, see http://www.stevia.com/ for more info. Thanks again for all your sharing of info on the "way back when" Megan! Awesome product IMO.

I still haven't tried that!  Gonna have to now!  Speaking of Megan, where is she.......she is such a wonderful person as are you Miss Diamond

Howdy Amy ~ I had seen that on the self and was trying to decided to purchase or not...  I think it will have to go on the list..  Thanks for the tip..!!

And you lucky duck, I bet you get a discount, eh?! LOL I think I need to open one in Blaine! The one in Maple Grove is just NUTS every time I go there. How about your store in Woodbury?

Saturdays are generally the NUTTIEST days...  Everyone is out and about.  Maple Grove TJ's wasnt too bad when I stopped in..  YES... Woodbury is always crazy on Saturdays.  The best days to go, if you are able are Mon, Tues & Wednesday..  Adding to the CRAZINESS is the fact that the flyer came out a few weeks ago and lots of new stuff to check out.. Yep..  get that 10% which is nice..

So there are no potentially uncomfortable side-effects?  I may have to try this stuff, too!  I don't MIND Splenda, but there is a distinct taste to it.   Can you believe I didn't even get to TJ's on Saturday?  sheesh...  Guess I'll have to make a special trip!  seeds, stevia, yogurt, frozen black raspberries..... MMMM!!!   I bet that stevia will sweeten up the greek yogurt with berries REAL GOOD!!!  (I LOVE that stuff!!!)

Ok.... So,I went into Trader Joe's once about a month ago and came out empty.  I was overwhelmed with the people and the variety of stuff I'd never seen before.  I know there is a high protein greek yogurt and now the sweetner.  What other tidbits should I look for next time?  Maybe I will try Sat morning early. Bonnie

Ohhhhh...I love TJ's & I know it's nuts in there, but I even kind of like that as nutty as that sounds. Well, first off, I always head to the back corner to sample the juice and whatever else they're cooking that day. Then I don't shop hungry. Here's my staple list (you may have to adjust a few items...I've got kids & a husband, so this is not necessarily WLS friendly). *TJ's light string cheese *Sushi (if they have the kind I like) *Hummus *Mirepoix (sp?) - basically it's onion, celery & carrots all chopped up and in a plastic container, I use it in turkey barley soup that I make *Savory crackers (we like the bite size kind, sort of taste like Corn Nuts) *Sunflower seeds *Honey sesame cashews *Chicken broth (comes in a carton) *Just Chicken, grilled (frozen section) *Fage Total yogurt *Kashi bars and/or Luna bars (Luna bars are $0.99 at TJ's and usually about 50 cents more elsewhere) *Glycerin Hand Soap *Soy Crisps, white cheddar is our fave - good protein count in them, too *Edamame (frozen section, these are soybeans and I buy the shelled, salted kind) *Chicken Tacos (frozen section, little mini tacos - kids love them because they're not too spicy) *Mango slices (comes in a glass jar in the canned veggie & fruit aisle) ...and whatever fresh fruits & veggies look good that day; I also have bought their grilled meatballs in the frozen section and other various meats - everything has been very good. ......and plenty of other things - LOL!

Amy, tell me about edamame.  I never heard of the stuff before I got on OH - and it ALWAYS makes me think of Dame Edna!!!  How do you prepare/eat it???