COSTCOSHARE?

Has anybody been going to Costco this summer?

Does anyone have anything to post about on this blog?

Is anyone reading this blog?

I went a couple of days ago. Bought a great little digital camera for $129, some socks & some crackers. That was it.

CHIPS

Rice Works (brand)

Gourmet Brown Rice Crisps

Sea Salt

Whole Grain

Naturally Gluten-free

1/3 less calories than Kettle Chips

My friend, D., told me about these.  I love them!

Sorry no photo....they're gone!

LITTLE CHEESE THINGS

This picture didn't turn out very clear, but you can at least see how they're packaged...

These are little bite-size rounds of goat cheese.  The two flavors come packaged together.

One is garlic, fine herbs & chives.  The other is red pepper, herbs & hot pepper.  

Saveur is the brand.  

$6.99

something a little different for your next cheese tray.  

NUTS

These pecans are great. 

I like them because they're not TOO sweet.  Just right.

Perfect for munching or adding to salads, etc.

$7.29 

1 lb. 14 oz.

YOU MUST....

try the key lime pie.

MEDITERRANEAN PIZZA

Wood-Fired Brick Oven Style Crust

Mediterranean Pizza

Hummus, Mozzarella Cheese, Kasseri Cheese, Garlic, Basil, Zucchini, Spinach, Feta Cheese & Kalamata Olives

3 pizzas/box

$15.99

EGGPLANT STACKS

Baked Eggplant Parmesan Stacks

4 cheeses

pesto

roasted red peppers

slow-roasted tomato sauce

$9.99/pkg. of 3 stacks

Open freezer section 

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED UPGRADING TO AN EXECUTIVE MEMBERSHIP?

I just did it last month, after being asked by one of the managers at the check-out if I was an Executive Card Member (after he saw my VERY LARGE FLAT BED CART filled to the brim with candy/chips/drinks for a school function).  I was a little hesitant to pay the extra yearly fee, but after he explained the benefits, I realized it was worth it....with my Costco shopping history.

check out the link below:

http://www.mymoneyblog.com/archives/2006/11/is-costco-executive-membership-worth-it.html

COOKBOOK

Back to Basics by the Barefoot Contessa.

$19.99

WINE

I bought three bottles of chardonnay.

ZD Chardonnay Reserve  $47.99

Far Niente Chardonnay  $44.99

Newton Chardonnay $39.99

Compared with Spec's prices, these were anywhere from $5-$10/bottle cheaper at Costco.

Happy Summer!

MORE ON MASCARA

After trying the Kirkland brand (see previous post), I decided to try  the Lash Blast brand.

Last Blast (pkg. of 3) for $13.99.  This is thicker & gloppier.  My spell-check doesn't seem to like that word.  

I still like the Kirkland brand better.  

I'M NOT A BIG FAN OF FIBER MUFFINS.....

Except these:  Fiber 1 Muffins.  

In the freezer section.  $7.69.

Just heat in the microwave.

Very tasty.

Hello Hamper

I purchased this really nice round rattan hamper the other day. It has a velcro removeable canvas liner and seems very sturdy. It's hard to find a hamper that looks halfway decent and this one does. I think it was only $39. Now I just have to stop throwing my dirty clothes in the corner of the closet!

TORTILLA CRUSTED TILAPIA/UPDATE

Please see the post below called "FISH, NOT FISHY".  This is really great fish & such a snap to prepare, however I was having a little trouble getting Child #2 to be enthusiastic about dinner when he saw it coming.  Well, thanks to my friend "D", we have this problem solved.  

Here's the deal-maker:

Bake the tilapia per instructions on box.  Cut into bite-sized pieces.  Put into warmed tortillas & top with some cole slaw (i bought the cole slaw bag mix & added Marie Callender's Cole Slaw dressing), add a little sliced avocado on top & drizzle with a little chipotle sauce (i used a bottle of Chipotle Aioli i got at Central Market).  It was really good & Child #2 loved it & asked for a 2nd!

A DAY WITHOUT CHOCOLATE....

is not good!

These are great!  Gavottes...Belgium little crispy crepe "biscuits" covered with milk and dark chocolate.  They come in a white tin in the packaged-cookie aisle.  I won't tell how many I ate on the way home.  

Tip:  These need to be packed in your car somewhere cool (maybe next to your frozen items), as they were melting quickly.  

DIP DIP DIP DIP

Mediterranean Dip made by Santa Barbara Bay Co.

Roasted Red Peppers, Parmesan & Olives in a cream cheese based dip.

This would be so good on a toasted baguette & run under the broiler till bubbly.

It comes in a plastic tub.  $7.99

SHRIMP KABOBS

In the seafood open freezer case:  Garlic & Herb Marinated Shrimp Kabobs.  8 servings.

4 large shrimp with onions & peppers on each skewer.  $18.59

UP YOUR CHEESE INTAKE!

P'tit Basque:

$17.99 for a large round piece.

Also, the Halloumi cheese is fantastic.  I need to find the info on this....

you can cook it on a grill pan.  AWESOME!  you can bread it with a little seasoned breadcrumbs & then cook on lightly oiled grill pan.  Yes.  

Can be cooked on grill outside, too.

Drizzle with a little lemon juice, olive oil & sprinkle with a little salt & pepper.  

Would be great served in a salad.  Yes.  

I'm just sayin'.....

FISH, NOT FISHY

The tortilla-crusted tilapia is really good.  I will buy this again.  Comes in the frozen section. Bake in oven for 10-12 minutes.  

try it.  you'll like it.

YOU KNOW SOMETHING IS GOOD IF.....

Your family asks you to buy it again!

THE LETTUCE WRAPS.  

(you can find more info about these in a previous post.....Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

MASCARA

I've been a little hesitant to try any of the Kirkland Brand makeup.  I got the Kirkland Mascara & I really like it.  I tend to be a little sensitive to eye makeup/products & I've been using this for over a week/no problems!  2 tubes for $14.  

FEEDBACK??????????????????????????????????

We're always looking for feedback on our Costcoshare blog.  

ALL READERS are welcome to comment on any of the posts.

Click on the bottom of any post where you see 0 comments & it will allow you to comment.

You may choose to be anonymous or leave your name.

SUGGESTIONS.

COMMENTS.

ANYTHING.

Thanks for any input you'd like to share!

YOU REALLY SHOULD....

Try the self-checkout aisle if you haven't already.  

I'm just saying....

sometimes the folks that are checking you out get a little distracted talking to their co-workers or whatever.  

AND there is someone there to help you with the big bulky items that you can't lift to scan.

THIS IS SO MUCH FASTER, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S A BUSY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SMOOTHIE UPDATE

Child #2 has given a thumbs up on the Yoplait Frozen Smoothies.  Had to add more than 1 cup of milk to get the right consistency.  This will be a great breakfast on-the-go for C2.  No time for sitting down at the table for the first meal of the day.  Need to get breakfast tray installed in car....

like in this Rolls Royce Silver Cloud! 

SOMEBODY HELP!

I've had several people recommend the Lime Cilantro Shrimp.  Well what's up?? I look for it every time I go, and it's never there.  When I ask the guy (behind the counter), he says "it wasn't on our list of items to make today".  I ask, "is there a particular day I have to come?".  He says, "no...we never know when we're going to make it."  

"Bunny" said that you can ASK them to make it up for you while you're there.  I tried asking.  That didn't work, either.  

Now what?

OH ME!

Just tried the Handy/Panko Crusted Soft-Shell Crabs*.  Yes, they are AWESOME!  Sauteed them in a little oil just like "What's Cooking" mentioned.  Served them on toasted buns, with shredded lettuce, tomato, avocado & the Jalapeno Cheese dip/spread (costco).  

Woo hoo!  The Significant Other said he couldn't remember the last time I served a fried food for dinner.  This was worth it!

*see previous posts for more info 

Blackbean burger

So yummy by Morning star..Chipotle black bean burger. Lots of protein and low in fat! Also try the crabmeat in the can by blue star. Great for making crabmeat nacho's or topping baked fish with.

SALAD/HUMMUS

Cracked Wheatberry Salad.

Made by Pita Pals.

This comes in a plastic tub container in the deli section (next to the dips).

Make sure you give it a stir before serving.

Very tasty.

Even better with some crumbled feta or goat cheese mixed in.  

Of course.

A little Sabra hummus (also in the same section)  & pita bread on the side.  

Yes, very good.

BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER

IN THE FROZEN SECTION:

Yoplait Frozen Smoothies.  A bag of individual pkgs. of frozen strawberries, raspberries & blueberries & balls of frozen yogurt.  Open a bag of this & put in the blender with 1 cup of milk or soy milk.  Makes 1 big or 2 small smoothies.  $9.89/bag of 5 pouches

OPEN FREEZER CASE:

The panko crusted soft-shell crabs are back.  The brand name is Handy.  "What's Cooking" has a previous post about these!  

OPEN REFRIGERATED CASE:

Stuffed Manicotti/Spinach & Cheese....brand is Frankly Fresh.  Serves 5.  $10.75

Lettuce Wraps/includes fully cooked chicken, sauce, rice noodles & lettuce.  Makes 12 appetizer portions of 8 large portions.  75 calories/wrap.  These are good and easy.  $11.99

CHEESE:

Belle Chevre goat cheese.  This comes in a small jar marinated in olive oil.  Some great recipes at BelleChevre.com!!!  $8.99

BREAD:

mini cinnamon rolls  $6.99.  2-bite size.  

Also, there were some big cinnamon muffins with a big mound of white icing on top.  These looked gooey & fantastic & were being swiped up by everyone around me.  

Both of these were on the back wall next to loaves of bread & rolls.

WINE:

I bought a bottle of Wallace (???)....it was a red wine, and sorry i don't remember the specific type.  I'm choosing to forget!  IT WAS TERRIBLE.  $18 or $19 and we had to pour it down the drain.  Grrr.  

Try the already prepared hamburger patties. They are the BEST tasting burgers I've ever had. I'm not a big burger fan, but these are fab. The burgers are fresh and in the ground meat section. They’re packed 12 to a pack. They have holes in the center of each patty. They’re really thick so we kind of smash them down before we put them on the grill. They're so tasty that we only season w/a little s&p. Happy eating!