Product Placement Wednesday - Trader Joe's Strawberry Pops

Back in June, I shared my love for Trader Joe's Peach Pops. Clearly they must have been a popular item as many of you have found my blog in your quest to learn more! Well our friends at Trader Joe's have done it again and this time they are strawberry! Let me introduce - Strawberry Pops!

As with the Peach Pops, these Strawberry Pops look like Otter Pops but made with fresh fruit not artificial colors and flavors. I find that they do not freeze as solid as the peach variety but are delicious nevertheless. Again, this is a low calorie treat with each pop containing a mere 50 calories! It is a hot day in LA and I may have already eaten two to help keep cool. No guilt though!

I suggested using the Peach Pops on top of ice cream or yogurt and I think the Strawberry Pops would be equally as good served those ways too.

While Trader Joe's does not necessarily specialize in "health food" (see Powerberries), this is a treat that you can feel good about enjoying and is perfect for kids too.

Iron Chef West Hollywood, Part 1

So first of all, I must apologize for the week plus of radio silence! New job = reduced blogging time. Good for me, bad for you. Not to worry, I plan to make time for all of you as I have so many "recipes" to share!

This is the first in a series I am calling "Iron Chef West Hollywood" because the meals are essentially made from ingredients in my pantry and random additions by my friend Katie. I posted a recipe for Fresh Vegetable Pasta last month which was the precursor to this new series. Please note that these recipes more than ever will be less specific with proportions but I promise to do my best to give you as much accuracy as possible!

Apple & Leek Pasta

1 1/2 cup frozen leeks (or fresh leeks if you desire)

1/2 golden delicious apple, diced

2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped

whole wheat pasta (2 servings - we went light on the pasta)

garlic olive oil

olive oil

shaved parmesan cheese

sea salt

1. Cook pasta according to directions.

2. Saute leeks in a little olive oil until slightly browned.

3. Top pasta with leeks and apple.

4. Drizzle with garlic olive oil.

5. Top with parmesan, mint and sea salt to taste.

Serves 2

Product Placement Wednesday - Trader Joe's Peach Pops

First I know I need to apologize to my readers not in close proximity to a Trader Joe's. I'm sorry I continually tease you with products unavailable to you. I highly suggest that you utilize their handy store locater before you make any trips outside of your area in order to assist you in stocking up on the amazing items they offer. Really the best thing to do is to start writing Trader Joe's and requesting they open a new store in your neighborhood!

Back to this week's product! I love summer for so many reasons - one of which is that it's stone fruit season. Peaches, plums, crazy hybrids, etc are all readily available. My beloved Trader Joe's has just released a new delicious product that will allow you to combine those delicious peaches with a cooling summer treat - Peach Pops!

Peach Pops look similar to that summer favorite - Otter Pops. However, instead of being made out of sugar, water, food coloring & artificial flavor they are made from real fruit with no added sugar as well as no artificial flavor or color. When they say real fruit they mean it - these pops are basically chunks of fresh frozen peaches. At only 45 calories a pop, they are a great treat anytime!

If you are lucky enough to have a giant freezer in which to hoard food, I would suggest stocking up for the dark months of the year with peaches are scarce. Even though they are "pops" they can easily be enjoyed during the cooler months of the year. If slightly thawed out, these pops would also make a great topping for yogurt, ice cream or even oatmeal.