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News from the Groceryby Robin Skyler Year’s End Odds and Ends Every month, it seems we carry something else by Earth Friendly, which is fine by me. The latest additions are Wave, a gel detergent for automatic dishwashers, and the self-explanatory Laundry Pre-Wash, both true to the usual obsessive standard of environmental consciousness. Of course there’s food, too. Rice Sembei Snacks by Masuya are here, in four flavors: Original, Sundried Tomatoes & Cheese, Tamari, and Dijon Mustard. No wheat or gluten in these baked-not-fried traditional Japanese snacks. Suzie’s breadsticks and flatbreads are each available in either spelt or kamut. Use dairy in any form you like: We now carry evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk, both by Santini. On the gourmet end, cheese conoisseurs should note the new Caciotta Tartufo by Bincetta — and Italian sheep cheese with black truffles. While you’re in that neighborhood, you’ll notice that a Portuguese Wild Lavender Honey by Da Morgada, and Rose Flower Water and Orange Flower Water by G. Monteux, are also new offerings. And just in time for holiday entertaining, we’ve got a lovely Cabecou Feuille, a peppered goat cheese macerated in plum brandy, which comes wrapped in a pair of European beech leaves that unfold for a tasteful presentation. Served cool, it still warms your mouth because of the plum brandy. Season’s Eatings It’s not only the cheese section that’s ready for seasonal festivities. You’ll find Farmer’s Market Organic Pumpkin, capital for pies, and Organic Sweet Potato Purée. Simply Organic offers its Gravy Mix and Wild Mushroom Sauce. And we’ve got eggnog — organic eggnog by Organic Valley, and Silk Nog (free of both eggs and nogs!) by White Wave. Meanwhile Jim’s Organic Coffee, shade grown and fairly traded and all, gives 10 percent of profits from its Holiday Blend to a children’s literacy program in Latin America. You’ll find that coffee right next to three holiday teas from Celestial Seasonings: Nutcracker Sweet, Gingerbread Spice, and Sugar Plum Spice. Toys for Us! And right next to that, of course, is the toy section. Definitely worth a look; it’s quite a relief from the toys you see in most places at this point in history. A goodly array of toy kitchenware and tools, a number of musical instruments, lots of puzzles and various blocks. Dolls and stuffed animals. Butterfly nets. Rubber balls that double as world maps. (Some of them still show Yugoslavia… but it’s a start.) And very little of all this is made of flimsy plastic. Basically it’s a collection of toys — but generally a little more educational, more durable — and happily, there’s not a single miniature weapon in sight. |
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