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News from the Grocery

by Robin Skyler

Meanwhile, Over in HaBA

We’ve picked up a new line of homeopathic treatments by German company Heel-BHI. There’s a lot there, but notable highlights include Traumeel, a well-regarded remedy for sports injuries, arthritis, and assorted aches and pains, and Euphorbium Sinus Relief, baby-safe (and not addictive as so many nasal sprays are). From LaneLabs come a series of supplements: H2Go for staying regular, Fertil Male for male fertility, and Nature’s Lining for maintaining a healthy stomach lining. (Actually, Nature’s Lining isn’t a supplement exactly; you wouldn’t just take it every day. But it’s not the sort of quick fix that an antacid is, either.)

Carb Intercept by Natrol is made from an extract of white kidney beans; the idea is that it inhibits the enzyme that converts the carbs to glucose, and so reduces the rate at which they get stored away as fat — not a substitute for cutting down some, obviously. And Nutiva’s Organic Hemp Protein Powder isn’t just exactly new, but it is 37% protein, and we figure that deserves a mention.

From End to End

Not to wade into the old debate about cloth vs. disposable diapers, Tushies disposables are surely more environmentally responsible (and safer for the baby) than your average disposable — and, of course, they prove that alternative products can have even more mortifying names than mainstream ones.

As usual, there are new snacks about: Save the Forest organic trail mix bars by New England Natural Bakers (no wheat, no dairy), Think Thin by Prime Health, and Organic Food Bar (vegan and kosher). R.W. Knudsen’s Just Pomegranate juice is exactly that: It isn’t cut with grape or apple juice as bottled juices often are — flavorful and unapologetically tart. Pom pomegranate juices, on the other hand, are gleefully blended with a wide range of other juices: Pomegranate and Blueberry, Pomegranate and Mango, Pomegranate and Cherry, and so on. And Road’s End Organics Gravy Mix (Golden, Shittake Mushroom, Savory Herb) are fat free and vegan — by the makers of "chreese," you know.

Exit, Stage Left

From Sweden comes D’Arbo’s Wild Lingonberry Sauce, a classic Scandinavian sauce, good with crepes, game, and fowl from chicken to pheasant (and plenty else, surely — experiment). Marzipan by Odense is a pure almond paste, a standby winter food. The usual Sicilian supplier is out of reach for a little while, so see what you think of this.

Yes, there are new cheeses: Bleu D’Auvergne doesn’t have such a bite as some other French blue cheeses do, and so makes a good bet for blue cheese beginners, unlike last month’s Saint Agur. From Jumilla comes a Drunken Goat cheese, immersed in wine for a nice, mellow fruity taste. This Spanish cheese, from De Murcia outside Catalan, bears the coveted distinction of the Denominacion de Origon — and if you’ve never heard of that before (I hadn’t), what it means is basically that you’ll like it too. (I certainly did.)

And perhaps this month’s tastiest new addition: La Regina San Marzano tomatoes, a world-class tomato grown (literally) in the ashes of Vesuvius. Beware, though: "They’ll ruin you for other canned tomatoes."

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