My Favorite Things 2014 Edition

I think I usually end the year with one of these posts. I guess we can call it a tradition. So here you go . . . Stuff I've been hooked on this year:


I'm basically addicted to this stuff.  And yes, the Supremely Spicy version. I've always liked hummus, but most brands have no flavor (in my opinion). This brand combines just the right texture with flavor, and adds in some red hot chili peppers to the mix. Especially good with Tostito's Multigrain Tortilla Chips.


When nothing else is on, I can always count on this.  If you're not familiar, it's a competition show where they pit four chefs against each other, having to cook with a basket of weird ingredients. My favorite episodes are the ones involving kid chefs or lunch ladies. This is actually the only Food Network show I can stand. For some reason, I really dislike most their 'celebrity' chefs . . . Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, Robert Irvine, Alton Brown, Giada Di Laurentis?  Just annoying! I'm okay with most of the judges on this show, with the exception of that a**hole, Scott Conant.

Okay, I realize this is for college kids, but the YikYakApp on Twitter is hilarious! If you want to reminisce about finals week, start following it right now!


Who wouldn't like candy that is marketed as health food?  I loved bridge mix as a kid (hard to find these days), so this fits the bill for me.  Dark chocolate outside, chewy, fruity centers.  I hide mine behind my recipe box in the cupboard.


I discovered this clothing brand this year, thanks to my new son-in-law, and I love it. 100% cotton shirts, great colors, cute logos and designs. Plus, I love their backstory and the fact that they donate 10% of their profits to kids.



Comments

  1. CraigDecember 9, 2014 at 8:34 PM

    Mmmmmmm. . . hummus. . . I love the Supremely Spicy; also the Roasted Garlic (but Jenn insists that, if I have some, she has to have some, too; can't have garlic-breath asymmetry. . .)

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    1. BijouxDecember 10, 2014 at 12:39 AM

      Isn't the Supremely Spicy the best stuff ever?

      Delete
  2. RonDecember 9, 2014 at 10:07 PM

    OMG...you know how much I LOVE hummus and yes, I have eaten the brand you mentioned here and LOVE it! I like especially like the creamy consistency of that brand.

    "Especially good with Tostito's Multigrain Tortilla Chips."

    Yes! Yes! Yes! The best!

    " Dark chocolate outside, chewy, fruity centers."

    WOW...I would love those! I will look for them in the grocery store sometime this week.

    Thanks for sharing your favorites, my friend!

    X



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    1. BijouxDecember 10, 2014 at 12:42 AM

      Yes! It is the creaminess of Sabra that makes it so good. Be prepared to drop some dollars on the Brookside. It ain't cheap, but the bag does last me a while, if I ration myself...LOL

      Delete
  3. bettyDecember 10, 2014 at 12:17 AM

    I never got into hummus; nothing wrong with it, like it when I have it, but never think about buying it.

    I too like Chopped; always interesting to guess who will be the one chopped per round.

    I haven't heard of that clothing company, but I like the idea of giving money to worthy causes!

    betty

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    1. BijouxDecember 10, 2014 at 12:44 AM

      I like to see the creativity on Chopped, but I would never eat half the stuff that appears in those baskets.

      Delete
  4. nickDecember 10, 2014 at 7:06 AM

    As a Brit, none of these mean anything to me. But I love hummus, I don't find it at all flavourless. I don't think I'd like a super-spicy version of it.

    My favourite things of 2014 are mainly authors. I discovered Meg Wolitzer and A M Homes and have now read most of their books. Very enjoyable.

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    1. BijouxDecember 10, 2014 at 10:11 AM

      Wolitzer? Did you discover her through me? I believe I did a post on The Interestings last year? Love her books! I recently read her young adult book, Belzhar, and enjoyed it.

      Delete
    2. nickDecember 10, 2014 at 11:19 AM

      That might have been an influence, but I read a lot of really good reviews of The Interestings and I enjoyed it and headed straight for her back-list. She really gets under the skin of her characters. I was a bit disappointed by Belzhar, as you say it's for young adults and it was just a bit too whimsical for my taste.

      Delete
    3. BijouxDecember 10, 2014 at 1:04 PM

      I agree, Nick, GREAT characterization.

      Delete
  5. AnonymousDecember 10, 2014 at 10:18 AM

    I buy the exact same hummus. Do you mix yours up? Because I tend to eat it by the spoonful just for a snack and I avoid the middle part. Stupid, because I like spicy things.

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    1. BijouxDecember 10, 2014 at 1:06 PM

      It would probably be smart to mix it up, but since I'm the only one who eats it here, I just dip directly into the container and try to get a little spice with each dip.

      Delete
  6. Stephanie FarisDecember 10, 2014 at 4:01 PM

    My husband bought some chocolate-covered pomegranates one night at the convenience store down the road. They were yummy!!!

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  7. AnonymousDecember 10, 2014 at 4:09 PM

    hummus? have never caught the appeal for that but chocolate covered whatever works. or just chocolate covered chocolate .....

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    1. BijouxDecember 10, 2014 at 5:04 PM

      Maybe you need to try the Sabra Supremely Spicy because it is delicious!

      Delete
    2. AnonymousDecember 11, 2014 at 4:41 PM

      Maybe. Does the spice mask the glop flavor of the base? ;-)

      Delete
  8. Rob KDecember 10, 2014 at 8:54 PM

    Hey, I haven't had hummus in a long time. Thanks for the reminder, Bijoux! I've heard of Chopped, but YikYap, bridge mix, and Life is Good are all new to me. Now it's time for some investigating...

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  9. AnonymousDecember 10, 2014 at 9:10 PM

    I'm going to read more about the 'life is good' clothing.....sounds a bit like 'patagonia' which I love.

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    1. BijouxDecember 11, 2014 at 6:55 AM

      They are similar, but Life Is Good has better prices.

      Delete
  10. shaeleenDecember 12, 2014 at 9:13 AM

    Chopped is one of those shows that I keep meaning to watch and never get around to it. I need to move it up my list for sure!

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    1. BijouxDecember 12, 2014 at 11:13 AM

      I think you would enjoy it since you've been posting recipes lately!

      Delete
  11. Secret Agent WomanDecember 14, 2014 at 7:56 PM

    I didn't know several of these, and don't do Twitter or TV. But I did have some good artichoke hummus this weekend. I like the chocolate covered fruit things and buy them frequently.

    I have several life is good clothing items I like. My only complaint is that most of their t-shirts and long-sleeved shirts are in a bulky cut I hate. But when I see one of their shirts in a more fitted cut, I'll grab it.

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    1. BijouxDecember 14, 2014 at 9:44 PM

      I know exactly what you mean about the bulky cut. I always try it on to make sure it's fitted, because it's hard to tell just by looking, at least for me. I've had edamame hummus, but not artichoke. I will have to check that out.

      Delete
  12. Mark PetruskaDecember 15, 2014 at 4:30 PM

    I'm hooked on "Chopped," too! I don't mind Scott Conant, but he's gotta do something about his hair - it's getting waaaay out of control!

    There's a certain local brand of garlic and black olive hummus that I'm addicted to around here. I love hummus - it's one of those things you can feel pretty good about eating!

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    1. BijouxDecember 15, 2014 at 4:35 PM

      I would love garlic and black olive anything!

      But that Scott Conant guy is way too arrogant!

      Delete
  13. KatDecember 16, 2014 at 10:32 PM

    You have given me 5 new things to try. I haven't had or seen any of these!

    ReplyDelete

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