Anatomy of a Grocery Trip: Limbo

I'm still coming down from the high of being in the front row for Alicia Silverstone's talk about her book, The Kind Diet, last night at Powell's. So, if I start chanting about the beauty of kale in this post, you know why.

A trip for spices & tea.

This past weekend, I hit up Limbo for bulk spices, tea and a couple other goodies. It had been far too long. They usually have crazy deals on $1 produce bags ready for smoothies and juicing, and random vegetables, like 2 bell peppers for a $1, and of course, local and organic produce, but I was all set at home so I stuck to bulk shopping. I tend to go there more regularly come late fall and winter in Portland - tea weather!

Their selection of bulk herbs and tea is massive. If you're in Portland and and appreciate buying in bulk, and having a huge variety of chili powders to choose from, you must go.

My teas included herbal chai, blackberry black and a citrus based dental health herbal tea.

I am constantly drinking tea at work in my Bodum teapot, there's a pot of the blackberry by my side as I type this.

Garlic is $3.49/lb at Limbo, so I grab many. The tiny lemons were 10 cents a piece, and being out of organic lemon juice at home, I went for five.

Spices: The return of smoked paprika into my life. If you read What the hell does a vegan eat anyway? you know it rules. I was on a huge roasted potatoes with smoked paprika kick a few years ago, myself, I couldn't make them enough! Cumin - it took me a few years to realize this, but I dig it. Coriander - I plan on baking falafel soon. Paprika & Ginger - of course. I like to keep fresh ginger at home, but powdered comes in handy. And last, but not least - Ancho Chili powder. It's superb and used in a few of Isa Chandra Moskowitz's recipes. I've already used it in a cheezy sauce this week and I want to bake kale chips dusted with it!

Anantomy of a Grocery Trip: Penzey's Spices

First off, thanks for the all shoe feedback!

Because I have a rule that Julie Hasson must be mentioned on my blog at least once every other week, I should get it out of the way that I've wanted to visit Penzey's Spices since she mentioned it recently. (sorry about the big picture of the ham! warning!)
Fortunately, I had an opportunity to go with my friends last weekend via vehicle since it's not quite in Portland itself, and joined in on the spice party.

I usually buy my spices in bulk (Limbo, People's Coop, New Season's) and it was a fun change to buy in jars and bags.

I spent approximately $15, and walked out with the folllowing:

• whole Nutmeg
• Indian 'Very Hot' Crushed Red Pepper
• Zatar
• Indonesian Korintje Cassia Cinnamon
• Indonesian White Pepper
• and Jerk Chicken & Fish Spice (for my sister)

I've actually divided my goods and have a package going out to my sister tomorrow. A way to justify the fun spending!

There were 4 different types of freaking cinnamon! I have Vietnamese Cinnamon at home already and happily picked up the Indonesian after smelling them all.

My friends being all spicy.

Jealous? You can easily purchase online or go to the store nearest you!