In awe of the bounty
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John
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I still remember the first time I stepped into Costco with adult eyes. The bounty. The sheer volume of stuff. Rows and rows of items that reach from the ground to the high heavens. The excess brings my heart so much joy. Families and friends walking down each row examining the new items and each others’ carts. Costco is truly an amazing place.

It is this time of the year that I try my best to remind myself of the privileges that I have been given – being born in the U.S., access to public education, and in relatively good health. Although Costco can be a place of sheer gluttony and the pinnacle of consumerism, I believe that it can also be used for good. Got a spare roll or two of TP? Picked up an extra chicken? Got a spare croissant…or 10?

When buying in bulk, especially during this time of thanks and giving, I encourage myself and everyone that lends their eyeballs to this post to think about your family and neighbors. If you’re going on a run anyways, could your neighbor with the newborn use some extra diapers? Could you split your frozen chicken breast with the bodybuilder down the hall? God knows that you can’t or shouldn’t eat the pumpkin pie all by yourself.

So with all the gratitude and love in my heart, I am thankful to you readers, my family, friends, and Costco this Thanksgiving season. Check in on those around you and I wish you all a wonderful, safe, and bountiful Thanksgiving.

Cheers,

Matt

Baby Bok Choy. No deal.
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John
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If you’re an avid vegetable consumer and you enjoy subzero temperatures, you may find yourself often perusing inside the massive refrigerator unit that houses mushrooms, peppers, cucumbers, and so on. If you’re also like me and enjoy the occasional veggie stir fry, you may have found these plastic containers of Baby Bok Choy. Here’s the secret, this is NOT a good deal.

At my local Costco, 2 pounds of Baby Bok Choy can range from $8-$10. As a lover of all things Costco, I must confess that you will find MUCH better deals at your local Asian/Chinese grocery stores. Commonly known as “Siu Tong Choy” (Cantonese/Chinese), these bad boys can usually be found for $2-$3 a pound and are usually in much better condition. You’re paying an extra $2-$3 for the plastic box! If you can survive the frigid temperatures of a Costco walk-in fridge, then I have full confidence that you will be fine navigating an Asian grocery store. Just remember to smile, be polite, buy a stainless steel Chinese Chef Knife (“Choy Doh”/Translation: Vegetable Knife), and have confidence.

Like most suggestions, your mileage may vary, but I do believe that this is one vegetable that you can easily skip the next time you visit our favorite warehouse store! Good luck!

Food Review: Kirkland Signature Extra Crispy French Fries, 5 lbs
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John
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The First Bite

A crisp shell gives way to a soft, velvety potato texture that makes one toes curl. Whether you like it extra salted or with a kick of spice, these fries can be served as is or with your favorite seasonings!

What Makes It Special

Most frozen fries I’ve tried in the past are still too soggy or lack the seasoning after being frozen for an undisclosed amount of time. These ones are crispy and snack-worthy right outta the bag!

The Downside

Like most Costco items, this is a BIG bag of fries. Unless you’re feeding a family or just me, this bag will take a lot of valuable freezer space. So eat quickly or invest in a deep freezer!

The Verdict

Worth the hype! Since the days of the polish dog and churros, I’ve been a lover of french fries! I’ve tried frozen fries from Safeway, Trader Joe’s, and other big box chains but the Kirkland frozen fries reign supreme. The simplicity of using an air fryer and the reasonable cook time makes this a worthwhile household staple.

Costco: After Dark
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John
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The bane to all of Costco lovers’ existences is the weekend morning rush. We’ve all been there. Jammed parking lots. Pedestrians constantly weaving in and out of blind spots. A mad dash for eggs. People lining up before the gates even open! The weekend morning chaos is like Thanos – inevitable.

What if I told you that this chaos could be avoided. Let me set the scene. Earlier this month, due to a jam packed weekend schedule, I had to opt for an evening weekday run to our favorite warehouse store. To my surprise, it was such a pleasant experience. The parking lot had an abundance of parking spaces. The food court line was manageable. I could glide through each aisle at my own leisure and not feel rushed by strangers I was subconsciously racing during the weekend. To cap it off, someone decided to play the piano and I heard a few other Costco-goers collectively hum the tune of Richard Marx’s “Right Here Waiting”.

So…if you haven’t given it a shot. Try going to Costco: After Dark.

p.s. The downside is that certain items like eggs and other produce may be out of stock if you decide to wait till the later hours. You’ve been warned!

Ode to Polish (hot dog)
polish hot dog
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John
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Listen up children to the tale of old
Passed down from generations a long time ago
To enter the food court didn’t even require
A membership card to eat all one could acquire

From Caesar salads to crunchy churros
One item stood above and was the true hero
A polish hot dog so long and tender
Not a moment goes by that I can’t remember

A slightly sweet taste and an undersized bun
The hot dog that had such a magnificent run
The one that contained so much garlic flavor
The one that I still greatly favor

The time I speak of is one of long ago
When there was no self check out and lines were slow
So if you find yourself adrift in these old fond memories
Take comfort in knowing the hot dogs are still a dollar fifty.


To banana, or not to banana
Costco bananas
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John
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Ah, the humble banana. To buy, or not to buy? This yellow delight often sits abandoned in the corner of the warehouse due to our innate fear of them ripening all at once. But, fear not! For Costco bananas serve as my monthly reminder to make banana bread! While the recipes may vary and the age old debate occurs of which nut or dried fruit belongs in the batter, nothing is better than banana bread baked fresh and shared with one’s coworkers or family members…or consumed entirely by oneself.

Here’s my go to Costco banana buying process:

  • Go to Costco
  • Buy Bananas (usually ~$3 for a bunch, not organic, what am I…made of money?)
  • Use banana to accompany my morning yogurts
  • Get sick of eating yogurt cause I am lactose-intolerant lite
  • 3-4 bananas will ripen quickly and go brown
  • Make banana bread
  • Eat banana bread and share with coworkers/family if I’m feeling generous
  • Repeat

Let me know which banana recipe you enjoy! I usually use the recipe that works with whatever I have in the pantry!

– Matt