Pomelo-flavored Sprite at Family Mart

For some reason Family Mart convenience stores often introduce new products before other convenience stores. I haven't seen Pomelo-flavored Sprite anywhere else. Even if you don't drink soda often, give this a try because it does have a unique pomelo aftertaste! (too bad it isn't as healthy as a real pomelo)

"Light" Mango Iced Tea at Carrefour

Last night I noticed a new product at Carrefour---mango iced tea! And the best part is that the drink is "light," as I don't usually drink a lot of empty sugar calories. This particular tea comes in a large bottle (1.5 L), and is only NT$59!

With only 2 calories/serving, it's pretty much calorie-free! And the taste is nice and refreshing---not too sweet, but just right for a hot day.

You can find this tea and another sweetened flavor (peach) near the bakery section at the DaZhi Carrefour. The peach flavor has about 30 calories/serving.

I highly recommend mixing it with Sprite Zero for a refreshing, calorie-free drink!

A candybar with fish oil in it?

I was intrigued by this candybar that I found in Watson's today. It is supposedly Omega-3 enriched. And yes, fish oil IS added to the candybar!

Audrey's Omega-3 Milk Chocolate and Pineapple Chip bars boast a healthy dose of Omega-3s. So if you're really craving chocolate, at least get some that has fish oil in it!!

I tried it, and it was surprisingly good. I've only seen this bar at Watson's, and it's about NT$55.
There were two different flavors. Also, Watson's is having a "buy one, get one 50% off" deal on select Cadbury candybars, including the dark chocolate "Old Gold" bars that are full of antioxidants! (and sugar and fat...) :)

Cherry Coke at Family Mart convenience stores

No need to drive to Wellman's and pay a lot of money for cherry coke now...you can find it at Family Mart convenience stores for NT$25/ bottle. Personally, I am not a regular soda drinker, but once in awhile, I love a few sips of real cherry coke.

Deals at Wellcome Gourmet

Wellcome Gourmet stores have more imported foods than normal Wellcome stores. At the Miramar store, I found some great buys---including Sugar Free chocolate bars for $85 each (I have some diabetic friends who can only have sugar-free products, and this price is reasonable for a large chocolate bar).

I also found mini marshmallows, which are harder to find, for NT$49/bag.

Wellcome Gourmet carries a large selection of canned beans, olives, potato chips, and pasta sauce. The prices aren't dirt cheap, but if you need something in a pinch, you can probably find it there.

Now if they would only start carrying natural peanut butter...

Nature Valley Granola Bars on sale at Geant

If you're a fan of Nature Valley Granola Bars, then get over to Geant quickly, because these varieties are on sale for NT$88/ box. Now, I've seen the Oats and Honey variety all over the place (at Wellcome, Carrefour, Geant), but I've never seen the Peanut Butter or Vanilla Crips flavors before. In fact, I used to buy the Peanut Butter bars in the U.S. and bring them back in my suitcase for my husband! So I loaded up on the granola bars tonight, and NT$88/ box isn't much more than what you'd pay in the U.S.

***Update...Wellcome stores now carry some additional flavors of these granola bars.

These bars were found at the DaZhi Geant.

New products at City Super

Even though City Super carries a lot of great products, their prices aren't fantastic. But they do introduce new products regularly, and once in awhile, these products go on sale...

If you REALLY don't have time to make your own cookies from scratch, just do the easy thing and buy them this way...all you have to do is slice and bake, and you're all set! NT$240 each. (too expensive, in my book) You can get decent cookie mixes from Costco for a much better price.

City Super also carries Olivio spreads. NT$150 each.

And don't forget the Starbucks Dark Chocolate Peppermint Mocha...if you can afford NT$80/ can.

More great deals at Carrefour

Did you know that Carrefour carries imported beauty products, as well as food?
I was pleased to find Palmolive Kids' hand soap---the foamy kind---for only NT$95.


You can also find Gerber Grins and Giggles body soap and lotion for babies. (I used to bring this with me in my suitcase from the States!)

And I was soooo glad when Carrefour started carrying Scope---I think it's about NT$130. All of the Chinese mouthwashes I've tried have tasted terrible, so I will pay just about anything for a bottle of Scope.
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Now, on to the food:

I am constantly finding cheap imported food at Carrefour, probably because nobody is buying it (except me), and they need to get rid of it!
Anyway, right now, you can find some great deals, including:


Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix- NT$95

Progresso Soups


Fruit Roll Ups- NT$99

Wild Blueberry Muffin Mix- NT$98

Betty Crocker Pancake Mix- NT$128

Old El Paso Cheese and Salsa Dip- NT$135



O' Organics Soy Milk (on sale)- NT$59


And here's an amazing deal for you---Graham Crackers and "wheat thin" crackers for only NT$19 a box! That's a steal!!!

The Organic baby food is on sale---the carrots, at least---for NT$29/ jar.

And cake mixes are NT$79---they also have French Vanilla, which is hard to find elsewhere. (for such a cheap price!)


And I thought I'd throw in one of the Folgers Cafe Latte mixes...these are also on sale for NT$95/ container.

Trust me, folks...if you look, you'll find cheap imported foods...you just have to be willing to look for those yellow tags that indicate that the item is on sale!!!!!!!

New candy at Family Mart convenience stores

Just yesterday, I spotted Wildly Cherry M&M's at a Family Mart convenience store. According to candyaddict.com, this particular flavor of M&M's won't hit retail stores in the U.S. until March! So are we one step ahead of the U.S.? Try them while you can! (NT$30/ bag)

Also available are DARK CHOCOLATE SNICKERS bars. Again, I've only seen these at Family Mart stores, but I'm sure they'll appear on other store shelves soon.

Dean and Deluca

I finally made it to the fairly new Dean and Deluca, located in the Breeze Center in Taipei. It's definitely a gourmet food shop...but I found a few things that I haven't seen anywhere else, like genuine "Peanut Butter & Co." peanut butter. It's NT$295 a jar, but that's not too much more than you'd pay for a jar in the States. I've been to the actual Peanut Butter & Co. restaurant in NYC, and this is good stuff. Dean and Deluca carries the crunchy and smooth varieties.


I also found Market Square Circus cookies which would be fun for a children's birthday party.


And here's a new product I'm eager to try: Ivy Cottage Healthy Fudge Brownie mixes. (NT$225). It's hard to imagine brownies being healthy, but it sounds good to me! You can also find several boxed mixes for scones.

Dean and Deluca carries a wide variety of oils and vinegars as well...if you're into that kind of thing. They have a deli inside the store with very yummy-looking sandwiches and salads. Next time, I'm going there for lunch! It's worth the splurge, from what I've heard.

More O'Organics at Carrefour

I have a sneaky suspicion that the O'Organics line was just a test...and that once these products are gone, you won't see them again (at least in Carrefour stores). The creamy peanut butter has been reduced to NT$149, which is a great deal. I also highly recommend their salad dressings.

You can also find some newcomers in the pasta aisle--- boxed Mac and Cheese and Alfredo Mac and Cheese. I think they're NT69/ box.

I'm not sure what makes pasta "organic," but whatever....

100% all-white turkey burgers at Costco

I was pleasantly surprised to see turkey burgers at the Shihjr Costco last week! For just over NT$400, you can enjoy 12 1/3 lb. all-white turkey burgers that are quite tasty. And did you know that all Costco stores are not created equal? That's right...some stores carry different kinds of foods, and my personal opinion is that the Shihjr store has a better selection than the Neihu store. For example, you can find Gardenburger veggie burgers at Shihjr...and more cereal varieties like GoLean Crunch.

O Organics Peanut Butter at Carrefour

Carrefour has been stocking O Organics foods for awhile now...and I highly recommend the peanut butter. You can find crunchy or creamy peanut butter with only two ingredients---peanuts and salt. (no hydrogenated oil) This is good stuff, and is cheaper than the organic peanut butter you'll find at Jason's or Wellman's. One jar is NT$169. Just make sure you keep it in the fridge after you open it.

Other O Organics products include popcorn, noodles, and salad dressing (low-fat).

Get 'em while they're hot!

Betty Crocker Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip cookies are half price at City Super right now...only NT$70/ bag. These cookies are the easiest ever---just add water, oil, and an egg. Mmmmm...

New bargains at Carrefour! Get 'em while they last!

It seems like Carrefour has a new selection of imported goods each month...and they don't stick around too long, so stock up while you can. French vanilla cake mixes are now available for NT$79, which is the cheapest you'll find around here.

Vanilla and maple syrup teething biscuits are NT$99/ package.

Love this sassy salsa microwave popcorn!

Okay, so they're not the real Wheat Thins, but they're a close second.

And, finally, you can buy regular graham crackers for less than NT$100 a box!