Double the Pleasure: Clark's & Cardenas markets

One of my absolute favorite places to meander, whether or not I have anything to buy, is called Clark's Nutrition. Picture a Whole Foods. Now double the selection. And take about 90% of the crazed shoppers away. Oh, and lower the prices. And add a Cafe that wafts crack-like aromas of vegetarian delicacies from the moment you step in the door. That's Clark's. In a word- heaven.

I love to just ogle the bulk bins or peruse the grain aisle or the raw food selection, or the nut butters. There's a HUGE Bob's Red Mill section (see photo). Not to mention an entire aisle (both sides) of just protein powder for those like-minded Smoothie Junkies like me.

Soy Grits

Today I did get one item that made me quiver a little bit with excitement: Soy GRITS!! What the heck IS that!?! Sounds like the perfect blend of all the things I want: the Carby, creamy goodness of oats or even "real" grits, but with the higher protein that I'm always searching for. I have since made them a few times and they are good, but nothing compares to real corn grits, now does it?

The next stop has a real rags to riches story. A Mexican immigrant (Mr. Cardenas) who had worked picking produce in the fields, managed to raise a few pigs, and before you know it he was a renowned local butcher. Eventually he opened up Supermarkets in parts of SoCal called Cardenas Markets and now he's living high on the hog (har).  Entering this expansive market is like stepping into another country (namely, Mexico). IT IS HUGE and so cute and clean. I just love all of the unique offerings (well, unique for non-Mexican people.  I could seriously wander the aisles for hours if I didn't have other things to do.


A huge bonus of Cardenas is their little cafe- the food is insanely good and fresh- I got the hubby a Carne Asada burrito (I had to "poison test it" first, for safety you know) and it was AMAZING. I had the cleanest eats possible and yet it was fabulous... shrimp ceviche on BAKED (not fried) crispy corn tortillas. I had to search them out in the middle of an aisle because most of the crunchy corn tortillas are fried. And get this...last week they ran a special: 4 pieces of fresh rotisserie chicken (I negotiated two breasts and two legs), rice, beans, salad and a bunch of soft gorgeous corn tortillas all for...................$3.97! Are you kidding me!

Look how cute- there's a little painted "senorita" on the faux "balcony"

Now for my only lament: NOTHING was organic. The produce is spectacular and fresh but none of it was organic. Same for the chicken. And the fish? Wild-caught? Doubt it. I hope there is enough of a demand for them to begin carrying organic foods. Until then I'll have to just stick with the fruits and veggies that are deemed to be safer in non-organic form from the powers that be. In case you haven't heard of the Dirty Dozen, here's a link for the F&V you really want to buy organic. Now I have some Nopales to prepare! Adios amigos.