Tomatoes, in general

Look at these luscious beauties. Perfect even in the middle of winter!

$4.99/lb

I'm not the greatest at blogging about grocery items, we all know my passion is for produce. So, today I am blogging generally about tomatoes and specifically about some great products I love that have tomatoes in them! Let's face it, if it's good for you, it likely grew in the dirt.

"Tomatoes are one of the most tasty and nutritious fruits available for our everyday diets. Extensive research around the world has shown the benefits of eating tomato based foods on a regular basis. Tomatoes are a major and one of the only dietary sources of the anti-oxidant lycopene, an agent that amongst other things has been found to reduce the risk of a number of cancers. Tomatoes are an excellent source of, vitamin A, vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium, folic acid and other B vitamins, iron and fiber. Interestingly enough, the lycopene in cooked and processed tomatoes is more readily available and absorbed by our bodies than in raw tomatoes. "

From Thomas Canning WebsiteLycopene, who knew. You can buy a can chock-full-o-lycopene of your own for the low low price of $3.99. I especially get a kick out of the fact that this company's website is ThomasCanning.com... Because we sometimes forget that all it is is a tomato in a can. You can even do it yourself, in season. (But we have these for those who didn't!)

Tomatoes really aren't in season right now. But you know what is? Soup!

$5.49 each.

This Happy Planet Organic soup-in-a-bag is one of my favourites. The Tuscan Tomato is delicious and creamy, with the perfect amount of zest. It's great for work lunches; there's about enough for two lunches and the bag is resealable. Nothing better than a hot bowl of soup on a cold winter day (is it Spring yet?!). Available in our newly renovated Deli section!

$10.99 each

Also available in our newly-renovated Deli section is something that may not be a tomato, but I sure wouldn't want to have a fresh tomato withoout it! Buffalo Mozzarella, and Buffalo Bocconcini from Natural Pastures. Did you know that real mozzarella, authentic mozzarella, is made from water buffalo milk? I didn't, until the Food Network taught me. Then I found this product, and now I can't be without it. Slice some tomatoes and mozzarella, drizzle a little olive oil and balsamic... What could be better (NOTHING!).
P.S. Here is a picture of a water buffalo, one of the ones who gets milked to make the cheese. (She's licking her lips, thinking about tomatoes, I bet!)
http://www.fairburnwaterbuffalo.com/