PRODUCT of the WEEK: Indian Fare's Shelf-Stable Madras Lentil

This is a great, simply, affordable dish; Trader Joe's sells it for $1.99 (may vary by area), and I've seen it offered for more at Ralph's, a southern California chain. All natural ingredients--no chemicals, no sugar, no flour. Just tomatoes, onions, lentils, kidney beans, cream, salt, butter, cumin, sunflower oil and red chilies.

It's a little spicy, and you have to like Indian food--but even if you don't, it's great warmed up in the microwave. Delectable!

PRODUCT of the Week: Trader Joe's Reduced Fat Mayonnaise

This is a tough call because there are some words on the ingredient label that trouble me: words like "isolate" and  "oleoresin." Nevertheless, Trader Joe's Reduced Fat Mayonnaise, which is vegan-friendly, does fit the bill for a product with no sugar or flour--two important characteristics of a "product of the week" here at Factually Food. Having used it for some years (and being a mayonnaise-lover), I can tell you it is not only close to a model-mayonnaise, it is--in some ways--better than the standard packaged mayo: tart, savory, creamy, lemony yet with very little after-taste or extravagant taste notes.

Perfection.