Though I usually like to keep my reviews focused on specific edibles, books, and food companies themselves, the opportunity to go on a little shopping spree and give my 2 cents on iHerb.com, an online superstore, was just too tempting to pass up. Plus, it got both Celine’s and Ricki’s blessings, and I absolutely trust their judgment as conscious consumers, in every sense of the term.

Anyway, the thing about iHerb is that it’s pretty much like Amazon.com, but with only supplements, snacks, ingredients, and all those consumables in between. Complete with helpful customer reviews and often better prices than can be found elsewhere, even I was impressed at the selection of specialty items available, in addition to simple pantry staples like whole wheat flour, nutritional yeast, and just about every simple commodity I could think of. Excited to have the chance to give all those rare ingredients a spin, I snatched just about every strange powder I had heard of but never been able to find locally. Into my cart went pomegranate, lucuma, maca, and mesquite powder, in addition to a bag of sorghum flour that was so reasonable priced, I just couldn’t refuse.

Arriving quickly and in great shape, I’m happy to report that my shopping experience was 100% positive!

Finally, those fabled mesquite chocolate chip cookies were no longer beyond my reach! By just swapping out the butter for margarine and eggs for flax “eggs”, I had the most unusual but addictive version of a CCC I had tasted yet. It’s hard to describe the flavor, but think whole wheat with a nutty twist, plus dark, roasted notes, and perhaps a very faint hint of anise. Really, it’s one of those things that you have to taste to believe.

Next up, a new creation that begged to be brought to life: What I lovingly call Maca Maca Bars. Maca powder and macadamia nuts combine in one buttery, sweet, and decadent cookie. Though I would never post anything I thought was so-so, these were beyond delicious. I must admit, I actually hid the whole batch from my family so that I alone could eat them! If you can manage to share, I commend your will power.

That recipe will be coming up soon, and I’m sure the remaining purchases will turn up sooner or later in my baking experiments, but for now, I’m willing to bet that you’re already wondering “Okay, that’s all great, but what’s in it for me?” Well, how about a $50 shopping spree of your own? That’s right, iHerb has generously offered one reader just that, and if you comment any time between now and February 28, midnight EST, you can be entered into the running. Just tell me what you would buy if you won!

If you just can’t wait, or if you don’t win after the contest has closed, don’t fret- I have something for you too. Just enter the discount code “NAH833″ at checkout to receive $5 off your first order at iHerb.