Can't Live Without This!

It's about time a hand-made gourmet popcorn arrived on the scene in Agoura. Are you ready to taste 50 flavors of the highest quality popcorn, popped fresh daily in coconut oil? Some of the flavors offered include originals (Buttery, Movie Theater, and Low Salt $1.25-$24), Cheese (such flavors as Nacho, Parmesan and Garlic, Loaded Potato, and White Cheddar plus many more $2.50-$34.95), Caramel (Regular, Sea Salt, and Lite $3.25-$44.95), Kettle and Cinnamon Toast Kettle ($3.25-$44.95), and Candy (Everything from Very Cherry-my favorite to Golden Banana and everything in between.). Confetti is gorgeous and was quite the conversation piece at my last cocktail hour! Prices for confetti range from $3.25 (3 cup) for a mini bag to $44.95 for a huge 110 cup bag. Nuts and Chocolate popcorn are also available. Lest I not mention it, the packaging is really cute too. You have to try this popcorn for a wonderful new treat, right in the heart of Agoura. Popped Fresh 5013 Kanan Road Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (818)707-7200. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-6p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Recommended: Confetti popcorn

I think I've found the tastiest chip in the world! The artisan quality of these handcrafted chips are indeed, the best chips on the market! Owners Rob Lyons and Brian Roth used to own The Billy Goat Restaurant & Bar in St. Louis. Their incredible chips started off as a side for sandwiches but became a full time business venture in 2008. The Billy Goat Chip Company starts with yummy russet potatoes from Idaho that are hand picked and unusually long. (perfect for dipping!) Potatoes are hand-fed through a slicer, rinsed twice to remove starch, fried in canola oil for six and a half minutes exactly,  uniquely hand-seasoned, and sealed in bags immediately for freshness. We love the original (salt, onion, garlic, sugar, and spices) and buy them by the 20 pack (1.125 oz bag) for $19.95 from www.billygoatsstl.com. or www.amazon.com .You can too! Get some today!

So my mom makes the best shortbread ever thanks to Ina Garten, the BareFoot Contessa, and thankfully she's passed that talent on to me. If you don't believe me you can ask some seven and eight year olds I know about Mrs. Lepp's shortbread hearts. I'm not mentioning any names here as said seven and eight year olds may or may not have been former  students. Anyway, in a pinch, Kelley's Kookies are pretty darn good and you don't have to stand in the kitchen whipping them up. Run on down to Gelson's and pick up a bag for $6.99. The story with Kelley's is that the cookies are made by hand from scratch using high quality ingredients like Guittard chocolate, grade AA butter, pure cane sugar, and fresh eggs in every batch. Since 1988 the handcrafted cookies began selling in Cypress, Ca. With over 25 varieties, including chocolate dipped (dark, milk, or white) Caramel Sea Salt, Lemon, Pecan, Plain, Triple Chocolate Delight, and many others; you'll never run short on shortbread! In addition, Kelley's makes Chocolate Chip Krispy Oatmeal Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies, and Sugar Cookies. Available at select Gelson's or Kelleyskookies.com.

Here's a first: all natural guilt-free cheese crisps that are perfect for snacking! With zero trans fat (really did I just say that?) these crisps are at the top of my list for a new taste treat. These aged dried jack cheese crisps can be found in four flavors (pizza, manchego, just jack, and spicy jack) at Bristol Farms. Try a box today. They are in the cheese section.

Call me a Cheesehead if you must, but I admit, I'm adicted to the ooey gooey stuff. Recently while in Santa Barbara, but here at Grand Central Market too I've found a new sinful favorite cheese to add to my larder. Ewephoria Aged Sheep's Milk Gouda is a strong competitor for Midnight Moon if you're a fan. I love Midnight Moon, but Ewephoria blows it out of the water. So anyway, these sheep come from a small farm in Holland where they get the royal treatment. The cheese is ages from 9 months to a year to achieve the nutty, sweet flavor. Some say there are hints of butterscotch or caramel; I say no. Pick some up and try it with a rustic cracker and a nice Bordeaux. Available at local cheese shops.