Sounds like someone went into a Trader Joes.

I'll say this about TJ's- they may carry a lot of hippy products, but they aren't expensive. It's the American way, afterall.

I have no idea where those crackers came from, as my host (or his PA, more likely) bought them - I don't think I'd ever shell out for anything likely to appear on Vanessa Redgrave's shopping list, though. (That said, I am a fan of Trader Joe's.)

My friends in the Hollywood Star Wars line have a continuously expanding list of "veggie dining" locations (a couple are vegetarians, and at least one is a vegan.) There's got to be 35 or 40 hardcore vegan (and at least a half dozen "raw") restaurants in the area. They've also got a compendium of good "whole foods" stores; my parents and uncle prefer TJ's, but there are other options as well. I was very surprised, when moving to Ohio, to find grocery stores that don't carry raw granola and Tofutti (tofu ice cream.) Or even your basic kosher foods.

If you're looking for some solid unhealthy eating, try In N' Out -- they're everywhere, and they're usually open till 1 or 2am. Bonus: they put scriptures on the bottom of all their cups. Los Angeles is a very diverse place.

Ever notice how the staff in health food stores look like they are about to die, or were recently exhumed? Scares me off ever time. You are what you eat.

http://sevencastles.blogchina.com
A Shanghai blog featuring news and views of great interest

Wow, on the strength of that solid endorsement, better add it to the blogroll!

Cool, an Everything2 link! I used to write for E2. Then I discovered blogging.

organic brown flax seeds, defatted flax flour, salt reduced Tamari sauce from organic soybeans, and lightly roasted organic soy bean oil

I can't help myself, this description makes me think of a compost heap.

I refuse to buy any food described as "organic". When queried on this, I shake my head ernestly and state "moral reasons", and the other person usually looks at me with a perplexed expression. If I am in the mood for it, I start talking about the invention of the Haber Bosch process, the green revolution, blah blah blah. If I am really in the mood for it, I explain why I am wildly in favour of genetically modified organisms....

I find it puzzling in this day and age of food cleanliness and hygiene that shops are still allowed to sell mushrooms coated in what I presume is the manure they were grown in, and eggs are sold with a small amount of chicken crap on them, again presumably to let us know that they did indeed come out of a chicken.

On behalf of the citizens of the State of California, I'd like to apologize for Los Angeles.

Beware that Tom's of Maine toothpaste -- it doesn't have any fluoride, which would impurify your precious bodily fluids and/or reduce cavities. (I believe they now make a children's version that DOES have fluoride, but it's not like their name is Tom's of Intellectual Consistency.)

Evan, it makes sense actually. Y'know fluoride is used by the government to control us all but children are too young to vote so it all works out.

;)

Rich

I am telling you, that is a cracker after my own heart. I loved food when it has all this literature, telling you how good it is for you and how it will change your life!! I can spend stupendous amount of time choosing cereal in Fresh and Wild. I am such a sucker for this stuff. Enjoy it, may i have a cracker?