Tapping into nostalgia, the name was inspired by a six-armed alien who appeared in McDonald's commercials in the 80s and 90s. And as McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski recently revealed, the main focus at CosMc's is drinks. Think flavored cold brews, lemonades, slushes, frappés, and iced teas, many of which can be customized with popping boba, flavor syrups, energy shots, or Vitamin C shots. The chain's menu also features a limited selection of food items to nosh on, including old McDonald's favorites like the McMuffin and some new sandwiches, snacks, and ice cream sundaes.

The very first CosMc's location just opened in Bolingbrook, Ill. this month, and there are further plans to open about nine more in Texas' Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio metro areas in 2024. As it happens, Bolingbrook is only a short drive from my hometown in Chicago's northwest suburbs. So on a recent trip back there over the holidays, I seized the opportunity to pay a visit to CosMc's and sample some of the menu items.

The Ordering Experience

When I arrived, the line was so long that it took over a sizable section of a shopping center's parking lot. Several police officers were stationed outside the restaurant to direct hordes of cars through an obstacle course of orange traffic cones. CosMc's is a drive-thru-only chain and mobile ordering isn't available yet, so queuing in cars is the only way that customers can sample its menu for the time being.

I finally reached one of CosMc's four drive-thru speakers after waiting for about an hour and 45 minutes. I selected eight items to try—four beverages and four food options—and placed my order with a pleasant yet efficient employee. I paid for my order at the drive-thru speaker and waited there for about eight minutes before I was directed to drive up to a numbered drive-thru window to collect my order.

Read on for my thoughts on each menu item I tried, followed by my verdict on this new venture from McDonald's as a whole!

RELATED: 10 Major Changes McDonald's Made in 2023

Turmeric Spiced Latte

The Turmeric Spice Latte features espresso combined with milk and turmeric-flavored syrup, then topped with foam and black pepper sprinkles. A small size cost me $4.39.

The look: I could immediately tell that this was a turmeric latte thanks to its vibrant yellow color. However, the foam had already dissipated just a few minutes after I collected my order and I couldn't see any trace of black pepper on top.

The taste: Very sweet and very weak. In fact, I barely got any espresso flavor at all in this beverage. Those who prefer less intense coffee drinks may not have an issue with the milk-to-espresso ratio in this option. But as someone who likes coffee with the strength of rocket fuel, I found the latte disappointing. The turmeric flavor was warm and pleasant, but a little too weak for me. Overall, this option lacked oomph.

S'mores Cold Brew

The S'mores Cold Brew features cold brew paired with what CosMc's describes as the "sweet taste of s'mores." It's also topped with cold foam and toffee sprinkles. A small one cost me $4.39.

The look: The cup wasn't filled all the way to the top when I received it, which was disappointing. The cold foam had also already been mixed into the cold brew inside the restaurant. This made it look more like a traditional iced coffee than a dark, fancy cold brew marbled with streaks of luscious foam.

The taste: This was unpleasantly acidic from the very first sip. I've sampled my fair share of cold brews throughout my life, but CosMc's take was the only one I can describe as sour. There were also no actual s'mores flavors to be found in this disappointing cup—all I got was a hint of vanilla. This was the least enjoyable item by far from the whole taste test.

RELATED: Ex-McDonald's Chef Claims You Can Buy the Chicken McNuggets at the Grocery Store

Popping Pear Slush

The Popping Pear Slush is flavored to taste like prickly pears and then topped with whipped cream and popping candy. A small one cost me $4.69.

The look: Just like something you might sip on at a carnival or state fair as a kid. The layers of bright pink slush and white whipped cream were very aesthetically pleasing. On the downside, the drink began separating at the bottom almost immediately after I picked up my order.

The taste: Way too sweet and lacking enough tartness to balance the overload of sugar. I haven't tasted enough prickly pears in my life to say how accurate the flavor was. It reminded me of an apple-flavored hard candy with a sort of melon-y undertone. The whipped cream didn't really add to or take away from the experience in the few sips I had. There were also too few popping candies on top to add any sort of actual "popping" effect. This option reminded me of a melted popsicle, and not a very good one.

Tropical Spiceade

The Tropical Spiceade features tart lemonade mixed with pineapple flavoring and then topped with dried dragonfruit. A small one cost me $4.39.

The look: By far the most visually pleasing CosMc's drink I sampled. There were distinguishable layers of yellow lemonade and that purple-pink dragonfruit floating on top. I have a feeling that many social media influencers will be drawn to this photogenic, colorful drink.

The taste: This was the most enjoyable beverage I tried at CosMc's by far, though it wasn't without its flaws. It was too sweet for me to be able to stomach drinking the whole thing, but still better balanced than the Popping Pear Slush thanks to a nice punch of tartness. I really love tropical flavors, so I enjoyed the refreshing combination of lemonade, pineapple, and dragonfruit. If the sweetness was toned down, I could imagine myself happily sipping a Tropical Spiceade poolside on vacation.

RELATED: Ex-McDonald's Chef Reveals the Truth Behind the Broken Ice Cream Machines

Pretzel Bites

A $3.99 order of CosMc's Pretzel Bites comes with six pieces and your choice of dipping sauce (either Spicy Queso, Herb Ranch, Hot Mustard, or classic ketchup). I went for the Herb Ranch.

The look: All of the bites were a shiny, deep brown color and dotted with big flecks of salt. The pieces were identical in color, size, and shape, giving them a very manufactured look.

The taste: In terms of flavor alone, these salty, savory morsels were pretty identical to all the other pretzel bites I've tried in my life. However, I had some major issues with the texture. They were cold, slightly hard, and tough to bite through. Giving them a generous dunk in the tangy dipping sauce made the texture much more manageable, but I can't see myself ever spending money on these again.

Spicy Queso Sandwich

The Spicy Queso Sandwich features a fluffy omelet-style egg, sausage, spicy queso sauce, white cheddar cheese, and crispy jalapeño chips on a soft toasted brioche bun. It cost me $4.99.

The look: If it weren't for the fast-food-style egg round on this option, I might have mistaken it for an artisanal breakfast sandwich. The brioche bun was soft, glossy, and perfectly toasted on the inside. The helping of jalapeño chips was very generous and there wasn't too much cheese or sauce to make the sandwich overly messy.

The taste: This is a heavy sandwich, but still very tasty and zingy. The egg itself was pretty flavorless, but I really enjoyed the soft bread, savory sausage, and melty cheese paired with the crispy texture of the jalapeño chips. As someone who always wants more spice in "spicy" fast-food items, I was also pleasantly surprised by the heat in this sandwich. It was very subtle at first, but grew a little more with each bite. I'd rate the spice at about a 4 out of 10.

RELATED: McDonald's New Chain CosMc's Serves 'Probiotic' Drinks With 108 Grams of Sugar

Creamy Avocado Tomatillo Sandwich

The Creamy Avocado Tomatillo Sandwich features the same omelet-style egg and brioche bun as the Spicy Queso Sandwich, plus applewood bacon, creamy avocado tomatillo sauce, and white cheddar cheese on a toasted brioche bun. The sandwich cost me $4.99.

The look: Pretty similar to the Spicy Queso Sandwich, but a little more exciting. That avocado tomatillo sauce provided a green pop of color to an otherwise beige sandwich. The bacon looked plentiful and crispy, while the cheese was perfectly melty.

The taste: For as much as I enjoyed the Spicy Queso Sandwich, I liked this option even more. In fact, it's probably one of the better fast-food breakfast sandwiches I've tried in my life. The bread was soft and buttery. The cheese was gooey and flavorful. The bacon was a little thin and floppy, but still had an enjoyable smoky and salty taste. The true star of the show, however, was that avocado tomatillo sauce. It was creamy, tangy, vibrant, and elevated every flavor on the sandwich.

Strawberry & Cookie Flurry

CosMc's offers the classic Oreo McFlurry and M&M's McFlurry, plus one extra McFlurry flavor that you can't get at McDonald's: the Strawberry & Cookie McFlurry. It features the vanilla soft serve blended with shortbread cookie crumbles and dried strawberries. One McFlurry cost me $3.99.

The look: Delightfully pink and chock full of mix-ins. Fast-food soft serve is one of my biggest guilty pleasures, so I was very excited to dig into this option.

The taste: I used my first bite of this unique new McFlurry to try some of the blended soft serve and found the strawberry flavor a little weak. But when I took a second spoonful, making sure to get plenty of mix-ins, I saw the light. The dried strawberry pieces added just the right amount of strawberry flavor, while the shortbread pieces were buttery, sweet, and crunchy. It was almost like eating strawberry shortcake that had been transformed into a frozen dessert. I'm a little biased because I've always loved strawberry-flavored things, but I'd rank this as my favorite McFlurry flavor of all time.

RELATED: Ex-McDonald's Chef Reveals How to Recreate the McMuffin at Home

The verdict

I've been looking forward to trying CosMc's ever since the moment it was announced, but my overall experience was very mixed.

For a chain that's supposed to help McDonald's become a bigger player in the coffee and drink sphere, most of CosMc's beverages were a hard pass. It was the food—most notably the Spicy Queso Sandwich, Creamy Avocado Tomatillo Sandwich, and Strawberry & Cookie McFlurry—that really stood out to me. Not only did those options feature unique flavors you can't find at a traditional McDonald's right now, but they were also really well executed and very tasty.

Aside from the food, I did enjoy visiting CosMc's for the novelty alone. It's not every day that a fast-food giant launches a brand-new restaurant concept, and I saw several excited customers get out of their cars for a moment just to snap a selfie with CosMc's in the background. But considering that it took a significant chunk of my day to do this tasting adventure, I really hoped that I'd find more to like at CosMc's.

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The post I Tried 8 Items From McDonald's New Chain CosMc's & Some Were Horrendous appeared first on Eat This Not That.

The thing that smart Costco shoppers understand is that while there are certainly great items to be found throughout the warehouse, some Costco purchases are much better than others and simply shouldn't be missed. For example, some people feel that their local grocery store is more cost-friendly for meat. Others are pretty specific about where they buy their produce. So, what are some of the Costco items you can stock up on with confidence? Read on for the top products being praised by Costco shoppers online.

1. Kirkland Signature Bottled Water

While some take issue with the environmental impact of plastic bottles, many still find them useful for events, travel, or when bringing along a refillable bottle just isn't convenient. Enter, the Kirkland Signature Water. " I buy this water every time that I am at Costco (which is a lot)," wrote one reviewer on Costco's website. "Our family of 6 (we live in the hot, hot desert) drink these every time we leave the house." At $439.99 for a 48-case pallet, you'll end up paying less than a quarter per 16.9—ounce bottle.

RELATED: 11 Best Costco Deals To Score in January

2. Toilet Paper

Stocking up on a huge 30-roll pack of Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue is a no-brainer—we all need and use toilet paper daily. For $23.49 you'll get 380 sheets per roll of 2-ply paper. "I like the Kirkland basic toilet paper over the Charmin/Premium," wrote one Redditor. On another Costco thread specifically dedicated to the bath item, someone noted that the Costco brand is "more than fine," which when you're talking about something that gets flushed down the toilet, is high praise.

3. Garbage Bags

We can all think of plenty of other things to spend our hard-earned money on than bags used to throw out the trash. But when it comes to Kirkland's Kitchen Bags, they're an undeniably great buy at $19.99 for 200. "I'm always surprised this isn't on more lists," one customer wrote on Reddit. "They last forever, are strong, and the price point beats anything I can get at the grocery store."

4. Canned Tomatoes

"The canned tomatoes are a staple for me," said one Redditor. "I find for San Marzano Costco blows everything out of the water," chimed in another person. YouTuber Kathy Cooks found Cento ($9.99) and Nina ($5.99) brands of San Marzanos at Costco and felt both had a place in her pantry. Not to mention, Kirkland's Signature Organic Diced Tomatoes are $7.99 for eight cans, so you definitely can't go wrong.

RELATED: 20 Best Secret Costco Shopping Hacks Right Now

5. Bird Seed

While it may not be a pantry staple, many folks love to feed the birds in their backyard, so bird seed came highly recommended as something to pick up on your next trip (if you're into that sort of thing!). "Best price I can find around and the kind they have isn't just a big bag of millet. It's actually good seed that birds will eat," one person wrote on Reddit. Blogger Amber at Everyday Fun Finds found a 40-pound bag of Premium Wild Bird Food at Costco for $25.99 and considered it a great buy for attracting finches, cardinals, and chickadees to the yard.

6. Pet Food and Meds

Clearly, the great deals at Costco are not just for humans! Four-legged friends will love the store's pet food, and the savings are something that owners can't bark at. "Pet food is a great price and good quality," wrote one Redditor. "I can't afford not to buy Kirkland dog food," commented another person. Kirkland's Salmon and Sweet Potato Formula is a great buy at $52.99 for a 35-pound bag. Another poster said they saved "hundreds a year" getting their pet Rx and Costco.

7. Rao's Tomato Sauce

The coveted yet normally pricey tomato sauce is an item that smart Costco shoppers scoop up when the price is right. "I hate to admit it but when RAOs is on sale, I snatch up like 6 jars at a clip," wrote one Redditor. Fans are obsessed with the sauce, which is made with natural ingredients and no added sugar and is also keto-friendly. Blogger Cost Contessa devoted a whole post to the sauce, adding an announcement that after a hiatus, the sauce was seen on shelves again in October, for what broke down to $5.89 a jar in a 2-pack (that's nearly half the price it can be at some supermarkets).

8. Rotisserie Chicken

Costco's rotisserie chicken is a thing of beauty. You can serve it as a meal on its own, add it to soups or enchiladas, make sandwiches with it . . . the possibilities are endless. At five bucks, it's a solid purchase and the best part is that it tastes good, too. "My roommate recently bought three rotisserie chickens for the holidays and I use the carcasses to make soup/soup stock," wrote one Redditor. It's truly the gift that keeps on giving!

RELATED: 15 Costco Frozen Foods You're Crazy Not To Stock Up On

9. Socks

Shoppers know there are great deals to be found on clothing for the whole family, and socks are never a bad purchase. "Since my dog likes to chew on my socks, I'll buy a pack of one of the name brands they have," wrote one Redditor. "Tube and no-show! Puma and Adidas come to mind first. I got the Timberland socks to wear with boots." This hot tip was echoed on another Reddit thread. "Socks and underwear are amazing there compared to prices at a place like kohls," wrote one person. "Puma socks FTW," chimed in another. Pick up a 10-pair pack of PUMA no-show socks for ladies or men, each is just $10.99.

10. Kirkland Alcohol

Slow your roll on the Ketel One and Grey Goose because the booze at Costco is not only a great buy, but also tastes good! "If you imbibe, ALL of Kirkland's alcohol is quite decent, including spirits and wines," one person wrote. "Highly recommend." Kirkland Signature French Vodka sells for around $20, and fans think it's so good there was once even a rumor that it's actually Grey Goose (it's not). "Kirkland imported vodka (not the domestic) is IMHO indistinguishable from Grey Goose."

11. Peanut Butter

While some Redditors were divided on this one, many are big fans of buying peanut butter at Costco. Sure, you can get good deals on name brands like Skippy but most smart shoppers praise the bargain that is Kirkland Signature Organic Peanut Butter. At just $12.99 for two 28-ounce jars, it'll keep your family in PB&J sandwich mode for a while. "My family loves the Kirkland peanut butter without added sugar," wrote one Redditor. "…their organic peanut butter is just peanut butter and salt," added another fan. "Delicious."

RELATED: Costco Announces Major Growth Plans With 33 New Locations Opening In 2024

12. Butter

Although some have reported noticing issues with Kirkland Signature salted butter, many shoppers still swear by the affordable butter in the blue box. "…the 4-pack Kirkland grass-fed butter at about 9 bucks is a steal and is better than so many other butters I've tried," wrote one Redditor. "I like it better than Kerrygold."

13. Cereal

Breakfast wouldn't be the same (or as affordable) without Costco. You'll often see shoppers stocking up on big boxes of cereal and fans agree it's a smart move. "…cereal is much less expensive than my local grocery store," wrote one shopper. "Especially if there's a sale." The best part is that you can still get the name brands your family loves, just at a better price. Most popular cereals are at around ten bucks for two big boxes. Now that's grrreat!

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The post 13 Costco Items You Should Always Stock Up On, Customers Say appeared first on Eat This Not That.

Earlier this month, a Costco shopper shared a rumor on Reddit that the retailer planned to discontinue the food court churro. According to the shopper's brother, who works at Costco, the retailer intended to start offering cookies in the churro's place.

RELATED: 11 Best Costco Deals To Score in January

Costco did not respond to our queries for confirmation on the alleged food court change when the rumors first began circulating. But this week, a Costco shopper reported on Reddit that "delicious" new Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies had indeed taken the churro's place at their warehouse in the Pacific Northwest.

Churros replaced by cookies?
byu/Diablo_Diego24 inCostco

The shopper shared a picture of the updated food court menu as evidence. According to the menu description, the cookies are served warm, made with butter, and feature both bittersweet and semi-sweet chocolate. Each cookie contains 750 calories and costs $2.49.

The debut of the new cookies sparked a divided reaction among fellow Costco shoppers. Some were delighted to see a new dessert replace the churro, which has been getting quality complaints for years.

"Makes sense. The churros were trash, and I like churros," a Redditor commented on the post.

However, others were put off by the $2.49 price tag on the cookies.

"$2.49 for a cookie? Someone's delusional," another Redditor wrote.

The Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies are slightly pricey in comparison to some of the other food court menu items, like the $1.50 hot dog combo and the $1.99 pizza slices. But according to the Redditor who started the thread, the portion size is very generous.

"They are like the size of my hand, so pretty big and like an inch [thick]," the Redditor said.

RELATED: 10 Biggest Changes We Saw At Costco In 2023

Any members who want to get their hands on one of these new cookies should keep in mind that new food court items tend to arrive at certain locations earlier than others. In the past, Costco has also rolled out new food court items to limited locations at first before eventually launching them nationwide. Shoppers should directly confirm if and when they should expect to see the new cookies in their local warehouses.

In the meantime, they can sample some of the other new food court options that have hit menus this year. Those include a brand-new strawberry ice cream and a divisive mango smoothie that was offered for a limited time over the summer. Costco also brought back its fan-favorite diced onions and chicken caesar salad in May after pulling both from the food court menu during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The post Costco Has a New, Indulgent Dessert at the Food Court: 'It's the Size of My Hand' appeared first on Eat This Not That.

In celebration of National Bacon Day, which falls on Dec. 30, the fast-food chain is "selling" (but basically giving away) 1-cent Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers. The deal starts today and will be available through Jan. 2. The Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, or JBC, as some call it, features a beef patty topped with applewood-smoked bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on a toasted bun.

RELATED: 10 Discontinued Wendy's Items Customers Are Still Massively Missing

The 1-cent Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers can only be redeemed digitally, and to score one, you'll need to be a Wendy's rewards member. Once you create your account, visit the "Reward Store" on the Wendy's app or website and add the deal to your digital order. No additional purchase is required.

Earlier this month, Wendy's announced a new limited-time promotion for its soft drinks, playfully named "Penny Pops". As part of this deal, customers can order any small Coca-Cola Freestyle drink for just one cent, no additional purchase necessary. To unlock this deal, simply visit the "offers" section on the Wendy's website or mobile app. Customers can choose from over 100 drink options, ranging from classic sodas like Coke and Sprite to seasonal favorites like Dave's Cherry Cream Soda and Sprite Vanilla.

Besides the 1-cent cheeseburgers and soft drinks, Wendy's fans can also snag free chicken nuggets with any purchase today as part of the chain's Wendy's Wednesday deal. To redeem this menu item, visit the Wendy's app or website, or scan the digital rewards offer code in-restaurant. Today is the last day to redeem this offer, so you'll want to swing by the chain soon.

RELATED: 10 Best & Worst Wendy's Burgers, According to Dietitians

The 1-cent Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers aren't the only Wendy's burgers that have recently made headlines. Last month, the chain introduced its brand-new Pretzel Baconator. Available for a limited time, this burger is stacked with two burger patties, six pieces of Applewood smoked bacon, ketchup, and mayo sandwiched between two pretzel buns.

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The post Wendy's Is Selling 1-Cent Cheeseburgers—Here's How To Get Yours appeared first on Eat This Not That.

If you're a Costco member, you're likely familiar with the retailer's monthly coupon book, which is chock-full of deals available for several weeks at a time. Like clockwork, the latest selection of discounts just dropped today.

From now through Jan. 21, Costco is offering deals on products ranging from big-ticket items like laptops and TVs to household essentials like laundry detergent and snacks. Customers can shop these deals online or in stores, with certain products being discounted in both places. As always, pricing can vary by location and items are typically cheaper in-store. Here are 11 of the best deals you can score at Costco for the next 25 days.

Kirkland Signature K-Cup Pods

As if you needed another reason to stock up on coffee. With the warehouse club's latest deal, shoppers can purchase a 120-count box of Kirkland Signature's K-Cup Pods in-store for $29.99  thanks to a $6 discount. This deal applies to three different coffee roasts, including Pacific Bold, Breakfast Blend, and Summit Roast. All of these are organic and Fair Trade certified. The K-Cup pods are also available online for $31.99.

RELATED: The 15 Best Coffee Chains In America

Kirkland Signature Wild Caught Alaskan Sockeye Salmon

Baked, broiled, grilled, or fried—there are numerous ways to enjoy salmon. And now, Costco is giving customers yet another reason to celebrate this versatile fish. Starting today, the Kirkland Signature Wild Caught Alaskan Sockeye Salmon is $5 off when purchased in-store, bringing the total price to $29.69. Each 3-pound resealable bag contains frozen boneless, skin-on salmon, which clocks in at 38 grams of protein per serving.

Beyond Burger Plant-Based Patties

Grab the ketchup and mustard! Beyond Meat's Plant-Based Burger Patties are now $4.50 off, coming in at $10.99 with this warehouse-only discount. Sold frozen in packs of 10, these patties are a new, revamped Beyond Meat product available exclusively at Costco. According to the company, the patties "are closer in taste to beef." Each one contains 20 grams of protein and is free of soy, gluten, and GMOs.

RELATED: 10 Biggest Changes We Saw At Costco In 2023

Classico Organic Pasta Sauce

Jarred pasta sauce can be a mealtime lifesaver—and one that deserves a spot in your pantry. Now, Costco shoppers can purchase not one, not two, but three jars of Classico Organic Pasta Sauce for $8.69 in-store thanks to a $4 discount. This markdown brings each jar to around $2.17.

Chobani Zero Sugar Greek Yogurt

Whether added to a smoothie, transformed into a parfait, or simply eaten on its own, yogurt is beloved for its versatility. At Costco, shoppers can get this refrigerator staple for $8.99 thanks to a $4.50 discount when purchased at the warehouse. Each box of Chobani Zero Sugar Yogurt features 16 cups, available in four different flavors: strawberry, vanilla, blueberry, and mixed berry.

RELATED: 9 Highest-Protein Yogurts on Grocery Store Shelves

Pure Protein Bars Variety Pack

If you're looking for a quick workout snack, Pure Protein Bars are now on sale online and in-store at Costco. Priced at $20.99 online with a $7 markdown, each variety pack features 23 bars in three different flavors. These include Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Deluxe, and Chewy Chocolate Chip.

Jif/Skippy Peanut Butter

Are you Team Skippy or Team Jif? At Costco, it doesn't matter. The warehouse club is taking $3.30 off two-count packages of creamy and crunchy Jif and Skippy peanut butter, which are sold in 48-ounce jars. This discount brings the total price to $7.69.

RELATED: 20 Best Secret Costco Shopping Hacks Right Now

Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Peanut Bars

The list of discounted peanut products continues with Nature Valley's Sweet & Salty Peanut Bars, which are on sale online and in-store. Now available for $13.99 online with a $5 discount, each box contains 48 bars, allowing shoppers to stock up for future snacking occasions. Each bar is chock-full of peanuts and coated in a peanut and almond butter coating.

Tillamook Medium Cheddar Snack Portions

For another easy on-the-go snack, Costco members can snag a bag of Tillamook Medium Cheddar Snack Portions. Each bag is filled with 52 individually wrapped portions of cheese, which are now $3.50 off in-store. Pick up a bag for $10.99!

RELATED: Costco Just Announced Major Growth Plans With 33 New Locations Opening In 2024

Frito-Lay Oven Baked Chips

Craving something salty? Costco's got you covered. This Frito-Lay Oven Baked Variety Pack features 30 bags of five different baked chip options. The choices include Oven Baked Lay's Original, Oven Baked Cheetos, Oven Baked Lay's Barbecue, Oven Baked Cheetos, Oven Baked Flamin' Hot, and Oven Baked Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream. Available online and in-store, the variety pack is $5 off, coming to $16.99 online.

Nature's Garden Organic Trail Mix Snack Packs

If you're looking for a healthier yet satisfying snack, consider adding trail mix to your shopping cart. At Costco, shoppers can snag 24-count bags of Nature's Garden Organic Trail Mix Snack Packs for $11.49 online with a $3.50 discount. The deal is available in-store as well. These multi-packs feature three trail mix varieties, including Heart Healthy Mix, Omega-3 Deluxe Mix, and Cranberry Health Mix. Each one contains a different combination of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit.

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While some stars went on holiday trips to exotic places, others spent this time much like the rest of us: cooking for eight hours, decorating a table, and sharing the evidence on Instagram hours later. From family photos in matching pajamas to outtakes from a day of cooking, social media this week has been one long reel of everyone's favorite holiday moments. We've rounded up our favorite holiday tables from celebs who hosted family and friends at their fabulous homes this year.

1. Joanna Gaines

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Joanna Gaines has been collecting decorative items for her Christmas table for decades, and every year it just gets lovelier. The HGTV host showed off tinted deep green and pale pink glassware, white porcelain vases filled with carefully arranged pink and white flowers, featuring a mix of tulips, roses, and more, and white taper candles in elegant gold holders.

She set one long wood table with green plates on white table settings and the other with blue and white plates on woven wicker placemats. The only thing more gorgeous than her table settings? The sunlight pouring in through her massive windows.

RELATED: 10 Stunning Christmas Charcuterie Board Ideas Your Holiday Guests Will Love

2. Victoria Beckham

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The Beckhams kept things cozy this Christmas, as evidenced by Victoria Beckham's post showing David in a Santa hat roaring with laughter as he holds a glass of wine. While we didn't get to see their full dining set up, we did see a handful of very important noteworthy details: a beautifully roasted golden bird fresh out of the oven and garnished with plenty of rosemary, a very healthy pour of red wine in a large glass, a lit-up Christmas wreath hanging behind David's head, and a table full of Christmas cards in the background.

The day before, Victoria also shared what she got her husband as a Christmas gift: a coop full of chickens.

3. Kris Jenner

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The Kardashian-Jenner clan doesn't do anything low-key, and this year's Christmas party was no exception. Momager Kris Jenner posted an in-depth look at the Christmas village built for their festivities, which included all-white lounge seating around low wooden tables topped with candles, a snow-covered collection of Christmas trees, and a gingerbread house-inspired kids' table.

Of course, the family was decked out in their Christmas best as well: gold glitter, sequins, and fur. Live Christmas music was played from a white piano and they all gathered together to sing along to their favorite tunes.

4. Priyanka Chopra Jonas

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Priyanka Chopra Jonas's holiday table this year featured gold and white tablecloths, fine glassware, white taper candles in gold holders, and personalized menus for each guest, which started with butler-passed appetizers of caviar and potato chips topped with chive sour cream.

This was all for a pre-holiday dinner hosted on Dec. 21 with what appears to be a big group of friends, and we love the idea of this tradition.

RELATED: People Are Obsessed with Making This Festive Cocktail That Looks Like a Snow Globe

5. Kate Hudson

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In a post celebrating the lead-up to Christmas, Kate Hudson got sentimental about how much she loves this time of year while sharing photos from around her house. "I love the holidays so much and throughout the years have collected trees, Santa's, music boxes, snow villages, ornaments, and more," she wrote.

The photos from her home show a Christmas tree decked out with glass ornaments, her staircase draped in long garlands and pinecones frosted in fake snow, an ice-cold glass of Mars Iwai Japanese whisky, and a table set with mini Christmas tree figurines and candles set in amber glass holders. Another tablescape featured a real miniature Christmas tree decorated with ribbons and ornaments of its own.

6. Reese Witherspoon

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Reese Witherspoon rang in the holidays with a family Christmas dinner featuring Avaline wine (Cameron Diaz's and Katherine Power's wine company), short-stemmed red roses, gold flatware, and blue-and-white china and place settings. Blue taper candles sat in gold-rimmed glass holders on the main table, while the dessert table featured gold reindeer and yellow tapers in green glass and silver holders, alongside a perfectly decorated set of Christmas cookies and one gorgeous white cake decorated with a frosting wreath.

RELATED: 5 Mindful Holiday Eating Tips, According to a Celebrity Dietitian

7. Martha Stewart

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What did Martha Stewart serve for Christmas dinner? Glad you asked. After skipping out on hosting Thanksgiving this year, the queen of entertaining was back with a bang and serving up a seven-rib roast, which she proudly documented in detail on Instagram.

While her friends Christopher Spitzmiller and Anthony Bellomo served as official hosts, Stewart made the roast herself and shared the rest of the menu on Instagram too: corn pudding, caviar, baby brussels sprouts, Yorkshire pudding, radicchio pomegranate salad, and a Buche de Noel for dessert. She also shared a peek at the table decorations: a floral tablecloth and beautifully arranged flowers.

8. Claudia Schiffer

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Supermodel Claudia Schiffer shared a look at her glamorous Christmas celebration, which included an elegantly decorated tree, a Versace stocking, an impressive collection of nutcrackers, and a decked-out Christmas table featuring a long garland and centerpieces fitted with white taper candles. Colorful red-tinted wine glasses, white linen placemats, silver reindeer heads, and a Nativity scene round out her festive decor.

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The post 8 Most Stunning Celeb Holiday Tables of 2023 appeared first on Eat This Not That.

What is the 4-1-1 workout method all about?

If you're curious about the 4-1-1 workout method, let strength coach Nicole (Rauch) Winter (@nicolemwinter_ on TikTok) spill the fitness tea. One way to go about it is by performing four days of strength training, one day of running or cardio, and one day of full-body conditioning. Winter dubbed it "a mix of strength + cardio to get the best results" in one of her videos.

Strength coach Kelly Matthews revealed in a TikTok that she approaches the 4-1-1 method by completing four days of strength/hypertrophy-based exercises; one day of sprints, jumps, and conditioning; and one day of low-intensity, steady-state cardio.

RELATED: A 69-Year-Old Fitness Trainer Shares the 6 Exercises That Keep Her Looking Half Her Age

No matter the approach, this training method brings together strength and cardio. So now that you know what the routine is all about, what are the benefits? According to Tyler Read, BSc, CPT, the founder of PTPioneer.com and a personal trainer who has been involved in the health and fitness world for the past 15 years, "This regimen offers a balanced approach … The strength training builds muscle mass, boosting metabolism and enhancing your appearance. Sprinting, being a high-intensity workout, maximizes calorie burn and fat loss."

Read explains that this combination is an ultra-effective way to strip away unwanted body fat "by blending intensive exercises with recovery and muscle-building routines, providing a holistic approach to fitness."

RELATED: 10 Best Exercises To Melt Lower Belly Fat

People are raving about the 4-1-1 workout method for fat loss.

@nicolemwinter_

Replying to @serina combo of strength training + cardio in b!0 – free week on me!! #fatlossworkoutplan #transformyourbodywithme #transformyourbodyoneworkoutatatime #411workoutmethod #buildmuscleburnfats #strengthandcardioworkout #fullbodycomboworkout #burnfatworkouts

♬ Out Of The Woods x Blank Space by Altégo – ALTÉGO

Winter wrote in one of her TikTok videos (as she crushed alternating dumbbell thrusters), "Sis give me six weeks to transform your body. I'll show you [how] to drop fat fast and build lean muscle with 4-1-1 build x burn method. In two weeks you'll feel it. In four weeks you'll notice it. In six weeks you'll hear it from your friends asking to spill your workout routine."

Another TikToker, Maggie | Workouts for Women, advocated for the training method, writing in a video, "Girlies, if you're serious about losing fat, you need to do the 4-1-1 fat loss method."

You've heard it from the fitness pros themselves. If you're looking to melt pesky body fat and reveal a leaner, more toned body, performing a healthy balance of strength training and cardio is key. There are plenty of effective numbered workouts out there, but the 4-1-1 may just be an excellent place for you to start!

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The post People Swear by the '4-1-1' Workout Method to Strip Away Body Fat appeared first on Eat This Not That.

Until Dec. 26, shoppers can score this appliance for $100 off, with the online price coming to $279.98. The mixer typically retails for $379.98 at Sam's Club, though prices can vary.

RELATED: 14 Baking Staples You Should Always Buy at Costco

As noted in the item's product description, the iconic mixer is designed to "take it all on," including folding, kneading, mixing, shredding, and beating. Each one is complete with a 5.5-quart stainless steel bowl, 3-quart stainless steel bowl, and several attachments: coated flat beater, coated dough hook, 6-wire whip, mini whip, and a spatula.

Among the item's key features are the 11 different speeds designed to give users power and control. One of these options is "1/2 speed," which is intended for gently adding ingredients without overbeating them.

The 5.5-quart bowl allows you to mix 11 cookies per batch, knead over seven pounds of bread dough, and mash six-pounds of potatoes when using the flat beater attachment. Meanwhile, the 3-quart bowl and mini whip can be used for smaller batches of mixtures that require aeration like meringue and whipped cream.

Additionally, shoppers can add a pop of color to their kitchen or opt for something more muted because this appliance comes in not one, not two, but five different color options. These include Mineral Water, Black Matte, Empire Red, Blue Velvet, and Contour Silver.

RELATED: 14 Must-Have Holiday Baking Staples To Buy at Trader Joe's

This KitchenAid mixer has garnered many positive reviews on the Sam's Club website and currently boasts a 4.8-star rating.

"Great contents with extra smaller bowl and smaller whisk! Sale price for the holidays. I'm a happy camper," one reviewer wrote. "Excellent kitchen item! Love the attachments," another shopper added.

Beyond this stand mixer, Sam's Club is offering discounts on other kitchen appliances, such as the Ninja Professional Plus 9-Cup Food Processor Special Edition, which is now $69.99 with a $20 discount.

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The post Sam's Club Is Selling KitchenAid Stand Mixers At a Huge Discount appeared first on Eat This Not That.

A fan of the grocery chain took to Reddit this week to share an odd conundrum: the retailer's olive oil has been absent from their local stores for several weeks.

RELATED: 13 Highest-Quality Olive Oils on Grocery Shelves

"What's going on with all olive oil at TJ (Trader Joe's)? It started about two weeks ago, my dad and I went to TJ in Staten Island, N.Y. and there was barely any olive oil. Two weeks later it was the same thing. Today I went to a different TJ in Queens, and there was not one bottle of olive oil," the Redditor wrote. "Do you guys see that in your local TJ too, or is it just NYC?"

What's going on with olive oil?
byu/AdSea6127 intraderjoes

As it turns out, plenty of other shoppers have also noticed a lack of olive oil at the Trader Joe's locations near them lately.

"No olive oil in my local TJ's (LA) earlier this week either, sigh," one shopper commented on the post.

"Mine was out yesterday too," another said.

Several self-identified Trader Joe's employees claimed that there have been ongoing supply issues for the pantry staple, which would explain why availability is limited right now.

"Employee here, there's been supplier/warehouse issues the better part of this year," one commented.

"Grocery section leader here! We're unfortunately affected by an olive oil shortage. None of it is orderable [at the moment], and won't be until the 28th at the earliest, but I expect it to get pushed back. Sorry!" another wrote.

RELATED: I Tried 9 Trader Joe's Frozen Pastas & The Best Was Creamy & Delicious

Some Redditors wondered if Trader Joe's olive oil shortages have something to do with the high temperatures and drought that affected Europe's olive-growing regions over the summer, taking a toll on production. Per CNN, experts believe that potential shortages and higher prices could be the consequence of the weather issues. Last year's olive oil harvest was also bad due to a heat wave that wreaked havoc on Europe's olive crop.

It's important to note that not all Trader Joe's stores seem to be suffering from the reported olive oil shortages. Several shoppers noted in the comments that locations near them still have bottles in stock right now. But the sheer number of customers who haven't seen the product in recent weeks indicates that it's more than a one-off issue.

Trader Joe's did not immediately respond to our queries for comment on the reported olive oil shortages.

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The post Trader Joe's Shoppers Are Reporting an Olive Oil Shortage: 'Not One Bottle' appeared first on Eat This Not That.

This week, Laura Lamb, who runs the Costco-focused Instagram account @costcohotfinds, spotted Almond Florentine Cookies in the warehouse club's bakery, writing in a post, "I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've seen them there!!"

The Instagram user reported that these cookies, which are drizzled in dark chocolate, are available in 16-count containers for $8.99. However, like other Costco products, the pricing and availability can vary depending on the location.

RELATED: 10 Over-The-Top Christmas Gifts You Can Still Buy at Costco

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"These are insane. They're thin, crispy, nutty, and hard to stop eating," Lamb said in her video, adding, "They're super delicate and just delicious."

As indicated in the post's comments section, the cookies appear to have won over other Costco shoppers, too.

"You cannot stop at one. They are so good!!" one Instagram user wrote.

"Had them recently. Yummy," another commenter added.

Florentine cookies, also referred to as "Florentine biscuits" or "lace cookies," typically feature a base of nuts, such as almonds or hazelnuts, fruit like cherries or citrus, as well as melted butter and cream. These thin, crispy cookies are believed to have originated in France.

RELATED: 14 Must-Have Holiday Baking Staples To Buy at Trader Joe's

In addition to the Almond Florentine Cookies, Costco recently introduced another new bakery item: the Black Forest Bar Cake with Maraschino Cherries. This bakery addition, which was spotted for $17.99, features layers of chocolate cake, whipped cream, and cherry filling. The cake is then topped with additional maraschino cherries and chocolate shavings.

For shoppers craving other festive flavors, the warehouse club also brought back its Mini Gingerbread Cakes, which were first launched in 2022. Priced at $8.99 for a six-count package, this bakery item consists of gingerbread-flavored cakes topped with whipped vanilla buttercream icing and a smiling chocolate gingerbread man. 

A few other seasonal bakery favorites Costco members can score include the Holiday Cookies, Gooey Cinnamon Rolls, and Peppermint Bark.

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The post Costco's Bakery Just Launched an Exciting New Christmas Cookie: 'Hard To Stop Eating' appeared first on Eat This Not That.