Eat In. Trader Joe's European Style French Vanilla Mint yogurt.

Trader Joe's is always coming out with new items, often hit-or-miss. I just spotted this in the refrigerated section and decided to try it.

I imagined it tasting a lot like Middle Eastern yogurt that often comes with mint in it, which can be very strong and pungent, coming on the side of a main dish.

This however has neither of those qualities. Smooth, creamy, with a French vanilla flavor at first and a minty aftertaste this is one of my favorite of Trader Joe's recent new products.

And like many of their yogurts, the new cups of French vanilla mint cost $.99 each.

-- Lauren Williams

Do It. Picking good produce.

With the changing of seasons comes the changing of produce. But how to choose a good apple, citrus, melon versus a not-so-fresh one? Here are a few pointers in picking out the freshest, ripest fruits and veggies.

For citrus, you always want small pores, shiny skin, vibrant color (true of all produce really), and you want to be able to smell the fruit. A heavy citrus also means it's juicy on the inside, but you should eat it soon after purchasing it.

Shininess and brightness in color are pretty important in all produce selection. Never get anything with dull or wrinkled skin -- that means it's on the way out the door. Firm skin means it will last a few days in the fridge.

Melons too should be heavy and make a kind of hollow sound. I believe if a melon doesn't have a "bouncing" or hollow sound when you knock softly on it, it means the flesh inside is a bit sandy and too soft in texture.

-- Lauren Williams