Again, Lydia is here to mix it up, review wise. Today's food journey finds Lydia shopping for groceries for the first time since early February. For a solid, affordable selection of ecclectic food, venture over to Trader Joe's in Emeryville for salmon jerkey, mochi ice cream, and cheap wine. Trader Joe has long been popular as Whole Food's cheap younger sibling, with its wide variety of organic food and fresh flowers. Check out the wide selection of all natural dried fruit, as well as the chocolate mint truffles. If you are looking for a real meal, the frozen food section features mexican and italian dishes- from enchiladas to tamales to feta cheeze pizza.

Had a little of a existential crisis in the wine aisle though. As a 21 year old, it's high time I knew the difference between the varieties of wine available. Merlot, chardonnay, cabernet sovingioin, blah blah blah blah. White wine with red meat the red wine with white meat? Shellfish? I want to be able to pick out a hearty wine to go with my microwave pizza.