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Costco food Food and Beverage

Costco Royal Asia Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Thai Chili Sauce

Costco Wholesale has a bit of everything. If you've been interested in trying Costco coconut shrimp, they seem to have at least a couple of options: the Aqua Star Coconut Breaded Butterfly Shrimp, Clean Tail, 16-20 ct, 2.5 lbs, and then the Royal Asia Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Thai Chili Sauce, 2 lbs.

I purchased the Royal Asia Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Thai Chili Sauce from Costco.

Costco Coconut Shrimp Carmen Varner food writer


How to Cook the Frozen Coconut Shrimp

For best results, bake or air fry them. To bake, place the shrimp in a single layer on a sheet pan and bake at 400 degrees F for about 18 minutes or until golden brown. The directions say to flip them halfway through.

If you want to skip the oven, try the air fryer. To air fry the shrimp, heat them at 400 degrees F for about 8 minutes and flip them halfway through. 

The Taste of the Coconut Shrimp

The coconut is crispy and tasty. As the name of the frozen coconut shrimp would suggest, it has a deep coconut flavor with the texture of shredded coconut. The shrimp have tails which are easy to remove. The shrimp themselves seem small compared to the amount of coconut on them.

When you use the Thai chili sauce, there is quite a lot of sugar. I actually never ended up using this because the coconut shrimp had a lot of flavor on its own.

Nutrition Facts

The nutrition facts say that there are 8 servings, each 4 oz. This includes the Thai chili sauce, but there are no nutrition facts if you choose to skip the sauce.

Each serving is 390 calories and 24 grams of total fat, 9 grams of saturated fat, 34 grams of carbs, 11 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, and 17 grams of sugar.

Costco Coconut Shrimp Carmen Varner food writer

Final Thoughts - The coconut shrimp are tasty, but there's more coconut than shrimp

I found this in the frozen fish and seafood area of the store. It was on sale at the time, so I decided to buy it. I like the taste and texture; I just feel that the amount of coconut to shrimp is off. There seems to be a lot of coconut and small pieces of shrimp.

Costco has plenty of good deals, so this is already a good value and a delicious way to mix up how you eat shrimp. The shrimp are ready, so you don't have to clean, devein, or do anything other than pop them in the oven or air fryer.

Overall, I enjoyed the flavor, and it's a good item to have on rotation at home. I wouldn't stock it permanently, but it's nice to have when you want something different. These shrimp are fun to bring to a party or for a family dinner when you don't want to make everything from scratch.

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food Food and Beverage

New Churro Freeze and Watermelon Fizz Dutch Bros Seasonal Drinks

Summer is around the corner, and Dutch Bros has some new drinks on the menu. The Mangonada Rebel returns for another year, while the Churro Freeze and Watermelon Fizz are both fresh additions. Find these available for a limited time at all Dutch Bros locations (all 850+ of them) now until June 30, 2024.

New Churro Freeze and Watermelon Fizz Seasonal Drinks from Dutch Bros

Churro Freeze Blended Caramel Coffee from Dutch Bros

The Churro Freeze uses blended caramel coffee, cinnamon sugar Soft Top, and churro bits for a chilly treat. The churro bits appear to be crunchy pieces of cinnamon sugar, so if you're expecting a dough-based churro, that's not the case. This is for the best since the sugar bits would get soggy in the drink while the cinnamon sugar bits remain crisp.  

The Churro Freeze mixes cinnamon and coffee for a blended but not-too-thick drink. It has the espresso factor if you want a coffee drink, but it's too hot for a warm beverage. It's a cold drink, but the cinnamon aspect almost seems as though it would be suited for fall. 

New Churro Freeze and Watermelon Fizz Seasonal Drinks from Dutch Bros

If you want a little bit of autumn in the summertime the Churro Freeze is a delicious way to get that feeling in a cup. Cinnamon is considered one of the warming spices you often see paired with ginger, cardamom, etc.

The blended Churro Freeze seasonal drink is quite cold, so if you have teeth sensitivities, this is something to consider. I don’t, but it was still very cold on the teeth.

New Churro Freeze and Watermelon Fizz Seasonal Drinks from Dutch Bros

Watermelon Fizz from Dutch Bros

Dutch Bros' Watermelon Fizz has sparkling water that's infused with watermelon, strawberry fruit pieces, and lemonade. It's a refreshing sweet drink that feels light in comparison to the Churro Freeze. Dutch Bros Watermelon Fizz is especially refreshing to sip on a hot day.

The cold beverage definitely has the tell-tale signs of summer. It almost tastes like a fruit 7-Up or a spin on a Jolly Rancher. It’s very carbonated and sweet but not too cloying. There is a lot of ice, so drink it sooner rather than later because the ice melts and waters down the potency of the Watermelon Fizz.

Mangonada Rebel

The Mangonada Rebel is the Dutch Bros version of the Mexican drink. This rendition has Rebel, which is Dutch Bros' exclusive energy drink as well as and mangonada flavor. It's topped with strawberries and Tajín® (made of mild natural chili peppers, lime, and sea salt).

Dutch Bros Seasonal Drinks Prices

At my local Dutch Bros in the San Diego area, the small Watermelon Fizz and small Churro Freeze seasonal drinks totaled $12.02. Given the state of inflation across all industries, the price is pretty decent. They are standard as far as specialty drinks, like Dutch Bros frozen coffee, go. Whether that’s a price you want to pay or not, it’s up to you. 

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food Food and Beverage Oceanside travel

Best Donuts in Oceanside, California

Donuts are delicious delights of fried dough. Whether you like them creme-filled or glazed, there are a few places to find donuts in Oceanside. While looking up reviews and photos, you can choose the best donut shop. Do you prefer cakey donuts like an old-fashioned donut, or want something doughy and light? Are you looking for vegan options? There are good donuts, but only you can determine the best donuts since each person has different qualities they look for (whether that's price, atmosphere, flavors, etc).

Best Donuts in Oceanside California Carmen Varner Parlor Doughnuts
Selection of donuts at Parlor Doughnuts in Downtown Oceanside, California.

Best Donut Shop in Oceanside - Where to Find Donuts in Oceanside

Parlor Doughnuts - 331 N Cleveland St Oceanside, CA 92054

This spot has croissant-like donuts, which are different from your average kind. They come with frosting based on the flavor. The flavor comes from the frosting and toppings, but the donut remains the same. No indoor seating, but they do have outdoor seating. They usually have a gluten-free option, too.

Doughside Donuts - 417 S. Coast Hwy. Oceanside (coming soon, according to their Instagram)

Photos are available via their Instagram. 

Tans Donuts - 3375 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058

Start your morning with coffee, flavored creamers, and various doughnuts. They open at 4 a.m., so if you're an early riser, you can grab a bite to eat. Bring cash, as it's cash only.

Best Donuts in Oceanside California Carmen Varner Hills Street Donut House
Hill Street Donut House in Oceanside, CA.

Hill Street Donut House - 1926 S Coast Hwy Oceanside, CA 92054

This is an ideal grab-and-go choice when you're cruising down Coast Highway. You can park and quickly go in to get your doughnuts and a cup of coffee. These are classic donuts when you don't need fancy, photo-worthy options.

Mission Donut House - 1502 Mission Ave Oceanside, CA 92054

This shop on Mission Avenue offers sprinkle donuts, breakfast sandwiches, and more. It has a big case with a wide selection of doughnuts. For a refreshment, they also make smoothies.

K-Donuts - 4750 Oceanside Blvd Oceanside, CA 92056

K-Donuts has a wide selection of donuts and filling options, such as the sausage and cheese croissant or the strawberry and cream cheese croissant. The filled croissants are a popular choice if you want something other than a doughnut. 

Best Donuts in Oceanside California Carmen Varner Sk's Donuts
Sk's Donuts on South Coast Highway.

Sk's Donuts Oceanside - 1129 S Coast Hwy Oceanside, CA 92054

Sk's Donuts Oceanside offers breakfast coffee, sandwiches, and donuts, such as cinnamon crumble, blueberry cake, and apple fritters. There are also plenty of tables for inside seating. The service is friendly and you'll find locals stopping by to grab a few donuts to go.

Oceanside Donut - 3772 Mission Ave Ste 119 Oceanside, CA 92054

Oceanside Donut is a small store near Stater Bros; some might even call it a hole-in-the-wall. It offers a wide selection of fresh donuts. Reviewers mention that the correct address is 3772 Mission Ave, Suite C., even though it says Suite 119 on online searches.

Mr. Donuts - 1950 Oceanside Blvd # C, Oceanside, CA 92054

At this Oceanside donut shop, you can get breakfast sandwiches and donuts. Credit cards must be used for a minimum of $10, so remember that, or bring cash.

Sam's Donuts - 3504 College Blvd # A, Oceanside, CA 92056

Sam's Donuts is a tiny shop in Oceanside that serves doughnuts and breakfast sandwiches. It's located in a strip mall near Grocery Outlet, so there's lots of parking. 

Coffee and Desserts in Oceanside

There are many doughnut shops in Oceanside. Oceanside is part of the North County San Diego area, about 40 miles away from Downtown San Diego. Most of these doughnut shops serve coffee, and some offer espresso drinks. The price will vary by business. 

As with most donut shops, there are fewer options if you arrive in the afternoon. Early morning hours are best for visiting for the freshest doughnuts and desserts. Plus, you'll have the most flavors to choose from. Find the best doughnuts the earlier you go.

Related reading: Oceanside Beaches: Best Beaches in Oceanside, CA. Read here.

Best donuts in Oceanside Parlor Doughnuts exterior outside
Exterior view of Parlor Doughnuts in Oceanside.

Parlor Doughnuts (not spelled Parlor Donuts) has options such as French Toast, Honey Glazed, Maple Bacon, Carnival, Maple Pecan, Sandy Beach, Cookies N' Cream, Chocolate Chocolate, Campfire, Bourbon Caramel, Peanut Butter Cup, Turtle, Churro, Turtle Cheesecake, Caramel Bliss*, Coconut Cream Filled, Raspberry Jelly Filled, Dreamsicle, Vanilla Keto, Blueberry Hill, Lemonade*, Maple Keto, Minis, and a Box of Minis. They are close to the Oceanside Pier and other restaurants. They also have outdoor seating and some merchandise. Learn more about the Oceanside Pier: Restaurants, Fishing, and Parking here.

Treat yourself to some fresh donuts. They're the perfect gift to bring back to the family. Oceanside is close to Vista and Carlsbad if you want to explore nearby areas. For a shopping mall, visit The Shoppes at Carlsbad. You should walk around Oceanside Harbor and grab something to eat there. Find out about the Oceanside Harbor Restaurants here. These are the best donuts in Oceanside, whether you like chocolate bars, sprinkle donuts, or something else.

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New Mom Care Package: Breastfeeding Moms, Emergency C-Section, and More

Whether you're a first-time new mom or a new mom again, being a new parent is an unparalleled experience. There's the sleep deprivation, the worry, the constant cycle of feeding, burping, changing diapers, figuring out why they're crying. For new moms, friends, family, and coworkers of new parents might want to consider making a new mom care package to provide some items to make the process even a little bit easier.

* Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. It is no extra cost to you but helps maintain website fees and maintenance. Learn more on my disclaimer page.

What should be included in a new mom gift basket or new mom care package?

Every person and baby is different, so just keep their style or preferences in mind. These new mom care package ideas can be for breastfeeding moms, formula moms, emergency c-section moms, and much more. 

New Mom Care Package: Breastfeeding Moms, Emergency C-Section, and More

Some ideas to include in the perfect gift box could be

  • nipple balm, nipple cream, or nipple butter for sore nipples
  • belly band or abdominal binder for c-section mamas
  • food delivery, meals, takeout, or food gift cards
  • lidocaine perineal spray for pain relief
  • 2-piece pajama set, ideally a dark color like black or navy
  • diapers or wipes for baby, ideally size 2 or up
  • snacks like granola bars, chips, nuts, or variety packs
  • peri bottle

Healthy Snacks - Grab-and-Go Items

Whether they're breastfeeding or making bottles, you end up feeling pretty famished for feedings. It doesn't matter if it's the middle of the night, early morning, or middle of the day, it is a daunting task. These are general ideas so you don't have to purchase the exact item. Foods like granola bars, nuts, fruit strips, popcorn, drinks, sparkling water, or other little things to eat. This is one of the better new mom care package ideas to ensure the mother has some good snacks.

Nuts

SkinnyDipped Snack Attack Minis Almond Variety Pack. Nuts are a good snack to have on hand. They're gluten-free and provide plant protein. They come in small packages so the new mom can eat one or two packs without having to open a whole bag of nuts. Different flavors are a perk so they can try different flavors. 

Popcorn

Smartfood Popcorn, Variety Pack, 0.5 Ounce (Pack of 18). Popcorn is another good snack for breastfeeding moms who need some calories as they feed their little one. These come in various flavors and small bags for convenience.

Snack Variety Packs

Ultimate Healthy Care Package (30 Count) Variety Pack. Save yourself time and get a bars and nuts pack which makes a good gift. It has different bars, granola bars, and nuts like pistachios, almonds, and peanuts. Perfect for night time feedings when they need a bite to eat.

Cold Drinks

Cold drinks like sparkling prebiotic soda or prebiotic iced tea are fun to drink and they're low in sugar. Stay hydrated with essentials like bottle water, coconut water, or juice.

Hot Drinks

Hot drinks like a tea bag sampler set are nice since there's a blend of teas to pick from. Help out by providing a coffee gift set for a morning coffee. This is perfect for hectic early mornings when the new mom needs a pick-me-up. You can also buy their favorite coffee brand or a gift card like The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf gift card or a Peet's Coffee & Tea gift card.

Postpartum Care Package For Emergency C-Section and Breastfeeding Moms

A postpartum care package makes a great gift for once the baby arrives since they'll be pretty occupied. Everyone asks about the baby, but not as many people ask about the new mom. Even a simple gesture like a greeting card or a text asking how she's recovering can mean the world.

Premade New Mom Care Packages

Buy a premade new mom care package. Here are a few options:
  • New Mom Gifts for Women, Mom, Pregnancy Gifts Basket, New Mommy to Be Care Package After Baby Birth, First Time Mother Essential. Has items like a candle, a tumbler cup for hot coffee or wine, bar soap, fuzzy socks, greeting card, and more.
  • Luxury Gift Set with teething ring, body oil, bath salts, hand balm, muslin comforter, and more. This thoughtful bundle is perfect for your favorite new mom.
  • Labor and Postpartum Kit with peri bottle, instant ice pack, disposable underwear, healing foam, and more.
  • New Mom Skin Recovery Kit with lotions, creams, and body oil. This new parent care package makes a thoughtful gift for a friend or family member.
New moms need love and support when it comes to their new baby. It's hard for a new mama to get the hang of balancing the addition to the family. Whether she gave birth, had a c-section delivery, or had a baby via surrogate, she'll still have those late night feedings, those moments of loneliness and sleep deprivation. Just showing up with food or a small treat really means the world. It's the perfect way to show your support. Babies are sweet addition to the family, but it can be hard to transition even with the support of dad or other family.

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