In with our usual Sunday-afternoon ads, we got a new “magazine,” Vardag & Fest. Because I’m a sucker for magazines–even a fifty-page advertisement booklet in magazine’s clothing–I read it cover to cover. Most of the stuff I either already buy or wouldn’t consider buying, but three new items caught my eye.

First, Vegetarian Tacomix, by Santa Maria. It’s a soy-based product that purports to look and taste like taco-spiced ground meat. Thus far I’ve been perfectly happy with black beans and/or quorn (a mushroom-based meat replacement) in my tacos, but I think I’ll give this new thing a whirl, too.

Next, Gelésocker Multi, a sugar product that eliminates the need to use gelatin in pannacotta and other desserts. Not only does it simplify a number of recipes, it’s entirely vegetarian, which makes me very, very happy. I’ve never actually cooked with gelatin, because I just couldn’t bear to, but now I won’t have to forego some of the tempting recipes I had to pass up before.

Finally, and perhaps most exciting, Betty Crocker baking mixes and canned frosting will soon be finding their way to the “regular” baking shelves in Swedish grocery stores. I’m not sure why this is such good news for me, because I’d like as not whip up a cake from scratch even when I still lived in the States, and that certainly hasn’t changed after nearly four years in Sweden, but the sight of the familiar packaging is sure to brighten up my day. And really, sometimes a tub of Betty Crocker chocolate frosting hits the spot like nothing else.

*We got something good in the mailbox today.