Viet me

I believe the Viet My Gift Shop on the corner of South 38th and Yakima in Tacoma’s International District represents what an outdoor market in Asia must be like. Stepping inside, incense fills the nostrils with exotic scents. My eyes trace the shelves up three, four, five shelves till my head falls back to view the ceiling. Stacks of items absorb every available inch of space. Ceramic tea service sets sit next to plastic vegetable scrapers; racks of silk clothing crowd boxes of dusty 1980’s sunglasses ($10) perched on top of neon yellow feather hand fans ($8).

Display cases beckon with multitudes of carved jade jewelry, strings of pearls, silver bangles, flashy Zippos and pendants of every imaginable shape, size and construction.

[Viet My Gift Shop, 775 S. 38th St., Tacoma, 253.475.1126]

Go organic

Marlene’s Market and Deli appeals to many types of people, but specifically to the eco-conscious, whole foods advocates, and organic fans.

The Marlene’s in Federal Way has several cool features. First, a dry room hosts bulk bins of goods ranging from spices, seasonings, herb teas to oats, grains seeds, nuts and dried fruit available by weight. Second, a cold case holds a multitude of cheeses — smoky Gouda, fresh mozzarella and havarti nestle next to specialty meats. And last, the granola bar aisle. The aisle will appeal to even those that have never hit a trail, hiked to a lip or ridden a ridge. Yes, they are still made with the usual stuff, fruit, nuts, grains, but the healthy quality and the taste will surprise. Nature’s Choice brand excels at both. The aisle offers 100-percent natural everything, no artificial anything, not even sweetener. The aisle even offers bars in very berry varieties, vegan and wheat-free. Six bars to a box runs $3.65.

Another killer find is Erin baker’s Breakfast Cookies ($1.39) available in eight selections: lemon berry, banana walnut, peanut butter chocolate chunk to name a few. These round, palm-sized babies have enough vitamins and energy-boosting protein to launch you right into a spectacular day. Smart Monkey gets in on the game with bars that are great anytime, just don’t have a nut allergy or an aversion to raisins; the bars are 80 percent of both ($2.69).

Marlene’s in Tacoma has an outstanding deli offering freshly made daily soups, sandwiches, salads, quiches and divine desserts.

[Marlene’s Market and Deli, 2564 S. Gateway Ct. Pl., Federal Way, 253.839.0933; 2951 S. 38th St., Tacoma, 253.472.4080]