Cookie Butter & Cookie Butter Cookies

Once I was in TJ, about a year ago, and noticed an associate showing a woman where the cookie butter was.  I inquired as to what cookie butter was.  It's like the consistency of peanut butter, but has a sweet, cinnamon taste.  I brought it home that day with some pretzel sticks - the associate suggested sweet and salty.  Myself, my husband and my kids ate it for a snack.  We enjoyed it, but never got the jar out again.  It just didn't really make sense to me or maybe it wasn't tasty enough.  Now let me mention that this was before they had the cocoa flavored cookie butter.  I am a chocolate lover, so that one might be more addictive for me.  Haven't tried it yet.

Flash forward to today, when I am at music class with my son talking about TJ.  A woman tells me that her kids are currently obsessed with the TJ Cookie Butter Cookies.  As I do every Tuesday after music class, I went to TJ with my three-year old.  And of course, I bought the cookies.

We ate them after lunch, and they were yummy.  I still wish there was a chocolate kick, but they were good enough to eat three.  (They're tiny...)

Flowers, flowers, such beautiful flowers!

Enjoy the TJ flowers first.  Then read the blog entry!

The flowers at Trader Joe's are impressive.  And very, very reasonably priced.  More often than not, if I comment on flowers at a friend's house, she says they are from TJ.

I was at a friend's house on Valentine's Day night, for a party, and her husband was saying that he went to TJ after work the day before Valentine's Day and they were COMPLETELY SOLD OUT of flowers!  My husband then chimed in that he went the morning before Heart Day and bought two bunches for me.  Hyacinths and roses.

He then told another story that he heard from the cashier, and man, i have been telling it to everyone that'll listen.

Apparently, a florist in town comes in weekly and buys out the tulips at TJ because they are cheaper and better quality than the ones she can get wholesale!  And then she turns around and resells them in her floral bouquets.  I thought that was pretty cool.

The final thing I'll say about the TJ flowers is that you can also get unique holiday items like poinsettias, rosemary trees, shamrocks and Easter lillies.

HAPPY ST. PADDY'S DAY!

Hosting Book Club - Trader Joe's Style!

What did we do before Trader Joe's?  Next time you're hosting book club, dash on over to TJ!

Here are some YAYS and some NAYS.

Hummus with Pita - always a winner.  My favorite hummus is Kalamata Olive, so this was a no brainer.  But one day, against my better judgement, I purchased the Edamame Hummus... and loved it!  It was quite the conversation starter at book club too.  Its green, ya know.


If I am buying it for myself, I always buy wheat pita.  But for book club, go white.  Tear it into pieces and put on foil in the toaster oven on "warm" for about 10 minutes.

 

Feta cheese spread with golden round crackers - If you read this spread description, it seems like it will be cheesy and herby, but this one has a kick to it.  And rarely do I complain about TJ, but this is a repeated complaint of mine.  When something that shouldn't have a kick, does... and it isn't disclosed.  I wish I was one of those cool peple who like spicey things, but I'm not.  And who wants spicy feta?  Oxymoron people.

Now the crackers are a whole other story.  They are DEE-LISH.  A great and successful substitute for the leading additive-filled golden cracker.

Corn and Chile Salsa with Organic Blue Corn Tortilla Chips - now you might think that something with the word chile in the title is spicy, but it isn't.  It is sweet!  Yep, not a typo.  SWEET.  I thought I would dislike this salsa, but I loved it.  And the blue chips are a staple in our house.  The kids beg for more.  We eat them with guacamole, tacos, enchiladas, etc. 

 

Here's my only NAY so far - just read the title.  What was I thinking?  If you want spinach dip, it can't say

1. Kale
2. Greek Yogurt
3. Reduced Guilt
Own the guilt and buy the real thing!

Trader Joe's Queso Cheese Dip - Falls Short

I went to college in Dallas.  I became obsessed with Mexican food (can't eat it in my Midwestern current city of residence) and specifically fell in love with Queso Dip.  My roomie and I used to go out to dinner and just order hot tortillas, pats of butter, and a large queso dip.  Num, num!

Every now and then, I buy a queso dip in a jar.  I don't ever expect it to compare to those Dallas institutions, but I hope that I enjoy it... a little bit.

This one is AWFUL.  Tastes like some cheese melted in a field of cilantro.  Sadness...

Hawaiian Hickory Barbeque Potato Chips - Delicious!

Wow.  Brings me back to Hawaii.  I really do remember eating this type of chip when I went to Hawaii, when I was eight years old.

The first time I bought these (and the second), my husband and I finished the bag... in one day.  Now I have kind of OD-ed on them.  But that doesn't mean they aren't delicious.

They also come in Sea Salt and Salt & Vinegar.

The TJ BAGELS

My older son LOVES bagels.  Like too much.  And when he falls in love, he falls hard.  He obsesses, asks for it every day, can't get enough.  That's when I step in and make a rule.

"You can have bagels once a month."

So... he gets his monthly bagels.  And he asks for them if I forget.  And if anyone eats one, or even half of one, I am told that I "owe him a bagel."

FYI - I currently owe him a bagel.

Not as Good as its competitor... Organic Mini PB Crackers

One thing I love about TJ, is that they make a lot of basic, snack-type foods that are similar (copies) of well-known (but additive-filled) items.  Oreos, Ritz Crackers, Goldfish crackers, etc. 

Unfortunately, they fall short with their Organic Mini Peanut Butter Crackers.  They aren't terrible, but they don't compare to the Ritz variety.  My kids tried them, thought they were so-so, but didn't end up finishing the box.  That's the true test.  Do I end up throwing it out, or does it get finished pronto.

Decadent Breakfast Pastry - INSANELY Delicious

On Christmas morning, after my kids open and play with their gifts, we go over to my parent's house in our PJ's.  My mom always has a yummy brunch with eggs, bacon, fruit and different pastries.  When my little one sneaked over the the table, before everything was ready, and started chowing down on this pretty large croissant, we were all intrigued by it.  And curious to try it ourselves.  Then, when my mom said she made them, I instantly knew they were from Trader Joe's.

Listen, these are crazy good.  I don't see how something in a box, that's frozen, can be this divine.  Why go to your local French pastry shop?  Just stop off at TJ and grab a box.

Queen of Croissants INDEED!

Yummy BBQ Sauce with NO Corn Syrup, NO Artifical Flavor and NO Preservatives

Another thing I try to avoid, and have my kids avoid, is high fructose corn syrup.  It is an additive that is cheap, but unnecessarily put into a lot of foods.  Foods like ketchup and barbeque sauce are two that don't need that corn syrup.

The Trader Joe's barbeque sauce doesn't have it!  Or any artificial flavors or preservatives.  And it tastes delicious.  Perfect for chicken nugget dippin'...

Greek Yogurt - OMG Amazing!

When I first bought the Greek Honey Yogurt at Trader Joe's, I was on one of my "no sweets" kicks.  This yogurt was so delicious and so healthy (it's Greek, right?), I ate it with Granola every night.  And then I accidentally saw the fat grams in it.  YOWZERS!  No wonder it reminded me of the yogurt I had in Europe.

Now I just eat a tiny bit, once in a while, but I let my very skinny 3-year old eat it.  It is a healthy fat and great for young kids.  He also loves the Strawberry Vanilla flavor. 

And then my older son gets the 0% fat Greek Yogurt, Vanilla Flavor.  He is a huge fan of it.

Trader Joe's Dessert - The BAD...

As I mentioned already, I have a serious sweet tooth.  It is BAD.

This blog entry focuses on a few of the BAD desserts I have tried.

Maple Leaf Cookies - so cute, they are actually shaped like a Maple leaf!  But the suck.

I am still shocked that these are so tasteless.  I love chocolate mint EVERYTHING.  But these fall very, very short.

These were a surprise.  Not in a good way.  I ate these while visiting a friend years ago, before my town had a TJ.  Once it opened, I couldn'd find the cookies I had at my friend's house.  Just recently, I saw these for the first time, an THOUGHT they were the same cookie that I could not get enough of at said friend's house.  But these are no beuno.  Even my kids won't eat 'em.

Trader Joe's Dessert - The Good...

I have a serious sweet tooth.  It is BAD.  Really, really BAD.  But it is good for you.  Because I have sampled every single, solitary dessert at Trader Joe's.  Well, not really.  but I am well on my way.

This blog entry focuses on the GOOD desserts.  One for adults and one for kids.  Although my taste buds prefer the kid pick.

Dark chocolate candy bar - my mom is a major dark chocoholic.  She eats a little bit every night.  And she has approved this candy bar with fling colors.  I bought it for her for Valentine's Day, not realizing she had already tried it, and she lit up when she saw it. 

Joe-Joe's VANILLA - my kids love these and I feel (with no merit) that they are better for them than say an Oreo.  I am sure these have less additives.  Because TJ cares about my kids!  Side note - the chocolate ones are nasty.

Trader Joe's Breakfast - Part Two: WEEKEND

We love breakfast in my house and often make it for dinner.  I make a killer homemade pancake.  But Trader Joe's makes some decent ones too.  And some yummy blueberry waffles.  We pair them with their bananas, scrambled eggs and one of my favorite items that they carry.  BACON.  It actually isn't TJ brand, and I have seen it for MORE money at another store.  But I love it because it is lower in fat (supposedly), uncured (no chemicals!) and really tasty.

My favorite bacon.  I have made it for my parents and several friends that have come over for brunch and everyone comments on it.

Yummy Blueberry Waffles:

Silver Dollar Pancakes.  These are so stinkin' cute, but I actually found them to be a little bland.  I first smelled them and based on smell alone, they are amazing.  But then I tried them... meh...  But my kids LOVED them.  Go figure.

Trader Joe's Breakfast - Part One: WEEK DAY

Pretty much, every week day morning, my kids eat the same thing.  Toasted Ezekial Sprout Bread (cheaper at TJ than anywhere else), with Natural PB (not from TJ) and Organic Reduced Sugar Blueberry Jam (from TJ.)

And my husband and I eat it too.

Make sure to keep the bread frozen, and then toast it twice in the toaster oven (flip halfway through.)

Three of the WORST snacks at Trader Joes - BAD, BAD, BAD, Don't do it!

Just don't waste your money...

There's just nothing good about these PB Pretzels.  I threw them away.

These weren't terrible, but not good enough to buy again.

Are you craving Cheetos and hoping for a healthier, baked alternative?  Well, it doesn't exist.  These might be the worst thing I have ever purchased at TJ.

The How-to of Trader Joe's Produce - Part One

I should mention that I shop all over, at every grocery store in town.  There are certain things I need to buy at certain places.

And Trader Joe's is no different.  I don't like all of their produce.  Here are my tips for quick produce shopping at TJ's.

YAY:

• Bananas - they are crazy cheap.  Like 19 cents each.
• Organic bagged Carrots - these are delicious and soooo cheap.  89 cents a bag.  You do have to peel them, but it is totally worth it because they taste WAY better than those gross baby carrots. (see photo below).
• Avocados - organic or not, I have always had great avocados there.
• Persian Cucumbers - these come about 5 or 6 to a sleeve and they are tiny, cute and delicious.  I have not found their equal - at any other store, including the big fancy organic grocery store. (see photo below).
• D'Anjou Pears - Have you had one?  They are SO good from anywhere, and make the Bartlett taste inedible, but they are large, juicy and meaty at TJ.
• Grapefruit, oranges, lemons and Clementines - all good.  We love Clementines and the ones at TJ are terrific and cheaper than our local grocery store.  Why can't someone grow them year round?  Hate those Mandarins that sneak in every year and fool me into thinking they are Clementines.
• Blueberries - delicious and fairly priced.  Sometimes, they even have large containers, great for freezing.  (see photo below)
• Zucchini - These usually come two to a sleeve and I have always been pleased with them.  I make zucchini muffins a lot.
• Onions and garlic - YAY!  Nothing more to say...

NAY:

• Strawberries - these are hit or miss.  Twice, they went bad really fast (like super fuzzy and gross after a day or two.)  Keep n mind that you can get a full refund if you return the item - even an empty box.  And you don't even need a receipt.  But, I never do that because that would require a trip back to TJ prematurely, and I just don't have the time.
• Grapes - for what you get, they aren't worth the money.  My kids go through purple grapes FAST and the little containers they carry at TJ just don't cut it for us.
• Apples - see entry about grapes.  Not worth the price at TJ.

A few of my faves in the produce section of TJ.
 

 

Amazing Popcorn - Who knows about Chicago Style Popcorn Mix?

I love caramel corn.  I hate cheddar corn.  Together, it is magic.  Magically delicious.  I only wish the bag was bigger.

My kids 5 favorite snack foods from Trader Joe's

This is hard.  There are a lot of great snack foods at Trader Joe's!  And a few not so great (stay tuned for that blog entry too).

These are tried and true favorites of my two boys.  Also great that they are nut-free because our school is a nut-free campus.

Favorite Meal for Lunch - Pizzadillas

Once in a while, I feel guilty because I am in a cooking rut, making the same things week after week.  Recently, I decided we were in a lunch rut.  Sandwiches, mac-and-cheese... you get it.  So I started Googling for inspiration and came up with some ideas.  Then I went to Trader Joe's.  I combined what I found online with my imagination, and now have a few new staples.

The biggest success was Pizzadillas.  Get it?  A cross between Pizza and Quesadilla.  An Italian-themed Mexican dish.

Here are the two main ingredients that are specific to TJ.

 

DIRECTIONS:
Heat up a medium non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
Spread butter or whatever your preferred spread is over one side of two tortillas.
Put one tortilla in the pan and sprinkle mozzarella cheese around.
Add pancetta (a few small handfuls) and any other ingredients you want (black olives, red peppers, etc.)
Put second tortilla on top and cook for about 5 minutes.
Flip and cook for 5 more minutes.
Cut into triangles and serve plain or with pizza sauce for dipping.

Corn is a veggie, isn't it? The best canned corn is at Trader Joe's!

My kids aren't huge vegetable eaters.  My older son will eat salad with carrots and cucumbers.  And that is it.  He doesn't like potatoes or corn, shocking!  But my little one LOVES corn.  It's the sugar, right?

Well, Trader Joe's has THE TASTIEST canned corn ever!  My husband and I fight over whatever is left after my three-year old gets his share.  We should just make two cans next time...

You can add a little butter and salt to this before serving, but you really don't even need to.  I also love to put this in tacos, fajitas and quesadillas.