Oh Trader Joe’s…how I love thee.
Since I last checked in many meals have been eaten including some that I am not so proud of (think Dominoes Pizza and French Fries, hey I was snowboarding in VT!), but many that were “blog-worthy” or at least I think so. I think every thing pictured here came from Trader Joe’s with the exception of a few ingredients here and there. This post is pretty much an ode to all things TJ’s has to offer.
First I bring you a new product: Dark Chocolate Covered Powerberries!
Here’s the bag so you know what to look for!
I am not sure what I liked better: these sweet, chewy and chocolatey little nibbles or the gorgeous bowl that Karin from Give Me Banana’s sent me as a thank you for doing a guest-post back in December! Thanks Karin! I LOVE the bowl and have used it almost daily 
.
Last week at “the house” we had three families return home to Iceland. This was cause for celebration of course and what better way to celebrate than with an assortment of Trader Joe’s appetizers! I basically went crazy and bought all of the things I never have a reason to buy. Thank goodness the hospital reimbursed me for my purchases!
These little “pigs in a blanket” things were amazing! They had parmesan cheese on the outside. Dipped in a little organic ketchup=heaven!
Another winner was the flatbread pesto pizza. People raved about this to the point where I wanted to say I had made it myself instead of just heated it up in the oven!
Now, I have had these lemongrass chicken sticks before but never with the Gyoza dipping sauce. The combo was amazing and it also helped to have my cute little bowl as the center piece!
While the appetizers were delicious, nothing can beat the homemade Icelandic Cheesecake. We had this once before, you might remember, and this time it was even better because we went all out with the fruit. I mean you really can’t even tell that there is a luscious layer of crushed whole wheat biscuits, chocolate and sour cream, and whipped cream underneath can you? Oh but trust me, there is!
Since I had been indulging my sweet tooth a little too much (I just might have had two servings of the cheesecake in one night!), it was time to get back to basics with my lunches and focus on some good protein, healthy fats, veggies and whole grains. I found these whole wheat flat breads at TJ’s this week and have been loving them ever since. My first open faced sandwich contained the following: organic light whipped cream cheese, smoked salmon, and baby spinach. I always forget how awesome smoked salmon is.
And for my next lunch creation, I mixed avocado, sliced grape tomato, a little bit of salt and pepper together, and piled it high on top of a flat bread spread with black bean dip. YUM.
I am still plugging away with my studies, yoga and trying to fight off the winter blues. I think I am kind of ready to spend more than 1 hour (walk to and from yoga) a day outside. What happened to my day trips to Rockport, or picnics by the river? Surely these days are on their way, right?
Thank God I am heading to Boston soon, because I need to make a visit to Trader Joe’s after that post! The pigs in blankets look so awesome. And the flatbreads and smoked salmon: count me in. Delicious looking food from start to finish. Picnics by the river and trips to Rockport? Umm, not for awhile, sorry to say.
Hey girl, good to hear from you! Agreed, I love Trader Joe’s for some delicious apps, such great finds and the food spread looks lovely. Have you tried the arancini balls? — fried risotto balls w/ cheese — they are definitely a decadent treat and we love them
I’m loving the avocado stack you did, I’ve been on an avocado kick lately too so this really appealed to me, however I may have to switch over to an avocado “mash” kick soon with all these tonsil issues! Take care and glad you are doing well!
oh I’m glad to hear about the flatbread pizzas! I love TJ’s!
TJ’s IS awesome! I’ve seen those choc covered powerberries but was hesitant to buy them. There is no need for a new addiction yet.
I think your salmon spoke to me the most. I got these smoked salmon crepes from TJ’s a few days ago but there wasn’t enough salmon in them. Now I want to buy the real stuff.
I would love nothing more than to go WILD at TJs and then be reimbursed later. That is the best news.
That bowl is so adorable, and that fruit salad made me drool.
I’m SO beyond ready for summer, too!!
Me and Joe are wonderful buddies.
I go crazy in TJ’s, I haven’t had one thing from there that I haven’t absolutely loved. Well, besides their turkey, but that is another story!
I need to try that pizza. It sounds heavenly.
Ooh thanks for the heads up on the powerberries! I know what I’ll be looking for on my next trip to TJ’s…
That fruit looks really good even if there wasn’t a cake under it!
I absolutely love Trader Joe’s too! I need to think of an excuse to buy all those yummy apps.
I agree with you about the weather- it is definitely time for spring!
Aww you’re welcome
I’m so glad you like it!
Your food always makes me drool and once again I wish we had TJ over here.
Trader Joe’s completes me. I’m in the process of converting some of my friends here at school into TJ’s devotees. Does the TJs near you sell booze? The one in downtown DC does and it’s all so good and cheap!
that fruit looks amazing. then again so do the rest of the items. i’d be totally psyched if i went to TJ’s with the promise of reimbursement!
Haha Trader Joe’s never needs to advertise because of all of us bloggers. . . but their stuff is so good, we can’t help it! Hope you are doing well, Caroline! I would love to get together again soon, maybe when its a bit warmer out!