#1269 it's just a grocery store, but I love it

You know, going to the grocery store isn't one of my favorite things to do, unless the grocery store is Trader Joe's. Every couple of weeks or so, either Kelsie or Nicole or I will say to the other two, "I think I need to go to Trader Joe's," then we load up in the car and spend our lunch break buying some TJ's groceries.

Kelsie and Nicole have certain items that they get every time we are there. I have been pretty experimental, but I'm starting to have my regular things that I just don't want to be without here at the house. We went to TJ's yesterday, and I took some pics to show you what I like to buy there.

Ak-Mak crackers are strangely delicious. They have a nice crunch with a sesame seed after-taste. I like to eat them plain but I also like them smeared with some Laughing Cow cheese. They are very low in Points Plus values (that's a WW thing), so they make a great snack. Kelsie got me hooked on them. I went for a few weeks without any Ak-Mak in my cupboard and I didn't like it. The crackers are inexpensive, too.

I don't know if I've ever been to TJ's and not picked up a box of this soup. I really like it. Usually I get the low-sodium variety, but it looks like I just grabbed regular this time. The soup is delicious, savory and slightly creamy, too. I like to put several drops of sriracha hot sauce in it for an extra kick. If I have them, I will crumble tortilla chips in the soup for some crunch, or I'll dip an Ak-Mak in the soup.

These almonds were on the list of the top TJ's best sellers and it's easy to taste why. This particular bag is not as full of rosemary flavor as the first bag I bought, but they're still very delicious. I keep them at work for a little crunchy-salty-protein pick-me-up at mid-morning. I didn't buy a new bag this week, because as you can see, I still have some.

In other news related to nuts, Kelsie bought the Thai lime and chili flavored cashews this week. I couldn't really taste the lime, but the heat of the chili hit me right at the end in the back of my throat. I might have to pick up a bag of those cashews next time I'm there. I found myself craving the flavor this afternoon.

These dark chocolate covered caramels were also on the best-seller list and I'm addicted to them. They are the perfect after lunch sweet treat. One square is 2 PP and completely satisfies my need for something sweet and chewy. Caramel and chocolate is probably one of my favorite treats and these candies are delectable. They stay at the office.

This pretzel roll and the salami and cheese is what I get for lunch every time we go to Trader Joe's. The pretzel roll is soft and chewy. The salami and cheese are exactly the right size to fit on the roll. I eat it dry, although I have used TJ's garlic aioli mustard on it once. That was delicious, but I don't usually have the mustard at the office. As much as I love it, I might try something different next time. Then again, maybe not.

This is Trader Joe's famous Mandarin Orange Chicken. It is a really wonderful, quick dish for nights when I don't really feel like cooking. I usually buy a couple of bags at a time.





 Last Saturday I was extremely lazy and the menfolk were hungry, so I cooked up a bag of this chicken and another random frozen (non-TJ's) thing we had in the freezer. T decided he would eat the entire bag of orange chicken himself. According to the package, there are five servings in the bag. I took a few pieces of chicken, but T did eat the rest himself, although he slowed down considerably toward the end. He asked me what I would give him if he ate the whole thing. "Tums," I replied. Anyway, when he started eating, he told me that next time I went to TJ's I should be a dozen bags. When he was finished, he told me that I never had to buy the chicken again. Crazy kid. 

T eats the chicken straight, but I usually serve it with this rice:

There are three packets of pre-cooked brown rice in the box. Pop a packet in the microwave for three minutes and with the orange chicken, you have a quick, tasty meal.

These chicken burgers might be my new most favorite thing. The first time I had it, I topped the patty with a bit of guacamole and some sriracha sauce. So, so good. I cooked it in my grill pan from frozen and it took maybe 15 minutes. Another awesome quickie meal. The flavor is fantastic. It's not too spicy or too lime-y. Total yum!

This plant is not food, but I almost always buy myself a little plant or some flowers when I go to Trader Joe's. I do not have good luck, however, keeping the plants alive. The only one that is still living is the miniature rose. It's not flowering, but it's getting bigger. I don't know how long this violet will last, but it's really cute right now. Kelsie told me yesterday that she admires how I keep buying a new plant every couple of weeks even though I kill them. I think I over-water them because I worry that they are thirsty.



I also try to buy something new to try every time I'm at Trader Joe's, too. This time I bought a package of two individual hummus and pita chips packets. I haven't tried it yet, but I think it will be a nice afternoon snack.

There were a lot of pumpkin-flavored items in the store this week, since it's fall, I guess. I bought a box of pumpkin bread mix. It's supposed to be rainy this weekend, so I think I bake some pumpkin bread. I'll toss some chocolate chips in it to make it extra delicious.


Enjoy your weekend! Talk to you tomorrow!