We like Trader Joe's

It's always been kind of a struggle for me to prepare meals on a regular basis.

Probably because I'm lazy.

We've been going to Trader Joe's* for years. But for some reason, it has recently grown into my favorite place to shop!

If you look closely, she is eating a lollipop
while pushing a cartful of groceries.
Skills.

Here's a review of some of the things we've recently tried:

Produce
Organic bananas - At 29 cents a piece (or 19 cents for regular), they're a bit more expensive than some other stores when they're on sale. But in a pinch, they work just great.

That's about it for produce. We don't typically buy produce here when places like MacPherson's and Pacific exist!

Freezer section
Asparagus Risotto (pictured) - Looked a little disappointing at first, but it's actually not half bad for an instant side dish.

Orange Chicken - You know, it's just as good as Panda Express's!

Mushroom Turnovers - Are very good...although they're a bit expensive.

Raspberry Tart - We've never purchased this but had some when we were at some friends' house for dinner. So delicious!

Frozen Pineapple Bits - Okay, I don't know what the official name is...but the Camille loves these!

Organic Silver Dollar Pancakes - A new discovery that is loved by both our kids. They don't just like them. They loooove these little pancakes. In under 1 minute, they can be ready for consumption!

Refrigerator section
Full Fat Yogurt (pictured) - These were purchased for Camille. But I eat them. They are delicious. I'm a little afraid to read the nutritional information.

Carne Asada - A recent discovery. Chin is convinced they use some illegal substance to tenderize the meat. It is super tender and just perfectly marinated. Too busy to chop and stir fry up some peppers for your carne asada? Get the pre-made stuff from the freezer section!

Staples

Harvest Grains Blend - A perfect blend of Israeli style couscous, orzo, baby garbanzo beans and red quinoa! Chin isn't a huge fan of this blend because the baby garbanzos don't soften at the same rate as the other ingredients, leaving a crunch taste. I would agree with this. When we have time, I like to cook it longer than the package indicates so that everything is just the right softness.

Organic Polenta - In our pantry right now. Great with stews! We often fry, but you certainly don't have to.

A variety of pastas - I think our favorite has got to be the Organic Vegetable Radiatore. Camille loves this colorful mix! Their pastas used to be the cheapest. I don't think they're all that cheap anymore. But the prices are fair and for some reason, I just feel better eating stuff from TJ's.

Cocoa Almond Spread (pictured) - Yeah, it's a staple. And I think I might like it better than Nutella (it has slightly more calories per serving than Nutella, but there's 1/2 the amount of saturate fat). Not surprisingly, there are quite a few sites that have compared the two products: here, here, and here.

Banana Nut Crunch Cereal - I love this stuff!! It's a little spendy...but as Chin would say, "If you are going to eat it, buying grocery is always the right choice." He is so smart.

Joe's O's - They're fake-o Cheerios. But again, just for some reason, it feels better that it's from Trader Joe's.

Snacks
Simply Almonds, Cashews & [Dark] Chocolate Trail Mix - These are just all my favorite things in a trail mix. How'd they know?!

Multiseed Crackers with Soy Sauce - Crispy tasty snacks that are sure to be gone within 2-3 days around here. Chin & Camille are especially big fans of these.

There are too many snacks to list. Too many!

Other stuff
21 Seasoning Salute - Introduced to us not long ago by our friend Shelli (who puts it on everything), I have seriously become one of the biggest fans of this seasoning mix! A buck ninety-nine. *Kapow* My mind has been blown! I think I bring up this seasoning mix at least once a week with my patients who are struggling with diet control and are looking for salt alternatives. I love it.

Greeting cards - Okay, so I've never gotten these. But I think for the price of $0.99, they are a steal!!

And here are some more reasons that we love Trader Joe's:

• There's always something to sample. If I pick up two samples, that's like one meal for Camille. I often take her here for meals.
• They give out lollipops at the sample counter.
• They also have free coffee.
• They give out stickers at the checkout counter.
• At most TJ's, you can ring a bell to indicate that the service has been excellent.
• They have little shopping carts for kids (see picture above).
• The employees just all seem so happy to be there. Chin is convinced that marijuana is part of their employee benefits and they all toke out in the back.

While they don't have sales, clearance sections, or coupons, Trader Joe's is consistently a place that sells fairly-priced foods & goods. And I find that when we buy stuff from here, they get eaten!

There really wasn't a purpose to this post. I was just feeling a bit frustrated tonight and needed to write something completely different and mundane. But perhaps this post gave you some ideas about foods to try for your picky eaters? Or prompted you to go and buy yourself some good food to curtail your habits of going out to eat? Eh? Eh?

*I have not been paid by Trader Joe's to write any of this. But, TJ, if you guys want to pay me, that'd be totally awesome. Thanks.

First day of preschool

Camille's first day of "Friends School."

Bath time

For the past few weeks, Camille kept saying it was "owee" to go pee. She also said she had lower back pain. "It hurts in my BONE!" Okay, maybe I talk about work around her more often than I should.

I finally took her in to see the doctor last week when she refused to go to the bathroom for 5 or 6 hours.

It wasn't a UTI, thankfully. But it was vaginitis. Turns out we're not wiping her well enough...and we're not bathing her frequently enough. (Really? Once or twice a week is not often enough for ya?) How embarrassing. 

So we've been bathing her nearly every night for the past week. And bath times have just been a joy. She loves it (always has...as long as we don't pour water on her head). And it sort of curbs any meltdowns she has saved up for the end of the day.

Bath time tonight...

Camille: A doctor can take care of you.
Me: Who's a doctor?
Camille: Me! Camille! Doctor Camille!
Me: Oh, Dr.Camille, I have a fever. What can you do for me?
Camille: I pray. I'll take care of you, Mommy. I'll take care of you.
Me: Camille, will you take care of me when I'm old?
Camille: Mommy, *quiet chuckle* you're old nooooow.

I hate to say it, but she is extra hilarious when she doesn't nap.