Dear Trader Joe’s: I Love You

Last week, I posted a blog called “Bypassing Convenience”, and while I always think making your food from scratch is the way to go, sometimes you need some “convenience foods” to help you out in a pinch. Trader Joe’s is my go-to for quick easy meals when I am in a crunch.

My Most Loved Trader Joe’s Products:

Taquitos

Garlic Hummus Dip with Pita Bread

Vegetable Burritos

Chips and Salsa

Spinach Tortellini with Marinara

Rigatoni alla Siciliana

Gnocchi al Gorgonzola

Asparagus Risotto

Frozen Fruits (blueberries are affordable)

Goat Yogurt

Once in a while, I will cook a couple taquitos and top them with pico de gallo, sour cream and cheddar. Delicious! The beef is our personal favorite.

I love Trader Joe’s salsa, pasta sauce and hummus because it is beyond affordable and very yummy!

As a snack for great digestion, I often mix goat yogurt, frozen blueberries and a bit of honey together.

Trader Joe’s pasta meals, while not always the healthiest of options, are portioned well for two people. They also take less than 10 minutes to prepare.

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love from-scratch cooking! But sometimes even a domestic diva needs a little break!

What are your favorite Trader Joe’s Products? If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s in your area, what is your favorite market?

My Top 10 Clean & Delicious Snacks

If your body is familiar with eating more sugary or processed foods, these snacks may not sound like your cup of tea right now, but just try them! You may fall in love with them. These snacks may also spark some new snack ideas you can create yourself.

(Yes, I eat full-fat cheese in moderation. It is delicious.)

–          ½ Cup Celery, Carrots & Bell Peppers with 2 tbs. Hummus

–          5 Medium Strawberries with ½ oz. Sharp Cheddar Cheese

–          20 Pistachios with 10 Green Grapes

–          ½ Cup Organic Greek or Goat Yogurt with ¼ Cup Chopped Fruit and 2 tsp. Pure Clover Honey

–          ½ Grapefruit with 1 tsp. Stevia

–          15 Almonds with ½ Cup Mellon

–          ½ Cup Oatmeal with 1 tsp. Honey and 15 Blueberries + a few Sliced Almonds

–          ½ oz. Double Cream Brie with ½ Apple

–          Smoothie with ½ Cup Greek Yogurt, ¼ Cup Skim Milk, ¼ Cup Blueberries, 1 cup Kale, ½ of a Medium Banana.

–          2 tbs. Homemade Guacamole on 2 Celery Stalks

Pre-cutting your vegetables and fruits so they are super easy to grab and pack up for the day is a great way to stay on track. Also, pre-weigh your cheeses on a scale and portion them out into Ziploc bags or Tupperware. Prep work is crucial! This is true in all aspects of cooking and eating!

If you are feeling a little overly “clean” when you read these snack ideas, there are a few things you can do to spice these up!

1)      If you are not used to eating raw veggies and you don’t like the taste of them, stir-fry your veggies in some olive oil with some seasonings like chili powder and fresh garlic.

2)      Make sure the fruit you are eating is ripe. If fruit isn’t ready to be eaten, it won’t taste great! Also, buy seasonal fruit!

3)      Try different types of nuts and find your favorite. Alternatives to plain nuts are flavored varieties, like sea salt and even cocoa. Just make sure what you are buying is all natural!

4)      Can’t get used to the thickness of goat yogurt? I think you eventually will come to love it, but until then, mix the yogurt with a little bit of skim milk to thin it out.

5)      If you don’t enjoy the tartness of citrus fruit, try cutting the fruit in half and broiling it for a few minutes in the oven. Instantly delicious and more sweet.