My fabulous weekend continued with a stop at Trader Joe’s for a stock up. You can call this Part 3 of the ‘my fabulous weekend’ saga. Can you tell I’m trying to extend the weekend as long as possible?
It had been over a month since I stepped foot in a Trader Joe’s! Don’t ask how I survived. I have absolutely no idea. Despite my undying love for TJ’s, I often talk myself out of going because it usually ends up being a 2 hour affair between driving and browsing the aisles.
There’s always too much I want to get that it can get quite overwhelming. I hate having to walk away from products I want but know I shouldn’t spend money on.
(Yes, I realize I sound ridiculous right now)
***
What I found on my treasure hunt:
After I took these photos, I turned to my roommate and said, my poor children are going to grow up thinking it’s normal for people to take photos of their groceries!
At least they’ll be well fed 
.
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Breakfast yesterday was quite a production.
I was running out of decaf coffee so I picked up a can of Trader Joe’s Fair Trade Organic French Roast.
I’ve gotten some questions about what coffee I drink: Currently I mix decaf Starbucks brand and Costco regular caf. I’m not too picky in terms of coffee grounds so I usually drink whatever comes around. I do LOVE Spring Blend from The Fresh Market, which I need to get some more of this Spring!
I also picked up Kumquats! I had these in Italy last year and surprised my dad when I said I liked them. My parents both grew up eating these but I only recall having them once or twice when I was a wee little child…and disliking them.
A lady in the store started asking me about the taste and we ended up talking for a couple minutes as I described the flavor and texture to her.
Sour like a lemon with a twinge of sweetness and slightly bitter from the rind…
It’s quite difficult to describe actually! She ended up getting a box to try though . I really should work for Trader Joe’s.
No, really.
Cross section:
I finally got a box of Carrot Ginger Oat Bran Muffins. These are one of my absolute favorite TJ’s products (and that’s sayin’ something!). I recently realized that I hadn’t had them in a long long time. I think it’s because I always end up eating them so darn quickly.
This time I put 2 in the freezer so I can’t break off a nibble, eat a chunk, and so on and so forth.
I made an icing to add a little sumthin sumthin.
Icing= Greek yogurt + Coconut Butter + Stevia. Amazing.
Almost like the carrot cake cupcake I had yesterday ….almost.
The end result:
For some SNAX, I made chocolate covered dried pineapple and plantain chips.
Dried pineapples are easily my favorite dried fruit. I love the texture and the tangy sweet flavah.
I melted some semi-sweet chocolate chips with 82% dark chocolate and then proceeded to dip the snax.
Oh and 2 little almonds.
I had about half of this plate throughout the day.
***
My hunger levels were through the roof. Shortly after I ate, I was hungry again!
What to do? Eat SNAX!!
I had lotsa dried pineapple:
Another chunk of muffin w/ almond butter:
And I packed an almond butter apple sandwich to eat during class.
After class I had an active recovery day at the gym by going very light ‘n’ easy on the elliptical for 40 min. The main purpose was to break a sweat so I would be motivated to take a shower .
Okay this post is getting lengthy. Dinner was another TJ’s concoction, which I’ll show you next!
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Quick Quirky Q’s
1. What’s your favorite dried fruit? Dried Pineapples. ***Edited to add: and pears!!!
2. What’s your favorite chocolate-covered snack? Chocolate covered ANIMAL CRACKERS.
{ 48 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh dear.Your chocolate dipped dried fruit has me drooling. That looks incredible.
Why yes you are certainly Ms. TJs! I love ‘em too!! It’s so funny because I was interviewing at a dental school in Boston last weekend and I was like…I MUST check whether there’s a TJ’s in this area – this is a deal breaker. I’m not coming to school here if there isn’t a TJ’s. muhahahah
LOVE your creativity with transforming products to make ‘em more gourmet. Do you think the icing would work without coconut oil? And my favorite dried fruit is also pineapple. Nothing beats it!!!! And chocolate covered anything makes my day. Heheh
why can’t Trader Joe’s come to Brazil so I can have that muffin?! and that icing? yumm! I can’t get over how creative you are with your breakfasts
I love dried pineapples too, but cantaloupe comes in a really close second.
I love chocoalte covered anything. I used to drizzle chocolate on top of popcorn spread out on a cookie sheet. It was the best!
Hey Miss TJ’s….errr…Allie – I can’t help but notice how much you love Kefir! I’m just wondering, what is the flavour/texture of it like?
I get the same Supermarket Rush (I believe it might be a disease of some sort) everytime I go to Waitrose – I ALWAYS end up buying something I don’t need…not good for the student bank balance!! I like those little orange fruits – I’ve never seen or heard of them before!
though fresh dates are better 
. What’s your favorite dried fruit? DATES! I adore dried dates
2. What’s your favorite chocolate-covered snack? I’ve only ever had chocolate covered raisins, so I’ll have to go with that
Dried cranberries are my fav
And the chocolate covered peanut butter pretzels from TJ’s will change your life. I can’t buy them, waaay too good.
Hmm…fave dried fruit is probably banana. And any nut covered in chocolate is by far my favorite!
Now I want to try those muffins – mmm.
My favorite dried fruit at the moment is apricots and my snack did in dark chocolate at the moment is dried apricots – go figure! =]
*my fav snack dipped…you got the point ; )
Joe is mine, all mine! I’m a little jealous over here! I love TJ’s dried white peaches, have you tried them? I also love dates.
Why can’t TJ come to Finland so that I can have those muffins too?!
I suck at baking…
Anyway, I’m not very keen on dried fruit but I haven’t had any with chocolate…
Have a great day!
huh, I have yet to try those TJ’s muffins but they might make it in the grocery cart soon!
Wooow, loved the healthy carrot cake you made.
It even had icing!
Holy YUM!
Hahahaha
Have a great Tuesday!
Brazilian XOXO´s,
Gabriela
wow – that muffin looks sooo good – especially with that “frosting”!
my favorite dried fruit would have to be cherries! i love them so much.. can;t get enough of ‘em! and my favorite thing dipped in chocolate is probably either pretzels! i love the salty/sweet combo! i recently found the new chocolate covered pretzel goldfish… omg they are so good!!!
i can’t wait to see what you’re making for dinner
I AM SOO JELOUS OF YOUR TJS! haha i would go crazy there!
im dying to find plain kefir ! i cant find it anywhere and its SO sad!
LOVE the icing!
Favorite dried fruit: I love both pineapples and mangoes!!
Favorite Chocolate Covered Snack: This is hard, I’m gonna say either raisins or almonds!!
I was in Nashville this weekend visiting a friend, and got to go to TJ’s for the first time EVER! I was in FOODIE HEAVEN! Love that place, just wish I had one here in Memphis!
Oh yummy! I’ve never tried a kumquat! And I looove those plaintain chips. I have to hide them from myself when I get them otherwise I eat the whole bag at once and feel ill!
It is so hard to walk away from food that I know my wallet would hate me for buying but my stomach would just love. I love grocery shopping so much and I just want to buy everything in sight
I recently discovered dried pineapples and I love them. I also really like dried mangos (it is gnawing on leather or tree bark but I love it) and I dried figs are good too. I actually hate when fruit or crackers are dipped in chocolate. I love fruit and I love chocolate but combining the two just doesn’t work for me. So weird 
Chocolate covered strawberries rank pretty high with me!
I’m wishing I had that huge container of Fage!!!
Ok, where to start. There are so many things I want to respond to in here. Kumquats, totally liked them when I had them, why I haven’t bought them in forever, I don’t know. Trader Joe’s-you should work there. With me. I once looked for openings, and all they needed were regional managers and you had to have tons of experience. Bummer. Just had to scroll up to see what else I wanted to say! The pics of your groceries and your kids comment was hilarious! I just took a pic of my groceries b/c our local store has insane organic produce prices-sometimes even less than standard, and I made out like a bandit today. Your muffin looks amazing! I’ve never had that kind, and now of course I’m sure I’ll pick it up.
My fave dried fruit would be cranberries and my fave chocolate covered snack would probably be choc cov. pretzels actually. There’s too many to choose from, though! Loved the post, Allie!
Hmmm that scene looks familiar… lol I was just at that very TJ’s after work today!!
Your fruit looks delish.. what a great idea with the chocolate!!
OMG I NEED to get to TJ’s for those muffins!! I’m always wary of muffins for bfast because they never keep me full, but the protein in the greek yogurt sure would help!!!
Yummy that muffin looks fab, I love dried pineapple too and my favorite chocolate covered treat is cranberries x x
AHHH TRADER JOES
One of my favorite activities is shopping at trader joe’s with my mom. I miss that so much when I’m home. :[
I like applies dipped in chocolate! Fuji apples + chocolate fountain = amazing. I have such simple tastes: in my mind, there is no better food combination than a fuji apple and a spoonful of peanut butter.
I LOVE chocolate covered pretzels
Um, I totally have to get a hold of myself in places like TJ’s, or I will go bananas and buy SO much stuff! It’s definitely an overwhelming place for me!
Do I spy broccoli slaw???!
I haven’t been to TJ’s since before winter break–so tragic.
Favorite dried fruit these days are dates, and I love me some chocolate-covered sunflower seeds:)
You are too cute, girl! I love me some trader joes too
Now you’ve got me itching to try those muffins! And how genius to make them little “carrot cakes.”
My favorite dried fruit would have to be dried cherries. So tart and juicy!!
Favorite chocolate covered food is without a doubt chocolate covered banana chips.
Coconut butter on the muffin looks yummy. We put it on everything, love that stuff.
1. Craisins & Golden Raisins! yumm
2. Chocolate covered strawberries (although I’d take chocolate covered anything, really)
I love that you are going to the gym only to motivate you to shower. Best. thing, ever. I hate showering sometimes. When I was in Montana (for 9 days) I showered three times hahaha. My dad and brother were impressed!
I love dried pineapple too and the chocolate covered idea is GENIUS!
ahh animal crackers! I havent had those in ages haha!!
and yes I think all of our kids will grow up to think its normal to snap photos of food LOL
I love dried pears and also prunes! they are so good baked with chicken. it makes the chicken nice and sweet!
chocolate covered blooooob’s are so good!! or chocolate covered coffee beans!
Those chocolate covered dried fruits look amazing. I loved candied, dried oranges dipped in chocolate!
I want to work for Trader Joe’s soooo badly! Or Whole Foods! Love dried cherries and pineapple. Chocolate covered strawberries are always a treat, and Walker’s shortbread dipped in chocolate = pretty good too
You have just convinced me to plan my next TJ’s trip. Yep, it’s on the calendar!
OMG looooooooove Trader Joe’s and I haven’t been in ughhhh way too long!
I can’t look at all of this when I’m hungry–everything looks way too good! I always see Kumquats at the store, I need to pick some up one of these days and give them a try
WOW – i just found your blog and it’s great ! We have a lot in common (as do all the foodie bloggers) but I just went to TJs this weekend too and stocked up. I love your dried fruit and chocolate. great idea!
Aww TJ’s! I haven’t been in months either! I miss it! I looooove those muffins! The mango cranberry bran ones are also delicious!!! Making my mouth water over here, lady!
Ah I love TJ’s! Its usually a two-hour affair for me too when I go…haha…up and down every aisle!
The chocolate covered dried fruits brought the biggest smile to my face! I love doing this except I get the dried mangos from TJ’s!!! They arent my favorite dried fruit, but they’re amazing covered in chocolate- no surprise there since nearly everything is~ haha!
Favorite dried fruit= pineapple or apples. I’ve never tried pears- thanks for the tip!
~Christie (http://rollerkoesterrun.wordpress.com/)
ahh I have never been to a TJ.. we only have Whole Foods around here & at home!
wow that snack is so creative & I bet soo good.. You are quite the ‘baker’ yum! Did you ever take that cake/cupcake job?
molls
I WANT THOSE MUFFINS! Haha, seriously, though, when I go to TJ’s, I am going to get some. I have never seen them…maybe I am just not looking hard enough. Hopefully!
Girl, you just reminded me that I haven’t been to TJs in a month, too. I’m dying looking at all your TJ pics!!
Fave dried fruit = blueberries…and peaches!! Mm!
yo, did you try the TJs Gingerbread coffee? SO good!
Haha I am the exact same way when it comes to showering! I will only do it if I worked out because that’s the only way I feel really “dirty.” This can cause some problems on those weekends when I am a little too tired to get to the gym some times.
Oh my God, this TJ’s haul is making me so jealous! I haven’t been in forever. Need to make a trip, stat! I love that you dipped the fruit in chocolate…best idea ever? I think so!
man oh man i wish i lived anywhere near a TJ’s!!
1. Love dried mangoes!
2. Hmm tie between strawberries and raisins! I love raisinettes!
Your Snax are so inspired. You always manage to ‘beef’ them up a bit! My kids are going to think that too about taking pictures of food. But hopefully they’ll love food because of it! Helen x
Yum, hadn’t thought to try dipping them in chocolate, but I picked up some honey baked plantain chips at TJs the other day too! THey are so good, totally addicting! Actually I just polished off the bag while blog reading-ha
Love everything Trader Joes!
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