Gushing on TJ's again

I was talking with a friend recently and mentioned a much needed shopping trip to Trader Joe's (or TJ's as we affectionately call it.)

Having never been there (GASP!) She said to me, "So what do you buy at Trader Joe's?"

Seriously, it's the only way I can feed our large family organic, clean food.

Where do I start?
organic pasta sauce, organic diced tomatoes, brown rice pasta, mayonnaise (it's soy free), organic ketchup, organic mustard, baking cocoa, organic basmati brown rice, all manner of organic produce, tea, Iserno's nitrite free hot Italian sausage, European cheese (which are predominately grass fed) and even greeting cards (They are only .99!)

Here are a few more of my favorite must haves. 

balsamic vinegar

 I adore a simple olive oil/vinegar salad dressing. 

I use this balsamic vinegar because it is clear.

 cashew butter

Love. love. love cashew butter

taco seasoning mix

Only spices - no preservatives. 

It's hot.  I recommend using 1-2 tsp. for your recipe, and not the whole packet

coffee

Cold brew is all the rage, and Stumpton is superior. 

skin care

 Love the smell of this.  I use it to refill my hand soap dispensers.

bacon

Because... BACON! 

And bacon without nitrites is best.

chocolate

This huge thing is only $4.99.

It is scored so I cut it up, and add a couple of squares to Eric's lunch. 

Everyone needs a little afternoon pick-me-up.

 coconut milk

This is the base for our homemade dairy-free ice cream

Also - all cans at TJ's are BPA free.

unusual, fun finds!

We had it on steak.  Just YUM

But if all this wasn't enough, meet Tina. 

This little lady brightens our day every time. 

She is super sweet and VIVACIOUS!

So why haven't you shopped at Trader Joe's?

. . . . .

Here are two of our favorite recipes for you with ingredients entirely available at TJ's.

Sunshine Chicken

Chicken thighs/breasts (your preference - enough for 8)

1/4 c. pineapple juice

1/4 c. yellow mustard

1/2 c. honey

bacon (8 slices to a package)

Combine the pineapple juice, mustard, and honey.  Wrap 1 slice of bacon around the chicken thigh/breast and secure with a toothpick.  Place in an appropriately sized glass baking dish.

Pour the juice mixture over the top.  Marinate for 4 hours.

Grill until done. 

. . .

Homemade Chocolate (Coconut Milk) Ice Cream

1 can full fat coconut milk

1/3 c. unsweetened baking cocoa

3 Tbsp. honey or maple syrup

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Whisk cocoa in a small amount of coconut milk till smooth.  Then mix everything together with a stick blender.  Add to the frozen bowl of an electric ice cream maker. 

Press start and run for 30 minutes.

Yields a very soft serve ice cream, but you can transfer it to a freezer safe container to harden.