I would like to start your morning off right with a picture of Brooke’s awesome mullet. I am going to attempt a french braid on her this morning. Is this normal for a 3 month old to have such long hair?
I found some MUST BUYS at TJ’s. Their Mandarin Orange Chicken is SO easy and crazy good (probably because you cook it in oil in a skillet) and their brown rice is officially our favorite because it is so fluffy.
Throw a few carrots and apple slices on the plate and it turns the dish into something really healthy. This dinner won Billy’s heart.
Talk about re-gifting. I love that she just crossed the original name out and adde mine in;) I am now restocked with my candy corn and peanut stash. One of the best things about moving to N. Cali is the abundance of Ghirardelli Squares everywhere you go. I clearly chose the best flavor.
Fondue party 2012. I have actually been surprisingly good at sharing our Brooks chocolate egg and we used it to make the dipping chocolate for our fonduefest. Each couple brought a different topping, it was magical. The pound cake was the real winner for me.
Billy’s s’more and my assortment. Once again, Billy was ‘too full’ for dessert. This is really starting to wear on me.
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Come clean… have you ever re-gifted an item?
Any must buys that you can think of at Trader Joe’s?
What did you make for dinner last night?
84 comments
Julie @ Sweetly Balanced
I’ve definitely re-gifted things before!! I’m pretty sure that everyone does! My fiance and I love the guiltless breaded shrimp from Trader Joe’s!! As for dinner- my fiance/personal chef wasn’t home so I made my famous- pasta with oil and cheese (aka the ONLY thing I know how to cook)
Becky
I admit, I’ve regifted a few things! Like when I get something like a really nice picture frame – yes it’s nice, but I don’t really need it and I know someone else would appreciate it more. Usually I’m really into giving good gifts though!
Becky Przy
Yep, I re-gift. We never go out to eat and since most people love to go out to eat, we are happy to regift those gift cards.
My co-worker made me dinner yesterday. She brought me a bowl of soup she made over the weekend that she wanted me to try. Such a nice suprise!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats
Haha I’ve definitely re-gifted items, and my best friend always re-gifts things to me, well she just includes them with her normal gift to me. I don’t mind! And Brook’s hair is about 1,000x longer than mine was at that age… or when I turned 1.
Shut Up and Run
I just encouraged my son to re-gift an iTunes gift card he got. I think it’s good to teach these lessons to your kids at an early age. But, a gift card is a gift card, right? That is, of course, unless you’ve already used it and it’s empty. Now THAT would be tacky.
I’ve got to say, that is some crazy long hair for a 3 month old. But the possibilities are endless! I say put it in a bun.
Kari @ Running Ricig
Mike likes to tell me he is too full for dessert, too, but then I just force feed him anyway. I’m an awesome wife.
That fondue looks amazing!!
I’ve definitely regifted before. For shame! :)
Allison Van de Kemp
This is not a question you asked, but…. have you tried small bites of brownies and small bites of cheesecake in the fondue? Now THAT is something worth having! So good!
Of course I’ve re gifted items:) I’ve even made gift lists (when asked) of items soley that other people want. Saving me the money makes it really a gift to me, right??
I’ve never been to Trader Joe’s! (but I’m from Canada & now live in Europe so have an excellent excuse!)
We ordered Pizza Hut last night….sad, but true!
alyssa - life a la wife
Must buy at TJ’s is sweet potato gnocchi!! You gotta buy it :)
Emma Harris
That fondue looks SO GOOD and all of a sudden I’m starving :D
Audra M.
I’ve definitely regifted, and I actually got caught doing it recently :) I gave a girl a gift for her new baby that we had gotten as a duplicate for ours and she emailed me to ask me where she could return it since she already had one! It was something I actually thought was a really cool gift though and so I had saved it to give to someone else instead of just donating it.
Brooke actually reminds me so much of how my little girl looked at her age. She has had tons of hair since the day she was born! It started out dark like that and now at 18 months, she’s got blonde curls. No idea where that came from!
Allison
We had that chicken last night!! So good.
I didn’t comment about your sister’s engagement, but I am so happy for her. She is gorgeous (like you!) and your family just seems to be amazingly close. I don’t know the back story about her first marriage, but I am glad she has found her soul mate and that her kids love him!
Chelsie @ Balance, Not Scale
Not going to complain if the regift brings me into closer contact with candy corn!! ;) haha. I don’t think I’ve re-gifted anything major, but I most definitely have regifted a secret Santa gift. Or two. Or five. I’m allergic to bubble bath and that seems to be all people bring to those!!
Brooke’s hair is growing so long because she’s healthy. :)
Pretty sure that pound cake + chocolate fondant = must have of the holiday season this year!!!
Dinner last night was a bowl of 4 kinds of cereal, “chocolate” milk made from almond milk and protein powder, 1/2 of a HUGE banana on cereal, 1/2 mixed with 2 eggs and a bit of greens powder to make a pancake topped with PB, a bit of molasses, agave, and maple syrup. Yum!!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
I regift things all the time. Mostly lotion sets I get from family members. It’s better than just not using it (when returning isn’t an options)!
Megan @ Life As Megan Knows It
I love TJ’s mandarin chicken! It’s so good and a staple in my house! I was born with really long hair too and by my first Birthday it was down past my back! :-)
Abby @ Change of Pace
Brooke’s mullet is incredible! I also can’t believe Billy’s dessert- there’s always room for it!
My fave ghiradelli is the candy cane kind- so good!
We ate delicious black bean taco salads for dinner last night, and I had halloween chocolate for dessert.
Theresa
oh my gosh Brooke’s hair is awesome!
Amanda N
Dinner last night – made some sloppy joe meat (one of my husbands faves) and he had his in bread while I had some with corn over half a baked potato. Yum! I’m pretty sure I re-gifted some bath stuff and pictures frames I received and never used. It was for a gift swap though so someone ended up with it that liked it!
Diane
Love the comment you made, “This is really starting to wear on me.” LOL :)
Khushboo
Haha guilty as charged! Pound cake sounds like an excellent fondue dipper :-)
Kathryn
TJ’s must buys:
– Brown Rice Tortillas (microwave for 12 seconds, no more/less)
– Almonds covered in sesame seeds (my FAVORITE – do it!)
– Almonds covered in cinnamon sugar (forget the real name, but don’t miss out)
– Mochi (japanese ice cream desert, crazy good)
– Pizza dough, I think you already bought this (it’s $1.99 or something silly cheap like that)
– Triple ginger snap cookies
– Pretty much any of the frozen foods
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Tell Billy that his sorry excuse for a s’more doesn’t even come close to counting as a dessert, and that definitely needs to step it up a few notches. Wow, Janae, I don’t know how you cope ;)
Nora
My TJ must buys are:
– Broccoli slaw (a MUST have on top of hamburgers)
– Frozen french fries
– Frozen brown rice
– Mediterranean hummus (Fav recipe – take a bag of TJ frozen brown rice & cook – then add 1 can of TJ Black Beans drained and rinsed, then add a few tablespoons of mediterranean hummus. Mix & binge.)
Leah
TJ must buys:
-Goddess Dressing
-Mandarin orange “chik’n” (vegan), the breaded “chik’n” strips are really good too
-Flatbreads
-Soy creamer
-TJ’s version of Terra Chips
-Split pea soup and vegetarian chili (canned) – great for last minute lunches
Sheila
Just discovered TJ’s spreadable Brie bites recently. Heaven in my little snacky mouth!
Laura @ runningjunkie123
I definitely have to agree with you on the TJ’s Brown Rice. My boyfriend is NOT a fan of brown rice but he actually likes that stuff. I love it.
Nicole@TheKidlessKronicles
That orange chicken is just as good (and healthier) if you cook it in the oven. I promise! And we pair it with the vegetable fried rice (cancelling out the oven cooking).
Last night was pork chops and butternut squash.
The Kidless Kronicles
Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More
No idea about baby hair. My girls were blonde baldies til they were two years old.
Last night’s dinner was steamed cauliflower and a baked potato with sour cream. Yum!
Nothing wrong with regifting.
Jamie
I love TJ’s pumpkin butter but I don’t live anywhere close to a store. So I am sad this season. West Virginia needs a TJ.
Krissy
I am guilty of re-gifting. I haven’t ever just crossed out a name and written the new giftee’s name on it though. :) I might have to try that one day.
I haven’t been to Trader Joe’s in years. I used to go often when I lived in Cali, but now that I am in Missouri it’s a little more difficult to get to one. I think the closest TJ’s is like 20 miles from me. But, I may have to make a trip soon, because we are trying to eat better and I know TJ’s has the good stuff :)
Ginny
HAHAHAHAHAHA your comment, “Once again, Billy was ‘too full’ for dessert. This is really starting to wear on me. ” Just made my morning. Too funny
Jill
No TJs in Canada! So want to go there!
I just had a little girl two weeks ago and her hair is not even close to how Brooke’s was when she was born. So I’m gonna say its not the norm.
Dinner last night was a bagel with cream cheese (no time to eat over here!) and later when kid and baby were sleeping, a grilled cheese and apple.
Maegan
Oh, you have to check out a couple of Trader Joe’s related blog posts! I’m obsessed with An Immovable Feast’s TJ reviews. He reviews handfuls of products at a time and I can’t tell you how excited I get over new posts.
http://animmovablefeast.blogspot.com/
The posts are under “The Trader Joe’s Posts” a little ways down on the right side of the screen. Hope you enjoy!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries
Haha I love Brooke’s hair! That is pretty darn long for a little girl her age… I wish my hair grew that fast. ;) I love your use of the dark chocolate egg. Fondue is a brilliant idea! And Billy, c’mon, how can you ever be “too full” for dessert you crazy boy?!
Holly
Yes on the re-gift, no on TJ’s and a dinner you must try: Google Picky Palate Hawaiian Haystacks. They are delicious!
Erica
I am so glad you asked about dinner because when i made it last night I thought it would be something you would or have done. I roasted some veggies (broccoli, zuchinni, and peppers) then made a frozen pepperoni pizza and for the last few minutes of baking topped with the roasted veggies. it was delicious.
Sandee @My Midlife (Marathon) Crisis
We do regift. We have a box in the closet that we put things we’ve received that really aren’t going to use and we also pick up things on sale and put it in the box. When we need a last minute gift we look there first.
I love the salad dressings at Trader Joes.
Dinner was leftover chicken.
Love love love Brooke’s hair :)
TorontoRunner
Awww Brooke’s hair. I can’t even imagine – every day must be such an adventure with her. :)
Yes, guilty of some re-gifting!! Oops!
Lindsay @ The Skipping Pixie
That plate is simply amazing. My husband always scoffs at my candy eating habits, so rude!
Natalie @ Free Range Human
Brooke’s hair is too funny! Oh my goodness, I made a homemade pizza last night that was so so good. I want it for breakfast :)
Sarah
Why do you have such cool parties with such yummy desserts? Really jealous about that. Like, really jealous. I’d go for the pound cake too. And some oreos, and of course keep it traditional with the marshmallows. I don’t believe in being too full for dessert. I have a whole separate stomach for it.
Tabaitha
I have re-gifted! Someone should get use out of it if I can’t…atleast that is my theory. I love TJ’s and I’m so excited that they will be opening one near my house very soon. It has been too long! I love their granola, their fresh bread, salad dressings, and their olive oil. Last night we had small group at our friends house, so I made crockpot pulled pork sandwiches. It was delicious and I can’t wait to use the leftovers for my salad at lunch today.
Denise
So many great things at Trader Joe’s, that orange chicken is a favorite at our house, the hummus is really good. The Trader Joe’s cookies that are like Oreos are sooooo good. They come in Vanilla or Chocolate and are addicting. But keep your eye out for the chocolate ones filled with peppermint for the holidays….those are the BEST and very dangerous. I could eat a whole box if I am left alone with them…..
Corey @ When We Wander
I am guilty of re-gifting! For some reason, one year I received a bunch of like giftbaskets of lotion and shower gels and stuff so instead of opening them I regifted them! Ugh I feel like such a bad person. Oh well!
Amanda @ Romancing the Unusual
Regifting is the best because you don’t have to throw away the item that you don’t want, but ya don’t have to keep it either! ;)
Patty
Chocolate looks yummy!!!! I have a trader Joes about 1/2 a mile from my house and I’ve been there once. I should start going more often with all the goodies you find. We went out to dinner last nite because our daughters boyfriend came over for dinner for the first time and my husband thought it would be better that way. Ive never re-gifted anything but once I got a candle that looked like I was the third owner
Alex @ Healthy Life Happy Wife
The soy chorizo at Trader Joes is amazing! My husband and I put it in everything. Eggs, Mac and cheese, tacos, casseroles…definitely try it!! Easy & delicious!! I love TJs!
natalie@thesweetslife
ugh i feel your pain of being married to someone who is always ‘too full’ for dessert!
Brittany @Berries and Barbells
We made boring spaghetti for dinner last night. It actually tasted really good though! You must try the peach salsa from TJ’s. It is SO good with a quesadilla.
Sierra
I made eggplant rolls, inspired by something I saw on Pinterest. I also made an amazing strawberry salad dressing and had it on a salad with pecans, peans, baby greens, onions, and goat cheese. It was amazing and I’m eating it again for lunch today.
I bought the vegetarian version of that orange chicken, but I haven’t tried it yet.
Amylee
Re-gifting takes on a whole new level after you have a baby or get married. If someone says they haven’t done it, then they’re L.Y.I.N.G.
Bethany
Trader Joes must buy French Toast! It is awsome. My favorite Ghirarelli is Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark. You can only get it around the holidays and I scored some at Target yesterday yum!
Karen @ Runner Girl Eats
Baha Brooke has more hair at three months than I did at 3years. Love the fondue fest, were having fondue tomorrow! Will def have to pick up some pound cake now. Billy needs to step up his dessert game big time.
Annette@FitnessPerks
Yep. Have totally regifted. Hah!
And yes, my hubby is the same with dessert. It’s kinda sad sometimes!
Em @ Yep. I Ate That.
I don’t think I’ve actually ever re-gifted….I just feel too guilty about giving it away to someone else, even if it is a “useless” gift!
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy
Hahaha, Billy’s bowl made me laugh! Mine would look much more like yours :)!
CatieB
I can’t remember if I’ve re-gifted but I bet I have!
The photo of your and Billy’s dessert! haha Looks like mine and Ryan’s! I always eat way more dessert than him!
shelly
I made home-made sloppy joes last night. If I don’t say so, I’ve been making some pretty yummy foods lately.
Sonia the Mexigarian
totally regifted. and got regifts from my grandmotherinlaw. it’s kinda funny :)
love the mullet!!
have you tried the Cookie Butter yet? it’s pretty good!
got to love Ghiradelli. they were throwing tons of the little peppermint bark squares out to the crowd at the SF Parade. Freaking ninja stars in the air.
Steph F.
Some of my Trader Joe’s staples are their quick cook steel cut oats, their vanilla whey protein powder (which I mix in the oats!), their roasted red pepper & tomato soup, and their cornbread mix….soooo yummy with fall soups and chilis! A new Trader Joe’s actually just opened yesterday less than 5 minutes from my house – I am over the moon!
My first daughter had hair like Brooke’s (e.g. crazy long baby mullet), but around 3-4 mo. it mostly all fell out and came back in a golden blonde (she was a redhead those first few months). My other daughter lost her “birth hair” much earlier, around 2 months, and was bald for many months thereafter :) I think it’s common for kids to lose hair like that, but I’ve certainly seen babies with full heads of hair that never lose it, either. Brooke will be beautiful no matter what!!
michelle kim
Last night’s dinner was a soba noodle salad (with egg, cheese, mixed greens, corn, carrots, and cherry balsamic vinaigrette).
During the summer, I always get the frozen mangoes from Trader Joe’s (cut up in cubes) and eat them when it’s hot. I’m an ice-cruncher, so going through frozen mangoes is no problem. Actually, San Francisco is pretty hot so I might have to get some of those this week.
Mallory
must-buy at TJ’s = sunbutter and Lacey’s macadamia nut chocolate cookies! SO GOOD
Sarah M.
I couldn’t agree more with Mallory! From one dessert lover to another – find and buy immediately TJ’s Lacey’s cookies. Both their dark chocolate almond and milk chocolate macadamia nut cookies are to die for. Don’t worry, you can thank us later!
Leanne
OH MY GOSH it really does look like Brooke has a mullet!! Too funny! I think re-gifting is ok, although I have never done it. I have bought a book for lets say my dad or aunt, but I read it before I wrapped it and sent it to them. Is that bad?
I made chicken Parmesan. It’s real easy. I oven bake it instead of fry. I put chicken in some egg, italian bread crumbs and on the pan. I put tomato sauce over them with mozzarella cheese to top it off. So yummy and easy. Of course I had whole wheat pasta with it and broccoli sautéed in garlic.
Alice
Hey Janae, that hair is TOO cute, she’s the most gorgeous little girl! I re-gift all the time as I have a six year old daughter who has a party to go to pretty much every week and it gets VERY expensive! I’m in the UK so we don’t have Trader Joes – wish we did it looks great! I love love love your blog – I’m out for 4 weeks due to an op I had earlier today so I think it’s going to keep me sane… If I can’t run I figure I’ll read blogs about running and books about running instead and fuel my obsession that way! The next best thing… Can’t even cross train and I’m running my first marathon in April so I’m gonna have A LOT of catching up to do! P.S. your candy corn and peanut combo might be the best thing I’ve ever tasted, we can’t get them in the UK either so I have to order online but it is so worth it!
Whitney
I made a spinach and mushroom pizza with Italian herbs and cheese cooking cream for the sauce. It was yummy! ;) Hope everyone has a good day!
Andrea @ Andrea Out Loud!
ugh one time i did the worst thing ever and regifted a gift 2 years later to the person who gave it to me!!! ahhh so bad….
Life's a Bowl
They had that chicken as a sample at our TJ’s over the weekend, yours too?! ;) My momma is a big fan of it!
My most recent TJ’s find are the peanut butter filled pretzels… Danger I tell ya, truly dangerous, I can’t stop eating them [aka right now]!!!
Christina
I regift all the time. One person’s undesirable is another person’s treasure. It’s the thought that counts. ;-)
I don’t have a Trader Joe’s nearby. Or Wegman’s, which I love to visit when in the DC area.
Dinner is roast, potatoes, and carrots in the crockpot. The best!
Stephanie
My little girl has a baby mullet too!!
Kay
I love your BYO food parties, such a great idea!
Simone
I regift but only at those great christmas party’s where you have to bring something funny to regift and it becomes a game. My boyfriend and I ended up with a shake weight at Christmas last year so I can’t wait to pass that off to someone this year :)
I live in Canada and we don’t have trader Joes but whenever I go to one I stock up on their soap, corn salsa bruschetta mix. I don’t know what it is but i’m hooked!
I was running late for class so I just had an almond butter, banana and honey sandwich with some trail mix for dinner, weak I know!
Katie @ running4cupcakes
We had enchiladas last night – I totally thought of you when I ate my avocado slices with it. So yummy. Although way more expensive in MN than CA!
kim@hungryhealthygirl
Too full for dessert…..shameful!! ;)
I just did a TJ/Costco must buy today. You can check it out here http://www.hungryhealthygirl.com/2012/11/06/favorite-finds/
Brooke’s hair is beautiful!!!
Heather F.
I am going to Trader Joe’s for the very FIRST time. While I know I will want to buy everything in site I am trying to go in with a budget and list so I dont go too crazy. What are some of your favorite things at TJs that everyone should try??
Natalie
UM-I’m pretty sure I drooled a little looking at your fondue pictures! You really should put a disclaimer on posts containing deliciousness so they don’t result in my cleaning my saliva off my keyboard…(at work).
We just got our very first Trader Joe’s here in Fort Worth TX, so I’m still fighting off other customers just to get a parking spot, so I haven’t fallen in love, yet! Love the blog as always! Are you training for any races right now?
Christy (txrunnermom)
We just got a Trader Joe’s here, but I still haven’t checked it out. As for the baby mullet, my daughter had a mullet until she was about 3 years old! Her hair would grow in the back, but it didn’t seem to grow in the front. :-)
Kristen @ notsodomesticated
Loving the fondue! Your husband sounds like my husband when it comes to dessert. Ridiculous!
Erin
Man, I wish we had a TJ’s here! The closest is about 3 hours away. :(
Erin @ The Grass Skirt
I love that chicken. Someone who works there once told me it’s their best seller, so it shouldn’t be discontinued like so many of their other products. :)
jan
Looooove the mullet. They are so cute (as long as you’re younger than two).
Katie
Awww hahahaha Billy’s little teeny tiny s’more is so cute!
Laura
Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter = amazing
Kathee
I love Trader Joe’s Crushers. I use them for fuel before a race!
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