I’ve got a whole bunch of pictures to share with you (yes, the amount of pictures I take each day is insane)!
–12 Reasons Marathon Training Is Like Being In A Long-Term Relationship. Amazing.
-Brooke saw me eating granola with my cantaloupe and yogurt the other day. Now she must add a few pieces of granola on top of each pice of cantaloupe that she eats. Also, she gets pretty excited when I get new running shoes too.
–Lindsey took out the camera and told us to smile and it turned out my friend wasn’t in the mood for that after her 12 hour nursing shift. Or maybe she doesn’t want to be associated with me. Not sure which one;)
-More hint of lime eating on my sister’s couch. We need separate bags though because we both search for the chips with the most seasoning on them. These things are so beyond good.
-Brooke was telling me the other day about how she learned how to do a bridge at gymnastics and then I told her I could do one too (she didn’t believe me)… and I did somehow. She was shocked. This required using muscles that I haven’t used in a very long time.
-THANK YOU to the reader that recommended trying out this BBQ sauce. It is legit. I topped my sweet potato and chicken combo with it and it definitely has a spicy kick (a little bit goes a long way too) but it is a keeper in my book. I guess the real question is… what does Trader Joe’s do wrong?
-Just some dice and chicken feet gummies on the curb. The randomness of life with a 3 year old is my favorite.
-She asked to wear her race shirt (she did her first race last October!!!) to bed the other night. I am rubbing off on her just a lil’ bit.
-Weird, me too:
-How does Taylor look adorable even when she is falling off of a treadmill?
-I do not like making rice (or having to clean the rice cooker). Brooke loves eating rice. I tried this for the first time on Sunday and wow. Literally, all you do is tear it on the sides and cook it for 90 seconds and the rice turns out perfect. Just adding this to weekly grocery list.
-This is especially random but it just makes me happy. When I left California a few years ago, I literally left everything there… I grabbed some clothes and Brooke’s things but that. is. it. I peaced out real fast. One of the things that I have missed the most was my old KitchenAid… welp, I finally went for it and got a new one. The color just has my heart too. Sometimes material things that help you to produce delicious treats really do make you happy;)
Friends and family—> expect large amounts of food gifts from me now.
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Top 3 favorite things right now to get at Trader Joe’s? How far away is the nearest TJ’s to you? Ever bought something there that you didn’t end up liking?
Have any Monday Matters to share?
Are you a chips person? What is your favorite kind?
64 comments
Rachel @ Simply Rachel Nicole
Yay for getting a new Kitchen Aid! Those things are seriously amazing! I so want to try that BBQ sauce from Trader Joe’s now! It sounds so good. I am a huge fan of their pizza dough. :) I go through phases where I absolutely love chips, but right now I am on a hot cheetos kick ha. Not the healthiest thing in the world, I know. ;) As for my monday matters, my sissy subbed for the first time in a turbo/pump class today and I went and she did amazing! It was so fun to watch her in her element! :)
Amanda
So many “me toos” with this post! Love my classic Red Kitchen Aid. I HATE making rice, hadn’t had a craving in a while, and really just bought those instant rice packets on Saturday. Must be something in the air. I do a back bend twice every single day and have since the age of 17. Random :)
The Hungry Runner Girl
TWICE A DAY!!!!! Holy cow!! THAT IS AWESOME. Oh red… I would love a red one!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
I wish I took more pictures of little moments during the day but forget! Sadly the nearest trader joes is 25 minutes away and I barely ever go, but sometimes order products off amazon instead since its so easy!
Sarah @ SarahRuns26
I’m going out of town this weekend and I’m most excited that I get to make a stop at Trader Joe’s. It’s the little things. Did you see that Chrissy Teigen said on Twitter that she doesn’t like TJs? Who doesn’t like TJs?!
I feel like I need the new Brooks Boston shoes. They are amazing. I love them.
Favorite kind of chip…probably tortilla chips. I’m not picky about round vs. triangles, etc. I do like the hint of lime ones, but original are probably my favorite. We really don’t keep potato chips in the house so tortillas are about the only kind I eat anyway! And now I want some chips and salsa!
tess
Sadly…TJ’s is..not my favorite. I KNOW. I’m sorry. But it’s okay because it’s a bit of a drive for me so I’ll live and I’m happy for you guys!
sally @ sweat out the small stuff
TJ’s is 10 min away. I love Cape Cod Kettle potato chips. The 40% reduced fat ones because you can’t really tell the difference.
Hmmm Monday Matters? It’s been pouring here all day and my poor dog has one of the e-collars on because he got stitches and we’re bored and I wish I could walk him without it getting wet and muddy. Sigh!
Mary Jo @ Run and Smile
I love Cape Cod chips. They almost taste homemade. I wish I had a Trader Joes by me. It’s almost 40 miles away. And my Monday Matters is I’m back to work after a nice Spring Break. Boooooo…..
Jenny
It’s amazing the things I thought were so easy growing up are so hard now. Like bridges and laying on my stomach and touching my toes to the back of my head (I’m sure there’s a name for that).
And I agree 100% that material things can produce happiness. People say money can’t by happiness but sometimes it can.
Sam @ See Sam Run
At TJ’s I LOVE the chili lime chicken burgers. And the aracini balls. They are both so so good. I can’t wait to live close to one again!
My Monday matters: Started my long-term (okay, 1-month) substitute teacher job today and didn’t get mistaken for a student – WIN. And I got approved to rent a townhome in Maryland for when I move next month – MEGA WIN!
Laura @ This Runner's Recipes
I have such a weaknesses for tortilla chips! Especially in the spring when I crave guac and salsa, I can go through a bag a week. I baked my own the other day and they were incredible.
Stacey
I left California (for similar reasons) a few years ago, too. The thing I miss most is a sweater my mom knit for me. Someone else packed for me and he *neglected* to pack it. It’s gone now :(
I love Terra chips… any kind. They’re pricey but for an occasional treat, they’re awesome.
My favorite TJ’s products are their chili spiced dried mango (AMAZING!), cookie butter, and cheap produce.
We’re having a horrific snowstorm here, so it was the ‘mill for me. Speedwork!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Oh Stacey, that absolutely breaks my heart (and makes me angry too!!!!) Boo. I get you though. SNOW?!?! WHAT???
Nina
I love TJ’s but yeah, there have been a few things that I’m not a fan of. Pumpkin salted caramel comes to mind. (I didn’t realize it was caramel sauce when I grabbed it). I like pumpkin and I like caramel but apparently not together. too sweet.
I just picked up my frozen rice medley from TJ’s yesterday. It’s my emergency stash when I don’t have time to make rice in the rice cooker.
I need a kick in the butt to get motivated again. I think I’m still reeling from my husband’s illness and it’s hard for me to get my head motivated to blog and figure out my next business steps.
[email protected]
I’m 3.5 hours away from trader joes ? but my parents picked some stuff up for me yesterday!
Lauren C.
Janae! If you combine TJ’s perfection with lazy rice making, check out the frozen brown rice packets! It’s like $2.99 for a box of four single serving packets (one packet easily serves both me and my husband for a meal) and you microwave in the bag for 3 minutes! I promise it’s the best and easiest rice ever — doesn’t even need to be defrosted before you microwave.
Nicole (Cuckoolemon)
we could share the chips bc i only like a light dusting of seasoning on each chip
Chelsa
I have that exact color of mixer too! My favorite!
Christy
TJ is 15min away. I can’t get enough of their spicy green dragon sauce. I put it on everything. I also always pick up their plain dried pineapple rings and their apples. The apples are the perfect size for a 2.5yo. I really like their 10min quick cooking brown rice. Try it!
I just got a bag of those hint of lime chips from amazon prime pantry. Strangely the bag came w/o air. I’m not sure if that’s how all their chips come to save space but I’m not sure I’d order them again. I’d say the majority of them were crushed. What a waste right?!
Amanda @ Exploring Life & Things
Oh my gosh I don’t even know the last time I did a back bend.. I’m scared to try it! We don’t have a Trader Joe’s near us at all (SAD) so anytime I’m near one I just want to slowly browse through every aisle.
Amy
Oh my gosh, the Kitchenaid. . . Same thing I left with nothing, eventually came back for my stuff, and my ex had sold EVERYTHING in the house. This was 10 years ago. My fiancé asked my son what would I like for my birthday this year. My 17-year-old said that I used to have a Kitchenaid mixer and that I loved it. Oh, how I loved it. When I opened my gift I was so excited, but then weirdly emotional about it, so I didn’t actually open it for 2 months. It’s strange how the little things can pop up all these years later.
Caroline
I love my kitchen aid sytand mixer! Got mine at one of those pre-thanksgiving sales where you have to be at the store at some unearthly time in the morning. The mint green is so retro!!! I love it!
You DO know that t-joes has pre-cooked frozen rice!?!?!? Jasmine, brown, mixed, red jasmine…3 pouches to a box, ready in 3 minutes.
http://www.traderjoes.com/digin/post/guide-to-TJs-rice
And nope…I don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed with t-joes….except maybe when they discontinue a product.
Emma @myfullfatlife
Enjoy your kitchen aid!! In my family we receive them as wedding gifts… so Lord knows it will be a LONG time until I get one!!! :)
Erica
Every now and again I just need a Dorito.
Actually a student was eating cool ranch ones today, and now I might need some.
Holly @ Pink-Runner.com
Loveeee that color Kitchen Aid!!! I have a black one, but I don’t use it as much as I should!
Michelle
We don’t shop at TJs very often because the closest one is 40 minutes away from us. But my favorite thing from there is the Cookie Butter! It’s amazing!
Favorite chips have got to be cool ranch doritos! But we’re recently found these chia and quinoa chips that are really good. And we feel like we’re being healthy when we eat them….I think we’re kidding ourselves!
Kelly M
I buy frozen rice from Trader Joe’s ALL the time. It makes dinner so much easier! I love their white cheddar puff corn or whatever it is called. I could seriously eat their cookie butter EVERY DAY!! It is like 3 miles down the road which is great.
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul
Those Corgis! <3
Carly
We moved from San Jose to a coastal town in New Hampshire. I didn’t even think to look if there was a TJ’s here and on my first night I was out driving and there it was, I may have squealed with delight.
My favorite things are their Taco seasoning, Macaroni Cheese Balls, the frozen raspberry tart is AMAZING and pretttty much everything else there. I did get something recently that I threw out but I cannot remember what…
Just fyi, They have frozen rice that you pop in your microwave at TJ’s.
Hollie
I saw that video of Taylor Swift falling and I thought the same thing. I wish I could look as graceful while still falling.
I’ve never been a chips person. I don’t have a sweet tooth so that is probably why…
Hollie
I meant “salty tooth” LOL
tess
Ha. I will admit that I was confused…um…what? but you were on the ball!
Virginia
Have you tried the Trader Joe’s organic brown rice in the freezer area? Each box contains 3 microwave pouches. The absolute best rice❤️
Holly
I have the same color on my Kitchen Aid ;)
Sarah
Good for you getting your Kitchen Aide…I couldn’t live without mine.
I am wondering why you didn’t fight to get the one you left in CA…they are not cheap?? You deserve everything you left behind. You go girl, live large, dream big.
Life often throws us a curve ball. One in which we did not choose or have a part of.
Brooke is lucky to have a caring Mom like you. Whatever her future hold regarding family is in the Father’s hands. Blessings to you!
Kiki
Tj’s roasted plantain chips, addicted!
Kelli
I have that same color of Kitchenaid. I love it!! It was by far my most favorite wedding gift. I am super jealous of all these people who are sad about the fact their closest TJs is 25-30 minutes away. My closest one is 7 HOURS away in Colorado Springs. I drive through there a couple times a year usually so you better believe I stop and stock up on essentials when I can. My favorite is probably their cookie butter. It’s sinfully delicious.
Natalie
That Target quote is the story of my life.
I love chips, especially harvest cheddar Sun Chips. Those are delish. And Cheetos. Definitely Cheetos.
Lee
I love the kitchen aid! Someday, I will get one but I’m saving for new double ovens in a couple of years. I had no idea how awesome double ovens are until we bought a house that has them. They are poop b row and from 1984 but I kick butt baking Christmas cookies!
There is a TJ’s about a half hour from here. I don’t go there because I think it involves the awful traffic circle.
I can’t do a back bend. I did a cartwheel a few years ago and hurt muscles I didn’t know I had.
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious
I scored my Kitchen Aid stand mixer on clearance on Target (it had a knick in it) and it seriously changed my life. I love it and use it all the time! That color of yours though. I’m jealous!
Bethany Thompson
I am totally addicted to the “Food Should Taste Good”
brand of multigrain tortilla chips. Literally have been thinking about them
Since I finished the bag.
Need some now.
Linda @ The Fitty
I sure hope one day I can have the lifestyle you have–I can’t get up that early and run for 2 hours, and you also make time for your little one. That’s admirable!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Oh goodness… that isn’t my schedule… that was from the article I linked to on buzzfeed:)
Colleen @ CSmith Run
I LOVE rice and use the Steamfresh frozen rice packages – super easy – just throw in the microwave for a few minutes and then dump the bag on the plate or in the bowl. I like either their white rice or their organic brown rice mixed with veggies, then I’ll usually add in hardboiled egg and ground turkey :)
And yes, so obsessed with Tostitos. I’m not really a fan of the Hint of Lime actually though…
adrianna
TJs is like 1/2 mile away…dangerous.
good for you for getting a new Kitchen Aide! enjoy that baby.
The Hungry Runner Girl
1/2 mile… yeah, I’d be there daily hahaha! You’ll have to share your finds with me:)
Natalie
When I lived in TN the closest TJ’s was 2 hours away, but we went often because it’s in Nashville where my brother lives. Now that we are in Abu Dhabi… I really miss it! I think my favorites are the dark chocolate salted almonds, chili spiced mango, and rosemary raisin crisps paired with goats milk creamy cheese.
Lyndsay
I t tried Trader Joe’s new black bean pasta tonight. I liked it!
The Hungry Runner Girl
YUM!! I’m going to have to try that! Glad you liked it!
Michelle
I love my Kitchenaid. I don’t have a lot of gadgets because we have a small kitchen, but the Kitchenaid mixer makes the cut. Yours is so cute it doubles as decor!
That Taylor Swift commercial makes me laugh out loud every time I see it.
Love your new Brooks!!!
Anne Levy
Loved this post. Do you want to hear something really sad??? I am 308 miles from the nearest Trader Joes!! I still like to hear about all the things you find, so that when I travel into Colorado I can look for all of it.
I love my kitchenAid mixer and use it almost daily!
I found the BEST chips at Costco. they are called “Milton’s Gluten Free Baked Chips” So yummy!
Ruth
❤️ Trader Joes- can’t believe no one wrote about their riced cauliflower!! Fresh and frozen, sooo good. Also love their red pepper,garlic, and eggplant spread. Their face serum ($10) is pretty amazing too.
The Hungry Runner Girl
WHAT!?!?! Okay… I need to drive back right this second and get all three of those things. Thank you Ruth!!!
better by michelle
obsessed with the Trader Joe’s riced cauliflower! yes it’s super easy to make at home, but it’s soooo convenient—and isn’t that the point? also love their dried fruit and nut selection. I’m running my first ultramarathon (Mt. Hood 50k) in July, so I’m currently testing out the best fuel for long runs and I’m DEFINITELY using lots of dried fruit and nut mixtures!
Ellen @ Tale of Two Runs
Happy Monday! I love those hint of lime chips! Back in NY when I lived alone i used to eat them for dinner (LOL I know NOT healthy!) along a jar of salsa! Normal Monday around here! Hopefully I ll get to go for a run later this evening and try out my new mizuno beauties :)
Emily is Single
I loveLoveLOVE that freaking teal kitchen aid HOLY COW. I have always wanted that color and t literally pains me!!! I’m so jealous! I have a white one and it works great though do can’t justify the expense but that sucker has my heart!
Pollyanna
Oh how I know how your friend feels after a nursing shift!!! I am a nurse practitioner but remember my hospital bed side nursing days!!!
You have me wanting to try the back bend, but at 44, I might pull my back muscles!!! lol
Not a chip person, but love a great cupcak!!! Not to often though :D
B
I love my silver kitchen aid. Sometimes I make things just so I can use it. I attempted a back bend while 8 months pregnant, let’s just say BAD idea. I’ll try again soon. The hint of lime chips are my favorite but no one else in my house likes them so I can’t buy them or I end up eating them ALL. I get super excited for parties and things just so I can bring them (for me to eat).
We love the pouched rice, we eat it daily! plus I pack it in my daughter’s lunch.
Victoria @ Minus Thirty Three
We don’t have a Target so I’ll never get to experience that feeling haha
And YES, I’m such a chips person. I’m pretty boring though .. my favourite kind of chips are Lays Lightly Salted! I actually die for them and can’t keep them in the house because I’ll start/finish a bag in one sitting…..
Taylor
I love rice too but dont love making it!! I love the fast kind and it always turns out great!! I’m not a chips person at all… my favorite salty snack is popcorn!
Peggi Konvicka
Oh I just LOVE LOVE LOVE hint of lime Tostitos!!! They are the best. Yes I do search for the ones with the most seasoning too….guilty as charged :)
Kelli
TJ’s Favorites: Coconut Oil, Mandarin Orange Chicken, Plantain Chips, Gone Bananas slices, and Thai Veggie Burgers. And I just had the riced cauliflower for the first time the other day- used it in a recipe instead of rice. It was really good!
TJ’s Miss: the crunchy broccoli florets. I love broccoli, but these are not good! My family also does not care for the Garlic Chipotle salsa. A lot of people seem to like it, but we thought it had a weird taste to it.
Nikki @ will run for pizza
Trader Joe’s had really quick and easy rice too! Not 90 seconds fast, but it comes in a box, 3 bags per box, and you just heat it on the stove in a pot on medium for 8 minutes! You don’t have to add anything! Just keep stirring! And the jasmine rice is THE BOMB!
I’m addicted to their black bean pasta lately! Put their sauce on them, with their meatless meatballs…MMMM MMMMM…I think that will be dinner tonight! lol
I am a chip fanatic too. It’s so bad. I have 0 control. Those hint of lime chips are so good too! I’m currently addicted to TJ’s fritos. They are so salty and so good….
Michele at Everyday Snapshot
I have no access to a Trader Joe’s. I get jealous of all the good finds there, but having never tried it, at least I don’t know what I’m missing. I totally share your daughter’s love for cantaloupe. I can’t keep enough on hand. I get a bowl out, but as I cut it up, I end up eating the whole melon, therefore returning my clean unused bowl to the cupboard. Rock on cantaloupe, rock on!