TJ's Pumpkin Shopping Spree

I went a little hog wild at Trader Joe's the other day.  I really couldn't help myself with all the pumpkin products they have readily available, just begging to be picked up and placed in the shopping cart.  I originally went in for the Pumpkin Granola but happily wound up with the pumpkin muffin mix, pumpkin crackers, pumpkin chai tea and the adorable mini pumpkins......I held myself back from the pumpkin ale...this time.

Many times I'll bake pumpkin chocolate chip muffins from scratch, but this TJ's box mix is so dang good and ready to go, I just can't walk by it this time of year.  The kids {and I} love these things....addicted for sure.

Just follow the directions on the box and add as many chocolate chips as necessary.  

Easy.

Delicious.

Are you 'all in' with the pumpkin craze?  What's your favorite??

Pin It

Rice, Soy, Almond "Milk" or "Drink"?

I just arrived home from Lake Tahoe, sat down on the couch to relax and picked up the Trader Joe's Fearless Flyer and on the back page an ad for Rice Drink is being advertised. 

It reads:

Tader Joe's Organic Rice Drink is one of those "milk" drinks that aren't actually made with dairy products, so, technically, we can't call them milk.  But let's be honest; while we call it Rice Drink, you probably call it rice "milk".

Do you have an opinion on these questions?:
Do you think a product labeled as "milk" should be labeled as such only if it comes from a mammal?
Do you think liquid pressed from these plant based products; soy, almond, rice drinks should be called "milk" or "drink"?




Tweet

Pin It

TJ's Broccoli Beef & Lactose Free Tofutti Cuties

Do you ever shop at Trader Joe's?  I was so excited when we had one open in our town a couple of years ago.  I usually shop at TJ's twice a month or so.  They have such great prices on things, it's hard to pass up.  I like to keep some frozen, easy to prepare food on hand at home for those nights that  A) I  forgot to pull something out of the freezer to thaw or  B) just don't have much time to prepare dinner.

My last visit to TJ's, I picked up a box of Broccoli Beef to try out. 

It looked promising.

In the package you'll find some frozen, coated beef.  In which you brown for a few minutes.

Also in the package is the broccoli, which you add to the beef and heat for a few more minutes.  When finished cooking, just add the heated sauce to the mixture.

I served it upon a mound of brown rice.  All in all, it was pretty good.  At first taste, I sensed a very faint fish flavor that I wasn't very fond of.  But after eating a few bites mixed in with the rice, I thought it was pretty good (not great).

For dessert, we had Bryce's pick.  He loves these little mini ice cream sandwiches.  This is another TJ's item that Bryce just discovered (see what happens when I take the kids grocery shopping!).   And since they are dairy free and with Bryce being slightly lactose intolerant (can you even believe that!), these were great!

A note on lactose intolerance, allowing Bryce to drink raw milk from our dairy totally removes any lactose intolerance symptoms he has! (more on this later).

I also like their small size.

HEAVEN!

Happy Saturday!

Pin It

More to Share on Scheels & Another Easy Prep dinner from TJ's

We drove home today from Truckee. The kids, of course were reluctant to leave....they had so much fun. The conversation on the drive home was more talk of our 'field trip to Scheels' and how amazingly awesome it was. I wanted to share some more photos with you and also encourage you to visit if you ever get the chance.....you will not be disappointed. My camera couldn't fit the entire building into the frame.....

More attractions inside.... Bull Elk........Wow! Bryce is learning about how the Antelope play...... Friends, Cindy & Logan rode the indoor Ferris Wheel...... Bryce, picking out some T-Ball necessities......

Camo attire.....everyone needs some!

Attire for the girls....... Already looking forward to the next visit.

After a weekend trip, it's always great to have some easy to prepare dinners on hand, that way I am able to fit in unpacking, laundry and everything else that needs attending. I just love these easy to prepare dinners that I find at Trader Joe's! Chicken Teriyaki with broccoli and rice. You can find the Chicken Teriyaki in the freezer section of Trader Joe's. Just heat the chicken in the microwave for about five minutes. Heat the sauce for about two minutes....

I had some broccoli in the fridge that was on it's last leg, so I steamed a pot full..... Add the chicken, sauce and broccoli all together...... Whole grain brown rice......... If anyone knows of a healthier rice that's quick to cook, I would love to hear about it! All goes well with a glass of wine...... Happy Monday!

Pin It

All About 4-H Presentation Day

A few members of Tri-Valley 4-H

This morning, Marin County 4-H held it's annual Presentation Day at the Glenn barn. All Marin County 4-H clubs were invited and encouraged to participate. My son, Bryce, is a member of Tri-Valley 4-H Club. Bryce is five years old and it is his first year participating in 4-H. There were many Presentation ideas to choose from including, Talk Demonstration, Public Speaking, Share The Fun Show, Interpretive Reading, Cultural Arts, Power Point Presentation, Visual Displays and more. Bryce chose to enter a Panel Display Presentation titled, "How To Bake A Cake." Bryce, proud of his Display

When it was Bryce's turn to present his display to the Judge, he explained to her his process for baking a cake, creating his display, and he answered all questions she had for him. Bryce received a Gold Star Certificate of Achievement for his Panel Display and a Visual Arts Pin for his 4-H hat.

Charming the Judge

What a great learing experience 4-H is for any young person. 4-H is a community of 6million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. 4-H can be found in every county in every state. 4-H'ers participate in fun, hands-on learning activities.

The Rabbit Group giving their presentation

4-H inspires young people to continue to learn and grow, to make their best efforts better through participating in educational experiences.

A "Favorite Foods" Entry

Young people learn best when they are involved in their learning. Learn by doing. The intent is to do, reflect, and apply. I want to give my children the benefit of being involved in 4-H throughout their youth.

Presentation on "How To Ear Tag A Cow"

__________________________________________________________________________________

In the evening it's soup night for the kids.....they love it!

Not Homemade But good!

Dominic's and my dinner was Pesto Genovese Chicken Breast from Tader Joe's, spinach salad and garlic bread~

After dinner, it was a game of Mexican Train Dominoes

And Chutes and Ladders Chloe was a bit bored Good Night! Pin It