21
Foodie Friday: The AYMB Guide To Trader Joe’s
You know those *haul* shopping videos on youtube? This is my version.
Who doesn’t love Trader Joe’s?!?
No. Really. I actually want to know who you are, because I’ve yet to meet someone that doesn’t love that place. I’ve been a loyal customer of Trader Joe’s since about 1997 and I tend to move to areas that have a TJ’s within 10 minutes of my house. When realtors talk about location, location, location, all I want to know is if there is a TJ’s nearby.
All loyal TJ’s customers have their favorites and I am no exception. I may have relied on their frozen meals and cheap wine (Two Buck Chuck!) back in the 90′s, but now I rely on their organic and healthy products to feed my family. Trader Joe’s proves that organic, healthy, and natural products do not have to cost an arm and a leg. From a starving college student on a tight budget to a mom cooking for her family, Trader Joe’s has come through for me time and time again. The majority of my grocery receipts come from TJ’s, which should tell you everything.
Without further ado, these are my favorite Trader Joe’s products. Prices are current as of this post date:
Breakfast/Bread
Organic Oats & Flax Instant Oatmeal ($3.29) – when I feel the need to have a particularly healthy breakfast, these individual packets of oatmeal do the job.
8 Plus 2 100% Stone Ground Whole Grain Bread ($2.29) – my favorite bread, made with natural whole grains, soy & flax.
Vanilla Almond Crunch Cereal ($3.99) - this cereal is a favorite in my family. It’s good with or without milk!
Trader Joe’s Low-Fat Cereal Bars ($1.69) – made with organic grains, these cereal bars are perfect for a quick breakfast or healthy snack. I always have a few of these in my bag for when the the Monkey gets hungry.
Lavosh Bread ($1.99) - perfect for wraps or a snack with tahini or hummus.
Condiments
Organic Creamy Peanut Butter ($2.99) – this is quite possibly the best peanut butter I’ve tried. When mixed well, it doesn’t dry out, either.
Aioli Garlic Mustard Sauce ($2.49) - this mustard is incredible and works deliciously on anything from a turkey sandwich to grilled sausage.
Garlic Hummus ($2.49) – spread on lavosh or pita bread or dip your chips and veggies in it. This hummus is the best!
Organic Marinara Sauce ($2.29) - I use this tasty marinara for individual pizzas on English muffins or in pastas.
Panko Breadcrumbs ($1.69) – I prefer panko breadcrumbs to regular breadcrumbs and this panko is one of my favorites.
Himalayan Pink Salt Crystals ($1.99) – this fabulous pink salt comes with a built-in grinder!
Taco Seasoning Mix ($0.79) - this is a great alternative to other taco seasoning packs because you can actually pronounce the ingredients. (continues…)
18
Introducing Kids To (Live) Music
We just got back from a long weekend with family and friends where we were treated to a special outdoor acoustic show from one of our favorite bands, Hot Buttered Rum (great band for people of all ages!). These guys played our wedding, so it’s especially fun for us to bring our little Monkey along to their shows.
I love outdoor shows, especially on a beautiful summer day or warm evening. Bringing your kids along can be one of the best ways to introduce them to music. Some of my earliest childhood memories center around music and live shows so, needless to say, music has always been important to me. Before pregnancy, live shows were something the Dude and I ventured to regularly and would even plan vacations around. That didn’t stop when I got pregnant. The Monkey probably went to about 30 shows in the womb, from bluegrass and classical to jazz and popular rock. My last concert was about two weeks before my due date. I’m still not sure how I waddled my way to that show, but I certainly got plenty of dancing space!
There is no better way to expose children to music than to introduce them to the live creation of it. To actually experience the formation of beautiful and complex melodies is a wonderful way to stimulate the senses of children and help cognitive and physical development. However, as important as it is to expose young ears to the gift of music, it’s even more important to protect those ears. The type of venue, music genre, the type of crowd, and the acoustics are important pieces of information to gather before you buy your tickets.
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- Getting ready for the Monkey’s first live show @ 4 months old.
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- Don’t go to a live show without these!
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- First live show of the season! The Monkey at 2.5 years old.
11
100 Posts…And Counting
My 100th post!
Sorry I’m so excited about this, but it kinda feels like a milestone for me.
This time last year, I wasn’t even thinking about blogging. It never even crossed my mind that, one day, I would join the esteemed ranks of mommy bloggers. But I’m so glad I did. The past 8 months or so have been a whirlwind of writing posts, reading posts, and meeting and connecting with (both online and off) some wonderful bloggers.
So in honor of…well…my blog, I think this 100th post needs to showcase what I consider to be the highlights from the past 100 blog posts. Maybe you’ve read them all (Hi, Mom and Dad!) or maybe this is your first time here. Either way, I welcome you on a little journey through my favorites.
September 2009
Belly Bullies – A post where I declare war on people who (wo)man-handle pregnant women and disregard their feelings. If I ever get pregnant again, I’m going to make a t-shirt that says “If you touch my belly, I will sit on you.”
Bring Back the Yips Yips (An Open Letter to Sesame Street) – I think the title says it all. I miss the Yip Yips on Sesame Street! Please sign the petition if you agree.
Where’s The Music? – In short, a summary of my favorite music for babies and toddlers. You won’t see Baby Mozart on this list.
Your New Baby Is Here. No Accessories Included – My list of all the products that helped me during the newborn and infant stage. I forward this list to everyone I know who is expecting their first baby or is in search of the perfect baby gift. (continues…)
07
Foodie Friday: Eat Your Heart Out, San Francisco
From this view, there is a whole world of wonderful restaurants and delicious food.
It’s been two years since I moved away from San Francisco, a place I called home for about 12 years. I miss many aspects of that city, but I mostly miss the food. For any foodie that has lived in or visited San Francisco, you know that it’s food heaven.
Each San Francisco neighborhood is unique with its own flavor and food culture. From fine dining in Nob Hill and picnic-ing in the Embarcadero to tamales in the Mission and brunch in the Castro to spicy Indian food in South of Market (SOMA) and Ethiopian food in Western Addition, San Francisco has everything. This list of where to eat is my own personal food diary of the places that helped refine my palate.
So, in homage of the fabulous Foggy City and the various neighborhoods and eateries that I frequented, I want to share all my secret and not-so secret places to eat great food and shop for delectable treats.
Note: Not all San Francisco Districts are listed. Neighborhoods are listed in alphabetical order. This list is subject to change. (continues…)
06
Skin MD Natural Coupon Code!
If you read my review and giveaway for Skin MD Natural lotion, you’ll know that I’m a fan of their product. I’ve now been using the lotion for a few months and it really does work well. Now the kind folks over at Skin MD Natural want to give my readers a 20% discount for their products, good for the next 30 days. And, if you buy now, they are offering free shipping for orders over $50!
The coupon code is AYMB and will expire on June 6, 2010. The code is caps sensitive, so make sure to enter it correctly.
You can buy Skin MD Natural products on their website.
