1 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:09,160 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. I'm kel Seatings. And then this is Kitchen Prescription, 2 00:00:09,360 --> 00:00:11,360 Speaker 1: the podcast you listen to when you don't know what 3 00:00:11,440 --> 00:00:15,000 Speaker 1: to make for dinner. Today is episode forty three, Your 4 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:17,840 Speaker 1: Guide to Trader Joe's. But first we're going to run 5 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:20,960 Speaker 1: through three simple recipes you could throw on your meal 6 00:00:21,040 --> 00:00:23,480 Speaker 1: plan if you're stuck trying to decide what to make 7 00:00:23,520 --> 00:00:27,120 Speaker 1: for dinner this week. Let's get into those, all right. 8 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:30,760 Speaker 1: First up is this sheet pan steak, potatoes and veggies. 9 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 1: And this is a recipe Club recipe, and I want 10 00:00:32,479 --> 00:00:35,360 Speaker 1: to tell you about why I chose to develop this recipe. 11 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:39,519 Speaker 1: We are in the middle of February right Valentine's Day, 12 00:00:39,720 --> 00:00:42,720 Speaker 1: and it seems to be a holiday where it seems 13 00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:44,239 Speaker 1: like it might be nice to go out and have 14 00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:48,360 Speaker 1: a steak dinner. But we all know that actually going 15 00:00:48,440 --> 00:00:52,400 Speaker 1: out on Valentine's Day is a disaster. There's usually prefixed 16 00:00:52,440 --> 00:00:55,640 Speaker 1: menus that are overpriced, crowds. If you didn't get a 17 00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:59,160 Speaker 1: reservation a month ago, forget about it, and more often 18 00:00:59,160 --> 00:01:02,040 Speaker 1: than not, it's a disappointment. So I happen to be 19 00:01:02,080 --> 00:01:06,520 Speaker 1: a fan of staying in on Valentine's Day. And while 20 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:08,840 Speaker 1: I love steak I love a good steak, especially in 21 00:01:08,880 --> 00:01:12,200 Speaker 1: the winter months. Steak does not have to be complicated. 22 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:17,039 Speaker 1: Steak is actually incredibly easy to make, and this recipe 23 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:20,200 Speaker 1: is the easiest when it comes to steak. You don't 24 00:01:20,200 --> 00:01:22,759 Speaker 1: even have to walk out to the grill. You are 25 00:01:22,800 --> 00:01:26,800 Speaker 1: doing this steak with your broiler in your oven. Now, 26 00:01:26,800 --> 00:01:28,720 Speaker 1: I know most of you probably own a girl, but 27 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 1: not everybody owns a grill. As someone who lived in 28 00:01:31,080 --> 00:01:33,280 Speaker 1: New York City for over a decade, I can tell 29 00:01:33,280 --> 00:01:35,559 Speaker 1: you I hadn't known a girl for a very long time. 30 00:01:36,080 --> 00:01:40,080 Speaker 1: You can still cook amazing steak either on your stovetop 31 00:01:40,080 --> 00:01:43,320 Speaker 1: and a cast iron skillet or with your broiler. So 32 00:01:43,600 --> 00:01:48,760 Speaker 1: this recipe utilizes that function of cooking a really delicious 33 00:01:48,800 --> 00:01:51,520 Speaker 1: flank steak with your broiler on the same sheet pan 34 00:01:51,960 --> 00:01:55,640 Speaker 1: as potatoes and veggies. It's really yummy, it's really delicious, 35 00:01:56,040 --> 00:01:58,280 Speaker 1: and it's really beautiful too when it all is said 36 00:01:58,280 --> 00:02:01,080 Speaker 1: and done. So this is a great recipe to consider 37 00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:04,520 Speaker 1: if you're staying in on Valentine's Day, and maybe it's 38 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:06,960 Speaker 1: not just you and your significant other, but maybe you're 39 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:10,079 Speaker 1: doing Valentine's Day for the whole family and you've lighted 40 00:02:10,080 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 1: a couple of candles, you pour something bubbly, and you 41 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:17,000 Speaker 1: have got yourself a really fun dinner. All right. Second 42 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:22,360 Speaker 1: recipe Salsa chicken skillet. Now I'm making this because I 43 00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:26,359 Speaker 1: am moving this week, which is the worst. And if 44 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:29,080 Speaker 1: you've ever moved, or if you've moved a lot, you 45 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:31,880 Speaker 1: know what I'm talking about. And so a lot of 46 00:02:31,880 --> 00:02:34,920 Speaker 1: these recipes, other than the sheep pan steak, potatoes, and veggies, 47 00:02:35,639 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 1: were derived because I was trying to use up what 48 00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:42,280 Speaker 1: was in my pantry. And what's great about the salsa 49 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:46,280 Speaker 1: chicken skillet is it does use a lot of pantry ingredients, 50 00:02:46,360 --> 00:02:52,120 Speaker 1: including jarred salsa. Everything happens in one skillet. It's so yummy. 51 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:54,600 Speaker 1: I've got some chicken that's in my freezer that I'm 52 00:02:54,600 --> 00:02:57,480 Speaker 1: gonna thought and use up. My kids love it. It's 53 00:02:57,560 --> 00:03:01,080 Speaker 1: like a little bit of a Mexican twist, not too spicy. 54 00:03:01,240 --> 00:03:04,079 Speaker 1: We do it with rice and beans and it is delicious. 55 00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:07,280 Speaker 1: So salsa chicken skill it. And then finally we like 56 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:10,600 Speaker 1: to do pizza on Friday's. But I'm once again using 57 00:03:10,639 --> 00:03:13,000 Speaker 1: up all those things I've got on hand. And I 58 00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:16,160 Speaker 1: had some olives and some pepper and cheenie and I 59 00:03:16,200 --> 00:03:19,800 Speaker 1: decided I'm going to do our sheet pan pizza chicken. 60 00:03:19,919 --> 00:03:23,480 Speaker 1: My kids love this recipe because it's all the things 61 00:03:23,480 --> 00:03:26,440 Speaker 1: you love about pizza, but instead of having to worry 62 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:29,040 Speaker 1: about crust, you just do it right on a chicken 63 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:31,799 Speaker 1: cutlet chicken breast. Sounds a little crazy, but you've got 64 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:33,600 Speaker 1: to trust me on this one. In fact, of all 65 00:03:33,639 --> 00:03:36,840 Speaker 1: of the recipes and recipe Club where people have come 66 00:03:36,880 --> 00:03:39,560 Speaker 1: to me and said, so we tried this recipe, we 67 00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:42,280 Speaker 1: weren't sure we were going to think of it. It 68 00:03:42,320 --> 00:03:45,480 Speaker 1: was amazing. Pizza chicken is a big surprise for a 69 00:03:45,480 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 1: lot of people, so they love it. They love it. 70 00:03:47,840 --> 00:03:51,600 Speaker 1: And if you do Friday Pizza Night like my family does, 71 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:54,600 Speaker 1: but you've had one too many takeout pizzas and you 72 00:03:54,840 --> 00:03:57,400 Speaker 1: or frozen pizzas from the freezer and you want to 73 00:03:57,440 --> 00:03:59,320 Speaker 1: mix it up, this is a great way to do that. 74 00:03:59,640 --> 00:04:03,000 Speaker 1: So get all three of these recipes in recipe Club. 75 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:06,840 Speaker 1: And if you're after a more exhaustive meal plan, you 76 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:09,760 Speaker 1: can get my weekly and monthly meal plans in recipe Club. 77 00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:13,080 Speaker 1: You will find these three recipes on that meal plan 78 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:15,160 Speaker 1: for this week. Or you could even just take a 79 00:04:15,160 --> 00:04:17,120 Speaker 1: look at your own pantries and build out your own 80 00:04:17,120 --> 00:04:20,240 Speaker 1: weekly meal plan, letting the ingredients that you have on 81 00:04:20,320 --> 00:04:23,160 Speaker 1: hand kind of determine what you're going to make this week. 82 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:27,800 Speaker 1: Our Recipe Club library is getting so vast it's awesome. 83 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:31,280 Speaker 1: More and more recipes, five new recipes added every single month. 84 00:04:31,279 --> 00:04:35,000 Speaker 1: It's like a virtual cookbook in digital form where you 85 00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:37,600 Speaker 1: get essay in the recipes because all of the recipes 86 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:40,320 Speaker 1: are voted on by our members, all are family friendly 87 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:45,080 Speaker 1: and intended to be great solutions for weeknight cooking, meaning 88 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:50,000 Speaker 1: we focus on those recipes that are simple, quick and 89 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:52,760 Speaker 1: really help solve you problems as you're trying to feed 90 00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:55,760 Speaker 1: your families during those busy chapters of life. All right, 91 00:04:55,839 --> 00:04:58,040 Speaker 1: let's jump into the back half of the podcast now 92 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:01,760 Speaker 1: and discuss everything you need to know about shopping at 93 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:08,320 Speaker 1: Trader Joe's. I have loved shopping at Trader Joe's for 94 00:05:08,440 --> 00:05:11,240 Speaker 1: well over a decade now. Trader Joe's is kind of 95 00:05:11,279 --> 00:05:15,120 Speaker 1: like your friend that has their life together because Trader 96 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:19,240 Speaker 1: Joe's works really hard to keep their house in order, 97 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 1: and I swear they have more energy for fun in whimsy. 98 00:05:22,880 --> 00:05:25,479 Speaker 1: They're like this high functioning friend that you love to 99 00:05:25,480 --> 00:05:28,120 Speaker 1: be with at least That's how I feel when I'm 100 00:05:28,160 --> 00:05:31,000 Speaker 1: at the store. Everything feels organized and not chaotic. There 101 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:34,880 Speaker 1: aren't too many decisions, there's just enough fun. I'm like 102 00:05:35,080 --> 00:05:39,160 Speaker 1: a huge fan, and they look I am not the 103 00:05:39,200 --> 00:05:42,640 Speaker 1: only person who loves Trader Joe's. They have a devoted 104 00:05:42,880 --> 00:05:46,920 Speaker 1: following from customers because they invest really heavily in their 105 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:50,719 Speaker 1: customer experience. And occasionally I'll meet friends who typically don't 106 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:52,960 Speaker 1: live close to a Trader Joe's. If you live close, 107 00:05:52,960 --> 00:05:54,920 Speaker 1: you've probably checked it out. But if you don't live close, 108 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:57,599 Speaker 1: I totally get it, and they're like, what's the deal 109 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:01,000 Speaker 1: with Trader Joe's, And to be honest, I think that 110 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 1: Trader Joe's is meant to be more than just like 111 00:06:03,800 --> 00:06:07,960 Speaker 1: a trip to the grocery store. What's great about them 112 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:11,159 Speaker 1: creating a unique experience in a sea of kind of 113 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:15,880 Speaker 1: big box grocery shopping experiences is that they have remained 114 00:06:15,920 --> 00:06:18,640 Speaker 1: true to their values as a company, and I really 115 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:21,560 Speaker 1: respect it. Some things that are a little different. Customers 116 00:06:21,560 --> 00:06:24,599 Speaker 1: can try any item in the store by simply asking 117 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 1: an employee, and you can eat samples by u shop 118 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:30,800 Speaker 1: kind of like Costco. But truly, I have asked an 119 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:34,000 Speaker 1: employee before, what do you think of these Chader rocket crackers, 120 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:36,280 Speaker 1: And they will grab a box, open it up, and 121 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 1: let you taste it. They also have an incredible return 122 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:41,520 Speaker 1: policy so that if you do buy something and don't 123 00:06:41,560 --> 00:06:44,800 Speaker 1: like it, no questions asked, you can return it. So 124 00:06:44,920 --> 00:06:48,920 Speaker 1: things like that that like a big grocery store chain 125 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:53,719 Speaker 1: couldn't really do logistically. Trader Jos is so good at 126 00:06:54,279 --> 00:06:56,640 Speaker 1: so not to mention that they always have these unique 127 00:06:56,680 --> 00:07:00,480 Speaker 1: flavor combinations of their products. It's almost like an eclectic 128 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:05,160 Speaker 1: shopping experience. They're known for their low prices and these 129 00:07:05,440 --> 00:07:10,920 Speaker 1: unique food items things like cookie butter to you, unique 130 00:07:10,960 --> 00:07:14,120 Speaker 1: salsas and cheeses, and quick frozen meals to throw together 131 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:18,320 Speaker 1: on busy weeknights. They're also just kind of known as 132 00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:22,160 Speaker 1: the grocery store with a quirky culture, and they are 133 00:07:22,240 --> 00:07:24,800 Speaker 1: proud of the fact that they maintain a small town 134 00:07:24,920 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 1: vibe in every single store. And I actually believe it 135 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:33,520 Speaker 1: or not. I live currently in the town right next 136 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:36,920 Speaker 1: to the headquarters of Trader Joe's, so I am surrounded 137 00:07:36,960 --> 00:07:40,080 Speaker 1: by Trader Joe's stores and I've been too many. I 138 00:07:40,120 --> 00:07:42,440 Speaker 1: also regularly shopped at Trader Joe's when I lived in 139 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:45,520 Speaker 1: Oregon and when I lived in New York City, and 140 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:49,480 Speaker 1: every store that I've regularly shopped at really does kind 141 00:07:49,520 --> 00:07:53,160 Speaker 1: of make it feel like this small town experience. And 142 00:07:53,240 --> 00:07:55,400 Speaker 1: while I love the food options and I think the 143 00:07:55,480 --> 00:07:58,240 Speaker 1: quality of the products is usually fantastic in the prices, 144 00:07:58,960 --> 00:08:02,200 Speaker 1: what I really love is that the options that I 145 00:08:02,240 --> 00:08:05,600 Speaker 1: find there make my life easier. And I think as 146 00:08:05,640 --> 00:08:07,600 Speaker 1: a lot to do with the fact that I'm not 147 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:12,000 Speaker 1: overwhelmed that there aren't too many options, And you know 148 00:08:12,040 --> 00:08:15,080 Speaker 1: that's a pro oricon because I can't typically do all 149 00:08:15,120 --> 00:08:18,080 Speaker 1: my grocery shopping there, but the things that I get 150 00:08:18,160 --> 00:08:22,000 Speaker 1: there that make my life easier are worth that second stop. 151 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:25,640 Speaker 1: So let's chat about a few of my favorite products, 152 00:08:25,640 --> 00:08:30,840 Speaker 1: some insider tips, and even some recipes. So before we 153 00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:34,080 Speaker 1: jump into some favorite products here, if you're not a 154 00:08:34,120 --> 00:08:37,199 Speaker 1: regular Trader Joe's shopper, I know that it can feel 155 00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:40,640 Speaker 1: intimidating to walk into the store and try and decide 156 00:08:40,679 --> 00:08:42,840 Speaker 1: what you should buy and what you should pass on 157 00:08:43,480 --> 00:08:46,400 Speaker 1: because it is somewhat of a unique experience. So in 158 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:48,760 Speaker 1: this section of the podcast, I kind of want to 159 00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:51,800 Speaker 1: break down my category favorites. I think that's the best 160 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:54,200 Speaker 1: way to approach it, so we are going to start 161 00:08:54,520 --> 00:09:00,040 Speaker 1: in produce. So I think my favorite produce item, and 162 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:02,120 Speaker 1: I think it's one of their best selling items, is 163 00:09:02,160 --> 00:09:06,560 Speaker 1: their teeny Tiny avocados. And yes they're called teeny tiny avocados, 164 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:08,760 Speaker 1: and you get them in a bag and they're such 165 00:09:08,840 --> 00:09:12,160 Speaker 1: a great price and they're just what you think. They 166 00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:15,520 Speaker 1: are slightly smaller avocados, and I find them to be 167 00:09:15,840 --> 00:09:21,600 Speaker 1: perfect for things like avocado toast in the morning. My toddler, Penny, 168 00:09:21,640 --> 00:09:24,800 Speaker 1: who's two, she loves avocado, and so I will often 169 00:09:26,720 --> 00:09:29,520 Speaker 1: dice up an avocado for her, either for lunch or 170 00:09:29,640 --> 00:09:33,520 Speaker 1: even sometimes with breakfast with eggs, and they're just the 171 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:38,040 Speaker 1: perfect size. They's so so good. So I really love 172 00:09:38,040 --> 00:09:40,640 Speaker 1: those because there's nothing worse than using half the avocado 173 00:09:41,080 --> 00:09:42,640 Speaker 1: and then you're trying to cover it because you don't 174 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:46,320 Speaker 1: want it to go brown. Anyways, love those. I love 175 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:50,000 Speaker 1: their honey crisp apples. Honey crisp apples are my favorite 176 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:54,880 Speaker 1: variety of apple because they are so sweet, and they 177 00:09:54,920 --> 00:09:58,480 Speaker 1: sell them in a bag for the best price I 178 00:09:58,480 --> 00:10:01,880 Speaker 1: have ever seen. They're all so like slightly smaller, which 179 00:10:01,880 --> 00:10:05,760 Speaker 1: makes them perfect to put in a lunch box. So whoever, 180 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:11,200 Speaker 1: whoever they source their honey crisp apples from is great 181 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:14,400 Speaker 1: because the quality is fantastic. And I love that I 182 00:10:14,440 --> 00:10:17,680 Speaker 1: can buy a bag of honey crisp apples for around 183 00:10:17,679 --> 00:10:20,840 Speaker 1: five bucks and get six apples that are perfect for 184 00:10:20,920 --> 00:10:24,040 Speaker 1: lunch boxes. And sometimes you go to a regular grocery 185 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:25,640 Speaker 1: store and they want to charge you two dollars for 186 00:10:25,760 --> 00:10:29,000 Speaker 1: one apple. So it's the most affordable way from me 187 00:10:29,120 --> 00:10:32,960 Speaker 1: to buy honey crisp apples regularly. Let's talk about their 188 00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:35,400 Speaker 1: salad kits. They have a lot of fun with their 189 00:10:35,400 --> 00:10:38,040 Speaker 1: salad kits, and not just in the names, but the 190 00:10:38,120 --> 00:10:40,880 Speaker 1: flavor combinations. So I wanted to tell you a couple 191 00:10:40,880 --> 00:10:44,880 Speaker 1: of my favorites. Some of them are seasonal and some 192 00:10:44,960 --> 00:10:46,920 Speaker 1: of them stay for a while and then they go 193 00:10:47,080 --> 00:10:49,000 Speaker 1: and you never know. That's one thing that can be 194 00:10:49,040 --> 00:10:53,000 Speaker 1: annoying about Trader Joe's, but they keep it interesting. So 195 00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:57,680 Speaker 1: my favorite is a salad kit called Dilliious Delicious, and 196 00:10:57,760 --> 00:11:01,880 Speaker 1: it's got a creamy dill dress. It comes with fried 197 00:11:02,120 --> 00:11:04,720 Speaker 1: pickle chips to go on top of the salad, and 198 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:08,240 Speaker 1: it is just as it says, delicious. I also love 199 00:11:08,280 --> 00:11:12,480 Speaker 1: their vegan Ranch salad kit and I'm not particularly drawn 200 00:11:12,480 --> 00:11:15,200 Speaker 1: to vegan products because I myself am not a vegan, 201 00:11:15,679 --> 00:11:20,400 Speaker 1: but this salad kit is so delicious, particularly the vegan 202 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:22,959 Speaker 1: dressing that comes with it. I use this to make 203 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:27,559 Speaker 1: my five ingredient BLT Green bowl and it's just fantastic. 204 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:29,440 Speaker 1: So if you see that in the store, I highly 205 00:11:29,520 --> 00:11:33,520 Speaker 1: recommend getting it. I also love the lemony arugula basil salad. 206 00:11:33,960 --> 00:11:36,280 Speaker 1: This is a great side salad if you're making any 207 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 1: sort of gosh, chicken poccato or pasta or pork chops 208 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:44,160 Speaker 1: something like that. Just a great side salad to throw 209 00:11:44,200 --> 00:11:47,520 Speaker 1: together for a family dinner. So I also love their 210 00:11:47,559 --> 00:11:50,840 Speaker 1: Asian peanut noodle salad kit that used to be available 211 00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:54,640 Speaker 1: all the time. I haven't seen it lately, but it's 212 00:11:54,800 --> 00:11:59,560 Speaker 1: great if you want to make my five ingredient. It's 213 00:11:59,600 --> 00:12:03,720 Speaker 1: like Houston's knockoff salad, the Thai noodle salad with steak 214 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:07,720 Speaker 1: in it. Oh my gosh, so yummy. So love that bananas. 215 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:09,880 Speaker 1: I swear they have the cheapest price on bananas I've 216 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:12,320 Speaker 1: ever seen, and my kids go through bananas like they're 217 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:14,840 Speaker 1: going out of style. A few other produced things I 218 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:18,720 Speaker 1: love are they're shaved at Brussels sprouts. There are organic 219 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:22,280 Speaker 1: carrots of many colors. So they have these beautiful carrots 220 00:12:22,280 --> 00:12:25,120 Speaker 1: that are purple and yellow and orange and white and 221 00:12:25,160 --> 00:12:29,360 Speaker 1: they are just so pretty roasted. And then they're Persian cucumbers. Now, 222 00:12:29,520 --> 00:12:31,960 Speaker 1: a lot of these things made my list because this 223 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:36,400 Speaker 1: is what my family likes and loves. And occasionally you'll 224 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:42,120 Speaker 1: hear people who don't love the produce section at Trader Joe's, 225 00:12:42,160 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 1: but I personally have had a great experience with it. 226 00:12:45,760 --> 00:12:48,240 Speaker 1: Some things are prepackaged, and people don't like that, like 227 00:12:48,320 --> 00:12:50,680 Speaker 1: the fact that you do have to buy six apples. 228 00:12:51,080 --> 00:12:54,000 Speaker 1: But what I find and the reason that they do that, 229 00:12:54,080 --> 00:12:56,280 Speaker 1: is that they're able to offer a more affordable price. 230 00:12:56,679 --> 00:12:59,520 Speaker 1: And when I'm feeding a family and I'm usually wanting 231 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:05,600 Speaker 1: options for larger quantities, I find that it's great. All right, 232 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:09,040 Speaker 1: let's move on to protein. So a couple of protein 233 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:12,319 Speaker 1: things that I'm always buying. Their sweet apple chicken sausage. 234 00:13:12,600 --> 00:13:15,200 Speaker 1: Great for sheep pan meals, like if I'm doing it, sausage, 235 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:19,360 Speaker 1: pepper and onion sheep pan meal so delicious. They're marinated 236 00:13:19,440 --> 00:13:23,720 Speaker 1: carnea sada yum, so so yummy. Great for a quick 237 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:27,160 Speaker 1: taco night. The Santa Maria tried tip roast is my 238 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:30,319 Speaker 1: favorite cut to do, like a Sunday pork roast in 239 00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:34,480 Speaker 1: I think the seasoning is just delicious on it. They're 240 00:13:34,520 --> 00:13:40,680 Speaker 1: also known for these balsamic rosemary beef steak tips, so 241 00:13:40,679 --> 00:13:43,640 Speaker 1: so good, and typically I am someone who always passes 242 00:13:43,760 --> 00:13:47,840 Speaker 1: on a marinated meat in a grocery store, but they've 243 00:13:47,920 --> 00:13:50,360 Speaker 1: done a good job with these. These really are delicious 244 00:13:50,440 --> 00:13:53,000 Speaker 1: and great for when you need to think as little 245 00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:56,720 Speaker 1: as possible, like I'll do those balsamic rosemary steak tips 246 00:13:57,160 --> 00:14:00,280 Speaker 1: with some smashed potatoes and an arugula side salad, and 247 00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:03,720 Speaker 1: it is feels like a restaurant meal, so yummy. And 248 00:14:03,760 --> 00:14:06,000 Speaker 1: then the other thing I love that they sell, which 249 00:14:06,040 --> 00:14:09,120 Speaker 1: is a little different, is this diced panchetta. I've seen 250 00:14:09,120 --> 00:14:11,360 Speaker 1: this at other stores too, but Trader Joe's has had 251 00:14:11,400 --> 00:14:14,320 Speaker 1: it forever and you just crisp it up in a skillet. 252 00:14:14,400 --> 00:14:16,840 Speaker 1: It doesn't take more than maybe two minutes. And I 253 00:14:16,920 --> 00:14:20,040 Speaker 1: love using this to top pasta dishes. Maybe I'm making 254 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:24,480 Speaker 1: a catchio a peppe, or I'm doing just a basic 255 00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:28,080 Speaker 1: buttered pasta, or sometimes I like to do this on 256 00:14:28,120 --> 00:14:30,520 Speaker 1: top of a salad, like sometimes I'll take a Caesar 257 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:35,520 Speaker 1: salad kit, a box of bowtie pasta that I've cooked, 258 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:40,280 Speaker 1: a handful of grape tomatoes, and top with that crisped panchetta. 259 00:14:40,960 --> 00:14:44,840 Speaker 1: So yummy. So those are favorites in the protein section. 260 00:14:45,160 --> 00:14:48,040 Speaker 1: When it comes to dairy, I have a love affair 261 00:14:48,080 --> 00:14:51,960 Speaker 1: going on with the Unexpected Cheddar. It's really just the 262 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:55,000 Speaker 1: most delicious white cheddar ever. It really reminds me of 263 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:58,960 Speaker 1: the Beecher's flagship cheese, which actually, once upon a time, 264 00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:02,320 Speaker 1: Trader Joe's used to carry Beechers. They don't carry it anymore, 265 00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:05,200 Speaker 1: at least mine they don't, and my Costco doesn't carry 266 00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:07,960 Speaker 1: it either. But if you know about that cheese, it's 267 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:10,840 Speaker 1: really good and the closest I can get to it 268 00:15:10,880 --> 00:15:14,160 Speaker 1: is this unexpected cheddar that with a honey crisp apple. 269 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:18,720 Speaker 1: Forget about it. My favorite snack. They're also, I mean, 270 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:21,800 Speaker 1: their cheese section in general is just known for being 271 00:15:22,240 --> 00:15:26,480 Speaker 1: really fun, like some unexpected flavors, and not crazy expensive, 272 00:15:27,120 --> 00:15:29,440 Speaker 1: so it's a great place to pull together like a 273 00:15:29,560 --> 00:15:33,200 Speaker 1: cheeseboard or a shark cootery board. A couple other favorites 274 00:15:33,240 --> 00:15:36,600 Speaker 1: of mine the English cheddar with caramelized onions. They have 275 00:15:36,680 --> 00:15:41,960 Speaker 1: this triple cream bris that is next level. My kids 276 00:15:42,280 --> 00:15:46,040 Speaker 1: love the cheddar cracker cuts. Nothing super special there except 277 00:15:46,120 --> 00:15:50,320 Speaker 1: for like the ideal after school snack with some crackers. 278 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:53,880 Speaker 1: And then call me crazy, but I swear they have 279 00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:56,320 Speaker 1: the world's best string cheese, so I always buy their 280 00:15:56,320 --> 00:16:01,520 Speaker 1: string cheese freezer section. Okay, we're gonna talk about some entrees. 281 00:16:02,480 --> 00:16:07,240 Speaker 1: We're talking ideas for those really busy nights. Their best 282 00:16:07,320 --> 00:16:12,080 Speaker 1: selling product storewide is the Mandarin orange chicken. They're known 283 00:16:12,120 --> 00:16:15,760 Speaker 1: for it. It's delicious. I actually have a couple of 284 00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:18,080 Speaker 1: recipes that incorporated if you're wanting to beef it up 285 00:16:18,080 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 1: a little bit. I have one that includes some broccoli 286 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:24,240 Speaker 1: and some red bell pepper and it's just great. I 287 00:16:24,280 --> 00:16:28,400 Speaker 1: love their chicken Taca masala, their butter chicken with bosmati 288 00:16:28,480 --> 00:16:31,760 Speaker 1: rice as they go to lunch of mine. Another really 289 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:34,920 Speaker 1: popular product for them is their Joe's Diner mac and cheese, 290 00:16:35,720 --> 00:16:38,640 Speaker 1: and it's their frozen mac and cheese. It's very good. 291 00:16:39,040 --> 00:16:42,760 Speaker 1: They're also they sell their butternut mac and cheese like 292 00:16:42,960 --> 00:16:46,040 Speaker 1: crazy during the holidays, but it's only available during the holidays, 293 00:16:46,280 --> 00:16:51,320 Speaker 1: but it's great. The cauliflower Nooki is also really good, 294 00:16:51,840 --> 00:16:56,760 Speaker 1: and another very popular lunch option for me is their buratta, 295 00:16:56,880 --> 00:16:59,880 Speaker 1: prescido and arugula flat bread. It's kind of like a pizza, 296 00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:04,080 Speaker 1: but more of a flatbread, but it is very delicious 297 00:17:04,359 --> 00:17:08,040 Speaker 1: and under five dollars, so it's just an awesome, awesome dinner. 298 00:17:08,600 --> 00:17:11,160 Speaker 1: Those are a few of my favorite quick meals. Other 299 00:17:11,480 --> 00:17:14,280 Speaker 1: things that I grab in the frozen section often are 300 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:17,479 Speaker 1: frozen garlic and ginger cubes, and you guys know how 301 00:17:17,560 --> 00:17:20,600 Speaker 1: much I love to cook with those. I don't mess 302 00:17:20,600 --> 00:17:24,240 Speaker 1: around with fresh garlic anymore, very rarely. I just don't 303 00:17:24,240 --> 00:17:26,960 Speaker 1: have I don't have time or patients to peel and chop. 304 00:17:27,119 --> 00:17:30,320 Speaker 1: I know, I know, I know I would have rolled 305 00:17:30,359 --> 00:17:33,320 Speaker 1: my eyes at that at one point too, But so 306 00:17:33,400 --> 00:17:35,760 Speaker 1: many nights I am cooking dinner with one hand while 307 00:17:35,760 --> 00:17:39,840 Speaker 1: I am tending to other kids, and so these cubes 308 00:17:39,880 --> 00:17:41,879 Speaker 1: are amazing, and I like them better than like the 309 00:17:41,920 --> 00:17:45,679 Speaker 1: pre chopped garlic. I just prefer the taste. And then 310 00:17:45,960 --> 00:17:48,240 Speaker 1: I really like their frozen rice. They have a great 311 00:17:48,280 --> 00:17:51,080 Speaker 1: frozen rice option that works really well in the microwave. 312 00:17:51,119 --> 00:17:53,080 Speaker 1: You can also do it on the stovetop. It's a 313 00:17:53,119 --> 00:17:55,680 Speaker 1: little pricey for what it is, but when you're in 314 00:17:55,720 --> 00:17:59,840 Speaker 1: a pinch, it's awesome. So those are a few freezer favorites. 315 00:18:00,520 --> 00:18:03,640 Speaker 1: Let's wrap up with some snacks, into SARTs, some spices. 316 00:18:04,520 --> 00:18:08,640 Speaker 1: They're known for their snacks and what my kids called 317 00:18:08,640 --> 00:18:15,920 Speaker 1: frozen treats, and I have to be very careful because 318 00:18:15,960 --> 00:18:18,000 Speaker 1: if I buy too many frozen treats, my kids get 319 00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:19,760 Speaker 1: used to it, they want them all the time, and 320 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:23,520 Speaker 1: it becomes a problem. So first up, the hold the cone. 321 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:28,560 Speaker 1: Many ice cream cones. These are a great miniature frozen 322 00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:32,280 Speaker 1: treat that my kids can have on a hot summer day, 323 00:18:32,560 --> 00:18:34,680 Speaker 1: and they are the cutest things you've ever seen, and 324 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:38,639 Speaker 1: they're actually pretty darn good. These sublime ice cream sandwiches 325 00:18:38,760 --> 00:18:43,080 Speaker 1: are my favorite dessert in the store and wildly addictive. 326 00:18:43,880 --> 00:18:45,879 Speaker 1: I got to a point during one of my pregnancies 327 00:18:45,920 --> 00:18:49,120 Speaker 1: where I was eating one ice cream sandwich every single day. 328 00:18:49,640 --> 00:18:52,720 Speaker 1: My goodness, those are delicious. Only four come in a box, 329 00:18:53,240 --> 00:18:55,200 Speaker 1: but I always cut them in half to make them 330 00:18:55,240 --> 00:19:01,080 Speaker 1: last longer. Like next level delicious. Okay, other items they 331 00:19:01,080 --> 00:19:04,359 Speaker 1: have this brookie that's a brownie on top or excuse me, 332 00:19:04,440 --> 00:19:08,360 Speaker 1: a brownie on bottom, chocolate cookie on top delicious. I 333 00:19:08,440 --> 00:19:12,520 Speaker 1: can't help myself. They're known for this Danish kringle. If 334 00:19:12,520 --> 00:19:16,320 Speaker 1: you like a Danish kringle, it's really really yummy. Then 335 00:19:16,480 --> 00:19:18,639 Speaker 1: they've got these dark chocolate peanut butter cups that are 336 00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:20,960 Speaker 1: pretty good. They also come miniature which are really fun 337 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:25,600 Speaker 1: to top on ice cream. Peanut butter filled pretzel nuggets 338 00:19:25,600 --> 00:19:28,560 Speaker 1: are a favorite snack of my kids. And then they 339 00:19:28,600 --> 00:19:32,639 Speaker 1: have these a low te corn chip dippers. They almost 340 00:19:32,640 --> 00:19:36,520 Speaker 1: look like a free doo, but boy, oh boy, whatever 341 00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:40,399 Speaker 1: seasoning is on those is next level. Another chip that 342 00:19:40,440 --> 00:19:43,679 Speaker 1: I love is their chili and lime rolled corn tortilla chips. 343 00:19:44,119 --> 00:19:46,399 Speaker 1: And they also have a dill pickle chip that I 344 00:19:46,480 --> 00:19:49,600 Speaker 1: really love, but it is seasonal, so it's there typically 345 00:19:49,600 --> 00:19:51,920 Speaker 1: in the spring summer and not there throughout the year. 346 00:19:52,920 --> 00:19:56,560 Speaker 1: Spices everything, but the bagel seasoning is their most popular. 347 00:19:56,720 --> 00:19:59,159 Speaker 1: It's great. The chili lime seasoning is one that I 348 00:19:59,240 --> 00:20:02,240 Speaker 1: use in a lot of recipes. Another blend that I 349 00:20:02,280 --> 00:20:05,720 Speaker 1: really like if there's is the citrusy garlic seasoning blend. 350 00:20:05,800 --> 00:20:09,440 Speaker 1: That's just a great thing to throw on chicken in 351 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:13,280 Speaker 1: I've even used it in garlic butter to make garlic 352 00:20:13,280 --> 00:20:16,199 Speaker 1: bread and it's really good. As far as dressings go, 353 00:20:16,480 --> 00:20:18,920 Speaker 1: my favorite salad dressing of theirs. I don't love very 354 00:20:18,960 --> 00:20:20,840 Speaker 1: many of their salad dressings, but I do like their 355 00:20:20,880 --> 00:20:25,280 Speaker 1: balsamic fig dressing. And then I love their Thai style 356 00:20:25,400 --> 00:20:28,040 Speaker 1: yellow curry sauce. I've got a five ingredient recipe with 357 00:20:28,119 --> 00:20:31,360 Speaker 1: that one where you just add the curry sauce and veggies. 358 00:20:31,440 --> 00:20:33,840 Speaker 1: You serve it over rice with cilantro and peanuts. Pretty 359 00:20:33,880 --> 00:20:37,480 Speaker 1: darn good. And then they have this great hummus that's 360 00:20:37,520 --> 00:20:42,520 Speaker 1: a cilantro hallopeno hummus that I cannot help myself from 361 00:20:42,520 --> 00:20:45,959 Speaker 1: eating the whole thing up. It's very good. Greens and pastas. 362 00:20:46,280 --> 00:20:48,760 Speaker 1: They have a ten minute quick cooking farrow that I 363 00:20:48,920 --> 00:20:52,720 Speaker 1: use very often for side dishes and incorporate into recipes. 364 00:20:52,920 --> 00:20:56,639 Speaker 1: I love their Israeli couscoose. They've got this rice and 365 00:20:56,880 --> 00:20:59,640 Speaker 1: orzo peel off mix that reminds me of rice serrooni 366 00:20:59,680 --> 00:21:04,160 Speaker 1: from my childhood. It's really good. They have some great 367 00:21:04,240 --> 00:21:08,119 Speaker 1: organic pastas, so I just like the texture of their 368 00:21:08,240 --> 00:21:11,160 Speaker 1: organic pasta is better. And they're a little bit more money, 369 00:21:11,200 --> 00:21:13,359 Speaker 1: but I think they're worth it. There's one in particular 370 00:21:13,680 --> 00:21:18,040 Speaker 1: that's a fusili that is such a fun shape. It's 371 00:21:18,080 --> 00:21:21,919 Speaker 1: like curly cues. It's so yummy and I really love that. 372 00:21:22,640 --> 00:21:27,920 Speaker 1: And then let's talk about some vegan or vegetarian options, 373 00:21:28,680 --> 00:21:32,720 Speaker 1: because a lot of people who live these diets find 374 00:21:32,800 --> 00:21:36,399 Speaker 1: lots of great resources there. So a soyd charizo is 375 00:21:36,400 --> 00:21:40,400 Speaker 1: probably their most popular vegan option. They've also got this 376 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:45,040 Speaker 1: vegan kale cashew and basil pesto that's really good. There's 377 00:21:45,080 --> 00:21:47,560 Speaker 1: a vegetable fried rice that I've bought and really like. 378 00:21:48,560 --> 00:21:53,760 Speaker 1: People love their cauliflower and yoki. And there's this chickenless 379 00:21:53,800 --> 00:21:56,840 Speaker 1: mandarin orange chicken morsels, which they have tried to take 380 00:21:56,880 --> 00:22:00,359 Speaker 1: the popularity of their mandarin chicken and jupil kate that 381 00:22:00,440 --> 00:22:03,000 Speaker 1: so that it works for their vegan and vegetarian customers. 382 00:22:03,320 --> 00:22:06,600 Speaker 1: So that's worth trying as well. Okay, we made it through. 383 00:22:06,600 --> 00:22:09,399 Speaker 1: The food took longer than I thought, but it's you 384 00:22:09,400 --> 00:22:12,479 Speaker 1: guys need to know all that. Let's talk about some 385 00:22:12,560 --> 00:22:17,360 Speaker 1: non food items that I love. Flowers and plants. No 386 00:22:17,400 --> 00:22:21,920 Speaker 1: one does like grocery store flowers better than Trader Jos. 387 00:22:22,280 --> 00:22:25,880 Speaker 1: Not only are they beautiful, like they have amazing growers, 388 00:22:26,280 --> 00:22:29,920 Speaker 1: but they're very affordable. Here's a tip if you are 389 00:22:29,960 --> 00:22:32,720 Speaker 1: buying flowers for like an event, make sure you call 390 00:22:33,119 --> 00:22:35,720 Speaker 1: and ask them when they typically get their flowers shipments, 391 00:22:36,280 --> 00:22:40,360 Speaker 1: and time your arrival with that. Like if you're doing 392 00:22:40,359 --> 00:22:42,600 Speaker 1: a baby shower or even a wedding and you need 393 00:22:42,640 --> 00:22:46,480 Speaker 1: a bunch of peonies or nunculas or something like that, 394 00:22:46,480 --> 00:22:49,200 Speaker 1: that's a great way to take advantage of affordable flowers. 395 00:22:49,800 --> 00:22:54,399 Speaker 1: I love their Tea Tree Tingle shampoo and conditioner. They 396 00:22:54,440 --> 00:22:57,440 Speaker 1: have a great daily facial sunscreen. Oh my gosh. They're 397 00:22:57,440 --> 00:23:00,800 Speaker 1: a dry shampoo. It's like this powder puff dry shampoo. 398 00:23:00,880 --> 00:23:04,440 Speaker 1: It's five bucks and so good, especially if you're a blonde. 399 00:23:05,160 --> 00:23:07,800 Speaker 1: They've got a great nourished body oil that's kind of 400 00:23:07,840 --> 00:23:11,000 Speaker 1: a knockoff of a Loxyton product that I use for years. 401 00:23:11,040 --> 00:23:14,600 Speaker 1: It's an almond body oil that you use in the shower. Amazing. 402 00:23:15,320 --> 00:23:18,879 Speaker 1: Their sunscreen is cheap and performs really well, so I 403 00:23:18,960 --> 00:23:23,440 Speaker 1: highly recommend that. And then I use a microdermebration scrub 404 00:23:23,560 --> 00:23:25,719 Speaker 1: on my face a couple of times a week and 405 00:23:26,000 --> 00:23:29,320 Speaker 1: same thing. It's just a couple bucks. Okay, guys, we're 406 00:23:29,359 --> 00:23:33,000 Speaker 1: going to keep talking about Trader Joe's all month. We're 407 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:35,439 Speaker 1: going to do at least one more episode about the 408 00:23:35,480 --> 00:23:38,520 Speaker 1: things I suggest you skip at Trader Joe's that you 409 00:23:38,600 --> 00:23:41,480 Speaker 1: do not buy, and then we're going to dive into 410 00:23:41,520 --> 00:23:47,440 Speaker 1: a few more insider tips, secrets, things like that next week. 411 00:23:47,960 --> 00:23:50,840 Speaker 1: But I'm going to stop now and let you just 412 00:23:50,880 --> 00:23:54,680 Speaker 1: digest all of those product recommendations, and we're going to 413 00:23:54,720 --> 00:23:58,600 Speaker 1: get into more Trader Joe's next week. If you are 414 00:23:59,359 --> 00:24:02,239 Speaker 1: a Trader super fan or you are just starting to 415 00:24:02,359 --> 00:24:05,680 Speaker 1: explore a relationship with Trader Joe's, make sure you get 416 00:24:05,720 --> 00:24:09,200 Speaker 1: my Trader Joe's Guide in Recipe Club. Recipe Club is 417 00:24:09,240 --> 00:24:11,800 Speaker 1: focused on Trader Joe's this month. We've got all of 418 00:24:11,800 --> 00:24:14,760 Speaker 1: our favorite Trader Joe's recipes pulled into this guide for 419 00:24:14,800 --> 00:24:17,880 Speaker 1: you so that it's one easy resource and you'll find 420 00:24:18,040 --> 00:24:20,600 Speaker 1: everything you need to know. If you're a first timer 421 00:24:20,720 --> 00:24:23,360 Speaker 1: at Trader Joe's, so make sure you check that out. 422 00:24:23,520 --> 00:24:25,679 Speaker 1: You could just join for the month, it's just a 423 00:24:25,720 --> 00:24:29,040 Speaker 1: couple of bucks, or you could join for the whole year. 424 00:24:29,119 --> 00:24:31,680 Speaker 1: We would love to have you. We have a fantastic 425 00:24:31,760 --> 00:24:34,919 Speaker 1: time in Recipe Club. All right, you guys, thank you 426 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:37,560 Speaker 1: so much for being here. Next week, we're going to 427 00:24:37,600 --> 00:24:40,479 Speaker 1: continue our Trader Joe's talk I'll offer up a few 428 00:24:40,640 --> 00:24:43,920 Speaker 1: menu suggestions for your meal plans, and we are going 429 00:24:43,960 --> 00:24:46,760 Speaker 1: to keep at it helping you get weeknight dinner on 430 00:24:46,800 --> 00:24:49,800 Speaker 1: the table. Thanks again and we'll see you next week.