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Tag: Trader Joes


3 Ingredient Organic Brownies

9
February

3 ingredient brownies

I haven’t bought sugar, eggs, butter, or milk in five years, so I’m thrilled when I can make something that tastes like a dessert without using these traditional dessert ingredients.  This brownie recipe uses only 3 ingredients and the taste is close enough to the real thing to satisfy any brownie cravings I may have!

bowl of hearts

clean brownies

To make these, I use all organic ingredients from Trader Joe’s that I pick up during my regular grocery shopping.  To make them a little fancier, garnish with walnuts and/or dark chocolate chips (or spread the top with peanut butter ‘frosting’).

brownie ingredients

3 Ingredient Organic Brownies

  • 3 ripe organic bananas
  • ½ cup organic creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup organic cacao powder

Line an 8” or 9” square baking pan with parchment paper.  Mash the bananas in a medium mixing bowl.  Add the peanut butter and mix well.  Sift the cacao powder in with the bananas and peanut butter and mix well.  Spoon mixture into the baking pan spreading evenly.

Bake at 350 degrees about 27 minutes.  Cool completely before cutting.

hearts

So easy to make and a great guilt-free treat…just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a fabulous weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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free gingerbread house gift wrap

24
November

free giftwrap diy

Start saving your grocery bags!  Trader Joe’s has started using its holiday bags and they are super cute to use as holiday gift wrap!  So, forget about adding the bags to your recycling bin and start adding them to your holiday wrapping station!

christmas bags

holiday gift wrap diy

This year’s holiday bags sport a cute gingerbread house pattern with a light blue accent.

gingerbread house bags

free wrapping

White or light blue ribbon make for a great addition to complete a package.

free wrapping diy

free gift tags

 

After wrapping gifts with the bags, use the scraps to make gift tags.

I hope I have inspired you to create some free gift wrap from holiday bags!

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

P.S.  Would you like some other ideas on how to repurpose brown bags?  Click here!

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popcorn with ‘everything’

21
July

everything but the bagel seasoning blend

I often eat popcorn.  Using plain kernels and popping them in the microwave makes for a great snack with lots of fiber and no trans fats. I add my own seasonings, usually parmesan cheese and fresh rosemary, for a savory combination.

For today’s Friday field trip, I am sharing my newest popcorn seasoning discovery.

Have you heard of Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend?  This tasty blend makes any toasted bread with cream cheese taste like an everything bagel.  And, I discovered, it also makes for a great popcorn seasoning!

popcorn on the beach

Trader joes everything but the bagel seasoningHere’s how to make it:  After making plain popcorn in the microwave, spray it with sunflower oil.  A spray bottle is the best because it distributes a small amount of the oil evenly over the popcorn.  If you don’t have a spray bottle, drizzle the oil over the popcorn and toss lightly.  Something is needed to make the seasoning ‘stick’ and sunflower oil is perfect since it has very little taste – plus, it is a healthful alternative to butter.  Trader Joe’s has recently started selling sunflower oil, so both the seasoning and the oil can be purchased there.  Next, just sprinkle the Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning over the prepared popcorn and toss.

Even if you don’t like popcorn, I suggest you buy the seasoning – for under $2. there is plenty of experimentation that can be done with this yummy spice mix!

closeup seasoned popcorn

Popcorn is ready…movie on the beach, anyone?

coastal ct evening on the beach

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great weekend!

sunset at the CT beach

Remember to take pleasure in simple things…like enjoying popcorn while watching an outdoor movie!  xo Jackie

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top 3 trader joes pumpkin

4
October

trader-joes-pasta-pumpkin-pleasure-in-simple-things-blog

Trader Joe’s is brimming with pumpkin flavored items during this time of year and I love trying every one!  As new items are added for sale each year; there are always plenty to taste test!

Today, I am sharing my top 3 seasonal pumpkin picks at Trader Joe’s.

My number 3 choice is a tie between pumpkin panettone and pumpkin mochi.

You are probably no stranger to panettone for the holidays – particularly if you are Italian.  Well, Trader Joe’s has started a new tradition, in my book, with its fall version of this holiday classic.  If you like panettone, you will definitely enjoy Trader Joe’s seasonal version of this Italian sweet bread.  It contains a very subtle note of pumpkin flavor with candied pumpkin pieces replacing the traditional candied citron.  And, some added pumpkin cream adds a little yummy surprise.  It is the perfect coffee or tea companion.

trader-joes-pumpkin-panettone-pleasure-in-simple-things-blog

After trying this panettone last year, I was disappointed when I returned to the store for more and found it was all sold out.  This year, after noticing the expiration date on the package was in February 2017, I picked up a few extra to use at the holidays.  I think it is the perfect first thing on Thanksgiving – pregaming for Thanksgiving dinner!

Another Trader Joe’s variation to something I love is the pumpkin mochi!

pumpkin-mochi-trader-joes-pleasure-in-simple-things-blog

If you are not familiar with mochi, it is a popular treat in Japan.  A sticky rice is used to create a chewy and sweet outside coating for a small ball of ice cream. Trader Joe’s offers these taste treats with pumpkin ice cream!  Can you see the little brown specks?  Pieces of graham!   These fun little pops of pumpkin flavor come packaged in boxes of six individual pieces.

inside-pumpkin-mochi-trader-joes-pleasure-in-simple-things-blog

Runner ups in the sweet category are items that are great to use as hostess gifts for your seasonal celebrations – pumpkin caramels, pumpkin seed brittle, and pumpkin macarons.  Trader Joe’s also has some really cute iced pumpkin cookies as well as iced mini cakes that are perfect to bring to surprise special little children you may be visiting during the fall!

favorite-sweets-trader-joes-pleasure-in-simple-things-blogComing in at number 2 on my favorites list is pumpkin shaped pasta.

trader-joes-pumpkin-pasta-pleasure-in-simple-things-blog

It may not be the most healthful or flavorful item in the store, but it is so darn cute!  Just imagine this pumpkin shaped pasta served with pumpkin sage cream sauce or as a base for a seasonal pasta salad!  Any meal you serve using this pasta will definitely scream fall!

And…drum roll please…coming in as my number 1 favorite fall pumpkin item at Trader Joe’s…

Organic pumpkin!  This 15 ounce can of organic pumpkin is my favorite seasonal item at Trader Joe’s for the fall.  The ingredient label on the can reads “organic pumpkin.”  That is it!  A great starting ingredient to any pumpkin dish and super affordable!  If you don’t use the entire can, leftovers are great for beverages –like pumpkin smoothies or to flavor cream for pumpkin lattes!

trader-joes-organic-canned-pumpkin-pleasure-in-simple-things-blog

I hope I have inspired you to make a trip to Trader Joe’s and discover your own fall faves!

P.S.  To my friends that crush on white pumpkins as much as I do – Trader Joe’s carries baby boos for .69 cents each!

Thanks for stopping by!  Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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