Favorite Things at Trader Joe's

I forgot I had this blog. Thanks to moving cities and my job, dating, moving my brother to college, and helping my parents de-clutter their house.

Recently, I've been finding good stuff at Trader Joe's. Some of my favorite things are from Trader Joe's. They're all vegan, FYI.

Here's a list off the top of my head:
1. Cauliflower pizza crust
2. Cauliflower gnocchi
3. Espresso dark chocolate batons
4. Eggplant hummus
5. Freeze dried mangoes
6. Organic micro greens

The cauliflower pizza crust definitely tastes like it's made out of cauliflower, but is surprisingly delicious with sauce vegan cheese, sliced vegan sausage, and veggies. If you bake it according to the instructions, it gets fairly crispy and holds the toppings pretty well.

The cauliflower gnocchi is a chewy dream. I take it to work in a container with veggies, mushrooms, and marinara to microwave because it's so easy to heat up that way. If you want the outside crispy, you can pan fry them, too. They're also good with pesto.

The espresso dark chocolate batons are usually found at the register. I always grab a couple every time. I'd say they are the best chocolate Trader Joe's carries, which I know is saying a lot. I've tried many of Trader Joe's chocolates though. These have small crunchy bits of coffee beans in them and are the best pick-me-up at work ever.

Eggplant hummus. This is what started my devotion to TJ's back in my college days. It's one of the only hummus' they carry made without any oil, which makes it pretty light. The eggplant packs a huge flavor punch though, almost like babaganoush with the texture of hummus. It's not slimy like babaganoush and the pomegranate juice makes it extra wonderful.

Freeze-dried mangoes are crunchy and sweet. They're also an amazing work/hike/camp snack. If you think fresh, buttery mangoes are good, these are just as good but in a totally different texture.

Micro greens aren't super delicious on their own, but when you place a pile of them on top of savory dishes, it makes everything look so special and fancy. I put them on my noodle salads, avocado toast, gnocchi or pasta dishes, in spring rolls and sandwiches, everything! Except sweets. But whatever makes you happy!

What are your favorite things at Trader Joe's?

What Do People Think About Anyway?

What do you think about?
I always wonder what other people think about because I find that I think about many, many things throughout the course of the day.  Some things I think about are kind of strange, like what I would look like if I was a man, or what it would feel like to drown.  

Other things I think about are pretty normal, everyday matters.  I think a lot about what I'm going to eat at my next meal and whether I have to cook or buy anything to be able to eat.  Actually, I'm not sure if that's normal.  

I also think about germs. A lot.  I didn't used to think about germs so much until about a couple years ago when I started working in health clinics with kids.  I feel bad about thinking this, but now I see little kids as walking germ balls, ready to smear their grimy hands all over my desk.  They're still cute though, cute, but germy. 

My mom said this is going to be me in 50 years.

When I'm not spacing out, I try to think about happy things, like my tiny dog, Bambi.  She's the cutest dog I've ever seen, which is why I always cuddle her too hard, making her snap at me for squishing her.

Bambi, my baby.

I usually like to think about things that are aesthetically, emotionally, or gastronomically pleasing, like Veggie Grill's sweet potato chili fries O.O

Veggie Grill
The bombdotcom.