Great Finds at Trader Joe's

My family and I just love shopping at Trader Joe's and it is a big bonus that we live just a couple blocks away from one. As regular costumers of the store we still keep finding new and yummy (my apologies for using this way over-used word - but it is fitting) foods.

This is what it says on their site: "The thrill of discovery? We believe you can never get enough of it. That's why we are dedicated to continuously creating exciting, delicious products that you can discover at your neighborhood TJ's."

So if you shop at a Trader Joe's in your town, what kind of great finds have you discovered lately? Here are some of mine:

• Applesauce Crushers ~ I took my older son to the store with me and he doesn't usually look around, but on that particular day he discovered these crushers. They come in a tube and have a twist top. It looked healthy enough so I went ahead and bought it. Turns out both my boys love it and it is perfect to put in their lunches because it doesn't require a spoon or take on a soccer day so they can eat between games. They even like the carrot one! Here is what Trader Joe's has to say about their item:

Enhancing the convenience of the consumption of applesauce has challenged applesauce purveyors throughout the ages. We’ve crushed that challenge. How? With our Applesauce Crushers. We’ve taken all natural applesauce and packaged it in unique pouches that allow you to squeeze, squish, crush the delicious fruit sauces straight into your mouth. Yes! Right into your mouth – no spoon is necessary. Made just for us in France, these unique snack pouches are perfect for lunch boxes, briefcases and slip into a decent sized pocket with ease. Kids love to crush ‘em! And could there be a more fun way to get a good supply of Vitamin C? Doubtful. Each package of four 3.17 oz. pouches of Applesauce or Apple Carrot Fruit Sauce Crushers is $2.99.

Serving Size: 1 pouch, Servings per Container 4
Amount Per Serving: Calories 50 Calories from Fat 0

• Baker Josef's, Semi-Sweet chocolate Callets (for baking, melting, & nibbling) ~ If you are a chocolate chip and dip in peanut butter eater, this is for you. They are callets firm enough to dip into the peanut butter and requires no spoon. There is also a chocolate mouse recipe on back that I want to try.

Please share with us some of your finds at Trader Joe's or any other interesting food speciality store in your neighborhood.

Some Quick Recipes For Those Busy Weeks

Spring has hit and my family and I are going at full throttle these past few weeks. Whew. I am already tired.

We signed one son up for Lacrosse and the other for Water Polo and they were already doing drama and guitar lessons. All that = something every day of the week! And that is with one car and a husband who works long hours and coaches a college team. It is a bit much, but not to bore you with our schedule, I wanted to share with you some recipes that allowed us to still eat at home and not fall for the fast-food trap.

So here are some I-am-busier-than-heck recipes:

I am not much into crock pots because frankly my mornings are too busy to cut up potatoes or carrots – but here is one you just have to dump and go.

Crock Pot Chicken
• Frozen Chicken breasts
• Dry Italian dressing packets (found in the dressing aisles. They are a bit pricier than expected so if you have a better idea, please let me know.)
• Cream of chicken soup
• Cream cheese

Faked Baked Pasta
• Cook rigatoni
• Add low fat cottage cheese
• Brown ground sausage
• Mushrooms
• Red sauce (I did not add the red sauce)
• Layer with shredded cheese in a casserole dish
• Microwave 5 minutes.

Another Chicken Concoction
• Chicken thighs
• Catalina dressing
• Sliced onions
• Bell peppers
• Spices
• Cook in oven one hour

Tonight we ate Stouffers Enchiladas and a can of corn. Got to do what one has gotta do. Do you have any quick recipes to put together after a long day of work and carting the kids around? Please share.

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Stay tuned: some upcoming posts that I have been thinking about are building your child's self-esteem, why don't we talk about our marriage, how children with challenges have changed mom's lives, and more!

Recipes For a Week From A Busy, Doesn't Like to Cook, Mom's Kitchen

Because two of my loyal blog readers requested that I share my menu for the week, I will because I just so much appreciate them coming back to the site!

I don't like to cook and I don't enjoy being in the kitchen (just being honest-no pretending here), but I want to eat healthy and teach my kids how to eat a well balanced meal too. I cook simply and make sure the recipes are as easy and healthy as the two can be together. Growing up, the four sisters each had a day of the week where we cooked and I was notorious for making a meal with Bisquick. I still use those recipes, but I have grown up a bit, but not much more.

Here is this week's menu:

Monday - Labor Day

• BBQ Chicken
• Corn on the cob
• Festive Macaroni Salad

My mom's recipe and I bring this dish to picnics and it is usually hit.
Cook 12 oz pasta (e.g. 6 oz. elbow macaroni)
Add 1/2 cup sweet pickle juice
1 cup pickles, cut up
1/2-1 cup celery, cut up
1 can sliced olives
1 jar marinated artichoke hearts & marinade
2 tsp garlic salt;
pepper; paprika
green onions, chopped
6 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup Italian dressing
Mix well and chill several hours.

Tuesday - First Day of School

• Green Salad
• Casbah CousCous Chicken

Found on the side of the CousCous box
1 1/2 lb. chicken
1 c. onion, chopped
1 c. carrot, chopped
1 c. mushrooms, halved
1 c. celery, sliced
1/2 c. walnuts, chopped (very optional & I don't add)
1 tsp salt
2 Tbs curry powder
1/4 t. cayenne pepper
Then add:
1 1/2 c. cooked garbanzo beans
1 1/2 c. tomato sauce
1/2 c. raisins
1 c. water
1/2 c. wine
Cover and bring to a boil. Simmer for 40 minutes. Serve over prepared couscous as package directs.

Wednesday - Soccer practice and Youth group

• Wheat rolls
• Chicken & Salsa Soup

8 ounces cut up chicken
1 3/4 cups water
1 3/4 cups (14 1/2-ounce can)
reduced sodium chicken broth
1 to 2 teaspoon chili powder
1 1/2 cups loose-pack frozen while-kernel corn
1 cup salsa, mild
1/2 cups (2 ounces)
shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
3 cups (about 3 ounces) Tortilla Chips (optional, but really necessary to make it delicious)

Combine chicken, water, broth, and chili powder in large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook, covered, for 8 minutes. Add corn; cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center. Stir in salsa; heat through. Sprinkle each serving with cheese. Serve with chips (crumble and mix in individual soup bowls). Makes 4 servings. (190 calories a serving)

Thursday - Drama Class @ 6:30pm

• Potato salad from Monday
• Fruit salad
• Hamburgers (using low fat hamburger or turkey)

Friday - Special meal request from my husband

• broccoli
• Dressed Chicken Breasts with Angel Hair Pasta

1 c. ranch dressing
1/3 c Dijon-style mustard
4 whole chicken breasts, boned
1/2 cup butter or margarine (sorry, it is a lot of butter - so maybe cut back to 1/4 c.)
1/3 cup dry white wine
10 ounces angel hair pasta, cooked and drained
Chopped parsley

In small bowl, whisk together salad dressing and mustard; set aside. In medium skillet, saute chicken in butter until browned; transfer to dish. Keep warm. Pour wine into skillet; cook over medium-high heat, scraping up and browned bits from bottom of skillet, about 5 minutes. Whisk in dressing mixture; blend well. Serve chicken with sauce over pasta; sprinkle with parsley.

Saturday - day of play

• Fish tacos

Tilapia, cabbage, sauce, crushed pineapple, chopped tomato. For recipe, click here.

That's it folks. Not too fancy, but my best effort for the first week of school. After reviewing my recipes, I thought maybe I will make a "Recipe Friday" here at Let's Get Real-About Life. That is until I run out of tried and true recipes.

If you have a favorite, simple recipe or other dinner ideas, please share it with us! If you tried one of the above recipes, please let me know what you thought of it! Happy Labor Day and first week of school!

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