Trader Joe’s

I picked up one of the Reduced Guilt meals from Trader Joe’s the other day. So far I have enjoyed the meals I’ve tried from them and this one sounded great. Roasted Vegetable Couscous. Mmm…

I heated it up and was presented with this little number. Does this look appetizing to you?! Why is the container practically falling in on itself?! I was also slightly concerned about that mysterious white stuff on the top. It kind of looks like mold, no?

Despite its baby throw-up look, it actually tasted quiet yummy. The veggies managed not to be too smushy and the couscous had a nice texture. I should probably just suck it up and make my own roasted veggies and couscous since it is pretty easy, but until I become not as lazy as I am today…these frozen meals will work for me. Just don’t look at me while I’m stuffing my mouth with them. *shudder*

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Did you know that I belong to a book club? Si. I do. We have been meeting since probably 2005? Over the years we have lost and gained several members but our core group has really stuck to the same 5 or so women. Each month one person picks 3 books and sends them out to the group. We all vote on what we want to read and majority wins. The person who picks the book selections for the month also picks the restaurant we will meet at to “discuss” the book. I put discuss in quotes because honestly we do a lot more chatting than discussing.
March was my month. I have been in a bit of a reading slump due to some crappy choices and wasn’t exactly feeling all of my choices that I sent out.

This is Where I Leave You

Tomato Girl by Jayne Pupek

Whistlin Dixie in a Nor’ Easter by Lisa Patton

A Reliable Wife

The winner was Whistlin’ Dixie, A story about a couple from Georgia who randomly buy a Bed & Breakfast in Vermont, move up north, and hilarity ensues for this out of place Southern couple. I ended up reading Tomato Girl in between Feb and March book club. Remember I how much I enjoyed that one?

We met at The Regal Beagle in Brookline for dinner and got down to business.

First of all, this cover totally tricked me. It looked so lovely with its cute knitted mittens, lovely little ripe peach, and a sprinkling of light fluffy snow. TRICKERY!

This book is filled with stereotypes about Vermont folks, a main character that is hard to relate to because she is such a dormat, and several characters that all run together. I didn’t hate this book, but it certainly didn’t live up to my expectations. I guess I was hoping that I would be able to relate to these Southern characters who are like fish out of the water with all those Yankee folks. Sigh…another disappointment in my reading of 2010. Next month is Vicki’s pick, The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker.

Keep your fingers crossed for something a bit better!

One of my fave things about book club is that we meet right after work! We meet around 6p and are usually finished around 8p (at the latest). Still plenty of times to get home, get things done, and relax. This time I was in the mood to get out some of my Trader Joe’s goodies and make some fun things for lunch.

I recently found this blog, Cooking with Trader Joe’s, and I found tons of recipes that were right up my alley. I love shopping at TJs but I can never *quite* figure out what to do with the goodies they have. The first thing I wanted to try out was the Sweet Corn and Arugula Salad. For some reason I had it in my head that I hated arugula, similar to my distaste of cilantro. After trying this fun little side dish I’m a changed woman! Now I can concentrate specifically on hating cilantro. Yuck.

A little blury but my fave way to eat my salad…in a cup!

I also busted out my new cooling racks to make these yummy sounding Sunflower Butter Cookies. Aside from being the easiest thing ever to make, these little cookies are perfect for someone who has a peanut allergy but love the taste of peanut butter. Who knew that sunflower butter could be so tasty?