1. I had a hair appointment this morning for a cut and highlight. I hadn’t had my hair highlighted since December 5. When I called to make the appointment, my hair dresser answered and said he’d been wondering what had happened to me. There’s nothing like a fresh cut and color to make you say, “I’m back!”
2. My boys love to request Chick-fil-A on the way home from school, and sometimes I’ll drive through and bring it home for them. And then they don’t touch it. I mean, it gets eaten…. by me. But still.
3. This is absolutely one of the reasons I’m still hanging on to “baby weight.” Because I finish my kids’ lunches. Anyone else?
4. Trader Joe’s just opened up in Columbia last week. I put this on Facebook, but I’d love to hear your Trader Joe’s recommendations so I know what in the world to buy next time we’re there.
5. Soccer practice is going well. They mostly look like a swarm of bees chasing a ball, but that’s okay. It’s still fun to watch Hudson run around and learn how to play on a team, and fun for me to catch up with so many friends in one spot on Tuesday nights.
6. I’ve been obsessed with J.Crew Factory lately. The prices are so much better than regular J.Crew and the clothes are nearly identical. Seriously, I’m enabling you. You’re welcome!
7. I’m working on putting together a list of fun activities for our summer and plan to share it with all of you. We just get in a rut in the summer. And then we do crazy things like this and this.
8. I can’t believe Easter is already here. We’ve scaled back on Easter basket fillings this year, but I’m excited to dye eggs with this boys this week and go to a fun Easter egg hunt with some friends. On Good Friday, our church is presenting The Story. If you live in the area, I’d love for you to attend. And if you’re looking for somewhere to attend on Sunday morning, please consider coming to our 8:30, 10:00, or 11:30 service on Easter Sunday.
9. I loathe Peeps. They are seriously disgusting to me. But I buy them anyway for my kids’ Easter baskets.
10. Hayes is a little spit-fire. My word. He tantrums are short-lived, but they’re fierce. He’s kind of aggressive. Not with people, but with stuff. If he’s mad and he’s holding a toy, he’s going to throw it. I think it shocks us all so much that we don’t really know what to do.
11. I’ve mentioned before my distaste for certain words, but seriously some words are just gross. I actually shudder when I hear them. Words like “moist” and “succulent.” Ick.
12. I ordered a couple of different dresses to wear on Easter Sunday from Piperlime. Hopefully one of them will work. Hudson is going to wear his very first bow tie. My baby is growing up!
Any confessions? Any words you hate? Or Trader Joe’s recommendations?
nodding my head to the finishing my kids lunch thing. Sigh. Just today I totally ate Eme’s last chicken nugget AFTER eating my own meal. Whoops.
You are not alone, sister! I do it regularly. I should stop fixing my own lunch because I know I’m going to finish theirs off every day anyway.
I ate the rest of Amelia’s fries on the way to a party, two evenings ago. She finished her nuggets and said “ok, I’m ready for my fries again!” I told her they were all gone and she said “who ate them?”
We were the only two in the car.
Busted.
I just laughed out loud! So hilarious, Jill! Nothing gets past Amelia!
I ate three of James’ chocolates from his Valentine’s candy and the next time he opened the box he said, “WHO HAS BEEN EATING THESE? Mama…” Hahahaha! I had to ‘fess up. Whoops!
TJ’s has SO many good things. I shop there every week. Couple favorites – shrimp stirfry (frozen), greek yogurt, cat cookies, toasted oatmeal flakes (cereal), organic reduced sugar jelly (blueberry is my fav), all the cheese!!, peanut butter filled pretzels (and especially the chocolate covered ones). Try things – they have a policy that if you don’t like it you can return it!
Okay, I’m taking your list with me next time. I am so excited to try so many things!
I am also completely disgusted by the “m word” mentioned in #11. People make fun of me for it, so I’m glad to hear I’m not alone!!
it is a gross, gross word! 🙂 glad i’m not alone, too!
ugh I can’t believe Columbia got a Trader Joes right when we left. Sumter is getting a Starbucks too! My least favorite words are preggo, preggers, totes, presh, cray cray, etc. I think those all fall in the same category.
come back and visit, Kate!! 🙂
yuck! i don’t like the abbreviated words, either. especially the words for pregnant. ick!
The word “meal” grosses me out. I think of cafeteria food or meal worms when I hear it.
Baby weight? Erin, from what I see, you look great!
Trader Joe’s: Buy the diced onions in the refrigerated vegetables section and keep them in your freezer. This way you don’t have to chop onions ever again !
you know what? i totally get the yucky part of the word “meal.” ick. we were at a theme park one time and the guy next to us said, “i could eat 10 dinners without getting sick.” i almost threw up. ha! so now whenever someone says “dinners” i think i’m going to be sick. yuck!
i love buying the chopped vegetables at publix. glad TJs has this, too!! so helpful!
Peeps? Gross. J. Crew Factory? Totally enabled (thanks to Sheaffer/Pinterest told me to!). My daughter is aggressive/mean to toys when she’s upset, too (a second child thing?). And I’m getting my hair did on Friday, can’t wait!
Love your posts, as usual. They always make me feel so doggone NORMAL. 🙂 Happy Easter, Erin!
Sheaffer totally enabled me with J.Crew Factory, too! Love it!!
Haha, thanks, Becky! Happy Easter to y’all, too!! 🙂 Hope all that snow has left you!
Oh my love for Trader Joe’s. Back in MD it was 5 minutes away…now in VA…6 hours.
We were in MD last week visiting and you better believe I made a Trader Joe’s run!!! Love that place!
My favorites:
Cinnamon Almonds
Fresh Pizza Dough
Fresh Salads/Fruits
Fresh bread (love the 2 pack loafs)
Spices
Fresh Mild Salsa
Family Favorites:
Crunchy Choc. Chip cookies
ABC Cookies
Potato Cakes
Just recently picked up the EV Coconut Oil that everyone is raving about and also the Cookie Butter.
Yay! You just made my shopping list for me, Angie! Thank you!! I did pick up some cookie better and then everything else was fresh. So I’m excited to try some of these other goodies. Thank you!!
ohhh…don’t forget about the flowers!!! Great flowers, great prices!
Trader Joe’s:
A few of our favorites:
Shrimp Fried Rice–my kids will eat this.
Salmon Burgers and Mahi Burgers, try topping them with avocado like that Cooking Light recipe you mentioned back in the day. I like to cook these in a pan rather than on the grill, they just get crispier and taste better. My kids will eat the mahi burgers but not the salmon burgers.
Sweet Potato Fries (maybe they call them frites or something) (skip the sweet potato tots)
Mandarin Chicken. Prepare it by baking it and give the kids a few of the nuggets before you coat it in the sauce. My husband and I eat this with steamed broccoli, usually over rice.
Turkey Corn Dogs. I cook these in the toaster oven on days I’m in the mood to eat something not-so-good for me. It gives the taste without the calories. My kids don’t eat these, but mostly because I’m not sure how to make a corn dog not be a choking hazard.
Light Champagne Viniagrette, Tuscan Italian Dressing (this is really good on the greek salad bowl in the Cooking Light Fresh Food Fast cookbook)
At Christmas the Gingerbread mix is out of this world. I make it in a 9″ round pan and cut slices like you would pie and top it with actual whipped cream. It is amazing.
One day in the back they were serving chili casserole, which was amazing. You make it in a 9″ square pan. You fill the bottom with 2 cans of veggie chili and one can of turkey or meat chili, top that with a package of shredded cheddar and top that with a prepared package of their cornbread batter. Bake according to the instructions on the cornbread plus about 10 minutes. Voila. So good and my kids will eat it.
I usually stock the milk juice boxes (does that make sense?) in the pantry in case we run out of milk and don’t feel like going to the store. They are cheapest at TJs.
This is fantastic! Thank you so much! I can’t wait to try all of this!
Obsessed with J.Crew factory. Annnd, I always finish Molly’s meals. Glad to know I’m not alone. I always chastise myself and say I should be stronger, but I give her yummy things 😉
I have a love/hate relationship with Trader Joe’s. I love to get random things there, but I hate that I blow my grocery budget by buying yummy random things. I always, always keep a box of the Jasmine rice in my freezer, and a bag of the orange (mandarin?) chicken in the freezer. Easy, peasy go-to dinner. Peanut butter filled pretzels are our favorite snack. I always have flowers on my table from TJ’s. And they’ve got a great selection of cheese! I love the spicy pimento cheese and pita crackers (not pita chips, mind you!). Finally, I was wierded out to try the frozen burritos, but some of them are good and are another good thing to have on hand for last minute dinners.
Trader Joes Cookie butter is TO. DIE. FOR. ……seriously.
I totally finish my boys food……that’s why I keep these last 15 pounds. Grrr.
I hate the word “breast” Ugh!
I also hate peeps. Yuck!
I’m loving the cookie butter, too! And yeah…. that is a yucky word, for sure!
Ha! Yes, I feed them yummy things, so I may as well finish it off, right? 🙂
Oh, I totally get DH fries at Chick so she will nibble one and I get the rest. Ha, it doesn’t have calories if it doesn’t come from your plate, right?
At Trader Joes, I love the flowers, the organic fruit and cut up butternut squash for DH. For babysitter nights, I love to have the mac and cheese and sweet potato tots in the fridge for kids food. For me food, there is these French style flat breads in the frozen pizza section that are out of this world and surprising low in calories. Not low in calories, but really tasty are the chocolate covered Peppermint O’s (like chocolate covered mint oreos). They have them around Christmas. I should have bought more than one box, because they sell out fast!
Thanks for the recommendations!
And, no, the calories don’t count if it doesn’t come from your plate! I love that.
I cracked up that you hate the word “moist!” My husband loathes that word. And “crisp.” Ha!
And Peeps? Uck. We do lots of Reese’s eggs. Since I have a daughter named Reese, she thinks they’re all for her!
Haha I love that Reese thinks they’re all for her. My name isn’t Reese, but I think they’re all for me, too!
TJs recommendations:
Wine Country Chicken Salad
Blondie Bar baking mix
Reduced Guilt Guacamole
Mini Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Whole Wheat Pizza Dough (comes already made, ready to put on stone & top w/ your favorite toppings)
Power Greens Salad Mix
I shop there every week! It’s my FAVORITE! Their prices are fantastic.
I was also really impressed with the prices, Ashley! I thought it would be really expensive! I’m excited to try your recommendations. Thank you!
Peeps are DISGUSTING!! And I am so glad to know someone out there agrees with me!
So gross! But they’re so cute!
most hated words: anything typed in text speak (like ur, u, r u, etc) I have a degree in English and it drives me insane!
fork
amazeballs, cray cray, etc.
moist is one for me too. Gross.
and Andrew does the same as Hayes when he throws a tantrum- I’ve had wooden puzzle pieces thrown on the floor, trucks swatted off a table, etc. Oh toddler tantrum fun! My friend who is also Andrew’s pediatrician said that it’s part of the terrible twos because their little brain is working faster than they can communicate.
that is so true! their vocabulary can’t keep up with their emotions. poor guys!
and amazeballs is a horrible word. not a fan.
Ohhhh Trader Joe’s is my favorite! They honestly have the best prices on the freshest fruits, veggies, and cheese!! Oh my & their sushi plates are divine! 🙂
Definitely need to get some cheese and some sushi plates! Thank you!!
Trader Joe’s is my absolute favorite. I go super early on Saturday mornings so it’s still nice and quiet (and fully restocked!) My shopping list is endless and always has new things in rotation:
Produce/Cold Stuff
Bananas (so cheap!)
Mushrooms, portabella and white (cheaper than my grocery store and better quality)
Romaine (“Just the Leaves” and on the stalk)
CHEESE! My word, the cheese. I try to try at least one new kind every other week- the options are endless!
Hummus (the edamame hummus is divine)
Fresh salsa
Meats
Chicken Sausage
Bacon
Frozen
Tart Greek Yogurt
Coconut Shrimp
Parmesan Pastry Pups
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Thai Vegetable Gyoza… the list goes on!
Their frozen brown rice is also so handy– it comes with 3 bags in a box, and you just cut into the bag and microwave for 3 minutes. It seriously beats any rice I can make from a box!
Mac and cheese is amazing– the Reduced Guilt is tasty, and the original “Diner” mac and cheese is just… you have to have someone take the carton away. It is THAT decadently delicious.
Turkey Meatballs
Condiments/Seasonings
Trader Giotto’s Bruschetta (in a jar)
Olive Tapenade
21 Season Salute (no salt– delish)
Black/garbanzo beans
Grains/Canned Goods
Tomato Soup (in the box– reminds me of Panera’s creamy tomato!)
Quinoa
Gnocchi (on the pasta aisle)
Snacks
Pita chips
Pretzel thins
Nut/Trail Mix snack bags– so handy to throw in your purse to have with you during the day
They’re also fun about having holiday-specific items, so if you see something on one trip and it looks seasonal, BUY IT because once they sell out for the holidays they don’t reorder. The Peppermint O cookies are amazing at Christmas.
Have fun!
This is fantastic, Katie! Thank you!!
Erin, I’m still holding on to my baby weight too but you HAVE to try the cookie butter at Trader Joe’s. They even have a crunchy version, it’s worth every calorie, every step on the treadmill. I promise you.
Oh, girl. I bought some already. It is absolutely worth it! 🙂
Im totally stealing these TJ recommendations if thats ok with you…most of the stuff I’ve never tried. I will second the Mandarin Orange recommendation and the Cat Cookies, they are awesome! Plus their wine is super cheap and really good.
I think we’ve talked about this before, but our boys are right around the same age, my oldest will be 4 at the end of April and my little man will be 2 in June. Reese is so right there with Hayes, he chucks everything from his paci and sippy cup to large objects like the fire struck down the playroom steps. If he’s done with it or mad, it will be thrown. One minute he’s laughing hysterically and then the next minute he can be crying big ole puppy dog tears. Totally right on track with the all those little milestones baby center sends…drama, drama, drama!
I LOVE PEEPS!!! Especially now since I can’t buy them in Scotland. I love to open the package and let them get hard. Then chew on them the next day. I love a chewy marshmallow.
I need a haircut so bad. GAH!! My eyebrows need threaded as well. I look like Amazon woman over here.
My son is wearing his first bow tie this Easter as well!! I’m so excited!
I could probably write you a very long email about my Trader Joe’s love! They have so many reasonably priced clean eating options. If you like cilantro, try their cilantro salad dressing in the fridge section. Their ranchero egg white salad is my lunch on the go. Their pretzel slims have fewer calories than the national brand. I also always have their goat cheese and low-fat shredded mozzarella on hand (45 calories an oz, you can’t beat that!). They also carry cage-free egg whites…I’ll stop now, but seriously, I could go on for days…
Speaking of confessions… I toast peeps over the toaster when no one is looking. So good it’s shameful.
I found a blog dedicated to all things Trader Joes, I hope it help you out: http://www.whattobuyattraderjoes.com/
TRADER JOE’S, love of my grocery-shopping life. The frozen section is amazing. The asparagus risotto is a favorite around here. They have great marinara for pretty cheap. Their fresh pizza dough is really good. I know everyone will tell you cookie butter, but I don’t like it at all. They have great prices on yogurt. And the chocolate-covered edamame! Trust me. So good. There are so many good things. The only thing I’ve tried and didn’t like is the cookie butter. Have fun!
Hi Erin:
I just love following along on your blog. I don’t comment often but I thought I’d share some Trader Joes loves:
— Corn Salsa (this makes a wonderful, colorful appetizer. Put it over a block of cream chesse and serve and you have an easy appetizer (… I know it sounds gross initiially but it’s ALWAYS a crowd-pleaser).
— Spiced pecans (I always put them out with TJ’s Gouda cheese).
— Any of their frozen apps. I love their pigs in a blanket.
— Gnocci
— Whole Wheat Pita Chips
— Raisin and nut chips
— Creamy Peanut Butter (I love it so much I’ll actually eat PB&J sandwiches again).
And I’m with you… Peeps are deee-sgusting! 🙂
Happy Easter to you!
Haha – I love this! Totally agree about the peeps – just seeing them makes me want to throw-up so sadly my kids will probably never get to enjoy them. Also, I am the same way about some words. Phlegm is one of mine. Don’t know why.
Trader Joe’s roasted coconut chips are amazing. You’ll need two bags though, I promise!!
Swarming around the soccer ball is about right. Both my boys played when they were four- all they did was follow the ball around on the field. I don’t remember any goals at all. Now, my younger son, who is nine, is playing, once again. He hasn’t played in a while and is still a bit rough around the edges (though he was goalie last night and saved the game for his team), but he understands the game so much better. And his teammates tend to be pretty serious players.
And, I’m with you on the peeps. Yuck. But I love just about anything chocolate.
If my husband knew I was recommending items from TJ’s to you he would be so disappointed (he works for Whole Foods. Shh, dont tell him!) I absolutely love their fondue brie cheese (who am I kidding, any cheese for that matter), Puffin cereal, macaron cookies, cereal/ granola bars, Rainbow snack mix and the mini multi-grain rice crackers. Happy shopping!
I showed the girl at that did my hair this morning what I wanted and she gave me a partial shag instead. To think she worried that blending my bangs would give me a mullet…guess it’s good I stopped that from happening lol! Now I just may chop it off to save myself from these crazy layers.
Oh goodness. I am laughing, but I know it’s not funny. I’m so sorry! I’m okay with my haircut, but he did cut off more than I hoped he would. Oh well… it will grow back!
I’m reading through your comments with my grocery list in hand! Maybe you should just come to Camp Haney so we can do a TJ’s walk through together 😉 love you!
I’m coming by Camp Haney on my way to Camp KK! 🙂
Peeps are delicious when stale. Most people think I’m weird about that though. From TJs you need to try the peanut butter cups, sparkling lemonades and their mini rice crackers.
Sparkling lemonade just sounds absolutely delicious! Wow!
Sorry if this is a double post, not sure that the one from my phone went through. Anyway, a must try at Trader Joe’s are the roasted coconut chips. One bag will NOT be enough, they are addictive and a serving is a half a bag! I also love their mini zuchini, perfect to lightly steam and dip in ranch dressing.
You crack me up, Erin! I was sitting here feeling guilty for basically eating two dinners tonight since I have zero willpower when it comes to my daughters’ lunch and dinner scraps. I agree that Peeps are just plain gross and my husband knows the “m” word is banned in my presence. Your church sounds lovely. If I didn’t live close to a thousand miles away, I’d be there for Easter. I’m just starting my journey with Christ and love reading your beautiful, encouraging words about yours. So thanks. 🙂
My 3 year old daughter loves the cats cookies. They are like a cinnamon graham cracker cookie and so good
Hey, Erin!
I am completely obsessed with Trader Joes. They even have a “new” section which is always fun to see what’s just in. I have so many favorites! In no particular order..
-organic kale (love that this is cleaned,cut and organic. I use it to make kale chips and in smoothies!)
-jalepeno chicken sausage
-my husband likes the mandarin chicken and I like the veggie version!
-I second another commenter with the chilli/cornbread casserole. I sub veggie chili. Could not be any easier or more delicious.
-guilt free spinach and kale Greek yogurt dip-wow..this tastes just like spinach dip without the extra calories.
-olive oil popcorn…addicting.
-their version of pirates’ booty
-ground flaxseed with blueberries
-cheese, yogurt, produce
-SEA SALT BROWNIE BITES (oh my goodness these are good)
-frozen croissants are delicious for a treat ..chocolate would be my favorite:)
-chocolate covered almonds with sea salt..these are insane and incredibly addicting.
-frozen steel cut oatmeal..easy for on the go and so good!
-chocolate covered banana bites
-agree about the joe joes during the holidays!
-all sorts of fun peanut/almond butter
..and I’m embarrassed for how long that list is!
Happy shopping!:)
I stopped by Trader Joe’s Saturday morning while I was in town visiting my parents, and it was a zoo! Mom said traffic was stopped down the block Friday…Good gracious! These are definitely not super healthy, but I’m in love with their frozen almond croissants. Delicious!
I have a hair appointment next Wednesday and I can’t wait. It’s been too long!
Our boys are the same way with Chickfila (and really anything for that matter). I can’t quite figure out how to get them to eat most of their food or try new things. And I don’t think the “eat five more bites and you can have a treat” tactic that we often employ is very healthy! ha!
I’m looking forward to this summer! I’ll have three months of four-day work weeks, so I can’t wait to see your lists of some fun things that we can do!
trader joe’s has GREAT gummy bears. i know that sounds weird, but i don’t feel as guilty about eating them because they don’t have a lot of junky ingredients. i also love the reduced guilt mac n cheese, turkey corn dogs, the bbq chicken pizza, mini cheese pizzas, and i love their pita chips.
for words, i hate “moist” and “panty.” not in the same sentence….YIKES
i’ve never been to TJs either but my sister always gets the frozen chocolate croissants when we visit and they are a dream. the trick is you have to leave them out for a while to rise, which we always forget. so we usually have two breakfasts. eggs or leftovers or snacks while we wait, then croissants when they’re ready! she also says they have tons of cheap wines (like $4 bottles) so it’s a great place to get a host(ess) gift or try new things.
i hate “tender” and “slice” and “cream.”