Trader Joe's Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter with Flax & Chia Seeds

I like to check out the peanut butter/nut butter selection at my local Trader Joe's. Needless to say when I spotted the Trader Joe's Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter with Flax & Chia Seeds I was intrigued. Knowing the health benefits that come from flax and chia seeds that alone was a huge sway in my decision to purchase.

 

When I opened the container, the peanut butter wasn't really seperated from the oil, but I gave it a good stir to incorporate everything. I did find the texture of it was a lot looser than your average organic/natural peanut butter (I'm not talking Skippy here). There are visible pieces of chiaseed, flax seed and small peanut pieces running throughout the butter. Although ... taste wise I'm not necessarily the biggest fan. It has a peanut butter flavor, but it's very mild. It's not terrible, but it's boring, especially if you're in the mood for peanut butter because it just falls short and flat. This isn't a product I'd reach for to cure my want for peanut butter because it just never quite hits the mark.

 

The flax and chia seeds do have a bite to them, which I appreciated since I'm not a fan of chia seeds when they get mushy in texture. The chia seeds do stick in your teeth, which is a normal 'pain' that comes when enjoying them in any dish. The one thing I didn't like is that you have to refrigerate this peanut butter after opening (which you have to do with any natural peanut butter). Once it's in the refrigerator it develops a whole new texture, which just makes it a total miss.

 

I ended up bringing mine back to Trader Joe's and getting a refund because I wasn't satisfied with it. I gave it a shot, a few, but it just wasn't worth it in the end.

 

A serving, 2 tbsp, is 170 calories or 5 points plus values (or 1 tbsp is 2 points plus values).

Trader Joe's Feta Cheese Spread

Opting to pick up something different as a snack/condiment I decided to pick up a container of the Trader Joe's Feta Cheese Spread. I love feta and a spreadable version seemed to not only be unique but right up my alley. Initially I wasn't quite sure what I would use with this so I decided it'd be an experiment.

 

Experimenting with this spread was satisfying because it's so versatile. It's got sort of a cream cheese texture to it, where it's not loose and runny, but not so firm that it's a thick block of cheese - but it's somewhere in the middle but leans more towards the thick side of the equation. The dip is a unique blend of feta cheese, neufchatel, yogurt and Mediterranean herbs. This dip isn't necessarily for the faint of heart. If you don't like feta, then you're ultimately not going to enjoy this because it is one of the major flavor categories.

 

The dip has that classic salty feta cheese flavor, while the spices help mellow out the saltiness and give it some added boosted flavor. It's very unique and satisfying in a number of ways. Initially I tried it with some pita chips. Then I ventured into adding it into my salads, eating it with chicken, smearing it onto the top of a piece of bread and enjoying it with a hamburger. But surprisingly enough, one of the most enjoyable ways I had this spread was actually on top of a potato. It just went together so well and gave such good flavor to the potato that it was one of my favorites and I had it with my lunch for a few days.

A serving, 2 tbsp, is 60 calories or 1 points plus value.

Trader Joe's Meatless Corn Dogs

After I tried the Trader Joe's Turkey Corn Dogs I swore off the whole corn dog experience (at least from Trader Joe's). That is until I saw a friend on Instagram post about the Trader Joe's Meatless Corn Dogs. I figured I typically like frozen vegetarian corn dogs better than the meat variety ... so I opted to pick up a box to give a whirl.

 

The other night I was so unsure as to what I wanted for dinner. I stood in front of the freezer scanning my potential options and I decided to give the corn dogs a shot. I popped them into the oven and let them bake. When done, the crust on the outside was nicely crispy on the outside, but soft on the inside (perfection!). Biting into the "hot dog" I found the texture to be softer and mushier than that of a real hot dog. It wasn't a displeasing texture, but it's certainly a little different.

 

As a "meat eater" I can say if you served these to a crowd, no one would truly know they're vegetarian, they'd just know the texture of the hot dog inside was a little softer than your average hot dog. I find with vegetarian corn dogs they are all made differently and the filling is always made up slightly different so not one is the same as another. Regardless, I found them to be pretty good with a drizzle of mustard and ketchup over them.

 

They were filling (I served them alongside some french fries and a green salad) and flavorful. I'd definitely repurchase these again.

A serving, 1 corn dog is 160 calories or 4 points plus values.

Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt White Meat Chicken Salad

Chicken salad is one of those meals that I've grown to love. It's simple, it's easy and it's perfect to have all year round (especially in the summer months). I've always checked out the chicken salads at Trader Joe's because they look delicious and I am a fan of their curry chicken salad. So, needless to say when I spotted the new Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt White Meat Chicken Salad I nearly jumped for joy and popped a container in my shopping cart without even batting an eye at the ingredient label.


I was excited because it was a pre-packaged chicken salad that wasn't loaded with a ton of fat and unnecessary calories. I portioned out 3 meals from the container (two for lunches and one as a late night dinner). I layered the chicken salad onto a tortilla, added a little lettuce and wrapped it up. I took a bite ... and was immediately heart broken.


This chicken salad contains no mayonnaise! The dish consists of grilled chicken, celery, carrots and onions which are mixed with low fat Greek yogurt and spices. Even with all that, unfortunately, the Greek yogurt gives the salad a very tart flavor. It's very plain tasting on the flavor scale. I added some salt and pepper to it to hope to give it some pizazz but it fell short. Sure, it's creamy, but it's missing that classic tang you get from mayo. Admittedly, when I make chicken salad at home, I don't use a lot of mayonnaise and I tend to cut it with yogurt ...but I just can't jump on the yogurt as a mayonnaise substitute in a dish where mayo is one of the main ingredients. I tried adding a tablespoon of light mayo to it and mixing it in but the tartness from the yogurt just overpowered it.


I was just not a fan at all and ended up tossing the container. Which I have to admit was kind of cringe worthy because a container is nearly $5. I'll stick to my homemade chicken salad that takes a little time to prep but is on point in the flavor category.


A serving, 1/2 cup (or 99g) is 100 calories or 2 points plus values.

Vitalicious VitaEgg Turkey Sausage

I was sent a package containing a box of Vitalicious VitaEgg Turkey Sausage Sandwiches and I was quite intrigued to try them. I tend to sway away from pre-made breakfast items, preferring to make my own, but these were so good nutrition fact/points plus value wise that I was intrigued.

Heating the sandwiches up is a breeze, simply unwrap the sandwich from the plastic wrap, wrap it up in a paper towel and pop it in the microwave to cook per packaging directions. When done, I added some hot sauce to the sandwich and a squirt of ketchup and found it to be satisfying. This is one of the sandwiches that does not have cheese on it. I enjoy cheese on my breakfast sandwiches and didn't miss the absence of it


The texture is better than the texture of the vegetarian sausage sandwich which I had tried previously. This is more along the lines of what one would assume a microwaveable breakfast sandwich would be. The egg is decent in texture and doesn't dry out after a trip through the microwave. While the sausage has the classic sausage texture without being too chewy or hard. The only downside is it is a little plainer in flavor, which is why a little hot sauce, sriracha, salsa or even ketchup go a long way.


A sandwich is 140 calories or 3 points plus values.

Vitalicious Veggie Sausage VitaEgg sandwich

I was sent a package of Vitalicious Veggie Sausage VitaEgg Sandwiches for review purposes. I was intrigued to see a vegetarian option with a vegetarian meat on it instead of just a plain egg.

I popped the sandwich in the microwave (wrapped in a paper towel) and cooked it per the directions on the box. When done, the sandwich came out in pretty good shape. The sandwich didn't dry out after cooking through, which I find sometimes happens with frozen breakfast dishes that have to be wrapped in paper towel.

The texture of the sandwich wasn't quite what I'd expect. Since it's made on a flat bread, the bread is soft without any bite to it, and the sausage and egg is also soft. So instead of the sandwich having a little bit of resistance when you bit into it, it was very soft in texture. Not disgustingly soft, but soft and it took a second to get used to. The sandwich is filling and satisfying, but it is plainer on the flavor scale. I found a little hot sauce and ketchup helped make it more palatable.

I enjoyed having these on hand for convenience meals, especially when I didn't have a whole lot of time to make something, or if I needed something quick and easy.

A sandwich is 160 calories or 3 points plus values.

Bigelow Caramel & Coconut Herbal Tea

As mentioned in a previous post, when I heard Bigelow had released some Girl Scout cookie flavored teas, I was on the hunt. I specifically made a trip to my local The Christmas Tree Shop and picked up a box of the Bigelow Caramel & Coconut Herbal Tea. The tea is a tip of the hat to (my beloved) Girl Scout Samoas cookie.

I brewed a cup of tea to have as an afternoon treat and I found the flavor of the tea is very much caramel & coconut ... although I found it was missing that classic chocolate flavor that comes with samoas. IT definitely tilts a hat at Samoas cookies, but it's not a deaf ringer. The tea is flavored with classically sweeter flavors, but I don't find it to be sweet tasting  After brewing II added a packet of sweetener to it. Even with that it wasn't right ... so I added in a splash of milk and it was perfect. Typically I like my teas black, but there are a few that are an exception to the rule and this is one of them.

Overall, it was a good treat, especially in the late afternoon when my taste buds may be looking for something sweeter to snack on. The best part is it comes with no guilt and no added calories/points plus values.

Sauteed Asparagus

Asparagus is one of those vegetables that I have always loved (even as a kid). I've roasted it in the oven, but it's not always my favorite method. I prefer grilling or sauteing quickly on the stove top. Since we've got feet of snow in the yard, I decided to just quickly saute some asparagus up in some olive oil and garlic. The asparagus cooks quickly, remains crisp but slightly softened and can take on the flavor of anything you add to it. I prefer to keep mine simple ... olive oil, garlic, salt, black pepper.

 

It is a good way to get in a healthy oil for the day since you're not cooking it long enough that the olive oil is still present on each piece of asparagus. I merely add enough olive oil per servings ... so if I'm making a pound of asparagus, I'll use 2-3 tsp in the bottom of a pan, put the pan on medium-high and once it's heated through toss in the asparagus, season with salt and pepper and move around in the pan. During the last 30 seconds of cooking I add in some minced garlic, let the flavors combine and turn it off.  The end result is absolutely amazing!

Bigelow Thin Mints Herbal Tea

When I heard there were Girl Scout cookie flavored teas at my local Christmas Tree Shop I decided to make it my lunch time shopping trip. Browsing the store, I finally found the teas in the food section in a basket, buried amongst other teas. Excitedly I popped a box of the Bigelow Thin Mints Herbal Tea in my cart and headed to checkout after finishing up browsing.

I enjoy Thin Mints but admittedly, they're not my favorite Girl Scout cookie (Samoas girl!). But in the spirit of having treats that are guilt free I decided I had to give this a shot. I was so excited to try it, that I brought the tea into work and made myself an afternoon tea to help get me through the craziness that the afternoon brings.

After letting the tea steep I have to say ... this tea is absolutely amazing! One of the best "dessert" teas I have had. It's a dead ringer for thin mints ... minty, chocolatey and just fabulous. It's caffeine free, so for those who are sensitive to caffeine this would be right up your alley, especially if you're a Thin Mints fan. I added a package of artificial sweetener to cup to bring fourth a touch of sweetness and it was perfect. There are a few teas that I add milk to but this certainly wasn't one of them, the tea was perfect on its own.

As mentioned I found this at my local Christmas Tree Shop, but who's to say these won't be available at most major retailers soon?

The greatest part is these are guilt free ... 0 calories/0 points plus values.

Trader Joe's Zucchini Fries

Browsing the frozen foods section, I spotted and picked up a bag of the Trader Joe's Zucchini Fries. Initially they reminded me of a vegetable tempora ... while also a substitute for the normal french fries that could accompany any dish. I wasn't sure how they would fare since I know zucchini is one of the fussier squashes.

 

The bag describes the side dish as grilled and lightly battered zucchini. I sprayed some non-stick cooking spray on a baking sheet, added the zucchini fries, gave them another little spritz and popped them into the oven per the cooking instructions. A little more than halfway through, I turned the zucchini fries over and returned them back into the oven to finish off. Truthfully, at that point I was hesitant, the fries were kind of flimsy and not looking extremely promising. But I pushed those thoughts aside and let them finish baking off.

 

The end result turned out a lot better than imagined. The fries had enough time to crisp up making the outside batter crunchy and leaving the zucchini inside soft and moist. The fries did not dry out and for the most part the fries were firm enough to stand up on their own without falling limp when picked up off a plate. They were mild in flavor, being that of just zucchini and a slight batter on the outside of them. I enjoyed mine with a little sprinkle of salt over them, while I dipped them into a little reduced sugar ketchup. Overall I found them to be incredibly delicious ... whereas my mother who also had some alongside her dinner was as equally pleased with them as I was. Definitely a 2 thumbs up food find!

 

A serving, which is roughly a 1 cup (85g/3 oz.) is 140 calories or 4 points plus values.

Dannon Oikos Coconut Creme Triple Zero Greek Yogurt

After giving the Banana Creme flavor a try I went on a long hunt for other flavors and was excited when I found the Dannon Oikos Coconut Creme Triple Zero Greek Yogurt. As I mentioned in past reviews what sold me was the fact this yogurt has an outstanding 15 grams of protein in it. I found the flavor, consistency and satisfaction I received from eating the yogurt was well worth the repurchase. I've also heard that nutritionists across the board are wowed by the nutrition facts on this yogurt and some are saying this is one of the best out there (in my area at least).

I enjoy some of the other coconut yogurts on the market so I was quite excited for this one. I found the consistency was the same as the banana .. thick, creamy and very satisfying. Although, I have to say, I am not the biggest fan of this flavor. It's very, very mild and comes off rather plain on my taste buds. Sure, there's a hint of coconut flavor in there, but it's not as flavorful as some of the other triple zero yogurts I've had.

I wouldn't repurchase this particular flavor, but there are other flavor options readily available that I do enjoy and that I will continue to purchase.

A serving is 120 calories or 3 points plus values.

Trader Joe's Smoked, Apple Chardonnay Chicken Sausage

I'm a big fan of Trader Joe's chicken sausages, but after a while having the same thing tends to get ... well, boring. So, one afternoon I decided to pick up a package of the Trader Joe's Smoked, Apple Chardonnay Chicken Sausage. I'm not a fan of chardonnay and I can give-or-take apple sausage ... but new is different and different is welcomed.

 

The flavor of these sausages isn't overwhelming, but there is a distinctly "different" flavor of them when compared to some of the other prepackaged sausages sold at the store. It's not a bad different. The flavors are there and I can't say any of them is overwhelming.  There's definitely a smokiness to them which reminds me of keilbasa in a lot of ways. Flavor wise, the sausage does have a lingering taste of chardonnay in the background. Whereas the apple flavor isn't really there, or at least, not to my taste buds. You can see bits of the apple in the sausage when you cut into it, but it doesn't stand out at all.

 

I've prepared the sausages in a number of ways and since the flavors are so muted in ways, it kind of goes along with any dish you prepare. I've had them grilled, sauteed with peppers and onions, served alongside some scrambled eggs for breakfast. Overall, they're not bad and a good meal to have every once in a while to switch things up a bit.

A serving, 1 link, is 140 calories or 3 points plus values.

Trader Joe's Trader Giotto's The Original Mortadella with Pistachio Nuts

When the Trader Joe's Trader Giotto's The Original Mortadella with Pistachio Nuts launched I wanted to give it a try .. but the store was out. Then when they had some, they were actually expired and the clerk working told me it was a limited edition thing and they were gone for good. But low and behold upon a recent trip I found a collection of packages in the refrigerated deli meat section, so I of course picked up a package.

Back in the day, I was an Italian sandwich fan. Granted, it's certainly not the healthiest of sandwiches ... but a local Italian pizza shop makes one of the best Italian subs. I haven't had an Italian in over 5 years ... so I decided to give it a try. I will say the package is nearly $4 and you only get 4 ounces (2 servings) in a container ... which for the price point alone makes this an occasional treat.

The mortadella is sliced relatively thin and the meat has chunks of fat and pistachio nuts running throughout it. It's got a slightly smoky flavor to it (along the lines of salami) but it's smooth and delicious. It's not along the same flavor category of your plain ole bologna, this is, shall I say ... classier. I enjoyed it cold alongside some dijon mustard on a wheat flax pita bread. While I also enjoyed it in a wrap, that I slightly heated to crisp the bread. Both ways were enjoyable and it was a delicious treat.

A serving, 1/2 the package (2 ounces) is 140 calories or 4 points plus values.

Angie's Lemon Drop Flavored Kettle Corn

On an afternoon stroll through Target I popped through their Easter section to see what goodies had made it out onto the floor. I love checking out the Easter goodies because Easter is one of my favorite holidays for candy. Or in this case ... candy and treats. I adore Angie's popcorn so when I saw the Angie's Lemon Drop Flavored Kettle Corn I knew I had to give it a try. I'm a sucker for lemon desserts and the only thing I could think was lemon popcorn? YUMMO?!

Upon opening the package, a sweet lemon scent wafted out of the bag and it kind of brought me to a moment where I felt I was standing in my local Italian bakery ordering lemon tarts for dessert. It's a deliciously sweet lemon fragrance which only makes wanting to try the popcorn that much more exciting.

The popcorn itself is crisp, which is coated slightly in a sweet/salty kettle corn mixture. The popcorn is then drizzled with a lemon "chocolate" drizzle. It was sweet, salty, lemony and just delicious. Although I did find if you ate it a little fast, the lemon flavor dissipated and was more of a white chocolate flavoring. Just because of the change in flavor, I found myself eating the popcorn a lot slower to savor the lemon flavor instead of bypassing it all together.

A serving, roughly 1 1/4 cup (28g), is 140 calories or 4 points plus values.

Pillsbury Reduced Fat Cinnamon Rolls

I stumbled upon an interesting find at a local grocery store finding and purchasing the Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Reduced Fat with Icing. I love cinnamon rolls but I find them to be typically too high in points to find justifiable. Since they were reduced fat and the nutrition facts weren't too out of control I decided to give them a try for breakfast one day when my niece had slept over.

I sprayed the bottom of a cake pan with nonstick cooking spray, placed the rolls in (cinnamon side down) in a circle around the pan, adding the remainder into the middle of the pan. I put them into a preheated oven and let them cook. Since my oven tends to cook baked goods faster than normal, I lowered the temperature a bit and extended the cooking time just slightly.  The end result came out perfect. Nicely golden browned, cooked all the way through, soft but firm enough.

While hot I smeared the icing onto each of the rolls and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. The end result was quite delicious. A perfect little treat and so delicious no one even noticed they were reduced fat. I've learned over time to not even express it out loud because it makes people go into eating something that's reduced fat as if it's going to poison them. When the rolls cooled they were perfect as is, but they were even better warmed just slightly in the microwave as a little treat.

A serving, 1 roll, is 130 calories or 4 points plus values OR you can have 2 rolls for 260 calories or 7 points plus values.

Trader Joe's Trader Jose's Authentic Mexican Style Pork & Red Sauce Tamales

I have been sitting on this review for a while ... but better late than never:

 

When I spotted these Trader Joe's Trader Jose's Authentic Mexican Style Pork & Red Sauce Tamales in the refrigerated section of the store I decided to pick them up. That is, after trying to narrow down my options from the 3 varieties that were available (chicken, vegetable and pork).

Prior to purchasing these the first tamales I really tried are the mini tamales that are sold in the freezer section of Trader Joe's. I quite enjoyed them so I figured a real deal version would only be better. And I was surely right.

I opted to heat these up using the stove-top steaming method. I added water to the bottom of a pan, added in a metal steamer basket and laid the tamales into the pan, covered and let them steam until done. It was truly fool proof and the end result came out quite good.

They were nice and hearty and truly a crowd pleaser.  They had a very mild spice to them which wasn't overwhelming but pleasant. The pork was evident and it wasn't fatty (which is always appreciated). The tamale itself was the perfect texture - soft but still had a little bite to it.

They were so good that I went back to buy more on a few trips but sadly they haven't had them. Which I'm assuming means these were just a seasonal item. It seemed like my store got them in, had them stocked for a week, and never got them again. Which reminds me ... I should probably inquire as to if they're going to be bringing these back next time I pop into the store.

A serving, 1 tamale is 180 calories or 5 points plus values.

Hostess Red Velvet Cupcakes

Growing up we had a local Hostess factory that sold Hostess products at a discounted price. My mother would pick up snacks for my brother and I ... so I guess you can say my enjoyment of Hostess goodies was born early. There are some snacks by the brand that I'm not a fan of .. but others I am. Case in point when I spotted the Hostess Red Velvet Cupcakes at Wal-Mart I had to pick up a box.

 

It seems like red velvet flavored snacks are taking over grocery store shelves. What I liked about these cupcakes was that they were so fresh. The texture of the cupcake was soft, slightly moist and nicely sweetened. I found them to not be as sweet as say, the Hostess orange frosted cupcake (which for one reason really hits me as sa-weeeet!). The cake is your classic red velvet - a bold chocolate flavor with has a light and airy cream in the middle of the cupcake. The frosting on top is a classic vanilla, but not overly vanilla-y.

 

They're definitely along the lines of the classic chocolate frosted cupcake (just colored red) but I feel this variety is not as sweet. Which may be in part to the vanilla frosting? But either way, they're pretty good.

A cupcake is 170 calories or 4 points plus values.

Trader Joe's Mini Hold the Cone! Chocolate Ice Cream Cones

Since I was such a fan of the vanilla version I of course had to give the Trader Joe's Mini Hold the Cone! Chocolate Ice Cream Cones a shot. Admittedly chocolate ice cream isn't my favorite, but sometimes I want a different flavor of something as a treat.

Hold the Cones are miniature ice cream cones which are great for when you want something small, sweet and refreshing but you don’t want whole lot of something. They’re perfect because they not only taste delicious but they’re also adorable and miniature. I find they give you the right amount of everything. A few bites of ice cream, a few bites of chocolate coating, and a few bites of a delicious crunchy yet chewy ice cream cone.

The ice cream itself is good quality chocolate ice cream. It's creamy, it's chocolaty but it's not overwhelming. The chocolate coating on the top of the ice cream balances well with the chocolate ice cream. The coating being a dark chocolate so the two pair perfectly without being overly sweet. They're a great treat which is guiltless.

A serving, 1 cone, is 70 calories or 2 points plus OR you can have 2 ice cream cones for 140 calories or 3 points plus.

Yoplait Greek 100 Calorie Whips! Tropical

I have evidently been on a mission to try all of the new Greek Whips that appeal to my taste buds. One of those was the Yoplait Greek 100 Calorie Whips! Tropical. The tropical Greek yogurt is one of my favorites so I figured a whipped version would be perfect ... and it truly did not let me down!

 

As I've mentioned in a previous review the texture of this yogurt is a far cry from your average Greek yogurt. It's not thick, heavy, or "wet" in consistency. It's light, airy and has a mousse texture to it. It's flavored well, giving a jam packed 9 grams of protein, while also remaining light and airy at the same time. Definitely a different twist on a yogurt which can make for a refreshing dessert or snack option.  I have seen some people using this as a cream between graham crackers - kind of a nod to the old school Weight Watchers cool whip "ice cream sandwiches."

 

The flavor of this is very much tropical. There's hints of mango and pineapple which give it a very sweet, refreshing "tropical" vibe. It's very much reminiscent of its Greek yogurt variety, which is enjoyable because now depending on whichever texture I'm looking for I can reach for one or the other.

 

A serving is 100 calories or 2 points plus values.

Trader Joe's Scallion Pancake (Pa jeon)

One of my favorite dishes at my local Chinese restaurant is the scallion pancake. They're mild in flavor, are crisp but soft and pair perfectly with any sort of Chinese food. Needless to say when I spotted the Trader Joe's Scallion Pancake in the freezer section, snatched up a pack, checked the nutrition facts and purchased it.

I decided to incorporate them into my New Years Eve dinner. Since I forgot to take them out of the freezer, I opted to go with browning in olive oil. I would have preferred to use the oven, but since the oven was being used I found they crisped up and heated through in little to no time.

The unique part is that these pancakes can be cooked in a number of ways. They can be set in the fridge to defrost overnight, slightly defrosted for 45 minutes or they can be cooked frozen  You can also brown them in a pan with a little olive oil while you can also cook them in the oven.

Flavor wise they're your classic scallion pancake. A plain batter with the green onion/scallion pancake running all throughout the pancake. The onion flavor is not overwhelming, it's just right. I found them to be quite satisfying ... and my niece LOVED them which says a lot if a 5 year old is enjoying them! The only difference I find in comparison to scallion pancake at a restaurant is that these are slightly thicker. But I do like the fact you can watch how much oil is used when making these at home!

A serving is 1 pancake, which is 160 calories or 4 points plus values.