Trader Joe’s Tuesday

Hola mi amigos!

Don’t worry, I haven’t decided to go all bilingual on you guys (ha, I only know a handful of phrases in Spanish anyway*). I’m just still on what I’m going to call my “shopping high” for the day.

*Just thought you should know that I totally typed spinach.

But before I get into the details of my road trip to Nashvegas, I want to say thank you to everyone who wished me luck on my doctor’s appointment today. Maybe I should use you guys to help me win on a lottery ticket because…

I am OFFICIALLYΒ released from the doctor’s care and I can to go back to work tomorrow with no restrictions. He did warn me to be careful within the next few weeks while lifting patients to be sure that I don’t aggravate my back and create any inflammation, which is what happened before the muscle seized last Sunday. I still have 3 more weeks of physical therapy left and it is now a combination of yoga-type stretches (cat and cow poses), electro/heat therapy, and soft tissue massage (can’t say that I mind that part!)

So I figured what with this being my last day off before going back to work, I’d take a “me day” and head to Nashville for a little shopping.

And of course, I made sure to bring along the right tuneage for the trip!

Ahh, Bon Jovi, you will always have my heart!

First up, the Farmer’s Market!

It was the PERFECT day to walk around all the booths outside…I only wish more vendors had been open, but I guess even though today felt like the first day of SUMMER, it is still early in the season.

I must’ve spent an hour or more just walking in and around each booth taking pictures and just breathing in the fresh air.

And I’m sorry, but there is just something to be said about the beauty of fresh, ripe fruits and vegetables…

Even the mutated ones πŸ˜‰

I also made my way over to enclosed part of the market and perused around the little international market.

I admired their wall of unique flours, giggled at their misuse of the English language, and pondered the thought of vegetable powder…none of which I actually bought.

So what DID I leave the farmer’s market with?

Two bunches of kale, a couple of golden beets…

Tamarind-date paste, ginger garlic paste, strawberry preserves, some unphotogenic sun-dried tomatoes (hence their hiding spot)…

FROG preserves, Vidalia Onion Jelly, and a locally made BBQ duo that I can’t wait to use on some baby back ribs!

After my shopping, I enjoyed a little snack and some photo-snapping in the neighboring park before making my way over to…

Trader Joe’s!

Ok, actually, since traffic was INSANE (lunch hour) I just parked my car and headed around the block to Whole Foods just to pick up a few necessities:

Whole wheat pastry flour, thick cut rolled oats…

Coffee, maple extract (it’s been TWO long…ha! Get it?)…

And I replenished my stash of butters I can actually consume. πŸ˜‰

New favorite combo: Greek yogurt and apple or pumpkin butter…I die!

On my walk back from Whole Foods, I popped in Anthropologie for a total of 2.37546 minutes. It only took me turning over TWO pricetags for me to realize why I never go into that store…

Obviously, I needed a little cheering up after that, soooooo…

I got a little bit of fro-yo…

And a whole lotta toppings!

After I was connected with my inner child and had enough sugar in me toΒ bounce my way all the way back to Clarksville continue my shopping, I headed back to the Joe they call Trader and was quite proud of myself for not getting too carried away…

Ok, so the Udi’s Bread (free with a coupon!) was actually from WF’s, but it was just begging to be sandwiched in between two meats.

Last trip, I bought some of the pesto marinated chicken breasts, so I’m excited to see how the sun-dried tomato ones taste and since I got on a huge hot dog kick week before last, I needed to pick up another pack…really guys they are soooo good!

Whole grain tortillas, a loaf of whole wheat sourdough…

A few things for my bass-catching man

Kalamata olives, a new-to-me dip, and surprise…a jar of mustard!

As for the dip?

My curiosity could not be contained…right after taking this pic, I plucked out a wedge of sourdough and scooped some up!

Verdict: It’s just “ok”…it’s got a good flavor (although a bit heavy on the onions in my opinion for a spinach dip), but I was a bit underwhelmed.

I actually think I could do better with some of my stash of Chobani and one of these:

Ok, ok, so this is actually from a stop at TJ Maxx yesterday, but I couldn’t NOT show you guys the goodies I found!

I also got the caaaa-utest ramekins, a bowl that was just calling my name, and

A coffee apron!

*squeal!*

You know what? Sometimes you just have to have a day all to yourself…filled with all your favorite things and no worries of time, schedules, or deadlines. I think we’ve all experienced our fair share of “where did the time go” moments.

Just remember…

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”Β 

Ferris Bueller.

What would your version of an all-day “me day” include?

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15 Responses to Trader Joe’s Tuesday

  1. Lizzi says:

    I’ve never tried apple or pumpkin butter (neither are available here!) and i’ve always been fascinated by the concept…. you’ve just tipped me over the edge!

    Also.. my blood pressure just went through the roof looking at that fro-yo (again – NO fro-yo places in my city.. and barely any in my COUNTRY AaRRRGhhh)… I NEED IT.

    Great news on the doctor front! Very pleased to hear it πŸ˜€

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      NO fro-yo?! It’s a conspiracy! If I could, I would totally wrap you up a cup and send it to you! πŸ˜‰

  2. Lou says:

    What are those super colourful things on your yoghurt!?! Crazy!

    Looks like an almost perfect day… Oh I miss those days all to myself, just doing whatever… enjoy the freedom before you breed πŸ™‚

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      Haha! I intend on it!

      And the colorful flakes are Fruitty Pebbles…one of my FAVORITES when it comes to sugar-laden kiddie cereals! Lol

  3. Oh man, that looks like my *perfect* idea of a me day! I can’t wait to ge back to the states to get my hands on the awesome new foodie products out there πŸ™‚

  4. I’m so jealous your outdoor farmer’s market is already open! Ours doesn’t start until June. πŸ™ You got some awesome stuff though – I’m loving all the condiments in this post! Where the heck do you store them all though?! I barely have room for just a few basic condiments!

    My perfect day would definitely involve a trip to the farmer’s market and fro yo too. Plus a bike ride by the lake, sushi, and shopping. πŸ˜€

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      We’re actually pretty lucky around here…since the farmer’s market is inside a pavillion, it’s open year-round! But there are always more vendors in the summer than any other time of year. Where do I store them? Ha, you REALLY do NOT want to see my pantry right now! Actually, it’s so crazy, I might just take a picture of it and post it! Lol

      Ahh, a bike ride by the lake sounds fantastic! And HOW could I forget sushi? Yum!

  5. katie says:

    LOVE those yellow bowls , super cute!!

    LOVE the fro-yo action!!

    LOVE the trader joe’s goods!!

    LOVE that you are free and clear to work again!!!

    Lots of LOVE! : )

  6. Nicole says:

    Ok-now I need to get the Bon Jovi Greatest Hits album! LOVE Bon Jovi!
    I also love Trader Joe’s!

    Butt rub. Hmmm…I’m curious about that one!

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      Definitely a must buy! It’s gotta be one of the best greatest hits albums yet…totally meant for a ride with the windows down, hair a-flying, and singing along at the top of your lungs!

      I plan on using the rub and BBQ sauce this weekend…can’t wait to see how it tastes!

  7. I am so insanely jealous I almost don’t even want to comment.

    I will say that pre-“vegan with benefits” I loved that buffalo jerky, I’ve been wanting to try some of the FROG goodness since I saw it on (yours? someone else’s?) blog, I can’t wait for the farmers’ market to open here in town, I find great joy in conjoined acorn squash, and tamarind-date paste sounds like WAY too much fun.

    The end. πŸ™‚

  8. Robyn :) says:

    Having a ME day when I head to KC and Overland Park, KS on Friday. I located a Trader Joes not far from the Whole Foods so that is where I will be heading πŸ™‚ Got some good idea from this post πŸ™‚

    I love putting cereal on top of my Fro-Yo, too!!

    Oh, the Biscoff spread I found at the commissary has now disappeared. Either they moved it or sold out. It was not in the same place or the other two logical places (peanut butter section or foreign foods). Maybe TJ or WF has it.

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      Woo hoo! Sounds like you’re gonna have an awesome day! You gotta let me know if you find anything new that totally rocks your world!

      Aww, that stinks about the Biscoff! You may be able to find Cookie Butter at the Trader Joe’s (it’s basically the same thing as Biscoff…only TJ’s brand) that is if they’re not out of stock…my store keeps selling out of it. If not, I’m sure you can get a jar at Whole Foods. That’s where I used to buy it from. I take it you liked it since you’re already looking to replenish? πŸ˜‰

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