Which is better? Whole Foods or Trader Joes?

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So, we all know I’m a Trader Joe’s fan. I like Whole Foods, but I just like Trader Joe’s better. Now if Trader Joe’s would put a store in Robinson, I would be the first one in that store. No seriously. I would probably take the day off from work.

I was talking with my sister-in-law last weekend about the Whole Foods vs Trader Joes debate this weekend and then I got an article in my email the Monday after. It was a sign that I needed to write this post. It didn’t hurt that I had to talk Dan out of buying some pre processed sauce with all kinds of crap in it that I couldn’t pronounce when we were at Target this weekend. He was not happy with me. 

“C”lue-My favorite part of the whole article? “Trader Joe’s claims the following for all products under the “Trader Joe’s” brand name (which is a large percentage of food sold there): “The finest quality, natural ingredients.” NO artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, NO MSG, NO added Trans Fats.” Are they all healthy for you? No, but they are a heck of a lot better. I didn’t promise I would only eat fruits and veggies this year, just promised I would eat things that are better for me.

“L”ink-Want to read the full article? Check it out here.  I have mentioned the app fooducate before. It rocks. Again I don’t use it for every single thing, but when I’m looking for a better juice/yogurt/bread it’s the first place I check.

“T”houghts- I had to talk Dan out of buying some pre processed sauce with all kinds of crap in it that I couldn’t pronounce when we were at Target this weekend. He was not happy with me.  I don’t have time to read every single label out there, but I try when I can. And let’s be honest. There are some labels I don’t want to read. For example…I love me some Smarties candies. I don’t want to know what is in there. They are just good.

Trying to be healthier…

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So in 2014 one of my goals for my family is to eat a little better and be more conscious of what is going into and on our bodies.  We are trying.  As we finish products we buy the healthier version.  I’m not giving up syrup on my pancakes, but we did buy an organic one when Log Cabin ran out.   Not everything is organic, but most have less artificial crap in them.  Don’t worry though, I’m not giving up Oreos or M&M’s yet.  This goes for some of our bath and cosmetic products as well.   I have switched M’s bubble bath when the other one ran out.  Hopefully this year is better than last year and that 2015 is better than 2014.  Baby steps…

 

“C”lue- Speaking of steps, about every 30 Steps there is a garbage can in Disney.  Sorry, had to tie my love of Disney into being more “healthy” and environmentally friendly.

 

“L”ink- The Environmental Working Groups Website: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/  You can check out your favorite products and find new ones that might be better for you.  My biggest tip on this?  Read, read, read.  Just because something has a bad rating, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use it.  Some of the things that they say are “bad” are just because of a fragrance that you might have an allergy to or something like that.  It still might be better than what you are currently using.  They have an app too that you can use while you are out shopping.

 

“T”hought-Trader Joe’s Coconut Oil-At first glance at the label, Coconut oil doesn’t look much better for you than other oils, but check out this website:  http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/surprising-health-benefits-coconut-oil  Everything in moderation.  If you can’t stand the taste of coconut, don’t worry.  It doesn’t have a strong coconut taste.  Dan and I don’t like coconut, but this doesn’t bother us.  Plus you can use on your skin and has a ton of other uses as well.  10 out of 10.  They also have it in a spray…will try that too soon.

The Winter Olympics

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So I hate this cold that we have been having but I’m super excited that the Winter Olympics are almost here! See there is one positive of Winter!! One of my favorite things to do is have the Olympics on all day while it is snowing outside and there is a nice cozy fire on inside and I’m sitting on my couch with my snacks. I don’t know why I love it so much (we all know I’m not very athletic…no comments from the Peanut Gallery, Dan!). There is just something better about it than the Summer Olympics. More exciting, more a feeling of the “USA team”. I don’t know. Just fun! So here are a few fun “CLT” things tied into the Olympics.

“C”lue-Not sure what day your favorite event is on? How about you want to know what channels the Opening Ceremonies are? Check out this link to make your life easier! http://www.nbcolympics.com/tv-listings Also 5 Must Watch Events? Here is a list from Sports Illustrated. I agree.

-Sunday, Feb. 9: Men’s Downhill (The competition will air tape-delayed between 7-11 p.m. EST on NBC, but you can watch live online at 2 a.m. EST).
-Saturday, Feb. 15: Men’s Hockey: (U.S. vs. Russia, 7:30 a.m. EST, NBCSN).
-Tuesday, Feb 17: Ice dancing free skate, 10 a.m. EST, NBCSN. (U.S. skaters and world champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White battle Vancouver gold medalists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada.)
-Thursday. Feb. 20: Women’s Hockey Gold Medal Game (noon-3 PM ET, NBC). This game will air live in all US Time Zones.
-Sunday, Feb. 23: Men’s Hockey Gold Medal Game (6:30-10 am ET, NBC). This game will air live across all US Time Zones.

“L“ink-So I’m a big Buzzfeed fan. Not sure why these Olympians posed with this super cute puppy, but love the pictures. It is just an added bonus that I got to know the USA team a little better. Between this and the Budweiser commercial, I really want another puppy! http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjkiebus/us-olympians-pose-with-the-cutest-puppy-youll-see-all-day

“T“hought-Trader Joe’s Ridge Cut Potato Chips-What is watching TV without snacking? I really liked them, but not what either Dan and I expected. They are ridged and Kettle cooked. I was thinking they would be more like Ruffles. It’s interesting, I said to my mom that they were Trader Joe’s brand so nothing artificial in them and then said “If it can be done to make a good chip without artificial crap in it, why do the big companies insist on putting that stuff in?”. Isn’t that true with so many products? All that said I give them an 8 out of 10.

Super Bowl 2014

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So the “Big Game” is this weekend and no the Steelers aren’t in it, but you know there will be talk about the commercials and halftime shows at the water cooler on Monday so why not watch it.  Plus it gives you an excuse to eat appetizers (which I could just eat a meal of just appetizers!) and veg out in front of the TV on a Sunday night.

 

Here are a few things to help you enjoy the game a little more: 

“C”lue-Funny Buzzfeed. “Worst Types of People at Every Super Bowl Party” I qualify for at least two.  Maybe 3.  http://www.buzzfeed.com/justinabarca/worst-types-of-people-at-every-super-bowl-party

“L”ink- Crack dip, might be my newest favorite Pinterest tired and “family approved” dip.  I suggest it on those round buttery crackers, but a spoon would work too!  Plus it’s easy, and who doesn’t love easy?  http://www.plainchicken.com/2008/07/chili-cheese-dip_22.html

 “T”hought- Trader Joe’s Golden Rounds Crackers are just as good as Ritz if not better and no artificial crap. The work great with the crack dip.  10 out of 10.

I’m not an extreme couponer, I just like to save lots of money…

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I would never make the tv show for extreme couponers.  I do coupon, but I use them on items that we will actually use.  You won’t go to my basement and find 100 cans of green beans.  Ok, maybe 10, but I swear I got a good deal!  No one coupons the same.  You will take tips from here, tricks from there and coupon your own way.  You will also find your favorite stores to coupon at.  Mine are Giant Eagle, Target, and CVS.

“C”lue: Get a Sunday paper.  Want to make it easy?  Have it delivered.  You can have the Sunday paper delivered for about a $1 a week.   If you find a deal it can be cheaper.  I promise you can easily make that money back by couponing.  Keep an eye out this time of year at places like the Auto Show or Home Show.  Usually there are booths there to sign up.  The second I bring it in the house, I take out the coupons.  Look at the spine of the coupon book, I find the date and write it on the front.  I will explain in another post some of my next steps, but if you don’t have the coupons from the paper you are missing a big chunk.

“L”ink: Fooducate – http://www.fooducate.com/ A cool site that rates the foods we eat.  Great for those of you on a diet.  And it’s January, so is there anyone out there that isn’t on a diet or at least trying to eat better?

“T”hought: On a Trader Joe’s kick lately.  Trader Joe’s Chicken Burritos – Chile Verde.  Not bad for a frozen burritto.  6 1/2 out of 10.

And it begins…

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So for at least 5 years now, Dan has been telling me I should write a book.  Not going to happen.  For one, I have.  I was in 5th grade and it was for toddlers.  Even though it was published nationally, that’s where it ended.  My English is crap and my spelling is worse.  In fact, I admit that Dan checks a lot of my in-depth emails to clients before I send them off.  I know what I want to say, but it doesn’t always come out that way.  Dan calls it “Carrie Speak” and in that, he is well versed.  So basically I’m saying if you are reading this, excuse my bad English and yes I know my mother taught English…doesn’t matter…I stink at it.

Tonight at dinner he changed his “write a book” to “start a blog”.  I blew him off, but it was bugging me through putting Maddy to bed and then folding the 3 loads of laundry.  Who wears all these clothes anyway?  There is only three of us. I digress.  I thought about what he said I should put in it and thought about what I wanted to write.  I also thought about if I really want to do this.  There are so many blogs out there and what is going to make mine different?  I’m not funny so I knew that wasn’t going to be it.  What does everyone ask me all the time?   Couponing, Disney, and Opinions.  But opinions on what?  Places to go, things to eat, websites I use…anything really.  Dan and I try to do different things.  Especially now with Maddy.   Our food choices are changing and our places to go are expanding.  Kids will do that to you.  This blog isn’t going to change the world, but my goal is to share my little bits of wierd things and hopefully help someone along the way.

So that’s my goal.   I want to blog at least once a week, and I want to help.  If I can save someone $10 or let them know a great new food to try (or one to avoid), then good.  I also promise not to do just mommy tips.  I also plan to share a lot of the websites I use or blogs I read.  Rarely is my stuff new, I borrow from others.  But sometimes isn’t that the best stuff?

I plan to post these every Friday.  This week maybe I will do two.  I’m just hoping I don’t do four blogs and get busy and forget.

“C”lue: When looking for printable coupons I check out this database first… http://www.southernsavers.com/coupon-database  simply type in the product you are looking for.  If there are printable ones in there it will tell you.  There is more to this site that my sister-in-law shared with me a few years back, but that’s for another blog.  Start here.  I will give you more information about this site later.  It has saved me thousands of dollars.  Probably half of that was at CVS.

“L”ink: Vinegar and Dawn Dish Soap makes a great tub cleaner.

Wierd sounding I know, and stinky I admit, but it works.  Our tub is crap and until we can afford to get rid of the plastic overlay that they put over the old tub I have to keep it clean.  Nothing seemed to get that plastic clean.  This does and it does it with not a lot of work.  Find more details here: http://thecraftpatch.blogspot.com/2012/05/pinterest-tested-tub-cleaner.html.  My only change?  I use a magic eraser from the dollar store to wipe (not scrub) before I rinse.  Even works a bit better that way.

“T”hought:  Trader Joe’s Mini Ice Cream Mouthfuls – 12 in a box.  10 out of 10

Love.  Can’t say enough about them.  Run don’t walk to buy these.  But buy many boxes.  They are small and you can eat 2 maybe 3 in a sitting.