The Trader Joe's Adventure and My Top Trader Joe Picks

So my pal Al and I were getting sick of the hum drum of the past couple weeks.

 We wanted to do something spontaneous, something exciting. So we.....

ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?

We hopped in his Honda Ridgeline on a beautiful afternoon and drove to Rochester to attempt his first (my second) Trader Joe's MAGICAL EXPERIENCE.

Needless to say we squealed like little girls upon our arrival and filled our carts to the brim. We then joked how we were just a bunch of old ninnies, and then almost wet ourselves at the deep freezers filled with pop in your mouth treats and bins and bins of chocolate chip cookies.

Now you may be thinking, TJ's opened in Amherst? How the %#€# did I miss this? No, no my friend, I needed to get my fix and show my friend the TJ's ropes before we brave the dangerous NFB location, which will be chock full of anxious Amherst soccer moms, UB students and the "vegan just for today" people.

It opens October 11, and guaranteed no matter how busy it may be there I will be steadfast and true waiting in that line with my soy cream cheese, tangerine juice and chocolate covered EVERYTHING.

Here was my cart:

At the register I almost wept at the deal I was getting, but then got teary eyed thinking about my bank account. I told the cashier that my friend here was a TJ's virgin. That didn't go over well. Nevertheless I was excited to get home and gorge myself!

When I arrived home poor Adam was oblivious to my situation and when I explained to him where I was this afternoon he said, " You drove all the way to Rochester to get groceries?" ( in between bites of his dinner.) " it's good" ( referring to the food).

Me: " Adam, these are leftovers from last night."

Oops. I made up for it by giving him TJ's Shiitake Sushi in his lunch for work today.

 So here are my top Trader Joe's picks!!

1. The ready-made Super Spinach Salad

It's the perfect size and everything is there carrot miso dressing included. And under 400 calories (but who's counting, really?)

                            2. Chocolate Covered Cherry Soy Ice Cream.

I can honestly say if I gave this to a blind man he would never know this was vegan. Tasty as hell. Poor blind man. P.s. Thanks Annie Kreutinger for making me the really cute cookie oven mitts. I actually put this ice cream in-between two of my famous vegan chocolate chip cookies and scarfed it down before bed.

                                                     3. 100% Cherry Juice

Now y'all know how I love Wegmans. But there cherry juice is $9.

This was 3.99.

    4. Macadamias Gingerly mix with Cranberries and Almonds

This almost didn't make it home. Perfect crunch and sweet and ginger.                                       

                         5.Harvest Blend Herbal Tea

An extremely flavorful tea packed with cold fighting spices too. And you feel better drinking it in a Grinch mug.

And along with the Tofu, the fake chicken, crackers, bagels, breads, juices, soups, my stomach was just dancing with all the many other vegan options.

 

NOW ARE YOU EXCITED FOR TRADER JOES TO OPEN OCTOBER 11?

Not as excited as me.

Aldi's Vegan List

 ALDI'S- Can you vegan it?

I find that a lot of people think that Aldi's is a store for people who are looking for expired goods for cheap, or that they don't have enough money to shop at a "fancier" store like Wegmans or Tops. However, when you step into an Aldi's there is a certain charm about it. As if you are going on a treasure hunt for fun food and an amazing price.

There is no bull-#$%^. You won't accidentally get to the register with a bunch of stuff you don't need.  As a vegan (and a loose vegan at that) I have composed a list of vegan goods.

Friendly Farms Almond Milk- Vanilla or Plain
Fit and Active Organic Soymilk- Vanilla or Plain
Lemon Juice
Fresh Salsa
Hummus (garlic, roasted red pepper, plain)
Hummus Quartet
Guacamole
Sometimes they have Boathouse Farm smoothies!
Deutsche Kuche German Bread ( Rye, Pumpernickel, Sunflower Seed)
whole wheat pasta
whole wheat gnocchi
rice (fit and active brown rice)
bags of beans
fat free refried beans ( full fat has lard)
Boca Vegan burgers
Simply Nature Organic Apple Juice
Simply Nature Organic Pasta Sauce
Deutsche Kuche Muesli Cereal
real vanilla extract
baking soda
baking powder
basic spices
pecan halves
walnuts
pistachios
almonds
dry-roasted almonds
sweet potato chips
blue corn chips
baked potato chips Clancy’s brand
simply nature tomato basil GF chips
Sea Salt Pita Chips
raisins
cranberries
apricots
Fit & Active light balsamic vinaigrette
real maple syrup
granola
oatmeal
canned pumpkin
jarred artichokes
canned diced, crushed tomatoes
canned beans
veggie broth
Fruit Pops ( I believe Grandessa)
Frozen Dark Chocolate covered Bananas
Edamame
Diced Potatoes and Peppers (Frozen)
Frozen fruit for smoothies
Frozen green beans
Organic Fair Trade Coffee and Tea ( they even have K CUPS)

Best produce: BUY IN SEASON  and inspect carefully
But my top picks are pineapple, avocado, mangoes, lemons, limes, bananas

Unfortunately the bread (besides the German bread) is all made with milk

So bring your quarter for a cart and your own shopping bags and you’re set. And don’t forget to buy fresh cut flowers for $3.99 to brighten up your week! You may find some real treasures for cheap.

(PS please double check all labels before purchasing. Sometimes they change the items and there are some items that were made around milk or eggs. It’s just a good idea to double check.)

 Enjoying a nice vegan meal to the left

the wizardry of droz

When I was in 4th grade I had an Art teacher named Mr. Asklar. He was awe- inspiring. To me he was an 8- foot- tall, handsome, celebrity, who had a way of engaging his students like no other teacher. Little did I know 10 years later he would become Adam's mentor and he would become Mr. Asklar's student teacher. The reason I am bringing this up is because Mr. Asklar always had nicknames for his students to make them feel special . I was The Wizardrey of Droz  (later to become, "the angel of country parkway" because of the dramatic and exquisite lunches I would pack Adam during his student teaching). I never forgot that nickname and somehow it continued to stick with me. The title of my nickname made me feel empowered and I felt as large as my 8-foot-tall teacher. It made me feel like possibilities in my life were endless , and I still feel that way today.

That my good folks is why I'm beginning this blog, because even though my brain is filled to the brim with line memorization, puppets, bills and 3 very rewarding jobs, I need this outlet to present the multitude of information that I am learning. Whether it is through my newly vegan lifestyle, or in the depths of my theatrical life and style I would like you the viewer to take on this journey me. And I hope you'll chuckle along the yellow brick road. which is why my first recipe I'm showing you is for a delicious fun and fruity-fruit-tart! COMPLETELY VEGAN!

                               with "carl" ,one of the munchkins in the wizard of oz summer 2007
- droz xoxo

spotlight on vegan fruit tart:

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

2 Cups of vegan Graham Cookies ( I used Arrowroot Alphabet Cookies)

1/4 Cup of Walnuts

2 Tablespoons of Lemon juice

1/4 cup of Earth Balance (melted)

For the Filling: 

2 Containers of SO Delicious Plain "Yogurt"

Juice and Peel of 1 Lemon

1 Cup of Confectioners Sugar

1 tsp of Vanilla

1/4 Cup of Canned Coconut milk ( Do not shake!! Use the thickest part on the top)

For the Topping: Assorted Fruit sliced and cut ( I used Strawberries, Cherries, Peaches and Mixed Berries)

Assemblage: 

1) With Food Processor or Blender blend cookies, walnuts and lemon juice, slowly add Earth Balence. 

2) With a spatula scoop cookie mix into a pie plate and press down evenly to mold down crust

3) In a medium bowl whisk together yogurt, lemon juice and peel, sugar, vanilla and coconut milk. Chill in fridge until thicker consistency ( about an hour) feel free to add more sugar to taste.

4) Pour filling into cookie crust and top with cut up fruit. I made an cute design with the fruit but here is where you can get creative!

5) Chill for at least 30 minutes and enjoy! Can be made up to two days in advance, although I would not put the fruit on until last minute.