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Vitamix: Tropical Smoothie Today

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Are you ready to expand your smoothie -making skills?  Are you ready to start experimenting with new and more exotic flavors? Then get ready today to try a  Vitamix Tropical Smoothie!

Click HERE to Get FREE shipping on your Vitamix

As you know we have been making, sipping and just plain enjoying all the wonderful smoothies that we are making in the Vitamix this summer. Some of our more successful smoothies (and the ones that we have shared here) include:

Each smoothie, even though they are very different flavors, all have one thing in common- they are cool and smooth and “creamy” thanks to the power of the Vitamix.

Trader Joe's Tropical Smoothie

Trader Joe's Tropical Smoothie

Well today we got a bit creative, thanks to an impromptu run to Trader Joe’s.  Our Tucson store is practically overflowing with rip wonderful summer fruits, almost irresistible really!

But when we zipped by the cantaloupes, we knew we were taking one home with us.  Once the fruit was in the cart, another item jumped out as we shopped: Trader Joe’s Light Coconut milk.

It was an A-HA moment for us in the store.

Once we were back, we diced up the fruit and added it to the blender along with Mango cubes, coconut milk, ice and water.  A little shot of Trader Joe’s Agave syrup at the end just balanced the sweet fruit with the more savory coconut milk.

Icy… Cool….Just the perfect afternoon pick- me -up! (next time we will think about the rum before we get back home)

What you need:

  • 1 Cup diced cantaloupe
  • 1/2 Cup Frozen Mango Cubes
  • 1/2 Cup Trader Joe’s coconut Milk
  • 1/2 Cup water
  • 4 Ice Cubes
  • Agave Syrup or Honey if you like

How to:

1. Combine all Tropical Smoothie ingredients in the Vitamix and blend until just smooth (about 30 seconds)

2. Taste and add Agave Syrup or honey if you like.

Finished Smoothies

Finished Smoothies

This Vitamix Tropical Smoothie was just perfect for a HOT Arizona afternoon. But like I said earlier…. We were wishing that perhaps some Rum was around to…you know…. test it out….. for the blog readers only…. (yeah, right!)

Have you checked out the Vita-Mix yet?  This super blender might be just what you need.

Click HERE to Get FREE shipping on your Vitamix

Meatless Monday: Macaroni & Cheese

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We spotted this bright orange box of Trader Joe’s Macaroni & Cheese on the end of an aisle when we were last shopping at Trader Joe’s. We both said something like YUM! “We should get that” in a sorta joking way… but then said why not? It is fast, easy to make, and we hoped (having not tried it before, but trusting in Trader Joe’s) fantastic!

Trader Joe's Macaroni & Cheese

Trader Joe's Macaroni & Cheese

So this week, we are taking a trip back to childhood (or at least early adulthood when we would make Mac & Cheese for a quick dinner) by serving Trader Joe’s Macaroni & Cheese for our Meatless Monday Meal.

How did it go? It was really just delish! I can’t tell you the last time that we ate Macaroni & Cheese. The pasta was firm and the cheese sauce was tasty without being overly salty or somehow “oily” (my big issue with blue box mac & cheese).

We served it up plain with some veggies on the side (sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and some baby carrots.  But as I am sure you know, there are countless ways to jazz up Mac & Cheese, right? Some of our favorites are (meatless and no- so meatless ) : A can of tuna & frozen peas, chopped up bacon, green chilies, green onions, cooked broccoli,  olives, leftover cooked chicken , leftover cooked ham…  just to name a few. I am sure you have your favorite additions  too.

So a great, quick meal for a Meatless Monday Menu  (that might make you think back to the days when you ate Macaroni & Cheese a little more often) try serving Trader Joe’s Macaroni & Cheese.

Meatless Monday: Mac & Cheese

Meatless Monday: Mac & Cheese

Having said that, I was thinking (hey just like in those older days) this product, Trader Joe’s Macaroni & Cheese was so tasty that it would be worth it to have on hand for those quick meals when your original plan fell through for some reason….  Or any busy night when you’re short on time and energy. So pick up a box today to have on hand for the zillion reasons to make it, and the many ways to serve it up.

Trader Joe’s Marinated Grilled Eggplant & Zucchini

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After the sweet and easy success of our Meatless Monday Meal of Mock Eggplant Parmesan, we went back to Trader Joe’s and picked up another package! (I almost hesitate to admit this to you!)  We thought that the mock Eggplant Parmesan was just delicious and we made, yes, another one today for lunch. OK just to be super clear, the product that I am raving about is Trader Joe’s Misto alla Grigoia Marinated Grilled Eggplant & Zucchini.

Trader Joe's Grilled Veg

Trader Joe's Grilled Veg

The pieces of grilled vegetables are tender, but not overcooked and mushy. They also have a slight smoky/grilled flavor that we really enjoyed.

But while I was creating this yummy meal, I started to read the package and think about other ways that these wonderful grilled vegetables could be used….

1. First I was thinking of slicing up the veggies and tossing them with hot pasta and sauce.  I could even do this with the cold leftovers of the mock Eggplant Parmesan.

2. Then I was like Mock, Noodle-Free Lasagna could also be made with these grilled veggies. Next time I will pick up a container of ricotta cheese (or use crumbled soft tofu) and add spoonfuls as I layer the pasta sauce and grilled veggies.

3. I also thought these veggies would be good with some grilled meats (I was thinking of fish or chicken here, but lamb would also be great). A sorta “cheaters” way to serve grilled vegetables.

4. Finally what about slicing them up into thin strips and adding them to a cold pasta salad? I was thinking of that one I made earlier in the month with the Olive Tapanade? I bet the marinade and the “grilled” flavor would really add to a pasta salad.

However you serve them, they truly would make a wonderful addition to your meal.

Have you tried this product? What did you think?

Trader Joe’s Wine: Mionetto Prosecco D.o.c Treviso- Brut

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Hello Everyone;

It is time for another wine moment with Delaina.

I had a need for celebration gift this week,  and as the beautiful blue bottled Villa Carlotti Prosecco was not in stock at Trader Joes (or anywhere else that I called) I had to try another Prosecco.  I needed a Prosecco that would impress and show my gratitude,  so I spent a little more than I do normally. The Prosecco I chose was Mionetto Prosecco D.o.c. Treviso – Brut. Click to check out the Mionetto Website.

Mionetto Prosecco D.o.c. Treviso- Brut

Mionetto Prosecco D.o.c. Treviso- Brut

This sparkling Italian wine cost $9.99 at Trader Joe’s and offers a sophisticated apple essence. The tag that comes on the bottle implies a hint of “golden apple.” The Mionetto is dry in comparison to the Villa Carlotti; yet offers a soft-smooth finish that has the taste buds longing for more.

As I have said, I prefer Proseccos to other highly charged and overly sweet sparkling wines. I would say that this Mionetto Prosecco would be in competition with the much higher price Champagnes. Mionetto’s light, dry, and sophisticated flavors and balance would pair nicely with cheese and of course Italian dishes, like Kris’s Meatless Monday Meal Go Italian. I would recommend the Mionetto Prosecco for a nice gift or for your own celebratory events.

Cheers!