Matcha Joe-Joe's

It's been a hot minute since I've updated on the blog! I have been shopping loyally at TJ's all the while, but moving around the States and attending college has kept me pretty busy. That being said, I'm all set to graduate in a week, so here's a post to celebrate!

Today's review is on the new Matcha Joe-Joes, which, if you're a matcha enthusiast like me, sound like a dream come true.

Here's the rundown:

1. They feature a vanilla cookie, but these ones are more golden-brown than the Vanilla Bean Joe Joe's crackers are. The cookies are pretty sweet, and in my opinion, less tasty than the normal Joe Joe cookies are.

2. The matcha filling seems to have the right bright green color, and yet both my roommate and I could barely taste the familiar matcha bitterness or taste at all, which made me sad! These look like matcha-filled cookies, but neither smell nor taste much like matcha. 

3. The creme filling is much more thin than normal Joe Joe's filling. As you can see in one of the middle photos, when I broke the cookie in half like I typically do with all my Joe Joe's, the creme immediately squished outwards. It's a very runny texture when compared to that of the typical Joe Joe's.

The Verdict:

As a matcha cookie, this would sadly have to be a pass for me. If you're just looking for a new cookie to try out, these might still hit the spot. If you're looking for a yummy matcha-flavored treat, however, look elsewhere. (Or maybe go instead with the chocolate or vanilla Joe Joe's!) 

As a reminder, these colorful cookies are Parve, and each cookie has about 6 grams of sugar. The box was $2.99 (the typical Joe Joe's price, however normal Joe Joe's flavors come in a much bigger box with more cookies).

Review: Mixed Nuts- Dry Roasted & Salted (50% Less Salt)

This is a quick update (hi I'm back, I've also changed states and thus local Trader Joe's!) and review on the Trader Joe's Mixed Nuts [Dry Roasted & Salted (50% Less Salt)]. I found these at my local TJ's for $6.99 in the nuts and dried fruit section. I didn't check the price on these- just picked them up and was surprised to see that these are seven dollars. They're definitely a little pricey considering that most TJ's trail mixes or nuts are around 5.99 or 4.99, but the quality of the nuts is good. I personally like the flavoring on these- they are less salty but still have a good and substantial flavor to them.

This is a great snack for between classes or anytime you're on the go and they're a healthier option than chips! Full of good fats, as my lovely nutritionist of a mother would say ;) Check them out, let me know what you think!

For a cheaper and slightly sweeter alternative, try their Omega-3 Fortified Trail Mix with cranberries. I just finished a pack and really liked it!

Quick Fix: Bruschetta & Feta on Toast!

Here's a quick recipe (no cooking involved!) for a snack that is both healthy and filling!

What you'll need:
-TJ's Organic Multigrain Bread
-Trader Giotto's Bruschetta
-TJ's Crumbled Feta

How to make it:
1. Toast the bread to whatever crispiness you like
2. Spread the bruschetta over the toast generously
3. Sprinkle the crumbled feta on top of the bruschetta (concentrate it in the middle of the toast)

It's really that easy! Delicious, quick, and great. Try it out! :)
Don't forget to check out and subscribe to my Trader Joe's Review Youtube channel! There are reviews up already on the page! http://www.youtube.com/traderjoesreviews

An Apple for Your Thoughts

It can be overwhelming to walk into a store (namely Trader Joe's) and see so many different fruits and apples to choose from. Maybe you love apples, maybe you don't but want to eat healthier (an apple a day keeps the doctor away!). Either way, there are many apples to choose from, so I thought I'd tell you about my favorite apple in the possibility that it could make your choice a little easier :)

I always go for the organic Fuji apples. I like Fuji apples for the crunch and the sweetness. They're juicy, sometimes you even have to be careful cutting in to them because of how much juice is trapped inside, but they're delicious! I get organic to avoid the pesticides and chemicals that non-organic fruits and veggies have coated and absorbed in themselves. I've tried the Pink Lady and Gala apples at TJ's and still prefer the Fuji over both. The Pink Lady ones were more on the sour side while the Gala felt like a less-delicious version of the Fuji. Either way, eat apples! They're very good for you! I've also heard that biting into an apple, skin and all, whitens your teeth :) win-win. Happy Apple Hunting!

Candy Cane Joe-Joe's (!!!)

I'm excited about these cookies because: 1. I love Christmas and all things holiday related 2. These are delicious 3. They remind me of Thin Mints

What I love about these cookies: They don't taste at all like Oreos, they taste like the Girl Scouts Thin Mints (did you know that I was a Girl Scout for 7 years?!)! They leave a refreshing minty taste in your mouth and have fun packaging too!

What I don't love but don't hate: The small peppermint pieces inside the cookie filling. The pieces are pretty small, but you can feel a slight crunch from them as you eat the cookie. I would prefer a smooth cookie filling, but I know many people like a little extra crunch, so it's fine by me!

Either way, I suggest you try them. They are a seasonal treat, delicious, and very affordable. Happy Holidays!

Review: Roasted Coconut Chips

I write this review while in the midst of eating the product under review. I can’t get enough! These are the Roasted Coconut Chips (aka manna from Trader Joe’s heaven) that you can buy in a cute white and brown pouch for $1.99.

These chips are small, thin, crunchy flakes of goodness. The thicker the flake, the more juice it brings with it. I’ve never been a fan of coconut and I can’t say I even enjoy Trader Joe’s Coconut Milk (unsweetened), but these are amazing. So amazing that every week, I find these sold out at my local TJs. Last week, I was fortunate enough to find two bags left…so naturally I bought both bags because with these, you never know when they’ll be back in stock.

These chips are delicious, decently healthy, and completely worth buying. They’re marketed to be great salad or ice cream toppers, but honestly I enjoy them just by themselves. Try it!

Review: Coffee Latte and Cream Bars

This frozen treat is priced at $3.49 and is delicious. It's a bar (basically a popsicle without the popsicle stick) with one side flavored as coffee and one side as cream. The coffee portion is the larger side of the bar and is made with real coffee and tastes like a delicious frappuccino. It has a creamy, milky texture which is juxtaposed with the crunchy, grainier cream-flavored side.

My one complaint about this product is that the packaging could be improved upon. Because these are bars and not popsicles, you're supposed to eat them by pushing them up through the plastic wrapper, which isn't ideal because your warm hands are holding the bar and it melts quicker than you can eat it. What I did to counter said problem was stick a fork firmly through the bottom of the bar to imitate a popsicle stick.

All in all, these bars are great for a dessert that will also give you that much needed caffeine boost that students and working folk could all use. Try it out and let me know what you think!