After picking up our CSA this afternoon we stopped by Trader Joe’s for some supplies. And learned that you can mix and match TJ’s beers for $1 a piece in a six pack. Not bad! So we collected a sample, which was mostly wheat beers along with 2 pumpkins and an IPA. More on these later 
Here are the other things I got at TJs: the infamous pumpkin butter, pasta, nuts, cheap meat, CRANBERRIES!!!!!!!! (I’ve waited a whole year!), squash, a honey graham Z bar (I have to give them a second try after all the hype) and some other stuff. Included in the selection is European Yogurt. There was NO GREEK YOGURT there. Just a hugeeeeeee shelf full of Fage and this new kind. I was so puzzled and thought maybe they changed the name to European from Greek for some reason, so I bought a container to see. It was not Greek. It’s basically just a thick, tangy non-fat yogurt. Now that we have it, I’ll have to eat it, but I will seriously be heartbroken if something happened to TJ’s greek yogurt.
I almost bought some maple pecan granola until I took a look at the ingredient list and knew I could make it myself. So I did! It is FABULOUS!! The whole house smelled like the best instant oatmeal smell and it tastes buttery and sweet. Here is the recipe: Maple Pecan Granola.
I snacked on about 1/4 cup’s worth as it came out of the oven and packaging it away.
Around 6 we decided to break open our six pack sample. Of course I started with the pumpkin. Which was VERY disappointing. It tasted like someone took a Bud Light and “pumped” (heh heh) some pumpkin syrup in. Bleh.
I drank 1/3 and gave it away to go try another. He enjoyed having both. The IPA (on the left) was actually quite good if you like IPAs.
The Apricot Wheat Beer was better, but still not fabulous. The aroma and first sip was amazingly apricotty, but then there were the undertones of a cheap canned domestic beer. (Yes, I am a beer snob.) But I liked this one enough to eat it all.
We had some company! Unfortunately we found the carcass of his brother in our screen door the other week 🙁
The beers filled me up, but the husband was getting hungry so we made dinner. We had planned to make a polenta-greens recipe I saw in a recently issue of Real Simple but at the last minute I realized we had to use up this tomato sauce so our plans changed. And THEN I remembered we had this Cheddar Herb “Scuffin” (scone + muffin) from Great Harvest to eat, so we left the spaghetti out of the dish and had that instead. OMG. SO GOOD!! (And probably very unhealthy too…) It was like a sweet scone but with a savory twist.
So for the main course we had thawed out a chicken breast from the freezer and just sauteed that with 2 small eggplants, leftover acorn squash and turnip/carrot/squash mix, and leftover jarred tomato sauce. It was all topped with Parrano cheese and herbs from the garden.
I could have just had this for dinner and been so happy:
I’m actually really full tonight. Guess it was all the beer!
I think the husband’s 6 hours of sleep x3 caught up with him because he doesn’t think he can stay up for The Office. It might have to become breakfast entertainment. I have a feeling we’ll have a lazy morning tomorrow with oats and coffee before we get the day started, but then again he might be up at 6am bright eyed and ready to go.
G’night.
Hil says
I don’t think TJ Greek yogurt is going anywhere. At my Trader Joe’s, they always have both kinds. Yours was probably just out of stock.
S says
I’m curious to see how you like the European yogurt. I’ve bought it three times now and I quite like it. Of course, I have yet to try your beloved Greek yogurt, so perhaps my perspective will change once I try it!
magpie says
Ooh I hope TJ’s still makes Greek yogurt…
Scones are my weakness. There was a week at work when I had one every day for breakfast. I got over it though. Dinner looks great 🙂 Too bad about the beer – I’m not a drinker, but it did sound yummy.
Meghann says
All of the beer sounds great too bad, it was disappointing. Ia ctually smapled an IPA for the first time at Whole Food on Saturday. It was ok, I’m still a wehat fan through and through
coco says
I love those leaves in the plate!
keep us updated with the european style yogurt.
Laura says
I read the first part of this post and thought I need to go to Trader Joe’s ASAP for some beer! Then I read what you thought of the beer, and I guess I’m not missing much.
Love the scuffin! They look delicous!
bobbi says
wow I never new Tj’s did that, will have to hit that up too! That bread would be good for me for dinner too:)
Holly says
I <3 TJ’s European Yogurt!!! plus it’s half the price of the greek kind…bonus!
Megan says
Delicious granola! I think your friend’s cousin was in my office today. Unfortunately for him, he was missing his tail!
Beth says
What is this pumpkin butter you speak of? I am intrigued…
VeggieGirl says
Granola + The Office = oh yes 🙂
Danielle says
Hi Kath and all blog readers!
Going along with National Love Your Body Day yesterday, a friend shared this video with me and it’s extremely powerful. I really hope you take the time to look at it and realize how distorted our perception of body image and beauty is today.
https://secure.pursuantgroup.net/pursuant4/deltadeltadelta/fall08/dddselect/flashstory.asp
We are all responsible for ending this “fat talk” business because I know we are all guilty of doing it to ourselves and others. You all are all beautiful, we are all beautiful as women!
Thanks Kath for always promoting such a healthy body image!
thalia says
Hi Kath,
I just wanted to say I love your blog! Also, one note-Fage actually is Greek. It’s made in Greece, and is a very well-known company there. It’s what most legitimate Greek yogurt actually tastes like… if you’d like you can sweeten it with honey or some Splenda to take the tang off though and then it tastes a little more like the kind they make here in the States.
Runjen says
I love your blog!
I don’t think TJ’s greek yogurt is going away but I have noticed that they are out of it A LOT lately. Not sure what is going on. 🙁
Talia says
I recently bought that yougurt because they were out of the greek one I like too, but the sales associates told me that they just sell out very quickly! I am so jelous of all these treats you get to try. I have severe allergies, so I cant just go to a store and get some cake or a cookie- maybe your husband can try to make some awsome breads for celiacs too! I find alot of your meals are easily adaptable though, and love the food combinations you come up with! They are really broadening my horizens on what foods to try with other foods!
zestycook says
Kath, Awesome post as always – I have to say that I would love to have a scone right now – my stomach is growling as I type this…. but its 11:00 pm and I am fighting off eating anything this late. 🙂
Rose says
That’s great about the mixin’ 6 pack – I don’t think our TJs does that though because they don’t sell beer in grocery stores in our part of Maryland 🙁
Glad you got to spend some QT with the hub tonight 🙂 I love nights like those!
Justy2003 says
Yay cranberries! I just got back from food shopping and didn’t see any there 🙁 I was thinking about them the other day though because I remember making your cranberry sauce last year and I loved it mixed in with yogurt! That was one of the first of your recipes I tried. Hard to believe it’s been about a year since I started reading!
Jenny says
Your shoes are really cute in the bottom picture of the beer 🙂 I’ve been wanting to try a pumpkin ale too, I probably will think it’s weird though, I’m a “beer snob” also.
Hope you and the hubs have a relaxing morning full of delicious oats! 😉
hk says
TJ’S UPDATE!
Soooo- being the Greek Yogurt fanatic that I am, I stock up on Fage 0% and TJ’s 0% by the case…I kid you not. I’m known as the girl who orders it in bulk from Whole Foods and TJ’s respectively.
Anyways…I went to TJ’s yesterday to restock only to find the shelves totally empty! No TJ’s 0% to be found, not even in the back (yea I asked). So I went to customer service, and right away he told me that the TJ’s warehouse is backstocked and waiting to be resupplied b/c it’s in such high demnand!!! The manager said they’re really pushing for it to be restocked, ASAP, but it’s a HUGELY popular product…duh! So as of now, it’s a waiting game 🙂
All the best! Happy Thursday night…here’s to hoping we all get out TJ’s 0% soon!!
Crystal says
Not to be controversial, but in the US, all Fage Total yogurt comes from a plant in Johnstown, New York…about 30 miles from my house. I just think its cool cuz I absolutely love the stuff!!
Cara says
You make me miss trader joe’s so much.
I hope they get the greek yogurt back, that stuff was/is great!
BethT says
Yeah, the only bad thing about TJs is they frequently run out of stuff…I am a fanatic for their precook frozen rice and it’s out of stock half the time I go.
Angie says
I was just at TJ’s yesterday and they were also out of their Greek yogurt. I was so bummed. There was some sign about embracing change right in front of it and I thought to myself if they do away with the only Greek yogurt I like, I’ll be so sad. Hopefully they will be restocked when I go back next week. Love Trader Joe’s!
Julz says
That’s the BEST cottage cheese EVER! So refreshing and creamy… Amazing that it’s nonfat, too! 🙂 🙂 🙂
-PS- Yesterday I did my TJ’s run… NO Greek either! Thank Goodness I did my WF shop before though and grabbed 6 fages 🙂 I go through them like water— When they are NOT on sale here, they are $1.79 (WITHOUT my discount) and when on sale, $1.39. And very often my WF has amazing deals… Read, Buy 3 get 1 free??!! Uhh CHA-CHING 🙂
-PS- Chobani’s here are $1.00… But they don’t have plain, nonfat! All the other flavors, tho! Why the F is that, man?!
Marisa says
Update on TJ’s lack of Greek Yogurt: I’m a huge fan and eat it everyday, when I went in late last week they only had fage, and not wanting to shellout the extra dollar and change (which adds up when you buy so much!) I asked the stocker if there were any in back — Here’s what happened, the yogurt was mis-weighted, so even though there was nothing wrong with it the stores weren’t allowed to sell it (but could still give it away – I got 5 and it was fine, just not totally full, missing maybe an ounce) thus there was a back-up as it’s really popular — the one great thing is the local food bank I volunteer at recieved the DC-area yogurt and was able to distribute it! … Hopes they’ve sorted it all out before I stop by after work tommorrow!
Amber says
Oh I hate when trader joes is out of stock of something always ruins my day. I saw greek yogurt at mine the other day so i’m guessing it was just OOS. My Husband was looking over my shoulder and saw the pic of your TJ buys and said that could have been a pic of my buys! LOL
Nicole says
Maple pecan granola sounds so delicious! I can’t wait to make it.
madison (follow my weigh) says
the scuffin looks amazing!!
Lee says
That pumpkin butter is like crack!
My TJs was out of the 0% Greek yogurt as well.
Alyssa says
Mmmm scrufins…
Kath,
I’ve got a hunger-related question. Is it possible for hunger to increase because of school (college) work? I’ve been really busy studying/working for school and have been pretty stressed out, and I’ve felt hungrier the last few weeks or so. Could it be possible that I need an extra piece of fruit or something because of the energy I’m putting into school? Or is it just a stress thing and my body just “wants” food, but doesn’t really need it? Sorry if it is a dumb question, but I thought I’d ask!
Ozlem says
wish our tjs sold wine and beer as well 🙁 they dont because of county laws.. pumpkin ale sounds yummy.
Bridget says
Looks like someone already said this (and I think it’s really funny that there are so many TJ’s Greek yogurt updates), but I too was there this past weekend and they were out, and I was told about the mis-weight issue…like each container didn’t have enough in it so they had to donate it!! I was thinking I’ll take the donation ahahh!! So I also bought the big container of European Yogurt!! I still havent opened it, but I’m hoping its great because that HUGE container was cheaper than the big container of Greek yogurt 🙂
cindy says
What is that creature? He would sure scare me!!
I like the Z Bars, especially the pnb. When I want a taste of peanut butter but cannot trust myself with the spoon, it kills the craving.
Have a great weekend.
Beadie says
We just got a TJ’s and I fell in love with the greek yogurt, I sure hope they aren’t doing away with it!
Granola looks awesome!
Katie says
YAY! I JUST got cranberries on Wednesday, too! I was so excited to see them! I made cranberry orange muffins RIGHT away. 🙂
Kath says
Re. TJ’s Yogurt,
SO glad to know it’s a popular product that isn’t going away!!! Hope they get more in stock soon. Cool that they were able to donate it and share the Greek yogurt love 🙂
I tried a spoonful of the European. I don’t normally like fat-free plain yogurt (it has a gross fatless taste) but after I stirred this one it tasted better. Just SO tangy. I’ll have to see how it is in bowl form.
Megan ,
LOL – I had to think for a minute who “my friend’s cousin” was 🙂
Danielle ,
Thanks for the link. I love how they matched the words and music so creatively. And wonderful message.
Talia ,
I’m sure some gluten-free breads will be in his future as he tries new recipes.
Justy2003 ,
I can’t believe it’s been a year either. So excited about cranberry sauce yogurt!!!
Alyssa ,
I can see how it might be possible that using your brain more would increase your glucose demand…but I’m not sure biochemically if it would make that much of a difference. I think more likely you’re hungry from procrastination (I get that way – I want to eat just so I don’t have to study) but an extra piece of fruit seems like a good test to see how your brain responds 🙂 Certainly studying hungry is harder than studying satisfied.
Kath
Andrea (Off Her Cork) says
Wow a lizard! I never saw a lizard when we lived in NC but we did have lots of wee toadies in our yard for some reason. LOL
I’m picky about beer too, especially pumpkin beer. I love it so much that I don’t want to have to drink crappy pumpkin beer. :p
Cat says
Danielle – fantastic link! You inspired my second blog post today…
Biz says
Oh, I’ll have to try to find a recipe for that scuffin! Probably lots of butter!
My liquor store has a WHOLE WALL of single beers, so its nice to try one and not have to commit to a whole six pack.
Too bad about the pumpkin beer!
I have Sam Adam’s Octoberfest on the list, but I can usually only have one – 18 grams of carbs PER BEER! Still worth the three units of insulin though! 😀
dc_rd says
I LOVED the pumpkin beer from TJ’s! Other good pumpkin ones (and I consider myself a beer snob too)
Smuttynose Punkin Ale
Dogfish Pumpkinhead
I’m psyched that the missing TJ yogurt is just a temporary thing…I was getting scared!
Erin says
I wish they sold beer at the supermarkets in NJ!
Anne P says
Loved the text 🙂 The wine over here in Prague is actually quite good, too! You’d like it 🙂