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You are here: Home / Charlottesville / The Air Smells Sweeter

October 12, 2010

The Air Smells Sweeter

I’m not kidding – the air up here in Charlottesville has a sweet smell.

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A breath of fresh air! I noticed it when we first moved here and stepped out of the car, and I noticed it again today. And y’all know I have a supernose!

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This morning Matt and I wrapped up our visit to Charlotte with a final yoga class and Caitlin.

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The class was 90 minutes of hotness. I missed Tanner, who is somewhere tropical right now, but I still enjoyed the good flow.

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After quick showers, we went by Great Harvest to stock up.

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Lots O bread and a muffin for me!

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Even though we know most of the flavors, we always have to "try" something 🙂

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I had a nice hunk of Cran Orange Scuffin!

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Check out these cute pumpkin loaves and a witch’s finger! They are special order for Halloween.

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We also picked up sandwiches for the road

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We also ran by Trader Joe’s – a guess that needs to go on the "things I miss" list. Hopefully Charlottesville is getting on in the next few years!

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I got the VERY LAST pumpkin butter!! I know you can make it from scratch, but I’ve tried it and none are as good as TJ’s

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I’ve gotten countless emails from people over the years on what to stock up on from TJs. Well, here’s what we snagged. I’m sure there are other good staples, but these are ones I don’t feel I can get in Charlottesville for the same bargain or taste

  • Olive oil
  • Smoked herring
  • Wild salmon (boneless, skinless)
  • Salty peanuts! (These are the best)
  • Capers
  • Pumpkin butter (none like it)
  • Cinnamon Almonds (love these!)
  • Peanut Flour ( <– the new blog world craze. Must try it)
  • PB
  • Coconut milk (tastes better from TJs!)
  • Soaps
  • Wines (I have always liked the Velvet Moon for $5.99!)

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We left Charlotte at 1PM and broke right into lunch.

I got "The Masters" = pimento cheese, hot pepper jelly, spiced pecans, tomato, lettuce, cuc on Dakota

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My fav!!

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Comes with a pickle for an appetizer

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Plus a huge apple I picked up from TJs

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That bread made our car smell HEAVENLY! It was not sliced or I would have had an end piece. Otherwise I’d ruin the loaves!

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Instead, we broke into the almonds

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The bag says "an irresistible snack." I concur!

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We also picked up some chocolate covered cacao nibs (Matt requested "something chocolate for dessert") and they were delish. Just a tiny sprig of chocolateyness

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4 hours later (a shorter drive than usual because we left from north Charlotte!) we were home

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A huge thank you to Karen for treating us to dinner to catch up and save us from having to cook!

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We went to Zinc, a restaurant that’s been on my list for a while now.

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It’s got the perfect bistro ambiance

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We dined out on the patio

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I had a salad to start

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And the Butternut + Walnut Soup to finish. It was THICK like a smoothie!! So good.

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Also had 2 bread nuggets …

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And a few bites of Matt’s beer-battered fish n chips. The best beer batter I’ve tasted!

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We have some more unpacking and cleaning to do. I’m so glad to be home sweet home!

Filed Under: Charlottesville

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Comments

  1. Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says

    October 12, 2010 at 7:34 pm

    I wish we could get wine at TJs. No can do here! I love their pumpkin butter too.

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      October 13, 2010 at 7:24 am

      That is a travesty!!

      Reply
  2. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says

    October 12, 2010 at 7:35 pm

    Yum! That restaurant looks like the perfect welcome home meal! Glad you’re enjoying your sweet air 🙂

    Reply
  3. Dorry says

    October 12, 2010 at 7:36 pm

    I love your road-trip snacks and I totally jealous of that sandwich. They need a GH in Dallas. Really, they need one everywhere. 🙂 Trader Joe’s needs to come to Dallas, too. We’re missing out for sure!

    Reply
  4. Estela @ Weekly Bite says

    October 12, 2010 at 7:37 pm

    I love the wine at our TJ’s, the prices are great!

    Your soup looks so rich and delicious!! Hmmm, now I’m craving thick soup 🙂

    Reply
  5. Alyssa says

    October 12, 2010 at 7:38 pm

    Looks like sweet potato fries too?? My fave!!

    Reply
  6. Lily's Health Pad says

    October 12, 2010 at 7:42 pm

    Your last day in Charlotte pretty much covers everything Diana and I did when we came for a brief visit! Trader Joe’s and Great Harvest, all the way.

    I had no idea Great Harvest sells sammies?

    Reply
  7. Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says

    October 12, 2010 at 7:42 pm

    I’ve yet to try the TJ’s pumpkin butter- the TJ’s in NYC are always NUTS!! Glad you had such a good trip!

    Reply
  8. Tabitha (From Single to Married) says

    October 12, 2010 at 7:43 pm

    I fell in love with Great Harvest when I lived in Utah – they have these amazing Mazurkas (spelling?) that I haven’t been able to find at the Great Harvests in the East. 🙁

    Reply
  9. christina cadden says

    October 12, 2010 at 7:47 pm

    All that food looks so good!

    Reply
  10. diana says

    October 12, 2010 at 7:48 pm

    i’ve gotta try the great harvest. i don’t think we have it in nyc ); those breads look so good!

    Reply
  11. Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat says

    October 12, 2010 at 7:52 pm

    I love Trader Joes, and your post reminded me that I should make a trip soon! I love stocking up on all sorts of things at TJ: pizza sauce, fruit butters, soups, almonds, and of course, their wine!

    Reply
  12. MLT says

    October 12, 2010 at 7:53 pm

    Their pizza dough is cheap and good and the wasabi mayo is amazing.

    Reply
  13. Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says

    October 12, 2010 at 7:59 pm

    I like McCutcheon’s pumpkin butter better than TJ’s (despite the fact that I worship that place!). It is more pumpkiny and TJ’s is my syrupy. I’m sure you’ve had it since you visit MD often.

    Reply
  14. Mary @ Bites and Bliss says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:00 pm

    Glad you had a safe trip back 🙂 I don’t think I could have been so strong not to break into some bread on the drive home!

    Reply
  15. chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:00 pm

    Those are some great things you stocked up on at TJ’s! I love those nibs – they are the best!

    Reply
  16. Jean@RoastedRootsandPumpkinSpice says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:03 pm

    Oh my, that butternut and walnut soup sounds like an amazing combo! I think I’m going to try to create my own soup with those two. 🙂

    Reply
  17. holly @ couchpotatoathlete says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:03 pm

    Oh man, cinnamon almonds are the best!

    I’m glad you got home safe and sound!

    Reply
  18. Heather (Heather's Dish) says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:06 pm

    butternut and walnut soup sounds like heaven in a bowl to me! YUM!

    Reply
  19. Stephanie says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:08 pm

    Let me know if you want any pumpkin butter or other TJ’s goodies before next Wednesday’s dinner – I live seriously 2 minutes from the TJ’s in the west end of Richmond! I’m most likely going this weekend so I’d be happy to pick it up for ya 🙂

    Don’t you just love Virginia?!

    Reply
  20. claire says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:12 pm

    I also just picked up that pumpkin butter…so good on an english muffin with raw almond butter! Love that restaurants atmosphere and cork menu, so cute!

    Reply
  21. Lori says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:14 pm

    Now that your in Virginia ya got to try Virginia Diner Peanuts – they are the freshest tasting. Would love to have TJ here in Roanoke, or anywhere within an hours distance. When my daughter lived in Tucson the first place I went when I got in was to TJ to pick up things for the week. I did find an even better place out there called Sunflowers. They had the most amazing produce.

    Reply
  22. Megan says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:18 pm

    I was at trader joe’s the other day and saw a whole end-aisle of pumpkin butter.. I am OBSESSED with anything pumpkin (coffee, beer, muffins, etc).. but what do you put pumpkin butter on??

    I will definitely go back and pick some up.. just clueless.. crackers? bread?

    Reply
    • Kath says

      October 12, 2010 at 8:26 pm

      Oatmeal! Yogurt. Toast. Anything!

      Reply
  23. Kristi says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:22 pm

    I’m not sure why…but I LOVE the name Zinc for a restaurant!

    In fact, I just recently learned from a traveling friend that zinc deficiency is a serious dilemma in the ‘developing world.’ He was volunteering at a small clinic in the mountains of Nepal and was shocked at the number of issues related to this deficiency. Of course, my love for the restaurant name and this problem are unrelated…but it’s certainly ‘food for thought!’

    Reply
  24. Manon says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:22 pm

    TJs is finally opening here in Des Moines next month and I CAN’T WAIT!!!!

    Reply
  25. Amanda (Eating Up) says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:27 pm

    I’m going to Trader Joe’s tomorrow. It really is my favorite store. It’s about a half hour out of the way for me, but I think it’s worth it to go two-three times a month!

    Reply
  26. Lauren at KeepItSweet says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:27 pm

    now i’m wishing i got pumpkin butter at trader joes the other day! next time:-)

    Reply
  27. Kaitlyn (College Girl Runs) says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:33 pm

    Cinnamon almonds are my fav!! I’m glad you had a good trip!

    Reply
  28. Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:36 pm

    i love TJ stock up trips! i live an hr from it so i go whenever i’m in town. 🙂

    Reply
  29. Krystina says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    That soup looks amazing! and those pumpkin loaves are totally adorable.

    Reply
  30. Paige @Running Around Normal says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:45 pm

    Another musthave from TJ’s – their raw, unsalted almond butter. Un-be-leiv-able!!

    Reply
  31. stacey-healthylife says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:53 pm

    I love soup and salad combo’s, especially with a little side of bread. 🙂

    Reply
  32. Lindsay says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:55 pm

    I wish our TJ’s had cheap wine!
    Durrrnit, Maryland alcohol laws =(

    Reply
  33. Lindsay says

    October 12, 2010 at 8:55 pm

    I wish our TJ’s had cheap wine!
    Durrrnit, Maryland alcohol laws!

    Reply
  34. Hannah says

    October 12, 2010 at 9:05 pm

    Any posts with Trader Joe’s make me want to cry. What I wouldn’t give for their turbinado sugar chocolate almonds, dried mangosteen, pumpkin butter… I hate Australia sometimes! 😛

    Reply
  35. Helen says

    October 12, 2010 at 9:06 pm

    I so wish we had a TJ’s….closest one is 8 hours away 🙁 Glad your trip was great!!

    Reply
  36. Kris says

    October 12, 2010 at 9:08 pm

    I stocked up at the TJs in Charlotte before we headed back to FL; wanted to stop in Great Harvest, but DH was in a hurry. I can’t believe TJs won’t come to FL 🙁

    Reply
  37. Jamie @ Food in Real Life says

    October 12, 2010 at 9:14 pm

    Your “in transit” eats look wonderful! Those cinnamon almonds especially. I’m totally going to hop on the peanut flour bandwagon any day now. I’m looking forward to seeing what you make with it!

    Reply
  38. Cati @ crave and create says

    October 12, 2010 at 9:27 pm

    Haha, the pumpkin loaves are seriously cute, but the witch’s finger is GROSS! Thinking about serving that for Thanksgiving dinner is cracking me up!

    Reply
  39. lynn (The Actors Diet) says

    October 12, 2010 at 9:29 pm

    those special halloween breads are so cute! i wonder if they have that sandwich at the great harvest in pasadena?! it sounds good…

    Reply
  40. Stacy R. says

    October 12, 2010 at 9:35 pm

    I love Virginia, my brother lived there years ago and it is such a beautiful place to live in the Fall! The Great Harvest bread looks so yummy, I’m going to need to make a special trip to the one near Sacramento next time I’m in Town.

    Reply
  41. Lisa @bakebikeblog says

    October 12, 2010 at 9:38 pm

    oooh I love that you get a pickle as a side to the sammie =- brilliant!

    Reply
  42. Jaime says

    October 12, 2010 at 9:39 pm

    So jealous you get to go to Trader Joes. I think Texas has just about everything except that. Whole Foods is coming to town, but from what I have read, it seems exspensive. We shall see…

    Reply
  43. Food & Other Things says

    October 12, 2010 at 9:57 pm

    Thanks for the list of Trader Joe’s buys, I hope to visit one soon! I’m desperate to try the pumpkin butter!

    Reply
  44. Lindsay says

    October 12, 2010 at 9:59 pm

    Thanks for sharing your TJ list. Need to add some of those to my normal list! I love TJ’s quick cook steel cut oats, plain greek yogurt and their sandwich thins – the only ones I can find without a sweetener in the ingredient list!

    Reply
  45. Jessica @ The Process of Healing says

    October 12, 2010 at 10:37 pm

    That sandwich from great harvest sounds SERIOUSLY amazing!!!!

    Reply
  46. J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says

    October 12, 2010 at 10:55 pm

    I love stocking up at Trader Joe’s! Our cloest one is 75 miles away, so we make it worth the visit. We even taken coolers and ice packs for our frozen stuff. I love their cinnamon almonds, but the honey roasted mixed nuts are even more addictive, IMO.

    Your dinner looks perfect! Love little bistros like that. 🙂

    Reply
  47. Camille says

    October 12, 2010 at 10:58 pm

    GH always makes me salivate 🙂

    Reply
  48. Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says

    October 12, 2010 at 11:50 pm

    That PB is such a score. $1.79 is perf for my college budget…though, wish it was organic of course. I have that olive oil in my cupboard now, too – great on salads 🙂

    Reply
  49. Kim says

    October 13, 2010 at 12:43 am

    Is the peanut flour like PB2? Defatted peanut butter?

    Reply
  50. Cara Craves... says

    October 13, 2010 at 5:06 am

    I have never experienced TJ’s before…they don’t exist in Canada (to my knowledge),
    but I am sure I would be like a little kid in a candy store.

    Reply
  51. Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says

    October 13, 2010 at 6:15 am

    Really you can’t go wrong with Trader Joe’s! I saw peanut flour in your cart! You will love it! I have been going crazy over it and I swear I am feeling stronger due to the increase in protein from eating so much of it! I have made an oatmeal peanut butter cookie waffle, oatmeal peanut butter pancakes, peanut butter muffins and tons of peanut butter “fudge” with it. I have gone through 2 of those bags in 3 weeks! I think I need an intervention! Have fun creating with all your goodies!

    Reply
    • Christine says

      October 13, 2010 at 8:02 am

      Yeah, that peanut flour really is great! I am putting a tablespoon or so in everything I can think of!

      The only advice I have about it, is that it is a little clumpy. I run mine through a mini mesh strainer with the back of a spoon before using it.

      Reply
  52. whitney says

    October 13, 2010 at 6:16 am

    I need to eat pimento cheese more often. I love trader joes though. Good wine choices. I have tried all.

    Trader Joes is one of a kind 🙂

    Reply
  53. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says

    October 13, 2010 at 6:43 am

    I hope we eventually get TJs here in Canada. I want one just for the pumpkin butter! 😛

    Reply
  54. Andrea (@ Puppy Dog Tales) says

    October 13, 2010 at 7:33 am

    THose cinnamon nuts look awesome. I would have zero portion control with those babies!

    Reply
  55. Kasey says

    October 13, 2010 at 7:36 am

    I wish we had a TJs here! I’m dying to try that pumpkin butter.

    Reply
  56. Samantha @ Bikini Birthday says

    October 13, 2010 at 8:05 am

    I love that you can sample bread at great harvest. It always makes me more likely to buy some.

    Reply
  57. kate says

    October 13, 2010 at 8:20 am

    TJs has the best coconut milk! I love Trader Joes 🙂

    Reply
  58. Dana says

    October 13, 2010 at 8:31 am

    In case you don’t know already, there is a Trader Joe’s in Short Pump (far West End of Richmond). It’s probably about 45-50 minutes from you. There is also a Whole Foods and Tom Leonard’s in the same area.

    Reply
    • Kath says

      October 13, 2010 at 8:42 am

      I’ll be down when I get some TJs withdrawal this winter 🙂

      Reply
  59. Heather says

    October 13, 2010 at 8:42 am

    Do you have any suggestions on how to use the peanut flour?

    Thanks! Heather

    Reply
  60. Jessie says

    October 13, 2010 at 8:53 am

    Diddo on the Velvet Moon! So good! I also think TJ’s coffee is good….the Ethiopian Fair Trade one. You would like I think! Try it next time….

    Reply
  61. Megan (Braise The Roof) says

    October 13, 2010 at 11:41 am

    Some of TJ’s frozen foods are definitely staples for me- their vegetable “bird’s nests” are amazing. Made of carrots, onions and scallions, you just pop them in the oven for 20 minutes and they’re a perfect, minimal effort appetizer. I like having some TJ’s frozen food in my freezer for no-cook days!

    Reply
  62. Rachel says

    October 13, 2010 at 11:51 am

    I try to stock up at TJ’s whenever I see one. I love the Cacao Nibs and the Green tea mints! the pumpkin butter has always been a bit too sweet for me though.

    Reply
  63. Jil says

    October 13, 2010 at 12:01 pm

    I was looking at those almonds last time I was there…looks like I should have gotten ’em. haha

    Reply
  64. lauri (RedHeadRecipes.com) says

    October 13, 2010 at 4:18 pm

    I SO miss Trader Joe’s!!! I could swing an hour and a half drive, but not 3 hours 🙁
    Their pumpkin butter is good, but I almost think I like the BareFoot Contessa Brand from Crate&Barrel better!! http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kitchen-and-food/desserts-sweets/barefoot-contessa-harvest-pumpkin-butter/s402799

    Reply
  65. Nikka B says

    October 13, 2010 at 6:40 pm

    Those fish & chips look deliciously yummmmmmy!

    Reply
  66. Laurab @ foodsnobstl says

    October 13, 2010 at 8:08 pm

    The wasabi wow trail mix from TJs is the best. I have tried to recreate on my own, but it is not the same.

    Reply

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