I was too lazy to cook, but Kashi frozen dinners are pretty damned good. Expensive as hell (for a frozen dinner), but damned good.
I dunno who I am fooling, though. I just eat dinner as an excuse to get to my Hola Fruta dessert. I love that stuff.
Reader Interactions
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Dreggas
John…you granola eating hippy, 7 whole grains? C’mon!
Jen
Oh, yeah, the lime cilantro shrimp ones are good.
Damn, do I have an opinion about everything, or what?
Except football.
That would be a good way to virtually ban me, if you ever wanted to. Lots and lots of football posts.
myiq2xu
Hmmmm. I vote that we have a fundraiser to by John a life.
Jen
constructively ban me, should have said.
What kinda crap lawyer am I, anyway?
myiq2xu
Oops!
Make that “Buy”
Damn Lite beer. I’m switching back to the real stuff.
myiq2xu
Isn’t that redundant?
I should know, I are one too.
John Cole
I like the organic section of my local store. The fruits and juices and jams just taste better than the other shit, and I like boca burgers and qorn products. Easy to cook at the office in a microwave, not too bad for you, and tasty.
shrug.
Plus, I need to lose weight. Don’t we all, though?
myiq2xu
And nobody will steal them out of the office refrigerator either.
Jen
Back before you saw the light, did you buy organic cheetos?
I couldn’t help it, sorry.
I like organic stuff, too. Have you got Trader Joe’s there? They’re going to open one here in 2009. I’m practically x-ing the days off my calendar.
Jen
I’m crap administrative law.
And you, myiq?
myiq2xu
Criminal Attorney
(which is also redundant)
John Cole
I am not sure I have ever been to a Trader Joe’s. Although I may have been to one in downtown Chicago when I was there for a conference.
Jake
Question:
Have you ever walked into a grocery store and thought “How the hell did I wind up in a Jimmy Buffet video?”
If No, you haven’t.
If Yes, you have.
There’s always an interesting selection of food and it is cheap when compared to Whole [lotta money for] Foods
Jen
Trader Joe’s are weird and quirky and fun, and they have a lot of organic products under their own label that don’t cost as much. They have pizza dough in a little bag for $.99. How genius is that? So much yummier than Boboli. They have lots of killer frozen foods, too, great for lunch. They have frozen nan. Someday I’m going to get that and make an Indian dinner.
They are known for their three dollar wine but frankly it usually tastes like three dollar wine to me. They are like a small Whole Foods or Earth Fare without, as a friend says, all the “yoga and grief.” (I don’t know exactly what that is, but it works somehow.) This message was not a paid endorsement by Trader Joe’s.
myiq2xu
I drank a bottle of that $3 rotgut TJ wine one time and I have never been so sick! The only time in my life I was too hungover to go to work.
Tim (the other one)
Trader Joes is the shit ! Take from a Liberal Fascist Californian.
Dreggas
I am just giving you hell. I am trying to get away from the processed food myself, which means no more tv dinners (I am tired of them anyway).
As for Trader Joe’s, their lack of beef disturbs me but I have seen more there recently. It is also my supplier for mochi, and if you have not experienced the goodness that is mochi you are missing out.
Oh and if you are a wine connoiseur (sp?) it’s the place to go. TJ’s is another reason I like So Cal.
Tim (the other one)
I hasz left word out.
Dennis - SGMM
John, it’s understandable that you’ve never been to a Trader Joe’s, the ones likely to be nearest to you are in Ohio. Jake is right; they do have that Jimmy Buffet vibe but the food is great and reasonably priced.
Three dollar wine? C’mon people, if you’re going to buy three dollar wine and then drink the whole bottle why don’t you just buy Mad Dog like the lushes you are?
True commensewers like me buy $11.99/bottle wine. “Would monsieur care to sniff the cap?”
Dreggas
And get ripped off. What did Barnum say? Oh yeah one born every minute.
Krista
I wish we had better organic selection here. It’s improving, anyway. And at least in the summer I’ve got no problems eating healthy, as the in-laws have a ginormous veggie garden and are always bringing over big bags of excess produce.
But those Kashi dinners sound soooo much better than the Lean Cuisines I normally have for lunch. I’m going to keep my fingers crossed that they’ll start showing up. And Qorn? Haven’t seen hide nor hair of it. I’m wondering if any of my fellow Canucks who are from cities have seen it floating around Loblaw’s anywhere.
Dennis - SGMM
For 1.5 liters? Take it back.
A couple of months ago, on a whim, I bought a bottle of Mad Dog and guzzled it like I was still in my twenties. Talk about a hangover!
Jake
My only problem with TJs (and this is my problem): I go in there to buy … Clif Bars because they’re cheapest at TJs. Then I start to wander around and look at stuff. “Gee, this looks interesting. Wow, I’ve been wanting to try that…”
Half hour later what should have been a $10 shopping trip has an extra zero on the end. The only thing uglier is a pre-breakfast trip to Costco.
Dulcie
Amy’s Organic makes really tasty frozen dinners. My favorite is the Mexican Casserole.
Bubblegum Tate
I last had Mad Dog night about three years ago, when my old roommate moved out. I took a bottle of Orange Jubilee straight to the head. It was awful–even worse than when I was in college (when it was still awful, yet somehow manageable).
John Cole
There is no reason to pay more than 10-15 bucks for a bottle of wine anymore. There just isn’t. There are enough South African, New Zealand, and Australian wines out there in the market for 12-15 bucks that only people who like spending lots of money pay more than 15 bucks these days. IMHO.
I like the pot pies, but her mexican dishes always seem dry to me. I always ending up putting a little homemade salsa on them.
FYI- the best of the Kashi dishes is the Lemongrass Coconut Chicken. It is spectacular.
Doug
I remember when I used to be able to just eat TV dinners for dinner. Ahh, pre-children. Now my wife thinks the kids need a real dinner.
I remember Mad Dog too. But I don’t miss that. Worst hangover I ever had. We made it a “3 Dog Night.” “Bad Idea.”
John Cole
I chugged two bottles of mad dog at a frat party in 1988. I actually had the house record for ten years or so. 8 seconds.
And no, I did not throw up. I did, however, fall off the roof two weeks later after drinking a bottle of tequila. I was in basic training about 5 months later.
Tim (the other one)
TJ favorites:
Wine
More wine
the frozen cioppino
any of that Indian “astronaut pouch” food.
coffee (s)
tamales
olive tapenade
frozen veggie burgers
mango juice
more wine
Jake
OMG! How dare you say there’s a connection between falling off roofs and joining the military!11one When will you stop hating on the soldiers, John!?
/Malkintent
HyperIon
oh, god, yes.
i stopped eating LCs about 5 years ago. no flavor.
but the Kashi black bean and mango actually tastes good.
that and a chop make an excellent meal.
Cain
Got bored of your crock pot already, John? :-)
Usually, if I’m pressed for time and don’t feel like cooking the 15 minute burrito is pretty easy (although it has no meat in it):
1 can of black beans, drained.
1/4 cup of chunky salsa (hot or medium
1 tablespoon of cumin powder. (if you got some of that New Mexico chile that everybody raves about, you probably could put that in)
chopped onion.
Roast the cumin powder till it gets kind of dark and it starts to smell. Throw in the can of black beans (remember black means are good for you), cook for about 5-8 minutes and then add the salsa cook for about 4 minutes or so.
Put shredded cheese on a tortilla, nuke for 25 seconds, add the beans/salsa mixture, sour cream, chopped onion taco sauce or picante sauce. Roll and consume with beer. 15 minutes.
You can probably add other stuff like jalepeno or adobo sauce etc etc. I sometimes put lime juice, and one time I put in reduced pomegranite juice since it’s nearly a replacement to tamarind. I’ve got others..
I’m on a ‘no high fructose corn syrup’ kick these days. Jeezus, that crap is in EVERYTHING. I’m reduced to baking my own bread because it’s more cost effective.
Trader Joes rocks! Go in to get one thing come out with two bags of stuff… only place I can get snacks that doesn’t have processed crap. My family thinks I’m some kind of leftist, free love, liberal. haha.
cain
John Cole
You know what else I like- cinnamon in my coffee. There, I said it.
Some kona, a little non-dairy creamer, some splenda, and sprinkle some cinnamon on it. It is like a treat and a pick-me-up at the same time.
OxyCon
Kool! Another food thread.
Try this if you like sherbet.
I bought one of these.
I put some of these into it.
Then a little bit of this.
And some of this.
And presto! Instant healthy dessert.
Tim (the other one)
“cinnamon in my coffee”
no-brainer.awesome
Cain
TJ favorites:
* that indian veggie burgers
* chile dried mango
* any brand of olive oil there.
* veggie sushi (oh man, yum!)
* wine and more wine..
* tuna cat food (for the cats, not me!)
* those root veggie chips
* TJ tea-lemonade (tried making long island with these? One day, I drank like 3-4 of those and woke up in bed with no recollection how I got there.. )
* they have some TJ milk chocolate that is teh awesome.
IN general, I can pretty much close my eyes, pick something and most likely I’m going to like it.
cain
TrishB
Trader Joe’s is much better than Wild Oats. Hell, the local Bigg’s has an organic section larger than the local Wild Oats.
Then again, since I’m in the Cincinnati area, the original and still the best is Jungle Jim’s. Not specifically organic, but 6 acres of great food combined with cheesy animatronic displays including Elvis, a vintage fire truck, and a fake outdoor jungle complete with sound effects, all brought to you by an authentic local kook. And 1600 different kinds of cheese. Oh, the food is pretty good, too.
Dennis - SGMM
And 1600 different kinds of cheese.
Most certainly! Now then, some cheese please, my good man.
Owner:
Certainly, sir. What would you like?
Customer:
Well, eh, how about a little red Leicester.
Owner:
I’m, afraid we’re fresh out of red Leicester, sir.
Customer:
Oh, never mind, how are you on Tilsit?
Owner:
I’m afraid we never have that at the end of the week, sir, we get it fresh on Monday.
Customer:
Tish tish. No matter. Well, stout yeoman, four ounces of Caerphilly, if you please.
Owner:
Ah! It’s been on order, sir, for two weeks.
Was expecting it this morning…
(Someone had to do it.)
John S.
Well then do it properly!
myiq2xu
I don’t eat health food. It’s bad for you.
My theory is that if you eat food with lots of preservatives you’ll live longer and look younger too!
Punchy
/giggles
/guffaws uncontrollably
And rainbow sherbet?
myiq2xu
Thou hast never tried BV Napa wine. So good you’ll want to lick the cork.
But there is some pretty good local stuff in your price range around here. Of course I live about 30 minutes from E&J Gallo Hdqtrs.
myiq2xu
Take some stick cinnamon and crumble a little in with your coffee grounds. Mmmmm.
But you know what’s even better?
Cinnabon WITH your coffee!
Pb
I went to the Trader Joe’s over in Chapel Hill, it was a pretty neat little place. Also, we managed to get the only food item in the store with enough alcohol to require carding — “brandy beans”, i.e., chocolate in bean shape with brandy inside. mmm.
Krista
Mmm….Cinnabon. That heavenly, heavenly smell wafting through the food court.
Tim (the other one)
I’ve never actually eaten a Cinnabun. Smelling them really takes care of the whole process.
Kevin K.
I like Irish whiskey … and Cheerios. Not together. But definitely in that order.
And Kashi products always tasted like Styrofoam to me. I haven’t tasted Hola Fruta, but I’m sure Che Guevara did.
p.s.: Slice pizza would be my ultimate food choice if it wouldn’t potentially cause my heart to explode into pretty, pretty colors.
Andrew
Two buck chuck is good for drinking AND chugging!
I don’t think it’s too bad, actually.
Andrew
I just came from there not 30 minutes ago. Where are these beans? Darnit. I may have to go back.
Dennis - SGMM
In non-food news:
Somber Fed Says Economy Has Lost Punch
Odds of the economy going into recession are now at 50/50 or worse. This will be the second recession in the Bush presidency. Is that a record?
myiq2xu
I find that wine in a box is convienent cuz when yer done drinking you have something to throw up into.
shirt
TJ also imports good lamb. Their racks run about $10 for 5-7 riblets, completely ready to cook. Grilling is best (coal or gas) but oven works well. Just follow the package directions and you’ll be in pig heaven in 20-40 minutes. Allow a rack per person! yes they are that good.
3 buck chuck (red – don’t drink white) needs to air out for a day to get rid of the sulfides. Then it becomes quite passible.
myiq2xu
Don’t trade your cow for the beans! It’s a trick!
Dennis - SGMM
Safety Warning:
Never attempt to ignite your farts after eating brandy beans. Your shorts will light up like the mantle on a Coleman lantern.
myiq2xu
Hey John, somebody fubar’d yer nuke post from earlier.
Apparently somebody didn’t bother to read your “embedding links” post.
myiq2xu
Thanks a lot! Ever had beer come out your nose? It burns like hell!
Gus
Cinnamon? In Kona coffee? Do you mix 7Up with your single malt? Jesus.
Dennis - SGMM
myiq, was it my link? I just automatically write old-fashioned HTML.
Anne Laurie
Other good stuff at the local Trader Joe’s:
Frozen latkes. Tater tots for grown-ups!
Vegetable samosas, five minute microwave lunch.
Low-salt pistachio nuts.
Anything involving dark chocolate, especially with almonds.
Their spanikopitas ‘hor d’ouevres’ trays, which end up as meals around here.
And their canned “Northwestern Beef Stew” is what you remember the *good* canned stew tasting like when you were 10 years old & camping out
Ted
We have Trader Joe’s here in St. Louis, but their $3 wine has competition; a local cigarette and liquor store chain called ‘Dirt Cheap’. “Thirty dime wine”, they call it. They’re very proud of it. They also have their own brand of beer, called simply ‘Dirt Cheap’. They’re a classy company.
myiq2xu
The guilty flee when no man pursueth!
No not you. Some red-head with no melatonin.
myiq2xu
Remember “Repo Man?” In the background you can see cans of “Beer” and “Food.”
Oh, the classics!
myiq2xu
Okay, me stoopid. “Melanin”
Zuzu
Apropos of nothin’ but freaky deaky:
Scientology Recruitment Video
Tom Cruise without a script. Oh, except the Nutty Scientologist script.
Ninerdave
I ate Frosted Flakes with beer subbing for milk one time.
It was disgusting. Sugar and Bud are like toothpaste and orange juice.
Ted
Yep. You gotta love local, small business advertising. Aways entertaining. Like ‘Becky, queen of carpet and Wanda, princess of tile’. Riding their flying carpet in every commercial, at some point it appears Becky pushed Wanda off, cuz she’s not around anymore.
Tim (the other one)
Thank God (sorry, LRH) all paramedics are Scientologists.
Holy Crap !
Zuzu
I are one three.
But am now in remission … inactive as of New Year’s.
Zuzu
I really thought it was a parody at first.
myiq2xu
When I was a kid I wanted to be a Scientologist. But I hated math, so I got a degree in History instead.
myiq2xu
The first step is admitting you have a problem.
Zuzu
Mochi
Zuzu
Easily done.
LiberalTarian
OT:
Public apology for screeding on John Cole earlier today. I was one pissed-off chick in the 90s.
myiq2xu
Are you my ex-wife? Is that you Sweetheart?
Please don’t kill me. I’m sorry about the restraining order.
myiq2xu
From LGM:
Was Judge Lynch a GOP appointment?
Krista
I was nowhere near that thread. Then again, I have no lack of melatonin — quite the opposite. I’m renowned in my family for being able to sleep deeply for absurdly long periods of time. Melanin, though — that, I’m short on.
myiq2xu
Oooh! Where were you when I was still spawning kids? My mom always wanted redheaded grandkids.
Mom has melanin, but kinda spotty, iffen you get my drift.
LiberalTarian
Gawd, I hope not. ;)
myiq2xu
Doughy Pantload was on A Daily Show, and Jon looked like he wanted kill himself with a blunt spork.
Zuzu
I’ve never seen such a heavily-edited interview on that show (if I’ve ever seen them edit one). It either went on forever or was full of swear words … or maybe Goldberg was just too incoherent.
Stewart’s smackdown of the “Nazis liked organic food, therefore organic food is a fascist concept” argument was pretty good. Something like, “That’s like saying all moustaches are fascist.”
My own fave example:
Nazi product launch
LiberalTarian
Yeah, Jon Stewart looks like he ate some bad meat.
And Jonah Goldberg is too dumb to realize how dumb he is. Arg.
myiq2xu
I can imagine Jon losing it and repeatedly ranting and raving at Doughy. That would have to be edited.
But you’re right, I’ve never seen an interview edited before.
Jorge
Really?
Because Kashi is the cereal they serve in hell.
Jake
According to the Goldballon hisownself, the interview was really long and they kept talking after the crew cut cameras. I’ve heard the man speak and he cannot ride the same train of thought for more than five seconds. Imagine listening to a schizophrenic. On speed.
Or better still, imagine a bloviating dumbfuck who is trying to convince everyone (including himself) that he really isn’t a dumbfuck while the enraged gods of history, scholarship and reason beat him over the head with sticks.
Either way, when he talks (about his dopus magnum anyway), he sounds like a badly edited tape.
But I’m sure JoNothing will tell us they cut out all the good parts in order to make him look stupid.
Jake
Note: I’m not saying the interview wasn’t cut and it’s all a neo-con plot. The idea of editing a man who edits himself triggered my ironyometer.
Plus I feel sorry for the editor who had to try to create continuity out of the incoherent jumble of sound bites that JoNothing uses for speech.
lectric lady
If you like cinnamon in your coffee, you can get cinnamon chips at Penzeys to brew with your coffee. Also good in the coffee are cardamom seeds.
Bombadil
Get cancer. Worked for me, I’m down over 25 pounds.
Bombadil
Trader Joe’s is the only place I can find ginger Altoids. I think they bought the entire run. And since I’m addicted to the damn things, I have to keep going back, and the don’t always have them, so I have to go back again, and when they do have them, they only put out two or three tins and I go through them so fast, so fast, and I have to go back again, and they don’t always stay open late enough and I have to go back in the morning and hope they have some more and did I mention they’re the only place that has them?
Zuzu
I usually go to the Internets when I want some of those hard-to-find items. Then I buy buy buy in bulk.
louisms
I second that! Jungle Jims is an adventure in food, huge and wacky. Any Cincinnatian out there who hasn’t checked it out needs to.
Bombadil
Zuzu is my savior! Or maybe, “enabler” is a better description.
Thanks! Somehow I still have it in my head that Amazon.com is a bookstore only, and not the World’s Largest Bazaar.
lectric lady
I got thrown from a horse, fractured seven ribs and sustained a pneumothorax.
Lost 15 pounds.
Zuzu
Very welcome.
You might be able to Google a few generic sources for better prices, but I’m always pretty sure to find stuff through Amazon, plus there’s the free shipping angle.
I just went to Trader Joe’s to stock up on mochi, having gotten a real craving after reading this thread. I thought of you when I saw the big Altoids display by the registers.
Was disappointed to find that brandy beans are seasonal only … my curiosity was quite piqued from this thread.
Zuzu
PS to Bombadil –
It appears you’re not alone in your ginger Altoids addiction. I noticed 32(!) five star product reviews over at Amazon. People wrote some wonderfully fun descriptions.
Zuzu
wonderfully fun = wonderfully funny
lectric lady
My Trader Joe’s Picks:
Mochi
Triple Ginger Snaps
Asian simmer sauces (various curries)
Cuban Mojito simmer sauce
Prosecco
and, an Oriental Snack Mix I make consisting of:
Oriental Rice Crackers
Honey Sesame Sticks
Wasabi Peas
Wasabi Rice crackers
Global Village Nut Mix
Sesame Honey Almonds
Thai Lime & Chili Cashews
some of these ingredients change, based on what they have, but, believe me, it is wonderful! Sort of a twist on bland Chex-Mix
Bombadil
Maybe we should get together and write a weight-loss book. Could be a million-seller, especially in California.