Trader Joe's Archives - My Inner Shakti

This Week’s Meal Plan + Recent Favs from Trader Joe’s

Some of you may have noticed that I don’t share my own recipes all that frequently anymore. It’s not that I don’t cook at home. It’s just that I don’t have the energy or patience to measure out ingredients, write everything down, and type it all up. Not my forte I suppose!

With that being said, if I make something that’s too good not to share, I will (well…maybe!). And I definitely want to share more of the recipes I come across during my weekly meal planning process. There are some great dishes out there just waiting to be made!

This Week’s Meal Plan

I’m not exactly sure what day these meals will be made on, but I like to plan for four meals and then adjust as we go.

Lentil Tortilla Soup via Vegan Richa
Veggie Shepherd’s Pie via Life as Lauren
Black Bean Burgers via All Recipes
An Indian veggie stir-fry via my mom and homemade Indian flatbread via me

Recent Favs from Trader Joe’s

Cilantro salad dressing – This dressing is now a favorite in our household. Even for me, the cilantro hater! I love that you don’t need a ton to get a experience the strong flavor. While Vishnu often uses it as intended (and as a sandwich spread), I use it as more of sauce – on top of nachos, eggs, veggie bowls, etc. I don’t see us expiring this product any time soon!

Nutritional yeast – I think I mentioned that TJ’s now sells nutritional yeast in a previous post. What a fun discovery! I love using this stuff on top of everything, as it packs a big nutritional punch. More info here.

Lemongrass and sage hand soap – I absolutely love this hand soap and keep a bottle by my kitchen sink. I am a huge fan of herbal scents, and this hits the spot.

Well, I hope you had a great weekend. Other than meal planning and shopping at Trader Joe’s, mine included a fun brunch with friends, hanging out with Aekta and Adarsh, and odds and ends at home [Vishnu worked a Saturday 12p- Sunday 8a shift at the hospital].

Happy Monday!

Three Things Thursday (21)

written by Parita 9 Comments

Three Things Thursday is officially legal here on MIS. Get it? 21. No? I know I’m a dork, it’s ok!

Moving on…

This has been a fairly full week. My parents left on Monday, work is just the right kind of busy (as opposed to the “I want to pull my hair out” kind of busy), Vishnu’s new rotation is off and running (he only has to work three 12 hour shifts this week…win!), and our friend Rohit is coming in to town this weekend. Enough stuff to keep me just one step behind!

Well, since I didn’t share a Three Things Thursday post for the last two weeks, I thought I’d jump back in with three random new-to-me things.

(1) Snapchat

I am [back] on Snapchat! I originally joined earlier this year, and then deleted the app from my phone because I honestly didn’t get it. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat…it was all a bit overwhelming! But then when I was in Chicago last week, my friends Ankita and Rena convinced me that it’s easy to use and really fun. So I’m giving it another chance!

My username is parpat23, so feel free to add me if you want. I’m still learning how the whole thing works, so my snaps may be a bit sporadic right now!

(2) A new ab routine

[via The Live Fit Girls]

This short little ab routine is the perfect add on to any workout. The whole point is to flow from one move to the next with little to no rest in between. It looks simple enough, but when completed after a run or intense strength workout, you feel the burn. And when I’m feeling extra crazy, I pair this with a little plank tabata!

(3) TJ’s Frozen Cheese & Green Chile Tamales

While shopping at Trader Joe’s a couple of weeks ago, I happened to be looking at the non-frozen tamales when a fellow shopper told me about the frozen ones. She said that both are good, but the frozen ones are the BEST! I took her word for it and brought a pack of the Cheese & Green Chile kind home with me. You guys. These bad boys, while not super healthy, are super delicious! The corn masa is soft and the filling is slightly spicy from the chilies and gooey from the cheese. A must try TJs item in my opinion!

That’s all I have for this week. Thanks for reading!

If you’re a blogger, write a post and link back to one or all of the hostesses: Raj from Pink Chai Living, Nisha from Love Laugh Mirch, or Salma from The Write Balance. Then share a link to your post (not your blog’s home page).

Are you on Snapchat? If so, let’s be friends!

Three Things Thursday (17) – Food Finds

written by Parita 12 Comments

Hello from Atlanta!

I flew in late last night and will be here until Sunday. The main reason for my trip is to help out with a few wedding related things, but let’s be honest, it’s been five months since I’ve been home, so it was about time!

I’m so excited to spend time with my mom, dad, and sister over the next couple of days. Aekta’s home studying for her board exams, so her time is a little more limited, but breaks are a good thing, especially when you get to spend them with your favorite person (right, Aek?!).

Anyway, I’ll share more about Atlanta in a later post.

Today I want to talk about my new favorite food finds via a Three Things Thursday post.

(1) PB2 is not a new-to-me product, but it’s one that hasn’t made an appearance in my pantry in a LONG time. When Vishnu and I went to Costco a few weeks ago, I saw that a huge jar was under $6! So of course, I had to buy two.

PB2 is essentially peanut flour. You can mix it with a little bit of water to form a peanut butter like paste. I don’t like it in that way at all actually and prefer to use it in our morning protein smoothies. It really does add a nice rich PB flavor. And that way, I can save my real PB consumption for something a little more substantial. 🙂

(2) If you have a Trader Joe’s near you, run there now and buy these Thai Vegetable Gyozas! All you have to do is add oil to a hot pan, cook these on one side for seven minutes, add a bit of water, and then let them steam for an additional 10 minutes. They’re crispy, they’re soft, they’re absolutely delicious! You can pair them with plain soy sauce (as I prefer to do) or a soy/Sriracha mixture (as Vishnu likes to do). They come in other varieties as well (shrimp, chicken, etc.). You won’t regret it, I promise!

(3) Enjoy Life chocolate chips are not new to me either. However, I’ve been searching high and low for the dark chocolate chips and almost considered buying a pack of nine bags on Amazon. That much chocolate in the house would not have been a good thing, so I’m glad the Target near us stocks this variety. If you’re a fan of dark chocolate, you’ll love baking with these chocolate chips. They’re the perfect amount of sweet…and the perfect amount of addictive.

Well, that’s all I have today! Your turn to share – what are three things you’ve been thinking about/doing this week! If you’re a blogger, write a post and link back to one or all of the hostesses: Raj from Pink Chai Living, Nisha from Love Laugh Mirch, or Salma from The Write Balance. Then share a link to your post (not your blog’s home page).

Thanks for reading!

Three Things Thursday (14)

written by Parita 14 Comments

You guys, our apartment finally looks like a home! I credit that to both mine and Vishnu’s intense dislike for clutter. He may not be crazy like me in most ways, but he definitely hates a messy/unorganized living space!

Anyway, enough moving/packing/unpacking talk…until next June when we move to Chicago!

This week’s Three Things Thursday post is as random as they come. Enjoy!

1. The Chocolate-Covered Katie Cookbook

My sister bought me this cookbook for my birthday because she knows I’m a huge fan of Katie’s blog and recipes. I’ve made several of her dessert recipes (multiple times!) and am always blown away by how her healthy swaps result in such delicious foods. I HIGHLY recommend both her blog and cookbook for anyone who loves desserts and wishes they could eat them everyday (because you can)!

I made chocolate chip cookies from the cookbook last night (only half the recipe), and in less than 24 hours, there is not a crumb in sight!

2. Saucony Kinvara 5 running shoes

I’ve been on the hunt for new running shoes for a couple of months now. And when I saw that these shoes were on super sale on 6pm.com, I jumped on the deal! I knew they would work for my feet because they are similar to my old running shoes in terms of fit, width, etc. And so far so good! I really like how lightweight and supportive they are…and I LOVE the bright pink color!

3. Trader Joe’s Sparkling Mineral Water

Ever since our trip to Italy, Vishnu and I have been on a sparkling water high! So when he saw a 12 pack of Sparkling Mineral Water at TJ’s, we rejoiced and have been drinking a bottle a day ever since! There’s something about those bubbles that feels so fancy.

Your turn to share – what are three things you’ve been thinking about/doing this week! If you’re a blogger, write a post and link back to one or all of the hostesses: Raj from Pink Chai Living, Nisha from Love Laugh Mirch, or Salma from The Write Balance. Then share a link to your post (not your blog’s home page).

And thanks for reading!

8 [More] Awesome Trader Joe’s Products

written by Parita 17 Comments

My love for Trader Joe’s is still going strong. So strong in fact that I wake up at 7:30 am on either Saturday or Sunday to grocery shop there. While the getting up early part is not fun at all, the ample parking, clear aisles, and stocked shelves are enough to keep me going.

A few months ago I wrote a post about 10 awesome Trader Joe’s products. Looking back, those are some of the more basic things I purchase on a weekly basis. Since then, I’ve expanded my list of awesome products. Things that are too good not to share!

8 [More] Awesome Trader Joe’s Products

1. Fig spread. This is now one of Vishnu’s favorite condiments. He loves it in his turkey and Muenster cheese sandwiches, and I love it in my egg and cheese sandwiches. This sweet spread pairs so well with savory ingredients.

2. Coconut oil spray. LOVE this stuff. While I still like to use an olive oil spray for more savory dishes, this coconut one is perfect for baked goods.

3. Masala burgers. These burgers deserve a post of their own. They taste like samosa filling and are the perfect substitute for patties in Ragda Patties.

4. 21 Seasoning Salute. This is another recent purchase that we’ve come to love. It includes traditional spices like garlic, black pepper, onion, etc., as well as things like carrot, orange peel, and tomato granules. I’ve used it in both a stir-fry dish and a vegetarian chili.

5. Organic Brown Rice and Quinoa Pasta. While we still love the Brown Rice pasta I mentioned in my previous post, the texture of this pasta is better. And again, even Vishnu loves it, so you know it has to be good!

6. Light Champagne Vinaigrette Salad Dressing. I prefer homemade salad dressings, but on the days I don’t want balsamic, this dressing is perfect. It has a slight tang that goes nicely with raw/roasted veggies and tofu.

7. Organic Stone Ground Blue Corn Tortilla Chips. These chips are amazing! They have a rich, nutty taste and the perfect amount of salt. LOVE!

8. Corn & Wheat Tortillas. My mom found similar tortillas at their local Sprouts and raved about how much she and my dad loved the flavor. These obviously aren’t the same as the ones she bought, but we too love the corn and wheat combination. They don’t fall apart like corn tortillas and don’t have a doughy texture like flour/wheat tortillas…essentially, this is the perfect tortilla!

What are some of your favorite grocery store buys (Trader Joe’s or not)?

Weekend Stuff – Friends and Food

written by Parita 10 Comments

Vishnu’s done with all of his exams! Next up…residency interviews. But for now we’re going to focus on the fact that he’s FREE from his books!!!

To be completely honest, it was a little weird to see him just hanging out all weekend. Weird and of course nice! He even came to Trader Joe’s with me at 8:00 am on Sunday.

Let’s rewind a bit because the weekend officially started at 5:00 pm on Friday. Vishnu and I spent the evening at home eating butternut squash mac n’ cheese and drinking wine (ok fine, it was mostly me drinking the wine!). I have zero pictures of dinner (or the wine), but it looked very similar to this recipe. We used Gruyere, Monterrey Jack, and a little bit of Gouda in this version. Delicious and even better the next day!

On Saturday I went for a run…that didn’t go as well as I wanted (I blame the wine!). We also cleaned and lounged around for most of the morning. I attended a volunteer event in the afternoon, and Vishnu relaxed at home.

The absolute highlight of our day was dinner at Michael’s Genuine with our good friend Rohit. This is a farm to table type restaurant that serves incredibly unique and fresh dishes made with seasonal ingredients. We’ve wanted to try this place for a while now, and because a lot of the dishes are heavily meat focused, I figured it would be a better experience for Vishnu to have a fellow meat eater with us. And I was right! He and Rohit shared a number of dishes, and if I remember correctly, the pork belly dish was his absolute favorite. Actually, I know I’m right because we talked about it for five minutes on our way to TJs!

My favorite was the butternut squash arancini appetizer (rice balls filled with cheese) – perfectly crispy on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside. YUM!

And the sweet potato sundae wasn’t half bad either! It tasted like Thanksgiving in a glass!

There was no shortage of good food and good conversation! We can’t wait to hang out with Rohit more now that he’s a Miami resident again. In fact, Vishnu’s already planning their next meat filled dinner date!

As I mentioned, Sunday started with a trip to my favorite place – Trader Joe’s! Speaking of my beloved grocery store, I think it’s time I do another “Favorite TJ’s products” post. Lots of great finds this week, including tortillas made from both corn and wheat.

On Sunday afternoon I met up with ROBIN! I hadn’t seen her since June due to our crazy schedules, so it was wonderful to catch up on each other’s lives. I miss her so much! We spent almost two hours at Starbucks talking away. I’m crossing my fingers that we end up near her for residency! That would be incredible!

And of course Sunday evening was filled with the one and only…football! I also made a delicious veggie filled stir-fry and Gina’s zucchini bread – both of which I will share in an upcoming notable meals post (I’m bringing it back!).

Happy Monday, everyone!

Who did you spend time with this weekend, and more importantly, what did y’all eat?

Fun, Productive, and a Little Lazy

written by Parita 12 Comments

The title of today’s post describes my weekend perfectly. This was our first full weekend back in Miami together so I wanted to spend time with Vishnu, run some errands, and take it easy a little. I’m happy to report that I was able to do just that!

Friday evening started with Presley’s Stability Ball Circuit three times through. I also went down to our gym with the elliptical on my mind. After quickly realizing that the machine started over every time you changed directions, I jumped off and made my way to the rowing machine (for the first time in years). I selected the 2000m workout and…ummm…it was hard. I wanted to quit halfway through but pushed on. I definitely paid the price all weekend. Between rowing and the circuit workout, I was so sore!

After showering and getting ready, it was date night – dinner and a movie!

Before I go on, I have to mention my new Ann Taylor maxi dress. Bottom line…I freaking love it. I bought it online with a friend while in Austin after seeing one of the other girls wearing it. Mine is petite and the perfect length (I’m a little over 5’2”). The style and cut are super flattering, and the material is very soft and flowy. LOVE!

Ok, so back to date night. Vishnu and I went to LoKal Burgers and Beer for dinner. My veggie burger and green bean and bruschetta side dish were both awesome. And Vishnu really enjoyed his burger and fries. We will definitely be back.

After dinner, we made our way over to the theater to see Gone Girl. Both Vishnu and I really enjoyed it! I read the book a while ago and was excited to hear that the movie followed the book almost to a tee. Everything was spot on and just the way I imagined it – the acting, the setting, the suspense. A must watch if you ask me!

The movie didn’t get out until 12:45 am, so of course that meant we started our Saturday a bit later than planned. And by later I mean 11:00 am. I was a little thrown off the rest of the day but still got a lot done. I went to Target, the mall, and Costco, which ended up taking over three hours! We needed quite a few things, so it was worth it. I also fit in a 4.5 mile run before dinner (will be blogging about my current runs and half marathon plan soon). And then Vishnu and I made pizza using crusts I bought at Costco. The outcome was delicious!

Sautéed onions, mushrooms, and green bell pepper/jalapenos/barbecue sauce/mozzarella

Sunday started bright and early with a trip to Trader Joe’s!

I surprised myself a little with how much stuff was in the cart. But no one was more amused than my cashier. As he was ringing me up, he asked if this was a restocking trip. I said kind of and laughed a little. He then asked if I had kids. I said no and then he started laughing. My response – “My husband and I love food and prefer to eat in!” It’s the truth.

I spent the next couple of hours cleaning and organizing. I know I sound crazy, but it was so much fun. Our apartment was a little too messy, dusty, etc. for my taste. I finally feel settled and back to normal! And just as an FYI, I am still using a homemade vinegar based cleaning solution for pretty much everything (counter tops, the floor, wood cabinets, etc.). This stuff is amazing. I highly recommend trying it out. Life changing.

The night ended on a high (and sweet) note with homemade molten chocolate cake! I followed this recipe and made a few tweaks. I changed the serving size to 2. I also swapped 2 tablespoons raw cane sugar for powdered, whole wheat white flour for all purpose, Ghirardelli dark chocolate chips for bittersweet chocolate, and glass bowls for ramekins (because I don’t own any). And finally, I only baked my cakes for 9 minutes (instead of 14). Ooey gooey perfection! The only thing that would have made this dessert better is ice cream…next time for sure!

And finally, I have one other weekend highlight to share. I got a new hair straightener! My almost seven year old CHI stopped working early last week, so I had no choice. I did a little research and narrowed down my choices to the Sedu and the GHD. I decided to go with the Sedu purely based on the fact that Roshni owns one and highly recommended it. And the reviews were pretty much split between the two brands, so I figured I couldn’t go wrong either way. And so far so good! I used it last night for the first time and loved how quickly my hair went from coarse and wavy to straight and silky. Even Vishnu was shocked…his exact words – “I don’t think your hair has ever been this straight!”

And with that, I wish y’all a very happy Monday!

This Week’s Meal Plan + Recent Favs from Trader Joe’s

Three Things Thursday (21)

Three Things Thursday (17) – Food Finds

Three Things Thursday (14)

8 [More] Awesome Trader Joe’s Products

Weekend Stuff – Friends and Food

Fun, Productive, and a Little Lazy

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