Trader Joe’s Tricks for the Crazy Soul

This morning, while making my weekly Mack Household Menu + Grocery List, as I do every Monday, I was struck to near tears by a thought:

What would I do without Saint Trader Joe?

I owe him my life. You think I’m kidding.

He carried me through years in corporate America: lunch salads and 10-minute dinners.

He has saved me last-minute before dozens of dinner parties: cheese boards with prosciutto and honey; spinach dip and coconut shrimp.

He has soothed my sweet tooth in many moments of desperation: bon bons, chocolate lava cakes and OF COURSE my Soy Creamy Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.

And these days, I sincerely owe him the sustenance of my small family.

This got me thinking: What if some of my fellow mamas love cooking just as much as me? Which is to say, in theory, you love it, but with a toddler pulling on your leg after a long day, a husband working late so you’re probably eating without him anyway, plus the factor of pan dishes and actual dishes and sweeping and spraying the counters and all of that, well then, really, in actuality, all things considered, you don’t really love cooking that much on the average weekday. Maybe you only enjoy cooking when you have time and solitude, which is to say NOT THAT OFTEN once you’re a mom.

Maybe you’re like me and you REALLY need to make dinner… but more than that you REALLY need shortcuts.

Or maybe cooking is your unwavering passion and spiritual gifting and you have no clue what in the heavens I’m talking about. Can we come eat dinner at your house?!

I wrote in my inaugural blog post that I wouldn’t focus on recipes, and I’m definitely not breaking that promise, even though I already technically broke it once and revealed my magical egg + cheese casserole recipe. This never will be a recipe blog penned by domestic goddesstry. But I do want to share my incredible shortcuts with you! They are not my handiwork; they are that of the Saint. They save me daily and make glimpses of sanity possible on a regular basis.

I have millions of Trader Joe’s tricks and excellent meals, so I won’t barrage you all at once. And I won’t do them like ALL THE TIME; just occasionally as quick lil posts along with photos of the products you’ll need. Every once in a while you’ll just see the easiest TJ’s idea ever here on my blog, and think oh, hey, I should try that sometime, since Stephanie really seems to believe in her shortcuts and thankfully also in sharing.

You are SO welcome. It’s truly my pleasure. I love striking gold and spreading the wealth.

I’ll post my first official Trader Joe’s trick sometime soon, but in the meantime, if you haven’t tried Trader Jacques (I die over his international nicknames) assorted French Macarons, you haven’t lived. Wow at any brunch or shower or other girly gathering with these TO-DIE-FOR confections, which reside mysteriously in the frozen section. Serve them on a pretty, white plate and I guarantee you’ll impress. They’re just as adorable as they are delicious, and for only $4.99! Thank you to one of my amazing former MOPS table leaders for this fabulous trick! (HI, BECKY!)

That’s all for now, friends!

 P.S. If there is not a Trader Joe’s near you, I’m so sorry! I wish I could give you a hug. Whenever possible, I will provide alternative generic suggestions.