Trader Joe's Faves

I swear I could probably spend an entire day in Trader Joe's.  I love searching the aisles, finding new treats, and then bringing them home to enjoy with hubs.  Lately, I have found some real winners and I thought I would share!  These have been staples in our house, and I find myself wanting to make a daily weekly trip to TJ's specifically for these items.

Quinoa and Black Bean Tortilla Chips
These are my new favorite chip - crunchy, crispy, so flavorful, and packed with healthy ingredients!

Reduced Guilt Pita Chips

I think I could eat this entire bag in one sitting, they are so delicious!  Salty and bite-sized, and they go perfectly with the dip below.

Spinach and Kale Yogurt Dip

This tastes sinfully bad, just like your favorite spinach dip, but it's made with greek yogurt and healthy greens!  So delish.

Frozen Brown Rice

This is the easiest side ever - and we have it at least once a week with the chicken below, or Salmon.  Just microwave a pouch for 3 mins - and it is good, y'all!

Mandarin Orange Chicken

These are supposedly the most popular freezer item at TJ's. And there's a reason. Just add rice to this quick and yummy dinner!

Spicy Chai Tea Latte

The easiest little drink to make - just add water and then milk!  I like it over ice the best...just be sure to stir stir stir it up!!  :)  

Gone Bananas - Chocolate Covered Bananas

The perfect little sweet treat for after dinner...or any time :)

(all via google images)

What are your Trader Joe's must-haves??

Weekend Wanderings

After a long week, I finally felt up to getting out of the house and exploring a quaint little area nearby.  New Hope, PA and Lawrenceville, NJ are two adorable little towns right across the Delaware River from each other.  

this little guy was in our front yard on the way out for the day!  :)

John, my mom, and I spent all day Saturday wandering around, getting yummy holiday drinks, and even walking across the bridge!

my love :)

After a wonderful day - we decided to check out Bobby Flay's new restaurant in Princeton, Bobby's Burger Palace, for dinner!  It was delicious!  We all loved our burgers - I can't wait to go back!

*don't mind my chubby and swollen face!*

How was your weekend??

XOXO

Happiness

happiness is not something that happens to you,

it is something that you choose. 

happy Sunday, my loves!

hope you've had a wonderful weekend.  been a hard week, but choosing to be happy today.  i hope you do, too.

XOXO

Sweets, Snow, and Surgery

Well - it has been quite an eventful week!  I had scheduled my posts this week early, because I actually ended up having to have sinus surgery (boo), and I've been down and out since Tuesday morning.

.....But before all of that, I was treated to some of life's sweetest little blessings.

First up...

Chocolate Chip Pancakes for breakfast :)

AND, we had our first snow day!!  All bundled up...

My mom and I got to have a fun girl's day out - full of Christmas shopping, lunch at Chick-Fil-A, and putting together two Operation Christmas Child boxes - it was so much fun!  It always warms my heart to give back, I just wish I could see the faces of these children when they open these boxes :)

Tuesday was surgery day.  I've been having terrible sinus infections for the past year, and it finally got to the point that surgery was the only option.  I was nervous, anxious, and scared.

Even though I have worked in hospitals and ER's for years, I hate being the patient, and I DESPISE needles.  Here I am right before being wheeled back for the almost 3 hour procedure.

Well - it was a success - and I am finally feeling much better.  I am still having to sleep sitting straight up, and I am a swollen and sore mess.  BUT - I am so thankful.  For my mom for being the best caretaker.  For my husband who prayed every minute for me and filled the fridge with all my favorite drinks and snacks. 

Today, I even had the appetite for a breakfast treat - a lemon glazed muffin ;)

Thanks for all the wonderful and thoughtful instagram messages, tweets and emails.  

My heart is so full of love, and I feel so blessed....

and hopefully feeling healthy and happy very soon!

P.S.

Don't forget to enter my Desiring Joy Giveaway for a chance to win a beautiful scarf!!

XOXO