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Trader Joe’s Holiday Items: Your New Favorites

Trader Joe’s Holiday Items: Your New Favorites

It’s a hard call which is my more favorite month to shop at Trader Joe’s – October, the height of my fall favorites, or December, when the holiday items are in stock in full force.  Let’s call it a tie.  There are SO many Trader Joe’s holiday items that I can’t possibly cover them all.  If you aren’t already a listener, I highly recommend checking out the (Inside) Trader Joe’s podcast for more tips and recommendations from Trader Joe’s staff directly.  

Trader Joe’s Holiday Items: Mint Chocolate Magic

Dark Chocolate Minty Marshmallows

Moist, springy marshmallows with a hint of mint, doused in dark chocolate- what’s not to love about that?  Pop in hot chocolate – or directly in your mouth – for a not-too-heavy treat.  

Mini Dark Chocolate Mint Stars

These petite treats have a nice snap to the cookie, with a touch a mint, a coating of dark chocolate and a few sprinkles for good measure.  Their small size means you get to eat more in a single serving – also a reason to celebrate.  

Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint Cremes

A refreshing mint patty, covered in dark chocolate (is there really any other kind of chocolate?) with some crushed candy cane on top for a bit of crunch.  A perfect after dinner treat.  

Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s

A seasonal minty twist on Trader Joe’s take on the classic chocolate sandwich cookie.  A solid choice for remote-learning lunches, especially good with a glass of milk.  

Chocolate Covered Peppermint Joe Joe’s

To say these were inhaled is a bit of an understatement.  They all but vanished in one sitting.  Candy Cane Joe Joe’s are already a favorite in their own right, then they are dunked in chocolate, and topped with crushed candy cane bits.  Chocolate mint perfection.  

Mini Peppermint Meringues

For something a little lighter (and gluten- and dairy-free), try these crisp, mint meringues.  You can pop one or two in your mouth for a quick sweet treat, or you can crush them and layer them with whipped cream for a seasonal twist on an Eton Mess.  

Peppermint Mini Marshmallows

Looking for a little something to perk up your hot cocoa?  Look no further than these peppermint mini marshmallows.  Next up? Swapping them in for regular marshmallows in a favorite cookie recipe.  

Peppermint Pretzel Slims

These sweet-meets-salty treats are a balanced bite- great for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Tasty, even though I don’t normally love white chocolate.

Trader Joe’s Holiday Items: Your New Favorites

Trader Joe’s Holiday Items: More than Mint

Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels

Rich caramel covered in dark chocolate with a pinch of sea salt is a year-round favorite.  What makes this particular time of year special is that you can get a box of four of these sweet treats with a special slot for a gift card on the front.  This is now our go-to gift for Mr. Diggy’s entire therapy team – and one that we know is appreciated!

Scandinavian Tidings Soft and Chewy Gummy Candy

My part-Swedish husband LOVES these Scandinavian-style treats in all their various shapes and flavors.  The holiday version is no exception (though he does tend to pick out the red ones!).  

Stroopwafel Dutch Caramel Waffle Cookies

After years without a stroopwafel crossing my lips, we encountered them as a single-serve, shelf-stable snack on the only flights we took in 2020.  Trader Joe’s lets you bring a small canister of these treats home – no reservation required.  

Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Stirring Spoon with Mini Marshmallows

A fun, tasty, single-serve way to make hot chocolate this winter.  Just heat up your preferred type of milk until steaming and stir this chocolate-and-marshmallow-coated spoon into your mug.  You’re welcome.  

Butter Toffee Pretzels

These are like a warm holiday hug – in pretzel form.  Irresistible caramelized butter and sugar combined with just enough salt from the pretzel makes these an excellent anytime treat.   

Italian Mushroom and Black Truffle Sauce

The aroma of truffles is unmistakable from the moment you open the jar.  Stirred into pasta it makes a great change of pace from a marinara or pesto.  

Felted Wool Trivet

Last year, the holiday offering was a felted garland.  That got a lot of love in our autism family, but it also was destroyed rather quickly.  This trivet is useful on the table, and also a fun, durable item to run around the house with (which is a real, yet hard to find, #autismmom consideration!)

Trader Joe’s Holiday Items: Seasonal Sips

Sugar Plum Sparkling Beverage

More tart than sweet, this sparkling non-alcoholic beverage pairs well with food.  A “rosé” alternative for your next festive toast.  

Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Yountville Napa Valley 2018

The (Inside) Trader Joe’s podcast will let you in on the little not-so-secret that Platinum Reserve labels typically mean you are getting a wine that is valued at 3 times the price you pay.  So when I saw a stash of Platinum Reserve cabernet, I snagged one.  I split a bottle with a couple of wine-enthusiast friends while sitting 15 apart: thumbs up all around.  

Cecilia Beretta’s Cecilia B Vina Spumante Rose

This was the bottle we opened for our tiny, outdoor Thanksgiving meal.  I always prefer sparkling wine with food- even more so with a decadent holiday meal.  This was a pleasant bubbly- not too sweet, not too dry.  I will be grabbing another bottle – or two.  

Related Posts:

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How to Beat the Winter Blues: 5 Ways to Stay Sane While Staying In

How to Beat the Winter Blues: 5 Ways to Stay Sane While Staying In

How do you beat the winter blues in a tough year?  

As we careen through the final month of this unprecedented year, we have endured nearly nine months of a global health crisis, much of it in the undesirable position of “leader” in terms of infection rates and deaths.  It is clear that this health pandemic has brought into stark relief the deep, systemic inequities in our society – realities that 2020 has no longer allowed to be tucked away in a corner or under the surface.  And now it’s winter, which brings the least hospitable weather to most of the country, combined with the danger of sharing tight, indoor spaces, which has meant another round of stay-at-home orders for many areas.  

In light of all of this, it seems almost futile to try to beat the winter blues: can’t we just hibernate until there is a widely-available vaccine?  For those of you without young children – or those with special needs – you may certainly consider that option.  But I encourage everyone to try their best to maintain their mental and physical health this winter.

While you might typically have a touch of the aptly-named SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) – I know I do – the layers of challenges this year mean you should take extra care to not ignore your mental health.  As Michele Norris reminds us in the Michelle Obama podcast: “don’t reach for normal, reach for better.”

Stay Active

There is no question that staying active became a more personal pursuit in 2020.  When you strip away the fancy gym memberships, the huge road races, and many types of sports leagues and tournaments, you are left with your own body and your own space.  If you haven’t already, it’s time to make the most of it. 

Walk. Run. Replace the chain and fill the tires on your old bike.  With shorter – and colder – days, make this kind of activity your work-from-home lunch break. If the weather is really inhospitable, project classes on YouTube into your living room or bedroom.  Try resistance bands, jump ropes, or other space-saving, low-tech fitness equipment.  And find a way to keep yourself accountable.  For me, I have simply committed to doing *something* everyday.  A walk, a recorded workout, or outdoor fitness class.  And I’m looking forward to trying something new in 2021:  Zoom hula lessons.  

Stay Connected

When circumstances allow, you can stay connected while staying active – the best of both worlds.  Schedule a phone chat with a different friend each day, and each of you walk in your own neighborhood.  Zoom into fitness classes with a workout buddy, to increase accountability.  Or use shared fitness apps to cheer each other on remotely.  

But also maintain connections in other ways: rekindle phone relationships, schedule weekly or monthly Zoom check-ins, find a pen pal – or two – in your social circle.  Cook the same recipe in different homes and eat together.  Stage a multi-home family cookie decorating contest and let the Internet decide the winner.  And for local friends and family, don’t underestimate the magic that is the pandemic porch drop off: a loaf of pumpkin bread, a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of wine – or another little pick-me-up.  

How to Beat the Winter Blues: 5 Ways to Stay Sane While Staying In

Stay Motivated

As an autism mom, I am asked constantly how I manage to stay upbeat – even more so during this year of layered health and social crises.  There are really two answers to this.  One is simply that it is easier to manage life if you stay positive.  I have recently started listening to Bill Gates and Rashida Jones ask Big Questions, and I have learned that Bill Gates also maintains a strongly optimistic view. 

The second is grounded in my decades of experience living and working with those in much more challenging circumstances.  I have worked with thousands of teenagers over the years, and every one of them has a story.  

Some are battling cancer, others are battling the demons in their own minds.  Many of them are showing up for class despite a host of forces conspiring against them – “sleeping” in loud, shared spaces, working to support their families and then staying up later to do homework, food insecurity.  Others are bearing the weight of complex family dynamics, choosing unsafe habits – and substances – to numb the pain of divorcing parents, estranged siblings, or dying grandparents.  

In other words, life happens.  And in the end, you can play the cards you are dealt, or you can fold.  And while I tend to lose a LOT of card games, I’m certainly not choosing to walk away from my hand in life.  Autism is hard.  Severe autism can make you want to cry and laugh and scream all at once, but in the end, it is also what makes our life ours.  

Stay compassionate

The best way to not dwell on your own challenges? Focus on someone else’s.  There is no shortage of opportunity to do this now.  You can donate food, warm clothing, holiday gifts.  You can spend time making phone calls or writing postcards for causes that are important to you.  You can speak out and speak up to support anti-racist and anti-biased work.  And practicing and acknowledging gratitude actually can benefit you even more than those you are helping – a truly win-win situation.  

Stay comforted

Don’t underestimate the power of food – real food, the cooking, the eating, the sharing of time and space – to change your outlook.  Think lasagna, meatballs, or this tasty chickpea curry (highly recommend adding some chopped new potatoes).  More time at home means it’s easier to put something in your slow cooker or instapot and keep an eye on it.  Like these meltingly tender short ribs, served over some simply mashed potatoes.  

Instapot Short Ribs

What happens when you cook this recipe from Fine Cooking in the Instapot like Girl and the Kitchen suggests.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 50 mins
Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • Mini Instant Pot

Ingredients
  

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbs. canola oil
  • 2 lb. small bone-in beef short ribs
  • 1 medium yellow onion chopped
  • 1-2 jalapeno or other chile
  • 2 medium cloves garlic quartered
  • 1 3- inch piece peeled fresh ginger thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp. dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp. ground allspice
  • 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup lime marmalade (or other non-berry jam, such as peach, apricot, or orange)
  • 1 cup lower-salt chicken broth
  • 2 Tbs. soy sauce
  • 1 Tbs. white wine vinegar
  • 2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh basil leaves; plus small leaves for garnish optional
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat the Mini-Instant Pot to the “Saute” option.
  • Season your short ribs with salt and pepper. Sear them in the Instant Pot for 7-8 minutes per side. Do this in batches, depending on the size of your short ribs.
  • In the meantime, chop the onion and chiles.
  • Remove seared meat to a plate to rest.
  • Check your pot, if you have a lot of more oil than about 1 tbsp (accumulated from the meathen pour it out.
  • Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the chiles, garlic, ginger, thyme, allspice, and nutmeg; stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the marmalade and stir until melted.
  • Add the chicken broth and soy sauce, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze it.
  • Nestle the short ribs back into the liquid.
  • Seal the Instant Pot, ensuring that the venting switch is set on to the "Sealing" position. Press the "Stew" option and set the manual time to 50 minutes on high pressure.
  • Once the timer beeps, allow the Instant pot to go into the “Keep Warm” function for 15 minutes. Carefully, switch the venting tab to the “Venting” position and only once all the steam has been released go ahead and carefully remove the lid of the pot.
  • Using tongs, remove the meat from the Instant Pot, skim the sauce with a spoon concentrating on only removing the fat. Add the vinegar, and turn back onto the "Saute" option. Allow to boil until it has reached a glaze consistency.
  • Stir in the basil and cook for 1 minute to let the flavors meld. Season to taste with salt and pepper, pour the sauce over the short ribs, garnish with small basil leaves, if using, and serve.

Notes

Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.  
Keyword instapot inspiration

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Lessons from 2020: 8 Ways to Reclaim your Life with an Abundance Mindset

What are the Lessons from 2020?

Life-changing.  Unprecedented.  Surreal. 

Those are some of my 2020 words. There are others that are a bit, um, stronger.

Some of the most poignant and powerful words of 2020 I’ve read come from Sonia Renee Taylor:

We will not go back to normal. Normal never was. Our pre-corona existence was not normal other we normalized greed, inequity, exhaustion, depletion, extraction, disconnection, confusion, rage, hoarding, hate and lack. We should not long to return, my friends. We are being given the opportunity to stitch a new garment. One that fits all of humanity and nature.

Sonia Renee Taylor

So in a year of medical crisis, and emotional turmoil, of civil unrest and educational upheaval, of a political reckoning and economic uncertainty I am trying my best to embrace her words among the lessons from 2020. Her “prescription,” I feel, is one of an abundance mindset – of inclusivity, of another spot at the table, of acceptance. Between grocery lines, sleepless nights and a relentless 24/7 news cycle, it be hard to maintain an abundance mindset. But we can – and we must.

In the Before Times- or the new “B.C.” (Before Covid) – I had a student I know well become distracted in an in-person conversation (oh how I miss those!).  Sitting in my office (I actually miss that too!), she was focusing just over my right shoulder on a pathetic looking plant- what had once been a beautiful orchid.  Now, maybe I’m reading too much into my memory of the scence, but it seemed as though her eyes were saying – this lady can’t keep a plant alive: What does that say about her ability with humans?

Lessons from 2020: 8 Ways to Reclaim your Life with an Abundance Mindset

To say I have difficulty successfully taking care of plants is an extreme understatement.  I confess, I’m actually a bit of a plant killer.  Just ask anyone with whom I’ve shared an apartment, home or classroom with over the years.  But the orchid was beautiful when it appeared as a birthday gift, and the memory of that beauty kept me from tossing the rather sad-looking stem.

After the student left, I dutifully watered the plant- for probably the first time in two months, and then forgot about it again. Until March.

On the eve of the state-wide Stay-At-Home orders, the last colleague I saw in real life generously brought me a few things from my office .  Letters.  Envelopes.  Hand sanitizer.  And that orchid.  

Quarantined at home for weeks, then months, the orchid became my project – a distraction. At first, I took more care with it than I did with my own health, sinking into a pattern of little exercise and quarantine baking that brought on the “quaran-ten.” But soon my habits rebounded – and my plant care paid off – and for months from spring into early summer the orchid bloomed.

Like many of you, I have struggled with adapting and adjusting to our new now- an ever-evolving time period that seems to change in length with each mandate and vaccine press release.  But like that orchid, we can recover from this rough spot, and the bloom will be all the much more appreciated knowing the challenges faced in the times before.

Here are some ideas to help you stitch YOUR new tapestry with lessons from 2020:

1. Focus on Family

However big or small your family is, try to savor your moments together. You may be weary of the same few faces, but try to find new ways to connect with those in your immediate bubble. As each season or holiday approaches, think about a safe, timely activity that your entire family can enjoy – jumping in leaves, hot chocolate by the fire, puddle splashing.

2. Recalibrate Commitments

March of 2020 brought a screeching halt to FOMO (the fear of missing out). Social calendars were wiped clean. The endless cycle of practices and games, rehearsals and performances, competitions and tournaments vanished overnight. As you and your family return to activities, think critically about what those are. Return only to what bring you joy, and leave the rest for others to enjoy.

Lessons from 2020: 8 Ways to Reclaim your Life with an Abundance Mindset

3. Reclaim Time

With everything less scheduled, the pace is slower. You can – and should – carve out time to exercise in a way that brings you fulfillment, not impending dread. You can – and should – reconsider the food you are putting into yourself and your family, thinking about where and how you can remove excess sugars and highly processed foods. You can – and should – allow your entire family unscheduled time. It is that time that breeds what, as children, we called “boredom,” but is, in fact, the root of much creativity.

4. Cultivate individual habits and projects

Within the near-constant togetherness of quarantine, creating a sense of individuality and independence is important. And while our world leading up to 2020 was one that seemingly valued activities and pursuits outside the home, that has all changed. There are so many old school hobbies that have a place in our new now: puzzle-making, knitting, sourdough bread making, gardening. If you focus on what is possible, rather than what was cancelled, you may be surprised to find that there is something you can do at home that does bring you fulfillment.

5. Celebrate simply

In March, it was inconceivable that my summer birthday would be in quarantine. But now it looks as though all of us will have a turn at a distanced celebration. The ideas are creative – car parades, Zoom speed “dating,” goodie bags being dropped off or mailed out.

But it doesn’t take a birthday to call for a celebration. Most weeks, making it to Friday warrants a toast. Thank goodness for the new world of cocktails to go, fine dining take out, and at-home wine tasting. And if you want to celebrate almost any other occasion, there continue to be more and more creative options – including Zoom paint nights, remote cooking classes, and digital scavenger hunts.

6. Connect with those who mean the most

I love to host. Whether it’s a handful of moms and a bottle of wine, or a large, catered birthday party, I enjoy sharing food and drink, space and time, with others. I started event-planning in college, before Pinterest was a thing. Which means my sense of hospitality is more about the connection and less about the color-coordinated decor (though I do love some good, safe decorations!). And while hosting certainly looks different in 2020, there are still opportunities to connect with others.

I was struck by the perspective of Priya Parker, a recent guest on Unlocking Us with Brene Brown. Author of The Art of Gathering (and fellow bicultural white-Indian American woman), Priya shares her mom questions that have guided her through these difficult times: What do you know how to do? What is the need? How can I help?

What a better place our world will be if everyone can focus on their own strengths and how to use those strengths to help others in need.

7. Appreciation for health, breath, and clear air

After five months of quarantine, the West Coast woke up in a cloud of smoke. While thousands evacuated, millions more were forced inside by poor air quality, not just for a day or two, but for close to a month. Meanwhile, hurricanes threatened both the East Coast and Hawai’i.

Nothing like a few natural disasters to help you appreciate the simple act of waking up and breathing clean air. Maybe as a result you drive less and walk or cycle more, welcoming your ability to be outdoors. Maybe you just appreciate your health that much more – something that 2020 already has shown us is more tenuous than we would like to think.

8. Just keep swimming

I am, by nature, a planner, and an optimist, someone who looks forward. I am also a traveler, someone who enjoys exploring new places and connecting with new people. 2020 has put me in my place, testing my ability to maintain these core aspects of my life while looking into a bleak, uncertain future, with severe travel restrictions. In the end, I have tried to persevere. And so can you.

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Compassion Fatigue Resources for Educators

Compassion Fatigue Resources for Educators

Do you need compassion fatigue resources?

As we wend our way to the end of 2020, it seems almost laughable that we thought we would be locked down for a “long spring break” in March.  Instead of waiting out what has, in the end, overtaken our lives this year, we have learned to live in it and through it – if not necessarily with it.  And while I am beyond grateful that my immediate family has been spared – thus far – from a Covid diagnosis, I am not immune to the widespread disruption.  No one is.  

While many educators are working remotely, staring at little black Zoom squares instead of engaging with students in classrooms, we are still frontline workers.  We may not be physically on the front lines, like our friends who work in health care, retail or food service, but we are on the social-emotional front lines of this crisis.  Which is why we are at risk for compassion fatigue.

Compassion Fatigue in 2020

We are reading private chat messages that bring us sadness and despair while trying to maintain composure in front of the group.  We are rethinking every aspect of our social-emotional learning curriculum and implementation – anything pre-pandemic seems woefully outmatched by our current circumstances.  We are connecting families pummeled by household-wide COVID diagnoses with as many resources as we can.  

And, one student and one family at a time, we are helping them pick up the pieces of 2020 and salvage a passing grade, as many credits as they can, and, to the best of our ability, a sense of hope for brighter days ahead.  

These are undoubtedly stressful times, and while some stress is important and a natural element in everyday life, being in a constant state of stress is not healthy. Brene Brown recently spoke on her podcast with Amelia and Emily Nagoski, authors of Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle. I cannot recommend this podcast enough – especially this particular episode.

Some of the gems include: “self care requires a bubble of protection of other people who value your well-being at least as highly as you do.” Think about it – do you really have those people? If not, you need to find them.

Emily and Amelia implore us to “Lean on or lean with” others, not to “lean in or lean down.” That is where the support comes from, which is essential to helping combat compassion fatigue.

And “well-being is not a state it is an action;  it is not the gold at the end of the rainbow, it is the rainbow.” Which is why so much of what you should consider changing are small, little, everyday things. It is the cumulative effect of the proverbial “small stuff” that really can make a difference.

So here are some compassion fatigue resources to help you manage:

Set boundaries

If you are working at school, leave your work there.  If you are working remotely, then transition away from the space in your home you are working.  Create a physical change – and try very hard to not “go back” to work after you leave.  Because whatever it is, it will be there in the morning.  

Compassion Fatigue Resources for Educators

Use technology

Use Alexa or Google Home or Siri to remind you to get up, to eat, to move around.  Use FaceTime or Google Hangouts to have “lunch” with colleagues, family or friends.  Use schedule send to schedule follow up messages in the moment.  Use snooze or do not disturb to suppress your inbox at night and on the weekends.  And use Teachers Pay Teachers and other tools to support the creation of materials without having to do it all yourself.  

Decompress along the way

Self-care should not be a special activity – it should be automatic, not-to-be-skipped, not unlike brushing your teeth or washing your face.  Licensed Clinical Social Worker Rose Reif emphasizes this for special needs caregivers in this Lomah podcast episode, but her advice applies to most everyone in these trying times. 

Find ways to decompress and manage your physical and emotional well-being several times a day, not just every 3rd Saturday from 1-2 pm.  If you are working remotely, swap your commute for a walk or run.  Whether remote or in person, you have a prep period – or more than one- take advantage of that time.  

Know your reset buttons

Pay attention to what you can do that helps you “reset” most effectively, and take care to do so frequently.  Maybe it’s a quick walk, a fresh cup of tea, or a call to a friend or family member.  Maybe it’s a few minutes laughing at the Holderness family, or sharing memes on a group text. 

Or maybe it’s taking an entire day off – really off – with no grading, no planning, no school whatsoever – something too many of my friends and colleagues have not done since March.  Don’t underestimate the power of connecting with others – whether distanced or via technology – to help you feel more connected.

Create and support systems that bring change

While it is absolutely important to commiserate with those who understand the world in which you walk, it is even more important to work to change that world.  So you must channel some of your compassion fatigue resources into systemic change. Like so many other types of trauma, the effects of COVID-19 seem to be worse for those who already have a high number of ACES: Adverse Childhood Experiences.  

So as much as it can feel like you are “behind” in your curriculum, your students will likely be more primed to learn if you can help them turn the tide of harm caused by having a high number of ACES.  Physician, author, and current California Surgeon General Nadine Burke Harris has identified six areas that can support resilience in individuals with a history of many ACES.  These are: nutrition, exercise, sleep, mindfulness, maintaining healthy relationships and mental health and wellness.  

And while some of that may be considered “core content” in specific classes, such as PE, science and psychology, there is no reason you can’t embrace many, if not all, of these important areas no matter what you teach.  And if you are supporting these six areas for your students, you will hopefully focus on improving those areas for yourself as well – and that would be transformative education for us all.

What are your best compassion fatigue resources? Please share in the comments.

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2020 Silver Linings in Education

2020 Silver Linings in Education

Are there 2020 silver linings?

It depends on your perspective. It is easy to focus on the challenges – the illness and death, the social inequities, the digital divide highlighted by a nation forced into remote education. But if you look more closely at 2020, there are some silver linings, many of them in education.

After more than two decades in public education, one of my greatest challenges is convincing students and families that wellness and overall well-being is not an extra, but that it is core to any sort of academic progress. Unfortunately, it is these ideas that students and families are most likely to listen to with a sense of “that’s for everyone else, not me.”   And while a segment of our society is hyper-focused on bringing kids on campus in medically questionable situations to “address their mental health issues,” I think all of us would be better off to focus on the 2020 silver linings first.

Embracing Carol Dweck’s concept of growth mindset has proven to improve student outcomes, yet parents and kids alike complain about not being smart enough, not about how hard they are working.  Frank Bruni, in Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be, tells you that successful adults basically never have linear life pathways, yet parents insist on helicoptering – or now snow-plowing – their kids from preschool to the workplace. 

And Laurie Santos, the Yale professor who actually teaches happiness, is not the only voice reminding you that sufficient sleep, regular exercise, and mindfulness will improve your overall well-being much more than any material items – including college bumper stickers.  

2020 Silver Linings for students and families:

Yet student after student, parent after parent assume that these experts are mistaken.  Or that their advice is great for others, but not for their kid or their family.  But as in so many other arenas, 2020 had other plans for you. And if you open your eyes, you’ll see these 2020 silver linings for yourself.

You have your time back:

By necessity, 2020 was less scheduled for most families than any of the previous ones.  The pandemic brought to a screeching halt what has been called the “extracurricular Olympics.”  The race to be president or captain of everything is impossible when nearly everything is on hold.  This summer, there were basically no pricey, flimsy “internships” or “summer programs.”  Instead, there was a shift to more grassroots – and arguably more meaningful – activities.  

Hand-sewing masks, food distribution to those in need (beyond the typical “holiday” drives), and neighborhood PE pods and garage camps.  Creatively supporting the most at-risk members of our society with Zoom concerts, porch gifts, and FaceTiming.  And as we move towards an eventual future of living with this virus, it is my hope that children and teens will return only to those clubs, teams, and activities that bring them joy and fulfillment, and not those that serve only to lengthen their resumes or please their parents.  

You are testing less:

By design, all standardized tests capture a moment in time.  Whether a state-mandated test, an AP exam or the SAT, a test measures not just what you know, but where you are, what you ate – or didn’t eat, how you slept- or didn’t sleep, and how much or little negative stress you are managing at the time.  These circumstances have worsened for most of the country, with a disproportionate effect on those who were already being disenfranchised by the tests: students of color, those with learning disabilities or mental health challenges, and those from schools who did offer extensive test prep. 

You can redraw your social map:

Researcher Brene Brown draws a distinction between – fitting in, as in contorting yourself to fit in a specific social space, and belonging, as in come as you are, you are welcomed here.  Without the “noise” of typical school social scenes, kids are connecting and doubling down on relationships with those who are “their people.”  I have also heard from a surprising number of tweens and teens that the stress of not having to micromanage every inch of their physical appearance is a major win in Zoomland.  

2020 Silver Linings in Education

You can focus on what’s really important:

Author Madeline Levine’s new book, Ready or Not, outlines key areas for individuals who are preparing to launch themselves, and with all due respect to my colleagues, it is not the ACTUAL verb tenses, sine and cosines, and scientific reactions that will serve our students.  Rather it is the ability to access information, connect with others, and adapt to a changing world.  Levine specifically highlights digital literacy, data analysis, critical thinking and perseverance as key traits.  Can you learn these in math or English or science class?  Absolutely.  And you can reinforce them in many other aspects of your life as well.  

You have lots of right answers:

Post-secondary planning is another area where teens experience a lot of conflicting points of view.  Contrary to the popular narrative, there is not a single “right answer” in the college search. In fact, if created thoughtfully, a student’s entire application list will be filled with potential “right answers.” I typically frame this as a situation in which I want all students to make a conscious choice about their plans in the spring of their senior year. 

In some cases, that means broadening the selectivity of your list because you want to have choices in April not let all the choices be made by admission committees in December and March.  In other cases, it means researching options so students can choose a community college that is a fit for them (fit is not only the domain of four-year colleges and universities – community colleges also offer a wide variety of programs, services, supports and even school calendars.) 

And as Jeff Selingo so clearly puts it in his new book Who Gets in and Why?,  why does it matter whether you get into the club if you hate the music playing inside?  Apply that ethos to your college search and you will arrive at a much better fit for your life.  And your bumper will learn to live with whatever that sticker says.  

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Holidays 2020: Smaller, Quieter, Distanced, Still Festive and Special

Holidays 2020: Smaller, Quieter, Distanced, Still Festive and Special

Celebrating the Holidays 2020-Style

Celebrating the holidays 2020-style will likely mean that they are smaller, quieter, and distanced. But you can celebrate and mark these festive occasions – and you may even find yourself creating some new traditions.

Uncrowded Shopping

Start by skipping the mall and shopping with small, local businesses, or online.  Not only is parking easier (or not necessary!) but the shopping environment should be less crowded.  Or do the best of both worlds, and shop with small businesses online – like in our Fall Boutique.  

Come shop our Fall Boutique online!

Why You Should Keep Doing This: Shopping small is important year-round, so support the businesses that sponsor your kids’ sports teams, and fundraise for neighbors in distress.

Easy to Mail Gifts

Think about items that can be shipped safely and easily – and without damage.  As tasty as chocolate candy can be, it doesn’t always ship well.  And be sure any glass items are being wrapped well to avoid them being shattered.  Flat, non-perishable items are ideal, like a set or two of Color Street – or more ideas on this list from The Big White Farmhouse.  

Why You Should Keep Doing This: Sending a small, thoughtful gift is easier than you think, and more special for your recipient than just another mass-produced holiday card.

Holidays 2020: Smaller, Quieter, Distanced, Still Festive and Special

The Guest List

In the end, you will connect with those who are likely physically closest to – probably those already in your bubble, or you will make careful choices about who to include. Silver lining: this is probably not the year where you will be a stuck at a long table with a drunk uncle or your least-favorite cousin.

Why You Should Keep Doing This: You should try to take the obligation out of your guest lists going forward. Life is short – celebrate with those who bring you joy.

Head outside – if you can

In parts of the country where weather permits, plan to eat and celebrate outside if you will be merging “bubbles” for any celebrations. Think about heat lamps, fire pits, and other supports to make this possible. Aim for midday, avoiding the chillier hours when the sun is setting.

Why You Should Keep Doing This: If you’re celebrating outside, then you can keep the chef company while they smoke or barbecue a turkey or ham. Or consider adding toasted marshmallows to your dessert menu.

Share recipes

Rethink your 2020 holiday meals – and cook smaller quantities of just what you like at home.  Will you miss your aunt’s stuffing or your cousin’s pie?  Then do a pre-holiday recipe swap to ensure everyone gets to enjoy their favorites, even if everyone is not all together.  

Why You Should Keep Doing This: Often times we don’t think to ask for these recipes until it’s too late, and memories are failing or the originator has passed away. Recipes are a part of your family history – you could even make a cookbook with them.

Holidays 2020: Smaller, Quieter, Distanced, Still Festive and Special

Reminisce – or make new memories

Rather than just a holidays 2020 zoom with everyone saying “hi” from their little square, consider screen sharing videos or slideshows of holidays gone by.  Or even just those favorite “first steps” and other milestone bits of media that no one except the family wants to see anyway.  

If a watch party’s not your thing? Consider an online game like Code Names or one from Jackbox.  Or this online scavenger hunt for all ages and group sizes:

Why You Should Keep Doing This: Even after we have big family meals again safely, there are always individuals for whom the day or evening runs too long (typically the very young, the very old and/or those with sensory challenges). By including an online option to continue the celebration, parents can tuck littles in bed and join in, or someone can drop off your great aunt at her place and not miss out on the fun.

Plan for next year – in person

Set aside some time to plan for next year’s celebration – ideally it will be in person.  If we have learned nothing else in 2020, we have learned to appreciate precious moments spent in real life with both our biological and chosen families.  So put some thought in how best to connect and include everyone.  

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Distance Learning Educators: Why Your Kids’ Teachers are Falling Apart Right Now

Distance Learning Educators: Why Your Kids' Teachers are Falling Apart Right Now

Distance Learning Educators: What It’s Like

For many, the pandemic has slowed the pace of life.  Certainly millions of people have turned to unemployment relief as their jobs have literally evaporated.  But many of those who have maintained their jobs have seen a recalibration of expectations, a shift in what is expected, and, of course, a major downshift in travel.  So if you are “enjoying more time with your kids” or “have had time to pick up a new quarantine hobby,” please consider, for a moment the plight of your children’s teachers.

Just a few months ago, there were memes aplenty, calling for million dollar teacher salaries – and cases of wine alongside.  Now there are unrealistic expectations and a real risk that we will burn out our already shrinking cadre of educators.  

Teachers are social beings.  Even those who are introverts are accustomed to seeking feedback from their students, the vast majority of it non-verbal.

My very first year of teaching a colleague and mentor took me aside and let me know that the very best form of classroom management (with which I was struggling mightily) was an excellent lesson plan.

So began my commitment to plan and organize my way out of the chaos.  And while I was able to both find my sanity – and refocus on what I was supposed to be teaching anyway – the students benefited in ways I hadn’t anticipated.  The environment of my class became one of structure, of clearly anticipated benchmarks.  No surprises.  No “gotcha” tests or quizzes.  Just well-thought out, clearly organized lessons – and assignments.  

Though a social studies teacher by trade, I was teaching very scientifically.  The blueprint for standards-based grading that so many of my colleagues are moving to now was not available to me then, but I would have embraced it fully if it was on my radar.  

My husband, on the other hand, a science teacher, is an artist when it comes to teaching.  He strings ideas together to weave a compelling narrative, drawing on personal stories and connections to make his often abstract content as relevant as possible.  

Both styles of educators – and all those in between – are being negatively impacted by pandemic education.  Being distance learning educators is new for us all.

Seeking Feedback

Whether it’s your first year or your thirty-first year, in 2020 pretty much everyone feels like a new teacher.

In full distance learning, we try to gauge feedback from little blank Zoom squares, constantly wondering if it is more of an issue of glitchy technology, or of teen angst, that prevents them from hitting the video button.  

When screen sharing, it is nearly impossible to see them anyway, let alone read whatever might be coming through in the chat.

In places where schools have reopened fully in person, educators are walking on eggshells, trying to support and connect with kids from literally across the room – or gym, or field or tent.  Feeling committed to their students and yet their health – and that of their families – imperiled by every minute of in-person class time. 

Unless these schools are tiny, with stable cohorts, they are being shut down for quarantines, (as are many colleges and universities without aggressive testing plans).  We are used to being on the front lines of meeting our students academic and social needs – but to risk our health, and that of our communities to do so is unconscionable.  

The Double Whammy of the Hybrid Model

Which is why so many districts have moved toward the hybrid model, touting it as the best of both worlds.  But the hybrid model in typical public secondary school leaves teachers in the worst possible position.  Risking their physical health to teach the kids in front of them, and their mental health in keeping up with the ones at home.  Trying to teach live and via Zoom simultaneously, all with a mask and face shield obscuring their face and voice.  And planning the same content for both in-person and remote learners officially makes a hybrid two jobs in one – with no pay increase.  

In the spring, we were “building the plane while we were flying it” In the summer, we were waiting on pins and needles, for school boards and governors to determine our fate. And now, with no breather, we are here, hurtling through fall.  

Your kids’ teachers started this year tired and stretched thin.  If you want them to be able to function in the spring, or next fall, or for the next crop of kids, you need to take your foot off the gas – and put in on the brake.  

Julie Mason has done an incomparable job here making a case for why this year isn’t – and can’t be – normal.  Running our teachers into the ground shouldn’t be normal either.  

Educators are Overachievers

Most teachers are overachievers- the career that chose us, however, does not compensate us accordingly.  While we feed our hearts, minds and souls with our work, we often do so at the expense of the cash in our wallets, the hours of sleep we get, and our overall well/being. 

This is a profession that is dominated by women, many of whom still maintain a disproportionate responsibility for the day to day functioning of our homes.  And with utmost respect to our comrades in scrubs, save for that week of Million Dollar Teacher memes we have been somewhat invisible compared to nurses as we navigate this new landscape.  

We have been going above and beyond for so long that no one remembers what the baseline is – or should be.

As in all professional areas, there are a handful of individuals who are phoning it in – but they are the exception, not the rule.

The vast majority of educators are feeling the pressure of meeting an ever-increasing academic demand while simultaneously meeting the social-emotional needs of a diverse, often evolving, classroom population.  

Distance Learning Educators: Why Your Kids' Teachers are Falling Apart Right Now

Time for a Change

Though it was published in 2013, Amanda Ripley’s, The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way is still a seminal work is this area. Her findings continue to resonate today.

We “do” more school – and more homework than many other industrialized countries, particularly those with more highly ranked educational systems.  We want teens to master time management yet we offer few opportunities to practice that skill – instead they complain of boredom, “trapped” in class. We over-focus on standardized tests, at the wrong times, when it’s clear that students who are taught well do well on these tests as a byproduct of their learning, not the sole purpose of it.

Perhaps shorter days should be the new norm for elementary schools.  Perhaps fewer days of each class per week should be the model going forward for secondary schools.  Perhaps everyone should do – and therefore grade – less homework.

For years, we have heard “don’t sweat the small stuff,” for months we have heard “less is more,” but until we actually allow our educators the time and space to breathe and recalibrate our curriculum and , we will undoubtedly end up burning out many along the way.

Related Posts:

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6 Easy Appetizer Recipes – that You Can Serve Individually

Easy Appetizer Recipes - that You Can Serve Individually

Do you need easy appetizer recipes?

Are you ready to have a few people over for a physically distanced social gathering?  Do you want easy appetizer recipes to serve – ideally in individual portions?  Here are some easy appetizer recipes to share with friends and family – no matter the distance.  

Flavored Popcorn

Start with easy, DIY microwave popcorn, by combining a quarter cup of popcorn kernels with one teaspoon of olive oil in a brown paper bag (lunch sized).  Fold down the top and microwave on “popcorn” setting until popping slows to once every few seconds, being careful not to overcook it.  Remove from microwave and toss with additional olive oil and toppings of your choice – consider cinnamon and sugar or Everything But the Bagel Seasoning.  Want something a little MORE different?  Try Everything But the Elote Seasoning or Japanese Furikake (a seaweed-sesame blend) instead.  

To Serve Individually:  Scoop flavored popcorn into clean brown bags, large cups, wooden or plastic bowls, or almost any other containers you have.  

Boursin + Veggies (or bread or crackers – or a spoon!)

Boursin cheese is basically a culinary wonder-item.  (If you haven’t tried it in mashed potatoes, stirred into pasta or on a burger, you are really missing out!).  But at its most basic, it is a spread, equally at home on a piece of celery or a wedge of bread.  

To Serve Individually:  Portion the Boursin cheese into small ramekins or other dishes and serve with any vegetable, cracker or bread that you like.  

Pepper Jelly + Cream Cheese

A dip that is significantly more than the sum of its parts, a block of cream cheese enrobed in pepper jelly is an old-school “dip” that is worth revisiting.  I prefer the Trader Joe’s versions of both ingredients, but you can whatever brands are most readily available to you.  Simply place the block of cream cheese in a shallow bowl and cover with pepper jelly.

To Serve Individually:  Divide the block of cream cheese into small ramekins or bowls and top each with pepper jelly.  Serve with crackers of choice.  

Easy Appetizer Recipes - that You Can Serve Individually

Oven-Roasted Salsa

Toss almost any combination of tomatoes, tomatillos, onions, garlic, sweet peppers and chiles with Omnivore Salt on a baking sheet and roast in a 375 degree oven until tender and slightly charred.  Cool and remove peels/skins and place in a food processor (or blender), adding a fistful of cilantro (or parsley) and the juice of lime (or lemon).  Season with additional Omnivore Salt as needed.  

To Serve Individually:  Place a ramekin in a salad or soup bowl.  Fill the ramekin with salsa and the outer bowl with chips (or other dippers).  

Artichoke Dip

This dip is a long-time family favorite, and one that is definitely a crowd pleaser.  Heighten the nostalgia by serving with woven wheat crackers, or thick corn chips, but nearly any chip or cracker will do.  

To Serve Individually:  Prepare dip mixture and scoop into individual oven-safe dishes or ramekins.  Place the ramekins on a baking tray and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.  

Onion Dip

Another old school dip, reinvented with fresh ingredients.  This dip benefits from the addition of Omnivore salt, alongside plenty of slow-roasted onions.  After slicing the onions, the roasting process requires only occasional stirring. Once cooled, chop the roasted onions and combine with the other ingredients for a tasty, satisfying dip.

To Serve Individually:  After dip has been chilled, to allow flavors to meld, stir well and scoop into small bowls (or endive leaves).  Serve with vegetables, crackers, or, if available, ridged, salt-and-pepper potato chips.  

Slow Roasted Onion Dip

Gluten-free and oh-so-tasty this recipe means you won't even THINK about making onion dip from a mix again. Adapted from:  https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/slow-roasted-onion-dip
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 50 mins
Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 pounds mixed onions
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 tbps Omnivore salt or to taste, divided use
  • 1 1/2 cups plain whole milk yogurt (try the one from Straus)
  • 2 tsp lime juice

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400º.
  • Peel and trim ends off the onions. Cut in half lengthwise. Place halves cut side down on cutting board, then thinly slice.
  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss onion and garlic cloves with oil and water until evenly coated. Season with Omnivore salt and toss again until well coated.
  • Bake, tossing and stirring onions every 10 minutes, until all onions are golden brown and softened, 40–50 minutes total (some onions will brown more than others but that’s okay!). Let cool.
  • Transfer onions and garlic to a cutting board and squeeze out garlic cloves from peel. Using the flat side of a chef’s knife, smash garlic cloves to a paste. Transfer to a medium bowl.
  • Finely chop caramelized onions and transfer to bowl with garlic.
  • Add yogurt and lime juice; season with more Omnivore salt.  Stir to combine. 

Notes

Serve with ruffled potato chips – and some celery or carrot sticks if you like.
Keyword celebrations, snack

What are your favorite easy appetizer recipes? Share in the comments.

For more recipe ideas, follow me on Pinterest.  

Easy Appetizer Recipes - that You Can Serve Individually

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Work at Home Self Care: 5 Tips to Make your Own Staff Lounge

Work at Home Self Care: 5 Tips to Make your Own Staff Lounge

Do you need to make time for some work at home self care?

While many professionals have long had the opportunity to occasionally – or even regularly – work from home, the work at home world is new to most K-12 educators.  Unless you work at an online school or alternative program, then your work has likely compelled you to be in a school building, governed by bells. 

Until now. 

While your learning curve with technology, the strength of the wifi signal, and your school’s virtual schedule are not controllable, try your best to control the time you are off-screen by taking a few minutes to make your own staff lounge.

I know you feel swamped.  I know you may be thinking it’s not worth the time to do this (remember in March, when we thought we’d be home for a long “spring break”?)  But it is.  Your body and mind deserve – in fact, require – a break from the screen and some alternative input.  

Are you among the thousands of educators in need of some work at home self care right now? Take a few minutes to make your own teacher lounge.  

Comfy Seating

This can be anything, really, that’s not the chair or stool where you are teaching or working for the majority of the day.  If you have a really comfy work at home chair (and if you do, I’m jealous!) then try moving it to different spot in your home, just to have a change of scenery.  

A plant – or some flowers

Weather permitting, of course, you can make your teacher lounge outdoors – in your yard, on your patio or lani, or on your balcony or deck.  But when heat, cold, rain, or wind make that less-than-desirable, then bring some “nature” to your indoor space with a plant or a bouquet of cut flowers.  

(I have a notoriously hard time keeping anything alive (a total brown thumb!) so I was thrilled when I was able to coax the nearly-dead orchid from my office window shelf to bloom at home.  The blooms became a steady quarantine companion, lasting from the end of March through early July!)  

Candle or diffuser- or both

Refresh your sense of smell with either a scented candle, an essential oil diffuser, or both.  I tend toward bright, citrusy scents for both candles and oils – and just a few minutes enjoying either can help reset my mood and improve my day.  

Mini day spa

Take advantage of the fact that for the first time in your career you aren’t waiting in line for the faculty restroom (or worse, jockeying for space in the one the kids use!)  Take a minute in your bathroom to put on a fresh coat of lip gloss, apply a scented hand lotion, (or take 10 minutes and give yourself a Color Street manicure!).  

An easy, tasty homemade treat

It’s like staff appreciation for yourself – and you don’t have to share (unless, like me, your partner is also an educator, in which case, you really should save at least one to share).  And as much as I miss sharing food with others, there are some definite benefits to pulling a loaf of banana bread out of the oven when I would typically be driving to school and to popping a batch of cookies in the oven instead of facing my afternoon commute.  

This is a recipe I’ve worked on for months.  It started early in quarantine, when some of our favorite treats, like Trader Joe’s chocolate mints, were hard to find on store shelves.  I started tinkering with recipes to recreate them at home.  I started with the mint patty recipe that was shared here.  But similarly to my feelings about rolling “buckeyes,” I tired of rolling and dipping each one individually.  

So I modified the recipe to something like my buckeye bites, but found the bottoms to be too sticky to be enjoyed easily.  Next, I took a page from the early 80’s, when my mom first started making these double-frosted brownies, and layered them atop a molten brownie recipe, baked in muffin tins.  Baking brownies in muffin tins is exceptionally helpful for portion control, plus it dramatically increases the coveted “edges” of each brownie batch.  And when we are someday ready to share food again, they are perfectly shareable.  

Until then, we’ll stick to sharing recipes.  What’s your favorite teacher lounge treat? 

Mint Chocolate Brownie Bites

Inspired by these brownies: https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/molten-chocolate-chunk-brownies and these mint patties: https://butterwithasideofbread.com/homemade-peppermint-patties/ My family loves chocolate and mint – so I thought I'd combine these homemade treats into something more than the sum of their parts. A dressed up version of brownies, that doesn't involve the somewhat tedious step of forming patties and dipping them by hand.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Cooling Time 40 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • muffin tin
  • mixer

Ingredients
  

Brownie Bites

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup cocoa
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar or 9 Tablespoons sugar and 3 Tablespoons molasses
  • 1 1/3 cups sugar superfine if available
  • ¾ cup 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks

Mint Topping

  • 1/4 cup softened butter
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1-2 tsp peppermint or mint extract
  • 3 cups powdered sugar

Chocolate Topping

  • 2 cups dark chocolate chopped (or chips)
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil

Instructions
 

Brownie Bites

  • Place the flour, cocoa, both the sugars, the butter, vanilla and eggs in a large bowl and mix until smooth.
  • Add the chocolate chips/chunks and stir to combine.
  • Preheat oven to 325°F.
  • Lightly grease a muffin tin.
  • Divide the mixture evenly into the tin.
  • Bake for about 30 minutes or until the brownie is set.
  • Allow to cool before proceeding. Remove brownie bites from tin.

Mint Chocolate Topping

  • Combine butter, honey, extract and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl. Mix with an electric mixer for about 3 minutes, until ingredients are well combined and are holding together.
  • Spread about 2-3 Tablespoons of mint topping on each brownie bite. Chill until set, about 20 minutes.
  • Melt chocolate and coconut oil in microwave for about 1 minute, in 20 second intervals. Stir at each interval until fully melted.
  • Pour chocolate topping over mint layer and chill until set.

Notes

Once set, may be stored up to a week in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Serve chilled or bring to room temperature.
Keyword celebrations, sweet treats

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Trader Joe’s Fall Favorites 2020: Pumpkin Treats and More

Trader Joe's Fall Favorites 2020

What are your Trader Joe’s fall favorites?  Do you stalk the “new” section like I do, using it as a starting point around which to build the rest of your cart?  The new item section at Trader Joe’s tends to explode with options in the fall and winter – making it one of the most interesting times to shop there.  In most aspects of life, I gravitate toward the sun, warm weather, the beach – preferring spring and summer to fall and winter.  But when it comes to food, I have a definite soft spot for fall and winter treats, both savory and sweet.  

While the dominant flavor profile in the fall is pumpkin, there are numerous options for items featuring squash, apples, warm spice blends, and maple as well.

Trader Joe’s Fall Favorites: Pumpkin

Pumpkin Flavored Joe-Joe’s

If these were around in previous falls, I must have missed them.  I’ve already bought two boxes this season – and so should you, if you enjoy warm spices and creamy pumpkin filling in a Joe-Joe format (Trader’s Joes’ version of sandwich cookies for the uninitiated).  

Pumpkin Waffles

These toasted up nicely and paired well with maple syrup for a tasty fall breakfast.  An interesting way of including a bit more vegetables in your family’s meals.  

Organic Pumpkin

A perennial favorite, stir into soups or curries, or baked into pie.  If you haven’t made pumpkin bread, then here’s the recipe you should try.  

Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Slims

I was a bit skeptical about these- I thought there might be too much going on.  In fact, these are a pumpkin-party-in-your-mouth – with the salty pretzel balancing the sweet, pumpkin-spiced coating, and an extra bit of crunch from the crushed pumpkin seeds.  

Mini Hold the Cone Pumpkin Ginger Ice Cream Cones

These mini cones- in all flavors – are great for portion control (an extra bonus when you are trying – somewhat – to limit dairy intake as well).  Pumpkin ice cream with warm spices in a crispy cone.  Perfect for fall days that end up a little warmer than you thought.  

Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies

A fall-inspired version of the once-ubiquitous pink-and-white-animal-cookies, these tasty nibbles are great paired with a cup of tea or cider.

Mini Spicy Pumpkin Samosas

I was a little skeptical, but I found this to be a tasty alternative to traditional samosas, with a nice kick and just the right amount of creamy pumpkin filling in a crisp shell.

What Missed the Mark:

Pumpkin Butternut Squash Bisque

The only true disappointment in the first round of tasting this fall, we had high hopes for the refrigerated soup option.  Unlike many prepared soups, it has a relatively short list of real ingredients.  

Pumpkin Spice Batons

Crispy cookie tubes with perfectly pleasant pumpkin filling, these were a bit lacking in flavor and did not compete with either the pumpkin Joe-Joe’s or pumpkin pretzel slims.  

Spicy Pumpkin Curry Simmer Sauce

Warm spices, but not too hot, this was a creamy curry sauce you could pair with just about anything.  It was fine, but not an item my family is seeking out again.  

Butternut Squash Zig-Zags

The package makes these out to be a quick-cooking side dish, but I roasted them at 400 degrees (with my favorite Omnivore Salt, of course!) for close to 30 minutes before they were ready to eat.  They were fine, but nothing special.  

Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookie Mix

Pumpkin and chocolate are typically a winning combination, and these certainly weren’t bad. But they weren’t my family’s favorite, either.

Fall Zucchette Pasta

The good news – these are adorable, squash-shaped pasta. The bad news? They disintegrated upon cooking and lacked any discernible squash flavor (which, to be fair, was preferred by my picky eaters). Unfortunately, a miss.

Beyond the Pumpkin Patch:

Apple Cider Donuts

These tasty fall treats were even better with a 15-second warm up in the microwave.  Coated in cinnamon-sugar these apple-y cake-style donuts are a great breakfast or dessert treat.  

Maple and Sea Salt Kettle Corn

This was a sleeper hit in our house.  I almost didn’t grab the bag – but now I’m going back for a cartful.  Maple + sea salt + kettle corn = delicious!

Honeycrisp Apple Scented Candle

I have a love-hate relationship with Trader Joe’s candles.  The ones that are scented like fruits – like grapefruit and mango tangerine – I tend to love.  The ones that are supposed to be the smell of baked goods – like lemon cookie and gingerbread – are just not my jam.  The Honeycrisp Apple candle is by far my favorite seasonal candle offering.  It smells so good you actually want to eat it – and in a “real” way, without a hint of fake apple-ness about it.  

Halloween Joe Joe’s Cookies

Joe Joe’s chocolatey goodness paired with a festive orange colored (vanilla flavored) filling and a cute little jack-o-lantern cut-out on the cookie.  What more can you ask for? 

Fall Sips

Spiced Cider

This is a fall favorite that I stockpile each year, trying to stretch the stash to last us through the last chilly days in February and March. The only hot beverage that my entire family enjoys equally, it is great for breakfast, cozy afternoons, or after dinner.

Organic Blood Orange Rooibos Herbal Tea Blend (Caffeine Free)

I am picky about my teas.  I mostly prefer herbal ones, as I don’t touch caffeine after noon.  Some are too mild, and taste like little more than water after steeping for minutes.  Others are too bold, over-steeping in a matter of moments and tasting almost bitter. The Organic Blood Orange Rooibos Herbal Tea blend strikes just the right balance and is a delicious to sip all day in the briskness of fall.

Trader Joe's Fall Favorites 2020

Pumpkin Spice Cream Liqueur

You can splash this in your coffee, or enjoy straight, over ice. I am sure combining it with vanilla ice cream would also be a fantastic idea.

Autumn Maple Coffee

This lightly roasted, ground coffee brings warm fall vibes to your morning joe, without sugar or calories. A delightful way to spice up your fall coffee routine.

What are your Trader Joe’s fall favorites? Comment below, or tag me on Instagram.

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