Welcome to September!
I don’t know about you, but we are loving these unexpectedly cool temperatures. Last week, we even enjoyed a few days in the lower 70s, a rare treat at the end of August.
As you will see in this week’s recap video, we made a quick trip to Springfield, MO. And our daughter requested that we pick up her favorite pumpkin spiced beer while we were there. Mission accomplished! Along the way, we noticed that pumpkin spice is officially everywhere. Yes, even the infamous Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte is back in full force!
Coaching Tip of the Week
Some of you may love the cozy comfort that pumpkin spice brings, especially on a crisp, cool fall day. Others? The pumpkin spice craze might be a little too much – just the thought could make you run the other way!
Believe it or not, there are now over 500 products featuring pumpkin spice on the package! Next time you’re at the store, take a look — pumpkin spice has invaded chips, cereals, whipped cream, yogurt, granola bars, Twinkies, marshmallows, candy bars, cupcakes, almonds, donuts, jellybeans, gum…you name it!
As you can imagine, when it comes to many pumpkin flavored products, it’s a processed food paradise! Don’t worry – you can still enjoy pumpkin spice healthfully and deliciously at home. From meals and drinks to smoothies and sweet treats, making pumpkin-inspired recipes from scratch is easier than you think.
Read more in our coaching tip: Does Your Pumpkin Spice Come From the Farm or the Factory?
This Week’s Recap: REAL Food. REAL Life.
In this week’s recap video, we talk about:
- Our weekly visit to the farmers’ market
- Flavor-loaded meals using our farmers’ market finds – including Mexican Breakfast Pizzas, Roasted Eggplant Bruschetta, and more!
- A quick trip to Springfield that included overnight oats, baked oatmeal, and meals on the road
- A stop at a super-cool new “Ozarks Farm Stop”
- Enjoying the Mediterranean Roasted Eggplant Pasta with Lemon Garlic Cod with good friends!
- And more!
Farmers’ Market Feast!
Crab cakes… without the crab?! 🦀 In this video, we show you how to make the delicious Lion’s Mane “Crab” Cakes topped with a sweet & spicy Hatch Peach Salsa. Plus, the Montana Inspired Beet Salad, which is bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors! This was inspired by an amazing meal we enjoyed during a trip to Glacier National Park.
Our Favorite Things to Buy at Trader Joe’s!
Discover our favorite Trader Joe’s finds! 🛒 From pantry staples to fresh produce and a few fun surprises, we’re sharing the items we love to keep on hand for easy, healthy, and flavor-packed meals. Whether you’re a Trader Joe’s regular or planning your first visit, these favorites will inspire your next shopping trip! What are your Trader Joe’s must-haves? Share them in the comments — we love hearing your favorites!
Join Us & Share
Remember, all these videos – and more – are available on our Eat REAL America YouTube channel. If you know someone who might benefit, please share! And while you’re there, be sure to subscribe and click the notification bell so you’ll be the first to know when we add new videos.
Thank you and remember – keep it simple and EAT REAL!
At Trader Joes I love the spiced mexican cauliflower rice.
I wish we had Trader Joe’s in Canada. I really enjoyed going to it when I lived in CT.
The product I just bought and prepared for Zonya is the Harvest Blend. It’s a combination of pearled couscous, orzo, split baby garbanzo beans and red quinoa. I cooked it and made a vinaigrette with rice vinegar, olive oil and a spice blend. Then I added the teeny tiny tomatoes called Sprinkles (which I bought at TJ’s), an aloha pepper, and a diced zucchini. So it was kind of like a pasta salad and it was delicious and super easy.
I also love some of the produce that I can’t find most places like the baby zucchini, the tri-colored cauliflower florets, and now they sell brown beech mushrooms.
I also love their spice blends. We keep these on hand: green goddess, everything but the bagel, everything but the leftovers, and Cuban style citrusy garlic.