Extra! Extra! Extra!

Have a yummy Trader Joe's recipe? Post it HERE.

Don't forget to sign our GUEST BOOK.

--TraderJoe'sList

Fage Greek Yogurt Fat-Free

Those Greeks always have to be different! Not only are they full of wacky stories with guys named Zeus who throw lightening bolts, but once again, they have outdone themselves, but this time instead of mythology, it's yogurt. Erase almost everything you currently know about yogurt, because Greek yogurt, is yogurt on steroids. It's uber thick, extremely creamy AND with only 120 calories and 20 grams of protein per cup, its starting to sound like another one of their wacky stories. Top it with a little honey and cinnamon and BAM, Zeus just hit your taste buds with one of his lightening bolts. YUM!

Call me skinny, but I think it was Fage Greek Yogurt that made Zeus the ruler of the sky.

Get Nutrition facts HERE

Instant Miso Soup

If you've gone outside this past week in Southern California or turned on the news from another location, the storms in SoCal are pretty outrageous, at least for us Californians who are cold if it gets below 70 degrees. So what does the rain mean to us Californians? Well, it means you're staying in tonight and probably this weekend. See, us Californians, we are like cats. We do not like any uninvited water on us in any form, unless of course it is a nice dip in the pacific ocean after a rigorous tanning session. So here you are, staying in tonight...and this weekend. At this point you have studied and read Trader Joe's List Top 10 Wines in addition to overhearing the weather man utter "a wet weekend". That being said, you decide picking up the top 8 wines complemented by a few netflix deliveries sounds like a fun, dry weekend. Oh it is! But come Sunday morning, you realize drinking 3-4 bottles Saturday night leaves you with an aching headache and an overall hangover. Rather than taking a few IB profin please perform the following: 1) boil 2 cups of water. 2) Toss in that miso soup packet. 3) Drink. 4) smile, because within 20 minutes you are feeling 1000 times better. No joke, this soup is a quick fix and at only 90 calories a packet, you are feeling less guilty about that late night pizza order too.

Call me skinny, but miso soup makes mesohappy.

Get Nutrition Facts Here.

Donate to HAITI

To donate $10 text HAITI to 90999.

Cioppino Seafood Stew

The only difficult part about this delicious stew is spelling the word C-i-o-p-p-i-n-o when you send your friends and family a text demanding they go and pick this up for dinner. Not only is it around $5, but it is a tomato based stew jam packed with a delicious variety of mussels, clams, white fish, and shrimp. And with a total calorie count of 340 calories and 44grams of protein, this is something that may even appeal to the manliest of men. Don't forget that while you chow down, a high protein count means your metabolism is going to speed while the antioxidant filled tomatoes boost up your immunity.

Call me skinny, but Cioppino a day keeps the doctor and personal trainer away...

Get Nutrition Facts HERE

Trader Joe's List Top 10 Wines

Trader Joe’s Wines – Top 10 Wine List

....complements of Jason's Wine Blog

1. 2007 Trentatre Rosso($6) – A wine that has grown on me with every bottle. I am now smitten with this well balanced effort that offers a very nice finish to boot. Supplies are waning and I’ve been grabbing every bottle I can find…

2. 2007 Rabbit Ridge Allure de Robles ($5) – If my readers haven’t emptied stores of this one by now you may still have a chance to get some. The only reason this didn’t make the top spot is the high ABV%. That said, I just grabbed another case of this a few days back. Fantastic stuff!

3. 2008 Sauvignon Republic Stellenbosch Sauvignon Blanc ($7) – I’ve yet to try the Marlborough (91 points from the Wine Spectator) or the Russian River but already stocked up on all three. Pretty soon I intend to do a blind tasting of the lot. Can I pick out the differences in terroir? Stay tuned!

4. 2008 VINTJS Syrah ($7) – As I’ve previously mentioned this wine was made by Bob Lindquist of Qupe. Given how much I’ve enjoyed those wines I was tickled to find this one. I put a case in the cellar which I plan on checking in on in 3 years or so…

5. 2007 Now & Zen Wasabi White ($5) – Another one I’ve enjoyed more with each bottle, this is a perfect pairing for a spicy Thai or Indian dish. I’ve got a few more bottles waiting in the rack for this situtation.

6. 2007 Perrin Cotes du Rhone Reserve ($7) – Another I’ve been enjoying vintage after vintage. I’m a big fan of the GSM comnination. My latest post was the ‘05. The ‘07 shows nice fruit and pepper/herbal aromas. Still haven’t had better for the money!

7. 2008 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere ($8) – I’m sipping this one as I type and think it deserves an even higher rating. A wine I’ve often called “old dependable” as I have been enjoying this for more vintages than I can remember dating back to my pre-blogging days. The first recorded instance is the ‘05 vintage. The ‘08 shows smoky meat and herbal notes (eucalyptus?) that merge with a dried cherry finish. A nice structure throughout. Never hesitate to grab this one…

8. 2006 Chiusa Grande Tommolo Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo ($5) – A wine that has disappointed few and delivers vintage after vintage. Tart cherries on the nose that make it to the palate with a light tannic, tingly finish. A perfect match for spaghetti and meatballs.

9. 2008 La Granja Tempranillo ($4) – Another I have been drinking with regularity. Apparently this one is a take on “when pigs can fly”. Showing soft rounded fruit up front that leads to a dry, herbal mid-palate and a tongue smacking finish. I’ve already had nearly a case of this one and still have the racks loaded.

10. 2007 Dr. Beckermann Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling Spatlese ($5) – Yet another long time fave, I’ve been enjoying this one since the‘05 vintage. This one now as some competition on the scene with the Now & Zen but is providing a slightly sweeter alternative that is still appealing in this household.

Others of Interest– these crossed my mind as I was writing the latest Top 10… Epicuro Aglianico ($5), Down Under Chardonnay ($3),VINTJS Chardonnay ($7), King Shag Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc($7), Bogle Petite Sirah ($9), Archero Nero d’ Avola Ruggero di Tasso($4), Geyser Peak California Sauvignon Blanc ($8), 2008 Honey Moon Viognier ($5), Callabriga Dao Red ($9)

Special Selections– for those looking for bubbly or dessert…
Bubbly: NV Zonin Prosecco Brut ($6) or NV RSVP Brut Sparkling ($6).
Dessert: NV Porto Morgado Ruby Port ($7)