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Trader Joe's Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Casserole

As promised, I'll alternate the sweet and the "actual food" reviews here. Yes, there is some real food that is hitting shelves. But don't get too attached this item as it is seasonal. Or if you are into it, then this is your cue to stock up.

Taste

This is one of three actual food items that Trader Joe's has added only temporarily to the frozen aisle: Harvest Spaghetti Spirals, Organic Delicata Squash, and this casserole.

Now, that raised a question in my mind while eating this. What exactly is a casserole? I came up with a vague definition in my research of a dish that is cooked in an oven over a long period of time.

And when I tried this it reminded me of Mac and Cheese as that is technically a casserole as well. And I'm not talking about the boxed kind. The real homemade with love kind. This is basically Mac & Cheese without the Mac. So the calorie bomb that is Trader Joe's Diner Mac and Cheese can be made healthier by the substitution of Spaghetti Squash. Yes, eating each of those trays will set you back approximately the same number of calories, but this is way more filling.

This item is better in the oven than the microwave, but it depends on how much time you are willing to put into things. The oven way will set you back nearly and hour, while the microwave will take about 10 minutes. Yes, this I've had four times now, so I've tested things both ways.

If you are willing to wait you will be rewarded with a deliciously crisp crust on top that adds a layer of texture to this. The breadcrumbs were still reasonably crisp out of the microwave all things considered. It does a better job of the sauce combining with the squash out of the oven too.

Overall

There are fewer cheeses in this than a typical Trader Joe's Mac and Cheese. This is parmesan and cheddar. But you get the same comforting vibe.

No matter, if you enjoy the hearty goodness of mac and cheese but don't want the added calories of the pasta, then this is a good find.

For $4.99 this serves two people in the real world. It's no low-calorie side, but it is a tasty one.

Would I buy this again? Yes, I've bought a few more. Just in case. Because you never know.

On a fun side note, today is International Podcast Day. If you don't know what a Podcast is, then it's basically a self-hosted radio show put out on the internet. I was interviewed over the Summer on a Podcast called BFF with the Chef. So if you've ever wondered why Trader Joe's isn't in my website name, I answer that question in the Podcast too.

You can check out the episode on iTunes here. Not an Apple person? It's also on Stitcher here. Or on the Google Play Store here.

Product photos

The box of Trader Joe's Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Casserole:

Calories

Trader Joe's Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Casserole nutritional information

Ingredients

Directions

Out of the package you get:

Trader Joe's Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Casserole out of the box

After being cooked you get:

Trader Joe's Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Casserole fully cooked

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

Trader Joe's Halloween Gummies Review: Boo-licious Bites

As Halloween approaches, Trader Joe's shelves are stocked with seasonal treats, and one standout is their Halloween Gummies. These colorful, spooky-themed gummies come in mini bags, making them perfect for trick-or-treaters or adding a festive touch to lunchboxes. But how do they taste, and are they worth picking up? Let's explore the details, from taste and texture to ingredients and serving suggestions.

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What Are Trader Joe's Halloween Gummies?

Trader Joe's Halloween Gummies are a limited-edition, seasonal product that features small, individually wrapped bags filled with mini gummy candies. Shaped like spooky Halloween icons-bats, pumpkins, and ghosts-these gummies are designed to bring a bit of fun and flavor to the holiday season. Each bag contains about 10 mini gummies, making them a great option for handing out to trick-or-treaters or enjoying as a festive snack.

Taste and Texture

The taste of Trader Joe's Halloween Gummies is reminiscent of berry flavors, though it's hard to pinpoint exactly which berries they represent. Each gummy has a distinct but subtle flavor, with a nice balance between sweetness and mild tartness. The texture is soft and chewy, providing that satisfying gummy bite without being too sticky or tough. Overall, these gummies are enjoyable for both kids and adults, offering a fun and flavorful treat that's easy to eat.

Ingredients and Nutritional Information

Ingredients:

Primary Ingredients: Sugar, glucose syrup, water, pectin, fruit and vegetable juice for color, citric acid.
Flavor Enhancers: Natural flavors
Allergens: Contains coconut and wheat, which may be a concern for those with allergies.

Trader Joe's Trader Joe's Halloween Gummies ingredient list

Nutritional Information (per mini bag):

Calories: 70
Fat: 0g
Sodium: 20mg
Carbohydrates: 16g
Sugar: 14g
Protein: 0g

These gummies are relatively low in calories, making them a guilt-free treat. However, they do contain sugar and are not suitable for those with coconut or wheat allergies.

Trader Joe's Trader Joe's Halloween Gummies nutritional information

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

Trader Joe's Halloween Gummies are versatile and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions and pairing ideas:

Decorating Halloween Desserts:
Use the gummies to decorate cupcakes, cookies, or cakes. They add a playful touch to any Halloween-themed dessert.

Trick-or-Treat Handouts:
These mini bags are perfect for handing out to trick-or-treaters. They're individually wrapped, making them a convenient and safe option for Halloween night.

Lunchbox Treats:
Add a bag of these gummies to your child's lunchbox for a fun and festive surprise. They're the perfect size for a sweet treat without overloading on sugar.

Party Favors:
Include these gummies in party favor bags for Halloween parties. They're a hit with kids and adults alike.

Trader Joe's Trader Joe's Halloween Gummies out of the package

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Trader Joe's Halloween Gummies gluten-free?

No, these gummies contain wheat and are not gluten-free.

How long will Trader Joe's Halloween Gummies be available?

These gummies are a seasonal product and are typically available in stores leading up to Halloween. They are usually on shelves from late September through October, or until they sell out.

Conclusion

Trader Joe's Halloween Gummies are a delightful seasonal treat that adds a fun and festive flair to Halloween. With their soft, chewy texture and subtle berry flavors, they're sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike. While they're not suitable for those with certain allergies, they make an excellent addition to trick-or-treat bags, lunchboxes, and Halloween parties. Be sure to grab a bag or two while they're still in stores, as they won't be around for long!

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Trader Joe's Grapefruit Ginger Body Scrub

I need a break from all the good stuff hitting shelves. In fact, there are a lot of nonedible new items hitting the shelves right about now. You have a series of new candles, pumpkin body butter, dryer balls, and some wax-covered food wraps. Among this small shelf also is another hidden gem: Trader Joe's Grapefruit Ginger Sugar Scrub.

Trader Joe's Grapefruit Ginger Sugar Scrub review

Testing and review

I've joked in earlier posts about the amount of sugar in a lot of the items. Here is the first one where I did not have to eat it. This one was a sit back and enjoy this type of experience.

Now, let's start off with the price, which is $5.99. This is along with the same price as Trader Joe's Lavender Salt Scrub, however, that product is 20 ounces, while this is only 8 ounces. This is a sugar scrub and that is a salt scrub. The aroma is a matter of personal preference.

However, let's have a really honest discussion about the functionality of a tub versus this tube. I don't know about you, but I've never fully understood how the room that gets the most soap and water seems to be the most prone to mold. That being said, anyone who doesn't have a good shelf to put these fun bath items on knows the harsh reality of tubs that just sit in the tub area: they get kinda gross.

That being said, I personally prefer the tube design on other functional levels too: it's easier to dispense and it doesn't get water in the package. Don't get me wrong, I love scrub tubs whether they come from Bath and Body Works or elsewhere. But it never fails that they get water in them from the running shower.

Nothing worse than a watery product even if you are using it in the running water.

This product is nicely exfoliating with an aroma that balances the sweet-tart fragrance of grapefruit with the spicy ginger. The sugar is nicely sized as to not make you feel like you are being wiped by sandpaper. Nope, this is pleasant in its scrubbing abilities.

But there was one area I was disappointed in: this isn't very moisturizing. I read through the ingredients and was shocked. There is a good amount of oil in this one. But for some reason, it wasn't as moisturizing and I had hoped. I still found myself reaching for Trader Joe's Lemongrass Coconut Body Oil after my shower.

My absolute favorite scrub that Trader Joe's sells only comes out once a year: Trader Joe's Exfoliating Sea Salt Trio. It was rich and moisturizing and I regret not picking up a few more last year. If you are looking for a summer seasonal one then reach for the Strawberry Lemonade Scrub.

Overall

But in the meanwhile, this is a good item to stretch out my supply of scrubs, even if it means I'll need a second product to keep my skin soft.

If you love this, but can't find it at your local Trader Joe's then you can also find this through third-party sellers on Amazon.

Would I buy this again? I would buy this again. It did the job. While I don't love the value, the tube is way more functional.

Product photos

The bottle of Trader Joe's Grapefruit Ginger Sugar Scrub:

The ingredients:

Trader Joe's Grapefruit Ginger Sugar Scrub ingredients

How Trader Joe's describes this:

Trader Joe's Grapefruit Ginger Sugar Scrub directions

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

The Bottom Line

Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below. Hearing your thoughts makes my day and this blog more fun and interesting place. Oh, and if you have suggestions on how to best use this product, please share that too!

As always, thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to share your ideas.

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Trader Joe's Hot Cocoa Dunkers

Behold, the second Hot Cocoa-themed item of the year (possibly the third if you count the return of the salted caramel hot cocoa).

Trader Joe's hot cocoa dunkers review

Tasting and review

The previous appeared in the Hot Cocoa Toaster Pastries but one thing was missing: the marshmallows. Not that the toaster pastries needed any more sugar or sweetness to them. They were pretty good as is. Now, when I saw these, I knew I did not need these in my life.

But every time I've shared these with someone, the reaction tends to run the same, "OMG, get those away from me." They meant this in the best possible way.

You see, the box is big enough for sharing. Thank goodness for that because I could sit and eat this whole tub of cookies. In my household growing up we would have called this "Red Light Food." In other words, self-control goes out the window when they are this good. And for the five people I share this with, they seemed to concur.

I had no problems finding people who were willing to take one. But as much as people liked them, it was easier to leave me with the tub and walk away.

They are built on the same successful premise as the other Dunkers varieties: a crisp cookie that is meant to be dipped in a glass of something. Often they have a chocolate bottom to ensure they stay together.

But what is standout about these is that they are richly chocolatey with the added crunch of mini marshmallow bits. They are sweet but would pair well with milk, tea, coffee, or even a mug of hot cocoa.

Overall

Even the soft cookie lover in me felt the need to go back to this tub. While I would love to buy this again, I do have a few more sweet items to work on. But if I didn't have this blog, a corner of my kitchen would be reserved for these cookies.

For $3.99 they're decently sized and decently priced. They are sadly a seasonal find so if you love these then you'll want to grab a few before they are gone for the season.

Product photos

The box of Trader Joe's Hot Cocoa Dunkers:

The nutritional information:

Trader Joe's Hot Cocoa Dunkers nutritional information

The ingredients:

Trader Joe's Hot Cocoa Dunkers ingredients

Out of the package you get:

Trader Joe's Hot Cocoa Dunkers out of the box

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

The Bottom Line

As always, thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to share your ideas.

Trader Joe's Autumnal Harvest Soup

When I first saw this jar, I immediately thought about Trader Joe's Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce (which is back on shelves albeit temporarily). The names seem similar. The color of the contents seemed similar. So, I wondered what the difference was. And yes, that pasta sauce is something worthy of stocking upon. Seriously.

Taste and review

The heat (and more importantly the humidity) has finally eased here in New York. And I can finally justify the idea of eating soup.

I had heard that people had been using the pasta sauce as a base for soup. I personally enjoyed the past sauce enough I wasn't willing to spare an extra jar to experiment with that idea.

Now I don't have to. Here is a soup that is very similar to that pasta sauce with some exceptions. This soup is very hearty. It eats like a meal.

If you aren't into a thick and chunk soup that means those words, then skip over this one. If you are a fan of the sauce, then you might consider picking this up.

Now, this is a premium soup and pretty much a premium price. This jar will set you back $3.99 and will provide two generous servings. But those servings are loaded heavily with veggies that are tender, still, have texture to them, and aren't mush. This soup eats like a meal and with the addition of protein could easily be a meal on its own.

Aside from the fresh-tasting veggies, you have a creamy tomato soup base that pairs well with it. It's not quite as creamy as say the Autumnal Pasta Sauce. But then again, there would be nothing wrong with adding a splash of cream. And yes, I'm not sure I would want a soup to be that creamy without something to cut through the richness.

Overall

If you are a fan of the pasta sauce, this is another home run.

Would I buy this again? Yes, yet another seasonal item I'll need to stock up on before it disappears from shelves. It seems to be a seasonal item like the similar pasta sauce, so I'll be making room on my shelves for a few extra jars to get me through the winter season. This is absolutely worth a try.

Product Photos

The jar of Trader Joe's Autumnal Harvest Soup:

The nutritional information:

Trader Joe's Autumnal Harvest Soup nutritional information

The ingredients:

Trader Joe's Autumnal Harvest Soup ingredients

How to prepare:

Trader Joe's Autumnal Harvest Soup how to heat

After being heated you get:

And a closer look at this:

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

The Bottom Line

Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.

You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.