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Trader Joe's Simpler Wines White

There are certain truths about living near NYC. Everyone is in a hurry. Everything is expensive. And you have the world at your fingertips. Except buying wine and liquor at the grocery store.

Wine and alcohol at Trader Joe's

If looking at the Fearless Flyer from time to time has taught me anything, it's that some stores get things we are simply not allowed to have.

Now, before you call me out saying there is a Trader Joe's Wine Store in NYC, there is. It just sells wine. I've never been to it. Because of the amount of wine I'd want to carry out I'd need my car. And parking in NYC is a pain.

So when my sister needed a ride to Newark airport in New Jersey, the wheels in my head started turning.

I can buy wine and liquor. I've already paid the $15 toll to get there.

Yes, you read that right the George Washington Bridge is $15 to cross. Everything in New York is expensive. I wasn't about to waste a trip over the bridge. So I found myself at the Westfield, New Jersey location where they sell both wine and liquor.

Oh, the joy.

And full cart that ensued.

And the two bells that rang.

Apparently, an out-of-state driver's license gets two bells at Trader Joe's FYI. My mom was standing behind me and gently told the cashier, "I'll vouch for her."

True story.

Tasting

So on to the cans, each can is about the size of a glass of wine. It's fizzy, not too sweet. Some bubbles but nothing too crazy.

It won't win any medals but had a decent wine spritzer taste to it. It's not for everyone, but it is portable for bringing this wherever you are planning on bringing it.

Would I reach for this over a good bottle of wine? No. As something light and refreshing it was decent enough.

It doesn't quite top my favorite canned wine either- Friends Fun Wine Sangria. But at the price point, there isn't much competition either. Even my beloved Friends Fun Wine is about $2 a can. I paid $4.99 for a four-pack of cans which are about the same size as a regular size bottle of wine.

Overall

This was drinkable, but might be improved with the addition of some fruit juice or puree.

Wine prices do vary because of local laws which may tax this product differently depending on the state you purchase them.

Would I buy this again? While this is a cheap treat, I don't think I'll be buying Trader Joe's Simpler Wines White again. That doesn't mean I'm not open to trying other varieties. It's not terrible, but I'd pay a couple more dollars for it to be really good.

Product photos

The box of Trader Joe's Simpler Wines White Italian Sparkling Wine:

The information on the package:

The rest of the information:

Out of the can you get a pale white wine with some fizziness but not a ton of bubbles:

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

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Trader Joe's Lemongrass Coconut Body Oil

Did you ever try a product with a natural aroma that just reminded you of something else? Well if you've purchased Trader Joe's Lemongrass Coconut Body Oil, you might stir up a different memory.

Testing this

Lemon Pez.

That is what this smells like the first time I put it on. The next time I put it on I had my husband smell my arm.

OMG, It smells like Lemon Pez and I haven't smelled that in years.

That was my husband's response.

So, if you can get past the cloying sweet aroma that is more appropriate for Dylan's Candy Bar than something sophisticated, then here is an item I've overlooked on countless occasions in the health and beauty aisle.

The heat, humidity, and going in and out of air conditioning have left my skin more dry than usual. I have my share of chronic dry patches that a regular lotion doesn't seem to address. While I think this would be better suited to wintertime use, it left my skin soft even after showering.

A little goes a long way here. This is all oil. At 70 degrees it wasn't solidified as the bottle warned. But for oil, I don't end up feeling greasy.

Overall

I'd probably only use this item on my body and not my face as the smell here is quite strong and far more pronounced than say the seasonal Trader Joe's Rose Facial Oil.

For $3.99 it's inexpensive and something that you might not have noticed on shelves. If you can get past the candy-sweet smell, it is a really nice moisturizer at a bargain price.

And if you can't find this at your local Trader Joe's, then it might also be available through third-party sellers on Amazon.

Would I buy this again? While Trader Joe's Lemongrass Coconut Body Oil will last me a long time, I would buy this again.

Product photos

The bottle of Trader Joe's Lemongrass Coconut Body Oil:

How Trader Joe's describes this product:

Trader Joe's Lemongrass Coconut Body Oil ingredients, directions and usage information

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.

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

Trader Joe's Meatless Breakfast Patties

If meat isn't a part of your morning routine then Trader Joe's Meatless Breakfast Patties are a worthwhile find.

Trader Joe's Meatless Breakfast Patties review

Tasting and review

Before I met my husband, I had almost no meat in my household. He was a hardline meat and potatoes type of guy. More like steak and potatoes.

I introduced Morningstar Farms products to him. He was less than impressed to say the least.

Long story short and fast forward 7 years, we're married and most of my meatless buying habits haven't fully come back. But I'm trying to get that back on track.

I like my fake meat chicken. Morningstar Farms made a chicken patty that is still my favorite. I also absolutely adore Trader Joe's Soy Chorizo. That passed the husband carnivore test when I put it in some tacos.

This however is a bit more of a compromise in terms of texture. It doesn't perfectly mimic the texture of meat as it lacks the oily nature that is real sausage. But it does a good job on the spice blend to what you would find in a sausage patty.

In terms of cooking, I had mine in the toaster oven one morning and in the microwave another. Either way, made for a good tasting meatless morning. There wasn't a huge difference between how they tasted using those two methods.

Overall

If you are looking to mix up your morning routine, cut back on your meat consumption, or just make something that won't splatter your kitchen in grease, then these are pretty good.

For $3.29 for six patties they are a bit expensive but most fake meat seems to be.

Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Meatless Breakfast Patties again.

Product photos

The box of Trader Joe's Meatless Breakfast Patties:

Trader Joe's Meatless Breakfast Patties box

Calories

Trader Joe's Meatless Breakfast Patties nutritional information

Ingredients

Directions

Trader Joe's Meatless Breakfast Patties how to prepare

After being cooked with some shredded hash browns and coffee:

Trader Joe's Meatless Breakfast Patties fully cooked and with hasbrowns

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.

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

Trader Joe’s Mint Chip Ice Cream Review: Classic Flavor Done Right

If you're a fan of mint chip ice cream, you know not all versions are created equal. Some are too sweet, others too artificial. Trader Joe's Mint Chip Ice Cream aims to strike a balance between creamy, minty freshness and rich chocolate bits, all without being overpowering or overly indulgent.

Sold in a 1-quart container for $4.99, this pint-sized favorite is a sleeper hit in the frozen aisle.

Trader Joe's Mint Chip Ice Cream

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Review

This flavor isn't trying to reinvent mint chip, it's sticking to the classic formula and doing it surprisingly well.

The first thing I noticed when scooping it out was the texture. It's dense, creamy, and rich, not the whipped, airy stuff you find in bargain brands. You'll need to let it sit for a minute or two before scooping if you want that smooth, rounded spoonful.

Now onto the flavor: it's minty without being medicinal. Trader Joe's strikes a nice balance here: cool and refreshing, but not toothpaste-y. It tastes clean and subtly sweet, which makes it easy to go back for another bite. Or five.

The chocolate chips are more like shaved chocolate flakes, which I prefer. They melt more evenly on your tongue and don't freeze into rock-hard chunks. The amount of chocolate is generous but not overwhelming-it's there in every bite but never competes with the mint.

Overall, it reminded me of the kind of mint chip you'd get at a scoop shop. It's not fancy, but it's satisfying, nostalgic, and easy to love. If you enjoy a classic mint chip, this one hits the mark.

Ingredients

Milk
Cream
Sugar
Fudge chips
Egg yolks
Natural mint flavor
Guar gum

Contains: milk, eggs, soy, and coconut.

Trader Joe's Mint Chip Ice Cream ingredients

How to Enjoy

Blend into a milkshake with chocolate syrup
Serve in a waffle cone or sugar cone for a nostalgic touch
Add to a brownie sundae or chocolate cake
Use in an ice cream sandwich with chocolate cookies
Top with hot fudge and whipped cream for a minty twist on a classic sundae

Trader Joe's Mint Chip Ice Cream nutritional information — It's Super Premium in saturated fat. I told you. You probably don't want to know.

FAQs about Trader Joe's Mint Chip Ice Cream

The following are commonly asked questions about this product:

Is Trader Joe's Mint Chip Ice Cream gluten-free?

While the ingredients themselves don't contain gluten, it's not labeled gluten-free, so those with sensitivities should use caution.

Is it made with artificial colors or flavors?

No artificial colors. It uses natural mint flavor, and it's not the common pale green that is seen in so many other mint chip ice cream.

Is this hard to scoop?

Like many premium-style ice creams, it's best after sitting for a few minutes to soften slightly.

Does it taste like toothpaste?

Not at all. The mint is cool and clean, but mellow enough to avoid that artificial "too minty" taste

What makes this different from other mint chip ice creams?

The texture is creamier, the chocolate is shaved rather than chunked, and the flavor is subtle but satisfying.

Final Thoughts

Trader Joe's Mint Chip Ice Cream doesn't try to be trendy or reinvent the wheel and that's exactly why it works. It's cool, creamy, and familiar in the best way. If you're looking for a satisfying mint chip that's not too sweet, too green, or too artificial, this is a freezer aisle win.

It might not be the flashiest dessert in your cart, but it'll keep you coming back for another scoop.

If you are looking for other seasonal and well-done flavors, check out my reviews on the Ube, Speculoos, and Fudgy Cookie Dough Ice Cream.

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Trader Joe's Shea Butter and Coconut Oil Hair Mask

Recently, I've decided to change the color up. Normally, we are covering the grey strands that seem to be multiplying. But having an unnatural hair color has also become trendy. Now, instead of kids with purple, pink, blue (and a number of other colors) hair, we see adults with those colors. And some wear it really well.

So because I work around kids, I've opted to go Peekaboo. In other words, if my hair is down my hair remains dark brown. Put up the bottom portion of my ponytail is purple. Or when it washes out the bottom portion of my hair is blonde.

I think of my peekaboo color in the same way as the old saying for a mullet, "Business in the front and party in the back." It's professional enough for a work environment.

Trader Joe's Shea Butter and Coconut Oil Hair Mask review

I'm very lucky that my sister is a trained hairdresser. Anytime I need a trim, color, or cut she has scissors and is happy to take me.

Testing this

In either case, I tell you this because I have color-treated hair (and bleached on the bottom) which can get a bit dry. My sister loves Olaplex but the price tag is pretty far up there for something that at the end of the day, literally goes down the drain.

So, while my sister usually tells me to steer clear of regular products and stick with the salon stuff, I decided to give this a try.

And I really like it.

It smells mostly of coconut oil. Not a bad thing in my mind because some fragrances can be off-putting.

Three to five minutes of letting it sit in my hair were a fair exchange for the smoothness that resulted. Now, I've used other leave-in conditioners, but they left my hair feeling so greasy. This, on the other hand, was all shine.

I had my reservations about trying this because of the color-treated nature of my hair (along with how it may handle the bleached sections of my hair where the purple once was). Especially at the price tag of $3.99, but there was no disappointment here on any level.

The longer this sat on my head the softer my hair was.

Overall

But truth be told, I'm impressed with this item. It's going into my rotation of items I'll be picking up regularly. It smelled good, I got what it promised: shiny and soft hair. There was no greasiness and it's completely affordable.

If you can't find this at Trader Joe's, then you might be able to find it through third-party sellers on Amazon.

And this product is way less expensive than other deep conditioners out there.

Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Shea Butter and Coconut Oil Hair Mask again. It did what it needed to do: leave my hair soft and not greasy.