We Tried Trader Joe’s Teriyaki Mushroom Mini Bao Buns

I was skeptical when I saw that Trader Joe's newest dumpling was teriyaki-flavored. Teriyaki in a bao? I imagined a gloopy super sweet soy-based sauce overwhelming the veg filling. But now that I've tried Trader Joe's Teriyaki Mushroom Mini Bao Buns? I think it's meant to be more of a shorthand toward a sweet,…

February 18, 2025

Food News

Trader Joe’s and the Tariffs

While the tariffs have been paused for 30 days with Canada and Mexico, it's time to check and see if some of your Trader Joe's faves or staples would be subject. This is just a sampling of a products from Canada. I haven't included produce, because it varies so widely and a lot you seem…

February 5, 2025

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Handheld Chicken Pot Pies

We're gonna try something new and see how posting video goes. I'm a big fan of pot pie and hand pies in all their incarnations, savory or sweet. So when I saw Trader Joe's Handheld Chicken Pot Pies, I knew they were coming home with me. They come two to a package and I opted…

January 29, 2025

Book Reviews

Five Star Fave: The Favorites by Layne Fargo | Review

OMG. If you live for the drama, if you love mess, The Favorites by Layne Fargo is a juicy, intense look inside the world of competitive ice dancing, complete with a documentary, dishy gossip sites, and politics. I am obsessed! Kat Shaw has idolized gold medal ice dancer Sheila Lin from childhood. And despite humble…

January 14, 2025

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Chicken Mole

Let's start here. Yes, I have made mole, so I get how many ingredients and how much effort goes into it. So it's no surprise that a lot of people just default to the Doña Maria jar. And now, Trader Joe's is serving up a microwavable version for $7.99 that's almost even easier. You don't…

January 13, 2025

Book Reviews

25 New 2025 Books by Asian and Pacific Islander Authors

For the last few years, I've been sharing a list of books I'm tracking by Asian and Pacific Islander authors. This year, I managed (again) to make it a nice round 25 for 2025. Details (and preorder links!) get thinner as we get out beyond summer, but it looks like we're in for a great…

January 2, 2025

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Crispy Potato and Poblano Tacos

For awhile now, Costco has periodically stocked a flat Jack-in-the-Box-style crispy taco from Don Lee Farms. They came in chicken and pork. And now Trader Joe's is bringing us a vegetarian/vegan version with its Crispy Potato and Poblano Pepper Tacos. The filling is mashed potato and roasted poblano chile. So don't go in…

December 17, 2024

Product Review

Yea or Nay on 3 New Trader Joe’s Holiday Sweets

Everybody has their Trader Joe's holiday favorites whether it's Jingle Jangle or Candy Cane Joe Joe's. But will your holiday get together be complete without one of these new holiday sweets? Here are quick hit reviews on a few of Trader Joe's holiday sweets, new for 2024. YEA! Trader Joe's Rum Balls are…

December 12, 2024

Product Review

Trader Joe’s Holiday Health and Beauty and Home Finds 2024

Are you ready for the first round of Trader Joe's Holiday Health and Beauty and Home Finds?! Of course, you've seen this year's 12 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar is in, right? Along with it, we spotted some more returning holiday items in the health and beauty section. Let's get to it. The Holiday Scented…

November 6, 2024

Just for Fun

Trader Joe’s 12 Days of Beauty 2024 Has Landed

Chocolate, Pet and Candle Advent Calendars Are In, Too! The year's most anticipated (TJ's) advent calendar, Trader Joe's 12 Days of Beauty, is hitting shelves now. Shout out to Redditor u/aswewaltz for the heads up. Luckily I was able to squeeze in a trip this morning to see if we had them on this coast,…

November 5, 2024