Trader Joe's Tuesday: Pumpkin Rolls

I had dessert for breakfast. And it was the best thing ever all thanks to these delectable pumpkin rolls. Think warm and fluffy cinnamon rolls, except pumpkin! These made my weekend morning wonderfully sweet and delicious. The smell of pumpkin filled the whole house and I was practically hovering over the oven, waiting to get my hands on one. Of course, no roll is complete without the icing. The package comes with a packet of pumpkin spice icing, which I drizzled and ultimately drowned the rolls in. Indulging in these pumpkin rolls is one of my favorite things about fall and with Thanksgiving on Thursday, I'm just getting warmed up with all the seasonal desserts!

 { rating } 

5 out of 5
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Previous Trader Joe's Tuesday posts:

1. Belgian Dark Chocolate Bar

2. Pumpkin Waffles

Trader Joe's Tuesday: Pumpkin Waffles

One of the things I love most about Trader Joe's is that they carry the best seasonal food items around this time of the year. Two words: PUMPKIN EVERYTHING.

I've never shown much liking to pumpkin-flavored things aside from pumpkin pies, but Trader Joe's wide selection of pumpkin treats and snacks made it hard for me to resist. I'm all for trying anything that is festive related, especially when food is involved. I showed a little too much excitement over these pumpkin waffles when I saw them in the store. I was giddy over some waffles, so imagine my reaction when I saw pumpkin macarons, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin pie spice butter...(and this was only the tip of the iceberg). I guess the holiday season is really getting to me. 

Okay, focus. I just want to point out how heavenly these waffles smell when fresh out of the toaster. The warm aroma of pumpkin and cinnamon make me want to run out and buy fall-scented candles. I feel very fancy on weekend mornings when I have them with fruits, honey, and all that good stuff for the toppings. I say weekend mornings, because on weekdays I'm always in a rush to go out the door that I eat them plain...as I walk to my car or sometimes in my car. I know, it's a little sad but I love it. There's something comforting about having these waffles in the crisp cold mornings. When it comes down to the actual taste and texture, these waffles are just okay. The spiced pumpkin smell is deceiving, because it makes you think that the waffles will have burst with flavor. But nope, I could only taste the smallest hint of pumpkin in every bite. It also doesn't have much of that crunchy-exterior-with-a-fluffy-interior-thing going on. Though the taste isn't amazing, these waffles are still very satisfying and I'm already on my second box. I think I'm mostly drawn to the warm and inviting pumpkin scent more than anything else. It makes me look forward to all the wonderful aromas of the holiday season. And I may or may not have gotten a few more pumpkin-flavored treats to help curb my holiday cravings until Thanksgiving comes around. 

 { rating } 

4 out of 5
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Previous Trader Joe's Tuesday posts:
1. Chocolate

DIY Acai Bowl

Some may call it a health trend, but I love seeing and trying all the different health food creations that have been front and center in the the social media spotlight. From countless ways of using avocados to clean eating recipes, I'm all up for it. A super quick and fun way to eat healthier is by making these nutrient-packed acai fruit bowls! Acai refers to the small black-purplish berries that come from South American palm trees. They contain antioxidants, and are known as an energy booster. They have many health benefits, to name a few - they help with weight loss and digestion, promote skin health, and reduce inflammation that's often associated with many heart conditions. There are Acai smoothie packets sold in specialty grocery stores, such as Trader Joe's, but I decided to make my own version at home! 

The recipe below uses simple and healthy ingredients that can be easily substituted and recreated. The base doesn't have to be acai, it can be a green smoothie blend or anything to your liking. It's best to pick fruits that add thickness to the blend, such as bananas and avocados. Even without the acai mix, there are endless combinations that will sure be as delicious as they look!

Makes 1 serving

Smoothie Bowl

Half a banana, frozen 

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 cup raspberries

1 cup greek yogurt

1/4 cup ice cubes

Topping

Half a banana

Strawberries
Granola

Unsweetened flaked coconut

DIY Summer Treats: Very Berry Smoothie

Of course I had to include a smoothie recipe for the DIY Summer Treats series!

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Serving: 1

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

1 banana, frozen

1/3 cup pineapples, cubed

2 tablespoons greek yogurt 

1 cup coconut water 

DIY Summer Treats: Peanut Butter + Fruit Wrap

This is a fun and easy twist to the classic chicken caesar wraps that i'm used to. I usually have at least 3 or 4 servings of fruits every day and sometimes, that can get pretty boring especially when i'm eating the same thing every time. That's why i'm always looking for ways to change things up using whatever i can find around around the kitchen and in the fridge. This fruit wrap is perfect for me because it's fun to make and of course, very satisfying. You only need three basic ingredients to make this yummy snack: tortilla, peanut butter, and sliced fruits. For the wrap i have pictured above, i used a whole grain tortilla, peanut butter, fresh strawberries, and half a banana, topped with some cinnamon. I was only going to eat half of it at first and save the rest for later, but it was so good that i ended up eating the whole thing! I like how i can make this ahead of time and just pop it in the fridge, ready to be eaten anytime. Also, it makes a great pre-workout snack because it's packed with protein and natural sugars that the body needs before exercising. When i have this before hitting the gym, it makes me want to push myself harder and get a good workout in. Yep, i'm the kind of person who uses food as motivation ;p

Dressin' up my oatmeal

Working out builds quite an appetite in me. I don't know about you, but I always picture that post-workout meal to be rewarding and incredibly satisfying. After hitting the gym this morning, I came back to the dorm and whipped up a hot bowl of oatmeal in less than 10 minutes. For a college student who doesn't have a weekend meal plan and convenient access to a kitchen, oatmeal has definitely been my go-to breakfast/meal. I probably sound like an old soul for saying this, but you honestly can't go wrong with oatmeal. It makes the perfect base for when you want something quick, healthy, and just as filling. I've been really liking the Nature's Path Organic Instant Hot Oatmeal. It's tasty and comes in bigger portions than the Instant Quaker Oatmeal, which I did not enjoy. How I have my oatmeal: with a sprinkle of craisins here, a little bit of chia seeds there, a handful of raisins and a banana. Oh, and can't forget about the paper bowl and plastic spoon!

Healthy? Check. Satisfying? Check. Fancy eats in the dorm room? Um, I think yes. 

Pineapple Banana Smoothie

The warm weather calls for some refreshing and yummy smoothies! Okay, I may or may not be a little obsessed with homemade smoothies. I can go on and on about how much I love them but bottom line, I just think they're so fun and easy to make. The pineapple banana smoothie was so good that I finished it in a matter of seconds. No seriously, the next thing I knew, the glass was empty. The frozen banana was a great substitute for ice cubes and I especially loved how the pineapples added a tropical touch to the drink. This is definitely going to be one of my go-to smoothies when summer rolls around! 

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Makes 1 serving

1 frozen banana 

1/2 cup pineapples, cubed

1 cup vanilla yogurt 

1 cup coconut water