A Week of Trader Joe's Fall Inspired Recipes

It's that time of year again when a chill in the air returns, the days get shorter, the leaves start to change colors and the endless sound of the crunch-crunch-crunch beneath your cutest pair of fall-approved boots is ever-lasting until the first snow fall. 

That also means apples, butternut squash, pomegranates, mushrooms... any food and every food that reminds you of October, November and Thanksgiving is totally appropriate to start cooking with! 

Say goodbye to light summer dinners, and hello to healthy, warm, filling fall dishes. 

I gave my followers a taste of what it would be like to make a meal exclusively from Trader Joe's for one whole week! Here are the results, it turned out pretty exciting. 

Fall Recipe Inspo 1: 

Butternut Squash Macaroni Elbows (yes please!) 

This isn't cheese...it's a take on vegan mac! This literally tastes healthy, but honestly, the good kind of healthy. Full of spices like paprika, dijon, pepper, turmeric, nutmeg... even raw cashews for added texture, this dish proves to be a fall favorite! 

I used a gluten-free noodle and bought pre-cut squash from TJ (Trader Joe's). If you prep this ahead of time, it makes for a great couple of weekday lunches/or weeknight dinners. Plus, it is loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber!

This recipe was adapted from The Doctors.

Fall Recipe Inspo 2:

Who doesn't love the typical-flavor-fave of Pumpkin Spice?! I can't say I always have, but I am liking the TJ take on it!

 Add this almond-based creamer to your homemade coffee lattes for a festive morning cup or a delicious afternoon pick-me-up. 
(P.s. How cute is this Yates mug?! Sometimes you got to get a souvenir from your local favorite places, you never know when life may take you on a move!) 

Fall Recipe Inspo 3: 

Pomegranate-Vinegar Spinach Salad with Peppers, Red Onion and Blackberries! 

Oil & vinegar is *always* a great option when aiming for healthier salad dressing. I always make sure to use a 100% extra virgin olive oil (some oils are blends of different oils, like soybean/canola, watch out!) when cooking and/or consuming. Trader Joe's has a fabulous Spanish EVOO. 

I also added a small baked yukon gold potato with broccoli just for a little something extra on my plate!

Fall Recipe Inspo 4: 
Pumpkin Shells "Zucchette" Pasta with Nut-Based Sauce!
Think garlic...basil...parsley...

YUM. YUMM. YUMMM. I don't know how many times I can say it, because this is seriously just so, so, so good. And, how cute are the little "pumpkins"?!?!! I used a blend of cashew and macadamia, and oh, it is...like, bliss. Creamy fettuccine sauce that is completely dairy-free and loaded with fiber, healthy fats and minerals. 

There are a handful of nut-based pasta recipes out there to choose from. Pick one that suits you!



Fall Recipe Inspo #5

TJ's White-Bean Chili with CORN BREAD CRISPS!

 We are loving these over here... if you like corn bread, you're bound to like these! Addicting just by themselves! 

Finally, everyone has been raving about Trader Joe's "Everything but the Bagel" seasoning, so I thought to pair it with this bomb avocado toast on organic 7 grain by Ezekiel! (Next to my pitaya dragon fruit bowl with hemp seeds, pepitas and cacao!)

Rudi's Organic English Muffin with Egg (Vegan Egg available!)+ Hot Sauce + EBTB Seasoning 

When you finish envisioning how you will get everything you need to create these delicious fall-inspired Trader Joe's eats, get out there and enjoy the cooler weather! It is my favorite weather to run in. Use it to your advantage to take a jog... perhaps with me, @JoggingwithJewelz! 

For the Fashion Lovers: 

( Girl I got you! ;) )

Workout Jacket: Under Armour 

Running Shoes: Under Armour 

Workout Pants: Lulu's (I also love my 90 Degrees!)

Sweatshirt: Calvin Klein 

 Thanks for Jogging with Me! Until next time. - J

Collab with The Ginger People: Ginger Juice, Jalapeño Ginger Cooking Sauce and Crystallized Ginger

If eating REAL + WHOLESOME foods is something you are passionate about... or maybe you just like to be adventurous with your food on the daily... check this out! 

I am so excited over my latest collab with The Ginger People!

If you remember my proclamation of love for Gin Gins, the chewy ginger candy that soothes stomach aches and is great for travel, then you'll LOVE this!

 (P.s. Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, TJ Maxx and Nino Salvaggio's sell the Gin Gins candies in boxes and small packs!) 

 

Thanks to The Ginger People, I've created multiple recipes utilizing their Organic Ginger Juice, Hot Jalapeño Ginger Cooking Sauce and their amazing Crystallized Ginger Chips that they have sent to me (think FALL recipes!) 

This lovely company has headquarters in the U.K., Australia, Europe and in California (USA). My last article discusses how this recipe development collaboration came about! 

If you like (love) what you see you can order any of their products off of their website: www.gingerpeople.com, or you can order from plummarket.com, vitacost.com and off of Amazon. So lets get started!

(A million 'thank you's' for sending me these products "in the post"!!) 

Fact: Ginger is used in many Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine practices, it is known for its many anti-inflammatory and  healing properties. Why not incorporate this powerful ingredient into what we eat?!

First up: 

Jalapeño Ginger Stir-Fry!! 

Oh my gosh, this right here. You NEED to try this! 

STEPS: 

Sauté any stir-fry veggies of choice (snap peas, carrots, peppers) 
Stir in organic jasmine white rice (a Trader Joe's find) 
Use Coco Aminos (a soy-free soy sauce from the Phillipines!) 
Drizzle about 1-2 tbsps of The Ginger People's (super yum and spicy) Hot Ginger-Jalapeno Cooking Sauce throughout the stir-fry 
My whole fam is LOVING this. Mouth on fire! I even added a little side dish for extra dips!
(Product info: dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, vegan!)

Next up:

Creamy Ginger-Coconut Kale Zucchini Fettuccine! 
(Recipe adapted and modified via 'One Green Planet'.) 

YUM! Talk about superfoods!! 

You'll need:

1/2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil

3 cloves of garlic, minced

2 1/2 tablespoons of The Ginger People's Organic Ginger Juice (Conversion: 1 tbsp of juice is equal to 1 tbsp of grated ginger)

One 15-ounce can of coconut milk 

2 teaspoons of lemon juice

Red pepper flakes to taste 

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 

3 cups of chopped Tuscan Kale

1/4 cup of raw cashews

6 medium zucchini's or frozen zucchini noodles

3/4 cups of defrosted green peas (sweet tasting!)

First add the oil. 

Once heated, add the garlic and cook until fragrant. 

Add in the ginger juice.

Add coconut milk, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes.

Add the kale and cover your cooking pan with a lid, until  the kale is wilted. 

 Heat the zucchini noodles you sprialized (or had frozen) in a separate pan. Add in your peas. In totality, this acts as your "pasta" portion of the dish.

Once ready, blend all the ingredients in a powerful blender from your large cooking pan. This is your pasta sauce!

Finally, plate. 
A healthy, green, vitamin-and-mineral-rich, nutrient dense, super delicious weeknight dinner! 

Next:




1-potato. 2-potato. SWEET POTATO FRIES! 

 I love sweet potatoes, so I sliced 2 medium-large potatoes into fry/wedge-form. 
I first drizzled them with The Ginger People's Organic Ginger Juice. 
I also drizzled on an extra virgin olive oil. 
I sprinkled Himalayan Black Salt (Yes, this is actually so good! Very unique flavor.) 
I then added on light brown sugar. 
Bake in the oven for 45 minutes at 350 Degrees Fahrenheit until crispy.

Talk about healthy, simple and delicious all in ONE bite! 

Now: 

Dijon and Brown Sugar Ginger Glazed Salmon with Mango Pineapple Red-Jalapeño Ginger Chutney and Creamy Avocado Dipping Sauce (it is a mouthful!) Over a bed of Sautéed Spinach and Organic Jasmine White Rice

Sauté the spinach using Tuscan Herb Olive Oil 
Grill your protein

Glaze:
1 tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp coco aminos (soy-free soy sauce)
1/4 tsp of The Ginger People's Organic Ginger Juice 
1 tsp of lightly packed brown sugar 

Dipping Sauce:
1/2 an avocado
2 tbsp of Kite Hill Plain Almond-Based Greek Yogurt 
1/4 tsp Lemon Juice 
Pink Himalayan Salt

YUM! I love this. I am mostly plant-based, but with my allergies it is hard to be completely vegan. If you are like me, you'll enjoy all the amazing benefits this dish provides!

Now... GOOD MORNING! "Awake" Ginger 'Elixir' Shots with  Blueberry Kombucha, Apple Cider Vinegar, Ginger, Orange, Cumin and Plant-Based Protein

Next:

Ginger Aioli Tacos!! Who doesn't love tacos, aioli and ginger?!
 Better yet, have them all together! 

STEPS:
Using the grill, choose any protein of choice to add to your taco (vegan or non-vegan, I chose tilapia) 

You'll need: Homemade Flour Tortilla's (via Trader Joe's) 
Roasted Corn 
Organic Jasmine White Rice

Sauce:
1/4 cup of 'Just Mayo', Sir Kensington's, Vegenaise or any mayonnaise of your liking (these are dairy and soy free)
 1/2 tsp of The Ginger People's Organic Ginger Juice 
1/4 tsp of Lime Juice
(Optional add of chipotles) 
Mix together and refrigerate. 

Make yourself and your friends a little taco table and form a line to start putting these together! SO GOOD! If you have a liking for ginger, the taco sauce has a nice, tangy, zingy twist to it. A MUST TRY!

Next:

2-in-a-bowl Green Split Pea & Butternut Squash Apple Ginger Soup

Next:

'Krispy-Krunchy-Kale Lemon Chips'!

What a unique and mindful snack to bring to your next dinner or holiday party! 

You'll need to have:

1 bunch of kale- trimmed/cut at the stem. Pour into big mixing bowl.
1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil to drizzle. Use your hands to coat all of the kale leaves evenly.
Add 1 tsp of lemon zest
Use the bottom of a clean jar and crunch The Ginger People's Crystallized Ginger Chips until they are small, fine, pieces. Use roughly 1 1/2 tsp and sprinkle on the kale.
Add 1 tsp of The Ginger People's Organic Ginger Juice to the bowl.
Sprinkle 3/4 tsp of himalayan pink salt throughout. 
Mix again.
Bake in the oven at 300 Degrees Fahrenheit for roughly 10 minutes until crispy. Additional minutes may be needed.

Fun: [Guy at the check-out: "That's quite the dinner..." 
Me: "I 'm making Kale Chips!" 
Guy: "Hmm, don't you need more than just lemon?" 
Me: "Yeah, I've got The Ginger People's Crystallized Ginger Chips and Ginger Juice at home!" 
Him: "Oooh that sounds good! Sounds like it's really good for you too."]

Next:

Ginger-Infused Sugar Cookies - Lemon Ginger Glaze

These are G double o D... GOOD! Wow I am impressed! I came up with this on a whim, and I l-o-v-e it. You will too!! 
Soft, chewy, warm cookies...(all vegan and dairy-free, of course!)

COOKIES:
1 half of a roll of raw sugar cookie dough
1 handful of The Ginger People's Crystallized Ginger Chips 

[Plus, you could even add white chocolate chips!]

GLAZE:
2 1/4 cup of powdered sugar per 1 tsp of The Ginger People's Organic Ginger Juice (more tsp to taste)
1/8 tsp of Tahitian Vanilla
1/8 tsp of Lemon Extract 

You won't regret making these!! Well...unless you eat the whole batch...

Lastly:

GINGER TEA inspired by The Ginger People themselves. 
I added hot water
A very light peppermint tea (you can choose any tea you prefer: chamomile, rose, black)
A splash of Organic Ginger Juice
Then, a few drops of The Ginger People's Crystallized Ginger Chips at the bottom of my cup!
Can you say cozy?

Remember: 

Ginger is one of the healthiest spices known to man - it has many anti-inflammatory properties - so it is extremely helpful when you feel nauseated or are experiencing indigestion (no matter what form it is in)! 

Next time you are looking for something new (and real), you know where to reach!


Link to The Ginger People's international website: http://www.thegingerpeople.com/

Link to an article addressing the benefits of ginger: https://draxe.com/10-medicinal-ginger-health-benefits/

-Thanks for 'Jogging with Me' (and The Ginger People). Until next time. - J