popped my TJ cherry

I finally made it to the only Trader Joe’s in Manhattan.  Seriously, I’ve been doing walk-bys for months now (it is RIGHT next to work after all) and each time I venture close, I chicken out when I see the line.  You would think that having a line out the door every day of the week would clue them in to maybe open another store, but I guess not everyone is as business savvy as I am (right?). 

Ok, but let me back the eff up to the beginning of the day.

SBUX in the AM with a TON of silk.

“Turkey” sammie.

What an original lunch.  Btw, figs and carob raisins are officially my new OBSESSION!!!!

Work today was fairly boring.  Cardiac surgery seems to be at a stand still, so our unit is full of randos.  2 of my patients today were certifiably crazy (that’s my medical diagnosis not theirs), and I’m not big on psych, so it was a challenge at times.  Another patient was a prisoner, so the hospital stay was actually more like a holiday for him.  Don’t worry he was handcuffed with cops guarding him the entire time, but still, WEIRD.  And he had a bullet in him, so he couldn’t get an MRI…oh, the stories I have.  I should write down some quotes because you can’t make this stuff up!   

Moving on.

On the way home from work I decided I deserved a treat, having endured 3 days in a row of work – even though I am currently way over my weekly food budget (and it’s only Wednesday)!!!  I pretty much always think continuous shifts warrant treats, but whatever.  This usually means Whole Foods, but since I had a gift card to TJs and it was snowing/raining, I figured the line would be more tolerable…so I gave it a shot.  I L.O.V.E. Trader Joes.  I could have wandered around the store for hours, but I was starving, so I made it snappy.  And although the line was looooong, it was only 20 minutes of waiting rather than the typical 45.

Bag ‘o goodies includes: cubed sweet potatoes, cubed BN squash, figs, brocc slaw, frozen veggies, fake meat, tofu, pomegranate soda.  Score!

Dinner was a salad with “fancy” lettuce (love Earthbound Farms), edamame, steamed broccoli, tomato, and Boca chik’n nuggets. 

I chopped up the nuggets and added them to the top of the salad and drizzled on some BBQ sauce.  I had a second plate (not as exciting though) with more lettuce, tomato, and the rest of the chik’n nuggets.

And of course the best part of Wednesdays followed…Top Chef.  I really love Carla and Jamie.  Any one else a Top Chef fan?  I pretty much love all things Bravo.

I couldn’t resist this once I saw it at TJs.  I don’t drink soda, so this was a really bizarre purchase.  But I can’t say no to anything pomegranate.    This was GOOD!  I only bought one, though, so no worries, I won’t get hooked. When it comes to fake sugar, I’ve got a “just say no” policy (wellllll….I try).  Still a nice treat.

I had a big dessert plate, full of coco date rolls, FIGS, and carob covered raisins. 

I kinda continued grazing the rest of the night, too.

These figs were the new ones I bought from TJs.  WAY better than the other bin figs I have been getting from our local health foods store.  Sorry in advance for the coming months which will most likely be a series of blogs regarding my love affair with figs.  It’s inevitable (I’ve been savoring sub-par figs, can you blame me?)!

And a few more coconut date rolls…is it possible to have too much dried fruit?  Don’t answer that.  (I think I already know the answer)