Trader Joe's: It's ALL good!

After lazying around all afternoon, I got to the store for some Gala apples and Blue Sky Free root beer to stave off my need for sugary things... for now.

(image from Natural Farms)

I made a trip to Trader Joe's, which I've frequented more often now because everything I try is amazing!

I was back and forth on the fat free Spicy Black Bean Dip. I got it and ate it in the car with their Sweet Potato Tortilla Chip Rounds. The chips were okay, a little sweeter and more preferable than regular tortilla chips, but the star was the vinegary dip. The vinegar gives it a sweet taste to offset the spiciness and saltiness of the beans! :)

(image from What's Good at Trader Joe's?)


(image from The Funkie Junkie)

I also plan to make some Caramel Apple Bars.

I picked up some ingredients: Fleur de Sel Caramel Sauce and White Chocolate.

(image from Cooking with Trader Joe's)


(image from The Summer House)

I haven't watched "The Biggest Loser" in forever, but I caught it on TV and of course, I'm sucked in. Every time.

PBF Book Club: Room

Julie from Peanut Butter Fingers put up her book club discussion on Room. I read it and enjoyed it. I also wrote quite a few replies to others' posts. :)

(image from Fitting Back In)

It was difficult at first to read because Jack is a little boy and personifies all the objects in Room. He calls the furniture Wardrobe, Bed, TV, et al. The description of Room was rather vivid and while laying in bed, I sometimes got scared and thought I could be locked in my room! Eek.

I found Ma to be extremely creative in her raising of Jack. She came up with so many activities. Before working at a preschool, all of those games were foreign to me. I couldn't remember them from my childhood yet she did a good job of providing her son with a great upbringing. As for me, I would not be able to keep the outside out. Escaping would constantly be on my mind. Though I don't know how I would end up in Room. I probably would have gone insane before this story even began.

Secondly, besides not being able to keep the outside out, I would have such trouble explaining the outside. Ma does as well as she begins to tell Jack more and more things especially what's real and what's not on TV. It struck me that we are amazing creatures to be able to distinguish between reality and pretend. No wonder our children consider things on TV to be real at a young age!

In the discussion, I read about her using birth control pills. Though in Jack's description, I thought they were just pain killers. I could understand how she had her first miscarriage because she probably didn't think of birth control pills at first. Though afterward, I'm confused as to why she didn't get them sooner and not have Jack.

The second half of the book was actually good, in my opinion. I was anticipating it because once they escaped, which we knew they would, I didn't want the story to just end. I wanted to know more: how would they adjust? I think there's enough development here for a second book on how Jack transforms in his teenage years and into adulthood. Though I don't prefer sequels, I'd be curious and wished this book had a "10 years later" part or something.

The suicide seemed to be out of place. She had been resilient in Room and I can see how tough it was outside. However, the author appeared to stick this in to make Jack stay with grandma and Steppa. In this way, Jack was able to prove that he could do without Ma at his side all the time.

I thought the book was a wonderful choice for the book club and made me think that I could have as much strength as well. It's one of those stories that tells us to appreciate what we have, especially nature.

Owls out. Foxes in.

Happy Monday and the beginning of October... in my opinion even though it's the 3rd. :) So far so good though on two days of good eating. Another :) there.

I started off my morning waking up pretty early and heading to the gym for 25 minutes on the bike before hitting TurboKick. It was fun again, which working out hasn't been in awhile. :/

Lunch: mango salsa mixed with chicken over spinach

Modified Mondays are awesome because I don't have to go to work till 11 and allows me to get to one of my favorite instructor's classes. But what's even better? The classes aren't an hour and a half; they're only 30-45 minutes and the day goes by much faster.

After work, I headed to the library for movies and books as well as the store for some Biore pore strips and clay face mask.

Free Sokenbicha from Whole Foods when we stopped by also included. I picked a barley tea with cinnamon and ginger.

I picked up a couple of movies, "Corrina, Corrina," which I'm watching now while my pore strip is on. I had to restrain myself because I typically like to use them all over my face. At the price of them though, I couldn't afford it. So I bought Freeman facial clay mask with avocado and oatmeal since it's cheaper and I like them more than peel-offs.

I rented "Fantastic Mr. Fox" also. I've seen it and liked it but thought my cousin would like it. She did not. :/

As for the books, I'm excited but now confused as to which to read first. I grabbed so many! I'm putting The Devil in the White City on hold. It's a good but tough read. Instead, I'm reading a super easy one that I can knock out tonight or tomorrow, David Sedaris' Squirrel Seeks Fox. I think the Brady Brady Brady book will be next and then either Firefly Lane or Water for Elephants. Finally, I'll finish up with A Tiger in the Kitchen since I just read The Joy Luck Club and am good and caught up on my ethnic memoirs. :) I had to get it though.