Bippity-Boppity Boo!
The story began in the 1950s with a small chain of Southern California convenience stores called Pronto Markets.It all changed, name and all, in 1967 when the company founder changed the business ways and the name to Trader Joe’s.
Autumn in a box
Fifty-five years later, there are more than 350 stores nationwide and growing. The company has grown rapidly in the past 50 years but not through its impressive advertisement campaign. TJ’s is a company that only advertises in three ways: on the radio, in a bi-quarterly flyer and through word of mouth.
The Wonderful Finds at Trader Joe’s will be my personal journey of discovering the treasures that can be found on the shelves at “your neighborhood grocery store.”
Each week, we will learn about an item that is sold at Trader Joe’s. I will explain why the item is worth featuring, I will make suggestions on how to prepare foods, and, at times, I will compare products with other similar items.
Given that it is the beginning of October and ’tis the season for pumpkin goodness, I must share with you, what surely is no secret and only an autumn delight, the Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Mix.
This mix has been a customer favorite since it came out in 2008. It is one of the most anticipated seasonal items each year that has an unfortunate three-month run, unless it sells out sooner of course.
The 17.5 oz box only requires two eggs, half a cup of oil and a cup of water to make moist muffins or bread. Nuts, fruit, vegetables and chocolate chips can be added to the mix to customize the recipe.
By chance, I learned that cutting the water out of the recipe on the box and following the rest of the steps makes dough for pumpkin spice cookies. Without the water, the batter turns into the perfect cookie dough. After I put the cookies on the sheet, I sprinkle raw brown sugar on top of the cookies and then bake. The sugar crystalizes when baking, and the cookies come out extremely chewy and delicious.
Each box of the versatile Kosher certified mix sells for $2.99 and contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
If you go into your local store and find that the mix is not displayed somewhere eye-catching, be worried, because you missed out on one of the best pumpkin finds of the year.
Next week, I will share another one of my wonderful finds. Until then, go on ahead to TJ’s, and let your adventure begin.
The Wonderul Finds at Trader Joe's 
I like it whenever people get together and share opinions.
Great website, stick with it!