Product Review: Trader Joe’s Lentil Vegetable Soup

Another product review today, but this time it’s the TJs organic lentil soup that I picked up on a whim a few days ago. I’m pretty sure this is an Amy’s product repackaged with the Trader Joe’s label, but with the added bonus of being a buck cheaper! I know this isn’t a new product, but it’s still a good vegan product to promote.

Overall, this soup was good. I would say it was a bit lacking in the spice department, but that may be due to my extreme preference for all things spicy. Not to say that it was bad- not in the slightest. My crusty Italian bread really paired well with the hearty lentils and tender vegetables swimming in the tasty broth. For soup from a can, this was pretty damn tasty! And I really couldn’t ask for a simpler lunch as all I had to do was dump the contents of the can into a bowel and nuke it for 2-3 minutes. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

I think I might experiment with making my own lentil soup soon as I have a tiny little bag of lentils that are just begging to be used. But for now, this soup works for me!

On an unrelated note, I am so excited for tonight! I might get a home-cooked vegan meal from the talented Jen over at Veganize It… Don’t Criticize It! . Updates tomorrow…

Product Review: Trader Joe’s Candy Cane Green Tea

This is my first product review in what I hope to continue as a series for the last week or so of MoFo. I made a HUGE Trader Joe’s run last night with my roommate- knowing the only way to go back would be a 3 mile bike ride, there was quite an incentive to stuff as much stuff into her car as possible. And that I did!

I heard rumblings on vegan internet land about the new Candy Cane Green Tea and I was instantly intrigued. Sure enough, on the “New Featured Products” shelf at TJs there stood the infamous candy cane tea. The whole concept of candy canes in green tea is one I can get down with; two of my great loves, candy and tea, combined in one (undeniably cute!) package. I immediately snatched that adorable little polar bear box in to my overflowing cart.

When I first opened the box, the smell of peppermint was overwhelming, and I mean that in a good way. For smell alone, I would buy this tea. And I’m pleased to say the taste did not disappoint either. On my first tasting (without sweetener), I couldn’t really taste any difference between this and other green teas. It was good, but not really anything different. However, after a few more sips I detected a slightly sweet peppermint taste that really added something to the tea overall. The peppermint flavor melded very well with the distinct bitterness of green tea. And a spoonful of sugar really brought it to a whole new level.

This is such a comforting kind of tea, the perfect addition to a rainy day spent in bed reading in book. Of course, seeing as stupid Orange County is still the high 80s, I won’t get to enjoy this wintery tea experience for a while.

And sometimes it’s fun just to buy tea for the box itself. How can you say no to pictures of polar bears, cutesy writing, and a (not pictured) smiling narwhal? If you love tea, pick up this one up next time you’re at Trader Joe’s. You might just discover it’s gone in no time flat. My first cup is already finished.