Empty Nesting the Trader Joe's Way

In 24 years I was rarely able to shop for specialty foods, small serving sizes, or exotic ingredients because it was just too expensive to feed our large family that way. I've come to know Costco well because it carries the quantities I needed to feed this large family -- and I'm sure I'll continue to shop at Costco on a regular basis.

But today I went to one of my favorite stores that I've had to largely forego for the past 24 years because of their relatively small serving sizes. Today I went to Trader Joe's and shopped my heart out! I bought gnocci and Mediterranean feta cheese and spanakopita and sushi and sweet basil pesto sausage. I bought spicy carne asada and whole wheat fettucini and eggplant parmesan and organic tea & lemonade. And of course I bought a few bottles of Two Buck Chuck! I bought tiny portions and and exotic ingredients, and I didn't worry about serving size or even expense. I just shopped for what Tom and I might like to eat for dinner now that it's just the two of us.

I left a lot of really wonderful cheeses, desserts, breads and beers at the store, so I'll be back often to try new, tasty treats! Fortunately, there's a Trader Joe's within blocks of my office, so I should be able to get back often.

Maybe this empty nest stuff won't be so bad after all...