TASTE TESTING TRADER JOE'S PUMPKIN BREAD + MUFFIN MIX

I crossed two things off of my Fall Bucket List yesterday. One was trying the new Iced Caramel Apple Macchiato from Starbucks, the other to do some fall baking. I've always loved the process and preciseness of baking from scratch, however I can also get down with a yummy box mix. Sometimes quick, easy + less mess is the way to go. Pumpkin bread is also one of my favorite fall classics-- I like it sweet, moist and not too spicy. I found a box of the Trader Joe's Pumpkin Bread + Muffin Mix in my pantry that I'd purchased last year but never ended up trying. I figured now was the perfect time to whip it up and see whether it's worth repurchasing again this year! Also a quick FYI-- if you don't live near a TJ's, the mix is available here on Amazon! It's a little pricey but easy to order if you can't get it otherwise :) 

+MAKE & BAKE

Whether you make it from scratch or out of a box, pumpkin bread is pretty straightforward. The TJ's mix only required water, eggs + vegetable oil. To make things a little bit healthier, I swapped the veg out for coconut oil which worked great. I followed the rest of the box instructions to a tee which is like most cake/bread recipes-- mix liquids + combine with dry until smooth. The entire process was a breeze and cook time was pretty accurate too. I have a gas oven which tends to cook things faster so I took mine out about five minutes early + it came out perfect!

+TASTE & TEXTURE

The texture was great too-- the perfect balance between bread and cake. The outside had a bit of a crust with a soft and moist inside like a loaf should be. It wasn't sticky or dry and I really enjoyed the flavor. The pumpkin is very subtle with a noticeable spice element, however I didn't find it to be too much or overkill. Delicious warmed with a little butter! If you do like a strong pumpkin flavor, adding pumpkin puree into the batter would be an easy addition. I also think throwing some chocolate chips or pumpkin seeds in would be yummy too. 

What should I try out next?? 

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MY FALL BUCKET LIST

A few days ago someone brought it to my attention that we've almost made it to mid-September. I couldn't believe how fast the month is already going by. Of course I keep up with my dates, but something just didn't really click until they said it out loud?? I'm all too familiar with this-- every year when the fall season rolls around, work and life become a chaotic blur. Everything goes by so fast and I'm always left feeling like I missed out on the fun of autumn. I don't have a lot of free time to do all of the fall activities but I did round up a list of some fun "manageable" things I can hopefully squeeze in! *Disclaimer -- all things basic b*tch here! Comes with the territory, right??* 

+ CARAMEL APPLE MACCHIATO 

We'll start with the most basic and arguably easiest thing to do on the list. I don't buy into the PSL culture-- if I remember correctly, I tried it once back in college and wasn't a fan. I do, however, love an iced coffee and will try some of the non-pumpkin LTOs that come out at Starbucks. I'm very into the idea of the Caramel Apple Macchiato (iced, obvi) on this year's lineup. I loveeeee a Caramel Macchiato so a lil' apple twist could be nice?? I've been putting it off in an effort to avoid lines and that suga suga but it's SEPTEMBER 13TH. Ya'll know peppermint's on it's way as we speak!

+ TRADER JOE'S
I missed my window on this last year but my ultimate fall dream is to buy + try all of the pumpkin/fall items at Trader Joe's. The closest TJ to me is a little over an hour away (tragic, I know) which makes this one a little bit tricky. I went late September/early October last year and everything was pretty much gone so making this one happen is a wild card. Will I make it in time? Only time will tell! 

+ WARDROBE REFRESH
Don't you always feel like you need a wardrobe refresh? I think we can all agree now is the best time of the year when it comes to outfits + fashion which means lots of great pieces in stores. I'm always on the hunt for some great basics (jeans + tees) but also need some new seasonal sweatshirts, athleisure + shoes options.

+ FALL FOLIAGE
If you have changing leaves + trees, taking a drive is a must.

+ LET'S BAKE
Another must-do. What is it about fall and baking? Forever obsessed with any pumpkin or cinnamony goodness.

Realizing now that fall is just an excuse for me to feed my snack obsession... anyone else? 😋

END OF THE WEEK GROCERY RUN

Nothing brings me joy quite like delicious food and new grocery store finds. I catch myself getting wild hairs over items I want-- new snacks, healthy peanut butter, all the random-- things that usually result in me going on a wild goose chase all over town to find. This week's most wanted was sourdough bread. Lol, I know OKAY. About a month ago, my boyfriend and I had the most delicious ricotta bruschetta served on sourdough bread. I've thought about that crispy, toasted sourdough ever since! While I plan to recreate the recipe at some point, all I really want is a simple jam + sourdough vibe for breakfast. Naturally I couldn't just go buy the sourdough bread by itself which brings us a completely random, mostly impromptu (sans sourdough) grocery haul. 



A few of these things are also some favorites that I love + needed to repurchase. Because we're also going in to the weekend and I rarely eat at home, this is more of a mini haul with some random pick-up items!

+Sourdough Bread
It is prettay trickay to find a good sourdough at the store. Most aren't really sourdough-- they're intended to taste like sourdough but the fermentation process is all wrong/non-existent. That's not ideal because true, authentic sourdough has lots of healthy bacteria + cultures. I discovered The Rustik Oven brand which uses a lengthy fermentation process that is said to be a traditional style with no artificial flavors or colors added. I'm not entirely sure how it stacks up to an "authentic" sourdough but it was the most promising one I could find + it looks delish! 

+French Butter
Another one of my wild hairs! I've been hearing a lot about the chemicals + unhealthy ingredients that are often found in our foods here. It's no secret that standards across the pond differ greatly which many say makes some of their products superior in quality and less toxic. While not everything is accessible, I have been looking for products to try that are imported but available here. One of those is french butter! I decided to purchase the President Salted Butter which comes from France. They are known for their butter so I'm excited to try it out. It also only has three ingredients which I love.

+Strawberry Preserves
The Bonne Maman brand also originates from France. I've purchased this before and highly recommend. While it's a little pricier than US brands, it has less sugar than many other alternatives, simple ingredients with no high fructose corn syrup + comes in a glass jar.

+PB Filled Pretzels
My favorite snack of the moment-- these are SO addicting. If you like peanut butter pretzels, Quinn makes a great version that's a little healthier and also gluten-free. I don't have a gluten intolerance, however I appreciate that they're cleaner than many alternatives and are the perfect sweet + salty snack. I go through them too quickly so I snagged two bags!

+Ham & Cheese Omelets
My most impulsive purchase of the group were these Eggland's Best pre-made omelets. TBH when I first heard about these a few months back, I thought there's no way they can be that good-- definitely not compared to making fresh eggs. Then I saw the reviews and people are obsessed with these, ya'll. I forgot all about it until seeing them in the freezer section so I grabbed a box of ham & cheese ones! I'm not a huge fan of frozen meats but it was the last one so it must be good? They also have egg & cheese + sausage. I'll keep you posted-- I don't have a lot of time for breakfast in the mornings so I like a lil' quickie concept.

+Rana Tortellini + Ravioli 

I grabbed a few of these Rana pastas for a quick + easy dinner idea or lunch. I love fresh pasta-- super easy and delicious! I've never tried this brand before so I went for the cheese tortellini blend (my fave) and a spinach + ricotta ravioli. Yummy both plain or with a sauce! 

Now it's time to eat out all weekend, LOL. For real though-- I could definitely be better about it during the week but that's what weekends are for! I do make breakfast at home most Sundays though which I love. What about you? PS-- maybe I should try to make french toast with my sourdough? Has anyone tried that? LMK!

VITAMINS + SUPPLEMENTS HAUL

Lately I’ve been learning a lot more about the importance of taking care of my body and preventative steps to stay healthy. While I’m extremely thankful that I’ve been healthy throughout my life, in the past it’s made me view vitamins and supplements as optional. My routine up to this point has been very sporadic— I would go for months taking vitamins everyday only to quit cold turkey. Up to this point, I‘ve also only been taking vitamin c gummies daily. Not only have I decided now is the time to get my sh*t together and up the ante, I’m also being more selective with what I do take. Sadly that means kicking the sugary gummies for a better alternative!

After doing some research, I ordered a whole new lineup of supplements that I’m *fingers crossed* going to start taking daily. One exception is this MSM powder which I started taking daily about three weeks ago. So far, I feel like I’ve seen such a huge improvement which I’ll talk more about below. 

I also want to add that I learn so much from Jena Covello on Instagram when it comes to health and supplements! I have to give her credit because I’ve learned more about the importance of certain supplements and I purchased most of these brands based on her recommendations. Anytime I am looking for a specific vitamin, I check her recommendations first. I trust her opinions and think she is a great source to follow. I’ll link her Instagram here. 

Also a quick PSA-- I of course am not a doctor, these are just what I'm choosing to use for my body. Always make sure to do your own research and check with a physician for medical advice. Keep scrolling to see what I’ve purchased!

+Vitamin C: As I mentioned above, the one vitamin I have been taking religiously is Vitamin C. I've always been partial to the gummies-- they taste yummy and are an extra snack during the day that I've never felt bad about! That being said, I've read that gummies are less effective than a pill/capsule and do have extra sugar + additives. Vitamin C itself has a lot of powerful benefits for the body from immune health, collagen production, increased energy, skin benefits and more. I purchased a capsule version to hopefully ween myself off of the gummies, however the most important kind of vitamin is the one that you'll actually take. 

+D3 & K2: Before doing my own research, I never realized that if you're going to take D3 it's important to also take K2. While D3 is also has many functions that support immunity, bone health and the nervous system, K2 helps to insure we properly receive and absorb these benefits. It protects the areas that you don't want D3 to go to (such as organs or arteries) so that your body can absorb it in the right areas. I ordered a prescription one but I’ll link a similar option from Amazon here. 

+Quercetin: I was also unfamiliar with Quercetin up until recently. Like many other vitamins, it's found in a lot of the fruits and vegetables that we eat (or should be eating). It's an antioxidant that helps fight free radical damage, improve immunity and heart health, improve mood, fight inflammation and more. 

+Zinc: I've always been a big fan of zinc for keeping my immune system up during cold + flu season or to help speed up the recovery time of a cold/sickness. I've been told that you don't need to take zinc every day so I purchased this spray to use periodically + when I feel I need a boost. 

+B12: Does anyone actually feel like they ever have enough energy? I sure as hell don't so here's to hoping this B12 blend becomes my new best friend! B vitamins all have a lot of great benefits, the most appealing to me being increased energy, mood enhancement and memory improvement. Lots of reviews on this version report energy boosts, less brain fog and more energy. 

+MSM Powder: I recently shared on IG stories (@TheKristenDiary) that I've started taking an MSM powder to help my joints. I've been experiencing pain in my neck/upper shoulder area on and off since last fall. My mom suggested I take something for it so I started using this joint powder around two weeks ago. So far I feel like it's been helping a ton-- I notice way less pain + stiffness. It's also anti-inflammatory which is also amazing and possibly why I've been feeling less discomfort! 

Do I need a cute pill box now? Dying for these cute ones!

I love sharing health updates + what I’m trying out with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

5 FALL FINANCIAL MOVES TO MAKE NOW

Happy Labor Day, friends! I hope you're having a relaxing weekend with your loved ones. As promised, fall content is in full swing now on TheKristenDiary.com. I live for this time of year-- the weather, the changing leaves and the holidays. It brings so much fun and joy, however it can also bring a lot of expense. Every year I dread seeing my credit card bills in January... anyone else?? I thought it would be helpful to share 5 Fall Financial Moves to make now that will help lessen the stress! 

5 FALL FINANCIAL MOVES TO MAKE NOW   

+ REVIEW YOUR BUDGET + SPENDING 

With fall approaching, it's a great time to review your summer spending and budget. If you're like me, it's all too easy to slack off during the summer. Whether it's vacationing, spending more time outside or just relaxing, the last thing I often want to do is track my spending or work on my budget. While that's not ideal, it's easy to get back on track now and start preparing for the months ahead! 

+ REVIEW INVESTMENTS 

When reviewing your finances, it's also a great idea to check on your investments and savings. I like to monitor and review the investments I currently have to make sure they're still performing well and making positive returns. It's also a great idea to boost any contributions now if you're working on retirement savings, individual accounts, etc. 

+ PREPARE FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING 

Another big expense we're faced with during the fall is holiday shopping. Between Christmas shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it's safe to say that most of us tend to spend more money during this time of year. Whether you save up for this or plan to cash flow, it's nice to anticipate and be mentally prepared for any upcoming expenses or occasions. If you're looking to go a step further, you can also review your spending from last year to get an idea of how much you typically spend during the season. A calendar can help too-- look ahead and write out any events or occasions (Halloween parties, travel, gift shopping, etc.) where you plan on spending.

+ GET READY FOR WINTER 

If you deal with inclement weather during the winter, this also can added additional expenses. From car accessories (can't live without my frost guard), new boots + apparel or more serious issues like pipe bursts, it can get expensive. It's a great idea to make a list of necessary purchases as well as a budget for both the expected and unexpected. 

Also read: Winter Weather Essentials

+ FALL ACTIVITIES

Like the holidays, the fall season brings out lots of activities for potential spending. While it's great and doable to find activities that are low cost or free, it's also smart to prepare for those that can cost money. From sport events + activities, baking to buying home decorations, these things often seem insignificant but can add up fast. The great part about preparing for activities and choosing what you want to spend your money on is that you can be prepared and stress free while you're spending. 

These are simple, easy things to start now that can help you spend more wisely and enjoy the season. The overall goal is to be prepared and plan to spend your money your way. It's a great time of year to enjoy all of the things and reducing/eliminating some stress when it comes to money makes it even better! 

I love sharing my tips with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)

More Fall content: Cozy Fall Staples

END OF THE WEEK THOUGHTS | 9/3

Another Friday is here! Every time I turn around another week has flown by. Here's to hoping it'll start to slow down a bit now that we're in Fall season. In reality, this time of the year is always a blur + super chaotic but a girl can dream!

Not too much has happened this week but my creativity is low + I'm feeling chatty. Something I am stoked about is that I've made it four weeks into my step challenge-- if you missed it, I've been aiming to walk 10,000+ steps every day. I originally only planned to do it for a week but I'm still going strong. I dedicated Monday's post all about this so I won't bore you with all the details but I'll link the post here.

Also on the topic of health, I splurged on some new supplements this week. The joys of getting older! Right now I've only been taking Vitamin C so I really need/wanted to add some new ones to the mix. I ordered D3/K2, Quercetin, Zinc Spray, B12 + a new type of Vitamin C. They all have their own benefits + purpose, however most are centered on general health + immunity. **I'm not a doctor/physician so I'm only sharing what I chose to buy for me. Always be sure to do your own research and check with your doctor for guidance + recommendations.** 

A quick update on the MSM powder too-- I've only been using it for about a week now but I think I'm starting to see a difference. I've had a lot of shoulder/neck pain on and off for the past year. I'm not sure what's causing it but I've heard taking an MSM powder is good for your joint + bone health. I've also read it can take up to three weeks before you notice any differences so we'll see what happens. 

That's pretty much the gist of things besides eating out too much. The cutting back struggle is as real as always but I've been doing pretty good overall. One day at a time! I also really need to update my spending/budget. When I tell you I'm behind............. lolz. 

Also please let me know what fall posts you want to see!! I have some ideas up my sleeve but I love hearing for you. I kicked things off on Wednesday with some Cozy Fall Staples so go comment on that post or tell me on IG @TheKristenDiary :) 

Time for weekend fun! 

COZY FALL STAPLES

HELLO, SEPTEMBER! It's officially fall now in my book so ta ta for now, summer! They love to poke fun at fall and basic b*tch PSL season but you really can't ask for better weather, style or holidays. Here are some cozy fall staples to get us all in the mood! 🍂🍁🍃

Booties / Nail Polish / Nest Candle / Necklace / Cardi 

I love sharing my picks with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :)