I’m Writing a Book!
I f you’re lucky enough to have a Trader Joe’s near you, you understand why it’s my favorite place to buy groceries. And it’s not just because of their oh so affordable and flavorful “Two Buck Chuck” wine (which I tend to be drinking as I write these late night posts…). No, it’s a lot more than that. Shopping at this store makes me feel good. Their foods are super fresh, have minimally processed ingredients, and are a great value. And those fun, engaging, and always helpful employees in their Hawaiian shirts never fail to put me in a good mood.
So imagine my delight when the creators and publishers of the wonderful cookbooks Cooking With Trader Joe’s called and asked ME to write their next book!
Then imagine my inner freak-out as I ruminated, “uh, yeah, I’m wildly passionate about healthy eating, but I pretty much don’t love hate to cook…!!”
Turns out they don’t care if I hate don’t love to cook. In fact, when they asked me if I’d ever considered writing a cookbook, not only didn’t they hang up on me when I laughed and quickly said, “No”, they told me to think about writing their next book – meal ideas using the fabulous foods from Trader Joe’s, all packed in my EasyLunchboxes.
Sure, I can write this book!
So after about 27 seconds of thinking, I realized that this is actually the perfect book for me to write/put together!
Here’s why: Trader Joe’s makes it so easy for people like me, who’d rather spend their time OUT of the kitchen, to eat healthy with very little effort. My EasyLunchboxes make it easy to transport all this good food 
The publishers want to show their readers how to pack yummy meals. Fast. I want to encourage people to eat healthy when they’re away from home; at school, work, or on the road. Packing a meal can be easy if you have the right tools and great food. This book will show you how.
Since I launched EasyLunchboxes in Dec., 2009, I am proud of and grateful for my amazing online community of EasyLunchbox packers who so generously share their meal ideas, recipes, pics, and tips on their blogs, Facebook, Pinterest, and more. The Cooking With Trader Joe’s Cookbook publishers are thrilled with the idea of replicating our online resources into the pages of this new book! And I’m blown away by their cookbooks – large, hardcover volumes with full color pictures on almost every page.
Featuring the EasyLunchboxes Community
My intro chapters and personal comments throughout the book will be written to inspire and encourage readers to enjoy healthier eating at home and on the go. I will share my own food journey and a quite recent epiphany that has led me to embrace, and actually even enjoy cooking.
It will feature the personal stories, photos, EasyLunchbox meal ideas and recipes gathered from many of my delightful fans and supporters: food bloggers, parents, nutrition experts, a pediatrician, bento artists, and more – folks who share my passion for healthy eating and better food options. The current EasyLunchboxes community is generally already on board with this lifestyle, but this book will allow us to reach and inspire an even bigger audience.
If you can picture it, you can do it!
What’s a cookbook without “mouth-watering, I have to make that, NOW!” photographs? My Cooking With Trader Joe’s Cookbook – Easy Lunchboxes will be filled with stunning pics taken by the uber talented Marla Meridith who is the extraordinary photographer, food stylist and healthy living blogger behind Family Fresh Cooking. She had already been doing an incredible Project Lunch Box series featuring my EasyLunchboxes when I got the call to write the book.
I’d be embarrassed if you had seen my happy dance when Marla agreed to jump on board with me to be the photographer for all the scrumptious meals we’ll be sharing on every page.
Look for Cooking With Trader Joe’s Cookbook – Easy Lunchboxes on Amazon, and wherever books are sold, in September of 2012.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Kindle Edition?
Even if it is supposed to be trader joe’s foods, I expect most of us sad people living in no-TJ environments could find equivalent foods in other grocery stores.
I didn’t mean to make you sad, Mother Lydia!
But yes, the majority of the ingredients will be easy to swap out with similar products from other stores/food companies. I’m sure the book will appeal to anyone looking for simple and quick EasyLunchbox meal ideas, even if they don’t have a Trader Joe’s nearby.
Congratulations, Kelly! I’m so excited for you — and excited because Houston is supposed to get its first TJ in September. I used to shop at one in DC and have missed it! Can you get the cookbook (when it’s ready) only in stores?
Thanks Bettina! I’m thrilled for this opportunity as well and really excited to see it coming together right now. The cookbooks are not sold in Trader Joe’s stores. They are independently published are not affiliated with or sponsored by the Trader Joe’s Company. They’re sold online via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and others, as well as in brick and mortar bookstores
I cannot wait to get my own copy of this book!
Emily @ Bentobloggy is the cool author of..Bentobloggy Featured in a New Cookbook!
Kelly, this is amazing, congrats and good luck! Was just in TJ’s today, always think I’ll pick up a couple of things (they have the BEST fat free cottage cheese), and end up buying a bunch of stuff. We love Trader Joe’s, can’t wait to see the book.
Thank you so much Cecily! It’s the one store I don’t ever feel guilty spending money in
I’ve looked back over my posts here and it’s funny how many times I’ve mentioned TJ’s or made comments it, long before this book opportunity. Yea, who doesn’t love that store?
Congratulations!! How exciting for you! I found you through Sharon Otness Foot, whom I just started working with about a month ago to end my sugar addiction. I can’t wait to get this book! That photo looks soooo yummy! Only problem is – we don’t have a Trader Joe’s (oh, how I wish we did!) But, I’ll find equivilnt things. This is perfect for me because I’m not a “cook” either. I’m your newest follower, by the way!
Cindy
Thanks for your enthusiasm and your lovely comment Cindy! I’m happy to say that you and others without easy access to Trader Joe’s will find it pretty simple to substitute many of the TJs specialty ingredients with items found in your local market. None of the recipes are overly complicated (I mean, who really wants to spend a lot of time making a lunch for school or work?) and most of them just use easy-to-locate, simple, wholesome ingredients, prepared with a creative touch for fast and easy packing. There will be dozens of ideas for all ages and tastes packed (and pictured!) in my containers so that anyone, whether or not they shop at TJs, will find super ideas and inspiration for making great meals to go
My office is my car. Will I need to install a microwave in my Jeep?
I can’t wait for your book! I absolutely love the concept! Success to you always!
Thank you Delia! We’re in the fierce editing stages right now and finalizing graphics, etc. But I can tell you already that it’s GORGEOUS! I can’t wait either. Thanks for your comment and your continued support. So appreciated
Kelly, I am so excited that your book is finally coming out and congratulations to you! And even though I know I’ll need to buy it online or in a bookstore, I think it will really just give me an excuse to drive across town to the new Trader Joe’s that opened up about a month ago. It’s within walking distance of my sister-in-law’s house and she loves to remind me of that any chance she gets. What a perfect book to have just in time for back-to-school!
Brenda @ Meal Planning Magic is the cool author of..Easy Pad Thai Recipe-Kids In the Kitchen #SundaySupper
Kelly, that looks like such a wonderful book-congratulations!
Can I modify it though for us that live in another country (Australia) and don’t have TJ’s???
Thanks.
Hi Amanda – Yes, absolutely. Almost every TJ’s ingredient can be easily substituted and most of the ingredients are things that are found very easily in any grocery store
Was going to preorder your book, but am not seeing it on Amazon website. Usually these things are listed way in advance even if there isn’t a price for it. Is it still being published? Thanks!
Thanks for your comment! Sorry you couldn’t find it on Amazon. Thanks for telling me. HERE‘s the listing
Awesome! Thanks so much!
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