Best Pumpkin Products at Trader Joe's

Thanksgiving is almost here, time to amp up your pumpkin intake. Trader Joe's is known for all of the delicious pumpkin products they carry during autumn. And these products use real pumpkin, you don't have to worry about controversial flavorings/ingredients like in the Starbucks pumpkin spice latte which has recently been making the rounds. Which are the best to stock up on from Trader Joe's?

1. Frozen Pumpkin Pie - Pumpkin Pie is a fall & Thanksgiving staple, even going through early winter as a Christmas dessert as well. Trader Joe's has the absolute best pumpkin pie you'll be able to find, and it isn't all that expensive. They also make an equally tasty fresh pie, but if you aren't sure when you'll be using it, know that the frozen version doesn't sacrifice any flavor. Add your own whipped topping and maybe you can even pass it off as your own on Thanksgiving.

2. Pumpkin Butter - It's not actually butter, it just makes for a good name. This contraption is a nice spread that you can put on anything to make it taste like pumpkin. I like to put it on morning toast, and all of a sudden you have pumpkin for breakfast. It also tastes like heaven when you mix it into some plain or vanilla yogurt. They sell pumpkin yogurt too, but with the pumpkin butter you can get loads of pumpkin yogurt just by mixing some in.

3. Pumpkin Bread Mix - This box of pumpkin bread mix is just $2.99 and is absolutely the best packaged mix you can find. Its simple to make and has a strong enough taste so it doesn't feel cheap or like you need to add your own pumpkin to it. Its all right there, and packs a ton of flavor. Many people will buy multiple boxes in January/February (they tend to sell this popular item longer) to stock up for spring and summer.

4. Organic Pumpkin Toaster Pastries - Basically these are pop-tarts without all the crazy ingredients. Probably the easiest way to get a morning pumpkin fix. Put them in the toaster on the lowest setting, and soon you have a warm and gooey pumpkin treat with some added nutrition as well.

5. Pumpkin Ice Cream - This one is marketed under the "Pilgrim Joe's" label. Get it? It tastes just like pumpkin pie in ice cream form, and is absolutely delicious and creamy. One gripe is that they use caramel color in it, which is a questionable coloring.

6. Pumpkin Joe Joe's - Oh thank you for inventing these. I believe they are new. Anyone whose had Joe Joe's will agree they are better than Oreos, as the filling uses real Vanilla Bean. Well now you can get them with a pumpkin cream filling as well as pumpkin cookie around it. Try not to eat the entire box in one day.

7. Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins - Starbucks has a similar product, but the Trader Joe's version is tastier. Plus, you get four in a package for what about two cost at Starbucks. Its a nice pumpkin muffin with some pumpkin cream cheese in the middle of it all. They also sell a pumpkin cream cheese, but I haven't tried that one yet.

8. Pumpkin Joe O's - Joe O's are incredibly awesome. They're basically cheerios, but I find them better as the O's are a bit bigger. Well they also sell Pumpkin O's, which is a great way to add some pumpkin to breakfast. And as a bonus, you can drink up the milk with the flavor after.

New Year's Music

When people think of Holiday themed music, Christmas obviously dominates, with hundreds of songs for the season. Halloween follows in the distance with a good chunk of music. Yet, there are numerous songs you can listen to as you ring in the New Year as well! So while you

"What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" by Various Artists. This gem dates back to 1947, when it was independently written by Frank Loesser. It has since been covered by numerous artists, and my vote for the best versions go to The Carpenters and Ella Fitzgerald. Nobody did Christmas songs quite like The Carpenters, and "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" was added to their album "An Old-Fashioned Christmas". Fitzgerald also delivers a perfect rendition of the classic, as expected from a legend.

"New Year's Day" by U2. Released in 1983 on their album War, "New Year's Day" has stood the test of time as one of U2's most well known singles. It wasn't meant for that though, being a more politically charged song. The lyrics were inspired by the Solidarity Movement in Poland. So while New Year's isn't the main subject of the song, it is a piece of it.

"Auld Lang Syne (The New Year's Anthem)" - Mariah Carey. "Auld Lang Syne" is the most well known New Year's song, played every year on New Year's Eve. So for this list I just decided to include the Mariah Carey version from her 2010 Merry Christmas II You album, being one of the more recent versions, and from the woman who gave us a modern Christmas classic in "All I Want For Christmas Is You".

"Happy New Year" by ABBA. Released in 1980, this New Year's song from ABBA was a big hit in Europe, though a lot of its success came during reissues after the initial recording of the song. The English version wasn't released as a single until 1999. It did get a cheesy music video though even without a single release in 1980, which is worth watching:
                    
I mean, I know the video was probably filmed on some sound stage, but did the party need to be surrounded by total blackness? Not even a disco ball? And what was with the random horses in the background? Its cheesy, but you just can't help to love it.

"1999" by Prince.  Leading up to December 31st 1998, this song was played by pretty much every radio station and on every TV broadcast, as well as a year later in the lead up to Y2K and the new millennium. It was originally released in 1982. It made the Top 40 in 1998 as well, becoming the last single by Prince to chart that high. You can still party like its 1999, so fire this track up.

"Sleigh Ride" by TLC. Released on the Home Alone 2 soundtrack, Sleigh Ride is mainly a Christmas song that also gives some love to New Year's, so why not celebrate both?

"Maybe Baby (New Year's Day)" by Sugarland. Much like "Sleigh Ride" this song shows some love to both Christmas and New Year's. The country/rock/pop duo released it on their Christmas album "Gold & Green" in 2009. It features Kristian Bush on lead vocals rather than Jennifer Nettles, who gives background vocals this time around.

Best Christmas Episodes of 'The Simpsons'

'The Simpsons' have always been known for their Halloween "Treehouse of Horror" episodes they do every year. However, there are plenty of great Christmas themed episodes as well, including the very first episode of the series.

1. "Miracle on Evergreen Terrace" (1997) - Bart wakes up early to play with presents before everyone gets up, where he ends up burning down the tree and destroying everything. He buries the remnants outside in the snow and tells everyone a burglar stole it all. The entire town finds out and gives them money, and of course they soon find out it was all a lie. While its not the most memorable Christmas episode, it delivered the most laughs for me.

2. "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" (1989) - This is the episode that started it all. Bart gets a tattoo and to have it remove they have to spend all their Christmas money. Homer tries being a mall Santa but that doesn't work, so he goes to the race track and blows the rest of it on Santa's Little Helper, who ends up becoming their dog and completing the family we still love to this day.

3. "She of Little Faith" (2001) - Bart & Homer blow up the church with a rocket, and to pay for the repairs the Church sells out to Mr. Burns, who then sells ad space and makes the Church into a corporate entity. This causes Lisa to leave it and become a Buddhist, which continues on the series to this day. At first she refuses to celebrate Christmas, but eventually agrees to pay lip service and celebrate, which is all Marge wants.

4. "Marge Be Not Proud" (1995) - One of the best Bart & Marge episodes that really delivers a great storyline. After Bart shoplifts, he is left out of Christmas activities. Eventually he is back in her good graces when he gives her a picture as a Christmas present. Bart even pretends to enjoy a lame video game that Marge thought was the hot new game, giving us an episode where Bart shows a softer side. And we also get to see him being forced to make a snowman out of the dirty snow under the car.

5. "Holidays of Future Passed" (2011) - This is one of the better episodes in the series that deals with the future, featuring numerous gags that stand out to make it one of the more enjoyable Christmas episodes as well. Besides having numerous laugh out loud moments, it has a heartwarming story without being too sappy either.

6. "Tis the Fifteenth Season" (2003) - Mr. Burns gives Homer a Joe DiMaggio rookie card, not knowing anything about it. Homer then takes it to Comic Book Guy who empties his cash register for it, leading the Simpsons to shop at the expensive mall, Springfield Heights Promenade, where Homer blows all the cash on a talking Astrolabe.

7. "Grift of the Magi" (1999) - A toy company takes over Springfield Elementary to pay for ramps to be installed after Bart breaks his coccyx and is in a wheelchair. They then use the school just to create a toy called Funzo who ends up killing other toys and terrorizing people. Gary Coleman also makes an appearance as a security guard in a well done cameo.

The rest of the Christmas episodes are fine as well, though these are the best of the bunch.

Best Thanksgiving Movies

In October we have plenty of well known Halloween themed movies ("The Nightmare Before Christmas", "Hocus Pocus", "Halloween" series, "Sleepy Hollow", "Casper"). And of course there are hundreds of Christmas themed movies. The animated "Free Birds" is out now to help represent Thanksgiving some more, but Thanksgiving tends to get passed over on the big screen. However, there are plenty of good movies that feature the holiday.

Pieces of April (2003) - "Pieces of April" is one of the best Thanksgiving movie of the bunch. Part comedy, part drama, this indie flick stars Katie Holmes, Patricia Clark, Oliver Platt & Alison Pill. April (Holmes) is the older, rebellious daughter of a highly dysfunctional family, and she's never gotten along with her cancer-stricken mother (Clark). She decides to have Thanksgiving in her apartment on the lower east side of Manhattan. Of course, her stove breaks among other obstacles. It's a quick moving film that has a satisfying ending.

Addams Family Values (1993) - The movie is set during the summer, but one of the best moments of the film comes when the summer camp that Wednesday (Christina Ricci) & Pugsley (Jimmy Workman) were sent to. They are forced to act in a play about the first Thanksgiving. Wednesday doesn't take this lightly, and concocts a devious plan to turn the production upside down, as her and her fellow misfits acting as Native Americans burn the pilgrim village to the ground and take back their land. Joan Cusack also delivers an outstanding performance as the villain you just can't help but laugh with, Debbie.

Tower Heist (2011) - Well you can tell from the title that the film includes a heist. The people who work in a high-rise apartment building find out a wealthy tenant was operating a ponzi scheme and their money is gone. They decide to break into his apartment during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade since that is when his hearing is. The comedy stars Ben Stiller, Casey Affleck, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, Alan Alda, Gabourey Sidibe, & Tea Leoni.

The Ice Storm (1997) - Set across Thanksgiving weekend of 1973, 'The Ice Storm' is a drama that takes a look at life in the affluent suburbs of New York City, taking a look at the political climate as well as the sexual revolution of the early 1970s. Yes, that means a Key Party. It all happens during a pretty nasty ice storm (which, is what much of the country may experience this year). It features Christina Ricci (Queen of 90s movies), Sigourney Weaver, Joan Allen, Kevin Kline, Tobey Maguire, Elijah Wood, Allison Janney & Katie Holmes. Holmes was also in the Thanksgiving themed bomb 'Jack & Jill' in 2011, making that 3 Thanksgiving set films.

Home For The Holidays (1995) - Jodie Foster directed this film that deals with a woman who was just fired from her job that decides to spend Thanksgiving at her parents. Its a Dramedy in the same vein as "Pieces of April", while also packing quite the cast that features Claire Danes, Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., Charles Dunning, Anne Bancroft, Steve Guttenberg & Dylan McDermott.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987) - This comedy classic directed by John Hughes and starring Steve Martin & John Candy tackles Holiday travel as Neal Page (Martin) trying to get home to his family in Chicago for Thanksgiving, which is complicated by a run-in with Gel Griffith (Candy).

And don't forget these favorites: 'Grumpy Old Men', 'Hannah & Her Sisters', 'Alice's Restaurant', 'Funny People', and 'The House of Yes'.

'Toy Story of TERROR!' Thrills

Pixar is known for their outstanding feature films and award winning shorts, but they finally hit the realm of TV with 'Toy Story of TERROR' on ABC. The Halloween special, Pixar's first, was a nice Television debut for the studio and a great supplement to the 'Toy Story' film series. There were plenty of callbacks to the films throughout the half hour special to please fans, which helped form the basis of the story rather than just be throwaway moments.

The biggest of these callbacks was the addition of Combat Carl (voiced by Carl Weathers), who showed up to help Jessie save the day. If you forgot, a Combat Carl was blown up by that douche Sid in the first 'Toy Story' movie back in 1995. He was missing his hand for most of this special. Poor guy can't catch a break (until the end, of course!) 

Jessie (Joan Cusack) was the star here, facing her fear of being trapped inside an enclosed space in order to save Woody (Tom Hanks). The origin of her fear is referenced by Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles) from when she was abandoned in a box of old things by her original owner Emily in 'Toy Story 2'. No depressing Sarah McLachlan song this time around. 

Other characters featured were Rex (Wallace Shawn), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Trixie (Kristen Schaal), and Mr. Pricklepants (Timothy Dalton). The group get stuck at a motel after Bonnie's mom's car breaks down. They are then picked off one by one courtesy of an iguana, who brings them back to the motel owners office. He apparently is a creep who steals toys and sells them online. It seemed like a variation of the 'Toy Story 2' plot, but it works for this as well. My favorite scene was when the cat shaped Pex dispenser threw up a pez when Jessie stuck her hand in the Iguana's mouth to retrieve Potato Head's missing arm.

Here's to hoping Pixar gives us a Thanksgiving and/or Christmas special! And you can expect 'Toy Story of Terror' to air every year around Halloween just like 'It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'. 

Best Quotes From 'Hocus Pocus'

Its been 20 years since 'Hocus Pocus' entered our lives and became one of the greatest Halloween themed movies of all time. It didn't break any records at the box office, though it was released in July. Whose genius decision was that? Regardless, it became a monster hit on VHS, then DVD and eventually Blu Ray as well as a Television staple that gets shown multiple times every fall (and even sometimes throughout the year). This cult classic will forever be a Halloween staple now, even if those damn critics gave it mediocre reviews. They missed just how quotable and endearing this whimsical film is. Here are some of the best quotes:

1. Jay and Ernie aka ICE are possibly the greatest high school bullies of all time, and here is one scene chock full of their quotes when they run into Max (Omri Katz) in the graveyard.
                       
"Got any cash...Hollywoooooood?" "They're very health conscious in Los Angeles." "Check out the new cross trainers."

2. "I don't have any, what do you call them Max, yabbos? Max likes your yabbos. In fact, he loves them." -Dani (Thora Birch) to Allison (Vinessa Shaw)

3. "What are you supposed to be? A new kid on the block?" "For your information he's a Little Leaguer!" - Jay & Dani

4. "Thank you Max, for that mahhhhvelous introduction." -Winifred (Better Midler), because it is exactly how you'd imagine Bette Midler as a 17th century witch would say that.

5. "Aw man, how come it's the ugly chicks that always stay out late?" - Jay to Winifred, Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) & Mary (Kathy Najimy).

6. "We desire...Children." "Hey it may take me a couple tries but I don't think that would be a problem." - Winifred to the bus driver. Disney just loves to slip sexual innuendo's into family movies.

7. "Why was I cursed with such idiot sisters!" "Just lucky I guess." - Winifred & Sarah.

8. "Sisters look, it's the chocolate covered finger of a man named Clark." - Mary, about a Clark Bar.

9. Sarah yelling "Amok!" over and over before Winifred hits her.

10. "You wanna look in windows and watch babes undress?" "It's 3AM, they're undressed already." Ice & Jay before getting caught by the Sanderson Sisters.

Halloween Playlist

Happy Halloween! Need a Halloween themed playlist to scare up your day? I've thought up a few obvious and not so obvious songs for you to listen to or download.

1. The Beatles - "Revolution 9". The experimental avant garde track from 1968's The White Album is 8 minutes of "What the fuck?" It doesn't make sense, but a fun song to listen to around this time of year for its creepy sounds filled throughout. 

2. Michael Jackson - "Thriller". Well, this is the obvious one. The music video is the way to go, and pretty much everyone has heard this song and seen the video already. Listening to this around Halloween is the same as watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." A must for everyone. 

3. The Rolling Stones - "Sympathy for the Devil". A song sung from the point of view of Lucifer himself, the devil. Is there anything else you need to know? 

4. Bette Midler - "I Put a Spell on You". Not originally her song, but this version stands out for being in the Halloween classic Hocus Pocus. And there's Sarah Jessica Parker pre-Sex and the City. 

5. The Cranberries - "Zombie". Zombies are in right now more than ever thanks to the massive record breaking success of The Walking Dead. 

6. Stevie Wonder - "Superstition". Possibly his most famous song, its also another perfect song for Halloween. The song brings up many of the popular superstitions that exist in our culture. 

7. U2 - "Until the End of the World". This one is especially good for the 2012 edition of Halloween, with all the Mayan calendar hooplah going on. 

8. The Nightmare Before Christmas cast - "This is Halloween". The song is made specifically for today's holiday, and is best listened to while watching the scene in the film itself.

9. David Bowie - "Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)". You can tell this is creepy from the title, and the song is about a woman who turns mad. 

10. Lady Gaga - "Judas". How about a more recent song? Its not really about the devil, the devil is more of a metaphor in this song. Plus, Lady Gaga tends to scare some people, as well as dress up like its Halloween more than just on October 31. 

Halloween Classic: Hocus Pocus

ABC Family's 13 Night of Halloween is back, and it kicked off with the 1993 Disney cult classic, Hocus Pocus! The movie stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson Sisters, the witches who have come back from being dead for 300 years thanks to a virgin lighting the black flame candle.

However, this is not to talk about the film itself. This is a plea to Disney to release a Special Edition Hocus Pocus on DVD. Currently the DVD is bare bones. No deleted scenes or special features like documentaries and such. The film is a cult classic and every Halloween people buy up the DVD and anticipate it being on TV. I'm surprised it hasn't been released with additional content. We know there are scenes that were in the trailer but not in the film. One such shows the sisters in a supermarket.

Maybe there will be something going on for 2013, which will be the 20th Anniversary. Yes, that will make everyone feel old. There have also been rumors of a sequel. Hopefully if there is one, it has the original cast. I don't think people would be excited about one of those direct-to-DVD films with new people playing the characters.

Show your support, E-Mail Disney and ask them to release a Special Edition of Hocus Pocus on DVD and Blu Ray! Hurry, go now, I put a spell on you.

Also, this site has pictures of the filming locations in Salem, Massachusetts as they look now. Some of them look the same!