I've been intending to do this post for about 2 years, but every time I get home from the big grocery run I'm in a race to get things in the freezer, lunch made, kids down for naps... it just hasn't happened. So here we are-- my traditional Trader Joe's buys. I go at least every other week, if not every week. I went more in New York because it was by far the best prices available there, but I've found it's still well priced and far healthier and more delicious than food I generally buy at Safeway here in California.
I actually like the Shepherd's bread in the blue wrapper best, but when that's sold out this is a good second. Great for PB and Js and toads in the hole! I like a heartier wheat for our adult sandwiches...
These taste nothing like Mission brand tortillas.
I usually buy 2-3 boxes at a time. Bars are a staple at our house. Especially with our early morning preschool and music class these days.
I keep a few of these on hand for Sunday afternoons, to bring to a friend, serve at a playdate, or just make for a late night snack! This is one of TJ's best seasonal items! Stock up while you can!
These are good. I serve them with Our Best Bites' coconut crispy chicken. Always a hit!
They have several varieties of tomato sauces, this is the $1.99 most basic one, delicious! We like trying others too!
Most people know TJs for their pizza dough! I don't use it ALLL the time but it sure makes pizza night easier!
If Tatum's been picky for a few days and I'm worried she's not eating enough, I just make some "green pasta" and she'll literally eat the entire package. This pesto is far, far better than Costcos. Just saying.
They have quite a variety of salsa, we try a new one most times I go. Scott loves salsa, I don't, but we both love the one with the dancing girl on the front. This is the Chipotle which Scott thinks is really good.
Search no more for the best popsicle ever! Just don't let your kids try them! They are amazing, but only come in a 4 pack, so they go fast! And don't bother with the other flavors- this is the best!
Scott makes a mean quinoa soup which always has us hankering for Peru! So nostalgic!
The naan and frozen tikka is what rushes my trips back to TJs. Neither Scott or I are sad if I'm not cooking and that means Chicken Tikka for dinner. Or lunch. Or snack... It's just so good. I break the naan in half and toast it in the toaster, and microwave the meal for 3 minutes. Super easy.
Their yogurts are so creamy and good. I love mango and vanilla best, but Tatum will eat any flavor any time of day. And if she randomly doesn't finish hers, I throw it in a smoothie!
I normally don't like/buy light versions of food, but these taste better to me that the real deal. These are so much better than CheeseHeads.
I haven't used these yet, but my friend swears by them. Its garlic and basil frozen cubes. You just pop one out and add it to your cooking-- no more chopping! 1 cube= 1 clove. 1 cube= 1 tsp basil.
I brought these for a soccer snack the other week and they were a hit! Everyone liked them better than their on brand counterpart.
Another of my favorite frozen meals. Hearty.
Sorry the pic is rotated. This is my #1 favorite. Cheap frozen fruit. I buy 2 strawberries and 1 mango, then divide them into ziplocks so I have 8-9 smoothies ready to go. When I have 1-2 packs left I know it's time to get back to Trader Joes. Maybe if I weren't storing 15 gallons of breastmilk in my freezer, I'd have more room for smoothie packs!
We fell in love with potstickers in NYC (although our favorite shop in Chinatown just got shut down!) and these are almost as good! They have chicken and pork- stick with pork.
Other favorites that I didn't buy this trip and photograph:
Mochi balls- Japanese ice cream ball in the frozen section. We love chocolate and pumpkin if its October!
Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups- These are amazing. They were the first thing I packed in my hospital bag and I knew I could stop right there and be fine in the hospital for 3 days! I like the regular size, but the minis are great too!
Pomegranate Limeade- Its a great juice! I also keep a couple of their fancy glass bottled juices on hand to bring when we have a dinner invitation. They are easy and classy and don't have to be refrigerated.
I just want everyone to love Trader Joes. Please, love Trader Joes with me. It is amazing. I've always loved it, but with a long pregnancy, new baby and move this year, it has really been amazing!
3 comments:
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this delicious virtual tour! I especially love the pictures so I know what to look for! My TJ is at the top of my hill so there is no excuse not to go- except that I don't like to experiment much with only the two of us and one not here much...but when I know something is a winner, I will go after that item! I am excited about the salsa, tortillas, pumpkin bread mix, basil cubes, shepherds pie, veggie sticks, and I already LOVE their yogurts- just wish they were larger!
Bless you. I've been way for this post for years. I'm going next week. Thank you a million times.
Yum! I love reading all your posts and this one is especially informative! Have you done a post on what you like to put in your smoothies? I'd love to get some ideas! Thanks for sharing! :-)
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