Hey! Happy Monday to ya! I just finished writing in my Five-Minute Journal and am sipping my collagen half-caff coffee. Today we’re talking about all things Trader Joe’s. If you haven’t done your grocery shopping for the week, stick around, as I am sharing some of my favorite finds from this health food mecca.
I’ve been shopping at Trader Joe’s regularly since my first year of college (ummm… that would make it about 10 years!). I’m picturing a time-lapse of my red shopping carts from 2007 until now, and just how many groceries that would be(!), and also how my Trader Joe’s staples look quite a bit different than they did then.
I was kind of shocked when I moved to Florida and realized that there is only one Trader Joe’s in the entire Tampa Bay area — one! For the past eight years, I lived a convenient 10-minute drive from TJ’s – I frequented it at least weekly, usually more, for weekly grocery hauls and last-minute items. Since the closest TJ’s is a solid 30-45 minute commute from my house, I shop there about every other week to stock up on the goods. And I learned quickly that early weekday trips are key, as they literally have someone controlling traffic on the weekends (I am not used to this congested city life!).
Why do I like shopping at Trader Joe’s?
It’s affordable. Organic items are abundant (produce aside). The staff is friendly, and they keep up with nutrition trends (i.e. cauliflower crusts and maca powder and kale pesto) that don’t break the bank. And while many of the ingredient lists on TJ’s items are way too long for my liking, you can find short ingredient lists — you just have to look for them. Read yo’ labels!
The following is by no means an exhaustive list of everything I buy at Trader Joe’s (my staples change with the seasons), but rather items I buy fairly consistently and are true and tried, affordable favorites that this foodie is fond of.
Produce
Avocados
Bananas
Organic Berries
Lemons & Limes
Onions, Garlic & Fresh Ginger
Potatoes & Sweet Potatoes
Winter Squash (seasonal)
Organic Herbs
I don’t buy the majority of my produce from Trader Joe’s as I don’t find the quality superb, the plastic packaging is unnecessary, and it’s typically not grown in the U.S.
Nuts & Seeds
Sunflower Seed Spread (unsweetened)
Almond Butter
Chia & Hemp Seeds
Nuts: almonds, cashews, macadamias, pecans, walnuts
Seeds: raw sunflower and pumpkin seeds
Condiments & Sauces
Vegan Kale, Cashew & Basil Pesto (refrigerated)
Green Goddess Salad Dressing (refrigerated)
Sauerkraut (refrigerated)
Organic Reduced Sugar Preserves (apricot & raspberry are my favorite)
Meat & Dairy
Organic Free-Range Whole Chicken
Organic Free-Range Eggs
Canned Wild Alaskan Salmon
Cheeses: chèvre, feta, parm
Baking Staples
Maple Syrup
Blanched Almond Flour
Organic Coconut Flour
Organic Coconut Sugar
Organic Coconut Oil
Organic Flaked Coconut (unsweetened)
Organic Cacao & Maca Powder
Misc. Pantry Staples
Organic Olive Oil
Organic Coconut Milk
Fire Roasted Peppers
Kalamata Olives
Organic Tahini
Dijon Mustard
Organic Guatemalan Coffee – a must if you like dark roast coffee!
The Dark Chocolate Lover’s Chocolate Bar (85% cacao)
Organic Belgian Dark Chocolate Bar (72% cacao)
Grains, etc.
Organic Quinoa
Organic Brown Rice Pasta
Sourdough Boule
Cauliflower Pizza Crust (frozen)
Extras
Greeting Cards – only $0.99 each!
Fresh Flowers
Laundry Detergent
Pop-up Sponges
What are your TJ’s staples?
What should I add to my red cart?
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I recently tried these cashew apricot, date and nut bars with coconut and citrus and they were delicious! Kind of expensive but not surprising given what they’re made of. Definitely a treat!
Those sound great — I love apricot and coconut together!
Those cauliflower pizza crusts are incredible!
Agreed! :)