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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