So, I looooove peeking inside people’s shopping carts. It’s just fun to see what other people buy, isn’t it?! Tell me I’m not alone on this! I hope not, because today I’m doing something a little different and sharing what I get at Trader Joe’s!
TJ’s is one of my faaavorite grocery stores. Their food is fresh, delicious and a great price! Plus, they have really fun things unique to only them, which makes for a really fun shopping trip! We always like to try something new every time we go, and their seasonal things are especially cool (pumpkin everything in the fall, peppermint deliciousness in the winter, etc). SO. Let’s get on to what we buy on a regular basis, pretty much every time we go…
FLOWERS! Okay, their selection is always so pretty- I could stand in the flower section for hours picking them out. I never leave without at least one bouquet of fresh blooms! I get asked a lot where I get the flowers I use for Sophie’s monthly photos– they’re always either Trader Joe’s or Costco! The selection and the price are hard to beat!
Greek yogurt! Their Greek yogurt is one of our favorites! It’s smooth and delicious and comes in a few great flavors- vanilla, strawberry and coconut being our top picks. I also loooove their almond milk- it’s my favorite, ever.
CHEESE. They seriously have the best cheese. I like to try out new kinds, but also stick to our faves: brie, monterey jack and dubliner.
Baguette. To go with the cheese of course!
Hummus. So good with veggies or crackers or the baguette. Such a great, healthy and easy snack! Sam loves it too. :)
Sushi. Okay, so this particular one isn’t my fave (the brown rice ruins it for me, oops) but they do have some really good ones! Makes for a nice snack or part of a lunch.
Okay, I never leave without some pre-packaged salads. They have an awesome selection (another section I could peruse for a loooong time!) and I like trying new ones. Buuuut that lemon chicken and arugula salad up there? THE BEST.
Granola. If you haven’t tried this, you need to. I love munching on it as a quick snack, or for an easy breakfast when I don’t have much time. Really yummy with the almond milk!
Some pantry items we love: salsa (it’s so good! we love the red one!), hot sauce, coconut milk, shredded coconut and whole wheat pasta.
Frozen food we love: asparagus risotto, channa masala (all of the Indian food is so good!), frozen sides (they have one with kale and quinoa that is amazing and Sam devours it every time!) and pizza!
And last but not least, CHOCOLATE. The dark chocolate bars are always right by the register, so naturally I never forget to pick up a couple. ;) I love having a few pieces for a late dessert. So good. Plus, dark chocolate is good for you! ;) And two words: Cookie. Butter.
Do you shop at Trader Joe’s?
What are some of your staples? Anything I need to try?!
xo
We have a Trader Joe’s near us but I have never shopped there. I have eaten some of their food before (being at someone’s house etc) and it’s been very good. Next shopping trip I think I will go there. You should try their pasta, they have really good tortellini and ravioli and their pasta sauce! OMG yum!
haha! We love TJ’s! I was about to say WHY DIDN’T COOKIE BUTTER MAKE YOUR LIST?! But then you snuck it in right at the end.. ha! Have you tried the cookie butter ice cream?!?
Love this post! I too like peeking in other people’s carts! Ha ha :) I’ve heard wonderful things about Trader Joes but sadly I’ve never lived near one so maybe some day! :)
Love this post! I always like new Trader Joe’s recommendations! Have you done a post on what’s in your Costco cart?
I just discovered that TJ’s has cauliflower rice! Takes all the work and mess out of making my own, and I can easily sub it in for rice. And wine is always a must from there, it is so dang cheap!
I love Looking at people carts! Haha Glad I’m not alone! I travel almost an hour to the nearest TJ’s, but SO worth it!! I love the frozen cauliflower rice , their chicken sausages, and the dark chocolate pb cups are BOMB!!!!
We don’t miss a chance to stock up at TJs when we visiting Penn State in State College, Pa. So much fun! I wish we had one closer! We love the refried salsa beans, their in-store refrigerated pizza dough (so yum for pizza on the grill when it’s hot), champagne vignette dressing, and their cranberry trail mix.
Being in Australia, I’ve never shopped at Trader Joes! It’s so lovely to see what you buy on the regular, trough – I agree, we really are such curious creatures who want to know what others are putting in their baskets! :)
mmm – I agree, I love to see what others buy! I’m such a creature of habit that I always buy the same few things, mostly basics like eggs, veggies, and hummus, but if I think of the things I like to buy when I’m not eating as healthily or just need a treat, a few come to mind! Their pre-made wraps are awesome, I love to grab a couple during dead week and finals week when I absolutely live in the library and having those just ready to go makes my life just a tiny bit less stressful! My roommates and I lived (unashamedly) off of their chicken potstickers for a solid four months last year, and let me tell you what a delicious four months those were!
Check out the Soyaki sauce – LIFE CHANGING. It’s an awesome marinade for chicken, tofu, whatever. It’s good with noodles, magical on potstickers, a must in your fridge. Definitely not the healthiest thing ever, but delicious. If I really want something sweet, I love their chocolate chip dunkers, awesome for coffee dunking or just for eating because they’re delish!
Ooooh one last one, the meyer lemon cookie thins are delish but addictive so I can’t buy them ever again because I have the slight problem where I can’t stop at the recommended serving size… oops! I love TJ’s!
Katie- we ALWAYS get:
– pineapple salsa
– dark chocolate sea salt & caramel bar
– dark chocolate peanut butter cups
– dried mango
– TJ version of Nutrigrain bars
Ditto on the flowers! And… The free coffee sample. My TJ is in NY and doesn’t have wine :(
I love how the cashiers are always so friendly and not one of them has failed to remember to give my 4-year old some stickers.
What?! A TJ’s with no wine??!! Ca-razy! And YES to their dark chocolate pb cups- one of the best things! How did I leave those out?! And they are always so friendly :) Such a great place!
xo
Love me some TJ’s! I love their dark chocolate peanut butter cups and mint chocolate chip ice cream. A healthy snack recommendation is their plantain chips with guac. I’m sure there’s more but those are the top 3 that came to mind lol
Oh my gosh, their dark chocolate pb cups are HEAVENLY. I’m obsessed!!!
xo
Cilantro salad dressing from TJ is the best thing ever….
Yes! I’ve tried it- it IS really good!
xo
The soyaki sauce is amazing (it’s the same exact thing as Soy Vay just made for TJs). The high protein tofu is amazing because you don’t have to press it and it’s really firm, perfect to marinate and bake or add to a stir fry.
Also love the white basalmic vinegar, coconut milk ice cream, frozen edamame, meatless balls, cowboy caviar salsa, wildflower honey and the various olives
I keep meaning to try the coconut milk ice cream!! Sounds incredible! Also, loooove the cowboy caviar salsa!
xo
I live in NYC, no car, and there’s a TJ’s at the end of my block. Yes, I know well each and every aisle of my local “bodega”! One thing I would suggest, cheesewise, is the Unexpected Cheddar (or, similar but maybe a tad better) the English Coastal Cheddar. I actually started drinking TJ’s Almond Beverage(milk) even tho I have no problem with regular milk. The guacamoles and hummuses (hummi?) are great too. And the frozen Angus burgers are surprisingly juicy, even from the skillet. Too many other TJ things I love, so I’ll stop here and not hog the comments!
TJ’s almond milk is my favorite! It’s so creamy and delicious! And yes, the hummus is sooo good! Thanks for all your suggestions- I just love trying out new food!
xo