Trader Joe's - what do you buy?

HuskyHiker413

I went in to trader Joe's to pick up some quest bars and started to wonder what else might be awesome at trader Joe's... I figured it would be a great question for all you wonderful MFP people!

So what do you love to buy at TJs?

mamasmaltz3

Uhhh, cookie butter. Lots of cookie butter.

boweg

Cauliflower rice (when its not sold out) and avocado salsa.

Lasmartchika

Their dark chocolate... and wine... and cream cheese...

MakePeasNotWar

I love the black cherry diet soda and the dried coconut. Also the sweet popcorn that comes in the blue bags, though I don't buy it that often because I'll eat at least 3 servings at a time. Same with the "inner peas" green pea crisps ( but not the black bean ones; they taste weird to me)

I buy the healthy 8 veggie mix for salads and stir-fries as well. It makes them so easy.

whmscll

I go to TJ's almost every day. Produce, milk, fruit, nuts, cheese, wine, peanut butter, bread..TJ's is where I do my normal grocery shopping. They have some awesome salsas, amazing cookies and very good tortilla chips. One of my favorites in their light champagne vinaigrette dressing. 50 calories for a 2T serving, and hardly any sugar. Also love their Just Mango dried mango...no sulfites or other preservatives and no added sugar.

fearlessleader104

Cheesecake bites

stealthq

Stacked eggplant parmesan - it's not breaded, which is much tastier to me.
Chinese chicken and dumpling soup
Several of the frozen Indian and Thai frozen meals
Blintzes are good, as are the frozen croissants and several of the other pastries.

I avoid the pizzas and similar. I think they're tasteless.

campdawson

whmscll wrote: »

I go to TJ's almost every day. Produce, milk, fruit, nuts, cheese, wine, peanut butter, bread..TJ's is where I do my normal grocery shopping. They have some awesome salsas, amazing cookies and very good tortilla chips. One of my favorites in their light champagne vinaigrette dressing. 50 calories for a 2T serving, and hardly any sugar. Also love their Just Mango dried mango...no sulfites or other preservatives and no added sugar.

Same here. I do my grocery shopping at Trader Joe's too and pricing is very competitive.

the_great_unknown

I get a lot of my groceries there.

1. Half and half
2. Greek yogurt (usually vanilla bean and honey) in the single serving package,
3. Butter lettuce, the creamy cilantro salad dressing,
4. Frozen flounder that's stuffed with crab (these are fantastic!)
5. Frozen farfalle with spinach and cheese (better if you add extra spinach because there is a lot of sauce)
6. Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
7. Bananas
8. Clif bars
9. Frozen Cod Provencal meal with ratatouille
10. Costa Rica Terrazu coffee
11. Baby bok choi

Less often
1. Indian simmer sauces (Masala, I think)
2. Frozen roasted corn
3. Frozen cilantro cubes (they are always out of this lately)

JenileeFinley

Crunchy green beans, organic baby kale, candied walnuts, tropical fruit medley, stuffed bell peppers, hummus, olive oil, tortellini, bananas, Lara bars, almond breeze, frozen mango (for smoothies) and organic sugar snap peas.

Ultima_Morpha

They have the best buy in town for organic, cold pressed coconut oil.

We like a spice grinder they have called Everyday Seasoning. Goes great on everything.

I like their house brand of Greek yogurt.

Thai chili lime cashews.

frenchtoastkarma

There are so many things I like at trader joes.

frozen:
caramelized onion feta cheese pastry bites
pastry pups
full fat mac and cheese (not the diet version which is less delicious)
"just sauce" tomato bolognese
italian meatballs
chow mein
mac & cheese bites
croissants (chocolate, regular, almond...they are all good)
quiche

prepared:
traditional meatloaf
chicken marsala with mashed potatoes
teriyaki chicken
wine country chicken salad
chicken pot pie

dips/sauces/spreads:
feta cheese spread
bacon ranch dip
crunchy cookie butter
maple syrup

nuts:
honey sesame cashews
candied pecans

cheese/meat:
rosemary asiago. omfg. omfg.
applewood smoked bacon. makes really good maple bacon. really, really good.

desserts/bread/cereal:
dark chocolate peanut butter cupcakes
inside out carrot cake cookies
chocolate cream cheese brownies
salted caramel gelato
mango sorbet
key lime pie
molten chocolate lava cakes
blueberry muffins
maple pecan cluster cereal
strawberry cereal bars
PRETZEL BREADDDD

the only things I don't really like from TJ's is their yogurt/chips/crackers/soup.

martyqueen52

Cocoa + Cookie butter jars. I bought about 10 last trip

tspencer824

Pork Belly
Cookie Butter
Cookies and Cream Cookie Butter
Cookie Butter Ice cream
Cookie Butter Cheesecake
Anything cookie butter....
ummmm.....
I also get salsa verde yum.
Too bad the closest TJs is now in Tallahassee Maybe I will have to take a trip one day!

LeanButNotMean44

My "staple" items from TJ's are:
soy milk
Greek yogurt
Lite Kettle corn (snack bags)
Reduced guilt chicken salad
Chicken tamales
Frozen veggies
Dark chocolate

bostongrl13

Chocolate covered S'mores bites, wine, pretzel bread, their frozen spinach & artichoke dip. Nom nom nom.

Nuke_64

Raisin Medley. You'd swear they coated them with sugar (there're not).

MsJulesRenee

The wine

flightybird

Tahini sauce, blueberry chevre, and they sell this peanut butter & jelly Greek yogurt that sounds ridiculous, but is AMAZING!

SoDamnHungry

Cracker cuts, water crackers, naan, mochi, and their fruit tarts.

mistikal13

Cookie butter, dark chocolate, nuts, dried fruits, olive oil, fruits, veggies, nut butters, how long do you have?

Urban_Princess

• Chocolate honey mints
• coconut flour
• stevia
• agave
• sunflower seeds
• bread (if i ever buy it..60-70 cals a slice!)
• salsa (5 cals for 2 TBSP, yes please)
• boxed indian food (the lentils or eggplant mix)
• peanut butter with flax and chia seeds

i'd buy other stuff but it would melt before i hit the border - things like yogurt, cheese, cauliflower rice, etc..

Also, there is a list of things I want to buy but afraid i'd eat the whole package

• Chili mango pieces
• coconut cashews
• any nuts in general
• any cookie related product ...okay any dessert really

bennettinfinity

There's only one reason to go to TJ's: Sea Salt & Turbinado Sugar Dark Chocolate Almonds...

SoDamnHungry

Urban_Princess wrote: »

• Chocolate honey mints
• coconut flour
• stevia
• agave
• sunflower seeds
• bread (if i ever buy it..60-70 cals a slice!)
• salsa (5 cals for 2 TBSP, yes please)
• boxed indian food (the lentils or eggplant mix)
• peanut butter with flax and chia seeds

i'd buy other stuff but it would melt before i hit the border - things like yogurt, cheese, cauliflower rice, etc..

[/list]

My friend, something is missing from your list. Your Trader Joe's insulated grocery bag. I left mine in the car in 100 degree heat for 8 hours and the ice was still frozen. Now GO! Go and buy all the yogurt and cheese that your heart desires!

amcook4

I stock up on wine, I'll end up with a case of three buck chuck every time I go. I also always get dark chocolate covered edamame.

steeheart

campdawson wrote: »

whmscll wrote: »

I go to TJ's almost every day. Produce, milk, fruit, nuts, cheese, wine, peanut butter, bread..TJ's is where I do my normal grocery shopping. They have some awesome salsas, amazing cookies and very good tortilla chips. One of my favorites in their light champagne vinaigrette dressing. 50 calories for a 2T serving, and hardly any sugar. Also love their Just Mango dried mango...no sulfites or other preservatives and no added sugar.

Same here. I do my grocery shopping at Trader Joe's too and pricing is very competitive.

sixxpoint

Their organic carrot juice is always tasty.

Their dried coconut is very natural tasting.

Check out the chicken and cheese tamales, too.

felinasbeads

I don't make enough money to shop there.

steeheart

I love trader joes! I've lost 55 lbs now shopping mostly at trader joes. The key for me has been portion control. That's why I love the frozen tamales, pizzas, and many of their entrees. When you cook a full meal from scratch things aren't easily portioned out for you. With trader joes there isn't too much guess work involved in counting your calories. Also! Trader joes actually has pretty strict guidelines for what chemicals, colors, preservatives and ingredients their food is made with. More strict than whole foods! So although it's frozen, it's healthier than lean cuisines and other frozen entree companies.

-Frozen hash brown patties.
-frozen vegetarian orange "chicken" nuggets
-frozen tamales
-Frozen Panko crusted tilapia. Perfect for tacos
-cut mango and pineapple
-fresh shrimp spring rolls
-dark chocolate covered pretzels
-flavored sparkling water bottles
-frozen personal pizzas

whmscll

amcook4 wrote: »

I stock up on wine, I'll end up with a case of three buck chuck every time I go. I also always get dark chocolate covered edamame.

I can't drink the "chuck" wine (2.5 Buck Chuck where I am). I only use it to cook.