Trader Joe's

captainlindarg

Their trail mixes are outta this world!
Or you could peruse the trail mix section and buy a couple bags of nuts, dried fruits and seeds and mix your own. I prefer the pre-made ones though.

Their virgin coconut oil is awesome for cooking and baking PLUS it's mad cheap.

Skip the produce, I heard they keep it in the freezer and I have had (on 3 occasions) opened an apple or banana to see it had rotted in the middle. Ding-ding, we have a winner.

Their coffee is a great deal too - fair-trade and organic options for cheap. Grind in a Magic Bullet or their grinder in-store. I also love their vitamins and supplements which most people don't even know exist! So cheap!

I just love Trader Joe's. Been trying to work there for 2 years now :frown:

I work for Trader Joe's, I can assure you the produce isn't kept in the freezer!

captainlindarg

Ahh, where to start!

- As others have mentioned, turkey frozen meatballs are great
- Tons of great hummus. Mediterranean is my favorite.
- Great prices on bagged greens/lettuce
- Someone else mentioned trail mixes, and I agree. Favorites: Sweet, Savory, & Tart, Nuts About Raspberries & Chocolate, Tempting Trail Mix
- They sell Fage greek yogurt at a good price. I love the stuff. Most people go for the 0%, but I like the 2%
- I'm addicted to the frozen chicken tikka masala and frozen garlic naan. The tikka masala is 300 calories and a good quick easy meal.
- The seaweed snacks are really popular and good. I like the wasabi ones.
- This time of year, the pre-cooked corned beef is the bomb. Seriously, try it.
- Wine selection is great. Ask a crew member for favorites, because they're always getting hustle buy wines that are only available for a short time.

I could probably go on, but there's just a few things

captainlindarg

Not the best diet food....but they have peanut butter stuffed pretzel bites that are delish.......

My go to frozen veggies Is their hodge podge mix.....

Haha! I love those. They're not great diet food, but I've found they're better for me personally than other snacks for the same calories. The PB makes me feel fuller.

kris4chloe

Just check my diary, you will see all my trader joe's favorites. love the dried cranberries, the champagne pear dressing.

my kids love the hummus, all the kinds.

the veggie crisps

the coffee is a great price and very good. we get the dark trader joe's for only 4.99 for the can.

the frozen green beans are great, as well as the frozen peppers are quick and easy to add to chicken for quick fajitas or to eggs for breakfast.

HowieTwoPointZero

Thanks all! I hear nothing but good things about the indian food, and I'm still on the 'eat anything you want, just keep it under x calories' diet. So not worried much if a food is diet or not.

kjm3579

I buy my vitamins from Trader Joes as well as their Very Green in pill form and the Super Red Powder drink. I just tried Ezekiel Bread (Sesame) and Pure Bars from TJ's this weekend and liked both. I have bought prepared lunch items, flowers, and assorted snack items from TJ's as well. They also have some non-gluten items that I bought for my wife (she has Celiac disease).

groomchick

Am so jealous of ALL of you.... we have no Trader Joes or whole food in my state... you are all SPOILED!! XO

capnwo85

Almond Butter w/ Roasted Flaxseeds. Word Up.

alise_lmx

I love their frozen food section. Also the two-buck chuck I dont go there often bc it's way on the other side of town for me, but this summer one is opening a couple miles from my house, im so excited!

tsarwood

The spicy black bean dip...I use it as a spread on sandwiches and quesadillas. Great source of protein and flavor without a bunch of fat

vjrose

Love my trader joe's. No salt added tuna and low salt if you aren't really watching that (pink label). Chili pepper sauce, spaghetti sauce, ground turkey, Calbee SnapPea crisps, organic eggs, taquitos, I do get certain fresh fruits and veggies there I can't get anywhere else, hummus, lots of great canned beans. There is lots more but those are pretty much standards. They have lots of yummy frozen veggies too.

Lesa_Sass

SOYRIZO!!! Its fake chorizo and deeeeelish! Its in the produce section.

Fiber cereal
Madras Lentils (Indian food in the Grocery isle)
Veggie Corn dogs (2 dollars cheaper than the morning star farms one, 150 calories, 45 seconds in the microwave)
Frozen Papaya salad
Bison burgers(frozen)

I do get the hype and love the store. I do not think I have had anything that sucks there as of yet. I also get lots of the noodle bowls that you pour water in and microwave for my husband, he loves them and they are between 2 and 3 dollars cheaper than our local grocery store. The Chicken Masala is friggin insane delish but at 600 calories, I have to pass for now.

Just a warning the stores are typically small so if it just opened, do not be surprised if you find yourself frustrated at how crowded it is. We have 2 in this city and there has been 2 separate occasions that I had to leave because I could not even find a parking space.

MissMarthaGrace

LOVE Trader Joe's! I'm always finding something new - but a few things I ALWAYS have on hand are: Almond Butter w/Roasted Flax Seed, Chicken Sausage w/Spinach & Fontina, Chicken Cilantro Wontons, Joe's Dark Coffee Beans ($4.99!!), Quick Steel Cut Oats, Wasaubi Peas, Puff Pastry Margarita Pizza, Peanut Butter filled Pretzel Nuggets, Pumpkin Pancake Mix (in the Fall), Frozen Edamame, Frozen Naan...the list goes on and on! The others are right......take the time to BROWSE!!!

Hambone23

Just a warning the stores are typically small so if it just opened, do not be surprised if you find yourself frustrated at how crowded it is. We have 2 in this city and there has been 2 separate occasions that I had to leave because I could not even find a parking space.

^^ This. Weekends can be murder unless you go really early. Ours is usually packed, but we went at 9 a.m. this Sunday when they opened, and there was hardly anyone there. Friday nights after work are also hugely busy.

time2bhealthy

bump..one is opening in my area soon too!!

sweettthings

Another bargain that I don't think anyone has mentioned - the maple syrup! Also Kerrygold butter is .50-.75 cents cheaper there than at my local grocery stores. Olive oil is a bargain too.

I like the frozen edemame, and they have a pretty good frozen fish selection.

Their dried pastas are excellent, and all the different sauces and curries are great to have on hand to spice up "boring diet food", lol.

I don't buy produce there unless it's an emergency, just not usually the freshest available in my area, but ymmv.

It's not the main store I shop at, but I try to go at least once a month for a few things that really improve the overall quality and range of my diet.

AmyRhubarb

Almond butter
Hummus (the Mediterranean Cream & Smooth variety is my fave)
Produce (I've never had problems with quality at my store, and I worked produce for 8 years, I'm picky!)
Chocolatey Cat Cookies
GREEK YOGURT!! TJ's is my favorite!
Fruit juices - they have some great ones for mixing in smoothies and for mixing in margaritas!
These little rice crackers with soy & flax seed
Frozen green beans - awesome and cook up fast
Frozen quinoa dish - so good!
Jo-Jo's - like oreos but a wee bit better for you because there's no hydrogenated junk, my kid loves them. Ok, so do I!
Of course, the wine section! :drinker:

I know there are more things, but there's a few of our regular purchases.

Edited to add: Oh yes, agree on the maple syrup! And I like their spices too. It's not a huge section, but of the ones they have, I've found them to be better than jarred spices I get at the regular grocery store.