August 6, 2011

finish this sentence...

If you're going to Trader Joe's, you absolutely must try __________.

Trader Joe's recently opened in our area.  The hubs and I want to check it out, but for some reason I'm a little nervous, because I always see people on different blogs rant and rave about different stuff that they love from there.  I feel like I might be a bit overwhelmed.

I'm a dork.  And overly anxious about stupid things.  I'm aware.

So what items do you absolutely love from Trader Joe's?  Personally, I would lean towards healthier items, but Christopher doesn't have a love for health foods like I do, so anything that you love, just let me know.  Ok thanks.

What would I do without the internet to solve all my problems?  :o)

19 comments:

KellytheCulinarian said...

The organic salted smooth peanut butter! Love it soo much. The sweet potato chips are tasty too.

Jenny said...

Everything! I love Trader Joe's!
Some of my favorites are:
Greek yogurt with honey, organic marinara (it's really garlicy - yum!), truly handmade tortillas, frozen quiche (mexican), mediterranean hummus w/ their whole wheat flatbread, pomegranate limeade, Joe-Joes & cream ice cream, sweet potato fries, frozen edamame, and if you can ever find it, the dried coconut cubes.
I also find that their spices & pantry staples, and sometimes produce are a lot cheaper than my regular grocery store. Have fun! TJ's is awesome!

kyna... said...

Apple Carrot Crushers... Ellie loves them and they are good for her! Their preseasoned, precooked carnitas are super good and are fast and easy...their frozen Mac and cheese is awesome (and they have a guilt free version)... I could go on and on... I'm a BIG fan of Trader Joes!

Sarah said...

I don't think you will be overwhelmed. I went yesterday for my nanny family and its very small. I have no recommendations because I haven't tried anything but just wanted to warn you that its SMALL!

Stephanie said...

I love that you posted this! We have a TJs local to us and I've been several times and I LOVE it there, but I'm always overwhelmed. I just don't know what to try. I can say that I always spend way too much money there and I've never really disliked anything I've purchased! I'm actually planning to hit TJs this week to pick up some snacks for a road trip later in the week. I'll be taking notes on people's recommendations!

The Ingrams said...

Yum. TJs is awesome. If you like coffee, we love the Pinon (it has a hazelnut kinda taste). We also love the frozen microwavable rice, tomato basil hummus, the just chicken (awesome for quick dinners), the peanut butter chocolate pretzels, sweet potato chips, and great wine selection. Just take your time and try a few things at a time. You'll find things you love in no time.

Anonymous said...

Trader Joe's is awesome, you will love it there! I love the frozen vegetable fried rice, fruit floes popsicles, Hansen's diet All Natural sodas, and pretzel slims. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

raspberry and brie puff pastries in frozen aisle. SO GOOD!!!

Meredith said...

Their sparkling Lambrusco wine (white)--I'm not usually a white wine girl, but it is PERFECT for summer, and I think it's less than $5 a bottle!

Caitlin MidAtlantic said...

I'm not a huge fan of Trader Joe's, but I do love the frozen asparagus soup. Try it, even though you say you're picky! It's creamy deliciousness!

Cubbies and Nooks said...

My hubs is obsessed with their peanut butter filled pretzels. Serious...love...affair.

Jamie said...

Their Mac and Cheese (in the frozen section) is SOOOO yummy

Dani @ OKDani.com said...

DARK CHOCOLATE COVERED ESPRESSO BEANS!!!
You're welcome.

xo
Dani
www.okdani.com

Anonymous said...

Ohh, I love trader joes!!
Here's my list of favorites:
- organic ketchup (I can no longer buy Heinz ketchup!)
- frozen orange chicken (yum!) and beef and broccoli (double yum!)
- Double gloucester cheese with caramelized onions (my favorite cheese in the world)
- the beef and turkey canned chilis are delish
- wine country chicken salad (in the fridge)
- gluten free gingersnaps
- Corn Relish (is yummy on tortilla chips)
- Apple cider (for the wintertime)

Make sure to check out the mailer/flyer the send out. It always has tips on how to cook foods and hilights things I always end up trying. Have Fun! TJ's is awesome; I only which they'd put one closer to my house.

Kristen said...

I love love Trader Joes! I can usually get everything I need instead of the grocery store and it's so much cheaper! Here's a typical list of things I get almost everytime.

->Produce - organic zucchini, avocados, clementines, sweet potatoes, bagged broccoli (my daughter loves these steamed), pears.
->Pasta - they have my favorite pasta sauce, tomato basil marinara, so good and so cheap. Their pastas are all yummy and they have these spiral noodles made out of veggies that my 16 month old loves.
->Dried fruit - our favorites are freeze dried strawberries and dried mango.
->Chicken breakfast sausages, so good.
->Frozen dinners - the mandarin orange chicken is yummy and easy. The frozen mac n cheese is to.die.for. Also love their frozen grilled chicken strips, we eat those for lunch all the time. Great selection of frozen fruits and veggies too.
->Sauces - I usually try a new sauce each time, the curry sauces are good.
->Rice - they have the best rices. I like their brown rice blend and harvest blend and they all only take about 10 minutes to make. Great way to get my daughter to eat different grains. They also have frozen rice that is pre-cooked and only takes 3 minutes to heat up, so easy!
->Dinners - haven't had a marinated meat that I haven't liked. I just try whatever looks good that day.
->Snacks - I love love love their honey wheat pretzels, so does my daugther. They also have small 12 grain crackers that are a healthier version to ritz crackers. The salsas are all great too.
->Condiments - their spices, baking goods, condiments are usually cheapers and higher quality than the grocery store.
->The pancake mixes are so so good.
->Their sweets are all good. I bought the peanut butter cups once and we ate them in a few days so I don't buy them anymore :-)
->The vanilla mints are good and I keep them in my purse.
->squeezy fruit sauces, really good too.
They also have great seasonal items - love their holiday stuff (cider, baked mixes, etc).

Okay, that is a long list... I usually end up buying so much and only paying a fraction of what I think it's going to be. Can't wait to see what you like to get!

Kristen said...

Forgot to mention the canned chili - the turkey chili and vegetarian chili are sooo yummy and my daughter will eat them too!

Nicki said...

I feel like everyone I've ever met is convinced that Trader Joe's and I are like star-crossed lovers who are destined to be together. Every time I admit I haven't been there I get, "YOU haven't been there? Ohmygod, you would love it." So I guess me and TJ's are destined to run off to the organic chapel and get hitched.

Unknown said...

There are some great recommendations here! I would also add cheeses (wonderful selection at a great price), organic eggs, and they have a great selection of frozen fruits & veggies which are nice when they aren't in season anymore. Have tons of fun...I grew up going to one and then moved away...thankfully they just opened one up 5 minutes from my house :)

Heidi Jo said...

-peanut butter filled pretzels
-dried mango and dried unsulfured pineapple
-goat Brie
-my Hubby likes their keifer. I'm lactose intolerant so I can't vouch for it
-their frozen burritos are good as far as frozen burritos go
-I love their Red and yellow curry sauces
-they have good on-the-go lunch options for when you're out and about

Aaaand I'll tell u more if they come to me. :)