::sigh::
::sigh::
::AHEM::
What’s wrong you ask? Oh nothing…
::sigh::
I’ve been wallowing. Lamenting. Feeling sorry for myself.
::sigh::
Okay, I am in fact being very melodramatic. I’m really not in a bad mood. I’m not wallowing so much. But I am sad I wasn’t with a lot of my blogging buddies at Fitbloggin’ this weekend. With the end of the year so close to when the conference was held, I just couldn’t justify taking a day off to gallivant around Baltimore to jump on trampolines and have slumber parties with other adult women.
Everything was right in the world until the Husband decided to up and leave me this weekend too. It’s just me and Charlie. Charlie and me. Mom and pup. Mama Bear and Baby Cub. Which would be fine, except he smells bad and I refuse to cuddle with him. The Husband is the bath giver — I don’t get involved with such activities.
When I said I was being melodramatic, I was really serious. I woke up this morning with a smile on my face, grateful I had done my really horrible and hot and not such a great time 9 mile run last night after school. It meant I could spend my day doing the things I love: cleaning and buying groceries.
You’re right — cleaning I only like when I’m mad. Which is why it hasn’t been done yet. But grocery shopping? Grocery shopping I can do.
Trader Joe’s was on the list today (when isn’t it?), and I want to present to you the best of Trader Joe’s. The items I always want to buy when I’m there.
Organic Creamy Peanut Butter
This peanut butter takes the cake. It is one of the best peanut butters I’ve ever had. For $3.00 a pop and being made with organic peanuts, there’s nothing more a girl could ask for. I never leave TJ’s without it.
Traditional Refried Beans
I love these beans. I love them so much I have instated a weekly Mexican food night at my house, meaning I get to eat them once a week.
omgiminlovewiththistofu. For real. For a couple of reasons — 1) It’s in a tear off package, which means easy serving sizes. Who really gets 5 servings of tofu out of a package anyways? 2) It has a ridiculous amount of protein in it. There are 9 grams of protein in each serving, which is way more than normal tofu.
Organic Ketchup
Ketchup is one of my vices. A few nights a week, I make my dinners ketchup appropriate, meaning all of the foods I eat must be dipped in ketchup. It’s quite the obsession, which means I go through a lot of it. This ketchup is a huge bottle, and is only $1.99 a bottle.
Dark Chocolate Nibs
I have to admit, I’m usually too cheap to buy these myself. This little container is $1.99, and while I love them, I usually only get them if my mom buys them for me. They’re great though. I keep the container in my purse and pop in half the tin a few after a meal if I’m out.
Steamed Lentils
I’m all about the convenience factor during the school year. My life is made easier by prepackaged lentils, and I’m not afraid to admit it. Just like dry beans, dry lentils take planning to eat. Sometimes life gets in the way and I don’t have time to plan! These come in handy.
Question: What is your favorite item from Trader Joe’s?
PS — You have until tomorrow morning to enter my giveaway!
{ 78 comments… read them below or add one }
I was just about to comment about how you need to try the lentils, then I saw they were the last thing! But oh my word, you have got to try their tofu spring rolls! The peanut sauce that they come with is to die for
I don’t think I can eat their spring rolls!
Somehow didn’t catch that you’re GF, I thought it was just vegan! Oops
YAY I love this post!! I am hitting TJs for the first time when I come to the States in July, so I can’t WAIT to buy this stuff!! Woo!!
And I know what you mean about Fitbloggin’! Sad face… BUT there’ll be future ones where we can both go and meet each other and have the BEST time, deal?
WHERE in the US are you going!?!?
I loooove TJ’s. My favs from there are the valencia PB with flax and newly discovered crunchy curls. They’re these lentil and potato crisps. So good that I portion them into serving sizes in baggies as soon as I get home to avoid disaster.
Oh my gosh. I need to find those.
thanks for this post!!!
even tho im in aruba, i know, i have nothing! to complain about, between seeing eatwritelive, fitbloggin, and blogherfood atlanta (mentioned them all on my post today) i’d be lying if i said i didnt feel highly outta the loop and why do they have them all the same weekend?!
anyhooo
that tofu and those nibs, thanks for those!
i love the sunflower seed butter and for 3.99 it’s probably the best nutbutter in the world, espi given the price.
also love their coffee. for the price, honestly, amazing
and their condiments. mango chutney rocks my world. no salt, no onions,no garlic. jackpot for me!
and all their chips for the price are amazing, lots of seeds, fiber, gf options, etc.
love this post!
I buy their ketchup too! And vanilla almond milk and I ALWAYS hit up their stellar cheese selection and baking aisle! They have the coolest things. Super mini pb cups to use in place of chocolate chips in anything your heart desires? Yum!
Oh gosh - those pb cups sound amazing.!
I LOVE those mini cups!
I love reading grocery posts
Maybe because I’m not lucky enought o have a TJs so it’s a sadistic way for me to see what I’m missing.
:sigh:
Maybe that’s what my “big trip” will be this summer - Boston, but really just to go to a TJ’s
I’m super picky about my tofu, too, so I can understand that! I could never go back to Nasoya after eating Vermont Soy! I’ve never seen sprouted stuff, though. Sounds really good!
ahah! I would go to Boston just to document YOUR first time in TJ’s!
I love those lentils! Eating my way through a package right now. mixed with salsa is my fav way.
I also love:
Triple Layer Hummus
Valencia PB
Roasted Red Pepper Soup
Any and All of their frozen meals…so good!
The triple layer hummus is really good! I just sent you a tweet - we need to catch up on something!
I’ve only just discovered Trader Joe’s as we didn’t have one back home. So far I love their dark chocolate covered pretzels and white bean hummus!
YUM!! I RARELY go to Trader joe’s but LOVE their pb, pumpkin butter, greek yogurt, and..everything else
Confession- I’ve never been to Trader Joes (or Whole Foods for that matter). Every time construction for a new building begins, or another business closes down, I always pray for a Trader Joes/Whole Foods to take its place. Unfortunately, the last few times its only been McDonalds, Longs, and a Safeway (right across the street from another Safeway?). Sigh. One day I’ll go though and now, thanks to this fabulous post, I’ll have a bunch of items to keep my eye out for.
Oh I wish you get to go to a Trader Joe’s too!!!
I love the TJs coffee and their regular pb and sunflower seed butter. And the dried, non-sugared ginger. OH MY GOD. I would go for the ginger alone.
Did you write this post to torment me because we don’t have TJ’s in CO. It’s sad, I know. But I approve of all you bought, especially the sprouted tofu. Mostly because I’ve been looking for sprouted tofu and have yet to find any
Feel free to mail me some!
I don’t know if it would keep well in the mail!
Otherwise I would! And how does CO not have TJ’s? That is something I just don’t understand!!!
You have no idea how much I want to get to a TJ’s asap! I’m counting the days!! I actually justtt finished up one of my fave TJ’s products- raw creamy almond butter!
oooh love their lentils! and their pb. Good list. ALSO I’m a huge fan of the savory tofu, the seaweed snack, and of course peanut butter pretzels. Love TJ’s!
Definitely definitely the dark chocolate covered espresso beans. To. Die. For. Yummmm.
Just this week I tried Trader Joe’s greek yogurt & dried mango .. both are already on my list of favorites.
All of your purchases look great! I wish I had a Trader Joes near me
I pretty much did the same thing as you this weekend. My boyfriend went home to see his family for the week (and is coming back monday) and plans I had with a friend fell through, so I went grocery shopping and took my time! haha I also had cleaning planned for today but it didn’t happen. Sounds like you and I had a very similar day haha. Enjoy all your delish eats!!!
PS - Love your blog and all the topics you’ve addressed!
This is AWESOME. And I looked-it’s vegan, so you can eat it (I think-I dont know too much about gluten free foods).
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sv6MWjuK7k/TUxgCdqXd4I/AAAAAAAAF88/0x3r6eiHhmw/s1600/IMG_2235.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.fitthisgirl.com/2011/02/trader-joes-salad-slowing-down.html&usg=__G211WxEWyWeFnfpbWdPxShCvcbc=&h=1600&w=1200&sz=194&hl=en&start=20&zoom=1&tbnid=ocxXS11zWAXy8M:&tbnh=153&tbnw=122&ei=8WfYTd-YD43qOaC2reEP&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtrader%2Bjoe's%2Bcumin%2Band%2Bchili%2Bchickpeas%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1276%26bih%3D823%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=218&sqi=2&page=2&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:19,s:20&tx=111&ty=92
PS-those are NOT my hands.
I’ve seen those before!!! Those look delicoius!
This makes me want to live near a TJ’s even more! When I do get to one a few times a year I always get their tomato basil humus, honey greek yogurt, bran muffins, and unsweetened mango! Simply the best!
Confession: I’ve never been to Trader Joe’s. Yup. We have one about 12 miles away, and I like my close grocery store (hey, I know where everything is there). I need to suck it up and go so I can become addicted like all you food bloggers
TJ faves: the braided mozzarella (to-die-for), garlic herb pizza dough (sorry, no GF), & Soyaki. I don’t know how I’ve never had their organic creamy PB before but I’ll HAVE to pick up a jar on my next trip!
THANK YOU SO MUCH! Seriously. I just wrote about my disappointment in TJ’s the other day and how I need a go-to list! Loving this!
And I just had their tofu tonight. I’ve been thinking the same thing- especially if you’re the only one eating tofu for dinner (like me), there’s no need for 5 servings of tofu! I just cut the mini package into two piece and ate one, saved the other cooked one for salads! I will definitely be getting my tofu there whenever possible from now on!
TJ’s is the best!
My staples are:
Flowers - they’re so pretty and CHEAP!
their red and green salsas
Spicy flax tortilla chips
White Bean and Basil Hummus
Chocolate covered sunflower seeds
Roasted red pepper tomato soup
And I really wanted to love their seaweed snacks, but oh my gosh, they are so disgusting. To each their own, but ugh…I about died when I ate one.
I got sunflowers today!
Oh and I love their seaweed snacks!!!
Haha
Most people do! And I really wanted to like them because I love sushi rolls - but nope, couldn’t do it. 
love everything on your list! You should try the edamame that is sold in the same sections as the lentils, it’s super convenient and yummy, great for salads.
Also you should try the Veggie Masala Burgers…. they are so good… I can’t even tell you. You MUST try them!
TJs is the best! I love the sea weed snacks, the tofu is amazing, super cheap bananas, and the mini dark chocolate pb cups are to die for, yum! I also love the easy lentils & canned beans, oh and as weird as it sounds I often crave that tofu. They rocks with spices too, super affordable!
I never leave TJ’s without their Bruschetta mix (I mix it up with salsa and eat with just about anything) and the BBQ Pulled “Chicken” (it’s meatless) is to die for. I crave this stuff daily.
*I mix it up with lentils.
i am a trader joe’s organic ketchup enthusiast! I will pour that stuff on everything!!
oh so many great new products to know about - thanks!
*tear* I wish we had Trader Joes in Canada. I know I would love it.
I wish I was at FitBloggin too. AND I wish we had Trader Joes in Canada.
I think I need to wallow with you haha.
I love their Chinese- brown rice and mixed veggies/chicken/shrimp combinations. They also have this really good margarita pizza that I like too. Yum!
Mmm.. I love the mini Chocolate Peanut Butter cups. Trader Joe’s is my default grocery store! Greek Yogurt, cereals, etc. are great.
wahhh!!! i wish i could join in on this post! i SHALL get to TJS this summer when im in the US!! but out of these im thinking the peanut butter would be my fav
I love trader joes but I hate that they put one in the most congested area of Nashville! Makes my trips few and far in between:( I do love their coffee! So many options and great flavor!
ooooh the fat free refried beans with a little chips and salsa sounds like the perfect snack….turned into meal since I probably wouldnt stop eating it.
I am obsessed with TJs! I love their sprouted whole grain bread, frozen mango, pizza dough, hummus, pickled beets, and sweet potato chips. Best store ever. Times a billion.
I ALWAYS get the steamed lentils and organic peanut butter also! I think those are the two best things they have! I also never leave without their ciabatta pizza crust and mocha flavored greek yogurt, it is like dessert!! Gosh I miss Trader Joe’s!
I rarely go to TJ’s for some strange reason. But, I went a few weekends ago, and I think I became hooked! I love their baked onion rings and mango butter! I’ll have to figure out my other staple items!
I like their non-organic, no salt, crunchy pb. It’s way better than getting Adams- the only other pb in my price range- because you can actually mix the oil in w/o getting an arm workout. Its also only 2 bucks- not bad at all!
I haven’t tried enough products yet! But I am in love with Soyaki sauce!
I love my home state= Kansas from the very bottom of my heart but…….. WOW do I miss Trader Joe’s!! The nearest TJ’s is over 300 miles away. No joke.
Favorite TJ’s things: Pumpkin butter is where my heart lies, Better than Peanut Butter, wasabi peas, chips and salsa, black beans, tin of dark chocolate mints to go in my purse and……ooo oooo ooooo Salmon patties!
Trader Joes is coming to Overland Park, Ks. Drove by the store today and they were hiring their staff. Never been but can’t wait!
I’m not much of a chip eater, but the Baked Onion Rings from T. Joe’s are amazing!
I love TJs frozen mango pieces (along with a million other things). I can’t find them anywhere else!
I LOVE TJ’s!! My favorite item is probably the sunflower seed butter. SO GOOD!
Trader Joe’s frozen Quinoa Duo is delicious and perfect for busy nights! I like the frozen brown rice too!
I love their pb stuffed pretzels, their organic high fiber o’s cereal , and I love their salmon burgers!!
I wish we had a trader joes close to us!
My current TJ’s faves are the Hot and Sweet Mustard and refried black beans with jalapenos!
Umm, everything is my favorite at Trader Joe’s. Haha. But some particularly amazing treats are their dark chocolate and sea salt covered almonds and their chocolate covered peanut butter pretzels. Mmmmmm
My favorite TJ’s products are definitely their frozen foods (pizza and mandarin chicken), pita chips, peanut butter pretzels, vegetable broth, so much!! I love TJ’s!!
TJ’s is the best place ever. I too love the ketchup! It has so much more flavor than other brands. Not sure what spices the use in it, but man it is good stuff. We also love their pizza sauce (in the refrigerator section).
TJ’s has some goooood stuff. I’m between three: organic tomato pasta sauce (so simple), 100-calorie dark chocolate bars (just enough to fight PMS), and of course, 2-buck-chuck!
I love TJ’s dried mango - there’s nothing added, so it’s naturally sweet. A great snack!
Hey Chelsey!
Super excited to have found your blog and check out your recipes. I am not gluten intolerant but I find I feel a lot better when I eat gluten-free. Is there a certain GF flour you like? I have tried Bob’s Red Mill and wasn’t too pleased with the taste, especially in baked goods.
We don’t have a Trader Joe’s so we shop at Whole Foods & Natural Grocers. Typical MUST HAVE cart items: spinach, apples, dates, peanut butter, honey, nuts, especially almonds & walnuts, and BEANS! For more, check out What’s in My Cart at lizashlee.com. I did a review of my usual picks when grocery shopping.
I love it that you say that you use ketchup so often during the week…it’s the little things, right?!
Have a great day!
Liz
Trader Joe’s is fabulous. I don’t like shopping anywhere else! I haven’t tried those nibs yet.
We are finally getting a Trader Joe’s in my town this fall (at least that’s what they tell me). I am excited to see all of the great things they will be offering me when they get here!
When I lived elsewhere - that DID have a TJ - my favorite thing there was that the first time I went, the cashier gave me a bouquet of flowers. Woot! It has made me a loyal fan, even if there is no store within a 3-hour drive…
Oh man! I keep hearing about those TJ’s lentils! I must get them and then figure out how to make them myself because I’m cheap like that!
oh my little tofu packs that is so awesome!! I was sad about Fitbloggin too and of course that I don’t have a Trader Joe’s!
hey love!!! MMMMMM love trader joes soo much! i need to try those lentils tho! ive never had them!
Ohmygoshiminlovewithtraderjoe’s! Lol. There’s too many favs to list I think: peanut butter, coconut milk, refried beans, black beans, any kind of beans, ooooo jalapeno and cilantro hummus with the. Rice and adzuki bean chips!!!! Fav savory!! Fav sweet would have to be the semi sweet chocolate callets!!
I loooove trader joe’s! My favorite products are the sprouted rye bread, the same tofu you pictured, goat cheese medallions, high fiber cereal (for putting in yogurt), and their extensive nut selection
Our staples: rice milk, tomato soup, those same refried beans, the lentil crisps that another reader mentioned (we actually put them in our tomato soup instead of crackers), fresh basil, candy cane Joe Joe’s (at Christmas), that same ketchup you buy, the freeze-dried strawberries, a berry granola, joe’s O’s (spaghettios), I just tried a tomato basil marinara yesterday for the first time and loved it, meatless mini corn dogs, various burritos & enchiladas from the freezer section, ooh…those single serving quiches, mandarin chicken, cheesecake, some Indian lentil thing I can’t remember the name of, corn bread mix, pumpkin pancake mix, gingerbread mix. I used to get banana crisps and dried persimmons, but haven’t seen either of those in a coon’s age. And I don’t think there’s ever been a dessert/cookie/ice cream that I’ve bought from there that I didn’t like. In fact, there’s a half-eaten jar of fudge in my fridge that I just opened yesterday that supports that theory.
i wish we had trader joes in australia ! i get serious food envy whenever i hear about it ! look yummmooo
TJ’s has a blend of nuts “Omega Mix” or something…OMG to die for. Walnuts, dried cranberries, almonds, pistachios and pumpkin seeds
11 g of fat and 150 calories!
{ 1 trackback }