Going to Trader Joe's- what's on your list?

[fishchick72]

i'm just beginning to realize that trader joe's is often actually cheaper than the large chain grocery stores.

anyways, just a tip: the last time i was there, i was curious about some cashew-macademia butter. the girl working there said that if i didn't like it, i could bring it back and get my money back. she said that this was true for anything there, so they take back even opened stuff if you don't like it!

also, the cashew-macademia nut butter is a must. it's great on toasted whole-wheat walnut bread.

yum i love that place.

oh yes, my hubby is the king of returns (at both trader joe's & whole foods markets, LOL!!

[boxergurl]

I buy their pizza crusts and had to return like 4 or 5 of them one time because it was a really bad batch, and they took them back with no problem.

[sail7seas]

I have two Trader Joes within about 15 minutes from my home in two different directions. I just learned one is closing. I'm grateful I still have the other one in which to shop. A Whole Foods opened about 1 1/2 years ago very close to the Trader Joes that is closing and one has to think it took a lot of their business.

[fishchick72]

I have 4 or 5 Trader Joes easily within reach of me, just in different directinos.

I also have 2 Henry's (wild oats) near me & there's a new Trader Joes being built right across the street from one of the Henry's.

But there's really only one Whole Foods within driving distance of me. I wish it wasn't such a drive, I like it so much more than Trader Joes & Henry's.

[sail7seas]

I loved Wild Oats and had one ten minutes from my house. Whole Foods bought them and closed that store. The only other Wild Oat I knew about in our area is about 45 mninutes away and I'm not even sure if that is still open.

There is a new Trader Joe's and a Whole Foods being built near us. (Whole foods did not go into the Wild Oats store they closed.) We only have one of each in my 'relatively near' area right now.

[enm]

Trader Joes:

Peanut Butter
Blueberries
Whole Wheat Pizza dough
LF string cheese
FF milk/yogurt
Frozen veggie stir fry
tofu "breakfast sausage"
raw almonds
chicken breast
Uncle Sam's Cereal (add yogurt and blueberries- SO GOOD!)
Good variety of salad stuff
Dark Chocolate (mmmm!)

[tbonemeli]

well...i'm on phase 1 and perfectly timed to coincide with a work trip wherein i'm almost exclusively living off of TJs with no microwave and a mini-fridge in my room.

thought i"d share what i bought at the beginning of the stay:
(non-non-fat cheese removed from salads, dressings used VERY VERY SPARINGLY)

goat cheese/walnut salad 3.49
broccoli florets 1.99
1/2 salt nuts with peanuts 3.99
baby spinach salad w/ bleu cheese 3.99
reduced fat greek salad 3.99
sugar snap peas 2.49
TJ string cheese light 3.99
ft free cottge cheese 2.19
green salad with tofu & toasted sesame seed 3.79
yogurt greek style pl 2.79
savory baked organic tofu 3.49
lentils with vegetable microwavable 2.99
sunflower seeds
zucchini strips

the only trouble...easily accessible and yummy nuts!!

[Julie Matthews Band]

I have to drive 4-6 hours to get to a TJ's

But love to stock up there, they have a soy & flaxseed chips that are great, a bit of a cheat, but not too bad on p2 & 3.

And lets not forget, they have a grand selection of wine, the Charles Shaw Shiraz is one I love and for the price you cannot beat it.

Love all the shopping ideas you all gave me, if we ever get one here, not I have a list!

[Jin]

bump... best store ever

[Magna]

Just saw that Trader Joe's now has frozen sliced leeks. The ones in stores near me cost $1.99 per bag, which is very reasonable imo. About the same price as fresh leeks (or cheaper), and they're already cleaned and ready to use. As far as I know, leeks are always cooked, so the fact that they're frozen shouldn't be a problem.

In case anyone is wondering, leeks have a mild, slightly buttery onion taste. They are great with chicken, and in various soups. You can also saute them with mushrooms or put them into a risotto. Many of the soups have potatoes in them (such as leek and potato or cock-a-leekie soup, a Scottish tradition), but you may be able to substitute for them. For example, there are several versions of cock-a-leekie soup, some of which use only barley, no potatoes.

Edit: Just saw that the site's automatic anti-porn software automatically edited the name of the soup! It's "c+o+c+k -a- leekie," as in "cockerel" (rooster/chicken) plus "leek".

[Chris55]

Thanks for bumping this up. I knew it was on the board somewhere. We just got a TJ's about an hour away - had to wait a month for the crowds to clear in order to get a parking space! I've only been there once, mostly to stock up on Christmas stocking goodies and more healthy appetizers for the holidays. And $2.69 buck Chuck. Almost out - time to go back!