Just found a Trader Joe's!

[munchies]

Hi all! I have been reading this board for some time now, and keep finding that Trader Joe's is mentioned. Finally, I tracked down the nearest TJ (1 hour+ away...). I'm going to get there this weekend. Suggestions on what to buy?!? I have been a CL subscriber for a few years, and have tons of recipes, but often find myself substituting for things since I live in a rural area. Please help me put together a shopping list!

[patsyk]

Hey - I just found a Trader Joe's in my area (fortunately only about 30 minutes from my house) and plan to go there on Saturday. I am curious to see what suggestions pop-up here tonight! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

We'll have to compare notes after we each go there for our inaugural visit!

[This message has been edited by patsyk (edited 06-01-2001).]

[munchies]

patsy -- I'm looking forward to it! I hope I don't find too many things I can't live without! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Jewel]

If you leave there without buying Pirate's Booty, you may as well hand in your BB Membership right now!! Can't be one of us without lovin' that Booty... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

I'm simply addicted to their Meringue Cookies. They're in plastic tubs usually in above the refrigerator/freezer cases. My FAVORITE is the Mint Meringue. Crispy, chewy, and little chocolate mint chips inside. YUM! 20 calories each, hardly any sugar, salt or fat. The Lemon Meringues are good too, but not as addicting in my opinion as the Mint Chocolate. DH would disagree with me on this.

I also love their rice blends. I found Brown Basmati rice there last week for a very good price! Good quality Olive Oil is very reasonably priced, so I stock up. Their cheeses are really good, and I recommend the Fat Free Pepper Jack.

If you're a chocolate fan grab a couple of bags of No Pudge Brownie Mix and a few tubs of the nonfat Vanilla yogurt that the No Pudge requires for the mix. Totally decadent brownies that have no fat.

I'll think of more, but that's all for now! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[crlykat]

munchies and patsyk,
THere are just too many yummy items at Traders to mention. Luckily, I'm merely two blocks away from one!
We pick up their boxes of whole wheat couscous, Asian sauces and curries, onion bagels, spicy black bean chips, Pirates Booty, multipack of red peppers, maui onions, bagged greens that are way cheaper than at the grocery, habenero salsa and fire roasted salsa, sundried tomato and jalepeno tortillas, salmon fillets, cheeses, low fat buttermilk, the yummiest chocolate soy milk Ive ever tasted(found in the refrigerator) and on and on. Also check out the wine area and the frozen section for a great selection.
DH loves all the European cookies and chocolates.
We always get their sprouted, organic whole wheat bread (sounds like it might be terrible, but it is very good), and the cracked wheat-sourdough bread.

[buddie]

wonderful frozen lime juice bars (you would need a cooler to bring these home)

for my tomato sauces my cooking instructor highly recommended the....
28oz cans peeled tomatos (cheap!)
tomato puree and there is another type of tomato thing in a can, the name escapes me right now....(it is packaged like pop)

OHHH they also have a GREAT pancake mix by Amy, i believe, that uses cottage cheese. it is fabulous! and low fat.

tons of nuts and energy bars

have fun shopping! OH hummus the SPICY hummus is great!

[mandarin2j]

Check out this thread:
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/005250.html

[heidibowman]

I love their low fat cilatro salad dressing, their produce, cheeses, Pirate's Booty, flash frozen fish, tangerine marinade, marinara sauce, and chocolate covered soy nuts (taste like mini-peanut m&m's). You can also pick up Hansen's diet sodas for cheap. They're made with Splenda so they taste as good as the regular sodas.

[SQ]

Another vote for the lime pops. Also...

dried fruit (especially mango) is great

nuts (roasted almonds are our favorite)

peanut butter-filled pretzels (we prefer without salt, I know someone previously mentioned w/salt)

TJ's guacamole (in their refrig). But, they get it frozen so maybe you can buy it frozen, like I do, and defrost portions as desired.

BTW, they are good about letting you try things if you ask for a sample before buying.

Have fun!

[KristaMB]

Besides the items mentioned above, I buy all my cereal at TJ's. They have a pretty good variety of healthy cereals and they are cheaper than grocery stores or even other health food stores.

I generally pick up some chicken potstickers, as well.

Have fun shopping!

[Grace]

My suggestion is only this: DEFINITELY BRING A COOLER!! The frozen section is perhaps the best part of Trader Joes (IMO). Frozen Indian entrees, fish, buffalo burgers, pot stickers, mini pizzas, veggies (whole asparagus, frozen roasted peppers, sweet potato french fries, etc. etc. etc.!). Don't go without a cooler, whatever you do....

[rinsav]

I just bought their Cats Cookies last time I was there. They are in a tub and are little cat shaped cinnamon cookies (I think they have chocolate ones too). They're really addicting and have 110 calories and 2 grams of fat per serving (15 cookies!). Yummy! I also like their pizza dough. Enjoy your trip!

[patsyk]

Hi muchies and everyone else! I have just returned from my inaugural visit to TJ's! If only I had more freezer space I would have bought more stuff thist time around... but, since I am limited... here's what I bought:

Pirate's Booty (mainly because it came so HIGHLY recommended by everyone on this site)
Brown Basmati Rice
Brown Aromatic Rice
Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus
Garlic and Herb Yogurt Dip
Shitake Mushroom Sauce
Veggie Gyoza Potstickers
Spinach & Feta pockets (looked like Hot Pockets to me)
Mango Passion Granola
Mini Pitas (to dip in my two dips tonight while watching movies http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif )

There were a lot of interesting things that I will go back and get on another trip. I do have a question for those of you who have purchased the frozen fish... does it taste fresh? Any fishy smell or taste? How do you defrost it prior to cooking... my dh hates the smell of fish in the microwave so - do any of you do it in other ways?

Thanks for all of the suggestions, I'll definately be visiting TJ's again soon! I just have to make room in the freezer!