I am lucky enough to have a Trader Joe’s within 10 minutes of my house and pop in there probably once a week for specific things. Do you have one near you too?
I love TJs because 1 – every single person that works there is friendly and helpful (someone once went to the employee lounge to get an open bottle of sea salt to show me how big the granules were), 2 – the produce is usually really nice and fresh and 3 – flowers flowers flowers. And also: free coffee samples in the morning. What more could I ask for?
This is not a sponsored post and there are no affiliate links in here today. I just genuinely love Trader Joes and love chatting about such things with you over coffee.
SO!! I made a big list of all of my faves from TJs, and I would absolutely love to hear what knocks YOUR socks off there, so be sure to leave a comment if you’re also a Trader Joes fan!
Here we go! My list of
FLOWERS
It’s no secret that TJs has great flowers on the cheap. I love the assortment, and the lack of artificially colored flowers oft seen at the regular grocery store. They traumatize me.
The parrot and fringed tulips that show up now and again are gorgeous but I find that they drop their petals very quickly. They are pretty while they last though!
Nothing beats TJs white hydrangeas though!!
PRODUCE
I have yet to be disappointed with TJs produce and their prices are pretty good too.
JOE’S O’S CEREAL
So far my kids are not fans of any other cereal at TJs except for this Cheerios knockoff…..hello $1.99 for a big box!! A good hearty breakfast with sliced banana or blueberries and milk.
SPANAKOPITA
Can’t get any easier than an app you throw on a cookie sheet and have piping hot and ready to serve when your guests walk through the door. (The Lemongrass Chicken apps are great too, until you OD on them at every single Christmas party for 3 years straight and then you never want to see another one again. Spanakopita never get tiresome.)
PITA BITE CRACKERS
Perfect for heartier dips like spinach artichoke or feta avocado salsa (oh my gosh that one is so good!)
SOYAKI
A knock off of the popular Soy-Vay. I marinate pork tenderloin in it for an hour or two before grilling. Goes great with salad and quick Mexican corn risotto (which is creamy and cheesy and a little spicy and is making me hungry just talking about it!).
JOE-JOES COOKIES
This is for the Oreo-lovers out there (that includes my husband!) I actually found out about these from a nutritionist at Boston Children’s Hospital, where my boys are treated for their super high cholesterol (an awesome gene passed down from their momma.) Joe-Joes are a “healthier” (not healthy!) alternative to the classic Oreos. A couple of these can satisfy the sweet tooth of your husband or munchkins nicely.
CHEESE – ALL THE CHEESES!
TJs has their own brand of cheeses that are great and also regular brands you would see in grocery stores.
Specific favorites…
TJ’s BLUEBERRY VANILLA GOAT CHEESE – Apparently I’m not alone with my love for this cheese based on comments on Instagram this summer!
SAINT ANDRE TRIPLE CREAM – Insanely delicious. Creamy like brie. Special occasions and middle of the night hunger strikes.
TJs PARMESAN – Good price and very good taste. I’m married to a Scibilia – a good Parm is very important around these parts!
FANCY LEMONADES & LIMEADE
Oh children, these aren’t actually for drinking. They’re for styling photos you silly things! Don’t be sneaking the fancy lemonades. In all seriousness I love these for the holidays. They taste great, and are a pretty, non-alcoholic addition for your bar cart or beverage area when entertaining (PS if you have bay windows, they make great beverage stations!)
NUTS
If you like nuts and haven’t tried the following you’re going to be sorry you learned about them. Totally addictive!!
SESAME HONEY CASHEWS – I keep in my car for when hunger calls on the road.
ROASTED & SALTED PECANS – A wee bit too salty but great for a homemade trail mix with other unsalted nuts and craisins (and maybe a bit of chocolate).
DARK CHOCOLATE COVERED ALMONDS – For when you need just one little piece of chocolate and want to justify the health factor with the almond 🙂
So there you go – all my vices and bad habits in one post (oh wait, I didn’t include wine on this list – we’ll get to that in a future TJs post!)
What are your faves? – I’d love to know.
Are you up to anything fun this weekend? We’ve got football, football and more football and it’s the perfect time of year for it! Wishing you a happy and relaxing weekend friends!
Sharon Williams says
I have lots of the same favorites! The flowers, of course, plus the boxwood wreaths at Christmas. They’re the biggest bargain at $10.00 a piece. I hosted our street’s ladies wine night and bought all my food from TJs. The rice balls in the frozen app section were great for soaking up wine–cheesy good. I also tried the onion tart and like it, too, but not as much as the rice balls. Chocolate almonds were also a big hit. Have you tried the root vegetable chips? I forgot to make dip but the ladies still ate the entire large bag. And yes to the friendly folks that work there–always helpful and happy!
Lisa says
Oh I forgot about those arancini balls – they are so good! I will have to get them next time!
karen says
Mushroom Lasagna, spinach lasagna and fig jam on top of pita cracker with a slice of manchego cheese, heaven.!
Peppermint tea tree shower wash , organic.
Lisa says
Karen we just had cheddar on crackers with their pepper jelly tonight, so good! Will have to try the shower wash, thank you for the recommendation!
STACY CONNOLLY says
Love Trader Joes –
They do have the best flowers… I’ll have to try those Sesame Honey Cashews. I just picked up the best Fairy Tale Pumpkins and Fresh Eucalyptus. I run in every week to stock up on their Frozen Riced Cauliflower. I try to stay away from their Chocolate Dunkers, they are too good! My husband enjoys their cheese and wine tasting on the weekends..
Lisa says
Stacy I think WE will have to meet up at the cheese & wine tastings one of these days!
Shelley | Crazy Wonderful says
I’m going to take this with me the next time I go in? They all look like winners!
Shelley | Crazy Wonderful says
I have no idea where the question mark came from 😀 This post makes me want to hit one up today!
Jennifer says
I missed the Spanakopita last time came to TJs. Now starting to feel hungry after reading your review about it :(. Gotta take more than 2 boxes next time I go there.
Jennifer says
This is so timely, OKC just got our first Trader Joe’s and it opened last week! I haven’t been yet but was thinking of heading there tomorrow. This post makes me hungry, too!
Lisa says
Oh so excited for you!!!! It’s hit but sometimes miss, so I love hearing other’s recommendations. I know you will love the flowers!!
Uta Zacharias says
I’m kind of a newby at TJ’s, but so far here’s what we love: coconut cashews, chocolate covered peanut butter pretzels, dried unsweetened mango, the freeze dried mango, orange scented dried cranberries, dried coconut chips, flavored no calorie soda water, frozen macarons….the list could go on and on. Read the emails TJ’s sends and try the things they suggest. They are always winners.
Lisa says
Thanks for sharing your favorites! Many of these are new to me. I always ask the cashier what his or her favorites are too, I’ve learned of some great products that way. Love TJs!
Judi says
I love everything at Trader Joe’s. ..the closest to me is a 45 minute ride…it’s so worth it. I buy several bouquets of flowers, no guilt mac n cheese, Joe Joes are a must have for the grandchildren…
Lisa says
I love the flowers there Judi! Cheap and pretty!
Vel says
How I miss TJ and wish there was one close to us! When we lived in Chicago I would buy the flowers , limeades and all sorts of snacks to try , from there!
Lisa says
Aren’t they flowers great there Vel? Love them.
Laura says
I love shopping at Trader Joes, they always supply best flowers, beautiful and fresh. I have a lot of favourites in your list, they are great.
Lisa says
They are my go-to for flowers whenever we entertain Laura! Or just because…..we deserve them! 🙂
Melesa Garrison says
I live in Po dunk city so therefore we don’t have a Trader Joe’s 🙁 I have never been in a TJ 🙁
On a good note, I’m really excited for you girls. Oh how I would stock up on so much of this fun stuff!
Lisa says
OH MELESA!! I hope you get to one in the near future! Maybe by some miracle they will build one right near your house!!!!!! FINGERS CROSSED 🙂
Jeffrey says
(salivate) very hungry.. Cheerios knockoff, dried unsweetened mango, chocolate…
Erin Taylor says
In our place we do not have this kind of trader, its just the weekend market for clothes and accessories. So I’m so jealous of you haha!
Hope there will be one someday. Btw, thanks for sharing 🙂
Minnie Scott says
C’est superb! Qu’ils sont beaux! Love those tulips. My mom is really into tulips and me too. Thank to your share, now I got Trader Joes for my option.