Grocery Go – Tos (TJs Edition)

I know not everyone LOVES the grocery store as much as me – so I am sharing my typical list of staples that I purchase for my home on any given week.  It can be super intimidating to walk through the aisles and figure out what to buy, what to cook and if something is even healthy!? GOSH – I used to get so anxious about this. Sometimes, when there are TOO many options – we feel overwhelmed and lost. I hope this list helps you next time you are roaming the aisles of Trader Joes wondering where to start 🙂

[I will continue to update this list and I find new things]

DAIRY AISLE:

• Unsweetened Almond Milk (you can get vanilla too, but keep it unsweetened to avoid the added sugar)
• Whole Milk Greek Yogurt (if you are a dairy lover, keep it full fat – at least 2% – to avoid more sugar and make your meal satiating)
• Whole Milk Cottage Cheese
• Organic, Brown, Cage Free Eggs
• Goat Cheese – A lot of people can digest this better. Do not opt for any low fat, light crap
• This is where you can usually find health ade kombucha (I only drink once a week typically) and their TJs cold brew in a bottle. SO GOOD.

*make sure to stop at the tester section in Trader Joes – always fun stuff there*

PRODUCE

• Sweet potatoes (I like to buy the bag of minis because I am usually cooking for two)
• Sweet Onions
• Avocados (DUH – get them a little harder, not too soft to last). Store at room temp until they soften and then when they are almost / or ready to eat put them in the fridge.
• Bananas – For Banana bread and smoothies!
• Fruit – Apples, Pears, Seasonal things (whatever you love to snack on)
• Berries – I try my best to buy organic. In the summer, this is much more accessible. In the winter, Isometimes buy frozen organic berries for yogurt bowls and smoothie bowls because it is cheaper.
• Lettuce – I buy organic. Typically buy 2 – 3 types of variety – I don’t want to get bored fo my salads. I like spring mix, baby lettuce mix, butter lettuce, arugula and baby kale. I get spinach for smoothies.
• Brocolli, Cauliflower, Rainbow mini carrots, Asparagus – these are my faves for roasting/sides for dinners
• Lemon / Limes – for water / smoothies / cooking
• Peppers, Tomatoes, and Cucumber – I love these for snacking with Hummus, guac and to chop up in my salads

PREPARED FOODS

• I love the vegan Kale, Cashew, Basil Pesto – add-on pasta or dip with crackers
• I love the tofu or shrimp spring rolls with peanut sauce. This is a great quick lunch!
• Hummus
• Organic, Extra firm tofu (if you can also get sprouted)
• Organic Tempeh
• I also love the soups in the TJs prepared food section

FROZEN

• Wild Shrimp
• Wild Scallops
• Hi Protein Veggie Burgers
• Organic Frozen Peas (love adding to pasta, stir-fries for extra protein)
• I also like the Tuna and Salmon Burgers (if you eat meat they have great grass-fed beef burgers).
• MOCHI – I love the vegan matcha flavor and coffee flavor – great little dessert
• Cauliflower Gnocchi – a new fave! You can mix

SHELF FOOD

• Arbiatta tomato sauce
• Avocado Oil (Staple when cooking at high heat)
• Olive Oil Spray
• Coconut Oil Spray
• Almond/coconut flour – If I am baking
• NUT BUTTER – look for no added oils and sugar – ingredients should be 1 – 2 things
  • Mixed Nut butter
  • Natural Peanut Butter
  • Raw Almond Butter (creamy or crunchy)
  • Peanut Butter With flax & chia
• Organic Garbanzo Beans / Black Beans
• Organic Vegetable Stock (if I am making curry or soup)
• Red Lentil Pasta or black Bean Pasta (higher in protein/fiber)
• Falafel Mix – yet to try this but excited!
• They have a great coffee selection and you can grind the beans there on your own. I like the fair trade organic Sumatra blend for my french press.
• Seasoning – I love the Chili Lime, the Everything but the bagel, lemon pepper and the 21 seasons salute
• Almond Butter Granola
• Flax Seeds / Chia Seeds / Hemp Seeds (If you do not already have in your house)

BAKERY

• Sprouted Bread or Sourdough Bread- I usually grab the multigrain
• Beet Chips
• Multi Seed Crackers

DRINKS

• Spindrift – my fave ever
• If I am feeling wine – my fave wine is only $9.99 at TJs – Oyster Bay Sav Blanc

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

• I love the TJs Tee Tree natural body wash, the lavender dish soap, and RANDOMLY their face cleansing oil
• Also, the greeting cards are only $1

FLOWERS

• They have amazing plants and flowers at such reasonable prices. Always get yourself flowers if that makes you smile 🙂 I know it does for me!