Ok, folks, I've never been to one. However, I will have my first opportunity this weekend! We're headed down to the States for some shopping, and will hit TJ's on Sunday before coming home. The drive is a couple of hours, so I won't really be able to buy anything frozen - but the rest is up for grabs!!
Can you help a TJ virgin out? I'd love to know what are some great things to buy. I'll have the family with me and so - much as I'd probably love to spend HOURS looking at everything and reading all the labels - I don't think they'll let me. If you can help point me to some of your favorites, that would be a big help.
We're leaving tomorrow, so don't be shy! And, thank you!
I love TJ's veggies and their homemade tortillas, we always stock up on their sun dried tomato/habanero tortillas. They also have good pizza dough, if you like to make your own pizzas.
I've never done the organic dairy, but my friend swears by their milk and eggs.
Oh, and if you're in the mood for a little treat, their 72% cacao dark chocolate is fabulous.
Whole Wheat Pastas and sauces
Boxed veggie puree soups (like corn and roasted red pepper...mmm!)
Produce galore - pre-cubed butternut squash, whole pie pumpkins, bags of onions, so many delicious options!
Pineapple Salsa
Lite Goat Cheese and other light cheeses in general
Milk, eggs, and dairy (they are cheaper!)
Whole wheat couscous
Salad dressings - cilantro and parmesan ranch, both in the produce section
I agree with mandalinn82 - the boxed soups are wonderful. I live 3 1/2 hours from the nearest TJ, so I need to make my visit count. I usually pick up: cereal, sprouted bagels, salad dressings, sauces (peanut sauce, mango chutney, etc.), soups, boxed vegetarian dinners - Indian are my fave (not highly processed and quick meals for those times I just can't cook), and of course - my absolutely favorite thing to pick up at TJ - WINE!!!!!!
No, it is a grocery store chain that has many whole food and healthy food items. It has a different philosophy than most chains http://www.traderjoes.com/about_tjs.html
It's a chain of grocery stores that tends to sell healthier, sometimes tasty & exotic type foods. It's also middle of the road priced most of the time, so it's not way-out-there-Whole-Foods-store-expensive!
I can always count on finding low fat cheeses there that I can't seem to find at my normal market. I love their low fat pizza dough in the refrigerator section and their selection of frozen fruits. And of course....Better N Peanut Butter!!! Since TJ deals with some unusual products you have to remember that what is stocked there one week may disappear on you the next week.
DAMMIT!! Stole my thunder! TJ's is 40 miles from me, and due to my hectic shedule I can't always get out there, so when I do, I buy 2-3 jars of this. Low Sodium of course!
Also check out the TJ's brand cereal High Fiber O's. Kinda like a Cheerios, but crunchier with a lot more fiber. I like to grab a box or 2 of this
Cheeses, yeah, cheeses!
More cheeses!
Still more cheeses!
Bring an ice chest!
Greek yogurt
And as others said, their jarred sauces are great. There are a wide variety of them.
jarred juices
wine
nuts
handmade corn tortillas
Oh, they have these really good curry simmer sauces, if you like curry. Just add meat and veggies, plus a packet of their frozen brown rice (its microwaveable! Bring a cooler!) and its a delicious meal in minutes.
My family think I'm nuts that I'm jazzed about going to a grocery store , but what can I say? Since I've made major changes to the way I eat, I LOVE to shop and spend time finding great things. It can be a bit of an obsession, actually - makes me feel all virtuous and wonderful!
Thinking about it, I might just bring a cooler. If worse comes to worse I can always pick up a bag of ice to throw over everything - plus it's cold out so it's not like the trunk will be all warm and cozy. Yahoo!!
Quick question for anyone who's tried it - Fage greek yogurt. How is it? I've heard good and bad things, but can't get anything like it locally. Is it really tart? How do you eat it? I like that you can get a lowfat/fat free version, which is what I'm hoping to find. I'm thinking honey and walnuts sounds awesome, but just want to be sure that there isn't a better product out there.
Trader Joe's
We're headed down to the States for some shopping, and will hit TJ's on Sunday before coming home. The drive is a couple of hours, so I won't really be able to buy anything frozen - but the rest is up for grabs!!
- I don't think they'll let me. If you can help point me to some of your favorites, that would be a big help.
And, thank you!
, but what can I say? Since I've made major changes to the way I eat, I LOVE to shop and spend time finding great things. It can be a bit of an obsession, actually - makes me feel all virtuous and wonderful! 
