I hope that doesn’t bring a whole new demographic to my blog.
But for real, I am doing something wrong at Trader Joes. In that, I don’t know what the hell to buy there.
Oh sure, I have a few favorites (keep reading) but for the most part, when I walk into a Trader Joes it’s like it’s the first time I have stepped outside of the bunker in 15 years.
Is it just me or do you ever feel like you don’t belong inside a Trader Joes? Like, they must know I am not a “regular” or someone who doesn’t know how to cook quinoa or doesn’t use organic laundry detergent.
I feel like I don’t really fit their demographic but it is so much damn fun to shop there!
It doesn’t even feel like grocery shopping!
My Aldi doesn’t have a nautical bell that they ring when they need to open another register and the constantly unhappy employees of my local Walmart don’t wear tropical shirts nor do they ask me what I am planning on making with my newly-purchased Madagascar vanilla and navel oranges like the employees of Trader Joes do!
Then I was thinking, how would I describe Trader Joes to someone who may not have ever been there?
Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota don’t have a Trader Joes within their states. It looks like Mississippi and Arkansas don’t either.
So how would I describe a Trader Joes to someone who lives in say, South Dakota?
It’s like an upscale convenience store.
This is precisely why no one is ever asking me to help them with their blog bio.
Maybe this reason too.
So if you do a Google search of “what to buy at Trader Joes”, three solid pages of blogs, websites, guides, tutorials of what TO and NOT TO buy at Trader Joes pop up.
Well, I stopped at three pages.
I DON’T HAVE TIME TO COUNT GOOGLE PAGES.
That’s just one page.
Got it.
Then I found an article on my new favorite time-wasting website, Apartment Therapy about Trader Joes Most Loved Products, According to Superfans.
Well if the “superfans” say so, it must be!
Not one damn grocery item on the list.
If you don’t want to read the article, I will give some spoilers.
You know you’re getting old when providing information about grocery store items is considered a spoiler.
Candles, facial toner, body butter WAIT, DOES THIS PLACE SELL FOOD?
Here is a much more detailed article by Business Insider.
Below are some of my favorite things to buy at Trader Hoes Joes.
An honest list from a person who is gaining nothing financially to share this with you and who probably doesn’t have any business being on the inside of one.
Candles. Ish
They are currently selling this scent on Amazon for $14. I am quite positive it wasn’t anywhere near that price at Trader Joes. Way sleazy, Amazon.
I didn’t always love the candles at Trader Joes. Once I bought a Honeycrisp Apple scented candle there and it smelled too much like an apple that I had to give it to someone to get it the hell out of my house.
Okay, I may have dropped it into someone’s purse.
But this past Christmas, my dear friend Melanie gave me the Cedar Balsam scent as a hostess gift and it was divine. The perfect pine scent without smelling like a car air freshener.
Of which you can also buy on Amazon.
Mandarin Orange Chicken
By the way, that photo up there is courtesy of yet again, Amazon. Who is selling a four-pack of this for 79 bucks. What the mandarin chicken??
But Trader Joe’s Mandarin orange chicken is pretty good and is our go-to frozen meal to get at TJ’s. Easy to prepare, not at all authentic but when you want Americanized Chinese-ish food, this will definitely do in a pinch.
Blue Fin Riesling
I haven’t had an alcoholic bev since the week of Christmas and I feel amazing. I also feel like that is a whole other post. But when I do drink wine, the Blue Fin brand at Trader Joes is one of my favorites.
It gets you drunk fast, I doesn’t normally give you a headache, and it’s only five bucks.
Rose Water Facial Toner
I happened to get two of these for my girls’ Christmas stockings and then found out that they both had been using them already and love this. I guess Anna introduced Ella to it since she started wearing makeup this year. One of the many perks of having an older sister. 🙂
They both love this, it’s very affordable, and if used properly will last a long while.
Dried Strawberries
Ella has loved these since she was a toddler. She is also the kid that eats only the strawberries in the Special K with strawberries cereal and none of the cardboardy bran cereal.
Okay, we all do that.
So when I hit a Trader Hoes, I always stock up on these.
Also, don’t tell me to try and dehydrate at home in the oven.
It was ugly.
I don’t want to relive it.
Bananas
Although according to Business Insider, you should skip their produce section altogether because most of it is near its expiration. Which might be why the bananas are so cheap.
Flowers
Hands down favorite part of Trader Joes. Their flowers are relatively inexpensive and they have unusual varieties.
They also have really affordable house plants there as well.
Fun seasonal items
I love that trivet in the picture above. I bought it at TJ’s over the holidays and usually use it in the kitchen but right now it’s being used to protect a table from the heat of a metal candle.
Trader Joes has lots of fun stuff other than just chicken and flowers. Wool balls for the dryer, felt ball garlands, lotions in seasonal scents, trivets. All sorts of fun things that are seasonal. Christmas is usually the most fun time to buy these items.
But get them early in the season and definitely before the famous blogs start sharing these things or they will be gone.
I know this from experience.
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
I have been buying this for years and it never disappoints. I remember when my friend Melissa and I had toddlers and would run to Trader Joes to get “fancy” food for playdates with each other to pretend like we were rich. We would eat our dip with tortilla chips and feel like we were royalty. See? This is why Trader Joes is just good.
Cowboy Caviar
I could eat that entire jar in one sitting.
Or have.
A couple of things I don’t really like that others love:
I do not “get” the body butter. I tried it once and it felt like using coconut oil.
The baking kind, not the tanning kind. Crumbly, nasty and absolutely no smell whatsoever.
Everything but the bagel seasoning. I don’t like sesame seeds, so this is ruined for me.
Tell me every single thing you swear by at Trader Joes. Not your whole list, but what items you can’t find anywhere else that you love to get there.
First of all I agree with you about how annoying it is to be asked by the cashier what I’m planning to make with the foods I’m buying at Trader Joe’s. None of your business, darling.
We don’t live conveniently near a Trader Joe’s so I only go in about once a year. I’m immediately pegged as someone who does not belong but I do like their Everything Snack Crackers that are like Wheat Thins and their Spicy, Smoky Peach Salsa so I put up with the attitude. Yearly.
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We don’t live too conveniently either. The closest one is a solid 20-30 minutes with traffic and I know that sounds so suburban of me. But it isn’t as convenient as the five-minute walk to the Walmart or Meijer that we have.
Spicy smoky peach salsa sounds INCREDIBLE. Is that seasonal or do that have that all of the time?
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I have the same drive time situation as you do. I can get to Kroger in a heartbeat but TJ is a far piece away. I think the peach salsa is year round. It’s in a jar, not fresh.
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Oooh I love fresh salsa! I also love Kroger. (I was born and raised in Ohio)
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Yes, the peach salsa is fantastic! So is the Bloody Mary salsa, but I don’t think they carry that one all the time. I bought SIX jars last time it was in stock!
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They do make excellent salsa.
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Many moons ago, I had Trader Joe envy because we didn’t have one in our uppity town. When I would visit my Mom in the ATL area, she always made sure we went to her TJ’s for some food, wine (2 buck chuck!) and flowers. I was in LOVE with the place. I can’t remember exactly what we bought each time, but I just loved the atmosphere.
Several years ago we finally got a TJ in our hood-about 25 minutes from my house. I went a few times, but it wasn’t the same for me. Part of the problem is the parking lot and the fact that every flipping snow-bird is trying to get in and out to purchase their cheap wine and clog up the damn place with their snow-birdness. Lord knows they can afford to go to Total Wine!
So, I don’t go. I feel like I’d like to try it again after seeing your post, but that trip will have to wait until winter is over and I can get in the parking lot.
“You know you’re getting old when providing information about grocery store items is considered a spoiler.” –you kill me!
Suz
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Damn those snow birds for tarnishing your Trader Hoes experience!
But I can kind of relate only replace snowbirds with rude yuppies and you have my TJ store.
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I don’t like the bagel seasoning either; too oniony for me. We don’t have TJ near us so I haven’t shopped one in years but I felt much like you do… wandering around knowing others looked at me and knew I didn’t belong. I remember loving their hummus and some “fancy” tri colored tortilla chips.. I always got sucked into buying something chocolatey and peanut butter filled because in my head organic chocolate= healthy for my body! I keep meaning to visit the one nearest us (an hour away) and stock up on a few items to try.
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I’ve heard the dark chocolate peanut butter cups are amazing. I need to try those.
I also love World Market and the closest store to us is a solid 30 minutes away. 😞
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TJ’s used to be awesome. Now, I practically go nuclear every time I’m in there. They used to do raffles (we won $85 worth of groceries from there once) but not anymore. They used to let you open things to sample at the drop of a hat…not anymore. (I literally looked at a PB&J candy bar there at the checkout once and wrinkled my nose. The cashier was like “let’s see if it’s as gross as you’re thinking” and opened it up. It was as gross as I thought.) Their employees are more concerned with chatting with each other and poppin’ a squat six at a time in the middle of the aisle whether there’s a full store or not. Definitely not what it used to be.
As far as our must haves…
Sweet potato gnocchi. It’s like the best comfort food ever and doesn’t remotely taste like sweet potatoes. (At least not to me) but it’s still AMAZING.)
We like the char sui bao but if you’ve got a Wow Bao near you, those are better. WAY better but we don’t have one so…b-o-o h-o-o.
If you like dark chocolate, their 72% Pound Plus bar is the BEST stuff out there. Not bitter, slightly fruity finish and no matter how hard we’ve tried, we can’t find any place that has anything remotely close to it. We have two squares every night to erase the coldness of the world.
Wait for the pumpkin body butter in late September/early October. That stuff goes like Cabbage Patch Kids in the early 80’s.
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That’s sad! Is it because it’s becoming more popular? It feels like a family owned corner store at certain locations. None of those locations are near me. 😂
I love these suggestions! I have heard about the sweet potato gnocchi and this confirms it. ❤️
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I love TJs : quinoa, brown rice, dried fruits, almond butter, peanut butter, chocolates, Mandarin Orange Chicken, flowers, plants, gyoza, I heard their frozen Indian food is yummy. Oh, and the Japanese fried rice.
I don’t like TJs: body butter, produce, chips, bagel seasoning and the rest are just meh
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Why don’t I just go there with you? You always know what to get there. ❤️
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We have many TJ’s in Portland, but I hardly ever go there. Terrible parking at one, too far away at another. But I did find myself in one recently, and I will say that their flowers were amazing for the price. I could not with their produce: Everything wrapped in plastic! That alone will keep me away, unless I’m happening by and want some flowers. And wine–I like their wine selection and prices there, too. In general, I’m struggling with grocery stores these days. It’s either crap produce (but affordable) or good stuff (but not affordable). Don’t get me started…
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Yes to all of this. But I have gotten beautiful flowers at Aldi that last for weeks too.
Trader Joe’s has hyacinth in spring here and it always something I head in to buy. 💜
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Trader Joe’s is now working on eliminating as much plastic as they can from their produce. Read a news story about it a few months ago.
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I don’t usually do grocery stores – unless it’s for baking supplies or wine. That being said, we finally got a TJ in town (about 20 minutes from us) and the two times my husband and I have gone, the only thing I’ve been interested in was the flowers. I keep meaning to stop by there before heading home from town for fresh flowers but never remember to actually do so. The Husband didn’t seem impressed at all.
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I love that you only do grocery stores for those two items. I feel like we would get along swimmingly. 😂
I also love the pine wreaths and boughs at Christmas. They are so much cheaper there than anywhere else around here.
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You don’t want my entire list of what I buy there? 😉 OK, let’s see what I can think of off the top of my head at ONE OF MY FAVORITE STORES EVER. Seriously, I’m obsessed. I follow most of the Trader Joe’s pages on FB and IG, too. I should be the Official Trader Joe’s Representative. Alrighty, here we go…
The flowers – as soon as you walk in the door. Best ones ever and sooo cheap! Lots of different flavors of hummus. Hmm, have to disagree about the produce. It’s pretty darn good, for the most part. Some of their organic stuff does spoil quickly, but that’s more likely because it doesn’t have a ton of pesticides on it. Thus said, I don’t buy their bagged organic salad greens because they do indeed spoil before we can finish the bag. I buy those elsewhere.
Love their organic Breakfast Blend coffee beans. The variety and quality of their nuts. Love that seasoning mix that you don’t like, but I love all kinds of seeds. Ooh, the sea salt chocolate almonds are a great treat. Their chocolate chips are the bomb. Much better than Nestles. Their BBQ sauce, ketchup, pickles and relish are the best because they don’t contain any high fructose corn syrup – which all commercial brands do. Quinoa. (Easier to make than rice and high in protein!) Check out their unique cheese selections. Peanut-butter filled no-salt pretzels. Bottled enchilada sauce. Spekuloos cookies and all their biscotti, but especially the chocolate dipped almond one.
Yes, that frozen orange chicken is great in a pinch. So is the Penne Arrabiata. Throw in some of their garlic chicken sausages and you have a great, quick meal. The mini beef hotdogs wrapped in dough are a delicious party appetizer. Gone in a few seconds. Sweet potato gnocchi. Asparagus risotto. Just be aware that a lot of their frozen foods have a LOT of sodium in them, like any other grocery store frozen food items. I’ve passed on a lot of their frozen stuff because of this.
If you want a real treat, you must try their frozen chocolate croissants! I swear, when you bake them (they rise overnight at room temp), they look and taste just like a chocolate croissant from a French bakery. I couldn’t believe it when I first baked and tasted these.
I actually like that lotion that you said doesn’t smell like anything, lol! Not my favorite, but will do in a pinch. It smells like coconut to me. I also like their brand of toothpaste.
I have totally taken over your blog post, yikes! Now I have to go back and see what everyone else talked about. 😉
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PS – I just realized you also said your coconut body butter was crumbly. Mine are never like that. Totally smooth like a heavier lotion. And yes, smells lightly of coconut. It sounds like maybe you got an old or a “bad” one. Did you know they will take anything back, no questions asked? Even if things are opened and tried/opened. You don’t even have to have a receipt. Fantastic customer service!
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I didn’t know this! That’s good to know. I felt like there was something wrong with me because I wasn’t loving it as much as everybody is.
I mean, it’s not far off base that it’s me. 😂
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I LOVE THIS MORE THAN YOU KNOW.
I feel like you need to be a brand ambassador for them.
I’m always seeing how you find the best things at Trader Joe’s on your Instagram.
Omg Melanie! We should live blog a shopping trip to Trader Joe’s!!! Are you in??
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Live blog shopping trip? Sure, if you’ll do the videoing! 🙂 Or even if we just did a shopping trip and took pics and then blogged about it…I’m all in! Let’s make a date for when I get back from CA?
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Yes, I like your idea better!
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Trader Joe’s packaging reminds me of those fake food containers you buy at the dollar store to stock your kids’play kitchen.
I’ve never been to TJ’s. Our closest one is 40 minutes away and I just can’t. If I ever make it out I will def be using your list to guide me.
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YESSSSSSS. Omg, you are spot on!
If you are ever in one and use my list, I want a play by play. I feel like you’re the only person who would indulge me in this. 🙂
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Kari!!!! Such a useful post. Love it. I have never admitted to anyone that I ‘don’t get’ the fascination with Trader Joe’s. Sorry Melanie. When I first learned I had celiac everyone was like ‘oh just go to TJ!’ I was like FOR WHAT? But I said it in a whisper to myself in order not to embarrass myself. See? I think I went in there and bought a GF pumpkin pancake mix once that was good but seasonal. Other than that I don’t know what to buy. The one near me is not all that close and not near any of my dancing/basketball drop offs. Freakishly for my birthday one of Coach’s long time patients gave me (yeah that’s right- he is her PT and I am just the friendly wife and still with the gitfts. She is so very sweet!) a $50 TJ gift card. Such a generous gift and now when I finally haul my butt there, I will know what to buy. Anyone out there buy GF products specifically? I have discovered quinoa over the last couple of years so maybe I can go stock up on that. It surely is not cheap.
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You know who has a ton of GF food? Aldi. AND I believe they are the same company as TJ’s?
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OMG – almost forgot. I loved the spoiler for old people part too. As always, a good laugh delivered by Kari.
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Aww, I love that I can make you laugh. ❤️
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I haven’t been brave enough to go inside a Trader Joe’s yet. I feel a little too out of place going to Publix. It’s wonderful (the bakery omg), but in a more upscale area, and it’s pretty obvious that I’m not of the upscale variety. I barely meet Harris Teeter’s cutoff lol
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Lmaooooo. I actually love Publix when I’ve been in the south but I’m definitely not their demographic either.
Don’t be afraid of TJ’s though. You will love it. ❤️
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Oooooh! I kind of love this list because I have been into a Trader Joe’s ONCE (just once) with a friend and I was so overwhelmed and I haven’t braved it again. I’m scared they’ll know I don’t belong. The nearest one to me is about 1 1/2 hours away (though we do have an Aldi which I love) but I know plenty of people who make a habit to go at least once a month.I keep saying I’m going to make the trip. Maybe next week…
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Overwhelmed is such a good way to describe going into a Trader Joe’s. Which is ironic since their stores are typically small!
I keep a list in my phone of must have items so on the rare occasions that I go, I have ideas. The comments here have so many good ideas too. ❤️
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I love Trader Joe’s too! It doesn’t even feel like grocery shopping HA!
My favorites are the cereals, bananas, and organic meat. 💕
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You’re so right, it doesn’t feel like grocery shopping at all!
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Until this post I never realized how our Trader Joe bag carries only one food item- cookie butter.
Wine, flowers, tea tree shampoo/conditioner, spa shampoo, bars of soap and toothpaste.
Now I’m going to keep an eye out for the trivets.
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I’ve never had the Cookie butter, is it as good as everyone says?
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Because of the no gluten (for me) I’ve never been able to try it. Nevertheless, my husband won’t pass it by. It always lands in our cart.
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New here, and I love it already. AR does have 1 TJ’s now! It’s been open about 5 months and is only a few minutes from my job. I’d been to TJ’s in other states, and have loved it for years!
Listen, the boxed creamy tomato soup is super tasty. I also like the pretzel chips.
That orange chicken is so good! I also really like the frozen chicken fried rice.
I despise blue cheese salad dressing, but a family friend LOVES their version as his favorite commercially available option.
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I love tomato soup, so I’ll have to check that out!
I don’t like blue cheese either but I’ve heard most of their dressings are really good.
Welcome to my blog, it’s good to have you here!
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