Welcome to Healthy Life Happy Wife! My name is Alex and I am a 27 year old trying to live a healthy life (with the occassional glass of scotch) in Brooklyn, New York with my husband, BLC & my puppy, Freckles. Thanks for reading :)
Trader Joe Favorites!
6 Jun
So two days ago, I made Seared Ahi Tuna Steak on a bed of steamed kale, spinach & whole-wheat couscous.
(Yes, it was as good as it looks)
& I realized that every ingredient I used was from Trader Joe’s. I’m talking every ingredient.
Spices, tuna, produce, marinade & couscous. All TJ’s. & I drove 30 minutes through Brooklyn to get to the Trader Joe’s.
P.S. driving through Brooklyn is my least favorite thing to do in the world.
But it was totally worth it. & it got me thinking that I always talk about Trader Joe’s…I may as well dedicate an entire post to my TJ Favs!
Love you, Joe 
hold on, this might be a long one!
Crumbled Goat Cheese – super cheap & excellent mixed in eggs, a salad, couscous…the possibilities are endless.
Whole wheat couscous – cooks really fast & I’ve used it for bulking up soup or as a side dish.
Giant bags of Spinach or Kale for super cheap, already chopped. Easy to add to smoothies, soups or make kale chips (my fav!).
Super Spinach Salad – comes with cranberries, edamame, quinoa & carrot ginger dressing. Please try this!
‘Nuff said.
Edamame Hummus – a little lower in calories than regular hummus & tastes great with Pretzel Crisps. Got my dad obsessed
TJ’s Almond Milk is just as good as Silk & tends to be cheaper. Why not?
Big bags of produce – typically cheaper & better than any where else I have purchased produce. I always get the organic Pink Lady apples & organic pears because they are my fav & they are a part of the dirty dozen
.
Roasted Wasabi Seaweed – I really like them but I think they may be an acquired taste
These remind me of those old fashioned fruit roll ups but just bits and pieces.
Sunflower Seed Butter – my favorite nut butter! I bought some while I was staying with my parents & my little brother took the jar to work with him. He was a big fan. It is a little thinner than regular PB & spreads easier which I really like.
I’m normally not a big fan of instant coffee but this is very good! I bring it with me every where, especially traveling.
Quinoa is my favorite grain but it is normally kinda pricey…not so at TJ’s. This is what I used in my Spicy Vegetable and Quinoa soup last night!
Yum! These are the only tortilla chips I buy. & what are tortilla chips without…
Salsa! I put this salsa in eggs & salads & of course, pair it with chips.
I used to buy Fiber One when it was on sale but this is just as good…if not better..& less expensive.
Whole grain mustard – really good in homemade salad dressings.
They kinda fall apart when you cook them in marinara sauce but they taste good!
Just made an excellent recipe with tempeh – really good & will post it sometime soon!
By far my favorite non-meat product! Try it in eggs or in tacos. Sooooo good & spiced to perfection.
BLC loves this dressing. I like adding some Frank’s Buffalo Sauce & goat cheese on my salad with this dressing. Mmmm.
Yes. I have bought numerous jars of Cookie Butter. It is good. Try it. NOW. (Tip: put it in a smoothie with almond milk, frozen banana & chocolate protein powder)
Bok Choy – grilled it with a soy sauce marinade & some Sriracha. OMG.
Greek yogurt. 1 buck. Always & just as good as Chobani IMHO.
Tastes like legit orange chicken. I swearsss.
Recommendation: undercook slightly. These are heavenly.
Tart. Excellent low cal substitute for ice cream. Yum-o.
I buy my dog food & treats here for Freckles. It is all natural & she seems to love it.
All their spices are super cheap! & the 21 seasoning salute is my go to for everything.
BLC read somewhere that the honey that most grocery stores sell is not actually honey..or bee pollen. You can read more about it here if you are interested. Needless to say, TJ’s honey is the real deal.
Ridiculously indulgent but really good. But, duh.
My new favorite snack. Super filling, & very tasty. Love <3
And now that I have listed every product Trader Joe’s sells, I’m gonna go for a run. It is National Running Day after all.
What do you run for?
I buy most of the stuff you put on there too haha. I love TJs! Have you ever had their choco covered almonds with sea salt? They are my guilty pleasure, I love em! I havent tried the choco covered chips though!! I have to look for those! I also love all their granola mixes and their salmon burgers.
PS. are you doing the Color Run in august?!
I really wanted to but I just got the email & its super pricey for a 5k…so probably not lol.
& those chocolate covered almonds with sea salt are dangerous! I could eat an entire container in one sitting…so I rarely buy them! My dad loves them, too!
I’ve been wanting to try the salmon burgers! I will totally be trying them next visit!
I agree its pricey, which is why I haven’t pressed the register button yet haha.
OMG I know, they are SO addicting, I only buy them every so often because they are my weakness. Def try the salmon burgers, they rock!
I love everything about trader joe’s too. Have you tried their hummus? Yummy
xo,
Courtney
http://girlavantgarde.wordpress.com/
Love their horseradish hummus on salads!!
Thanks for the preview!! Now I’m excited for ours to open, eventually!
You will love it!!
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Why thank you! I will definitely check it out
Mmmm I love me some TJs. Have you ever tried their powdered donut holes? So. Good.
I’m confused though, did you fit ALL those bags of groceries in your fridge/pantry? If you have enough space for that I’m desperately jealous.
Haha. Busted! That shopping cart pic is actually from when I was staying at my parent’s house! I don’t buy nearly as much when I’m at home…although I find a way to fit a lot!
& I will definitely have to try the donut holes! Sounds good!
Wow. Amazing. I’m totally speechless and crazy jealous– my DREAM is to fill up a car with groceries from TJ’s (or WF, no discrimination here). But, wow, I can see how the driving through Brooklyn part would sort of put a damper on that dream…
That salad up top is the most beautiful salad I have ever seen photographed. I’ve never made tuna steaks before!
Now I’m craving dark chocolate PB cups….
That was actually the first time I made them!! Soo easy & absolutely delicious!!
& those PB cups are great!
THIS is amazing! You are more addicted to TJ’s than me…how is that possible? LOL. That peanut vinaigrette and the cookie butter…I DIE. Can’t not have those in my house.
So jealous! I have never been to at TJ’s but posts like this one make me want to! We are FINALLY getting one this fall. I.cannot.wait!
You will love it!!!!
Girl, this is QUITE a list! Thanks for some ideas
I know…I get a little carried away with TJ’s
hope you enjoy them!
Trader Joe’s just opened up where I live in Sarasota, FL yesterday and I was googling what people’s favorite TJ’s items were and found your site…Thanks for sharing. I may try and go in tonight but people are making a big deal over it and I think I may wait until the initial rush is over. The chick less mandarin chicken looks so good as do the meatballs, and my daughter and brother both are totally addicted to the peanut butter cups.
Glad you found this post!! TJs is always crowded but it’s so worth it! Glad one opened near you!!