Forever Hungry: My Top Trader Joe's Eats

Let’s get a hand raise for all the times we go to the grocery store aimlessly searching the aisles for something healthy, tasty, + easy to serve, as if we’re wanting it to slap us in the face. Yeah, I’m completely guilty of that.

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Once I moved out of my parents + had to ‘fend for myself’ the grocery store seemed like the most daunting task known to man, aside from picking up dog shit, now that’s daunting.

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The large grocery stores are my enemy, I get waaaay to overwhelmed + sidetracked with everything they have that I walk out forgetting just about everything except for strawberries, vodka, + sourdough bread. Thank god for Trader Joe’s.

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Even though the parking lot is utter mayhem, the store is oh so glorious.

To make the task a bit less unappealing I put together a list of my fav’s that I get ALL. THE. TIME. From chicken burgers + chips, to fruits + veggies, these are my Trader Joe’s go-to’s.

Disclaimer: I do splurge and get some 'unhealthy' items from TJ's, but didn't share those since I'm trying to discipline myself in the pantry, lol. I will eat a row of Oreo's unconsciously.

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-Chicken Potstickers

Our sweet friends Chuck + Sandra introduced us to these delicious puppies + we have been HOOKED ever since. Pair with the Mandarin Chicken Morsels + some brown rice for one amazing dish.

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-Sweet Potato Fries

I love sweet potato anything, such a great alternative to the basic starchy potato. I love with a good protein style burger, or a midday snack. Oh, did you know sweet potatoes aren’t even ‘potatoes’, haha.

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-Mandarain Chicken Morsels

THESE CHANGED MY LIFE. I’m a werido when it comes to meat, super picky + annoying with it. Which is one reason why I just stopped getting my favorite orange chicken about 6 years ago, sad day. These morsels are everything I’ve been missing without the meat. Veggie lovers begin to drool.

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-Chili Lime Burgers

I have been the #1 fan of these tasty burgers since high school, so we’ll say 10 years (it was about the only thing my mom allowed me to cook without her home, lol). The spice and flavors of these burgers is better than anything I could ever explain. I snack on this with a Whole Grain Crisp Bread on bottom (sub for the bun) + put a bit of mustard on top, simple, easy + too good; whole wheat buns would be delicious too.

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Italian Dry Salami + Any/All Cheeses

I'm not the biggest cheese fan, I like it on things (NOT a burger) + I'll pass if someone is just walking around with hors d'oeuvres of cheese with a toothpick. Gouda is a mild cheese, so I do enjoy it with crackers, salami, + the best spicy jam in the universe (see below). 

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-Avocados + Salsa Authentica

Need I say more? Guac, turkey sandwiches, avo toast, burgers……I could go on. I love love love love love this salsa. It’s the best with the flax chips I get. I love anything spicy so I use this salsa often.

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Hot + Sweet Pepper Jelly

THANK YOU KAYLA for introducing me to this heavenly thing. I would have never thought to purchase a spicy jelly, idk not my jam, dun dun dun, hahaha. But this paired with the Pita Crackers + gouda cheese, is damn perfect. I could honestly eat it all in one sitting, but I won't...or will I.

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-Broccoli slaw

I make the easiest and fastest salad ever with four ingredients, okay maybe five. Broccoli slaw, oil + balsamic vinegar, sunflower seeds (or any seeds) + cranberries. I put them all in a bowl with a lid, then shake all ingredients together. I take it to work for a super fulfilling, healthy snack.

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-Carrots + hummus

I will thank my mother for hooking me on this. Our after school snacks before dinner would always consist of hummus with just about anything that we could dip. Spicy hummus + baby carrots are the cure for all afternoon hunger.

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Southwestern Chopped Salad

The benefit of having all the ingredients in one bag for a salad that calls for a least six different little bits of things, makes life sooo much easier. I mean I could go to the store and pick out green onion, tortilla strips, roasted peptides, cotija cheese, etc. etc. etc. but why? I'd rather just get this bag + call it a day. Oh + the dressing, to die for.

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-Strawberries + Blackberries + Raspberries

Fruits, fruits, fruits. I always need to have some in the fridge for those moments when hunger strikes + you need a fast fix. I usually pair with a banana + my fruit bowls always subside my overdramatic hunger moments.

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-Peppered Turkey

I can’t rave about this stuff enough. I loooove peppered turkey + this TJ’s one is the bee’s knees. I put a bit of it on a Whole Grain Crisp bread + boom, lunch is served.

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Who doesn't love a good pizza night? Make it a little date night at home and craft your own pizzas with toppings, cheeses, meats, the works. I always choose gluten free or whole wheat dough when doing this, #health, lol.

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-Cauliflower Florets

These are a new fav. I love broccoli + cauliflower raw with the dip, oh good ole healthy party platters. I make buffalo cauliflower, too damn good. I’ll post the recipe soon so you all can try it. Super easy, healthy + B.O.M.B.

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-Broccoli Floret Chips

These little chips are pretty good. I wasn’t the biggest fan at first, but they’ve definitely grown on me. I love broccoli so I’m sure that sort of helps. I just don’t want you to spend you money if you already hate the vegetable, because it taste like broccoli, not chips, lol.

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Gluten Free Oat Cranberry Flax Cookies

I am not gluten free, but I do love treats. Any time I get treats, crackers, chips, etc. + I have the option to purchase the gluten free alternative, I'll do it. Gluten is already in everything I eat, so why not shy away from it when I can? And quite frankly I really can't taste the difference. Gosh, I love a good cookie + milk match.

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-Flaxseed chips

I swear by these suckers. To me, they taste so similar to Fritos & I love those salty things. With 6 grams of protein per serving I’d say these are a bit healthier than those Fritos I always crave.

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-Baked Cheese Crunchies

My weakness. If you love cheetos, get these. That’s all I have to say about that.

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-Grain Crisp Bread

Trader Joe’s version of the gg crackers that are all the rage at the moment. The Skinny Confidential, blog wizard, raved about them + I think they sold out at a lot of markets. Well, they’re sort of pricey + I don’t want to go to a separate store for crackers, I’m just not into that, so these are the BEST alternative to that snack. I eat them alllll the time. There are so many ways you can incorporate these crackers in so many recipes!

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-Lentil Pasta

I am the pasta masta; I love pasta…a little too much if you know what I mean. I have been loving this lentil pasta paired with a bit of red sauce. The pasta tastes like I’m not missing out on anything + plus I love their coral orange color. These are the best bet to my pasta every night diet.

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Crispy Crunchy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

I had not idea that I needed these in my life so bad. Crunch is my favorite + these flavors + these flavors are so mouth watering I'm eating one as I type this. Just trust me on this one, add these to your cart next time you go to TJ's.

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-Ragatoni Pasta + Roasted Garlic Marinara

Confession: I love cute pasta because it can double as kitchen decor in a cute glass clear container + it’s edible when you need it. This pasta is just for that, multipurpose pasta I like to call it. Like I said above, I love pasta + these noodles are so fun I get them all the time. This is the best, simplest pasta sauce out there. I’ve tried other flavors of red pasta, but nothing beats the basic. You, at home, can liven this up with spices or fresh herbs to make it more your own.

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-Pomegranate White Tea

Hands down my favorite tea on the face of the earth. I love a good white tea. I could drink four cups of this in one sitting. If you love a good hot tea, this is right up your alley.

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Vegan Trail Cookies

Did I tell you I love treats? I could spend al my money in the sweets section of a store if I wanted too, but that's a different story. These soft + chewy guys are the perfect midmorning snack (I call that breakfast, lol) + I'm good to go. Don't let the 'vegan' fool you, they're better than most.

-Banana Chips

I was never a huge fan of dried banana chips until I came along these little guys. They are so so good and a great alternative to that crunchy satisfaction that chips bring to us. They aren’t as sweet as you would think, so don’t knock ‘em til you try ‘em.

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I was turned on to these by another blog post I have read + can't father life of me remember who it was. Any who, these are like the most unique version of a sweet + salty mix out there? Does Planters dye the chocolate bits with spirulina, radish, + turmeric?

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Multigrain Pita Bite Crackers

Pita chips are a great alternative to salty potato chips. Pair them with salsa, hummus, or my new obsession the Hot + Sweet Pepper Jelly. Honestly I can't rave about that enough. The flax + whole wheat make sure these crackers fill you up for your day.

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Next time you’re on you way to Trader Joe’s remember a few of your fav’s from this post + try to incorporate something new + different into your weekly menu. I always try to get something that I have never tried.

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I’m sure you’re like running out the door to go grocery shop, lol #adulting.

Let me know if you have any TJ favs or how you like any of the suggested items posted here, I love to find hidden gems at the store.

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Well I’m off to $5 yoga night. Yes to inexpensive workout nights! But first, I haaaaave to pick up more of that gouda + jelly, lol.

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Cheers