I absolutely love the grocery store. And by grocery store I mean Trader Joe’s. Is it weird that my favorite thing about Sunday mornings is my trip here? Seriously, it’s what gets me through my 7 AM workout.
I think I like Trader Joe’s so much because of their unique AND healthy items. I also like the health-conscious clientele and the overly friendly staff who always seem so happy to be there.
Because I love Trader Joe’s so much, I am going to share my FAVORITE grocery items with you. The ones that always make it into my basket and the ones I recommend you adding to yours this week.
Organic 3 Grain Tempeh– Tempeh is most similar to tofu but not really. It is a traditional Indonesian dish of fermented soybeans which can be mixed with other grains. The Organic 3 Grain Tempeh from Trader Joe’s is made with fermented soybeans, organic brown rice, barley, and millet. It’s a FANTASTIC mock meat dish. Loaded with protein and fiber, one serving has 20 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber. It’s super filling. The flavor is a bit different, somewhat of an acquired taste but phenomenal once you learn how and what to cook it with. To me, tempeh has a slightly nutty and earthy flavor and works great cubed and sautéed in a veggie stir fry, on top of a salad, in a sandwich, or a soup. I like marinating it with balsamic dressing and sesame ginger dressing or with curry and tamari sauce. No matter what, it’s a very versatile item and works well with almost any sauce or spice.
Corn and Chile Tomato- less Salsa is to die for. This salsa is seriously addicting and is a great alternative to traditional salsa. It is corn based which makes it quite sweet but also has a kick to it. Made with corn, red peppers, and onions, the salsa just works. It’s the perfect thing to put out on the table when guests are over, serve it with a bowl of tortilla chips, crackers, or pretzels for dipping and you will be a crowd pleaser. The salsa is also very yummy on top of a salad or when mixed with stir fried veggies and chicken.
Marcona Almonds with Rosemary– These rosemary seasoned almonds are full of flavor and ALWAYS a crowd favorite. The rosemary is a great compliment to the nutty flavor of the almond. People love to munch and these are the perfect crunchy and salty snack. They pair really well with a glass of white wine, like REALLY well. I also throw them on top of salads too. Yum. Heads up, the bag and nuts themselves are a bit oily so don’t use your shirt as a napkin!
Vegan Cream Cheese – if you like coconut then you will like this dairy free cream cheese alternative. I am lactose intolerant like many people out there but enjoy the creamy things in life. It’s made with coconut oil, sunflower oil, soy protein and vegan culture. I spread it on top of toast with jam and use it as veggie and fruit dip. It doesn’t taste EXACTLY like cream cheese but it’s as yummy and as creamy.
Hot & Sweet Mustard– You will want to put it on everything. At first the taste is very honey mustard like but once you finish the first bite you will think horseradish is on the ingredients list. The flavor goes a long way. It’s made with honey, yellow mustard, ginger, salt, turmeric and paprika which all work super well together. The turmeric and paprika definitely give the condiment its edge though. I use this on everything, literally everything. I dip my chicken fingers in it, I put it on top of turkey and veggie burgers, when looking for a snack, I dip my carrots in it, and I absolutely love drizzling it on top of my tempeh stir fry. You can put it on top of everything or just eat spoonful’s of it… It’s heaven in a jar.
Green Olive Tapenade– Trader Joe’s has its dips figured out. This chunky mix of olives, tomatoes, red peppers, garlic, and lemon juice will satisfy any salt craving you have. The garlic and olives are what you taste most, so if you are not a huge fan of either of these then I bet you won’t love it as much as I do. If you are an olive lover especially a green olive lover like myself then you will fall in love and MUST try this dip. Scoop a spoonful on top of wheat thins or any type of cracker and you will finish both the jar and bag of crackers in minutes. I have done it many a time.
Pumpkin Bread Baking Mix *Seasonal* I am obsessed with this boxed pumpkin bread mix. If you like pumpkin flavored things your mouth will water over this baked good. It’s the easiest thing to make. After mixing in a cup of water (or almond milk, I prefer almond milk) and two eggs, pour the mix into a baking pan and BOOM. After about 30 minutes at 350 degrees take it out and let it sit for about five minutes before stuffing the first piece in your mouth. It’s the best when warm. I also love that it stays fresh and moist for over a week which is unlike other breads that tend to dry up within hours. All throughout the fall, I was buying this mix. I loved having it for breakfast. I would heat up a slice and top it with peanut butter and cinnamon. It was so delicious. It’s great as side dish as well with a chicken or turkey dinner and PHENOMENAL when used in a smoothie. I would cut a slice and throw it in the blender with my typical banana, almond milk, and pumpkin puree combination. It added a nutmeg and cake like flavor and made the smoothie really thick. I love thick smoothies.
Sadly, it’s only sold during the fall (September- November), so you must be on the lookout when fall rolls around again. It’s a must-try if you like pumpkin. I repeat a MUST-TRY.
