https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 25 May 2026 10:18:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1436894 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 13:57:05 +0000 Periwinkle 1436894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love Trader Joe's and these are my must-haves on each visit:</p> <p>- Multigrain crackers<br /> - Brown rice (in the freezer aisle-- so incredibly easy and perfect texture)<br /> - Steel-cut oatmeal (in the freezer aisle- good for a quick breakfast)<br /> - Turkey meatballs (frozen)</p> <p>Ours also has a great produce section (some do not, in my experience though) and we like the pre-cut butternut squash, brussels sprouts and pre-cut green beans. </p> <p>Also not to be missed: their chocolate aisle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1436778 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 13:28:56 +0000 cmomma17 1436778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HabesBabe: mmmm. I need that in my life! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1436704 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 13:13:32 +0000 lindseykaye 1436704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another TJs shopper who mostly buys the frozen stuff :)<br /> My favorite items are:<br /> Frozen fire roasted bell peppers and onion mix (perfect for philly sandwiches, stir-fry)<br /> Frozen fire roasted corn kernels<br /> Frozen orange chicken<br /> Frozen fried rice<br /> Frozen stir-fry vegetable mixes<br /> Frozen Indian meals (the butter chicken is so good! Add a box of frozen peas and some of TJs naan bread and you have dinner for 2 in my house)<br /> Frozen balsamic veggie mix<br /> Frozen Gorgonzola gnocchi (I add sun dried tomato, chicken and pesto and you have a great dinner)<br /> Frozen mini meatballs<br /> Frozen mini ice cream cones (called Hold the Cone hah!)<br /> Packages if nuts - better prices than my regular grocer and the mesquite smoked almonds are really tasty)<br /> Freeze-dried fruit - LO cannot get enough of the mango and banana. Unlike dried fruit there are no sweeteners Nd it is crunchy and airy.<br /> Amazing cheese selection with good prices<br /> Better romaine heads (quality and price) than I get elsewhere<br /> Sweet potato waffle cut chips (droooool)<br /> Veggie sticks snacks for LO<br /> Jarred pesto, sundried tomatoes, coconut oil, etc.<br /> 100-calorie dark chocolate bars<br /> Dark chocolate covered blueberries<br /> Man... I could go on! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1436646 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 13:03:40 +0000 pregnantbee 1436646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I LOVE their Gone Bananas -- chocolate covered frozen bananas. They are amazing. In the frozen dessert section.</p> <p>Cheddar Rockets - their answer to goldfish -- son loves them.<br /> Frozen mini pizzas (Bambino Pizza Formaggio) - perfect for my son<br /> Eggplant Wrap - in the produce section. Comes with spicy sauce, and it is amazing.<br /> Apple Sauce Crushers - strawberry applesauce -- like the fruit pouches. LO loves.</p> <p>So many good things there! </p> [attach=2313/14/n1b3i5.548x600.bananas.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1436637 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 13:01:25 +0000 Honeydew 1436637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Must haves from TJ:</p> <p>The chocolate croissant, orange chicken, cinnamon buns, frozen bim bim bop, pumpkin butter, truffle brownie mix, cinnamon pecans, I love all their produce and their wine is fairly priced. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1436508 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 12:38:45 +0000 HabesBabe 1436508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cmomma17: It's basically generic Biscoff spread, which is a spiced cookie. The cookie butter is like a cookie, in a peanut butter consistency. It's AMAZING!</p> <p>I love their frozen indian entrees, frozen orange chicken, coconut oil (bought it from there exclusively until Costco started selling it for cheaper), peanut butter filled pretzels, white cheddar popcorn (next to the white/pink striped kettle corn), and brussels sprouts on a stalk during the holidays. Oh, and the cheese selection. And the herb pizza dough (will be making pizza tonight!).</p> <p>For LO, I get the apple sauce crushers (the only flavor she didn't like was apple carrot), A ___(fruit) Walks into a Bar fruit cereal bars (strawberry, blueberry, and fig are our favorites. They are like Nutrigrain bars, but cheaper, organic, and better tasting), frozen turkey meatballs, frozen silver dollar pancakes, string cheese, frozen tofu edamame nuggets (like vegetarian chicken nuggets), and frozen fish sticks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1436329 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 11:50:10 +0000 cmomma17 1436329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What is COOKIE BUTTER????? :shocked: :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1436306 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 11:43:10 +0000 bunnylove08 1436306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: I never go to the one in union square, usually the one on 23rd, Brooklyn or one out on the Island when we're visiting the in laws. You really have to divide and conquer when you go to TJ in the city. My friend and I also do the stay on line grab what we need and switch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1436271 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 11:32:43 +0000 Greentea 1436271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bunnylove08: my friend hates going in Manhattan, she said she has to go with someone because it is so packed that one person has to get in line while the other person shops! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1436265 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 11:32:00 +0000 cheert16 1436265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They have great frozen orange chicken, and I got a roasted veggi quinoa last time I was there... it was so good!<br /> I don't buy their produce or breads because they go bad WAY too fast!<br /> Also they have a great cheese section- and coffee! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1436256 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 11:29:29 +0000 Greentea 1436256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't get TJs. It seems great for easy prepackaged stuff... but like you have to figure it out... trial and error. I am veg now but I loved the frozen mandarin orange chicken while pregnant (I mixed it with veggies) and the cod filets are reasonably priced if you like breaded fish... the sprouted wheat berry bread is great for toast and french toast! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1436156 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 11:04:14 +0000 Mrs. M 1436156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love their chocolate covered banana slices (called "Gone Bananas"). A yummy frozen treat that I can just eat one or two and actually control myself! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1436069 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:40:22 +0000 Mrs. Confetti 1436069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Their frozen indian food (chicken tikka masala especially) is fabulous. My fave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1436031 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:29:10 +0000 Mae 1436031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The W brand bacon is fantastic (it says 40% less fat but don't be fooled, it is not healthy bacon, it is delicious perfect bacon). I also love their creamy guac in the refrigerated salsa section (again, says less fat because it is made with greek yogurt, but it is DELICIOUS and does not taste diet-y at all, I prefer it to regular guac). They have really good prices on nuts so if you're a trail mix person, it's a good time to stock up. If you like cereal the TJ's berry-Os are delicious. Organic blue corn chips or the corn dippers are both super fantastic with the guac. Dark chocolate covered mini twists (above the frozen food coolers). The mini chicken tamalitos (frozen section). Oh! The refrigerated pizza dough (regular, not wheat or italian seasoning one) is amazing for either pizza or breadsticks. They have great prices on pasta and pasta sauce-- the arrabiata is my fav. The organic white cheddar mac and cheese (boxed in the dry goods section) is really good. The peanut butter is really good (I prefer the texture of the not organic kind). And if you're a tea person, definitely check out the hot tea section. We love the chai, the mango black tea, the vanilla cinnamon (may be gone now-- it is seasonal). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1436011 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:24:43 +0000 bunnylove08 1436011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septca: Oh the coffee is really good too! </p> <p>We live in NYC and we have a huge turn over in their food where they cannot keep anything on shelves. We did not have any problems with the fresh food. We also like to buy our produce there because the organic stuff is cheaper than our grocery store. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1436006 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:23:42 +0000 MrsH 1436006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The chocolate and vanilla macarons! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1435978 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:15:13 +0000 septca 1435978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bunnylove08: Yes! The mochi is so good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1435953 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:05:19 +0000 bunnylove08 1435953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>cookie butter, kettle corn popcorn (pink bag), their green juice, mochi ice cream, coconut oil, jalapeno hummus, ginger cat cookies for people, mac and cheese balls </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1435919 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:52:09 +0000 LuLu Mom 1435919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wine (so good for so cheap), Edamame Hummus (AMAZING), and I like their grape medley. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1435914 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:51:06 +0000 looch 1435914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like a lot of their packaged items, especially the frozen stuff. I really detest produce waste, so they have some really great frozen roasted red peppers and corn that I use regularly.</p> <p>They also have a nice cheese selection and I am going to give their parbaked breads a try. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1435911 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:50:14 +0000 Mamasig 1435911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: I was wondering the same thing. They just opened one where I live. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1435906 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:49:14 +0000 TemperanceBrennan 1435906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: did a good job of explaining it. It is MUCH smaller than I expected and gets crowded, which can be overwhelming. </p> <p>A lot of the produce is portioned, trimmed, or prepped. This can be handy, but like @septca: said, it tends to go bad fast. Not sure if this is unique to my store, but they run out of produce fairly regularly. I can't always find everything on my grocery list. I've also found that their meat selection is limited, but what they do have is good quality. </p> <p>Love their bread and cheese selection. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1435886 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:40:56 +0000 snowjewelz 1435886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We get so many things from there I don't even know where to start! Just take your time browsing. We get this bread dough from that that we bake at home for bread, it's amazing. We also get their plantain chips as snacks a lot. We honestly get at least 80% of our groceries from there! It's cheaper than Wholefoods but we feel like their quality is better than a regular chain grocery store and they have so many fun/unique items! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1435840 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:27:02 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1435840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get a lot of my groceries there, but not everything. </p> <p>Stuff I always buy there:<br /> organic whole wheat rotini pasta<br /> Whole Wheat Bread<br /> Whole Wheat Pita Bread<br /> Whole Wheat Tortillas<br /> Brown Rice<br /> Multi-Color Quinoa<br /> Whole Wheat CousCous<br /> Greek feta salad dressing<br /> pesto<br /> eggs<br /> Blue organic tortilla chips (the best I have ever had anywhere),<br /> chicken sausage<br /> deli meat (no nitrates)<br /> Dairy - I get all of my dairy there because the entire store guarantees that there is no rbgh in any of their milk products so it makes it easier for me to shop. I would like to buy all organic dairy, but it isn't in the budget...so this is a nice compromise for us right now.<br /> Reduced fat smoked gouda (or dutch) cheese<br /> Sharp Vermont cheddar.<br /> Full fat Greek yogurt (it just says plain (no percentage of fat), but you can tell from the nutrition info) to use in place of sour cream and as yogurt for little lion. I don't like the chalky taste of low fat plain, so this works better for us. It is creamy and really does taste just like sour cream to me.<br /> Frozen Orange Mandarin Chicken - AMAZING!<br /> Coconut oil spray (their jarred coconut oil is good too, but I buy mine at Sams now because it is even cheaper)</p> <p>I'm sure there are other things. Not everything is a good deal, and I have been fooled before into buying something thinking it is healthier than it actually is. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1435806 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:13:01 +0000 erwoo 1435806@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Their kettle corn is to die for! Also their herb popcorn as well. There are tons and tons more but I can't remember right now. I miss TJ like craaazy! No TJ here in Asia! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1435749 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 08:51:51 +0000 Ra 1435749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! Looks like I'm going to be hitting up the frozen food and cookie aisles :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1435748 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 08:51:29 +0000 Smurfette 1435748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH LOVES their animal crackers. I love their wine selection. I don't buy the 2 Buck Chuck but they have plenty of cheap wine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1435740 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 08:47:23 +0000 septca 1435740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't buy anything fresh at TJs because it tends to go bad really fast where I am (I live in a city and I think it sits on the truck for a long time while they unload). BUT there are certain things I will only buy at TJs - either because the TJs brand is great or because it's much cheaper than anywhere else. My favorites: coffee, cereal and granola, oatmeal, lavender dryer sachets, sugar, chicken stock, spices, nuts, dried fruit, olive oil, coconut oil, rice crackers, rice cakes, frozen fruit, gyoza, ice cream, animal crackers, ginger snaps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1435738 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 08:45:58 +0000 swedishfish 1435738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Trader Joe's always overwhelms me because they're so small and so crowded. I need it try again though apparently! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trader-joes#post-1435734 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 08:44:57 +0000 bookwormmama 1435734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pretzel croissants. They are the best thing ever!</p> <p>But really their frozen food section is what we like. And the prices. It always surprises me how inexpensive it is for what we get.</p> <p>My mom said their organic produce is really well priced. We don't usually buy produce there because we don't have one by us, so we go when we visit my parents (4.5 hours away) and just store the frozen stuff in a cooler for the drive. </p>