44 Comments

Oh, goodie! I'm eager to try out your suggestions. And yes, I go to Trader Joe's. It's my happy place and is close enough to walk to. But I don't because then I'd have to walk back with a bazillion pounds of goodies, and I'm a decent cook and baker, but a weakling.

They have lots of really great organic chocolate bars that I use to bake with (just decrease the sugar accordingly) and all sorts of reasonably healthy stuff like cauliflower rounds that sort of sub for tortillas. My biggest gripe is that I'll fall in love with a product only to have it discontinued after I've convinced myself I can't live without it. Heavy sigh.

Oh and by the way- make room under that bed on election night. I have a feeling there will be many of there with you.

Expand full comment

I will even clean out the dust bunnies under the bed to make room.

As for the fear things will be discontinued, it's pretty much a constant concern. Not to mention my teenage son survives off of packets of the frozen fettucine alfredo....and when that's out of stock, well, let's just say, he even rejects homemade pasta alfredo. RUDE.

Expand full comment

Yes! I am so sad they no longer carry the delicious hummus with kalamata olives.

Expand full comment

Glad I didn't fall in love with it. It sounds so good.

Expand full comment

Also, I'd love to tag along with you on your next Trader Joe's expedition!

Expand full comment

any time!

Expand full comment

P.S. I believe you actually TEACH investigative journalism..........but never mind. Bosco De Gamma and I love your Substack.

Expand full comment

Bosco de Gamma is asleep right now, his front paws "running" in his sleep. so cute.

Expand full comment

Those ravioli look incredible! I am addicted to TJ's "Hold the Cone" mini ice cream cones are fabulous!

Expand full comment

Me too.

Expand full comment

I agree!!! I buy them because they’re small and I want 15# off. But then I eat two or three at a time. 🙄

Expand full comment

Yup. Yup. Yup. (one for each cone. technically speaking 3 have fewer calories than a lot of other things you might have for dessert. And the little nub of chocolate in the tip of the cone?!

Expand full comment

Wait. What? Those ravioli??? I’m a butternut squash ravioli freak, but those brussel sprout and bacon ones are worth the forty mile drive! Of course, I won’t leave without the Triple Ginger Cookies, which I have with a cup of tea like grandma used to make. Together, I use those to settle my nerves when I think the world is ending. And I just voted early in South Carolina, so I will be hanging out hugging my dogs on Tuesday night.

Expand full comment

those triple ginger cookies are a big hit with a lot of people. i should try them and see how they compare to mine...that said, you really should try my recipe. I'll pub it closer to Christmas.

Expand full comment

Their triple ginger cookies are really great because they are small and cyou can heat 4-5 and still feel virtuous. Not as good as Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa recipe but those are time consuming to make -

Expand full comment

Love this. Can't wait to hit Trader Joe's now.

Expand full comment

Yay!

Expand full comment

To me, it tastes just like meat. I’ve been meat-free for a while now and when I find something good, I pounce.

I highly recommend it.

Expand full comment

Can’t leave TJ’s without Korean Beefless Bulgogi. It’s excellent on top of rice with some chili oil!

Expand full comment

wait, tell me about it. I was tempted, but then hesitated. what's the meatless part like?

Expand full comment

Love your newsletters - found them just recently through (I think) Joyce Vance mentioning you. Also love TJ's - although I have to drive from Park City UT to SLC to get to one (apparently Whole Foods made NOT having a TJ's in Park City a condition of opening here - what?!?!). I love the peanut butter and almond butter filled pretzels - bag demolished on the way home, always. Buy 2. A friend just turned me onto their Cowboy Salsa - that, chicken stock and poached chicken with tortilla strips - soup for dinner. Don't love the Salsa Verde - too thin. And always use the big bars of dark chocolate for Christmas baking. Bought 3 bags of the sea salt caramel chips on your recommendation but haven't tried them yet!

Expand full comment

Oh the ravioli! I’ll have to look for that tomorrow. With the season turning I’m back to the tomato & roasted pepper soup in a box. It’s a favorite afternoon snack. But my current best of all favorite is the fig butter! On toasted pumpernickel with some Philly!

Expand full comment

fig butter, cream cheese and toasted pumpernickel sounds like a first-rate combination. I'll have to try

Expand full comment

Of course I go to TJ's; I'm originally from SoCal, as is the grocery store in question. I currently live 80 miles from the nearest one, with a winding mountain road connecting us. Whenever Hubby or I have to go into town, we ask the other if there is anything we can pick up there.

Since I recently developed an intolerance to cow's milk, I'm always looking for non-dairy or sheep's milk options, many of which are at TJ's. And, of course, their snack selection is the best. I have to have their pita bite crackers in the house at all times, as they are the best thing to eat with hummus, either theirs or my homemade.

Expand full comment

those pita bite crackers are so good. I always have them around.

Expand full comment

Tell me:

Do you go to Trader Joe’s? Nope, and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to. Mostly because Smith's is closer and I don't have my own vehicle.

Is there something you cannot leave without? Isn't that a trip to any store really? :P

Have you ever been able to go into the store and buy just one thing? I'm not sure anyone has ever gone to the store for just *one* item and left. Especially if you see something one the way to the front, if your item is at the back of the store.

Who are you? I am nobody because no one sees nobody. :P

What other superpowers do you have? Is sarcasm a superpower?

Also: What do you think is blecch at Trader Joe’s? I'm pretty sure everything you posted was blecch to me. :P But I'm picky about what I eat/make.

Election night I shall be hiding under my desk with my two "kids" BB (My Tiny Terror Plot) and 'Kaz. Because I have no doubt there's going to be some form of disappointment. (Random note: BB for some reason has been using 'Kaz as a seat lately under the desk, which is hilarious when I see it.)

Expand full comment

Sarcasm is a superpower. Definitely.

Expand full comment

Trader Joe's sells the very best unsweetened cocoa. We buy three cans every time we go. This is the store where we buy all the raw nuts and seeds for my wife' s world-famous granola!

Expand full comment

Interesting! I will look for the cocoa. I always buy my nuts there too. Good prices and good turnover, so typically fresh.

Expand full comment

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. Not ashamed to admit I’ve driven 3 hours, cross border trip including a ferry crossing to nearest Trader Joe’s. Even the border agent understood. Also use them in cookies, chocolate fondue.

Expand full comment

my favorite. those I would drive 3 hours for as well. always in the house.

Expand full comment

I buy their Ridged potato chips and some of their frozen meals, of which they have a good selection. As for sweets, Chocolate Caramels are my favorite though I've bought the Chocolate covered Peanut Butter Cups, too.

Expand full comment

i find their chocolate selection super tempting.

Expand full comment

What happened to the coffee syrup at TJ? My vanilla ice cream is suffering.

Expand full comment

ha!

Expand full comment

Gosh, I hope these are all available pn the west coast! Yum.

Expand full comment

lmk!

Expand full comment