Trader Joe’s Haul

When I need to grab a few grocery items and don’t want to battle the crowds at Target or Cub, I go to Trader Joe’s. Last time I went was to grab the items I needed for the awesome Nectarine Pizza. I usually don’t buy produce there unless I’m going to use it soon because it seems to go bad really quickly.

Pre-made Salads
My favorites are the lemon chicken & arugula and peanut noodle. They are pretty tasty and SO easy to grab for a work lunch.

Chips and Veggie Straws
The quinoa and black bean chips are good for salsa and guacamole dipping, while the veggie straws are a greasy snack that satisfies my salt craving after a sweaty work-out.

Cheese
I don’t know much about cheese types, other than I like them all. So, I usually grab a few while I’m there. This last time I just grabbed plain goat cheese and some mini-babybels lights to toss in my lunches.

Nuts

Frozen Veggies
I grabbed the frozen grilled corn this go around- maybe to make this or this or this. Did you catch the theme?

Wine (not pictured)
Gone are the days of drinking 2-buck chuck, but there are some cheaper wines they carry that I enjoy. I like to grab a few I know are good and a few unknowns. I know it sounds wasteful, but if I buy a $8 bottle and I don’t like it, I don’t hesitate to pour it down the drain. Life is too short to drink bad wine.

Some other great staples:

Frozen Spinach Artichoke Dip
My friend turned me on to this- it’s a super easy and delicious appetizer if you don’t have time to make something homemade.

Peanut Butter Stuffed Pretzels
They were out the last time I went!

Coconut Oil and Creamy Peanut Butter 

I always longingly look at the flowers too, but I’ve never purchased any. I love the idea of fresh flowers but when I’m home only a few hours every day I feel like they are a waste. Maybe I should buy them and bring them to work…

PS: Here is another Trader Joe’s List from one of my favorite food instagramers, What’s Gaby Cooking.