Tuesday, September 18, 2012

trader joe's must-haves

Trader Joe's opened its doors in Pasadena, CA in 1967, so being a Californian myself, I was fortunate to grow up with two TJ's within 5-10 miles from my house. Now that I live in Charlotte, Trader Joe's is still at my disposal, with my favorite store being the university location. 

My fridge is stocked from TJ's!


Although it has changed and progressed over the years, some things have remained the same - their gorgeous and affordable flower selection, their low priced wines and unique foods.


 Between items I grew up eating to foods recommended by friends and items I've bought on my own, below are my (and Bryan's) must-have Trader Joe's items...

 Dip Tips: 
Blue Cheese Roasted Pecan Dip served on thinly sliced baby beets is pure heaven.
Roasted Gorgonzola crackers with Three Layer Hummus is a party in your mouth!
Tzatziki and Reduced Guilt Pita Chips will be devoured in one sitting.

And because every post is better when Cali's in it...


Fun TJ's Fact:
My college boyfriend's God Father is Charles Shaw. The "2 Buck Chuck" in the flesh!

35 comments:

  1. Love me some Trader Joes and 2 Buck Chuck!

    xoxo

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  2. I love Trader Joes, too! Those quesadillas are so good! I picked up the lime chicken burgers the last time I was in, but haven't cooked them yet... do you grill them or cook them inside?

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  3. Officially hungry. =)

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  4. I love this! I will definitely be trying some of these products! :) great idea!

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  5. That is so freaking cool about your college boyfriend! Have you met Charles Shaw??
    We use to shop there a lot more but since I went on a wine drinking hiatus we haven't been over there as much.

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  6. We are getting our very 1st TJ's in Houston and it open this weekend! Thanks for sharing these item, I cannot wait to go shopping!

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  7. I'm starving now!! Wish we had TJ's around me :(

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  8. I miss Trader Joe's so much! There was one right around the corner when I lived in Santa Barbara!

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  9. We just got a TJ's in Lexington, and I was beyond stoked to get my hiney in there, and it did not disappoint. Such great stuff, and their mini tacos are to die for!

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  10. TJ products look amazing! I'm hoping to take a trip there when I'm next in the US. I also heard their fresh salad br is incredible!

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  11. LOVE TJ's!! My Grandma lived in Chandler, AZ and I would send her $$ so she could ship my groceries to Missouri!! We FINALLY got our own TJ's!!!!

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  12. TJ's is by far my favorite grocery store in the world!! Especially because of the 2 Buck Chuck! It's total devastation though that my closest Trader Joes is 2.5 hours away- it should be criminal.

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  13. I LOVE Trader Joe's but do not normally shop there much because it isn't on my way home. From the looks of your groceries, I need to start going there more! I love their peanut butter :)

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  14. Trader Joe's is my favorite and you have some great picks! That's such a fun fact about your college boyfriend. Too funny.

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  15. I'm obsessed with Trader Joes! I went this weekend and got their bean dip and taco seasoning!

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  16. Your post is making me hungry! Yummy!

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  17. Then I'm sure you know the real reason behind "2 buck chuck"!! If so, you need to share!! :)

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  18. I really need to go the TJ more. Its not that far from my house, but Lucky's is closer. I love TJ's. Have you had their tamales? DELICIOUS!

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  19. We don't even have a TJ's. Now I think that's a must have. And where is your shirt from? So cute!

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  20. We have a Trader Joes close by but I've never been there -- eek! Some of these products look so good though!! I think I need to start shopping there!

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  21. haha wowo I looked through so many and was like yumm thats my fav.. oh wait i love that too haha

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  22. Oh goodness, your selections look amazing!!! I am happy my town is finally getting one the middle of next month!! I can't wait to check out their inexpensive wine selection (and other goodies too!).

    -Lindsay

    www.lindsay1128.blogspot.com

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  23. Thank you so much for this post!! I always feel soooo overwhelmed when I go there. These picks look like just what I would want there!

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  24. ok good i see the mandarin chicken, pita chips and hummus those are TJ staples for sure!! all the other stuff is just super yummy, can't resist TJ. you gotta try their cookie butter, it is like nutella but made with cookie, sounds strange i know but really really good

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  25. the ONLY thing you're missing is those gone bananas bites!!! i've discovered them recently and i am obsessed...now you're making me hungry!! love me some TJ's

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  26. Sadly I have never been to Trader Joe's, but you make me want to go even more!!

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  27. That's ALOT of Trader Joe commodity! Yummmm

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  28. I'm going to TJ's on Friday...cannot wait for some fun shopping. Can never resist that place! ;)

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  29. I shouldn't have read this post since I'm pretty hungry...and now I want all of that stuff.

    Gosh, I love TJ's.

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  30. love trader joes!! and cali is soooo cute

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  31. Living in Texas, I've only been to Trader Joe's once and it was when I was in Seattle. They're starting to open them around TX though and I think they just opened one about 30 minutes from me...I will definitely be making a trip there this weekend! (like I need more food in my house)

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  32. Make space! I'm so coming over for dinner! hehe

    xx

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  33. I have never been to Trader Joe's. I know...shocker! They just opened one in Lex and KR is dying to go. I told him "i can use Kate's shopping list" haha! True story. All of this looks delish!!

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  34. I'm dying because I have tried almost all of your favs, lol! I love the chicekn friend rice and add LOTS of veggies and more chicken to it!

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