Can I Just Live Inside Trader Joe’s?

November 28, 2010 · 76 comments

It has been a full 2 months since I was at Trader Joe’s. I can’t believe I survived that long! And I love sharing my trips with you, so take a look below at what we grabbed this morning.



Actually, first let me show you what I didn’t buy. I was so tempted to grab these, but instead snapped a pic with my phone to remember to get them next time.

It was an easy choice to leave behind the peppermint + chocolate items, because Mr. How Sweet despises the mint and chocolate combo. And by “easy,” I mean I wept every time I drove my cart past said items. Next time…


I got some of my favorite hummus and chips to snack on.

I’d say these snacks are much better than the ones Mr. How Sweet picked up last weekend, no?


Some delicious cereals.



Easy food for Mr. How Sweet to make when I’m not around.

These don’t even qualify as meals for him. They are more like snacks.


Cheese, since I’m a giant cheese hoarder.

That actually isn’t true. We go through cheese like socks in this house.


Some vegetables, so I can pretend to be healthy while they all die in my crisper drawer.



Some awesome produce.

[organic poms for only $1.49!! this is huge considering the non-organic ones at my grocery store at $3 a pop.]



Some boring, ole’ staples.



Some egg nog that I can’t wait to drink while tree trimming!

Even if every year I buy a carton, drink about 4 ounces and then throw it away.


More snacks for Mr. How Sweet.

I’ll be way too busy to make him homemade ones.


Ecstasy in seed form.

[hello lover.]

These may have been the only reason I trekked it out to TJ’s.


Now I’m enjoying a bowl of Strawberry Yogurt O’s and about to do a little cooking.

We are off to watch the Steeler game with my parents and grandpa, then hopefully returning to finish decorating the poor tree.

{ 71 comments… read them below or add one }

Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat November 28, 2010 at 4:49 pm

Oh I love Trader Joes! I also haven’t been in MONTHS, so maybe I should make a trip today! Especially to pick up those dark chocolate pom seeds :)

Reply

Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) November 28, 2010 at 4:49 pm

Trader Joe’s NEEDS to come to Canada.

Reply

Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine November 28, 2010 at 4:50 pm

Oh Trader Joe’s….is there anywhere better on earth? It’s even replaced my Sephora habit :) Confession: I’ve yet to try their dark chocolate covered pom seeds. They have way too many chocolate-covered things for my own good…

Reply

Jessica November 28, 2010 at 6:00 pm

I don’t know if anything could replace my Sephora habit…

Reply

trang November 29, 2010 at 4:16 am

I’m glad I’m not the only one with a sephora habit…I don’t know why, but for some reason I just had to snatch up that black friday tote, even though I know it will just sit in the trunk like the whbm tote I got last year with the white shirt that I still haven’t worn. I justify this by saying it had PINK lining! Plus I always miss the VIB promos.

Reply

Sana November 28, 2010 at 4:52 pm

I loveeee TJ’s! Lovee love love.

Reply

Jenna November 28, 2010 at 4:53 pm

Oh Trader Joe’s, how I love you. I’ve only been a few times, since there’s not one in Houston. You got some great things!

Traders Joe’s — are you listening? Come to the south and open one in Houston, please!

Reply

Elise November 28, 2010 at 4:56 pm

I’m pretty sure Trader Joe’s put crack in their air system. That’s the only possible explanation as to why I MUST go in there if I’m within 20 miles of a store and why I MUST fill my cart completely up! I’d list all my favorites but I’m not sure the internet has enough bandwidth :)

Reply

Jessica November 28, 2010 at 6:00 pm

That has to be it.

Reply

CJ November 28, 2010 at 4:56 pm

When did English muffins make the switch to British muffins?

One day I’ll get to visit Trader Joes…it looks like heaven!

Reply

Jessica November 28, 2010 at 6:00 pm

Pretty sure that’s just Trader Joe’s spin on it. They do things like that.

Reply

Victoria (District Chocoholic) November 28, 2010 at 4:57 pm

Oh I’m jealous of this haul. Have you seen their mini-peanut butter cups? I’ve been contemplating whipping up some teacake dough, wrapping the peanut butter cups in them, and baking them as mini cookies. Either that, or mixing them in sugar cookie dough.

Those chocolate-covered pom seeds would be an awesome replacement for chocolate chips in cookie recipes.

Reply

Jessica November 28, 2010 at 5:59 pm

Yes! Love the mini pb cups. Those sound awesome.

Reply

Marisa @Loser for Life November 28, 2010 at 5:01 pm

I could live in TJ’s, too! I used to buy those High Fiber O’s all the time! Gotta get them again!

Reply

Lauren November 28, 2010 at 5:03 pm

I totally understand about weeping when you passed the choco and mint combos. My bf doesn’t like some things that I do and it makes me want to throw a rock at his head…lovingly, of course. Always lovingly….

Reply

Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) November 28, 2010 at 5:05 pm

I would like to live in TJ’s too! I need more peanut flour and it is just far enough away to not be convenient. Enjoy the game with your family!

Reply

Michele @ Healthy Cultivations November 28, 2010 at 5:10 pm

I so love Trader Joe’s too. I don’t live near one anymore; so my mom brought me a big bag of TJ’s loot when she came for Thanksgiving. She brought jars of pumpkin butter, bags of ginger snaps and praline pecan granola, and jars of raw creamy almond butter. So good!!!

Reply

Jessica November 28, 2010 at 5:59 pm

Their pumpkin butter is SO good.

Reply

Gabriela (froyolover) November 28, 2010 at 5:10 pm

I want Trader Joe’s in Brazil!
Hahaha :D

Reply

Krystina (Basil & Wine) November 28, 2010 at 5:12 pm

I bought a box of those Joe Joe’s, ate two, and gave them to my roommates. For some reason I just don’t enjoy bought cookies now that I make my own.

Reply

Jessica November 28, 2010 at 5:58 pm

Good to know! Now I’m not as sad that I didn’t pick them up.

Reply

Tulika November 28, 2010 at 5:13 pm

OOOOOOMG TJ’s is the best! I could spend hours there. And chocolate covered pomegranate seeds? What could possibly be better?!

Reply

Jessica November 28, 2010 at 5:58 pm

Nothing. That’s what.

Reply

Erica November 28, 2010 at 5:21 pm

ah so jealous! LOVE TJs. I heard a rumor that Charleston is FINALLY getting one. Until then- my wonderful MIL ships me what I request. I haven’t tried their oreo like cookies, but have heard they’re amazing

Reply

Jessica November 28, 2010 at 5:58 pm

I hope you guys get one!

Reply

Natalie November 28, 2010 at 5:31 pm

ahhh i wish i could have sent you out with a shopping list for me too!!!! i haven’t been in months and my fridge shows it…

Reply

Ami @ beyondpeasandcarrots November 28, 2010 at 5:36 pm

we don’t have Trader Joe’s here in Canada :( . I made a trek to Whole Foods today though, for the first time in like 4 months… it was an exciting morning, I <3 Whole Foods. The closest one is like an hour away!!

PS those chocolate covered pom seeds look AMAZING!!!

Reply

Jessica November 28, 2010 at 5:58 pm

I love Whole Foods too! Both that and Trader Joe’s are about 40 minutes or so away from me.

Reply

Liana @ femme fraiche November 28, 2010 at 6:00 pm

How fun! I love food shopping excursions. Your products look so much better than the ones I find at my supermarket:( Booo

Reply

Debbie B. November 28, 2010 at 6:10 pm

I LOVE strawberry yogurt-o’s! SO GOOD. The strawberry clumps (doesn’t sound too appealing) are awesome!

Reply

Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete November 28, 2010 at 6:22 pm

I love, love, love Trader Joes, but I don’t have one in my city! I have a Huckleberry’s (picture Whole Foods but more expensive if you can imagine) 5 min from my house which has been horribly bad for my wallet!!

Those pomegranate chocolate seeds look heavenly!!!

Reply

JaNelle November 28, 2010 at 6:52 pm

TJ’s is on my list for this week. The husband/man wants some POMs.. that’s a request I can most definitely accommodate!

Reply

Lauren at KeepItSweet November 28, 2010 at 7:07 pm

ah i go through withdrawal if i go more than a week without a trip to trader joes… i saw all of the fancy chocoate covered joes joes yesterday and it was all i could do not to buy them!

Reply

Healthy Chocoholic November 28, 2010 at 7:18 pm

Argh! There’s no Trader Joe’s anywhere close to me!!!! =(

Reply

Anne @ Food Loving Polar Bear November 28, 2010 at 7:19 pm

Ahhh, those chocolate and pomegranate seeds look so good!

Reply

Susan November 28, 2010 at 7:47 pm

Haha I’m watching the game right now-Steelers are dominating!
Love TJs. Love their British muffins. Love your captions the most.

Reply

Kylie @ A Hungry Spoon November 28, 2010 at 7:52 pm

Love this! I would so much rather spend an afternoon at Trader Joe’s than the mall. I’d gladly move into the cereal aisle if given the option.

Reply

Jil @ Big City, Lil Kitchen November 28, 2010 at 7:59 pm

The dark chocolate pom seeds are the besssst!! Jealous of how big your TJ’s is…the one near me is tiny! However, I won’t complain ‘cuz I’ve got one – even if it’s teeeeny.

Reply

Paige @ Running Around Normal November 28, 2010 at 8:06 pm

Nice haulage!! Chocolate covered pom seeds?! Ummm yes please :)

Reply

Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun November 28, 2010 at 8:20 pm

I miss Trader Joes!!!!! Wahhh! And no, that was not in reference to Sookie. More in reference to the toddler who has hit the terrible twos in my home. Much more annoying.

Reply

heather November 28, 2010 at 8:51 pm

i bought a trader joe’s pomegranate last night too(but it’s next door to where i work, so i think it’s less of a thrill for me to go there, lol)…still tastes great, though. steelers are playing the bills…should be a quick win for you. : )

Reply

JessieDecks November 28, 2010 at 9:23 pm

PS – The Fleur de Sel caramel is the bomb! I made your 3 minute fudge and put that in instead of peanut butter (I also substituted some of the choc chips for butterscotch) then topped each fudge square with lavender salt…. Let’s just say they were well received :)

Reply

Kat @ Living Like the Kings November 28, 2010 at 10:01 pm

I guess it’s a good thing that the closest one to me is about 40 minutes away. Also – I LOVE pomegranates but I rarely see anyone eating/buying them. Why are they so unusual?

Reply

the blissful baker November 28, 2010 at 10:08 pm

i LOVE trader joe’s! i’m jealous of all of your groceries, especially the dark chocolate covered pomegranate seeds, yum!

Reply

Melissa (MelissaLikesToEat) November 28, 2010 at 10:46 pm

I love Trader Joes!! That frozen Mandarin Chicken is SO good!

Reply

Wei-Wei November 28, 2010 at 10:58 pm

I need Trader Joe’s. NOW.

Reply

Kelly November 28, 2010 at 11:15 pm

Does it make me weird that I enjoy seeing what others put in their cart? Too fun. I live very close to one but for some reason I don’t make it there as often as I should. The prices are awesome (I will admit I don’t really buy any of the fun stuff, just staples) but it doesn’t always seem worth the extra trip.

Reply

lisa November 29, 2010 at 12:02 am

My husband hates the chocolate peppermint combo as well. I don’t understand it and bought the peppermint hot chocolate and the candy cane oreos. They are soooo good! We finally got a trader joe’s here in SC and I’m obsessed!

Reply

Ashley November 29, 2010 at 12:18 am

Ohhh you’re making me miss TJ’s!! What awesome holiday specials. I can’t believe mr.HS does not like mint + chocolate. I don’t think we can be friends anymore!!!

Reply

Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg November 29, 2010 at 12:37 am

Ohhhh, how I love TJ’s!! I miss it so! I should come to Pittsburgh and we should hit up TJ’s together!

Reply

Jessica November 29, 2010 at 12:43 am

You should!

Reply

katie November 29, 2010 at 12:52 am

LOVE tjs!!! those animal crackers are going on my list of TO BUY!

Reply

Amber Starr November 29, 2010 at 1:09 am

Ooo, how I wish we had a Trader Joe’s somewhere nearby. I think I would spend way too much money on their delicious foods!

Those chocolate covered pomegranate arils sound amazing! I think I may have to try to find a recipe of my own to make those since nowhere around here sells them!

Reply

Holly @ yepiatethat November 29, 2010 at 1:10 am

OMG dark chocolate pom seeds. It’s 522 miles to the nearest trader joe’s for me :(

Reply

Camille November 29, 2010 at 1:23 am

It’s a good thing I don’t live anywhere near a Trader Joe’s. I’m positive the bank account couldn’t handle it. Everything looks soooo good!

Reply

chelsey @ clean eating chelsey November 29, 2010 at 1:46 am

I bought Strawberry Yogurt O’s for the husband today too! He’s never had them, so I hope he likes them!

Reply

Heather November 29, 2010 at 3:53 am

ugh, i am so jealous…colorado really needs to get up to speed on having trader joe’s!

Reply

Lisa @ I'm an Oie November 29, 2010 at 4:57 am

All this post does is make me jealous.

Thanks :) .

Hope we get a TJ’s here someday, or else I guess I gotta move to where one is.

Reply

Talia @Texas Gunslinger December 1, 2010 at 12:36 am

I’m with Lisa! I flippin’ love TJs but haven’t been in forever. I’ve only gone to that location once and then got lost trying to get home and ended up in the “ghetto” (not ghetto fabulous, just ghetto) and it took me an hour and a half to get home. I guess I shouldn’t let that deter me from going again, but I do not like driving downtown and since I live out by the airport, it’s a long ways…however, they have some things that I know are TOTALLY worth the drive and hassle. I’m now jealous, too….

Reply

CaSaundra November 29, 2010 at 1:15 pm

The closest TJ’s is 4 hours from me–so I am jealous of all the goodies you got! :-)

Reply

Kacy November 29, 2010 at 1:37 pm

I cannot believe I’ve never shopped at a TJ’s. It’s a crime! Everything sounds lovely..

Reply

Kim in MD November 29, 2010 at 2:04 pm

I love, love, love Trader Joe’s! I could live there, too! :-)

Reply

Leave a Comment

{ 5 trackbacks }

Previous post:

Next post: