Must Haves from Whole Foods/Trader Joes

[ShannonMB]

Aw, I feel so guilty living within 5 minutes of a TJ and an awesome Whole Foods after reading how far some of you drive to get there! I think TJs is very reasonably priced, but I do spend a MINT when I go to Whole Foods because I always get seduced by all the beautiful prepared foods.

Our Whole Foods in Columbus came to us a few years ago, and I'll never forget the first time I went in there. I was truly dazzled! I was with my mom, and I was like, OMG, this place is like Disney World for food! First you walk into the produce section, and practically anything you can imagine is there, including ostrich eggs and all sorts of fruits and veggies I'd never heard of! Then turn the corner to the fresh seafood, and they always have a huge monkfish or some other strange fish looking at you. DD always gets a kick out of seeing what they have there. The meats, like gourmet stuffed burgers and housemade sausages, chicken with all different sorts of marinade, the BBQ bar with hot and ready ribs, brisket and buttery mashed potatoes. I even love the olive bar -- so many different kinds of shiny olives of all sizes and stuffed with all different sorts of cheeses and pearl onions! The prepared Italian section, with huge slices of different styles of lasagne just ready for you to take them home and warm them up. Cheese wheels bigger than the tires on your car, samples of all different sorts of smelly cheeses. The salad bar, with the freshest of the fresh ingredients and all sorts of prepared salads, pita, hummus, sprouts! The big brick oven they are using to bake pizzas before your eyes, and of course a huge selection of take and bakes. A fresh sushi bar with seating, a million different soups hot in the pot and ready to eat, another hot foot station with different international faves. And when I finally make my way to the dessert section, my eyes practically pop out every time I see the gorgeous, indescribable cupcakes, cakes, and fruit tarts, and the candy area with a chocolate fountain dripping brown deliciousness. The grind your own nut butter station. I could go on and on....oh, wait, I have!

Yeah, it's better on the wallet and the diet when I DON'T go in there, but I love it! And I love everything in the TJs frozen aisle!

 

[NemoMOm]

We are making a run in the morning. Our must haves :

Organic PB 2.50 at TJ 4.99 at my grocer!

Organic apples 5lb 2.49

Organic Ketchup 1.99

Organic aniaml crackers 1lb 3.99

DH loves their box mac and cheese (does not like homemade)
TJ makes their with no icky stuff at .99 a box

PB pretzels

Numerous types of crackers

We usually fill up about 5 bags of pantry staples for under $50 and it lasts usually 2 months

 

[jrnunzio3]

Aw, I feel so guilty living within 5 minutes of a TJ and an awesome Whole Foods after reading how far some of you drive to get there! I think TJs is very reasonably priced, but I do spend a MINT when I go to Whole Foods because I always get seduced by all the beautiful prepared foods.

Our Whole Foods in Columbus came to us a few years ago, and I'll never forget the first time I went in there. I was truly dazzled! I was with my mom, and I was like, OMG, this place is like Disney World for food! First you walk into the produce section, and practically anything you can imagine is there, including ostrich eggs and all sorts of fruits and veggies I'd never heard of! Then turn the corner to the fresh seafood, and they always have a huge monkfish or some other strange fish looking at you. DD always gets a kick out of seeing what they have there. The meats, like gourmet stuffed burgers and housemade sausages, chicken with all different sorts of marinade, the BBQ bar with hot and ready ribs, brisket and buttery mashed potatoes. I even love the olive bar -- so many different kinds of shiny olives of all sizes and stuffed with all different sorts of cheeses and pearl onions! The prepared Italian section, with huge slices of different styles of lasagne just ready for you to take them home and warm them up. Cheese wheels bigger than the tires on your car, samples of all different sorts of smelly cheeses. The salad bar, with the freshest of the fresh ingredients and all sorts of prepared salads, pita, hummus, sprouts! The big brick oven they are using to bake pizzas before your eyes, and of course a huge selection of take and bakes. A fresh sushi bar with seating, a million different soups hot in the pot and ready to eat, another hot foot station with different international faves. And when I finally make my way to the dessert section, my eyes practically pop out every time I see the gorgeous, indescribable cupcakes, cakes, and fruit tarts, and the candy area with a chocolate fountain dripping brown deliciousness. The grind your own nut butter station. I could go on and on....oh, wait, I have!

Yeah, it's better on the wallet and the diet when I DON'T go in there, but I love it! And I love everything in the TJs frozen aisle!

OK, I haven't been to Whole Foods, even though there is one in the next town. After reading this, I am going to make a trip up there next week.
Thanks,
Jenny

 

[TinkerbelleAbbysMom]

We have 2 WF in the nashville area. The one in Cool Springs took over a Wild Oats location so I am not sure how much that affects this..but the one in Green Hills is sooooo big. They offer so many more things too. Maybe it's just me but that one just seems better. I love WF I need to try TJ though.
Just a quick question.. how do you all fix kale. I bought some and have read online but nothing jumps out. Thought I would ask my fellow Disers.

 

[cjlvsccm]

How funny that you posted this today. I was planning to come here this afternoon and either do a search or ask the same question about Trader Joe's.

I have seen many threads on here about the store and want to check it out so badly. The closest one to me is in Atlanta and we are just outside of Bham. We are going to Atlanta this weekend to take dd to the AG store for her bday. I had already decided that I must check out Trader Joe's before heading back home.

I now have lots of ideas on what to look for. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!

We have 2 WF in the nashville area. The one in Cool Springs took over a Wild Oats location so I am not sure how much that affects this..but the one in Green Hills is sooooo big. They offer so many more things too. Maybe it's just me but that one just seems better. I love WF I need to try TJ though.
Just a quick question.. how do you all fix kale. I bought some and have read online but nothing jumps out. Thought I would ask my fellow Disers.

leagirl12, I'm like you, far away from these grocery-fests!! We have been to TJ's in Nashville a couple times. We DID take a cooler for the second trip, after seeing all the goodies I wish could have survived the 2-hr drive home the first time.

The frozen foods we have tried: orange chicken, fried rice, chicken and chili burritos, a dinner called Sonora Chicken (I think?), and I still have a bag of frozen veggies. Other things include TJ brand mushroom soup and garlic soup, organic mac-n-cheese, Joe-Joe's, chocolate covered cranberries, buffalo jerky, and DH found a beer that has disappeared here in town -- Red Bridge. Several other things that I can't even remember, but everything gets a .


TinkerbelleAbbysMom, I didn't even know about the WF stores there, I'll have to look them up!! We are scheduled to get an EarthFare store soon... I've read that it's similar to WF, so by this summer I may not need to make a road trip for good groceries!! We also have a small Fresh Market, but it is pretty limited.


Thanks for the tips, everyone!

 

[Rosiekins]

I love Trader Joes, Many of their prices are so much lower then the grocery store. The same Marmalade costs me a little more then $3 at TJ and almost $7 at SS. The things that are a little more costly are worth it because they are REALLY good quality. I am more then happy to shell out a little more for something that is nice quality and healthy then buy crud because it is cheaper. One thing about TJ's is that have really good policies and try really hard to offer you the best quality at the best price. If something starts to cost more then they think is fair, or if the quality falls they will drop the product. I love that. I am not a huge WF fan because while they have nice things, good meat, produce etc... They absolutely charge more because they know their market will pay it because they are "health" store. I don't think that is fair so I don't like to support them. I prefer to find local business that carry the same things for less and support my local economy.

Somethings I like at TJ are
Orange Chicken (I add fresh orange zest and fresh squeezed OJ to the sauce out of this world)
Basmati Rice white and Brown
Nuts and Dried fruit (best price anywhere)
Petite Peas....BEST PEAS EVER
Frozen fruit (amazing prices and quality)
Yogurt
Puffins (Half the price of the grocery store and almost a third the price of WF)
Jam (so yummy I cook with it or put it on toast)
Some produce (try to buy this local and I don't think TJ has the best)
Frozen Naan (best we can find and sooo cheap)
Frozen Shrimp
Chocolate Chips (unlike store brand chips these taste soooo good)
Candy Cane Jo Jo's
Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Island Soyaki Sauce (Yum on Salmon *drool*)
Pound Chocolate Bars (for cooking)
Three packs of little Chocolate bars for less then $2
Dr Broners (sp) Castile soap
And so much more

 

[bigmama67]

Another vote for Whole Foods pizza dough - organic white or wheat dough, a 1 pound ball for $1.69! They also have GREAT prices on organic veggies; a cranberry trail mix for $5.99 a bag; and the peanut-butter grinding machine is wonderful...we always get the fresh honey-roast PB.

They have the BEST prices around on organic milk and yogurt.

I love their detergent as well (dish and laundry)...and they have a dog biscuit good for my older doggie's joints.

They always have produce specials that are great...for instance, I bought fingerling potatoes there for Thanksgiving dinner.

Also as others have said the bulk spice and oats are great. Snacks too - dried pineapple rings, yogurt raisins, yogurt pretzels...

I have only been to TJ's a handful of times but I just love the whole place!

 

[mommylovesdisney]

I love Trader Joes, Many of their prices are so much lower then the grocery store. The same Marmalade costs me a little more then $3 at TJ and almost $7 at SS. The things that are a little more costly are worth it because they are REALLY good quality. I am more then happy to shell out a little more for something that is nice quality and healthy then buy crud because it is cheaper. One thing about TJ's is that have really good policies and try really hard to offer you the best quality at the best price. If something starts to cost more then they think is fair, or if the quality falls they will drop the product. I love that. I am not a huge WF fan because while they have nice things, good meat, produce etc... They absolutely charge more because they know their market will pay it because they are "health" store. I don't think that is fair so I don't like to support them. I prefer to find local business that carry the same things for less and support my local economy.


Somethings I like at TJ are
Orange Chicken (I add fresh orange zest and fresh squeezed OJ to the sauce out of this world)
Basmati Rice white and Brown
Nuts and Dried fruit (best price anywhere)
Petite Peas....BEST PEAS EVER
Frozen fruit (amazing prices and quality)
Yogurt
Puffins (Half the price of the grocery store and almost a third the price of WF)
Jam (so yummy I cook with it or put it on toast)
Some produce (try to buy this local and I don't think TJ has the best)
Frozen Naan (best we can find and sooo cheap)
Frozen Shrimp
Chocolate Chips (unlike store brand chips these taste soooo good)
Candy Cane Jo Jo's
Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Island Soyaki Sauce (Yum on Salmon *drool*)
Pound Chocolate Bars (for cooking)
Three packs of little Chocolate bars for less then $2
Dr Broners (sp) Castile soap
And so much more

ditto on all you said! One of the only reasons I ever go to WF (it's a 1/2 hour away from me, vs 15min for TJ's) anymore is b/c they have a ginormous selection of natural care products that I can smell, sample before I buy them online directly.

Some TJ staples in our house:
Schoolhouse cookies
dish detergent
soyaki
Calcium,mag and D in green food
Gummie vites
I could go on and on really!! I Trader Joe's

 

[2bearsmom]

Aw, I feel so guilty living within 5 minutes of a TJ and an awesome Whole Foods after reading how far some of you drive to get there! I think TJs is very reasonably priced, but I do spend a MINT when I go to Whole Foods because I always get seduced by all the beautiful prepared foods.

Our Whole Foods in Columbus came to us a few years ago, and I'll never forget the first time I went in there. I was truly dazzled! I was with my mom, and I was like, OMG, this place is like Disney World for food! First you walk into the produce section, and practically anything you can imagine is there, including ostrich eggs and all sorts of fruits and veggies I'd never heard of! Then turn the corner to the fresh seafood, and they always have a huge monkfish or some other strange fish looking at you. DD always gets a kick out of seeing what they have there. The meats, like gourmet stuffed burgers and housemade sausages, chicken with all different sorts of marinade, the BBQ bar with hot and ready ribs, brisket and buttery mashed potatoes. I even love the olive bar -- so many different kinds of shiny olives of all sizes and stuffed with all different sorts of cheeses and pearl onions! The prepared Italian section, with huge slices of different styles of lasagne just ready for you to take them home and warm them up. Cheese wheels bigger than the tires on your car, samples of all different sorts of smelly cheeses. The salad bar, with the freshest of the fresh ingredients and all sorts of prepared salads, pita, hummus, sprouts! The big brick oven they are using to bake pizzas before your eyes, and of course a huge selection of take and bakes. A fresh sushi bar with seating, a million different soups hot in the pot and ready to eat, another hot foot station with different international faves. And when I finally make my way to the dessert section, my eyes practically pop out every time I see the gorgeous, indescribable cupcakes, cakes, and fruit tarts, and the candy area with a chocolate fountain dripping brown deliciousness. The grind your own nut butter station. I could go on and on....oh, wait, I have!

Yeah, it's better on the wallet and the diet when I DON'T go in there, but I love it! And I love everything in the TJs frozen aisle!

This is the kind of Whole Foods I wish we had! Although our new Giant Eagle grocery store that opened up not too far from us sounds just like your description of your Whole Foods...

 

[Goofyzgurl]

okay, this is a sign that I have to get to Trader Joes. We've been thinking of going up to atl this past week, but have been too lazy. Well, tomrrow is the day.

 

[Inigo]

Everyone has great suggestions about TJ's, but I haven't seen anyone mention the salmon. I don't really like salmon, but I love the frozen churro sauce (I think that's what it was) salmon at Trader Joe's. I am definitely stocking up when I head to Indy to the doctor next month.

 

[disfan07]

we have a WF right across the street and we have a TJ about 10 minutes away.

At WF, we mostly get the allergy safe items (egg free, peanut free, and gluten free)
- Vans egg and dairy free waffles (they have the regular ones too)
- gluten free chicken corn chowder (delicious)
- Ians brand turkey corn dogs
- Ians brand onion rings
- Newmans Lemonade (its cheaper than at ralphs for us)
- virgils root beer
- salsa
Thats about it for WF

At Trader Joes we usually get:
- Trader Joes fish sticks (egg free....i love them)
- Trader Joes chicken drummettes
- frozen mini chicken tacos
- cinnamon and sugar pita chips
- trader joes kettle corn
- italian style chicken sausage
- bbq beef brisket
- virgils root beer
- Pizza dough
- at ours they have a great selection of kosher meats which we find better than regular meat adn at TJs it is cheap

we dont really care about organic items. Our bigger problem is finding foods that are egg and peanut free AND not made in teh same facility or on the same line as peanuts. Its a pain but TJs has a better selection of that stuff than WF which is why we like TJs better

We love trader Joes....ours is cheaper than our regular grocery stores (Albertsons, Vons, Ralphs)

On a weekly basis we shop at Ralphs, TJs, and WF

 

[tar heel]

I made my first trip to Trader Joe's about a month ago, and, honestly, found it a mixed bag. I bought two products I disliked, both of which are listed on this thread as recommendations:

Orange Chicken -- sauce good, chicken GROSS. Perhaps it's because I don't usually buy things like frozen chicken nuggets, but I found the quality of the actual chicken meat very scrappy.

basmati rice -- odd smell and taste, not even close to the Indian grocery store product. More expensive, too.

I also was really happy with one product listed on this thread: potstickers.

The produce, cheese and wine were good quality. The granola, cereal and curry lemongrass chicken sticks were okay, but I wouldn't make a special trip to buy them.

 

[Leader of the Club]

We have both TJ's and WF within walking distance of the house. I very rarely go to either. I feel inspired to give it another go....

 

[andrews1ma]

We are making a very conscious effort to cut out snacks in our house that contain High Fructose Corn Syrup. My DS is a snack addict so it was really important to have items in the house for him that were still fun to eat but also better for him. My staple purchases are as follows:

Frozen Pretzels- by Kim and Scott
these are great after school snacks- they come in several flavors including the Grilled Cheese flavor and pack about 9 grams of protein in each pretzel. My DS takes one for lunch as he is a picky eater.

Nature's Path Pop Tarts in Chocolate Fudge - these are great- no HFCS

Cereal- Two Sisters make great Knock Off cereals that come in a bag. DS's fave's are :
Graham Cracker ones ( taste like Golden Grahams)
The Cinnamon Toast one ( Like Cinamon toast Crunch)
Marshmallow Oaties ( Lucky Charms)
Frosted Mini Wheats - taste just like Kellogs brand

Luna Bars- Whole foods is the only place that carries my favorite flavor- Cookies and Cream - yummmmm

Cinnamon Danish Bars ( I forgot the brand name ) but these are delish- they are near the pop tarts and breakfast bars area

Whole foods Brand instant oatmeal

Southwest Taco seasoning Packets- so much better/ healthier for you than the Ortega type brands and no yucky stuff like MSG and these actually taste better!

Whole foods brand Cheese curls- again better than cheetos- no Hydrogenated oils and taste just as good!

I buy all of my cold cuts there- no Nitrates- you can get the packaged ones that have a longer shelf life

Trader Joes:

Joe Joes ( like oreos- but better!)

There's more that I cant think of at the moment as I am not in my kitchen but basically try and find items that are staple items and replace them with Whole Foods r TJ's version as they are better for you.

Have fun shopping! My shopping day is Sunday and it takes me over 2 1/2 hrs total as I do my normal Grocery store first, then whole foods and TJ's for all of the other stuff I mentioned above.

 

[dakcp2001]

Aw, I feel so guilty living within 5 minutes of a TJ and an awesome Whole Foods after reading how far some of you drive to get there! I think TJs is very reasonably priced, but I do spend a MINT when I go to Whole Foods because I always get seduced by all the beautiful prepared foods.

Our Whole Foods in Columbus came to us a few years ago, and I'll never forget the first time I went in there. I was truly dazzled! I was with my mom, and I was like, OMG, this place is like Disney World for food! First you walk into the produce section, and practically anything you can imagine is there, including ostrich eggs and all sorts of fruits and veggies I'd never heard of! Then turn the corner to the fresh seafood, and they always have a huge monkfish or some other strange fish looking at you. DD always gets a kick out of seeing what they have there. The meats, like gourmet stuffed burgers and housemade sausages, chicken with all different sorts of marinade, the BBQ bar with hot and ready ribs, brisket and buttery mashed potatoes. I even love the olive bar -- so many different kinds of shiny olives of all sizes and stuffed with all different sorts of cheeses and pearl onions! The prepared Italian section, with huge slices of different styles of lasagne just ready for you to take them home and warm them up. Cheese wheels bigger than the tires on your car, samples of all different sorts of smelly cheeses. The salad bar, with the freshest of the fresh ingredients and all sorts of prepared salads, pita, hummus, sprouts! The big brick oven they are using to bake pizzas before your eyes, and of course a huge selection of take and bakes. A fresh sushi bar with seating, a million different soups hot in the pot and ready to eat, another hot foot station with different international faves. And when I finally make my way to the dessert section, my eyes practically pop out every time I see the gorgeous, indescribable cupcakes, cakes, and fruit tarts, and the candy area with a chocolate fountain dripping brown deliciousness. The grind your own nut butter station. I could go on and on....oh, wait, I have!

Yeah, it's better on the wallet and the diet when I DON'T go in there, but I love it! And I love everything in the TJs frozen aisle!

I could have written this post just now! I went to a Whole Foods today, and I lost a few hours. I wandered around dazed and inspired. I bought the most beautiful fresh produce ever, can't wait to cook some of it! I really had to stop myself from going way overboard, the prices were HIGH. lol. BUt I will def be going back!

 

[tpimental]

I love the frozen orange chicken at TJs. And I always buy the dark chocolate covered Joe Joe cookies....YUM! The Pompogranate Limade is really good and even better in a margarita. The cheese selection is so good at TJs. I also love their Next to Godliness Hand Soap.

 

[pweyl36]

From Trader Joe's we love:

frozen bananas
chix tacos
frozen potatos w/ peppers and onions
spinach dip
all the pot stickers

 

[Jennifer in MI]

Trader Joes is where I do most of my grocery shopping. We don't do much processed food, so we get mostly produce there. Their selection of organic produce is amazing and the price is nearly the same as the grocery store.

My list last week included:

Salad fixings (romaine, carrots, onions, sprouts, tomatoes, celery, cucumber, peppers, avacado)
Fresh fruit (apples, mangoes, pears, grapefruit)
Fresh veggies (broccoli, califlower - for snacking)

Pita and tortillas

Cheese (they have THE best selection of organic cheeses!)

Chicken (their organic chickens are WONDERFUL!)

Frozen veggies (we love the broccoli, asparagus, green beans, corn, three pepper mix, peas)

Yogurt - the European style plain is wonderful
We sweeten it with their organic all-fruit jellies

Peanut butter (organic PB is CHEAP at TJs!)
Sunflower butter (we have a peanut allergic child)

Pasta (their organic pasta is only $1.29/pound)
Milk
Black beans, garbanzo beans

This past week, my dd snuck a bag of pretzels into our cart. Stinker! They're the whole wheat organic ones.

I do love their potstickers too! We have them as an occasional treat.

 

[kellia]

We only have a TJ's about 1 hour from us, but when we do go near there, I love their Endame (sp?) chips, pizza dough, and simmering sauces. I always try to get something different each time to try, too! I think they are pretty pricey for their milk and fresh produce.