Trader Joe's Trips = CONTENT

Here’s the thing.

As the crow flies, Trader Joe’s really isn’t THAT far away.

But combine the terrible traffic, the weird location, the awful parking lot, the crowds in the store, and my lack-of-driving and I just don’t get there.

WOULD it be as special if I could go there weekly?

I FIRMLY SAY YES.

Would I get sick of the cutesy product names, the pricey snacks, the overall experience?

I FIRMLY SAY NO.

I’ve been a Trader Joe’s shopper for 30 years and I’ve loved it foreeeever.

And so, on a random Friday (but also the first post-Passover Friday, so the cabinets and fridge were pretty bare and definitely NOT full of delicious chametz) when it was somewhat quiet at my work, I asked Lance-my-husband if he’d be willing to take a quick trip before lunchtime. He said yes.

(Note that when we shop together, we spend more money than if one or the other of us goes in alone. A lot of “wait, you got what?” as the bags are being unpacked. You’ll see why I note this if you keep on reading.)

Here’s some of what I bought:

ALWAYS in my bag - the oat creamer (see, I bought two!) and the unexpected cheddar. Newer regular-buy: the unexpected cheddar spread - SO GOOD. I’ve read both great and not-great things about the vegan poke but even the bad review said it was good when doctored up. I thought, well, I like beets and I like weird things, and I’m adventurous, so I’ll give it a shot. (Note: I tried it and I REALLY LIKE IT. I don’t know what tuna/poke tastes like or if this is close, but it just…tastes good.

The other things are my husband’s - not that I won’t EAT them but I didn’t select them.

I BUY THESE EVERY TIME. They’re the perfect size, they have caffeine, they’re a great afternoon/work-is-annoying-me snack.

New thing to try! Part of me was like “I could make this” (I’d seen corn ribs on the tickitytockies) and the rest of me was like “YOU NEVER WILL, MARLA. JUST BUY THEM.” (Tried them - they are REALLY good but also just…corn. on. the. cob. with tons of vegan butter. No need to buy again. But they were tasty.)

Another. Must. Buy. Every. Time.

New thing that has potential. [Update - and a good reason why I should write these posts but let them sit before publishing - I tried these and THEY ARE GOOD. Crispy, slightly fishy, spicy, and yum. Yes. A+++]

I mean, as I write this, I’m realizing that nearly everything I buy at Trader Joe’s is either “New thing that has potential” or “Regular thing I always buy.”

SO MUCH UBE. These were new to me and I have already tried them - they’re OK but not my favorite, and I won’t buy them again. Weirdly, they smell a little like play-do to me. Anyhoo, I also got the ube pretzels (haven’t tried yet) and…

These were GOOD. Hefty, a solid dessert, may not buy again, but worth it.

I bought this because I was hungry and tore into it for lunch when we got home. Boo. No. It just wasn’t great - barely any tomatoes, teeeeeeny tiny bits of mozzarella, and a ton of lettuce. The dressing should’ve been better. I could’ve made this myself. Don’t make my mistake. Skip it.

I also bought the frozen fake chicken wings again - an Instagrammer I follow noted that the sauce they come with isn’t great and he suggested a better one. Can confirm. His ideas are solid, these are good.

Most of the rest of what I got was frozen single-serving-type meals for quick lunches, plus a new vegan ice cream that I haven’t tried yet. I ran out of steam taking pictures of everything, sorrynotsorry.

In the end, we spent $199.99 - yes really. The cashier, the bagger, and another worker noticed and we all agreed that was somehow lucky. As I write this, I’d like that luck to show itself….but hey.

NOTES: I tried to do this newsletter weekly but that’s a lot to keep up with. I think maybe every other week or once a month. Right now I have like…15 subscribers. More subscribers = motivation to write more!

Check out this interesting article from the New Yorker about how Taco Bell comes up with its weird innovations.

Until next time!