Many of us real foodies were super excited when the new Trader Joe's opened up here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I knew that everything there wouldn't be all sparkly in the whole store, that's not going to happen anywhere, not anytime soon that is, but I figured that at least I could find a few things that I hadn't been able to source easily around here.
And I did find some of those items there, but not as many as I'd hoped.
In the below video I share a few goodies that I came away with, and a few of the frustrations, too.
What to Buy at Trader Joes (Please will you share what you get there below?)
By the way, if you don't like watching videos and you'd rather read a transcript, scroll down to the bottom. Note: Periscope REALLY needs to change it so the video orientation can be side-to-side instead of up and down like it is here, it just looks wonky! (Follow me on Periscope here.)
Watch the video here, it'll play after the ad:
I showed you my blueberry muffins and mentioned in the video that I'm using more Einkorn flour lately, I just love the stuff after reading more about its many health benefits in the new Einkorn Cookbook… “Everything about einkorn is different“:
- Einkorn is the only wheat never hybridized. By the way, note that hybridization and genetic modification (GMOs) are very different, and genetically modified seeds are much worse than hybrid seeds; but for certain plants, they’ve been hybridized SO much, that the resulting crop is not easily digested in some people.
- Unlike hybrids, which are developed in the field using natural, low-tech methods, GM varieties are created in a lab using highly complex technology, such as gene splicing. These high-tech GM varieties can include genes from several species — a phenomenon that almost never occurs in nature.” (Read the entire explanation from Mother Earth News.)
- Einkorn only yields about 1/5th of what modern wheat yields, but it has 30% more protein and 15% less starch, which means fewer carbs! (And if you’re a pre-menopausal woman in your late 40’s like myself, well, that’s good news.)
- It has 50% more manganese, riboflavin, and zinc, and 20% more magnesium (it seems most of us are deficient in magnesium), thiamin, niacin, iron, and vitamin B6.
And remember: More nutrients = more flavor.
See my post on it here: Could this be the answer to the gluten sensitivity epidemic?
Tell us: what do YOU buy at Trader Joe's?
Related posts, or not:
- Follow me on Periscope here.
- How I got lazy and the 5 ways I've recommitted to eating healthy food!
- How We Got Kent OFF Blood Pressure Medication
- How to Fight Depression and Anxiety Naturally: 20 Helpful Tips for Anxiety, Depression, and Fatigue
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VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:
Hi Guys-
The other day I went to Trader Joe’s because we just got a new one in our area here in Grand Rapids, Michigan, so I thought I’d show you some of the deals that I found there.
And, by the way, I’m Kelly the Kitchen Kop in case you don’t follow my blog, (for those who were watching on Persicope) and I did find a few deals, but first I want to tell you that one thing that really bugged me is that there are big signs all over the store that say, “No GMOs”, and there were some other signs too, like claiming what is not in their food, but there has to be GMOs in their store, and I don’t understand how they can say that because everything there is not organic and a lot of the things that are not organic have canola oil, so right there we know for sure there are GMOs in the store. (And in the soy-and corn-based ingredients too…)
But besides that little beef, I did find a lot of good deals there. Not as many as I thought though. I was surprised at how few items I really did end up finding there.
So one thing I was really irritated about was that there was only one whole milk organic yogurt in the whole store. One whole milk organic yogurt, only one at Trader Joe’s. (The rest were low fat, no-fat!! Come ON!!! Give us real food.) That made me really exasperated! Thankfully it is pretty good and it’s grass-fed, and the kids really like it. They made parfaits with it yesterday and put some fresh, organic fruit in there.
I do like to get ketchup there. I used to go to a Trader Joe’s over by my sister’s in Ann Arbor, and I remember they always had organic ketchup at a better price than our local grocery store. I think it’s $2 a bottle.
I also found some real sourdough bread, and you know it’s real sourdough if it does not have any yeast in it, however it didn’t taste that great, but it was a good price: I think it was like $4 a loaf, or something like that. What we like better, but we don’t get it very much because it’s expensive for sourdough, is this asiago cheese sourdough that we can get at our grocery store here nearby, but it’s $7 a loaf. Pretty bad, right? That’s why we only get it for a treat once in a while. Normally we get a loaf for $3.69, which is still kind of high for bread, but it’s a fermented bread — we like the multi-grain, or sometimes we’ll get their buns, but it’s from a local baker and the ingredients are all recognizable. So that’s what we get for our everyday bread.
Another deal I found there was, well I can’t necessarily say it was a deal, but I was willing to pay for this no matter what it was because it’s Alaskan cod, and the only thing on the label is Alaskan cod. I thought that was cool. (It’s tricky to find seafood without chemical preservatives.)
And then I was able to find some raw shrimp and the only ingredients were salt and shrimp. So I was pretty happy about that, too.
So that’s it for what I found at Trader Joe’s. I got a few other odds-and-ends, but nothing really that significant that I can’t find at other places.
I also wanted to show you, totally separate from the Trader Joe’s trip, the muffins I made this morning. Don’t these look wonderful? These are blueberry muffins and they are from my new favorite cookbook, Einkorn: Recipes for Nature’s Original Wheat. It’s my favorite because I love using Einkorn flour these days because it’s the original wheat, much more digestible, much better for us, there’s lots of reasons for that and I’ll add links to that in my post (the links are above).
You can find me at KellytheKitchenKop.com and hopefully you will follow me on Periscope. Have a great weekend everybody!
karenf222 says
Kelly, here’s a link to the article I read. I do understand that things can change from year to year. 🙁
https://consumerist.com/2015/05/21/6-out-of-11-extra-virgin-olive-oils-tested-dont-meet-standard/
karenf333 says
I buy their California Estate Olive Oil, which made a very, VERY short list of truly organic olive oils. It seems we’re being scammed on the olive oil front.
Kenn32 says
Imported Italian chestnuts have been available at TJ’s for a few years around this time of year. Unfortunately, they need to be refrigerated for best shelf life, and they are always set out on the produce display as non-perishable product at room temp. If you can get them just after they come into the store for the season, before they have set too long, you might be able to care for them properly to keep them usable for a short time. The problems caused by improper room temp storage are spoilage by mold; and drying out, which will make them like rocks that roasting won’t improve. These chestnuts, being imported, means that they are already at a half life point after harvest where they need to be used as soon as possible.
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Those of you who said you get coconut oil here, do you know anything about the source or where it’s from? I’m kind of picky about that for some things (like meat for sure, and olive oil too, since it is often cut with cheap veg oils!-see today’s new post, so that’s why I don’t get that here), thanks for all your great info, guys!
Kel
jmr says
I forgot to put coconut oil on my list. I always buy it there because it is far cheaper than anywhere else. I also love their dark chocolate covered caramels, but those are in no way healthy, real food. They just taste good.
Claire says
I buy their 4 lb bag of dry cat food and my finicky cats love it!! I also really like their mini snack size bags of cashews, almonds and small chocolate chips…the mango is also delicious and affordable.
Jeremy says
Cheapest Organic Coconut oil and Peanut butter!
Jeanne Branick says
I have been shopping occasionally at Trader Joes for years! I am not impressed with the store. I call it the store to go to if you don’t cook from scratch.
I like some of the frozen fish. They have more floor space for wine then fruits and vegetables. I will say the store is cheerful and the employees very friendly.
Manda Durham Wallbridge says
Organic coffee! If we can’t make it to the farmers market, we will pick up some organic grass fed beef and organic free range chicken, although we really prefer to get that direct from the farm. We’ll occasionally get some organic produce there too, again, if we hadn’t made it to the farmers market that week.
Puente Diane says
I love Trader Joes!
Ruth Parrish Ankney says
We were there Friday afternoon. Was less than impressed. Glad others find it useful. Won’t be making the 45 minute drive back.
Nicolle Colvin says
Not impressed at all with the food there.
Michele Riley Ohmer says
we make our own sourdough bread, so tasty and very inexpensive. Their Kalamata Olive oil is really good, & nuts, organic br rice pasta.
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Michele Riley Ohmer — I’ve got a great recipe (from a friend) on my site, but have not been able to master it, darn it! https://kellythekitchenkop.com/best-sourdough-bread-recipe/
jmr says
I have a love-hate relationship with TJ’s. I do love the few products I buy there regularly. I hate the parking lot (all TJ’s are in locations that are near impossible to get out of the parking lot and onto the street going the direction I want to go), setup of the stores, and the oblivious woman on her cell phone with a dozen kids and a shopping cart blocking all the items I want to buy. There is always a woman blocking the food I need in the most obnoxious way possible. Oddly, it is never a man.
I buy wine, wedges of parmesan cheese, frozen organic broccoli, spinach and strawberries, bacon ends and pieces, grassfed ground beef when I haven’t gotten any at the farmer’s market, brown rice pasta, and canned smoked oysters. I sometimes buy sour cream and half & half (not ultra pasteurized and no gums/additives) when I’m there, but I don’t make a special trip to get it like I do the other items. The Kerrygold butter at TJ’s is about 50 cents more expensive than at WF so I don’t buy it there.
Oh, when I arrive, I always get a tiny cup of coffee to drink while I shop. I don’t buy coffee there, though because I don’t like the organic decaf they have.
KitchenKop says
It’s funny you say that about the parking lot and the aisles. Supposedly ours has a better parking lot than most, but it still seemed a bit cramped, but maybe that’s just where I parked. I think toward the back had more space and a TON more space than the parking lot in Ann Arbor. And the aisles *were* set up kind of funky somehow, can’t put my finger on it, but everything was pretty crowded… I was probably the one in your way part of the time, I was taking notes, doing a lot of price comparing, etc., I’m sorry to all those people I annoyed! 🙂
Kel
Susie Zimmer Zahratka says
Unfortunately not much. Most things I find to be very low quality.
Paul Fassa says
Unfortunately, Kelly you missed a lot of good healthy foods at Trader Joe’s. What about their genuine, l third party verified olive oil, pure, real maple syrup, Kerrygold butter, organic wine, excellent,, artisanal, imported cheeses made with whole, raw goat’s milk, organic arugula, organic apples, organic spinach and more. Perhaps you should redo this video?
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
I have a better source for olive oil, a better & less expensive source for maple syrup, Kerrygold butter is MUCH cheaper at Costco, haven’t tried any wine there, will have to grab some next time.
Paul Fassa says
For those of us without a Cotsco membership Trader Joe’s can be a bargain.
Flo LaDuke Richards says
We now have a Costco (but no membership so far) but no Trader Joe’s. I keep asking.
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Paul Fassa I agree that some stuff is a bargain, but just not as much as I expected.
Robin Stewart Hayes says
Organic potatoes, coffee, coconut oil, organic mayo, cheese, nuts… all kinds of fresh & frozen fruits & veggies.
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Their organic mayo still had icky oils, but I’ll have to look better at their cheeses & nuts next time, thanks!
Robin Stewart Hayes says
Yes, I don’t like th oils in the mayo either, but my husband insists on eating mayo and he doesn’t like the kind with olive oil. So I guess this is the best I can do. Oh well….
Flo LaDuke Richards says
That’s hard, Robin. Mine has his definite faves and non-faves, too.
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Robin Stewart Hayes Have you ever tried making it homemade? It’s SUPER easy and fast and tastes SO good: https://kellythekitchenkop.com/homemade-mayonnaise-recipe-that-tastes-great-finally/
Robin Stewart Hayes says
Yes, he didn’t like it. ?
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Robin Stewart Hayes At least you gave it a shot! 🙂
Heidi Basford Kerkhof says
Wine!!!!
Tracy O'Leary Donnelly says
Chocolate
Shauna Bibb says
Organic cauliflower rice if they have it, organic avocados, natures path organic granola…best price than other stores
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Will check that stuff out, thanks.
Liz F. says
Where’s the wine? That is what I buy at Trader Joe’s! ?
I also really like their dishwasher detergent, cubed butternut squash, and wine. Oh wait, I already said that! ? ? ?
KitchenKop says
I saw that cubed squash and wondered if it was good, I’ll have to try it! And I’m totally going to try the wine next time. Which kind is good?
Kel
Charlene McLeod says
I buy many of their organic vegetables and fruits ~ love their zucchini, snap peas, bagged spinach and romaine lettuce, which are weekly items for us. Also, their frozen fruit for smoothies are reasonable. I also buy their organic peanut butter, sugars, and some of their condiments (like the ketchup). I also wish they had more whole milk greek yogurt. We also buy their kefir (but I do not think it is organic ~ not sure). For non-food items, I must say that their cut flowers and orchids are very reasonable.
KitchenKop says
Charlene,
Frozen fruit, thanks for reminding me to check prices on those! I know that organic sugars are cheaper at Costco if you have one of those?
Kel
Diana B says
We like to get the European Style Whole Milk Organic Yogurt. They do have another option (maybe it was gone in your store?) It’s in a red container and is usually on the bottom of the dairy case. 🙂
We also get the dried mango (Just Mango!) ~ not organic but it’s a favorite snack during church.
I love some of their produce – Persian cucumbers are the best (and the only place I’ve found around me to carry them).
We buy other things there, but mostly convenience food that isn’t great. My hubby likes to have frozen meals for lunch and TJ has some that he likes that are better (not great – but better) ingredients for a reasonable price.
I think their GMO thing is they source from non-GMO sources for THEIR products. So even if it’s not organic they attempt to still source non-GMO. We know how hard that it is to actually do, but according to their website that’s what they do.
KitchenKop says
Diana, I don’t think mango is on the Dirty Dozen list anyway is it? I’ll get that next time. 🙂
What’s a Persian cucumber??
Kel
Kenn32 says
Since we’re only able to shop at TJ’s during our long trip to visit family over the holidays, we have to make sure we get a years supply of the unbleached brown cone coffee filters for the drip pot. They seem to be the cheapest source. TJ’s Automatic Dishwashing Detergent is great stuff, though I only use it for hand washing mason jars that are used for canning, but especially for the quarts we use for pickup at our raw milk source. It’s fragrance free, and it doesn’t get sudsy like dishwashing liquid, so it rinses up more easily. For goodies, I just have to get the freeze dried mango in the yellow bag. It’s a great option for adding to cold cereal when you run out of bananas, or even to mix with them.
KitchenKop says
Kenn, do you know how much the brown cone coffee filters are there? You’re the 2nd person to mention the dishwashing detergent and the mangos! 🙂
Kel
Julie says
I don’t buy too much at TJ’s but this is what I do buy there: whole wheat lavish (very good price, tasty,) their natural chunky applesauce–my husband sent me back to the store to get a whole case of it, he liked it so much. Sometimes I will pick up a pre made frozen meal, they never disappoint. That’s about it. I stay away from the snack items, though I do occasionally load up on certain nuts and dried fruits. I do like their coffee samples! The employees are as friendly as can be!
KitchenKop says
Julie, I had to look up what whole wheat lavash was!
Julie says
I forgot to mention their pound ‘o chocolate bars, great for the occasional chocolate snack, but mainly for adding to cookies. The price is good.
Susan says
Here are the things I buy regularly at Joes:
-frozen organic fruit for smoothies
-frozen organic veggies (for dinner emergencies)
-organic butter (for recipes/cooking)
-Kerrygold (for toast or eating off spoon!)
-organic peanut butter
-organic grape jelly (the tastiest grape jelly EVER!)
-organic marinara sauce
-organic pasta
-organic basmati rice
-gouda cheese to get my vitamin K
-olive oil chips
-organic brown and powdered sugars for holiday baking
-Joes fennel toothpaste (no fluoride or SLS)
-Applegate grass-fed hot dogs
-raw sour kraut (not lacto-fermented, but when I’m still waiting for mine to ferment, this works in a pinch)
-Dr. Bronners castile soap
KitchenKop says
Susan, do you have a Costco? Sugar is cheaper there. I forgot to mention that I got the organic marinara sauce there but we haven’t tried it yet. Oh and YES, the Applegate dogs were $1 cheaper than at our grocery store, I should’ve put that in the video!
Thanks for your list!
Kel