The Trader Joe's Adventure and My Top Trader Joe Picks

So my pal Al and I were getting sick of the hum drum of the past couple weeks.

 We wanted to do something spontaneous, something exciting. So we.....

ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?

We hopped in his Honda Ridgeline on a beautiful afternoon and drove to Rochester to attempt his first (my second) Trader Joe's MAGICAL EXPERIENCE.

Needless to say we squealed like little girls upon our arrival and filled our carts to the brim. We then joked how we were just a bunch of old ninnies, and then almost wet ourselves at the deep freezers filled with pop in your mouth treats and bins and bins of chocolate chip cookies.

Now you may be thinking, TJ's opened in Amherst? How the %#€# did I miss this? No, no my friend, I needed to get my fix and show my friend the TJ's ropes before we brave the dangerous NFB location, which will be chock full of anxious Amherst soccer moms, UB students and the "vegan just for today" people.

It opens October 11, and guaranteed no matter how busy it may be there I will be steadfast and true waiting in that line with my soy cream cheese, tangerine juice and chocolate covered EVERYTHING.

Here was my cart:

At the register I almost wept at the deal I was getting, but then got teary eyed thinking about my bank account. I told the cashier that my friend here was a TJ's virgin. That didn't go over well. Nevertheless I was excited to get home and gorge myself!

When I arrived home poor Adam was oblivious to my situation and when I explained to him where I was this afternoon he said, " You drove all the way to Rochester to get groceries?" ( in between bites of his dinner.) " it's good" ( referring to the food).

Me: " Adam, these are leftovers from last night."

Oops. I made up for it by giving him TJ's Shiitake Sushi in his lunch for work today.

 So here are my top Trader Joe's picks!!

1. The ready-made Super Spinach Salad

It's the perfect size and everything is there carrot miso dressing included. And under 400 calories (but who's counting, really?)

                            2. Chocolate Covered Cherry Soy Ice Cream.

I can honestly say if I gave this to a blind man he would never know this was vegan. Tasty as hell. Poor blind man. P.s. Thanks Annie Kreutinger for making me the really cute cookie oven mitts. I actually put this ice cream in-between two of my famous vegan chocolate chip cookies and scarfed it down before bed.

                                                     3. 100% Cherry Juice

Now y'all know how I love Wegmans. But there cherry juice is $9.

This was 3.99.

    4. Macadamias Gingerly mix with Cranberries and Almonds

This almost didn't make it home. Perfect crunch and sweet and ginger.                                       

                         5.Harvest Blend Herbal Tea

An extremely flavorful tea packed with cold fighting spices too. And you feel better drinking it in a Grinch mug.

And along with the Tofu, the fake chicken, crackers, bagels, breads, juices, soups, my stomach was just dancing with all the many other vegan options.

 

NOW ARE YOU EXCITED FOR TRADER JOES TO OPEN OCTOBER 11?

Not as excited as me.

Aldi's Vegan List

 ALDI'S- Can you vegan it?

I find that a lot of people think that Aldi's is a store for people who are looking for expired goods for cheap, or that they don't have enough money to shop at a "fancier" store like Wegmans or Tops. However, when you step into an Aldi's there is a certain charm about it. As if you are going on a treasure hunt for fun food and an amazing price.

There is no bull-#$%^. You won't accidentally get to the register with a bunch of stuff you don't need.  As a vegan (and a loose vegan at that) I have composed a list of vegan goods.

Friendly Farms Almond Milk- Vanilla or Plain
Fit and Active Organic Soymilk- Vanilla or Plain
Lemon Juice
Fresh Salsa
Hummus (garlic, roasted red pepper, plain)
Hummus Quartet
Guacamole
Sometimes they have Boathouse Farm smoothies!
Deutsche Kuche German Bread ( Rye, Pumpernickel, Sunflower Seed)
whole wheat pasta
whole wheat gnocchi
rice (fit and active brown rice)
bags of beans
fat free refried beans ( full fat has lard)
Boca Vegan burgers
Simply Nature Organic Apple Juice
Simply Nature Organic Pasta Sauce
Deutsche Kuche Muesli Cereal
real vanilla extract
baking soda
baking powder
basic spices
pecan halves
walnuts
pistachios
almonds
dry-roasted almonds
sweet potato chips
blue corn chips
baked potato chips Clancy’s brand
simply nature tomato basil GF chips
Sea Salt Pita Chips
raisins
cranberries
apricots
Fit & Active light balsamic vinaigrette
real maple syrup
granola
oatmeal
canned pumpkin
jarred artichokes
canned diced, crushed tomatoes
canned beans
veggie broth
Fruit Pops ( I believe Grandessa)
Frozen Dark Chocolate covered Bananas
Edamame
Diced Potatoes and Peppers (Frozen)
Frozen fruit for smoothies
Frozen green beans
Organic Fair Trade Coffee and Tea ( they even have K CUPS)

Best produce: BUY IN SEASON  and inspect carefully
But my top picks are pineapple, avocado, mangoes, lemons, limes, bananas

Unfortunately the bread (besides the German bread) is all made with milk

So bring your quarter for a cart and your own shopping bags and you’re set. And don’t forget to buy fresh cut flowers for $3.99 to brighten up your week! You may find some real treasures for cheap.

(PS please double check all labels before purchasing. Sometimes they change the items and there are some items that were made around milk or eggs. It’s just a good idea to double check.)

 Enjoying a nice vegan meal to the left