>>> Trader Joe’s Favorites + Recipe <<<
We are quite fortunate to have Trader Joe’s stores here in California!
Luckily for the rest of the country, they seem to be spreading quickly!
Once you have the opportunity to shop there,
you will have a hard time returning to your usual market.
The selection of food is great…
especially for healthy items & specialty foods.
I love that they carry & label food products for people with special diets
{such as vegan or gluten-free}.
As a family, we do about 90% of our weekly shopping at Trader’s.
I personally love their produce & vegetarian options,
while the kids love their snacks,
& Husby loves their dried fruit, nuts & trail mixes!
Trader Joe’s seems so much more affordable for healthier food products.
I walk out of there weekly,
with my cart overflowing with groceries, for what I consider to be a fair price.
Although I have shopped there for years,
I still find new favorites all of the time!
I thought it would be fun to share with you several of the items
that make it into my cart each week,
along with a simple, yet scrumptious, dinner recipe {see below}!
ONE // French Toast
Low-fat & made of multi-grain bread, it tastes amazing toasted & eaten plain, with jam, or syrup!
TWO // Fresh Produce
They carry a wide variety of your favorites
along with seasonal fruits & veggies at really good prices!
THREE // Lentils
These make an instant tasty, high-fiber meal!
I love to eat them cold with fresh salsa…
& of course in my favorite homemade lentil soup {click here for recipe}!
FOUR // String Cheese
Their brand of string cheese is my absolute favorite!
It makes for a quick, nourishing snack when you are on the go!
FIVE // Island Soyaki
This is such a delicious marinade for meat or tofu…
it is sweet, yet tangy!
It also makes for a wonderful sauce, such as in the recipe below!
SIX // Greek Yogurt
The honey flavor is our family favorite!
It’s heavenly with a little granola & fresh fruit
{dare I mention, I have even put this on top of the french toast with fruit…. no words}!
SEVEN // Bruschetta Sauce
Simply tomatoes, olive oil & garlic….
this product was brought to my attention by a dear friend!
Boy, am I thankful!
We ALWAYS have this on hand!
It makes a quick meal {which I will share with you next week}
and is also fantastic as an appetizer on baked crackers or bread!
EIGHT // Granola Bars
There are quite a few varieties to choose from…
these are two of our faves!
The kids eat them daily for snacks or as part of their packed lunch.
The price is amazing!
For how quickly we go through these…
I am thankful we aren’t paying more than a couple dollars a box!
NINE // Whole Wheat Couscous
This is honestly, the BEST couscous that has ever entered my mouth!
The flavor is so intense, hearty & earthy…
but all in the best way possible!
This was also used in the recipe below!
TEN // Trail Mix
As I already mentioned,
Husby loves Trader’s trail mixes, nuts, & dried fruits selection!
Dried bananas, raw almonds, & a bag of trail mix
always make it into our cart on a weekly basis!
This particular Raspberry & Chocolate Trail Mix is a rich, decadent treat!
ELEVEN // Thai Vegetable Gyoza
A fancy name for pot-stickers…
these are so incredibly delicious,
and so easy to prepare when you are short on time!
A great option for Meatless Monday!
This is the main ingredient in the meal below!
TWELVE // Fresh Basil
You can purchase this in the produce section
& can even find it as a potted plant for a couple dollars!
It sits on our kitchen counter, ready to use when needed!
The perfect way to naturally enhance our favorite meals!
Veggie Pot Stickers with Whole Wheat Couscous
Ingredients
- *Thai Vegetable Gyoza {pot stickers}
- *Whole Wheat Couscous
- *Island Soyaki
- 1 carrot {grated}
- 1 avocado {sliced}
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Couscous Cooking Instructions
- In large sauce pan, combine 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons butter and 1/2teaspoon salt. Bring to boil. Remove from heat. Pour 1 cup dry couscous into the sauce pan. Stir well. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
Pot Sticker {Pan Fry} Instructions
- Preheat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet or saute pan. Place frozen pot stickers flat side down in pan and saute on medium heat for 4 minutes until skins turn lightly brown. Add 4 tablespoons of water to pan. Reduce flame to medium and cover. Steam until water has evaporated and pot stickers begin to brown.
Serve
- Serve immediately on a bed of couscous with fresh grated carrots and sliced avocado. Top with a drizzle of Island Soyaki sauce or your favorite soy or dipping sauce! Enjoy!
Notes
I would love to hear all about some of your favorite Trader Joe’s products and meal ideas!
Please leave a comment below!
