Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Trader Joe's, a love affair. (5 Products I can't live without)

So I was thinking that for my first blog entry I would write about Trader Joe's...maybe because the Trader Joe's March 2010 Flyer: Culinary Compendium with Cute Easter Treats! just came out today. I decided that I would highlight 5 of my favorite vegan products to purchase from said store. Really though, I'm pretty sure I could live at Trader Joe's and be quite content to do so.

The first of my favorite vegan products from TJ's is the Black Bean and Corn Enchiladas....

These delightful frozen entries are just the right balance of yumminess and satisfaction. They are DELICIOUS more than anything else. I highly recommend them and can guarantee your happiness (only regarding the enchiladas). Try them!

The second TJ's product that I am recommending and do fully support is the Split Pea Soup....

I don't really know what to say about this product other than it's the best split pea soup in the history of the world. I don't even like split pea soup, really. I think it is repulsive and disgusting. So why you ask would I even try this in the first place? Well, it was an impulse purchase and my tastes have changed since I was little. I thought I'd give it a shot and I am SO GLAD I did. It is the very filling and VERY low in calories (if that is something you are watching or are concerned about).

The third TJ's product is not healthy or good for you, it's just plain old delicious and helps when you are craving something sweet and chocolaty. Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds....

Like I said, there is nothing healthy about these little morsels, but they are so good. Be careful or you just might find that you have eaten the whole container by yourself!! These aren't "allowed" to live at my house, they are only for special occasions!!

The fourth TJ's product is probably my favorite, and I highly recommend it to everyone who has some form of lactose intolerance. Trader Joe's Soy Creamy Cherry Chocolate Chip soy cream....

Again a product that isn't "allowed" to live at my house except for special occasions. The reason I so LOVE this product is that you can't tell it's not regular ice cream, seriously. I have snuck it to youth kids, without telling them it's made from soy. They never knew the difference and thought it was the best ice cream ever. It's really good, especially paired with some Trader Jo-Jo's (TJ's version of an Oreo).

The last of TJ's products I would like to recommend is Trader Joe's Soyrizo....

This item makes a frequent appearance in my tofu scrambles (don't wrinkle your nose!!). Trader Joe's makes their own version and it is one of the best I've had, and it's only $1.99 for a package (other brands are usually $3.99!!). I like to mix it with red potatoes, onion, bell pepper and crumbled firm tofu....it's good by itself or wrapped in a tortilla with some salsa. Give it a try, especially if you like regular chorizo (which is made from the salivary glands of cows and pigs...YUM!).

That concludes my first entry of Vegan What???? What are some of your favorite vegan or non-vegan items from Trader Joe's? If you don't shop there I suggest you give it a try, you will soon be addicted!! Keep in mind that I only mentioned 5 products, there are many more....so maybe a Trader Joe's, a love affair part two will need to happen very soon!

3 comments:

Chocolate or Not? said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE TJ's also! Our absolute FAVORITE item there is their 6 pack of little yogurts. They are fairly high in calories so we RARELY buy them, but when we do, YUMMO! They almost taste like custard or pudding...so good! Also, their orange chicken, gnocci, and mini "Bambino" pizzas are staple items we buy EVERY TIME we go there.

Veronica @ Luv My Quiver Full Of Arrows said...

We love Trader Joe's, too. Loved your top 5. We were just at TJ's yesterday and Walker found the monkey and got a 'cutie' tangerine as a prize. Woohoo!

Veronica @ Luv My Quiver Full Of Arrows said...

OOH, I forgot to post that I love, love, love their low fat chinese chicken salads and there is this mango juice that is to die for. Tim loves a tea tree shampoo from there. So, it isn't only food that rocks from TJ's.