STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

twinkle · Coach

Trader Joe's

Lilykind · Hermes

Ooooooooh yay! Trader Joes really is THE BEST!!! I don't know what your lifestly/eating habits are, but this is what my BF and I stock up on.

Whole Grain Pita Chips/Pita Bread and Garlic Hummus: Their hummus is yummy. We like to eat it with the pita chips now since we're always short on time, but we've also bought whole wheat pitas in the past to eat with the hummus and they've been pretty good.

I like their soymilk. It's probably second best only to 8th continent but 8th contient has a trillion grams of sugar in it so I prefer to buy TJ.

The best turkey meatballs. They're so juicy I forget that they're turkey. The real meatballs are great too except I feel fat eating them since I got so used to the turkey ones.

They make pretty good coffee beans/grounds/etc.

The Orange Chicken is always sold out. It's basically a frozen bag of chicken and premade orange sauce, but when BF and I have the urge to go to the Jack in the Box drive-thru (bad us, I know!), we make this instead. It takes a short time to prepare and if you throw in stir fry veggies and rice, you have a meal.

BF and I have a sick adoration for dim sum but not having any desire to go to San Gabriel to get a dim sum fix, have taken to eating Chicken Shu Mai and the Shrimp Shu Mai/Har Gow from TJ (don't worry, I steam them).

Their prepared lunches are more normal tasting than any others I've tried. I like the Chicken Masala one.

They make a million kinds of tortilla chips. The best IMO is the Organic White Corn chips that come in an orange and yellow bag, but they're all really good.

Their 4% Lean Ground Beef is really juicy and yummy. It's also actually better for you than ground turkey when you look at the nutrition facts.

White rainier cherries (during the summer). They're cheaper at TJ than anywhere else by a long shot. They are so sweet and so delicious.
Romaine lettuce is $1.69 for 3 heads and really fresh. At Ralphs it's either $2.99 or $3.29.
We buy their French Berry Lemonade, Sparkling Pink Lemonade, and Orangina religiously.

I've eaten a few of their prepared lunches and I really like the Spa Salad.

And my co-worker has recommended Airborne, the cure for the common cold, to at least fifteen people this week (clinets, bosses, random strangers on the street...you name it, he's plugged Airborne to them). My co-worker should really act as their spokesperson...It's cheapest at TJ too.

They will also probably still have copies of their Fearless Flyer, so you can read about things that you'll want to try out. You can also try out a lot of their stuff at the store, since there are usually free samples flowing around. There's more but I've blabbed on enough for now.

shopgirl82 · Chanel

they have amazing wheat pizza dough for pizzas. i love stocking up on their frozen snacks..dim sum, crab cakes, etc... for when i have last minute guests. i love love love their honey wheat pretzel sticks, and finally their frozen burritos (their fresh are good too). all the hummus is great as well.

ILoveChoo · Hermes

I love TJs but if you aren't careful you can spend a fortune in there! I love their veggie meatballs, the cranberry lemonade (no sugar, but soooo good!!), cranberry oatmeal cookies, the indian frozen meals, bean and rice burritos... oh and they have tortellini that is to die for- gargonzola walnut and a pesto one- so good!

gruiz · Kenneth Cole

I have to second the fat-free honey wheat pretzel sticks.

Also, the vegetable gyozas (frozen veggie dumplings), they only take 7 minutes to steam, but you'll need some sort of asian-type sauce to dip them in.

Gorgonzola pear pizza - also in the freezer section

I don't know if you eat granola on anything, but it's very inexpensive there.

Patricia · BCBG

I love the granola/trail mix/dried fruit/mixed nut aisle. I usually stock up on that stuff.

Their frozen berries are fantastic and really affordable, and their milk and yogurt are really yummy.

monica · Kenneth Cole

quote:
Originally posted by: gruiz
Also, the vegetable gyozas (frozen veggie dumplings), they only take 7 minutes to steam, but you'll need some sort of asian-type sauce to dip them in.

question: how do you steam these?

sfcaligirl · Dooney & Bourke

trader joe's is THE BEST. here are my favs...

spinach-artichoke yogurt dip (so good with baby carrots)

indian steamed veggie/tofu/rice bowl (in the prepared foods section)

great frozen berries/fruit for smoothies

hummus (tj's hummus is SO good) and mini pita pockets

organic lemonade

fresh grapefruit juice

frozen veggie potstickers

and my all-time fav (but i'm warning you girls, these things are killer- they'll break down even those with the strongest willpower): CHOCOLATE-COVERED PEANUT BUTTER PRETZELS. oh yes. they ARE as good as they sound. try them, they will change your life.

happy shopping!

bean · Kenneth Cole

quote:
Originally posted by: Lilykind
BF and I have a sick adoration for dim sum but not having any desire to go to San Gabriel to get a dim sum fix, have taken to eating Chicken Shu Mai and the Shrimp Shu Mai/Har Gow from TJ (don't worry, I steam them).

Hey Lilykind, I LOVE dim sum too. I could eat it everyday. my husband and I go to Ocean Seafood in Chinatown. Also if you're ever on the west side, there's Royal Star Seafood on Wilshire, owned by the same people who run Ocean Star in Monterey Park. The dim sum isn't QUITE as good as Chinatown or San Gabriel dim sum, but it's still yummy. It's the only remotely authentic Chinese food west of the 101 IMO. oh wait, I just remembered. You live in Westwood, don't you? So you don't have to venture to San Gabriel to get your dim sum fix! mmmm... now I've worked up a hankering for it...

-- Edited by bean at 18:25, 2005-03-11

bumblebee · Dooney & Bourke

i like TJ's too. my favorite thing that i make special trips for is the lime-juice popsicles (i know, i'm weird). i also like the pizza olympiad (frozen greek pizza) and they always have a huge selection of nuts, dried fruits and cheeses. i also buy vitamins there because they seem to be more chemical/preservative free than other kinds. and actually, i like the salmon that they have. i never get any produce (except avocados and lemons) because it just never looks very fresh or good to me. but maybe now i will try it.

oh! also, when i am not dieting, i love the spiced tortilla chips and the reduced-fat cheetos. yummy.

twinkle · Coach

you guys, this is amazing. i am seriously printing this & taking it to TJ's this weekend- yummy! thanks all!

jaymiek · Coach

quote:
Originally posted by: bean
"Hey Lilykind, I LOVE dim sum too. I could eat it everyday. my husband and I go to Ocean Seafood in Chinatown. Also if you're ever on the west side, there's Royal Star Seafood on Wilshire, owned by the same people who run Ocean Star in Monterey Park. The dim sum isn't QUITE as good as Chinatown or San Gabriel dim sum, but it's still yummy. It's the only remotely authentic Chinese food west of the 101 IMO. oh wait, I just remembered. You live in Westwood, don't you? So you don't have to venture to San Gabriel to get your dim sum fix! mmmm... now I've worked up a hankering for it... -- Edited by bean at 18:25, 2005-03-11"

You dim-sum loving girls would be so jealous! I work like a block from Ocean Star, and I live in San Gabriel so I am virtually surrounded by dim sum 24/7. Of course I go like once a month so I don't get sick of it.

Another place to try is New Concept in Monterey Park, on Atlantic. It's crowded and there's a ton of people waiting outside all the time. Personally I've never been there but my co-worker says it is sooo good.

alb · Marc Jacobs

I know I'm late to respond to this thread but I just thought I'd add a few things:

The mushroom risotto is to die for! They also have risotto w/ artichoke hearts, but the mushroom is MUCH better

I second the gyoza, but we usually get the chicken. We just cook it in a pan, sometimes we mix it with one of their Indian rice dishes

I second the turkey meatballs--they are better than a lot of real meatballs I've had.

Barbara's Puffins Cereal in "Peanut Butter"--so good, tastes like Cap'n Crunch but not a lot of sugar

This is fatterning but their milk chocolate covered bing cherries are delicious!

also fattening but their pecan praline granola is good;

No Pudge brownie mix of course.

They also have a Chai tea that my husband loves (I haven't tried it yet). It comes in decaf adn regular.

That's all I can think of right now, but those are our staples/faves.

gruiz · Kenneth Cole

quote:
Originally posted by: monica
"question: how do you steam these?"

Sorry, I just saw your question. I put them in a steamer basket inside a regular saucepan. Fill the pan with water almost up to the bottom of the steamer basket and bring it to a boil. Then I put the gyozas in the basket, put the lid on the pot and wait 7 minutes. Very easy.

This is the type of steamer basket I have...

bean · Kenneth Cole

quote:
Originally posted by: jaymiek
" You dim-sum loving girls would be so jealous! I work like a block from Ocean Star, and I live in San Gabriel so I am virtually surrounded by dim sum 24/7. Of course I go like once a month so I don't get sick of it.

I am so jealous!! when I had jury duty, I had to take advantage of being downtown and went for dim sum! I would never get sick of it.

Cricket · Gucci

quote:
Originally posted by: gruiz
" Sorry, I just saw your question. I put them in a steamer basket inside a regular saucepan. Fill the pan with water almost up to the bottom of the steamer basket and bring it to a boil. Then I put the gyozas in the basket, put the lid on the pot and wait 7 minutes. Very easy. This is the type of steamer basket I have... "

When you steam, do you leave the burner up high or turn it down to simmer? I always turn it down to med-low because I don't know which setting to have it on.

bliss · Dooney & Bourke

If it weren't for TJ's I wouldn't ever cook. I love the frozen Tiramisu

Their avocados are also a great price and I can afford to eat them everyday. The hummus is also great, along with the pita bread. They have Ghiardelli (sp) cocoa mix at a great price. I also get the turkey meatballs, the beef ones are the very best though but higher in fat. I stock up on their Pellegrino and Blu Italy sparkling waters as well. Also, they're probably seasonal, but they have the best triple ginger snaps in the world! Of course I also stock up on blueberries whenever they're in season, they're great, organic and cheap. And finally I love their brand of Cheerios, they're called Tasty O's

I have to go there tomorrow evening so I may have to print this list as well.

jah · Dooney & Bourke

quote:
Originally posted by: Lilykind
And my co-worker has recommended Airborne, the cure for the common cold, to at least fifteen people this week (clinets, bosses, random strangers on the street...you name it, he's plugged Airborne to them). My co-worker should really act as their spokesperson...It's cheapest at TJ too. They will also probably still have copies of their Fearless Flyer, so you can read about things that you'll want to try out. You can also try out a lot of their stuff at the store, since there are usually free samples flowing around. There's more but I've blabbed on enough for now. "

Airborne is the best. It really is...your co-worker knows what he is talking about...I am convinced that it has kept me from getting sick on so many airplane flights and on so many busy weeks! When I have gotten sick, after taking airborne, my normal sick time has been cut in half. It isn't that cheap but is almost always sold out at CVS, so I think there are a lot of airborne fanatics out there (tell your co-worker to stop spreading the word...shhh...it is a secret! I want to be able to continue to find it)!

Alikat · Kate Spade

I'm going to Trader Joe's right now. I don't know if any of you have tried the Chicken Perogi, but its an awesome alternative to pasta. Yummm

I'm surprised no one mentioned the alcohol at TJs, hello Charles Shaw! You can't beat $2 Chuck.

bliss · Dooney & Bourke

quote:
Originally posted by: Alikat
"I'm going to Trader Joe's right now. I don't know if any of you have tried the Chicken Perogi, but its an awesome alternative to pasta. Yummm I'm surprised no one mentioned the alcohol at TJs, hello Charles Shaw! You can't beat $2 Chuck. "

Oh my gosh! Not "two buck Chuck"! It's only available in select locations and I haven't been able to find anywhere in the northeast that carries it. Send me a case Alikat