I'm a Trader Joe's Fan

No, this is why I like Trader Joe's

2013-02-13T16:04:00.000-08:00

It was something I noticed in my last shopping trip to Trader Joe's that made me stand up and take notice. It wasn't the food on display, or the kid crying in the frozen food aisle (even though he was my own).

It was how many older people employed at my store. If I had to guess, I'd say that about half of the employees are over the age of 40 - and perhaps about 25 percent are over the age of 50. I don't know their lifestories, and I don't know if this is something they've done for years, or if they've decided their retirement isn't fulfilling (both in terms of money and on a personal level), so they want a job. Maybe they just do it to get out of the house and be with people; I really don't know, and that's not the point, I guess.

Seeing a store that has older employees has made me really, really happy. As my own parents are never-you-mind how old, I have been looking and examining companies with a critical eye. It's noticeable to me when a company appears to have an age-cap with regard to how old their employees "should" be. You see some young 20-somethings strutting around a store, and it is the rule, not the exception, at many companies. But instead, I find myself thinking: Would this company hire my parents after they retire? Would that company even bother looking at the resume of someone who is in their so-called golden years?

To put it simply, I like when I see a company that hires those who maybe have been turned down for jobs because of their age.

Let's do this again

2012-10-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

I'm back from my too-long hiatus. Really, it was hard to get excited about most of the new products that were offered (chocolate honey mint? No, thanks). That, and I was busy, and you know what? It's hard to feel like you have to shop somewhere when maybe you don't want to because one of regular clerks at "your" store is a leeeettle bit weird.

Ahem.

Anyway, I'm back because this is the best time of the year at Trader Joe's. They hold nothing back with the holiday product offerings (check out what they offered last year here; I know, RIGHT?). It's so fun, I just love it.

Catch you on the flipside, etc.

We're on a break

2012-09-09T20:17:00.002-07:00

Apologies for not posting, but once again, I'm just not inspired enough to write reviews at this time. I think I'll go "on a break" and return in a week or so. I apologize in advance, but eh, it's life.

What's your favorite find?

2012-08-27T02:47:00.000-07:00

Writing a review blog can be a solitary business. While I usually ask ask my family for their opinions, just about everything you read here is my own take on a product. Which means I want to hear from YOU! What's been your favorite find at Trader Joe's? Did you take a chance on a product and end up loving it? Sound off in the comments.

Trader Joe's product review: Artichoke Antipasto

2012-08-26T02:48:00.000-07:00

For the longest time—I think since I started shopping at Trader Joe's well over eight years ago—my husband and I would only eat TJ's bruschetta. It was our go-to dip when entertaining or even just wanting something garlic-y for a snack. (And weirdly enough, I haven't written a review of it. Hmmm...)

(You like my countertop, yes?)

I finally bit the bullet a few weeks ago and tried the artichoke antipasto. I know! It's practically a Christmas miracle! It's actually a more-than-decent dip, and I'll add it to my entertaining repertoire (which sometimes goes like this: Open jar, insert spoon. Put crackers on plate. THE END.).

The good part: It's got a slightly garlic taste, and it's pretty creamy. Also, you get decent-sized chunks of artichoke, and we all know I like my dips chunky.

The down side? It's really watery, and the taste needs to be kicked up a notch. And part of the artichoke might get caught in your teeth, but I can't help you on that one. I will say that I wish I could find a small spoon - about the size of a teaspoon - with a slotted "spoon" part. That would actually make it easier to serve, but alas, alas, I don't have one.

Verdict: 3 out of 4 Hawaiian-print shirts

Trader Joe's product review: Pita Bite Crackers

2012-08-25T02:05:00.001-07:00

I went on hiatus for two weeks, and it's largely due to this post. I hadn't uploaded pictures from my camera in quite a while, so pictures of the pita bite crackers were sitting in my queue, waiting for me to say something funny/witty/insightful about them. When you put that sort of expectation on yourself, you get writer's block.

But let's get past that, and on to the crackers. These are actually pretty darn good. They're substantial in size, fitting in the palm of my hand with a bit of room to spare, and are lightly dusted with salt. By themselves, they taste kind of plain; this "plainness," however, is one of the cracker's best assets once you pair it with a really great dip (I used TJ's Artichoke Antipasto; more on this tomorrow). Once it's been 'dipped,' the cracker doesn't steal the show from the dip itself.

Pita crackers on a lunch plate.

The other asset? These crackers are plenty sturdy and can withstand runny dips, heavy cream dips, etc. There's nothing worse than biting into the dip and having the cracker crumble, is there?

Verdict: 4 out of 4 Hawaiian-print shirts

Around the web: Trader Joe's news round-up

2012-08-24T02:20:00.000-07:00

It's another Friday, so let's get straight to the news on Trader Joe's:

NRDC is urging Trader Joe's to use meat without antibiotics. This isn't the first time Trader Joe's has been asked to make this step, of course. And if they do? That could be *huge*. It would be an awesome step in the right direction regarding meat safety and quality. But will they? It remains to be seen, as I haven't seen any response from TJ.
People are M-A-D over the parking situation with the Ft. Worth TJ's. Side note: I absolutely love the phrase "parking war" and will damn near stop what I'm doing to read/listen about it. Hey, I lived in Chicago for most of my life. *thumps chest* I KNOW what it's like, man.
Trader Joe's has released the latest Fearless Flyer. It's got a lot of my favorites in it, including the OMG-worthy eggplant cutlets.
Jason's Wine Blog takes on Croatian wine.

Around the web: Trader Joe's round-up

2012-08-10T00:47:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but we're seeing 70-degree temperatures in the Chi. And rain. RAIN! This almost never happens here, as August is basically synonymous with sweltering heat and high humidity. That was the good news portion of this week's round-up.

The bad news? The Summer Olympics have basically been over for me for about a week. Yeah, yeah, track and field and so on were still going on this week, but I'm a swimming-gymnastics-diving kind of gal. The Games just aren't as fun after that first week.

But let's continue on with the news around the web this week:

BrightFarms wants grocery stores to grow their own lettuce or something. I am not quite sure, as the writer's thesis was sort of buried and I lost track of it all. It sounds like a neat idea in concept, but in execution? Uh, no. That won't work outside of CA, I'm thinking.
The Colonie, NY, store is moving A-OK.Nothing to see here, folks.
Yes, Virginia, you are getting a new Trader Joe's store.
And hey, Gainesville is getting a new store, too!

Trader Joe's product review: Orange Juice

2012-08-09T00:47:00.000-07:00

I never thought about being an orange juice snob, but after writing this blog post, I'll have to reconsider.

I'm particular about my orange juice, and I totally blame my grandmother. When I was a little girl, I'd occasionally spend the night at her home, where we'd watch Golden Girls or Murder, She Wrote, eat our weight in refrigerated Pepperidge Farm cookies (don't knock it 'til you've tried it), and cap off the night with a root beer float. The next morning, my grandmother would try to balance out what we'd had the night before with fresh-squeezed orange juice. (She would also give me doughnuts with a generous dab of butter on top. Looking back, I realize that my grandma had a very shaky grasp of the concept of "healthful food.")

But seriously, fresh-squeezed orange juice is the best damn thing you'll ever have. Which means that I've since become quite picky about the orange juice I'll drink. My motto is go big or go home; I won't drink orange-flavored water, and will only have juice that's kind of on the thick and hearty side.

Which is why I am digging Trader Joe's orange juice. Full-bodied flavor? Check. Nice, natural orange color? Check. It smells like orange juice, it tastes like orange juice, and it feels like orange juice. Yeah, that last point was weird.

Verdict: 4 out of 4 Hawaiian-print shirts.

Trader Joe's product review: Sunflower Seed Oil

2012-08-08T02:02:00.000-07:00

When it comes to cooking oil, I'm not particular about what I use. I'm sure a much more accomplished cook can tell you the differences between vegetable and canola oil, for instance, and give you a long-winded explanation as to why you should use one or the other.

I'm not that person, and this is not that blog. (Wait, what?) I've used Trader Joe's sunflower seed oil, and I like it just fine. It doesn't have any real taste to it - for some reason, I thought it would be somewhat reminiscent of salted sunflower seeds, which it's totally not - and that's fine. Cooking oil should really take a backseat to the main flavors of a dish, in my opinion.

I dig this, and I also like the package's spout. (Someone, call the press! I actually like Trader Joe's packaging!) It has a plastic spout with plastic fangy-looking pieces to slow down the liquid when it's pouring. At least, I think. All I know is that I haven't spilled oil....yet.

The spout is also the product's downside. I turn and turn...and turn...and turn, and the bottle never really closes shut.

Verdict: 3 out of 4 Hawaiian-print shirts.

What should you buy at Trader Joe's?

2012-08-07T01:20:00.000-07:00

I get a variation of the question above at least once a week. OK, it's usually from my mom, and it's usually like "What do you get there?!" But still. People don't always know what to get, and what with all the Trader Joe's that have just opened/are about to open, I thought I'd write a quick list of what you should pick up on your first shopping trip. See? I'm service-y.
1. Mandarin Orange Chicken is what you need in your freezer (and later, in your skillet), like right now. This is one of, if not the most, popular item in Trader Joe's, and you'll see why. It's got breaded chicken in a tangy sauce, and it's so easy to make.
2. Kung Pao Chicken is amazing, too. Pick this up with a package of rice and some veggies, and you're set for dinner.
3. Speculoos. You will hate me or thank me, or a combination of the two, for suggesting this item. I personally prefer it on a spoon, straight into ma mouth, but you might want to be more civilized and spread it on graham crackers.
4. Roasted Red Pepper and Artichoke Tapenade is a must for any kind of nice snack you want to whip up mid-afternoon.
5. Avocaod's Number Guacamole is another item that I can eat directly with a spoon. If you like guacamole, then you need to load up on this stuff.
6. If you're having fajitas, I highly recommend Trader Joe's Tortillas del Comal. They're sturdy and can withstand just about any and all toppings.
7. Salsa Autentica is truly the one-and-only salsa you need. Are you sensing a theme here?
8.Want cereal? Pick up a box of the Strawberry-Yogurt O's.
9. Want pizza dough for dinner? Definitely pick up two bags of TJ's dough and a jar of their pizza sauce. One jar should be plenty for two bags of dough, for what it's worth.
10. Almondictive Bits are what you need to get through just about anything.

I'm stopping at 10, mostly because I'm now starving. Got any recommendations? Sound off in the comments.

Trader Joe's Product Review: Organic Pasta

2012-08-06T02:49:00.000-07:00

I'm a total stickler when it comes to shopping. I make a list, and I hit the grocery store like I'm on a mission. Get the milk, get the eggs, get the veggies, and BOOM, I'm outta there, and I'm under budget, too.

I bring my husband with me on a shopping trip, and suddenly we're buying steak! Fancy risotto! Special cereal made with unicorn smiles and rainbows! You get the point; it's always fancy-pants stuff, and I grind my teeth as I watch the bill add up.

Continue reading.....

Case in point: Last week, my husband picked out Trader Joe's organic pasta. I usually get the regular cut, but he wanted something "a bit nicer for lunch" (his words, not mine). So, fine, and here's the review.

I actually dug this pasta, and it's got some faintly veggie taste to it. The flavors won't overwhelm you, so feel free to use in any kind of pasta dish. It's also hearty and doesn't come apart after cooking, which I appreciate. Oh, and hey, it's also from Italy, and surprisingly Trader Joe's restrained themselves from telling us eleventy-thousand times on the package.

OK, fine, I had no complaints, and yes I'll buy it again.

Verdict: 4 out of 4 Hawaiian-print shirts.

Trader Joe's product review: Quinoa with vegetable melange

2012-08-05T00:26:00.004-07:00

OK, this is one of those products I can't get behind. Let's get to it.

As you know, I adore quite a few of Trade Joe's frozen foods. Give me a plate of TJ's orange chicken, and I will go to town on it like you won't believe. But this? The quinoa with vegetable melange? No, thanks.

I was actually disappointed with this dish. I like quinoa, and I'm fine with using frozen pre-cut veggies and spices for a quick and easy dish. But this one just misses the mark: It's a loss due to texture, bland taste, and just overall disappointment. I had high hopes for this one, but it's a fourth-place finish for me.

It's too mushy, and I couldn't tell any of the vegetables apart. It was, at best, "OK." It wasn't flavorful, and my taste buds felt like they'd fallen asleep. It wasn't inedible, it's just not something I'd like again.

At least it cooks up purty, yeah? (Or should that be "jeah"?)

Verdict: 1.5 out of 4 Hawaiian-print shirts

Around the web: Trader Joe's news round-up, and Maroney's vault in super-slow motion

2012-08-04T00:50:00.000-07:00

Let me tell you, it is EXHAUSTING to try to keep up with the many, many liveblogs on the Olympics. Since I can't watch the livestream (BOO!), I'm stuck reading each story as it progresses. Which means I'm doing an awful lot of flipping between browsers as I work and also try to keep tabs on the different events as they unfold. Thank goodness for The Guardian, is what I'm saying. But enough of the Olympics; let's get to the news:

More Trader Joe's products are the subject of a recall. Got this stuff? Don't eat it.
A property developer likes Trader Joe's, and just basically repeats everything you already know.
Hey, Consumer Reports really likes Trader Joe's California Estate olive oil.
The Trader Joe's on Wolf Rd. in Albany opens today, so check out these pictures previewing the store. By the time you read this post, I'm sure the line to get in will be 10 deep.
The gang at What's Good at Trader Joe's likes the shrimp fried rice.
Like the headline promised, here's McKayla Maroney's awesome vault in super-slow motion.

Trader Joe's product review: Wisconsin Mild Cheddar Cheese

2012-08-03T00:12:00.000-07:00

For a long, long time, I totally thought cheddar cheese was made in those thin, flubbery squares and sealed into individual plastic sheets. If cheddar cheese didn't jiggle, then what good was it?

(Sheesh, all it takes is a weird camera angle and it looks like this is Lilliputian cheese!)

Continue reading....

And then I discovered Wisconsin cheese, and I haven't looked back. This is where I'll let you in on a little secret: If you want to score cheese in Wisconsin and come home with blocks and blocks of cheddar, swiss, cheese with basil, or what have you, skip the specialty cheese stores and head to Woodman's. The one I usually hit up has a cheese aisle that is about the same size as "my" Trader Joe's. I am exaggerating, of course, but only a little bit.

But for those times where I need cheese and don't want to make an hour-long trek up north, I pick up a block of Trader Joe's Wisconsin Mild Cheddar Cheese.

It's a good value cheese, but you have to be so careful, at least in my store, when it comes to selecting a brick. The first one you grab might expire in two days, and as much as my family and I love cheese, we can't eat that much in such a short period of time. Once you open the package, keep it wrapped in plastic cling wrap and put it in a clean plastic container for storage.

This cheese is also a nice departure from the neon-orange cheese you may have had in the past. It's a deep, rich color, which I like.

As far as taste is concerned, it's got a mild - duh - flavor. It's almost too mild to me, and tastes like milk. I prefer my cheddar with more bite, but it's not bad. The hard part is using the cheese for grating; it's rather soft, so it crumbles quite a bit. That being said, it's practically a staple in my house.

Verdict: 3.5 out of 4 Hawaiian-print shirts

Recall notice

2012-08-02T00:51:00.000-07:00

Let's take a break from talking about asparagus and tea and talk about something important. Trader Joe's products are in the spotlight due to a recent recall of products from Gills Onions. About 5,600 pounds of Trader Joe's salads are affected by the recall. For more information - and to see if you might be affected - check out LA Weekly's blog.

Trader Joe's product review: Frozen Asparagus Spears

2012-08-01T00:05:00.000-07:00

Let's make this a fast post, as I've got to wrap this up and start another project.

Asparagus is one of those weird vegetables that you really need to watch. Overcook it, and it tastes like mush; undercook it, and it can taste a bit woody (not a euphemism for anything, I swear).

Continue reading..........

Along comes Trader Joe's frozen asparagus spears, cut and ready for some cookin' action. These are a bit thinner than those you might find at your local grocery store, but that's fine. They're full of flavor and taste great grilled or steamed. For a splash of taste, I sometimes drizzle a bit of teriyaki sauce over my cooked and drained spears, and I'm ready to go.

(Sorry for the green-on-green staging)

The downside is that the spears are frozen, which means you have to be super careful about cooking them. Once the water is boiling, let them cook for maybe two or three minutes - just enough to work off the chill. Fish them out of the water, and they're ready to serve.

Verdict: 3.5 out of 4 Hawaiian-print shirts.

Trader Joe's product review: Refresh Shampoo

2012-07-31T00:54:00.000-07:00

Let me just come out and say that I'm terribly finicky when it comes to shampoo. My hair and I have been through it all: Crazy teenage hormones that would leave my hair lank and gross, retaining my hair through two pregnancies only to lose damn near every strand after delivery and leaving me with a (temporary, thank God) receding hairline, and post-baby hair, where my body's all "What's next, huh?" Oh, and humidity! My hair doesn't like humidity, so hot summer days usually leave my hair like this.

The Whole Foods shampoo is creeping around the corner, all "What about me?"

Continue reading.....

So, I demand quite a bit from my shampoo: It must keep my hair looking healthy and fresh all day, and try to keep it under control on hot days. I've tried quite a few shampoos in my time, and it goes like this: I'll like a product, use it every day for a few months, and then one day my hair says "No more!" For what it's worth, I don't like to spend more than about $8 for shampoo, and I usually spend less than about $5.

How did Trader Joe's Refresh Shampoo work? I've tried it every day for a month, and it works great for keeping my hair looking fresh and clean. The shampoo has a great citrus scent that's not overpowering, but I like it because it's such a clean scent. So, yeah! As far as keeping my hair under control...hm...it's "OK."

I bought this because I was in a pinch and needed shampoo - I've been using Burt's Bees for a while - and didn't want to make the trip to Target. I'll probably buy it again, especially considering it was less than $4 for a bottle.

As usual, I'll add the caveat that health and beauty items are really specific to the user; what's great for me might not work for you, and vice versa.

Verdict: 3 out of 4 Hawaiian-print shirts

Trader Joe's product review: Italian Tortellini

2012-07-30T00:19:00.000-07:00

This "Italian Tortellini" is one of those silly names you see on some of Trader Joe's packages. I mean, do they really need to specify for us that it's Italian? It's a bit of overkill because the front package also says "Product of Italy. And THEN the bottom of the package says "Imported Italian Pasta." I mean, we get it. It's from ~~Brazil~~ Italy.

Interestingly, Trader Joe's other lines of food (Trader Ming's, for example) do not specify the country. So, this is kind of weird, like someone decided "This package needs extraneous, uh, stuff!"

Continue reading....

Let's talk about the pasta, then. It cooks quickly and completely, and I actually dug it, repetitious labeling aside. We got the pesto-filled kind, for what it's worth. It's great for a quick lunch, if that's your thing, and I really liked it with a generous splash of hot sauce (don't look at me like that).

Be careful when cooking it; I kind of lost track of time and some of the tortellinis were overcooked and started falling apart a bit. That's my own fault, so I'm just giving you the heads up.

Verdict: 3.5 out of 4 Hawaiian-print shirts.

Trader Joe's food review: Fruity O's

2012-07-29T00:07:00.000-07:00

And now for another edition of "I don't really like cereal, but I'll do a review, anyway." This time, we will examine Trader Joe's Fruity O's, a fairly new product. Will our heroine eat her weight in O's in one sitting, or is this a product best left on the shelves? DundunDUN! Let's find out after the break.

Continue reading...

As you know, I've spilled much digital ink talking about Trader Joe's O's. There's the regular O's, and the strawberry-yogurt O's, and now TJ's has up and made Fruity O's.

You guys, these are the best of the bunch (although I will totally sell a limb for a huge box of the yogurt-strawberry kind, too). They are reminiscent of those really fruity cereals you can get elsewhere, and for the life of me I can't quite remember if these are like Trix or Berry Kix (the latter of which has a Facebook page in the hopes that General Mills will return it to the shelves). Point is, they're sweet, and they make an excellent snack while I'm working in the afternoon. I'd go so far as to call it the official snack of bloggers, as it's great for keeping your sugar levels way the heck up while you ~~fart around on Buzzfeed~~ finish your client's TPS report before deadline, but that's a little much.

The cereal comes in four colors: beige, light orange, deep orange, and purple. The purple O's have the only really distinct flavor; I can't quite describe it, but I'm thinking it might be a bit veggie? I'm not sure. That's not a bad thing, though.

That being said, I think it's way too sweet for breakfast. That's not necessarily a bad thing - after all, I'd regularly eat Rice Krispies Treats cereal, OMG, that was the best, when I was in college - but there's a time and a place for sugary cereal, and ironically it's not in the morning.

Verdict: 3.5 out of 4 Hawaiian-print shirts.

Review: Trader Joe's Crescent Rolls

2012-07-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

I'm a sucker for crescent rolls, of all things. As long as they're buttery and fairly flaky, I'll happily gobble them up like they're going out of style. I have a few recipes for my own homemade crescent rolls, and one of these days I'd like to actually make them, but holy crap do they call for a lot of butter.

But enough about me; let's talk about Trader Joe's crescent rolls.

They're pretty buttery, in my opinion, and have a rich flavor to them. They're not terribly flaky, and now I'm wondering if maybe I should have baked them for a few more minutes? Maybe? It's tricky, though, as the rolls can burn so easily on the bottom. Instead, I felt they were kind of doughy in the middle.

These rolls are great with honey or jelly spread on top, or even served with brunch or dinner.

Verdict: 3 out of 4 Hawaiian-print shirts.

Around the web: Trader Joe's round-up

2012-07-27T00:33:00.001-07:00

What's Friday without a little bit of gossip, right? It's the end of the workweek, everyone's sliding into their desks in the hopes a bit late and hoping to leave a bit early, and G/D if Carol from accounting doesn't ask me one.more.time. what the deal is with the coffee machine, I SWEAR. But enough on that, let's get to the Trader Joe's news.

Oooh, Trader Joe's might come to Hawaii! But so will Olive Garden, because I guess Hawaiians no longer want to be deprived of OG's delicious, delicious breadsticks. (Don't tell me how many calories are in one breadstick, LALALA, can't hear you with my fingers in my ears.)
I had no idea Sarah Michelle Gellar is pregnant, but she is, and she's shopping at Trader Joe's. I used to be really up on my celebrity gossip, and I always knew who was pregnant and who just had kids. But lately, I can't seem to remember who had kids, and when, and who's still expecting. I mean, Jessica Simpson finally had her baby, right? RIGHT? But did Pink? Wait, who's still pregnant, and who do we care is still pregnant?
Trader Joe's in a former movie theater? It looks so cool, you guys. I'm momentarily jealous of everyone who will shop at the store in Houston, Tex.
Hey, CandyBlog liked TJ's Dark Chocolate Honey Mints!
OK, this has nothing to do with Trader Joe's - obviously - but as you know, I loves me anything British. Which is why I cannot wait for the Olympics. Later today, people!

Guess who's back, back again?

2012-07-26T19:33:00.000-07:00

I am back, tell a friend.

But seriously, I'm sorry for the delay, but I needed the rest. That's the tricky thing with blogging; you say "I'll take a few days" and then that quickly becomes almost a full WEEK. And if you're not careful, it can become a month, and before you know it you're locked out of your account and you have only the vaguest recollection of what your blog is about. Ahem. Not that that's ever happened to me in the 10+ years I've been blogging (here, there, and everywhere).

Where was I? Oh, right. I'm back. I've got some neat reviews planned, so let's get back into the swing of things.

~Megan

I'm taking a break

2012-07-21T00:56:00.001-07:00

I've been posting just about every day for a few months straight. I'm not complaining, I'm just observing.

I've also found that it's getting harder for me to get excited about any new product that's come out, as well as "How many ways can I say 'bland'?" The well is getting dry, is what I'm saying, and I'm feeling a bit tapped out. So, it's time for a self-imposed break. I'll be back in a few days, with more product reviews. For now, I need to recharge the proverbial batteries (also: OLYMPICS, OMG).

Catch you on the flipside.

Around the web: Trader Joe's round-up

2012-07-20T00:58:00.000-07:00

It's another week of humidity and heat. As I walk over the brown scratch pad that is my yard, I wonder what it's like to see green grass again. Seriously, we haven't mowed here since....late June, maybe? It's bad, is what I'm saying. But enough of that; let's read some happy news:

Aw, one of those "Bring Trader Joe's HERE" groups gets to cut the ribbon when the Albany store opens.
Here's an interesting read on who the brewers of Josephs Brau beer really are....in Texas. I would actually be surprised if that one brewer produced the beer for all stores.
This headline is so true.
Here's a nice article on Dan Bane, chairman and CEO of Trader Joe's. Is he wearing a Hawaiian-print shirt?!
Vanessa Hudgens shops at Trader Joe's, too. Say it with me: Stars, they're just like us!