When I go shopping I find myself peeking into the carts of fellow shoppers to see what they are buying. You can tell a lot about a person by what they are buying. Readers of my blog and facebook page are always asking me for recommedations on what to buy at Trader Joe’s, Costco and Whole Foods. So today when Tom and I got home from shopping we laid everything out on the kitchen island and did a video to show you what we bought. I hope you enjoy this peek into my grocery cart.
Trader Joe’s Shopping Cart
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I hope you enjoy this video where I show you item by item what we bought and how we use it!
Organic Mini Sweet Peppers
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I was so excited to see this display at Trader Joe’s. They don’t always have the organic mini sweet peppers. At Whole Foods these cost $4.99!
Organic Mini Sweet Peppers
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Check out my favorite way to cook these Oven Roasted Mini Sweet Peppers – they are so sweet – just like candy!
Organic Sprouted Quinoa
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Quinoa is so good on it’s own – I like to keep some made in the fridge to add to salads or to pair with greens and beans. It also makes wonderful salads that hold up well for days in the fridge. Two of my favorites should be on your to try list. California Quinoa Salad is one you will want to make this Spring. It’s so refreshing! I made it for a cooking demo and everyone loved it. It’s a pretty salad too. Quinoa Bean Salad is another delicious recipe that holds up well and is perfect for picnics and pot lucks. I included the recipe in my first cooking class and people really like it.
Green Lentils
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Green lentils are a good pantry item to keep on hand. You can cook them up quickly and they are so versatile. Chili Lentils for Tacos are tasty and have amazing texture. This Mediterranean Lentil Salad has a different flavor profile and I love the balsamic vinegar and mustard in the dressing. If you haen’t already tried the Vegan BBQ Lentils in the Instant Pot what are you waiting for? This recipe will feed a crowd – omnivores will devour it -You can make batches of these recipes and eat from them all week long. In the video I mentioned my friend Heather Goodwin’s Oat Cauliflower Pizza Crust – it’s really easy and has a nice texture and flavor. It’s gluten free too!
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Be sure to see my Whole Foods Market Shopping Post.
You have been the catalyst for me to find this amazing way of life, Tami. I can’t thank you enough.
Leslie that is so kind of you to say! This is exactly why I keep this blog and my You Tube channel going! Thank you so much – you made my day!
Love to see your grocery list.!!! Truly inspiring and I appreciate you telling me how you eat the items. Am going to try those dry beets with hummus. I need an alternative to chips!! Thank you so much.
Nicole – you are very welcome! I am so glad you found this to be helpful. I will do more of these.
Love everything Trader Joe’s! Good tip to roast the bell peppers. I will look for those next time I go. One of my favorite items at TJ’s is their precooked packaged lentils. I use them in so many recipes like lentil taco filling. Thanks for sharing your finds!
Hi Michelle, Those prec cooked lentils are a huge time saver! Do give the roasted peppers a try but be warned they are highly addictive and you won’t want to share them!
Wonderful post Tami! Like Michelle, I also enjoy the wonderful cooked lentils and in winter, TJ’s cooked chestnuts (not the water kind).
Nadege – Those precooked lentils are a time saver although they do have quite a bit of sodium in them – but I do use them sometimes. I love cooked chestnuts!
Great video, Tami! This is such a good way to show people how easy it is to eat a health WFPB diet! Keep up the good work!
Thank you Colleen!
I also love Trader Joe’s .
Thank you for taking the time to share what you purchase there.?
I also appreciate hearing how you use the produce.
I haven’t seen those mini peppers at my tj’s. I will have to keep my eyes peeled for them. Yummy!
I love the sweet potatoes, too. I used them in Heather’s amazing pizza crust recipe! But I love baking them and then slicing them in half and air frying them. Super delicious!
I haven’t been doing much dried foods because of calorie density, but I may have to make an exception and try those beets! ?
I would also love to see what you buy at Costco and WF if and when you have a chance.
All the best,
Elena
Hi Elena,
I am so glad you enjoyed this post. I do plan on doing taping my Costco shopping trip and we did a Whole Foods one but it’s waiting to be edited! Stay tuned for more!
Happy Shopping,
Tami
Hi Tami,
I will definitely stay tuned. You are fortunate to have a Whole Foods near you. I live near Chico and I only get to WF once in a great while. But when I do go, I always stock up on “Engine 2” oil-free hummus which is unavailable anywhere else.
Yes, I do make my own hummus, but it is nice to sometimes have something if I need it quickly. Thankfully, they last a long time unopened in the fridge.
All the best,
Elena
Hi Elena,
I like the Engine 2 hummus and hummus can be frozen as well. When you thaw it out just give it a stir and its awesome!
Happy Cooking,
Tami
Yes, thanks for mentioning this. I have successfully frozen it, as well.
PS I tried TJs dried beet chips yesterday for the first time! Incredibly crunchy goodness! They might motivate me to try to create them in the dehydrator or air fryer.
Thanks for the Easter recipe post. I will be including at least a couple of these tomorrow. Cathy’s Coleslaw looks yummy.
That is so great Elena – glad you like the chips!
Elena,
Stay tuned as we already made a Whole Foods shopping video – just have to get it edited and write a blog post. We have plans to do a Costco video as well! I love Heather’s Pizza Crust – it’s wonderful.
Take Care,
Tami