Life
Ah yes, Trader Joe's. The go-to grocery store that is everyone's saving grace. For those millennials who are taking their first baby steps into the nether (read: the author of this post who is a new LA transplant), it's the perfect store to get your fave meal ingredients and snacks at. The quality is unbeatable, but also, cheap much??
For me, my new apartment is sandwiched between a Trader Joe's and a Whole Foods. Do I appreciate the latter? Yes. They've brought me much joy in the form of their pretty wide selection of Hydro Flasks. However, there's nothing like walking into TJ's and coming out several bags of food later — I personally am always marked with Trader Ming's to-die-for Pork Gyoza Potstickers, penguins with Gummy Tummies, and their Pumpkin Spice Granola.
Now, we all know true Trader Joe's fans avidly watch their "What's New" section to check out the latest products they've released. In the last few months, they've featured gourmet food such as these Sweet Pull Apart Aloha Rolls that are perfect for breakfast, this Apple Cranberry Herbal Tea Blend that personally enhances my mornings, and this Salted Caramel Flavored Hot Cocoa that will leave you going to Starbucks (at least a little) less often.
But many of their items were seasonal, and now that we're transitioning into the new year, what could TJ's have up their sleeve?? Never fear, dear shoppers — they have not disappointed. Check out their latest five products:
Tahini, Pepita & Apricot Slaw Kit
Tahini, Pepita & Apricot Slaw Kit, $3.99, Trader Joe's
These "salad kits" TJ's has been releasing since 2015 are great for a quick weekday meal. The 14.25-ounce bag has greens such as shredded rainbow carrots, broccoli stalks, kale and green cabbage — perfect for those who want to spice up their veggie consumption and are sick of reaching for the Caesar's. Here, we also have chopped sun-dried apricots and tahini orange dressing for all of your taste buds to rejoice for joy.
Italian Marinara Sauce with Barolo Wine
Italian Marinara Sauce with Barolo Wine, $3.49, Trader Joe's
Apparently a TJ's product developer discovered this delight on a visit to Parma, Italy. It was once seasonal, but now it's here to stay. With its tomatoes chopped,partially pureed, seasoned and then kettle-cooked in the Italian specialty of Barolo wine (the best in Northern Italy), this is the perfect way to spice up any meal. The 24-ounce sauces are a follow up to the also-successful Autumn Harvest Pasta Sauce, and you can be sure TJ's will be cooking up some more stuff to put on our noods in the upcoming year...
Cocoa Almond Cashew Beverage
Cocoa Almond Cashew Beverage, $2.29, Trader Joe's
Oh boy. This non-dairy, gluten free, soy free, AND vegan (!!) beverage is sure to make your wallet sing too. With a shelf life of non-perishable AF, your workout smoothies or morning beverages are about to get real sweet. Did I mention there's also a hint of sea salt in it?
Organic Fruit & Seed Granola
Organic Fruit & Seed Granola, $3.69, Trader Joe's
You betcha that sunflower seeds, coconut, dried cranberries, raisins, and chia seeds, to name a few of the delicious ingredients, are going to be a winner. This granola is perfect for sprinkling onto your morning yogurts, or even putting on ice cream??
Considering this author does not eat enough breakfast, I'm starting to get ideas now about how I maybe could have the mornings I want, thanks to options like these!
Frosted Sugar Cookies
Frosted Sugar Cookies, $2.99, Trader Joe's
OK, really? We should have had these guys a hot minute ago. At parties, they're always gone in minutes, so it's a good thing a pack of 10 cookies is only $2.99. The fluffy treats are apparently "almost cake-like," and kosher-certified too. OMG. The frosting is appetizing enough to already make me drool. Maybe I can run down the street after I finish this roundup...
