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Friday
Oct092009

"Joe Mama" - Fiona's favorite foods

DateFriday, October 9, 2009 at 2:18PM

Fiona has some Trader Joe recommendations. If you don't have  Trader Joe's where you live than you should move. TJ's is a market that sells affordable gourmet food and has chirpy clerks who look like the eclectic cast members of "Glee"; except they are wearing Hawaiian shirts, ringing bells, and acting way to happy to help you. More importantly, they sell Altoids for a very good price.

While I was posting this for Fiona I realized how hard it is to sell your favorite foods to someone when they are busy thinking about their favorite treats: "Oh Julie, have you tried these delicious chocolate covered ladybug turds I found in the freezer isle?"... "Sorry Brenda, I was busy spreading this amazing caribou pancreas on my barbecue zucchini chips!" In fact when I first met Fiona I tried one of her stupid Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Almonds just to be nice and now our whole goofy family loves them! (Stupid Fiona!) So be polite and adventurous and eat outside of your comfort zone. Write Fiona a few comments, like YOUR favorite Trader Joe's treats, and she will be tickled pink! She loves getting comments on her posts (from someone besides her Mom!)

Fiona Joe Mama - By Fiona

Who doesn't love Trader Joe's? Apologies to those of you who don't have one. Pick up and move now, I promise you it's worth it. TJ's is not a one stop shop, but it is on our regular rotation for reasonably priced, good stuff that you can't get anywhere else.

My number one love right now is the Greek Style Honey Yogurt. At $1.29 for 8 ounces and only 300 calories per container, it's a good value for a whopping 10 grams of protein and cheap buy for the level of rich and creamy flavor it delivers. I LOVE this stuff. Finn (my lovely 4 year old) LOVES this stuff and so does my husband Dan. We get four containers at a time to last us until our next trip. It's delicious plain but we often add some TJ's lowfat granola and or fresh fruit to satisfy any craving. Half of the container is a generous portion. 
Number two on my list is the new Instant Chocolate Pudding. It also comes in vanilla, but the chocolate is our fave. Only $1.19 for 4 servings and 170 calories per serving. The calorie rub is that it really needs whipped cream on the top to cut the, not so sweet chocolate a bit, so you'll have to add the calories of a tablespoon or two of cream.  Cost and calories aside, the really awesome part is that you literally stir it into two cups of 2% milk and you're done in 5 minutes, saving a trip out for an indulgence when the mood strikes. 
Last but not least are TJ's Sea Salt & Turbinado Sugar Dark Chocolate Almonds. Capital YUM and slightly dangerous. These are around 4 bucks and 210 calories for 13 pieces. If you are really watching your calories, weigh these by the gram and check the calories that way. From my experience, TJ's labeling way overestimates the pieces per serving. Normally, I reach for milk chocolate given the choice but the salt, sugar and almond sweetness creates a perfect balance with the dark chocolate. Share some of your Trader Joe's must haves with us. Bon Appetit!
AuthorStacey K | Comment2 Comments | |
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Reader Comments (2)

Thanks for the Trader Joe recommendations! I love that store! The Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Almonds sound delicious! The Gnocchi al Gorgonzola in the freezer section is a quick tasty dinner option. Also the "Sipping Chocolate" (super-rich European-style hot chocolate) that they have in the winter season is my favorite all time item.

Shona

October 9, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterShona Lepis

Hi Fiona, I'm Stacey's east coast girl. My TJ faves right now are the Agave nectar for my coffee (cutting down on my sugar); tub of chopped carrots, celery and onions for soup or whatever; vacuum-packed cooked lentils; and I'm trying to forget about the delish oatmeal cookies in the white bag. Keep up the good work.
ellen

October 21, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterellen