I Won’t Trade Trader Joe’s

My Favorite Grocery Store

A couple of years ago, I was on vacation visiting my brother when I casually asked him what is his favorite grocery store.  Apparently, he thought it an odd, amusing question because he still sarcastically brings up the question to this day.  I was genuinely interested in knowing which chain had the most to offer given the plethora of unique stores in his area.   I’ve got news, bro, Project Runway’s Tim Gunn’s favorite grocery was a major topic of discussion on a recent Jimmy Fallon show.     Tim’s favorite is Ralph’s , by the way, because of its one-stop-shop style.

Well, there is no question in my mind as to which grocery store is my favorite ~ hands down, it’s Trader Joes’s.  Trader Joe’s truly is a unique shopping experience with the array of distinct products that, in many cases, shoppers can’t score anywhere else.  Trader Joe’s buyers search exotic locales as well as local farmers’ markets to bring shoppers the most tasty, healthful food and drinks.  Thanks to this neighborly chain, grocerying (one of my own words) is no longer a grueling chore for me and millions of other consumers.  I actually look forward to shopping at TJ’s, is that wrong?!?  Thanks to the genuinely pleasant cashiers, the organized shelves, the unique, interesting products and the catchy, cheery signs, grocery shopping is an experience not a chore.

Here is a sampling of Trader Joe’s products that consistently fill my cart.  There are more . . . but you should go check out your nearest Trader Joe’s and let me know what new discovery you make  ~

*Trader Joe’s Mini Whole Wheat Pitas – I dip these in my Hummus to Hum About.  They are addicting and light:

*Trader Joe’s (fat free) Cottage Cheese – I eat this before bed with flaxseed for a protein blast.  It’s creamier than most.

Where else can you find frozen papaya on a regular basis?!?  This makes for a uniquely flavored smoothie:

These are a yummy sweet treat.  I buy them in dark chocolate because a dose of dark chocolate is good for you. Mmmmm

I always meet the friendliest people at TJ’s.  This attests to the congenial atmosphere.  Oh, I almost forgot – this post would not be complete without me mentioning how amazed I was at a California Trader Joe’s I recently visited.  I was literally gasping out loud at each aisle I turned to (much to my daughter’s dismay).  I honestly could not contain myself to the variety of breads, hummus, cheeses, sauces and spreads, you name it, they had hundreds of each. Chalk one more up to a discerning grocery store for the discerning consumer.

GG gives Trader Joe’s an A+ for a pleasant, unique shopping experience.  Extra credit for fair pricing (often lower than larger grocery chain prices) and environmental friendliness (i.e. raffles to those who bring their own bags).

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Can You OD on This Stuff?

My Favorite Snack

Don’t let my site fool you. I wasn’t always Ms. Clean Eater by any means. In grade school, Hostess Suzy Q’s or cupcakes were my favorite breakfast fare . . . that is, if my mom didn’t have one of her delectable baked goodies around like she usually did. In high school, I remember regularly noshing on tater tots and chocolate shakes for lunch. In college, oreo blizzards at 10:30pm were a regular snack. Hey, I was hungry after late night play rehearsals or study sessions. It wasn’t until as recently as a couple of years ago that I started to become fully aware of the benefits of clean eating. And now the more I know, the more I want to eat well.

One food item I cannot get enough of these days is FAGE.  Yogurt became a regular staple in my diet a couple years ago but it’s only been a couple months since I dived into the extra, ridiciously thick Greek yogurt style.  I’ve tried many brands and this one is definitely the tastiest.  It’s not as tart as others.  It’s the one brand that can stand alone plain without any added sweeteners or fruit.

Maybe it’s my replacement for ice cream (yes, I used to spoon ice cream right out of the container – my favorite time to do that was right after I brought it home from the grocery store when it was still semi-soft,  hmmmmmm heaven), maybe it’s my replacement for vanilla pudding (I used to love to make vanilla pudding and put cherry pie filling on top, OMG), maybe it’s my replacement for all things sweet.  Whatever it is . . . I’m satisfying my cravings while getting important nutrients at the same time.  And I mean it when I say I can’t get enough of this stuff.  It’s the first thing I grab when I open the fridge hungrily looking for a snack.  I MUST have at least one serving a day, although lately I’ve been known to have two.   I can’t help it – after having one serving a few hours before, I’ll peel open the cover of a second 6 ounce container just a wee bit . . . I’ll fully intend to just take a couple spoonfuls but WHAM . . . before I know it . . . I’m lustfully licking the whole container clean.  I guess there are much more unhealthy foods I could be binging on, right?

Did you know that Greek style yogurt contains more protein and less carbs per 8 0z serving?  Fage 0% contains 0g fat, 20g protein, 9g carb, and only 85mg of sodium.  Comparing Greek style to regular, StonyField Farm Organic fat free plain yogurt (not Greek Style) contains 0g fat, 11g protein, 16g carb, and 160mg of sodium.  StonyField is a great brand and is, in fact, my second favorite.  But ounce for ounce, we get more bang for our buck with the Greek version.  Higher levels of protein with lower carbs helps build and maintain muscle while lowering cholesterol levels.  This creamier yogurt contains casein – a slow digesting protein that will keep you fuller longer.  Like regular yogurt, it also contains active cultures that are linked to improving the immune system.  This means better digestion and less bloating, people.

The consistency of Fage Greek style yogurt is equivalent to sour cream.  This means it can be placed on potatoes, in dips, and in recipes that call for sour cream as a healthful alternative.  If eating plain yogurt just doesn’t appeal to you no matter what I tell you, try this GG healthful tip:  place 1/2 – 1 scoop of your favorite flavor whey protein into 8 ounces of Fage and mix.  Yummmm . . . you’ll have flavored yogurt without the unnatural additives or sugars.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe that indulging in ice cream or pudding or whatever your fancy once in a while is fine and in fact healthful.  You’ll then avoid the crazy binging overload by giving into your cravings once in a while.  Everything in moderation is the way to go.  Just keep Fage in mind for your everyday, eat clean diet and you’re digestive system will be thanking you. 

Grading Girl gives Fage an A for satisfying taste, beneficial nutrients, and practical replacement options.  Fage earns a B- for a slightly higher price than most yogurts (approx. $4 for two 6 ounce containers compared to $4 for one 32 ounce container of Stonyfield plain yogurt) . . . . but they say we get what we pay for.  I’ll just have to save my pennies by holding off on the sour cream and mayonnaise on my grocery list.

Now, if you’ll excuse me . . . I think it’s time for my second serving of Fage today!!!

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Here We Go Round the Mulberries and Gojis

Along with whey protein powder mixed with water or chocolate milk, here are my two favorite post-workout snacks for muscle recovery.  But wait . . . they are not just for the exercise addicts.  Contraire mon frere, they are beneficial for EVERYONE!!  I’m a firm believer that we are what we eat; absolutely everything we put into our bodies helps or hurts us in some way.  Read on, and you’ll see why these two little-known berries pack powerful punches for our physical and mental health.

Goji Berries:

Goji berries are usually found dried. They are shriveled red berries that look like red raisins to me.  After doing a little digging, I found that goji berries have been used for 6,000 years by herbalists in China, Tibet and India to:  improve sexual function and fertility, strengthen the legs, protect the liver, help eyesight, boost immune function, improve circulation, and promote longevity – pretty interesting usages!!!  Goji berries are rich in antioxidants, particularly carotenoids such as beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. Get this . . . one of zeaxanthin’s key roles is to protect the retina of the eye by absorbing blue light and acting as an antioxidant. In fact, increased intake of foods containing zeathanthin may decrease the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in people over the age of 65.  Hmmm . . . could this be why my contact lenses strength improved a while back?!?  Gojis have a sweet and sour taste (more on the sour side actually) so you may not crave them; but, just munching on a handful a day gives you the extra boost from the antioxidants.  GG tip:  walnuts compliment them perrrrfectly.  Mix the two together and, voila, you’ve got a terrific trail mix.

Mulberries:

Mulberries have a subtly sweeter taste than goji berries.  They are also most readily found dry and are somewhat chewier than the goji as well.  As the package of The Raw Choice mulberries states, this superfood is rich in anthocyanins, a powerful antioxidant able to increase the quality of our eyesight, fight cancer, slow down the aging process (including slowing gray hair!!), fight or control diabetes, and generally strengthen the body against disease.  But wait, there’s more . . . another main antioxidant in mulberries is Resveratrol, which is thought to increase endurance, fight neurodegenerative diseases and also prevent cancer. Tests have also indicated that Resveratrol may counteract the ill effects of a high fat diet too!!  They also have quite a large percentage of protein, Vitamin C, iron, potassium, magnesium, and Vitamin K.  Whoa, that’s a load of vitamins in a tiny package!  In other words, they make especially good snacks for anyone who feels slightly rundown.  GG tip:  these are the perfect snack to stash in your gym bag, tote, etc.  Also, these are especially yummy mixed with oatmeal.

Both the goji berries and mulberries are a perfect dry snack to enjoy by the handful or can be mixed with cereals, blended in smoothies and stirred into yogurt or salads.  Grading Girl gives both berries a B+ only because they are not as readily available here in the United States as other dried fruit such as cranberries.  So far, I have only been able to find both at Whole Foods.  Trader Joes sells a goji berry trail mix including other nuts but they do not sell gojis alone.  C’mon grocers, get your gojis and mulberries on – we may be a more healthful society with these berries made more available!

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