One of the main things I miss from home is always having my pantry and refrigerator stocked with yummy snacks for my every need. Grocery shopping in college is difficult, as hard as it is to admit. We have schoolwork, we want to save our money for other things besides groceries, and we all know the idea of going out to eat is much more attractive than cooking at home sometimes (especially for those who don't know how to work a stove). However, I have discovered one place that makes it all worthwhile: Trader Joe's.
Here are some reasons why I picked this grocery store, and I will never go back to any other. Trust me, you'll be in foodie heaven.
1. The Prices
Yes, Trader Joe's is on the healthier side of grocery stores, but this ain't no Whole Foods. When I walked in this store for the first time, I was astounded by how inexpensive most of the products were, even for items such as organic fruits and veggies. Seriously, I don't think I have ever put anything in my grocery cart that was over $5. Where else can you get organic, whole wheat pasta for $1.29 in several varieties?
2. The Label
ANYTHING in the store that has the private Trader Joe's label is guaranteed to be COMPLETELY SAFE AND HEALTHY TO PUT IN YOUR BODY. What other grocery stores can make that promise? Shall I list what makes these items extraordinary (according to the Trader Joe's website)? Each product will have:
NO artificial flavors or preservatives.
NO synthetic colors.
NO MSG
NO Genetically Modified Ingredients (GMOs)
NO partially hydrogenated oils (artificial trans-fats)
NO "marketing costs"
YES tasting panel approval
YES quality ingredients
YES great price
Just follow this sacred label, and you will have affordable, delicious, healthy foods.
3. Charles Shaw Wine (A.K.A. TwoBuck Chuck)
For those of you that are 21, prepare to be astonished. This extremely inexpensive wine is made from California grapes, and is sold exclusively at Trader Joe's stores. It comes in a chardonnay, merlot, and a cabernet sauvignon.
I am not much of a wine connoisseur, but let me tell you that this does not taste like anything worth $2-$3. So, your college budget does not have to be wasted on good wine. And the best part? You can stock up on plenty of bottles for cheap! So, share this delicious experience with the many others who adore this wine.
4. Pumpkin-Flavored Delights
Fall is in the air! What does that mean? Pumpkin is BACK! Drop those Pumpkin Spiced Lattes from Starbucks and head over to Trader Joe's for their pumpkin ground coffee that you can make in the comfort of your own home, which has ingredients like orange peel, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla beans, and pumpkin spice oil (add some whipped cream to this and you will be set).
There are other delicious items to indulge in such as their Pumpkin Bread Mix, Pumpkin O-s cereal (yes, you can even have pumpkins for breakfast), Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli, and Pumpkin Spiced Pumpkin Seeds. And for pampering: Pumpkin Body Butter. Need I say more?
5. The Creative Items
Cookie Butter? I'm sorry, what? Walk into almost any other grocery store and find the basics, but not at Trader Joe's. Their innovative products make shopping here more like an experience, and less like an errand. I feel like I come across something a little more weird and interesting in each aisle, but deliciousness is ensured. I mean, have you ever heard of milk chocolate-covered potato chips? Me neither. Items like their Roasted Coconut Chips and their dark chocolate-covered everything are what make me come back week after week.
From organic produce to pumpkin delights, this store has everything you need to satisfy your taste buds and keep your spending to a minimum. So, hop off couch or take a break from the library and go see for yourself why Trader Joe's is the ultimate shopping experience. You will not regret it!
