Since I've moved to Lexington to go to school at the University of Kentucky, I've done 98.999 percent of my grocery shopping at Trader Joe's.
I heard about them all over social media, decided to stop in one day, and have been in love ever since. Having been vegetarian for a while, I found myself falling into a bit of a food rut. I was eating the same things all of the time, and places like Walmart or Kroger are so large that finding new recipes seems a little impossible. Trader Joe's has a ton of crazy cool things for people with or without dietary restrictions, and have plenty of crew members buzzing around that would be more than happy to make some suggestions for you (or even let you try some products). I love Trader Joe's so much that one day I crossed my fingers, turned in an application, and was eventually made part of the crew!! I can honestly say that I enjoy every day that I work there. I get to turn some people's days around and get more familiar with the products!
I haven't completely made my way around the shelves just yet, but so far I've found some pretty killer items I think everyone should give a try. Here are some super awesome (vegetarian-friendly) things you can pick up the next time you give Trader Joe's a visit.
Brussel sprouts & caramelized onion ravioli
Okay, I might have caught you off guard with the first one. I'll admit, it does sound a little funny. First of all, Brussel sprouts? Second of all, in ravioli??
Try not to judge a book (or pasta dish...?) by its cover though. It's so satisfying and great when paired with Trader Joe's Autumnal Harvest Sauce!
Dark chocolate peanut butter cups
If you know about Trader Joe's, you probably know about these bad boys. But, if you don't, you're about to get schooled.
These dark chocolate peanut butter cups are going to be the death of me but in the best possible way. They come in about the size of a mini Reese's cup, which is so dangerous (for me anyway) because you just want to keep reaching for more. Good luck trying not to get hooked!
Chilli and lime rolled corn tortilla chips
So, I'm realizing now that I have a lot more junk food to share than "actual" food... Lol, maybe this post can be your inspiration for a movie or cheat night.
This next suggestion isn't for the faint of heart. When I was eating these, I felt like the flavor of these chili and lime chips were being delivered to my taste buds through a bullhorn or something. They're super intense, but if you're looking for a snack that will knock your tongue into next week (again, in the best possible way), then these are the snack for you!
Mochi
Trader Joe's has a great selection of different mochi ice creams, and I haven't had one so far that I don't like. They're so cute that they would be the perfect star of your next Insta food post but so yummy that they might not last long enough for you to pull your camera up!
Hi-protein veggie burger
This next item is much less of a guilty pleasure and is so versatile. I do miss good burgers every now and then, and these definitely hit the spot while helping me get in all of the protein I need for the day!
Apple cider donuts
These apple cider donuts are a seasonal item and absolutely fly off of the shelves! As they should!
They're the absolute best served warm enough to melt the sugar that comes on top of them but is equally as great right out of the box (speaking from experience).
Produce
As a fruit and vegetable connoisseur - yep, that's me - I haven't found anywhere that produce is consistently so great. Everything is so fresh, and with their policy of "if you wouldn't buy it, don't sell it," it always stays that way.
Flowers
I claimed that this list would be vegetarian-friendly... I guess flowers fall into that category!
I just wanted to touch on this because the flowers at Trader Joe's are my absolute favorite part. Honestly, it might have turned into an actual problem because it feels like I'm coming home with a new bouquet or succulent every day! I can't help myself though.
They last so long, there's such a big variety to choose from, and they're impeccable every time you visit.
I promise there is more to Trader Joe's than just amazing snacks and pretty flowers, but these are just some of my favorite things to pick up. You can visit their Instagram page to find more recipes and grocery list ideas!
