In a perfect world, I'd do all of my grocery shopping at a leisurely pace at the farmers' market, make my own yogurt, cheese and butter, can all of my own fruits and vegetables, and have pastured chickens grazing in my backyard providing eggs naturally rich in omega-3s to feed my always polite and perky children.
The reality is, some of these things happen some of the time (minus the grazing chickens and perpetually perky children). I fill in with convenience items when needed. Even though "convenience food" is often code for junk food, it's not always the case. Take Trader Joe's, for instance, which does a pretty darn good job of offering "quick and easy" that is also rather healthy.
And while I get my Trader's fix a couple of times a month, some folks I know don't shop anywhere else and wax so enthusiastically about the place, you'd think Trader Joe was someone they were dating. Plus, who doesn't love those tiny cups of coffee to swill as you shop?
The upside of Trader Joe's is that it promises that any food bearing its label has no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, genetically modified ingredients, MSG, or added trans fats. Love that, too!
The downside? The foods rely a little more heavily on packaging than I like. It would also be nice to see a few more organic items in the mix. All that being said, here are my top picks for shopping at Trader Joe's.
Trader Joe's Top 20
- Pain Pauline -- The name and style of bread is clearly a play on the famous Pain Poilane of France. And while it isn't quite the loaf of its Parisian counterpart, it does make for an excellent slice of toast or grilled cheese sandwich. Plus, made with whole grains and just three ingredients -- whole wheat, water, and salt -- it meets my guidelines for a better bread.
P.S. I also like the wine section of the store. Bargain basement prices and a good variety of options.
What are your Trader Joe's picks?
For more from Katie, check out her blog, Mom's Kitchen Handbook, where you'll find recipes and tips for feeding a family. You can also follow her on Instagram @KatieMorford and find out what she's up to on Google+.