Best of Trader Joe’s: Haul, Reader Favorites, & Lunch Ideas

Last week I made a very rare Trader Joe’s run which resulted in me getting SO many suggestions of what to buy. I asked and you all said that you wanted to see a round up of what I bought, the suggested reader favorites, plus a couple of easy lunch ideas that I whipped up with my Trader Joe’s haul. After my last trip, I’m definitely thinking that Trader Joe’s needs to be a more regular stop for me.

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Best of Trader Joe’s: Haul, Reader Favorites, & Lunch Ideas | A Baby Haul

I went in with the intention of just picking up a few things that I could use for at home work lunches so my baby haul is under $40 which I feel is pretty reasonable considering it’s provided well over a week of lunches.

Best of Trader Joe’s: Haul, Reader Favorites, & Lunch Ideas | What I Got

I picked up a few fun, snack items but mostly healthy lunch items:

• Hass Teeny Tiny Avocado, Bag of 6 — $2.99 // These look gimmicky but are such a great size for slicing up for salads and for afternoon snacks.
• Mini Heirloom Tomatoes, 1 lb. — $3.79 // This is oddly specific, but they feel very firm on the outside despite being ripe and ready to eat.
• Peach Salsa, 12 oz. — $2.29 // Love snacking on this while I work in the afternoon; it’s a sweet taste without being super peachy.
• Mediterranean Hummus, 1 lb. — $3.99 // Very yummy on cucumber slices, tortilla chips, or naan dippers! Just the right amount of lemon.

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Best of Trader Joe’s: Haul, Reader Favorites, & Lunch Ideas | What I Got {Part Two}

• Thai Lime & Chili Cashews, 1 lb. — $7.99 // I don’t see myself snacking on these so I’d probably opt for a smaller bag if I could find one! These are delicious in salads.
• Champagne Pear Vinaigrette, 12 oz. — $2.99 // This salad dressing kept getting rave reviews from Pinterest & I can see why. It’s tangy without being overwhelming.
• Spring Mix Salad, 5 oz. — $1.99 // Not much to say here, but I did like this salad mix and it held up well. No quick wilting.
• S’mores Bar — $2.99 // YUM. What’s not to like about chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker goodness?
• Gone Berry Crazy, Chocolate Covered Strawberries — $2.29 // YUM SQUARED. I wanted to try the chocolate covered banana slices but my store only had the strawberries in.These are delicious, I’ve been eating 3 before bed every night. Highly recommend.
• Crumbled Blue Cheese, 8 oz. — $3.49 // I actually love lunch salads when they have fun toppings. I’m always switching between gouda and cheddar cheese, but blue cheese crumbles are also really good

Best of Trader Joe’s: Haul, Reader Favorites, & Lunch Ideas | Your Favorites!

Before I left for my Trader Joe’s run I asked my Instagram followers what their favorite items were.  Here’s what my readers said they loved and always make sure to buy from Trader Joe’s.

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• The frozen pot stickers for an easy dinner
• Banana chips “for a quick carb snack”
• Beef and broccoli & the orange chicken from the freezer sections
• Asaparagus risotto
• Everything but the Bagel seasoning // This was sent to me over and over and over! I’m not a fan of everything bagels but I may have to give it a try.
• Chili Lime seasoning, seafood paella and fried rice frozen meals
• Cauliflower crust pizza for food and the rose toner and argan oil for beauty
• Fruit filled cereal bars
• Veggie fried rice
• Cauliflower gnocchi
• Cinnamon chocolate cat cookies
• Tea tree oil face pads, rose facial oil, lavender sea salt scrub, rose hand cream
• Onion Salt

Best of Trader Joe’s: Haul, Reader Favorites, & Lunch Ideas | Salad Idea #1

I took leftover brisket that I’d used for burrito bowls and chopped it up to top the salad.  After that I halved the miniature heirloom tomatoes, sliced up one of the teeny tiny avocados, and sprinkled with blue cheese crumbles and the Thai lime & chili cashews.  I drizzled the champagne pear vinaigrette over the top and BOOM, a delicious and quick salad that was very filling!

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Best of Trader Joe’s: Haul, Reader Favorites, & Lunch Ideas | Salad Idea #2

I made a bed of lettuce with my spring mix and then added a scoop of chicken salad.  I can’t take all the credit for this idea; one of my favorite lunch spots: Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen has this salad and I always get it! Instead of the blueberry vinaigrette that they use, I used a raspberry one.  Make sure to mix the chicken salad up with your lettuce for another filling and yummy salad that’s very easy.

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Best of Trader Joe’s: Haul, Reader Favorites, & Lunch Ideas | The Non-Salad

Anyone else love avocado boats?  I love to half my avocados and fill the hole where the seed was.  {So good with tuna!}  For a light lunch or afternoon snack, you can fill the middle of your avocado with blue cheese crumbles and then top with reduced balsamic vinegar and Italian herbs {sea salt, pepper, garlic, etc.}

Have a Trader Joe’s favorite that wasn’t included? Let me know in the comments so I can try it out!