My weekend..thoughts needed on TJ's.

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Julie - I might just show up. I google maped it, and it's 4 hours 30 minutes ... but if I REALLY stock up then it's totally worth it!

I live by a Wild Oats, Tj and Wholefoods! (I WILL cry when we move btw, I've totally become a food snob!)

I HATE Wild Oats, a total drag and expensive!

If you show up, come over to give your feet a rest Seriously, you've become my hero LOL, I'd love to meet you!

[SuzySunshine]

We buy frozen fish at TJ's but you can probably get better fish where you live and it would be hard to transport.

We also buy hummus, tapenades, pita chips, there must be more but its been so long since we've been to one.

As for IKEA - watch out! The market is the best, lots of little things that you might think you need.

I love both - have a great time!

Seriously, you've become my hero LOL, I'd love to meet you!

[Vishenka69]

I have yet to leave either IKEA or TJ's without having spent hundreds of dollars. I have no idea how it all adds up because everything is only $1 or $2 or $3 but before you know it, you have a full trunk.

Some of my favorite IKEA buys have been: a cast iron pan (that's actually made in France), pasta drainer, white plastic trays (very useful for eating dinner on the coffee table), wicker baskets (for mail and other junk), napkins and wrapping paper.

In TJ's I usually load up on dried fruits and nuts, yummy pink French lemonade, canola oil in a spray can, spices (cheapest saffron ever), black bean salsa, blue corn chips, Dijon mustard with white wine and lots of frozen meat (buffalo burgers, lamb chops, etc.). If you can bring a cooler, their Italian ice cream is great too.

In addition to many of the above already listed:
Some of my TJ favs:
Carrs Lemon Ginger cookies - DH and I eat these all the time. I took them to work once the box was empty in several seconds!

Goddess salad dressing!!!!!!!!
Hansen's diet root beer (no ass-partame)
Organic: coffee, sugar, tea
Maple syrup


Honey Mango Cream Shave
Refresh Citrus Body Wash
Ecos laundry detergent
Orange Blossom hand soap (expensive but I LUV the smell!)

I am a huge TJ's fan! Can you tell??

[DCJenn]

The butternut squash soup (in the box) is amazing, too. Just throw some nutmeg on top after it's heated through.

Jenn

[alison]

The tomato soup is yummy too - also in the carton. Throw in some dried onions!

The tomato soup is yummy too - also in the carton. Throw in some dried onions!

make a nice grilled cheese w/it - nice bread, good cheese and then dunk. think of me fondly while you eat.

[ides]

I second the nuts and dried fruits. The raisins, orange cranberries, and prunes (yes I like prunes ) are awesome. Cheap, fresh and soft. Much better than what you get in the grocery. Dh loves the ballpark dry roasted peanuts. Other stuff I like: marinara sauce, stoned wheat thin crackers, brie, white bean dip, lobster ravoili, portabella ravoili, shreaded wheat cereal, multigrain oatmeal, jams, and california protein sprouted bread.

I've only been to Ikea once, so I can't help you with that one. Sounds like there is tons to buy.

Enjoy your trip! Sounds like you'll have a lot of fun!

[madeintaiwan]

Have a great weekend. I have never been to either although I am from CA where there isn't a scarcity of either. My family LOVE LOVES both places. Let us know what you end up picking out.

[rockgirl]

DARK CHOCOLATE COVERED RAISINS!!
I am eating a handful right now. Must have the blackberry preserves and the granola is a staple too. Everything there is great...even the things you wouldn't think to try otherwise. There is no TJ's near me but I stock up when I visit my sis in DC or she sends me care packages

Enjoy the trip!!!

How was your weekend, Heidi? Should I even ask how much damage you did at TJs and Ikea?

Don't even bother with Whole Foods. A lot of the same stuff - much higher prices. The only thing there I love is their meat dept, but I'm not willing to pay the prices.

Whole Foods aka Whole Paycheck -- I think it would be fun to check out. The produce section is gorgeous and I agree about the seafood and meat. It's pricey though.

[Vanquisher]

I had a WONDERFUL weekend, even though I didn't make it to Trader Joe's . The one I went to wasn't open until Friday, and I missed it!!!

I didn't buy anything in Ikea either. Ikea was overwhelming, and I only had a minute or two to go in.

Anastasia eyebrows couldn't fit us in for an appointment after all.

So, even though I didn't do any of those things, I still had a blast, and I will go back!