If you have been sheltered your whole life and are not familiar with the brand, Trader Joe's is a grocery store that has options similar to Whole Foods and prices similar to Aldi.
My life improved tremendously when I switched from the UC meal plan to TJ meal plan this past August. Compared to the infamous CenterCourt, a dining hall at UC, the prices at Trader Joe's are cheaper, food is not soaked in butter and staff is less greasy. Those depressing seven months of spoon-feeding myself Frosted Flakes and peas in the dining hall have simply been erased from my memory.
Please allow me to walk you through my all-time favorite Trader Joe's products, so the next time you have the blessed opportunity to browse the store, you know what to purchase. Once you go TJ, you never betray.
Au Naturel Salad Dressings
One is an almond butter, turmeric dressing (almond butter, cold-pressed lemon juice, ginger, turmeric and black pepper) and the other is a green goddess dressing (avocado, green onion, cold-pressed lemon juice, chives, basil and garlic). Both are vegan and heavenly. You cannot go wrong with either.
Magical Burritos
This is not just any burrito -- it is a super burrito. What does that mean exactly? Quinoa, sweet potato and kale mixed together with a Peruvian style sauce and secured in a chile-onion wrap. Superb.
Chicken Soup for the Hungry Soul
This soup is unique because it does not require time or the flu to enjoy it. I mix noodles into it and can pound it in one sitting.
Better Than Non-Vegan Pesto
I am not vegan, but I wanted to try this sucker out for fun. I never knew kale, cashews and basil could bring so much happiness to one's life.
Coffee Shop Cold Brew
This is a cheap way to treat yo' self. Not only does it taste just as good as coffee shop cold brews (maybe even better), it also looks aesthetically appealing on your Instagram.
Actually Appetizing Dairy-Free Ice Cream
I have been told by a good friend that all of my dairy-free talk lately has been buzzkill, so I will make this short and sweet. It is made with coconut milk, but tastes like Mitchell's dairy-filled ice cream.
Microwaveable Fried Rice
This is your secret to fast, delicious meals.
A New Type of Peanut Butter
This does not fit into a creamy or crunchy category. The flax and chia seeds add a whole new dimension to the PB that makes me never want to use Jif again.
Barilla's Rebel Middle Child
I know, there is a lot going on in this picture, but try to focus on the brown rice and quinoa pasta. Paired with your favorite sauce (maybe the vegan pesto pictured above), this pasta allows you to escape to the countryside of Italy. Well, maybe just your local Little Italy.
Thanks for tuning in to this week's "What's in my dirty college fridge?" Use "emyopemyo57658" the next time you are shopping at TJ for a sweet discount.
Cheers to never subjecting myself to CenterCourt again.
Emily