While I maintain a membership to Seattle’s wonderful Central Co-op and do make an effort to shop there for bulk stuff and produce, if I’m honest, most of my grocery shopping goes down at Trader Joe’s.

#basic, I know, but low prices + a bounty of healthy options + compact and easy to navigate = grocery heaven. The Capitol Hill Trader Joe’s parking garage does make me want to shank someone, but that’s not enough of an issue to keep me away.

Here is a little roundup of some recent TJ’s faves.

Hot & Sweet Mustard
Possibly the perfect mustard. A delight on sandwiches, burgers etc. but I also like to use this as salad dressing. Pretty healthy and a little goes a long way.

Mustard Perfection

Jalapeno Stuffed Olives
I like to keep assorted jars of salty shit around to keep life interesting and this is a very satisfying option if you like a little heat. Amazing savory snack or chopped up in salads.

Spicy good times

Organic Frozen Chopped Spinach
Great to throw into smoothies: spinach flavor is way easier to cover with a little fruit than kale flavor. This is a perfect purchase if you don’t drink smoothies every day and want to avoid a rotting bag of greens situation.

Blend me

Spelt Risotto
Kind of a random find but so tasty as a healthy, easy meal. Takes like five minutes to make. Very flavorful with a nice, chewy texture courtesy the spelt.

Yum

Organic Baked Tofu
I keep this around as easy protein for salads or sandwiches. Short ingredient list. Processed soy is shady but I think tofu eaten once or twice a week is legit as a vegetarian protein source.

I’m much too lazy to bake my own

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Pretzels
I don’t buy these often because they encompass a perfect, deadly trifecta of my food weaknesses and I will kill the bag embarrassingly quickly. They are SO GOOD.

Holy shit yes