I'm in love...

I mentioned in yesterday's post that we went to Trader Joe's this week during our break, and I'm now officially in love with the place. Until Tuesday, I was pretty much a TJ's virgin. I'd been there twice before, but it was to pick up something specific, and I never really did a shopping trip there. Now, if you know me in real life, you know that movies like Supersize Me, and the pictures of McDonald's fries failing to decompose have never really deterred me from enjoying fast food. When I was little, my mom used to tell me that I was going to turn into a french fry. My aunt likes to tell Finnboo about the time I almost ripped her hand off when she reached to take one of my beloved fries. Before children, I used to say that I wasn't going to feed them McDonald's, and that would be the changing point for me, but you know what? Everything in moderation. I get it, it's bad for you, if I eat fast food more than once a week I start feeling gross, but I don't deprive myself of a double cheeseburger when I want a double cheeseburger.

However, as Finnboo and Kieksy are growing and exploring food, and more and more information is coming out about artificial ingredients, etc., I have become more conscious about what goes into those little bellies. I've always tried to stick to non-sugary cereals, and we've been shopping the organic section at Wegmans more and more, trying to skip super processed foods, but this has caused a rise in our weekly grocery bill. After asking friends and family who are regular Trader Joe's shoppers about prices there (the consensus was prices were reasonable,) I decided to check it out.

Armed with my list, the 'boo and Kieksy, and some tablets/doodle pads and pencils, we set out. I figured they wouldn't have double carts, so Finnboo would be walking. (He's not always so good at listening when there's a lot to look at in a store.) I knew there wouldn't be trains and all that there is to look at like Wegmans, so I pulled out the tablets and pencils for something new and different to occupy them. As soon as we walked in, I was in love with everything-the small size, the reasonable prices on staples (milk, eggs, yogurt, etc,) produce, and the helpful staff. I even learned how to use the coffee grinder and am enamored with their coffee. The whole atmosphere of the place was relaxed, and because of that, combined with the tablets?, my kids were better behaved than they'd ever been in a store. Finnboo quickly became a favorite with onlookers as he walked along drawing the things we were putting into the cart and saying "check!" as he checked them off his pretend list. I was a proud mama as fellow customers smiled at him and told him what a big help he was being. Kieksy enjoyed the TJ's minted peas and ham he was offered in the ready to eat section, and wrote away in his Cars notebook with his Cars pencil. I know that the behavior could be a one time thing, but it added to my overall impression and newfound infatuation.

John asked me upon my return if I thought it was something we could "incorporate into weekly grocery shopping," to which I said, "heck yeah!" The difference in price between TJ's and Wegmans was negligible for most things (I'm not a couponer, and don't have exact prices memorized, but I have a general idea) and a lot of items were actually cheaper at Trader Joe's. The one thing that was priced higher was the meat, which I expected. I'm still on the hunt for cheaper meat. (That's what she said.) The fact that there's such a variety of all natural and organic products definitely makes the trip worth the while.

So I ask those of you that shop Trader Joe's, do you have a favorite Trader Joe's product? Johnny's sold on the Kalamata olive hummus, and we're both sold on the TJ's "Joe." (freshly ground at $4.59?!!) Let me know what other items we should try.

Did I mention that these two were angels?

Kieksy still writing away when we're back in the car!

**This isn't a paid advertisement for Trader Joe's, just a proclamation of new love. ;)