I am one excited girl! I had only been to Trader Joe's once, in Chicago. I loved it so, but alas, we didn’t have one closer than 2 hours away. Blogger after Blogger listed the numerous delicious, healthy, economical and fun finds from there and I’d been keeping a running list! Well, lo and behold, one opened an hour away so mom and I took a day to venture up there last Thursday. For 3 days I scoured all the blogs for the BEST in Trader Joe buys to add to my accumulating list and I am happy to tell you $174 later, I bought everything on my list and more except I couldn't fund the mini cinnamon churros, lol. It doesn't take much to get this girl excited and Trader Joe's certainly got my food shopping blood flowing with all it's goodnesss. I know this may not totally excite some of you TJ veterans but to my mom and I, what a ball, or should I say, "shopping cart" of FUN!! I had so much fun seeing what other's got so I thought you might like to see some favorites from my haul. Here are a some of things I have tried and loved, then some of the things I bought and I am saving my favorite so far for last! Cinnamon Coffee Cake I rarely buy store bought cakes but this was delicious with my coffee Saturday morning! Tarte D' Alsace Flatbread Oh my word this was delicious and a serving is only 140 calories, which means I can have half and still be under 300 cals!! Coconut Body Butter Heaven; thick and smooth and I felt like I was on a tropical vaca when I slathered it on out of the shower. Fig and Olive Crisps A great unique flavor especially when you bite into a piece of fig, great with cheese or alone. Green Yogurt, Non-Fat Vanilla Bean Easily a very yummy yogurt, love the vanilla bean and so good mixed with my berries Pinks and Whites Shortbread Cookies I'm not a fan of sprinkles, but these little things are delicious and soooo cute! Tea Party anyone? Here are some of the items I bought from my coveted list that I cannot wait to try. (I wanted the beautiful fresh flowers but had just bought a bunch for my island) Honeycrisp Apples A no brainer at half the price of my local supermarket. Many posts I read said not to buy fresh fruit there but this price was too good to pass up. Individual Trail Mix Packets I'll be having a couple boys working this summer who take their lunches, these will be perfect. Organic Brown Rice Packets 3 in a box and cheaper than the microwave Uncle Ben's. The only rice I buy is brown. Pastry Bites These sound so yummy and a perfect app for company. Frozen Pineapple Tidbits Frozen concoctions by the pool anyone? Organic Riced Cauliflower Loving this stuff and cheaper here. Mmmm, I was trying to decided on the frozen chicken, I love buying chicken breast in bulk but not usually frozen or with rib meat so I passed but a great price. Spinach and Artichoke Dip Heard it is creamy and as good as any restaurant, can't wait to try this. Stacked Eggplant Parmesan I LOVE eggplant and when the checkout guy told my mom this is AMAZING, I got even more excited to have this. Sweet Potato Fries My fam doesn't love these but I do so I'll throw a few of these on the baking sheet for me next time I make their regular fries. Mandarin Orange Chicken All the sites I read said this is the BEST item of all at TJ's. My family is Orange Chicken crazy so I got a couple bags and am looking forward to them trying it. Dark Chocolate Crisps I wanted the milk chocolate but couldn't find but these are half the price of what I've seen at my stores and such a light little sweet treat. Honey Wheat Pretzels Every now and then I get hungry for handful of pretzels and sticks are my favorite. Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels 2 Bags for Mr. Nine and he's a happy man! Pita Bite Crackers Will have with hummus of course! Savory Mini Thin Crackers My mom opened hers and didn't love, but I'll try in said hummus and various dips. Fruit Sauce Crushers Again, nice toss in the boy's lunch boxes item and they love applesauce. Everything But the Bagel Seasoning Can't wait to toss this into and on stuff! Bruschetta I love it and hear TJ's is so fresh tasting! Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls Hear they are better then Pillsbury and my boys love cinnamon rolls, I'll make them when they are all home on a Saturday morn. FRUIT BARS Love that these have no yucky stuff added and another perfect lunch box item or quick breakfast grab and go. Roasted Garlic Hummus Lots of dip going on with my new cracker and veggies of course. Mozzarella Log The fact that this fresh mozzarella is pre-sliced, big Caprese Salad win!! White Stilton Cheese w/Apricots Yum, Yum, Yum! PB Cups and Praline Pecans Sweet treats for Mr. and I. Chunky Guacamole I love this is made with greek yogurt and way lower in calories. Hope its good. SOYAKI Love the name and my two favorite sauces mixed, can't wait to try in stir-fry. A Moscato D'Asti Ahhh great price and cannot wait to open this. AND THE FAVORITE WINNER SO FAR? SEA SALT BUTTERSCOTCH CARAMELS PURE HEAVEN in Candy Balls of sweet/soft/chocolatey/butter/ sea salt goodness! So, on this particular shopping day, winds were about 30mph. Mom and I had the hardest time corralling the shopping carts, but she did it even while holding her Ghost Chips the whole time, lol Mr. Nine LOVED the Ghost Chips!! Ok Peeps, tell me; if you are a Trader Joe's shopper, what are your favorite finds there? Tell me what I should add to my next list that has already begun. And if not, were do you love to shop for unique and yummy food items? LINKING-UP with Biana // Totally Terrific Tuesday // Inspire Me Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday // Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party // Creative Monday's // Creative Muster Party // Wow Us Wednesdays // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop // Feathered Nest Friday // Metamorphosis Monday // The Scoop // Tuesday Talk with Erika and Ashley // Cooking and Crafting with J&J XOXO Yes, Kevin, I will! Hear that local peeps?