Curry Powder – TJ

Curry Powder – TJ

by | Aug 31, 2016 | Herbs/Spices, Ingredients, Trader Joe's

Curry powder is a bit different from brand to brand and chef to chef – as it is a combination of several spices and herbs. My favorite to use in my Curry Zuna recipe is Cost Plus World Market. It is a bit smoother and has a slight hint of sweetness that Trader Joe’s curry powder is...
Couscous – Whole Wheat – TJ

Couscous – Whole Wheat – TJ

by | Aug 31, 2016 | Grains or Grain Product, Ingredients, Trader Joe's

Trader Joe’s sells whole wheat couscous – a one pound box for only $1.99. Couscous is a tiny pasta that doesn’t need to be cooked. Simply add boiling water to it, stir, cover and let it sit for 5 minutes before fluffing! Then, stir in finely chopped greens, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, red peppers, etc… Delicious hot or cold, even as a topping for my Crazy Salad Foodie Bar in The Foodie Bar Way...
Coconut sugar – TJ

Coconut sugar – TJ

by | Aug 31, 2016 | Dry Goods/Baking Items, Ingredients, Trader Joe's

My first choice for a sweetener is fresh fruit, then dried, (I use some date sugar = powdered dates). Next in line for sweeteners is coconut sugar, we use a small amount in certain recipes. Costco carried organic coconut sugar for a while, but I haven’t seen it for at least a year. Trader Joe’s carries small pouches of coconut...
Chocolate chips -TJ

Chocolate chips -TJ

by | Aug 31, 2016 | Ingredients, Misc, Trader Joe's

Semi-sweet chocolate chips at Trader Joe’s are free of any animal products! A few might find their way into the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies from The Foodie Bar Way cookbook – that is, if you decide not to make the Carrot Cake version of those oatmeal...
Colorful Carrots (organic) -TJ

Colorful Carrots (organic) -TJ

by | Aug 27, 2016 | Ingredients, Trader Joe's, Vegetables

These organic carrots are both colorful and delicious. Trader Joe’s sells them in their refrigerated produce area. Use them to make a variety of recipes in The Foodie Bar Way cookbook, like Curry Zuna (watch me prepare this on Good Day Sacramento TV), or make my Zippy Carrot Slaw (watch me whip this up on California Bountiful...
Greens – ready to use/eat – TJ

Greens – ready to use/eat – TJ

by | Aug 27, 2016 | Ingredients, Trader Joe's, Vegetables

I buy lots of greens, including kale and mixed greens, to enjoy throughout the week in our Smoothie Foodie Bar, Crazy Salad Foodie Bar, and, well, greens can be incorporated into nearly every meal! Lot of ideas for you in The Foodie Bar Way cookbook, including Thin Crust Kale Pizza (watch me make it on California Bountiful TV)!  Trader Joe’s has a good selection! I keep my greens in our garage fridge so that they stay colder (fridge in the house gets opened a lot during a typical morning and...
Tomatoes – Fresh (organic) -TJ

Tomatoes – Fresh (organic) -TJ

by | Aug 27, 2016 | Fruit, Ingredients, Trader Joe's, Vegetables

Trader Joe’s carries a variety of organic tomatoes, though once you grow your own, a store bought tomato will never measure up! Don’t keep tomatoes in the fridge, as they lose flavor quickly! If you haven’t made my Tomato Almond Pesto recipe for The Foodie Bar Way cookbook yet, don’t delay… our Hagenburger’s Party Pasta is my husband’s favorite...
Lemons – (organic) -TJ

Lemons – (organic) -TJ

by | Aug 27, 2016 | Fruit, Ingredients, Trader Joe's

I have a good friend with an amazing lemon tree, but when her tree isn’t producing, I will pick up a bag of lemons at Trader Joe’s. I enjoy lemons in a wide range of recipes from smoothies and salad dressings to Jicama Chips and even my Dazzle Berry Dessert Sauce (all recipes in The Foodie Bar Way). If I am not planning to use them in the next day or two, I put them in the fridge (in one of the...
Limes – (organic) – TJ

Limes – (organic) – TJ

by | Aug 27, 2016 | Fruit, Ingredients, Trader Joe's

Trader Joe’s often sells organic limes in bags. If I am not planning to use them within a day or two, I store them in the crisper drawer in the refrigerator. Limes are key for my Cowboy Salad Foodie Bar and several other delicious recipes in The Foodie Bar Way, including Cilantro Lime Rice (watch me make in on California Bountiful TV) and Creamy Cilantro Lime...
Almond Milk – refrigerated -TJ

Almond Milk – refrigerated -TJ

by | Aug 22, 2016 | Ingredients, Misc, Nuts, Trader Joe's

Trader Joe’s carries a large variety of non-dairy milks – some are in shelf-stable boxes that don’t need to be refrigerated until opened, while others in are in cartons in their refrigerated sections. Do a taste test to find out which you enjoy the most! Check out this article that I wrote about how to make trying new foods...
Kiwi (organic) – TJ

Kiwi (organic) – TJ

by | Aug 12, 2016 | Fruit, Ingredients, Supermarkets, Trader Joe's

Whenever I make a trip to Trader Joe’s, I buy a bag of kiwi! I also buy them at our local supermarket and sometimes at Costco (4 pound package). Let ripen on the counter. When the kiwi begins to soften (each may ripen at a different time, so check them each day), put it into the fridge (if you don’t eat it right...
Zucchini – (organic) – TJ

Zucchini – (organic) – TJ

by | Aug 11, 2016 | Ingredients, Supermarkets, Trader Joe's, Vegetables

Trader Joe’s sells organic zucchini (also known as summer squash) on a consistent basis, and I find it tends to be less expensive than at the supermarket/grocery store. Some of the zucchini (as well as some sweet corn and papaya*) grown in the US is from genetically engineered (GE) seeds. If you want to avoid this, buy organic. *All commercial production of GE papayas is in Hawaii. However, most of the papayas sold in the continental United States are imported from Brazil, Mexico, and the Caribbean (and not genetically engineered)....
Sausage, store-bought, plant-based options – TJ

Sausage, store-bought, plant-based options – TJ

by | Aug 5, 2016 | Grains or Grain Product, Ingredients, Legumes (Beans/Peas/Lentils), Misc, Trader Joe's

There are several plant-based sausages available in the refrigerated area in the produce aisle at many grocery stores. While I don’t typically eat them (since they include oil), they are a “sometimes food” for my husband and kids, with one link flavoring dinner for all three of them (some of their favorite Pasta Foodie Bar combinations). Be sure to avoid varieties that include “isolated protein” as an ingredient. They freeze very well and Trader Joe’s tends to have the best...
Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower Seeds

by | Aug 5, 2016 | Ingredients, Seeds, Supermarkets

I use raw sunflower seeds in a variety of dressings and sauces and recommend them in place of nuts (for those with nut allergy). They are sold in bags (great price at Trader Joe’s) and in bulk (supermarket). I keep them in the...
Japanese Eggplant

Japanese Eggplant

by | Aug 5, 2016 | Ingredients, Supermarkets, Vegetables

I absolutely LOVE Japanese eggplant! They are easy to slice in to planks, rounds or even just in half, lengthwise. I like to grill or roast them, (Fajita Grilled Veggies or Mediterranean Grilled Veggies – both recipes in The Foodie Bar Way). I also broil them with a miso-based marinade. Have fun with these purple...
Power Greens!

Power Greens!

by | Jul 27, 2016 | Costco, Ingredients, Vegetables

We buy 2-3 bags of Power Greens every week at Costco! I use them in MANY of the Foodie Bars and recipes, including my Crazy Salad Foodie Bar, Smoothie Foodie Bar, Pasta Foodie Bar, Mexican Quinoa, Southwestern Loaded Sweet Potato and more!
Arrowroot powder/starch

Arrowroot powder/starch

by | Jul 27, 2016 | Dry Goods/Baking Items, Ingredients, Online/Amazon, Supermarkets

Arrowroot powder can be used in place of cornstarch in recipes and has the advantage of being non-GMO (unlike most cornstarch), suitable for people with a corn allergy and extracted from the arrowroot without use of harsh chemicals. I keep a large bag of arrowroot in the freezer. Arrowroot tends to survive freezing better than cornstarch, and work well in acidic liquids (sauces, tomato based soups), but may break down after prolonged cooking/high heat. Available at most grocery stores in the specialty flour/baking area, but most reasonably priced when purchased...
BBQ Sauce

BBQ Sauce

by | Jul 27, 2016 | Condiments, Ingredients, Supermarkets, Trader Joe's

When purchasing BBQ sauce, look for one that does not contain High Fructose Corn Syrup or artificial sweeteners. Also, tomato puree should be the first ingredient! Then, you can compare sodium levels if you are trying to decide between a few choices. I will be sure to put a homemade BBQ sauce in the next book! Let me know if you have a great...
Beans – canned

Beans – canned

by | Jul 27, 2016 | Costco, Ingredients, Supermarkets

When shopping for canned beans, be sure to look for those marked “BPA free” – though it is probably best to cook beans from dry when you can! I have found that organic varieties of canned beans are packed in much less sodium (85 mg/svg vs 440...
Bouillon Base (to make veggie broth)

Bouillon Base (to make veggie broth)

by | Jul 27, 2016 | Condiments, Costco, Ingredients, Online/Amazon, Supermarkets

I love this Better Than Bouillon Base to make veggie broth. While it can be purchased at grocery stores, larger jars were being sold at Costco. Look carefully at the label, you want the jar marked Organic Reduced Sodium Seasoned Vegetable Base. Once opened, store in the refrigerator (will stay good for months and months, especially if you are careful to use only clean utensils). 1 tsp of this paste can be added to 1 cup of water to make 1 cup of veggie broth. The flavor is excellent and I love to use it in many recipes, including Mia’s Garlic Trees (in The Foodie Bar Way or on my website...
Bread – (Bagels) – sprouted

Bread – (Bagels) – sprouted

by | Jul 27, 2016 | Grains or Grain Product, Ingredients, Supermarkets

While bagels are typically nothing more than “empty calories” – it is possible to track down whole grain (and even sprouted grain) bagels. Like most bread products (especially those without preservatives), they will tend to mold quickly at room temperature, so I cut them in half, wrap them and plastic wrap (to reduce freezer burn), then pop them back into the bag and into the freezer they...
Breadcrumbs – Whole Grain – Panko

Breadcrumbs – Whole Grain – Panko

by | Jul 27, 2016 | Grains or Grain Product, Ingredients, Online/Amazon, Supermarkets

Panko style bread crumbs create a crunchy texture when used as a coating for roasted veggies or tofu. Look closely at the ingredients, some have hydrogenated fat/oil, an ingredient you most certainly want to avoid (links to health problems from infertility to heart disease). Whole grain products last longer when kept in the freezer (now you know why my upright freezer in the garage was such a smart investment that has paid for itself over and...
Bread – Whole Grain – Dave’s Killer Bread

Bread – Whole Grain – Dave’s Killer Bread

by | Jul 27, 2016 | Costco, Grains or Grain Product, Ingredients, Supermarkets, Uncategorized

My family LOVES this bread! When we first started purchasing it, I was thrilled, as it was 100% organic, 100% whole grain, 100% free of any animal products, and they used fruit as a sweetener. It is now available at Costco (production shot through the roof) and it looks like they have changed their recipe a bit, to include organic evaporated cane juice. This is a fantastic bread to start with, especially if you are not used to eating whole grain breads! Store it in the freezer and take out a piece or two a few minutes before you are ready to make a sandwich or toast...
Bread – Lavash – Whole Grain

Bread – Lavash – Whole Grain

by | Jul 27, 2016 | Grains or Grain Product, Ingredients, Trader Joe's

My very favorite Lavash bread is Trader Joe’s Whole Grain Lavash, it is $1.99 for bag of 6 large pieces (makes 12 Thin-Crust Kale Pizzas!) and I love to use it to make my Cinnamon Chips for our Dessert Nachos!!! I buy several bags when I go to Trader Joe’s. When I get home, I cut the pieces in half across the middle and wrap in plastic, 4 pieces per pack, then back into the zip top bag and into the freezer. They are much easier to store in the freezer this way (when left whole, they can get wedged between other items and crack across the middle or along the...
Rice – Brown – Boil-in-Bag

Rice – Brown – Boil-in-Bag

by | Jul 27, 2016 | Grains or Grain Product, Ingredients, Supermarkets

For those of you new to cooking brown rice, there are many options for cooking brown rice – including buying a “boil-in-bag” variety. This is partially pre-cooked so it will be done in ~10 minutes. You put the entire bag into a pot of boiling water (do not open the bag until it is cooked and you are ready to serve it. It is more expensive than buying uncooked rice in bulk or bagged, but it could be an option if you are just starting out on a whole grain...
Brussels Sprouts – fresh

Brussels Sprouts – fresh

by | Jul 27, 2016 | Costco, Ingredients, Supermarkets, Vegetables

Though I didn’t grow up eating them, I LOVE Brussels Sprouts! My mom did not enjoy them as a child (overcooking them makes the flavor overpowering and the texture mush), so she never prepared them for our family. When done right, they are amazing! (gently steamed until tender or roasted) Sometimes, stores will even sell them still on their...