Shopping Guide
Learn more about Timaree's favorite ingredients used in her recipes!Fruit
Raisins – (organic) – TJ
You can purchase organic raisins at Trader Joe's and use a TBSP or so to sweeten a creamy dressing.
Coconut water – TJ
We use coconut water from time to time in some of our green smoothies - the sky is the limit when it comes to options from the Smoothie Foodie Bar in The Foodie Bar Way cookbook.
Coconut flakes – unsweetened – TJ
This organic coconut is unsweetened and perfect to use as is or toast for a few minutes until aromatic and beginning to turn golden... be careful, once the color begins to develop, if left alone, will burn before you realize it!
Tomatoes – Fresh (organic) -TJ
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...
Lemons – (organic) -TJ
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...
Limes – (organic) – TJ
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,...
Raisins (organic) -TJ
Trader Joe's has organic raisins in one pound bags.
Berries – Mixed (organic) -TJ
Trader Joe's sells a variety of organic berries in their freezer section. No sugar added, just berries! Be sure to make my Strawberry, Avocado and Greens with Ruby Dressing- watch me make it on California Bountiful TV and get the recipe at www.TheNutritionProfessor.com
Kiwi (organic) – TJ
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...
Cucumber (organic) – TJ
When I am at Trader Joe's, I like to pick up some organic cucumbers to enjoy with one of my hummus recipes or to put into my Curry Zuna (all in The Foodie Bar Way cookbook). Watch me make Curry Zuna on Good Day Sacramento TV.
Apples – (organic) – TJ
I get bagged organic apples and pears when I am at Trader Joe's. They typically have several different varieties of apples.
Berries – Fresh – (organic) – TJ
I almost always buy frozen berries, but if you want to sprinkle them on Dessert Nachos (recipe on www.TheNutritionProfessor.com and in The Foodie Bar Way cookbook), Trader Joe's sells them!
Apple Sauce – (organic) – TJ
Since conventionally grown apples are heavily sprayed, whenever I buy apple sauce for recipes, I look for organic (store brand is fine).
Apples (organic whenever possible)
Apples tend to be heavily sprayed, so whenever possible, buy organic! I tend to buy them in 3 pound bags at the grocery store or Trader Joe's (or 5.5 pound plastic containers at Costco - when they have organic varieties). I keep them in the refrigerator (in the lowest...
Apple Sauce – (organic)
Since conventionally grown apples are heavily sprayed, whenever I buy apple sauce for recipes, I look for organic (store brand is fine).
Cranberries (frozen)
Cranberries can be purchased either frozen (all year round) or fresh (typically in the produce area around the holidays in Nov/Dec) and put directly into the freezer in their original package (no prep necessary). When you take out the amount you plan to use for a...
Dates – Medjool
Medjool dates are very plump and sweet, while also being larger than the Delget Noor variety. I typically purchase them at Costco in a plastic tub. I remove the pit and little crown piece (if still on the date), which is easiest when they are still at room...
Plums – dried (a.k.a. Prunes)
Dried plums, formerly known as prunes, are sold in grocery stores and Costco. Once the bag is open, I keep them in the fridge (lower drawer).
Blueberries – frozen
I always keep a bag of frozen organic blueberries on hand. Costco sells a 3 pound bag of these gems in the freezer section. I rarely buy fresh blueberries because they mold so quickly (like between leaving the grocery store and arriving on my kitchen counter!).
Tropical Frozen Organic Fruit (Strawberries, Mango, Papaya)
I was delighted to find this organic fruit mix in the freezer case at Costco. It is perfect to use in smoothies.
Super Fruit Blend – Organic – Frozen
We buy a bag of this organic super fruit blend every week at Costco, as it includes cherries, pomegranate arils, blackberries, blueberries and strawberries. It goes into our morning smoothie and the phytonutrients protect our cells from the inside out!
Tart Cherries – Organic – Frozen
Every once in a while, Costco will sell organic frozen tart cherries, not to be confused with sweet cherries. I buy several bags for the freezer, as they are great to incorporate in my post-run smoothies!
Red Peppers – Roasted
These jarred roasted red and yellow peppers are delicious and very versatile.
Tomatoes – aseptic packaging
These tomatoes are packed in aseptic boxes, so worry about BPA lined cans. Several brands are available at the grocery store.
Tomatillos – fresh
Tomatillos can be found the in produce aisle of many supermarkets, most often with the outer covering (either green or brown - dried). Keep them at room temperature unless cut (then refrigerate). They will be very tart if they are still quite firm.
Sun-dried tomatoes
Many varieties of sun-dried tomatoes are packed in oil, but these are dry and can be re-hydrated or chopped dry and added directly to a dish.
Mango – Organic – Frozen
Fruit will have the highest level of phytonutrients when it is perfectly ripe, so buying frozen mango only makes sense (as the mangoes sold fresh in the store are picked unripe, or else they wouldn't travel well).
Triple Berry Blend -Organic – Frozen
This mixture of frozen organic blackberries, blueberries and strawberries is smoothie-ready and regularly available at Costco!
Mango – Dried
Trader Joe's sells dried mango (without sulfur or sugar). They are chewy and delicious!
Pineapple – dried
Trader Joe's sells wonderful dried pineapple, without any sulfur or added sugar. I like using this dried pineapple when making a carrot cake version of my oatmeal cookies!
Raisins – organic
Costco sells organic raisins (no sugar added) in a box, which contains 2 bags. They are a staple in my husband's Crazy Lunch Salad!
Pears – organic
Every time I go to Trader Joe's, I always check to see if they have any bags of organic pears (2 pounds/bag). I let them ripen on the counter until the stem end gives to a little pressure and then I keep them in the bottom drawer of the fridge.
Fruit Spread – organic strawberry and raspberry
Trader Joe's sells these tasty organic fruit spreads that are sweetened with juice, unlike most jam/spreads (sweetened with high fructose corn syrup or white sugar). Use a clean knife, being careful not to contaminate the spread in the jar (esp. with a knife used to...
Goji Berries – dried
I add goji berries to my Crazy Lunch Salad and Apple, Chia, Goji Oatmeal recipe. They are sold at many grocery stores with the other dried fruit or in the natural foods area. However, I typically buy them online.