Garlic Powder – TJ

I often get granulated garlic at Costco, but Trader Joe's also carries smaller containers of it.

Nori- Seaweed snacks – TJ

Just a few pieces of these seaweed snacks works very well for the Zuna base (recipe in The Foodie Bar Way). Once opened, they will go from light and crispy, to soft and "stale" - quickly... so once opened, we immediately put the package into a quart size top freezer...

Mixed Vegetables (organic) -TJ

You can find organic mixed vegetables in the freezer section of Trader Joe's- you can enjoy it as part of your Basic Bar for the Loaded Baked Potato Foodie Bar... YUM!

Broccoli – Frozen (organic) -TJ

Trader Joe's sells organic frozen broccoli without anything added. Steam it until just tender!

Corn – Frozen (organic) – TJ

Trader Joe's frozen organic corn is perfect for the Cowboy Salad Foodie Bar... yum!

Edamame – Ready to eat- TJ

Trader Joe's sells edamame in the produce area, ready-to-eat, as well as in the freezer section, (need to be cooked).

Cauliflower – Fresh – TJ

Trader Joe's charges less for their cauliflower, compared to most supermarkets. We LOVE cauliflower, a few of our favorite ways to prepare it include roasted and in our nacho topping (recipe in The Foodie Bar Way)

Colorful Carrots (organic) -TJ

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...

Greens – ready to use/eat – TJ

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...

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...

Potatoes – all varieties – TJ

Trader Joe's sells all types of potatoes, including sweet potatoes, Yukon gold, red and bags with mixed colors, perfect to steam for snacks! Keep uncooked, whole potatoes in a dark, cool place, away from onions.

Mint – Fresh (organic) – TJ

In my opinion, Trader Joe's has the best fresh mint! It is less expensive and seems to last much longer than organic mint purchased anywhere else.

Brussels Sprouts – TJ

Trader Joe's sells delicious Brussels sprouts in a variety of ways in their produce/refrigerated area. Soooo versatile and fun! Watch me prepare an amazing recipe featuring these beauties on California Bountiful TV.

Beets – Raw – TJ

Trader Joe's sells raw beets, ready to grate into your favorite salad or roast for a delicious recipe from The Foodie Bar Way! If you are short on time, you can also purchase their roasted beets in the refrigerated area.

Bok choy – TJ

In the refrigerated section at Trader Joe's, you'll find baby bok choy! So delicious and easy to prepare - raw in salads or cooked in stir-fries or my Un-Fried Rice Foodie Bar (found in The Foodie Bar Way cookbook).

Beets – Roasted and Ready to Eat – TJ

Trader Joe's sells beets in the refrigerated section. They have already been roasted and are ready to eat... You can use them in a variety of ways, including in this recipe for Roasted Beets with Citrus - which is in The Foodie Bar Way cookbook.

Micro Greens (organic) – TJ

Even though "micro-greens" are tiny, they are mighty!!! They are PACKED with nutrients, that your body can easily absorb, so add a handful to your salad mix, pasta dish, on top of tacos or avocado toast... the options are endless! So many recipes in The Foodie Bar Way...

Salsa – HOT – TJ

In my opinion, this is pretty spicy salsa...

Seaweed Snacks – Nori – TJ

Trader Joe's carries nori - seaweed snacks that I use in my Curry Zuna recipe that I made on Good Day Sacramento TV (and can be found in The Foodie Bar Way cookbook). Slide an opened package into a quart size freezer bag right away to keep them fresh/crisp.

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.

Sugar Snap Peas – TJ

Sugar Snap Peas that are ready to pop into your mouth can be found in the produce aisle of local supermarkets and at Trader Joe's. They are perfect for dipping into one of my hummus, dressing or guacamole recipes in The Foodie Bar Way cookbook.

Celery – (organic) – TJ

Trader Joe's sells organic celery in the refrigerated produce area. I buy organic celery because it is on the "dirty dozen" list.

Zucchini – (organic) – TJ

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...

Sugar Snap Peas

I eat these right out of the package, just as they are or dipped into one of my dressings, hummus, guacamole, salsa featured at www.TheNutritionProfessor.com or in the my book - The Foodie Bar Way.

Potatoes – Get Colorful!

These colorful potatoes are perfect for steaming and having on hand to sprinkle with mesquite, Cajun or taco seasoning, or dip into hummus, mustard, your favorite oil free dressing (many recipes and even 2 Dressing Foodie Bars can be found in The Foodie Bar Way).

Cruciferous Crunch Collection – TJ

Trader Joe's sells a ready to eat/cook collection of delicious cruciferous veggies, including: kale, Brussels, broccoli, green cabbage and red/purple cabbage. Sounds great for my Crazy Salad Foodie Bar (and Base), Un-Fried Rice Foodie Bar and more!

Brussels Sprouts – TJ

Trader Joe's sells several different bags of Brussels sprouts, as well as Brussels sprouts still on the stalk (for a limited time during the winter holidays).  

Salsa (store-bought) – TJ

While I love making my own salsa (See my Salsa Foodie Bar in the book), when I do buy it, this is one of my favorites.

Artichoke Hearts – TJ

While most people are familiar with marinated artichoke hearts in oil/vinegar, water packed artichoke hearts are also available in jars and cans.

Japanese Eggplant

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...

Power Greens!

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!

Artichoke Hearts

While most people are familiar with marinated artichoke hearts in oil/vinegar, water packed artichoke hearts are also available in jars and cans.  

Corn – (baby)

My son loves these baby corn in our famous Un-Fried Rice recipe! I found organic baby corn online.

Brussels Sprouts – fresh

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...

Carrots – Colorful!

Look for colorful carrots at the Farmers' Market, Trader Joe's or local supermarket. Find the bunch with the freshest green tops if they are still attached!

Cauliflower – Colorful?!

There are a whole variety of colorful cauliflower now available! Do some taste testing to see which you enjoy the most! Scope out cauliflower at your local Farmers' Market, too!

Celery (organic when possible)

Whenever possible, buy organic celery, as pesicide residues have been higher than for other veggies (check out this list of fruits and veggies - Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 to help you decide which to buy organic.

Chipotle in Adobo

Chipotle peppers are roasted jalapeños and are canned with adobo sauce. The peppers are still whole, with the seeds inside. If you want the smoky pepper flavor without all of the heat, be sure to scrape out the seeds before mincing (finely chopping) the chipotle. Most...

Corn – frozen – (organic whenever possible)

I always keep several bags of organic frozen corn. It couldn't be easier than grabbing a bag from the freezer, cutting off one corner, pouring out the amount I need (still frozen) and returning the rest to the freezer. It will be thawed in no time (can also rinse in a...

Edamame – Ready to Eat

We buy Organic Edamame (ready-to-eat) in the refrigerated area at Costco. I always look for packages with the date furthest in the future. When I get home, I divide up the pods into 3 quart zip-top bags and put two in the freezer, because I know we won't eat them all...

Vegetable Broth – in box

Vegetable broth comes in aseptic containers like the one below (always look for low sodium varieties). I tend to use the refrigerated broth base, but usually have one carton in my pantry. Keep any open cartons in the fridge.

Water chestnuts and bamboo shoots

I use these in my Un-Fried Rice Foodie Bar.

Red Peppers – Roasted

These jarred roasted red and yellow peppers are delicious and very versatile.

Rainbow Salad

Rainbow Salad - sold by Mann's -is a cousin to Broccoli Slaw, however includes the addition of cauliflower (broccoli, cauliflower, purple cabbage and carrots). If often goes on sale at my local supermarket for $0.99 and I use it in my Crazy Salad Base, as well as...

Bok choy

While some of my students grew up eating bok choy in stir-fries and soups, others have never tasted this wonderful vegetable from the cabbage family. It is super crispy and can be enjoyed raw in a salad or cooked. It is very nutrient dense and provides calcium that is...

Beets – fresh and roasted

Beets can be purchased and cooked or enjoyed raw (grated in salad... amazing -better than you think it would be!), or available already cooked and vacuum sealed. Perfect for your Crazy Salad Foodie Bar or the Beet with Citrus recipe in The Foodie Bar Way. For fresh...

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.

Shallots – fresh and dried

Fresh shallots are in the produce area, usually right next to the onions and garlic, or dried in a jar.

Onion – dried chopped

Dried onion last for months and can easily be added to dressings and soups, especially great for travel...

Sea vegetables – Seaweed – nori snacks and dulse

Seaweed snacks made from nori are showing up at many stores, from the local supermarket to Costco. Sea vegetables, including "seaweed" are very nutrient rich, especially when it comes to minerals like iodine. Dulse is another type of sea veggie that can be found...

Chard – Rainbow

This gorgeous rainbow chard was at our local Farmers' Market, but our local grocery stores carry it as well.

Potatoes – sweet – orange colored flesh

These sweet potatoes are delicious and commonly labeled as "yams" - though true yams are very large roots, can weigh over a hundred of pounds, are white in color, and commonly grown in Africa, Asia or the Caribbean.  If you plan to roast them whole, but have had these...

Potatoes – Sweet – Light colored flesh

When many people think about sweet potatoes, they might picture a bright orange dish on the Thanksgiving table. However, these sweet potatoes with light colored flesh are VERY creamy when cooked (the orange colored flesh can be a little stringy, and are great when...

Potatoes – purple

Purple potatoes are bursting with phytonutrients, ready to protect your cells! These are available at our local supermarket, year-round. I will put a few pictures of whole purple sweet potatoes up once I get an opportunity to get to a Farmers' Market in Sacramento,...

Pickles – (sandwich slices)

Start looking at ingredient labels when shopping for pickles and you'll find that nearly all varieties at local supermarkets use food coloring. However, Trader Joe's organic kosher pickles do not. Keep them in the refrigerator once opened.

Peperoncini

It seems that relish and peperoncini's are very difficult to find without added food coloring. Mezzetta is a very popular brand and has a "natural" line - called "Jeff's Naturals" - so food coloring! Yippee!! I believe that I found these at Sprouts (supermarket). Ask...

Noodles – Shirataki

Shirataki noodles are extremely low in calories and made from either soybeans/tofu or Japanese konjac yam. They are usually sold in a bag filled with water, in the refrigerated area of the produce aisle (with the tofu, wonton wrappers, miso, etc.) and will last...

Parsley – curly – fresh

I buy the biggest bunch of parsley I can find each week for my Crazy Salad Base (in The Foodie Bar Way or on my website www.TheNutritionProfessor.com). When I get it home from the market, I plunge it into a big bowl of ice water and then remove the large stems and use...

Mushrooms – fresh

Fresh mushrooms can be purchased at any grocery store, though I buy a 24 oz container of them at Costco each week for my Garlic Mushrooms (recipe in The Foodie Bar Way) and on my website (www.TheNutritionProfessor.com). When choosing white button mushrooms, always...

Marinara (tomato) sauce

Growing up in an Italian family, we always made our "red sauce" from scratch, so I am pretty picky. While I love to make my Quick Tomato Sauce (in The Foodie Bar Way), I always have a few jars of Trader Joe's Organic Spaghetti Sauce with Mushrooms on hand. Not only is...

Jicama – fresh

Jicama is one of my favorite veggies! I love making my Jicama Chips (in The Foodie Bar Way cookbook and on my website - www.TheNutritionProfessor.com) Be sure to peel the skin completely, including the layer underneath the outer peel- texture slightly resembles a...

Mixed Greens – (a.k.a. Salad Greens)

I buy triple washed organic salad greens (16 oz container) every week for my Crazy Salad Base. I am very picky when I choose the container, and every once in a while, I will find leaves that have already started to decay. I will typically throw away a few leaves, but...

Kale – Red (or Purple) – fresh bunch

Kale is also available with purple stems, with the color also integrated into the leaves. Color, especially deep purples, let us know that these greens are full of important phytonutrients that protect our cells. Same procedure with these - rinse to remove any visible...

Kale – Lacinato (a.k.a. Dinosaur) – fresh bunch

Lacinato or Dinosaur kale is typically very dark green and the leaves are shaped like large feathers with a very bumpy texture. They are easy to clean and chop and are a staple in my weekly Crazy Salad Base. After they soak in a large bowl of ice cold water, I remove...

Broccoli – organic – frozen

This frozen organic broccoli is great, as is Trader Joe's brand.

Zucchini – grilled – frozen

Trader Joe's now carries zucchini in the freezer aisle, grilled without any oil!

Mixed Vegetables – organic – frozen

10-16 oz bags of mixed vegetables can be found in the freezer aisle of grocery stores, while Costco sells big bags, if you have the freezer space!

Edamame – frozen – ready to cook

I buy organic edamame (soy beans) out of their shells for our Un-Fried Rice Foodie Bar. They are ready after being cooked in boiling water for 4-5 minutes.

Cauliflower – grilled – frozen

I was so excited to discover that Trader Joe's now carries frozen cauliflower grilled without any oil.

Peas – frozen

Peas are a great source of protein and an extremely tasty addition to any salad (you've might have been missing out all of this time)! I keep several bags of organic peas in the freezer, so I can add them to any recipe on the fly.

Collard Greens – fresh

I can always count on our Farmers' Market and our local grocery store to have gorgeous, fresh collard greens. These are perfect to steam and use as a wrap!

Kale – Curly – organic

There are several types of kale, this one is called "green curly" kale and is part of my Crazy Salad Base. (Trader Joe's also carried kale, already chopped, but the pieces aren't small enough for my salad mix, so I would have to "re-chop" them, but they are perfect...

Frozen Greens (Kale and Spinach)

I always have a few bags of organic greens tucked away in my freezer to have ready to add to any recipe! Be sure to check out my tips for using a food processor to chop these greens while still frozen, it makes all of the difference! (Scrambled Tacos... coming to your...