#trader joes
Gramma Esther - “Cat Dad”
I’m Canadian, and we don’t have Trader Joe’s, so this is a new experience for me, but when I spent the night with Ruby I was introduced to this spice blend in the morning and Woah, I think my life may be changed forever.
This blend is delicious on toast. I had it just on toast with some margarine and I’m truly shocked, I can’t wait to try it on fried eggs and hard boiled eggs!
American followers : what do you like to put this spice blend on?
I love Trader Joe’s, don’t get me wrong. And right now I live next-door to one, which certainly makes day-to-day planning a big convenience. But my family didn’t shop there much growing up - it didn’t carry bags of rice large enough or offer discount gotta-go frozen meats or stock industrial jugs of Kikkoman; and honestly we thought of it as “fancy” (in fact, we thought of a trip there as a special treat and one time my sister was asked what her favorite restaurant was and she responded “Trader Joe’s”).
Times have changed, obviously. As Trader Joe’s has expanded, the prices have gotten more reasonable and they’ve started including more cultural foods to reflect changing palates and demographics - though their shoyu sucks (and comes in some tiny ass bottle….like is it for dollhouses????) - which seems nice and inclusive in a lot of ways. But I have to admit I definitely paused when I saw generically boxed Mochi Cake Mix, something I grew up calling Butter Mochi that was made by my mom from scratch, being sold to the exact kind of people who looked at me like I was eating a greasy slab of rubber when I was a kid. And I felt that same feeling creep up again when I saw the Chili Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Chips….which are just basically Takis Fuego but packaged to be more approachable to white people, I’m guessing.
So. I’m just gonna go ahead and share the “original” version of some of these TJ’s products because I think it’s just as good to support the companies or the groups that have been making and enjoying this stuff for years, as it is your favorite grocery chain.
Mochi Cake Mix < Hawaii’s Best Hawaiian Butter Mochi Mix
While Butter Mochi requires only mochiko, eggs, butter, sugar, and milk - you can always opt for the mix from Hawaii’s Best which has been pumping out variations on the ono treat (and other local desserts like kulolo and haupia) for years. Not to mention, it’s a Hawaii based company that employs local Hawaiians during a time of financial decline for native Hawaiians in their own homeland. You can buy it from Hawaii’s Best directly, but it’s also available on Amazon or, even better, on Snack Hawaii (another family owned and operated company that has been selling local goods out of Hilo for 25 years). And - shameless plug - I’ve been buying from Snack Hawaii for a long time, so if you need a discount link, HMU.
Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips < Takis Fuego
The company that makes Takis was founded in 1978 and has been pumping these guys out in different flavors since then. And while Trader’s only offers one flavor, the Takis from your local convenience store come in Fuego, Guacamole, Fajita, and Nitro. The company was founded in Lerma Municipality, Mexico, but has since moved to the US. And for me, this is less of a “support your local company” plea (because Barcel is a big corporation) but more of a “support your local culture” plea. Takis is one of those foods that has existed for a long time in specific cultural circles and so, gets looked down on as a marker of being poor or lower class. Which is utter bullshit and which makes the TJ’s version feel like gentrification in snack form. So instead of buying the “safe” version, maybe instead broaden your horizons and support your local Northgate Marketplace, and grab some homemade tamales or visit the panaderia while you’re there? Also, hot tip, Takis cost $1 while the Trader’s version will set you back $3.99.
P.S. If you’re going to say “but Takis have MSG,” please allow me to educate you on how the fear ofMSG is a racistand xenophobic myth.
Amba Fermented Mango Sauce < Galil Pickled Mango
So this one specifically depends on if you’re looking for Indian, Israeli, or Middle Eastern Amba and Trader Joe’s doesn’t really specify which one they’re aiming for here. But Galil has been selling their Amba since 1985 and has been family-owned and run since then. Their Amba is also Kosher, and you can buy it on Amazon as well as this awesome site called Super Kacher that specializes in Middle Eastern and Israeli specialty food. If you want a more Indian Amba, try Ship Brand, which has been made by Poonjiaji’s Spices in Mumbai since 1883. The bottle looks crazy generic and if you live in LA, can be easily spotted at Bharat Bazaar at Samosa House, or again - available on Amazon!
All this to say, don’t knock the originals because you have to go to H Mart or Tehran Market to get them. Maybe you haven’t been to those places before or maybe you just don’t have time to hit two markets (in which case, I have provided you with links for online shopping) - but give the cultures that have provided fodder for your favorite chain a fighting chance to prove why they were good enough to be appropriated in the first place.
Requested by Anonymous
A new Trader Joe’s opened on 14th Street NW in D.C. Friday, a couple blocks north of Whole Foods. How to decide where to go for last-minute groceries? Via this flowchart.
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My parents and I are going to Philly on Saturday to see my best friend, who is currently recovering from chemo, and her parents. My mom called me today and said she was shopping in Marshall’s and going to buy some really tasty, fattening snacks because the bff has no appetite and is losing weight. She was running a bunch of stuff by me: Swedish fish, M&M’s, chocolate covered something-or-others.
Then I blurted out to nope, forget it all. I know she was coming from a good place but I told her that I was going to go to Trader Joe’s to get some not-as-mass-produced and not as unhealthy snacks because thinking about feeding my chemo-recovering bff processed sugar and garbage makes MY insides hurt and if it makes me hurt, it’s probably not going to be much better for her health either.
So, while some of this may not be the height of health, it HAS to be better than the discount candy that sits on the shelves at TJ Maxx for months on end, right? I’m going to tell myself it is.
My haul above included: sweet potato tortilla chips, chocolate covered pomegranate seeds, chocolate covered almonds, dried mango slices, fruit juice gummy penguins, candied walnuts, whoopi pies, and cowboy bark (which is chocolate and pretzels, etc).
Yes, this is indeed better than Marshall’s selection.
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November 2018 Favorites
Skin:
Glossier Zit Stick
I’ve been on the search for a spot treatment for some time now, so when Glossier released their Zit Stick recently, I was psyched to try it. It contains 5% benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil, and a salicylic acid derivative to combat acne-causing bacteria and to promote healing. The product has an antimicrobial steel rollerball dispenser, so apply the product to one tiny spot is super easy and mess free. It is a strong product, so you need to be cautious in how often you use it, but I can confidently say it works! Any time I get a pimple, I apply a generous amount to the area before going to bed- I always see some level of improvement when I wake up. If you’re also looking for a spot treatment, I highly recommend this one by Glossier. Also, if you shop with my link, you can get 10% off your purchase : https://re.glossier.com/31ea289c ❤️
Belif Hungarian Water Essence
I have dehydrated skin, so my skin care lately has been centered around the concept of “let me slather all the hydrating products on my skin with zero restraint”. If there’s a hydrating product near me, I’m gonna use it. The Belif Hungarian Water Essence meets my needs perfectly. It’s a wonderful hydrating product for layering, making the skin feel like it’s had a glass of water, but also being lightweight. If you’re trying to up your skin hydration this winter, you can’t go wrong with this essence.
Body:
Alba Botanica Un-Petroleum Multi-Purpose Jelly
I ran out of my beloved Weleda Skin Food this month, so I was on the look out for another similar all-purpose ointment. This product fit the bill perfectly! Skin Food is definitely more dry than the Alba Botanica, which leaves a slick finish wherever it’s applied. Both are made of plant oils, which I prefer over petroleum based products because they do more to nourish the skin. I figure if my skin is dry enough to need a product like this in the first place, it needs more than just a barrier- it needs a treatment. I’ve used this Jelly on the dry skin of my face, lips, hands, feet, and eczema patches all with great success. I’d even recommend this product over Skin Food if you’re particularly sensitive, because unlike Skin Food, it is fragrance-free!
Tom Ford Soleil Blanc All Over Body Spray
I recently waxed poetic about this perfume in my recent Sephora haul review post. It’s delicious and you need it if you too want to convince yourself that it’s still summer. But not just any summer; the kind of summer where you’re kicked back on a tropical beach with a STRONG piña colada, getting La Mer sunscreen rubbed into your back by a sexy local (wo)man with a dark and mysterious past…
Lush Ectoplasm Shower Cream
I love me a Lush shower cream, and Ectoplasm is no exception. The smell is great and unique; citrus, but the citrus fruits you forget about like grapefruit and tangerine. The citrus notes give it a sharpness, but it’s also sweet. On top of that, the color is a fun neon green and it’s nicely moisturizing. For once, a Lush product is actually still in stock when I review it, so I’d pick this up while you still have the chance!
Misc.
Trader Joe’s Cedar Balsam Scented Candle
Another affordable, effective Trader Joe’s find that I’m absolutely in love with! This candle has a fresh Christmas tree-type scent, with a hint of sweetness. It’s pine, but I wouldn’t classify it as masculine or overpowering at all. Perfect for the winter time; best enjoyed with a hot cup of tea and your favorite Netflix series (a little Salt Fat Acid Heatanyone?).
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November 2018 Favorites
Skin:
Glossier Zit Stick
I’ve been on the search for a spot treatment for some time now, so when Glossier released their Zit Stick recently, I was psyched to try it. It contains 5% benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil, and a salicylic acid derivative to combat acne-causing bacteria and to promote healing. The product has an antimicrobial steel rollerball dispenser, so apply the product to one tiny spot is super easy and mess free. It is a strong product, so you need to be cautious in how often you use it, but I can confidently say it works! Any time I get a pimple, I apply a generous amount to the area before going to bed- I always see some level of improvement when I wake up. If you’re also looking for a spot treatment, I highly recommend this one by Glossier. Also, if you shop with my link, you can get 10% off your purchase : https://re.glossier.com/31ea289c ❤️
Belif Hungarian Water Essence
I have dehydrated skin, so my skin care lately has been centered around the concept of “let me slather all the hydrating products on my skin with zero restraint”. If there’s a hydrating product near me, I’m gonna use it. The Belif Hungarian Water Essence meets my needs perfectly. It’s a wonderful hydrating product for layering, making the skin feel like it’s had a glass of water, but also being lightweight. If you’re trying to up your skin hydration this winter, you can’t go wrong with this essence.
Body:
Alba Botanica Un-Petroleum Multi-Purpose Jelly
I ran out of my beloved Weleda Skin Food this month, so I was on the look out for another similar all-purpose ointment. This product fit the bill perfectly! Skin Food is definitely more dry than the Alba Botanica, which leaves a slick finish wherever it’s applied. Both are made of plant oils, which I prefer over petroleum based products because they do more to nourish the skin. I figure if my skin is dry enough to need a product like this in the first place, it needs more than just a barrier- it needs a treatment. I’ve used this Jelly on the dry skin of my face, lips, hands, feet, and eczema patches all with great success. I’d even recommend this product over Skin Food if you’re particularly sensitive, because unlike Skin Food, it is fragrance-free!
Tom Ford Soleil Blanc All Over Body Spray
I recently waxed poetic about this perfume in my recent Sephora haul review post. It’s delicious and you need it if you too want to convince yourself that it’s still summer. But not just any summer; the kind of summer where you’re kicked back on a tropical beach with a STRONG piña colada, getting La Mer sunscreen rubbed into your back by a sexy local (wo)man with a dark and mysterious past…
Lush Ectoplasm Shower Cream
I love me a Lush shower cream, and Ectoplasm is no exception. The smell is great and unique; citrus, but the citrus fruits you forget about like grapefruit and tangerine. The citrus notes give it a sharpness, but it’s also sweet. On top of that, the color is a fun neon green and it’s nicely moisturizing. For once, a Lush product is actually still in stock when I review it, so I’d pick this up while you still have the chance!
Misc.
Trader Joe’s Cedar Balsam Scented Candle
Another affordable, effective Trader Joe’s find that I’m absolutely in love with! This candle has a fresh Christmas tree-type scent, with a hint of sweetness. It’s pine, but I wouldn’t classify it as masculine or overpowering at all. Perfect for the winter time; best enjoyed with a hot cup of tea and your favorite Netflix series (a little Salt Fat Acid Heatanyone?).
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October 2018 Favorites
Skin:
Elizavecca Natural 90% Olive Cleansing Oil
If you have skin, this cleansing oil is for you. Oily, dry, acne-prone, sensitive, etc. It’s unfragranced, has a great gentle slip on the skin, effective, cheap, lasts forever, and leaves the skin hydrated after use. If you’re looking for an oil cleanser, you can’t go wrong with this.
Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly
I wanted to try this pretty much from the moment I saw the words ‘hydrating’ and ‘jelly’ together in the name. It certainly doesn’t disappoint. I like to apply a thick layer of this, which acts almost like a mid-routine hydrating mask, but you don’t need to remove it. And it’s not only a hydrator; it’s packed with goodies like plant extracts and caffeine.
Cosrx Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask
There’s something about this moisturizer that is so comforting. It’s straightforward and simple, but not boring. Rice extract, sunflower seed oil, and niacinamide are all ingredients that I love. When applied, this moisturizer gives you an instant shot of hydration, which doesn’t go away after a few minutes. Your skin stays moisturized, brightened, and comfortable. This is another good choice for pretty much any skin.
Makeup:
Fresh Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm
This is what all lip masks aspire to be. It’s rich and silky; not sticky like some can be. It has decent staying power, but when its gone, my lips still feel moisturized. It also gives your lips a really pretty shine. My favorite part is the smell though- so delicious! It’s a really luxurious lip product to use.
Maybelline Master Kajal in Onyx Rush
I’m actually shocked that I haven’t mentioned this product before on this blog. I suppose it’s been one of those staples for me that I don’t think about, I just use it. You’ll never catch me using an eyeliner other than kohl. It’s stupid easy to work with (which, for me, is a requirement). It gives me the perfect slept-in smokey eye look with only one product. Cheap to boot.
Body:
Hum Nutrition Glow Sweet Glow
These are a great cold weather supplement; between dry air and cold season, our bodies take a beating. These gummies are packed with vitamin C for immune/antioxidant support, but also hyaluronic acid for increased skin hydration. And they taste delicious!
Trader Joe’s Grapefruit Ginger Sugar Scrub
So I finally decided to wander into Trader Joe’s beauty section the other day. I’m so glad that I did- I felt like a kid in a candy store! There were so many interesting, affordable products that I wanted to try. This scrub was the first thing I picked up and it far surpassed my expectations. The sugar base provides good exfoliation, without being drying or too harsh. The formula also features different oils, which leave your skin moisturized after you rinse it off. The scent is also wonderful- It smells spicy sweet with a subtle citrus zing. All of that comes in a squeeze tube, which is just so much more practical for the shower than your conventional tub.
Misc.:
Trader Joe’s Vanilla Pumpkin Scented Candle
Another great TJ’s find. This candle smells like freshly baked pumpkin cookies, without being too cloyingly sweet. The throw is decent for a smaller candle and the candle itself is long lasting. Perfect for fall!
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