trader joe's top ten.

so we all know that i L.O.V.E. trader joe's. i swear that place should pay me commission. i can't tell you how many people i've converted into TJ-lovers. i often find myself giving tips and directions on what to get and how to navigate the store. so i thought i'd compose my current "top 10" for my favorite grocery store... (and for the record, it was really hard to narrow it down to just 10!)

10. sweet apple chicken sausage // already fully-cooked and all-natural, you just heat these bad boys up in a pan for a few minutes, and they are ready to enjoy on their own, or to add amazing flavor to any dish!

9. frozen pesto pizza // organic pizza covered with pesto, mozzarella cheese, tomato slices, and broccoli...a dinner favorite.

8. fruit wraps // one of my favorite snacks, these are all-natural, made from fruit and fruit juice. and at just 50 calories, they're guilt-free! i love them at work or on the go, and especially when i'm traveling.

7. turkey breast - roasted + sliced // one of my newer finds, this turkey makes it feel like thanksgiving every day. surprisingly moist and the perfect thickness, it makes for a great sandwich, or i often just eat it on it's own (ok, maybe with some buffalo sauce!)

6. dark chocolate covered pretzel slims // need i say more?

5. multigrain + flaxseed crackers // my favorite " hummus dipper" (see #2 below)

4. coffee // first off, their whole bean coffee comes in cool cans - so that's already awesome. second, it's cheap. oh yah, and it's good coffee! my current favorite: organic fair trade breakfast blend

3. sweet potato "frites" (+ wasabi mayo!) // when i'm not in the mood to cut up my own sweet potatoes, these come frozen in a bag and cook up in about 15 minutes into the most tasty little treat. and TJ's wasabi mayonaise is seriously the perfect compliment to any kind of sweet potato fries.

2. edamame hummus // really, i love all of TJ's hummus varieties...but i do think edamame is my current favorite. all of their hummus contains no artificial flavorings or preservatives.

1. one-minute brown rice // already fully cooked, then vacuum-sealed for freshness. just heat in microwave for one minute! i love topping it with stir-fry vegetables or chicken sausage. (see above, #10!)

[i would have included charles shaw wine...also affectionately known as "two buck chuck"... you can't beat the price, and it actually tastes good...but our nashville TJ doesn't sell wine b/c of the whole "no wine in grocery stores" stupid-law-thing...but i do buy it by the box-full when i'm in atlanta and bring it back up!]

here's a hilarious video another TJ-lover made as a trader joe's "commercial"...enjoy!