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9 Quarters, 1 dime, and 4 pennies for your Spinach DipMay 11 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line If you like food, try Trader Joe's, but don't shop at mine, it's too busy.
The fact that I live within walking distance to Trader Joe’s is not a coincidence. Trader Joe’s is a great place to find healthy, delicious foods, desserts, and exotic beverages at reasonable prices. Unlike a regular market Trader Joe’s doesn’t have conveyor belts or price scanners. The atmosphere is a bit like a trading post with wood paneling, barrels, and baskets. The cashiers do everything the old fashion way: punching in prices on an antiquated machine and handing out receipts imprinted with prices, but no product names. As you can imagine, the checkout lines may be a longer wait than a more modern market, but no one seems to mind. The quality of the food and the competitive prices are worth a couple extra minutes in line. Although the aisles are tight and lines can be long, the clientele, who tend to be more concerned with health, seem more serene and patient than some in the supermarkets. Trader Joe’s is known for their selection of wines, champagnes, and beers. Clerks trained in the spirits can help you choose an appropriate wine for a meal or recommend a tasty beer. Recently, a popular wine recommended by the clerks and passing customers who overheard my request is the 1999 Francis Coppola Chardonnay for $13.99. I know in L.A. it’s unusual and often shocking to have a stranger speak to you, but don’t be surprised if people comment on what you are purchasing, usually supporting your selection. It’s that kind of place. Another Trader Joe’s trademark is their desserts and sweets. It’s an ideal place to buy Christmas or holiday treats like their buckets of cookies including but not limited to white chocolate chip, gingersnaps, and oatmeal. Buckets of candies are also a favorite; my dad likes the chocolate-covered macadamia balls. For my diabetic friends, they have a yummy selection of sugar free candies. I stock up on the Toblerone’s. Around the checkout counters are huge baskets full of fudge and chocolate chunks. If you are hosting a dinner party or need to serve desserts, Trader Joe’s frozen section has various cheesecakes and gourmet pastries. I stay away from the soy ice cream. If I want dessert I want it sugary, sweet, and replete with flavor. The frozen section has pre-packaged meals like their delectable spinach lasagna. For a quick lunch try their vegetarian burrito, chicken or steak enchiladas, pot stickers, or shrimp gyoza. You will also find stir-fry and quality vegetable mixes. Frozen berries and melons cubes are perfect for a homemade smoothie. Trader Joe’s is a great place if you are having guests or a dinner party. I absolutely love their sour cream spinach dip ($2.39). They have lots of different dips and spreads like Clam, cheese garlic, and humus. Don’t forget to pick up their pepper and rye or sesame crackers. I prefer these cute little toasts (.99), about an eighth of the size of a slice of bread. They are good to snack on plain or for dipping. For an appetizer, I serve Feta cheese sprinkled with olive oil, onions, and basil along with pita bread, Mediterranean olives, and wine. You can find many gift ideas at Trader Joe’s. The have fresh flowers and plants and lively gift cards (just in time for Mother’s Day). I bought my recently married cousin an oriental ramen bowl set complete with those deep, soup spoons for $7.99. The pet section has lots of treats Fifi will like and the dog chow is not only healthy but also very competitively priced. One aisle has vitamins, protein bars, whey powder mixes, and organic cereals. I stay away from the soy drinks. I once bought the “natural” deodorant without aluminum (a speculated carcinogen found in name brand deodorants), but it didn’t work and had an acrid smell of its own. I take Trader Darwin’s (they modify their name for different products like Trader Jose and Trader Guido) multi-vitamin that costs much less than comparable ones from health stores like GNC. There are a couple downsides to Trader Joe’s. Many of their products like breads and tortillas are made without preservatives and go bad within days. They don’t have fresh meats, but the frozen section has low prices on their seafood like salmon, tuna, and shrimp. For a quick dinner, I often cook shrimp, with their sweet Thai rice, and a side of grilled bell peppers. Their fresh fruit and vegetables section is limited, yet their juice selection is good. Every Trader’s Joe I’ve been to has limited parking, but luckily I walk there now.  |
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