Exploring recipes, local restaurants, businesses, farms and fun places in and around Atlanta, GA that promote good wholesome food AND that make a gluten intolerant / plant based eater, a meat-eater and two young girls with ever evolving taste HAPPY.
Showing posts with label grocery shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grocery shopping. Show all posts

Monday, September 26, 2011

My Trader Joe favorites and learning from others...

I am copying this idea from a friend of mine's new blog http:stiritup.me

Now you may wonder why I would read a blog about the Paleo Diet. As I get older, and hopefully wiser, I am learning the importance of keeping an open-mind.  There is always something to learn from someone else.  Yes a plant based diet (this is what I am trying to remember label my "vegan" diet - more on that someday) is different than the Paleo diet, the biggest being that Paleo eats meat and dairy.  But there are two very similar aspects to how I eat - a focus on wholesome, organic foods (fruits, veggies),  and gluten free!  Yes, there are other differences in the diet, but I not here to analyze the two diets.  All I know is that  I have seen LOTS of  recipes on Stiritup.me that I can't wait to try.   In addition, it has the most amazing photos, it is very well written, and it is always enjoyable to read a friend's blog.

Recently, she wrote a couple of posts about her favorite things.  And most of the items (minus meat and dairy) where MY favorite things too!  I decided to take her idea and share with you my favorite things at Trader Joes.
Here is a link to one of her post:
http://stiritup.me/post/9885542861/a-few-of-my-favorite-things-cont

BTW - Trader Joes is extremely gluten free friendly!  Check this out:
http://www.traderjoes.com/lists/no-gluten.asp

Here is one big picture of my recent trip to Trader Joes - all vegan, gluten free.
  • Sweet Potato chips - The girls and I love these, they hold up well dipping
  • Taco Shells - easy dinner night, rice, beans, veggies - done.  I put them all in little bowls and let the girls make their own.  They gobble it up.
  • Unsweetened Coconut milk - good for smoothies, baking, cereal
  • Taco seasoning - being gluten free I have to be careful about seasoning. This one is GF, I add it to everything, beans, rice, tofu
  • Unsweetened Cocao Powder - baking, smoothies, oatmeal 
  • Organic Lollipops - these girls love these treats
  • Marinara Sauce 
  • Organic Brown Rice - I do not have a microwave, but I put a little water in a pan, heat it, then add the frozen rice, stir it for a few minutes and it is done.  Great, healthy quick rice.
  • Light Coconut milk- great for curry dishes
  • Frozen Artichoke Hearts - I am adding these to everything these days. Love them in lentils, stir fries, etc
  • Crushers - the girls favorite thing to put in their lunchbox.  Ry would eat a box in a day if I would let her!
  • Udi's bread - gluten free (not vegan, but dairy free)
  • Lentils- these are the easiest best tasting lentils I have found.  They are in the refrigerated section
  • TJs organic extra firm tofu - best FIRM tofu I have found.  Will hold up on a grill.
  • Almond flour - for baking, and I coated tofu with it last night - I mixed a tablespoon of Tahini with a TBS of GF soy sauce, spread on tofu, then sprinkled the almonds on top - baked at 375 for about 10 minutes
  • Hummus - Trader Joes' original is GF and tasty
  • Veggies - organic cherry tomatoes - put out in a bowl and they are gone by dinner, these cucumbers the girls love, and the mixed veggies are easy for a stir fry
 Close ups:


 And, I forgot:
Ry's FAVORITE SNACK

My afternoon smoothie with spinach!