That’s What You Call A Super Market
I love Trader Joe’s.
Maybe it’s because I hate food shopping. It’s so mechanical, takes forever to do. I get tired of picking, packing and paying, sometimes twice a week. I tried using coupons to liven things up a bit but that became another chore in itself.
But shopping at Trader Joe’s is different. It has a hippie vibe to it, not that I’m much of a hippie type. The people there are so nice, so genuine. And for whatever reason, you can get in-and-out of the store in minutes, not hours.
The first time I took my husband and son there to show it off, they walked down the aisles at 90 mph complaining that they didn’t recognize any of the brands (they waited outside while I shopped).
But that’s part of the adventure. Trader Joe’s doesn’t sell familiar brands. They sell “unconventional and interesting products.” You have to try things, ask for recommendations from other Trader Joe’s shoppers.
Their free samples taste so good on a Friday night when I’m on my way home from work, exhausted and starving. I usually buy what I eat. Sometimes they don’t taste as good at home, but hey, blame it on the cook (me).
The secret to their success – not counting the Hawaiian shirts they wear, the funky artwork promoting weekly specials, or the bells they ring when they open a new register or get you help – their secret is that they focus on what matters: great food + great prices = Value. And I would add “great people” to that brand promise.
So why am I acting like a paid shill for Trader Joe’s?
Two weeks ago my husband had triple bypass open heart surgery. He was in the hospital for five days and I was trying bravely to hold it all together. Naturally I had to squeeze in food shopping.
I stopped at Trader Joe’s for all the reasons mentioned above. The checker made the mistake of asking me how my week went. I told her. She sympathized with me, mentioned her grandfather’s heart surgery experience and for a few minutes it was like two old friends sharing war stories.
When she finished packing my bags, she walked away from the register. I grabbed hold of my cart and when I turned around she was standing there, handing me a plant with three red Gerber daisies.
“I hope next week is better for you,” she said.
It was.
I just love Trader Joe’s.
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Here’s an easy, seasonal Trader Joe’s recipe for Sparkling Berry Punch.
• 3/4 carton (about 6 cups) TJ's Orange Peach Mango Juice
• 2 bottles (about 6 cups) TJ's Sparkling Blueberry Juice
• 1 (1 lb) container TJ's Premium Extra Sweet Strawberries, rinsed and sliced
• 1 (11 oz) container fresh TJ's Organic Blueberries, rinsed
• 1 TJ's Orange, sliced into rounds
Add one part blueberry juice with one part orange peach mango juice to a large drink pitcher. Stir. Add sliced fruit and chill before serving.
Serves: 12
Cooking Time: 10 Minutes