Strolling the aisles of Trader Joe's can be confusing if you don't know how to read labels properly. This is the first installment of many posts on My Top 10 Favorite Clean Items at Trader Joe's because, sadly, not everything there is clean and healthy.
I hope I can make your next shopping experience at Trader Joe's easier and save you money along the way! I love Whole Foods, but I have found the same clean items for less money at good 'ole Trader Joe's.
Trader Joe's Organic Coconut Sugar is an ideal substitute for cane sugar and is derived from flowers and organically grown Indonesian coconut trees. The nectar of the coconut flours is collected, boiled and ground into powder to create this delicious sweetener.
Ingredients: Organic Coconut Palm Sugar. Contains: Coconut. Certified Organic by Quality Assurance International (QAI)
Serving Size: 1 tsp. (4g)
Servings per container about: 114
Calories: 15
Total Fat: 0%
Sodium: 0%
Total Carbohydrate: 4g / 2%
Sugars: 4g
Protein: 0g
Organic Vermont Maple Syrup
Trader Joe's Organic Maple Syrup was created by hand-selecting (and tasting) various batches from multi-generational producers in Vermont. The glass bottles range from delicate to mild (early season harvest) to very bold & strong (later in the season). Note: Always buy glass when you can over plastic!
We are big fans of the Grade A Dark Color Robust Taste. This syrup is just a bit more intense than the amber color, but is still well done. It is a bit woodsy, but nothing that hid the maple & slight vanilla flavors. We even use it as a sweetener in coffee!
100% Greek Kalamata Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Cold Pressed)
Per Mashed:
"When it comes to picking out good olive oil, the choices can be somewhat daunting. Just about every grocery store has a wide variety of choices, all at different price points, and that's before one even considers hitting up a specialty shop. Even olive oil experts will agree though, that it's really not necessary to spend an arm and a leg for a decent olive oil, and you can find some seriously great ones on the shelf of your local Trader Joe's."
If you happen to find Greek Kalamata extra virgin olive oil (above) on the shelf at your Trader Joe's grab one! The editors of Bon Appétit are big fans of the stuff, and found it to be a great everyday olive oil to keep on hand. Lifehacker is also a fan of this Greek olive oil calling it "delicious" and commending its low price point of around $9 a bottle.
This is an olive oil of good quality and won't break the bank, and can use it in everything from salad dressings to simply drizzling over fresh bread without the guilt that might come with a pricier olive oil!
Dr. Bronner's - Castile Soap
Did you know that you can use Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap as a laundry detergent? Just take 2 tablespoons of Dr. Bronner's then add white distilled vinegar and viola! You've got yourself a clean, non-toxic laundry detergent that you made in a matter of seconds! This is a list of all the ways you can use Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap HERE
GoMacro Bar - "Protein Purity"
We love this clean, "Protein Purity" Bar made with Sunflower Butter + Chocolate (Organic, Non-GMO, GF, Vegan) because it is High Protein! You can sometimes find it at
Trader Joe's, but we have recently found the
Kids size (which is half the size & price) at either Whole Foods or via Amazon. Great for throwing in your bag for an on the go snack or after a doctors appointment you had to fast for because of blood work....Trust and believe, this will perk you right up!
Organic Coconut Aminos
This is THE perfect soy sauce substitute!
It is made with super clean ingredients: organic coconut sap, water and sea salt. That's all! I use this on my warm & cold veggie bowls, veggie dumplings, veggie wraps, plant based sushi, over noodles (like my Citrus Soba Noodle recipe...coming soon!) as well as these recipes:
Coconut Oil (Organic, Virgin, Unrefined, Cold Pressed)
T.J.'s sells this in a glass jar or this super convenient box of 14 individual packets.
The packets are so incredibly handy if you want to take them with you on the go during a day when you are out all day long, travelling, camping etc.
Use Coconut Oil for:
Making pancakes + waffles + cookies + muffins + cupcakes + breads etc.
Making Sugar Free Dark Chocolate
Cooking Safely at High Temperatures
Making Healthy Mayonnaise
Making a Natural Deodorant
Making a Non-Toxic Insect Repellent
Removing Stains
Soothing Chapped Lips
Making Your Wood Furniture Shine
Healing Ragged Cuticles
Making Homemade Salad Dressings + Marinades (click HERE for my recipes)
Benefits of Coconut Oil
Protecting Your Skin From UV Rays
Increasing Your Metabolism
Improving Your Dental Health
Relieving Skin Irritation and Eczema
Improving Brain Function
Moisturizing Your Skin
May Help Fight Infections
Increasing Your "Good" HDL Cholesterol
May Reduce Belly Fat
Protecting Your Hair From Damage
Increasing Hunger + Food Intake
Improving Wound Healing
Boosting Bone Health
Combating Candida
Reducing Inflammation
Quick Energy Source
Relieving Symptoms of Arthritis
Improving Liver Health
Source + more info on coconut oil, check out Healthline's article 29 Uses For Coconut Oil, HERE .
Organic Unsweetened Flake Coconut
As described on the package, this is pure unsweetened, organic coconut with absolutely nothing added to it and it's ideal for snacking and cooking!
"It's just what you would get if you went to the effort to harvest, crack, shred and dry the coconut yourself (once you found yourself in the tropics where the nuts grow)"
Organic Thick & Chunky Salsa
First things first....the 2 reasons we LOVE this Trader Joe's Organic Thick & Chunky Salsa is
1) Contains NO citric acid
2) Contains NO added sugar
Made with big chunks of organic diced tomatoes, organic tomato paste, organic onions, and organic jalapeños, then spiced with organic cayenne pepper and organic dehydrated garlic, Trader Joe's Organic Thick & Chunky Salsa is fresh and flavorful, packing just the right amount of medium-level heat.
Organic Pumpkin
Only ONE INGREDIENT is in this can: Organic Pumpkin. That's all! Look at the back label of most other canned pumpkin, organic or otherwise and you will find fillers, gums and unpronounceable ingredients.
I love anything pumpkin pie related and I will make pumpkin inspired treats year 'round so this item is a favorite and a staple of mine in our pantry!
I will be sharing clean versions of the recipes below for all of the ways I use organic pumpkin year 'round!
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