The Trader Joe's List

Ever since moving to Tampa from Jacksonville, North Carolina, Brian and I have been able to eat better.  With access to really good grocery stores like Whole Foods, The Fresh Market and Publix we can pretty much find what whatever we're looking for: organic fruits and vegetables, sustainable wild caught fish and seafood, grass-finished meat and pastured eggs and poultry.  It's a luxury, having such good stores nearby, after living over an hour from the nearest high-quality store in North Carolina.

That said, shopping at those stores comes at a high price.  I definitely think it's worth spending more money on better food and since Brian and I mostly eat home-cooked meals it fits into our budget since we're not eating out all the time (maybe just 3 or 4 times a month).

Trader Joe's is awesome because they have really high quality products and are pretty darn affordable too.  I think I had a mini heart-attack when we moved here and realized that there is NO Trader Joe's in Tampa.  And not only that, there wasn't one in the entire state of Florida!?!!  (This has since changed...read on).

Recently, Brian and I were informed that a Trader Joe's just opened in Naples, Florida (!!!) which is a 2 1/2 hour drive from our house.  I know it's totally crazy and defies logic BUT in spite of that Brian and I have decided to make a road trip to get some staples that can be really expensive at WF or TFM.  And we've never been to Naples, so we're excited to make a day-trip of it and explore the area.  (I readily admit how dorky it is that I get so excited about groceries - NO SHAME!!!)

This is the actual TJ's in Naples.  So excited!  image via

I've started making my list of MUST BUY items to make sure we don't forget anything.  Here's what it looks like so far:

- TJ's Pound Plus 72% dark chocolate bar
- TJ's chocolate chips (semisweet)
- Unsweetened Almond Butter (roasted and raw)
- Unsweetened Peanut Butter
- Coconut Butter
- Raw Almonds
- Cashews
- Other nuts??
- Dried fruit:  blueberries, apricots, ??
- Almond meal
- Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk (TJ brand)
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Pure Bourbon Vanilla Extract
- Speculoos Cookie Butter
- TJ's Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Mango Ginger Chutney
- Frozen Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Filets (as many as I can fit in my cooler!!)
- 3 Buck Chuck
- Other various wines and beers??
- Sucanat
- Frozen Garlic Naan
- ???????

What am I missing?  What products would YOU recommend?  This is my one shot (at least for a while) so I don't want to blow it and forget something!  Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Also, we've never been to Naples before and will be spending about a half day there.  I would welcome any recommendations for food, things to do/see, dog parks (we'll have Hudson with us), etc.  Thank you :-)