My top ten reasons why I love to shop at Trader Joe's

10.  Hawaiian shirts are cool - so are surfboards!
9.   They ring a ship's bell as a signaling system instead of a P.A.  {gotta love that!} 
8.   They have beautiful fresh cut flowers for a great price.
7.   Their prices are terrific. {I found Udi's gluten free bagels for only $4.99.}
6.   They carry things like organic yellow mustard and organic ketchup.
      {my kids eat a lot of ketchup - they think it's a vegetable serving}
5.   Their cheese selection is amazing.  {all kinds from all over the world - even sheep cheese}
4.   They carry uncured nitrite free BACON.
3.   They have a great selection of organic produce.
2.   They have fresh coffee to drink while you shop.
and the number ONE reason why I lerve Trader Joe's....drum roll....

1.   Their private label {Trader Joe's, Trader Jose's, Trader Giotto's, etc.} products are non-GMO!
http://www.traderjoes.com/about/customer-updates-responses.asp?i=4

Corn is especially nasty when it comes to GMO issues, but you can know that if it has a Trader Joe's label - it is safe and non-GMO.  We have been using their corn pasta and really like the taste and texture.  It is not slimy like rice pasta. 

I have shopped at Trader Joe's since forever {ok, well for about 25 years} and I love that Trader Joe's has stayed small and personal.  

Trader Joe's makes it possible for our large family to eat organic and healthy, but still have some fun with food {hello BACON!} that is full of flavor, not "healthy cardboard".  

Sometimes when I shop there, I'm on a tighter schedule so I just go by my list and get the usual stuff, but once in a while I take my time and meander through the isles.  I always find such great stuff.   They make it fun to shop even for exciting things like... vinegar.   

So what's the big deal?  What does Trader Joe's have that the ordinary grocery stores don't?
Besides ambiance and super friendly, helpful staff, they have things like soy-free mayonnaise.

  only 2.99

 1.99

 2.29

 2.49

So not only are the prices cheaper, but the quality is far superior than what I can find elsewhere.  I dare you to compare the ingredient labels.   {What, no high fructose corn syrup, no hydrogenated soybean oil, no preservatives?}

And a little side note.  Did you know that they hide Freddy the frog somewhere in the store.  The kids keep a careful eye out to find him.  The Hawaiian shirt clad men give out a treat - usually fruit leather as a reward for finding him.  Just plain fun, I tell you. 

Oh, and they have all sorts of amazing dark chocolate.  :-)

They are opening stores all over the U.S. now - so check it out, there might be a store near you.  You'll love it, I promise.