Today I had the unfortunate experience of shopping at my neighborhood Vons. I just needed my favorite croutons (my TJ's only sells one type not small enough for my liking) and a couple of other things, and the Vons is less than a block from my house. Ok I thought, armed with my short list of goods; potatoes, chives, salad, buns, oatmeal (maple brown sugar), zucchini, fat free milk (whole gallon), whole milk (half gallon), and eggs, just in and out real quick. Well I left quickly, but empty-handed. I was so upset I just needed a safe place to go, somewhere with red carts and Hawaiian shirts... I ran to my car and headed for the nearest Trader Joe's.

I didn't always feel this way, in fact, not too long ago I used to think that I couldn't afford to shop at Trader Joe's. I just assumed that since TJ's was a specialty grocery store it had prices to match, and that it was not the store for poor college students like me. Then one day I popped into my Trader Joe's and realized I was completely wrong. Now it's like a second home to me.

Why would I run out of a perfectly good Vons that had everything I needed? The economist in me was pulling me away, refusing to let me pay the exorbitant prices. Here's what happened:

$3.49 for a small container of "organic" chives

$2.99 for a bag of romaine lettuce

$4.79 for a box of Quaker oatmeal packets

$2.29 for 8 small, white, limp-looking hamburger buns

Here's what happened when I went to Trader Joe's:

$1.69 for a small container of chives

$1.99 for a bag of romaine lettuce

$2.99 for a box of Trader Joe's oatmeal packets

$1.99 for 8 honey-wheat hamburger buns

Not to mention how much I save on things I buy every week:

$2.79 compared to $4.29 for a box of Kashi cereal

$.99 compared to $2.29 for a dozen large eggs

I also hear that Trader Joe's has good prices on alcohol, but I'm only 20 so what do I know. I won't go into listing everything on my grocery list, you should have enough proof by now that Trader Joe's is for the economical shopper.

Most of the charm of Trader Joe's comes from the fact that they have a whole array of deliciously unique items that they carry under their own brand name. So for those of you who don't shop at Trader Joe's, possibly because you are afraid to "risk it" and try new foods, here are some of the things I have discovered over the past year or so:

- parmesan ranch dressing: the tastiest lowfat ranch I have ever experienced (only 1.5 grams of fat per serving!)

- spinach artichoke dip: you'll find this in the freezer section, but you'll enjoy it with everything! Try it with blue corn tortilla chips or whole wheat pita bread.

- herb dough/wheat dough: you can purchase bags of pre-made dough for delicious focaccia, pizza, or breadsticks. (plus it's only $1.29)

- chile lime chicken burgers: a mouthful, literally. I just discovered these over the weekend and was delighted by the taste combination (usually I am not so adventurous). They are sold frozen but cook quickly, especially on a George Foreman Grill.

- soy crisps: I love all three flavors, sweet barbeque, white cheddar, but I am especially partial to the olive oil with garlic and feta flavor. These little snacks are similar to rice cakes, but less fluffy and more crunchy and with a lot more to offer. 6.5 grams of soy protein per serving, wow!

- chopped onions (bagged): I know that Trader Joe's does not have an exclusive trademark on onions, but they are one of the few grocers who offer pre-chopped onions. All the flavor without the mess or the tears!

- oatmeal chocolate chip cookies: These are a personal favorite, but all the tubs of small cookies are pretty delicious. When I eat them it reminds me (and others) of when they ate cookies on the Rugrats cartoon because they have such a great crunch! Not as healthy as soy crisps, but sometimes you just need a cookie or two.

I will leave you with a few of my favorite items, but try for yourself and see what else you like. You may still have to sneak into a regular supermarket every now and then for that one item, but you can still consider yourself a regular at Trader Joe's.

Shop and eat well!

*dedicated to my beautiful mother who does not know what to buy at Trader Joe's