It's MidWeek Munchies Time!
For this link up, all you have to do is blog about your VEGAN shopping experiences and LINK UP! You can share your hauls, finds, farmers market trips, or online shopping purchases. Even a Vegan Munchie you created yourself! We will be posting the link up each Wednesday and it will remain open until the following Tuesday. The next day we will start another one! Today I will be sharing my trips to Trader Joe's in Buffalo and my local Walmart. I MIGHT have a Part B to my MWM later this week with local produce.
Over the weekend I traveled to Buffalo to visit the Trader Joe's there! It's been too long since my last visit! Here are a few items I picked up! Tempeh - again because it's been too long since my last Tempeh Attemp - Beet Hummus which was AWESOME - their Fire Roasted Tomato Salsa - and their Vegan Moz Cheese. This was the first time I have seen their cheese so I grabbed it. It's ok in a pinch but I don't love it. It melts almost 'too well' and gets a little oily and runny when melted. It might be good as a melted cheese for pasta but for bread items such a bagels or pizza I found it to be too thin.
Hubby actually picked out this Tomato Basil Marinara! And I actually grabbed the Strawberries from Wegman's in Lakewood, NY. I blogged a little bit about why I made a last minute purchase of these strawberries HERE. They strawberries didn't last long only 2 days. Thankfully I used most of them before they went bad. I was sorry that I couldn't find the Indian Vegetable Burger that I used to love from TJ's this time again. I hope they didn't discontinue it. It had a Potato Base and it was awesome!
I did pick up some convenience items while I was at Trader Joe's because it's not often that I am around a TJ's. It takes me about 2 hours to get to the Buffalo Trader Joe's. I think I only go about twice a year if that. I also picked up some corn chips. The total was about $27.
The only thing I bought at Wegman's were the strawberries and I think they were $3.99.
I also went to my local Walmart and grabbed some Organic Garbanzo Beans. I am loving they are carrying more organic items! I was craving Brussels Sprouts and bought 2 bags of the only frozen kind they had. Their frozen veggie section was a little thin over the weekend. In fresh produce I did add a head of lettuce to our cart. The real surprise was seeing Sweet Earth Seitan Bacon in the Freezer Section at my local Walmart. This might not be a big deal for some of you reading but it is to me because my local Walmart only has a limited stock of Morningstar, Amy's Kitchen, and Boca at the most!
And speaking of Morningstar...when I first went veg I grabbed what I could when I could for transition foods. At that time it was ONLY MorningStar. I have to admit I wasn't really fond of (m)any of their products. And when I dropped dairy I found even less that I ever picked up. BUT...here's one of their offering I actually kind of like. I don't buy them often but if we are going camping I have them on standby.
Soooo...it's YOUR Turn!
I love hummus! I've been craving that and so I'll most likely make that some time this week. Today, I'm making marinara sauce. I'm canning. I finally got around to linking up to your Midweek Muchie post. I had no intention of doing so; however, when I saw your post I edited todays post to include reference to yours.
ReplyDeleteYou can't go wrong with Hummus! The possibilities are endless! One of my faves to make at home is Avocado Hummus! Thanks so much for linking up! I'm thrilled you are participating!!!! Canning! Awesome! My sister has been getting into that this year!
DeleteYou have such a bigger range of vegan convenience stuff in the States! We are just starting to catch up and new companies are starting to produce bacon and burgers etc! I have yet to see beetroot hummus anywhere but I have made my own before. I add a bit of ras-el-hanout spice mix to it.
ReplyDeleteOur options for convenience items is growing that is for sure! I am thankful! The bigger cities have much more than I have locally. I'm looking forward to see it grow even more! I would love to know your beet hummus recipe!
DeleteI never tried that beet hummus from TJ's before - sounds good!
ReplyDeleteMy mom likes the vegan cheese shreds better than the Daiya brand so when I get to TJ's I always pick up a pack for her.
Great finds!
What does your mom like to do with the shreds best? I added them to nachos and also melted on bagel and topped with salsa! I think with the rest I will probably do a mac and cheese of some sort!
DeleteMy mom doesn't really cook much so she uses them on English muffins and sprinkled on some rice. She's been loving it lately. :)
DeleteAhhhhh! English Muffins!!!!!! :)
DeleteThe vegan shreds from trader Joe's is really good for mac and cheese, lasagna, and enchiladas. I don't really like it for pizza either. They still make the vegetable masala burgers. They're my favorite too! Great haul!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips on the shreds and thanks for letting me know they still have those burgers! YAY!
DeleteI've only been to Trader Joes a handful of times (there really aren't that many in the UK - well, there are none!) but I remember there being all sorts of good vegan stuff there. The cookies in particular! The vegan indian stuff does look really good!
ReplyDeleteWhere have you been to a Trader Joe's? Just curious. I'd love to hear about it!
DeleteWow, Sweet Earth seitan at Walmart is a good find! I'm always sort of amazed at the random things I find at Walmart. I don't go often since the Whole Foods is closer to my house, and there's a vegan-friendly Kroger around the corner. But Walmart is the only place that carries my prescription, so I have to stop by every once in awhile. And I do tend to find random vegan items that you wouldn't expect to find there! Also LOVE TJ's. Memphis doesn't have one yet, but we're getting one and I'm soooo excited. For now, I have to drive 3 hours to Nashville to stock up.
ReplyDeleteWalmart is getting more and more vegan options! I know there are many reasons NOT to be excited about Walmart but I have to give credit where credit is due, ya kno? I wish I had a Kroger around here!!! I couldn't even tell you the closest one to me...I think I was in Florida last time I went to a Korgers!
DeleteGreat list of goodies! Love Trader Joe's, I go regularly for the prices and vegan options. I need to track down the beet hummus on the next trip! They were out of the Vegan Tiki Masala last time I went because it's so popular lately and that's a good thing that the vegan version is the most popular!
ReplyDeleteThey are a sister company to ALDI and I like to shop there, too! Let me know if you find the hummus! I really liked it. I think I will try and make my own this weekend!
DeleteOh how I miss the Tiki Masala!
ReplyDeleteI would love to know about the stores you have near you, too!
DeleteWish we had Walmart and Trader Joes here, so many lovely things to buy. Everything looks so good!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be shocked in Walmart started expanding into additional countries because it seems like they are within ever 20 miles or less in the states. I'm sure they will seek world domination soon! LOL
DeleteGreat haul! I am saving up thing to do a MWM post soon, life has just been getting in my way a bit. But I love reading everything that people are buying. :)
ReplyDeleteYou can also post munchies you make, too! Can't wait to see! We will be here whenever you want to jump in!
DeleteBeet hummus? Hmmm. I dunno... ;p
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you lived 2 hours from a Trader Joe's. You poor thing! It's almost a good thing in disguise though, it makes you prepare more of your own foods instead of relying on convenience foods I bet.
I saw that Morning Star burger at Whole Foods, but wasn't sure if I'd like it - I will give it a try.
I think the addition of the grains/seeds - especially Quinoa - WITH the garlic was the ticket! LOL :) Let me know if you try them and what you think.
Deleteps. Thanks for sharing at HVF! I'm pinning & sharing =)
DeleteI think it a matter of time before we have Trader Joes in the UK, and I look forward to it. Liking all the goodies, - benevolent bacon what a awesome name?! many new to me I make my own beetroot hummus and its def. a an interesting change from the traditional.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of shops do you frequent in the UK!?
DeleteI love that beet hummus!
ReplyDeleteI agree! It was YUMMY!!!!!
DeleteLooks like you've found some great items :-)
ReplyDeleteI would love to see the American stores one day.
We have the same brand of Strawberries, those ours are grown here in Australia!11
I would love to hear about the store and shops you visit as well!
DeleteWowl, you did good! I am always delighted to find strawberries and other berries for such a low price. I always grab a few containers when they are $3.99. Thank you so much for sharing MidWeek Munchie Vegan Haul at the Healthy Happy Green and Natural Party Blog Hop! I'm pinning and sharing.
ReplyDelete