I’m certain I’m going to get some push back from this post but here goes nothing. Most nights my girl’s plates are full of meal plan food but some nights, they get whatever is in the freezer. Or, they get a combo of both. I’m not above throwing in some chicken fingers, fish sticks or corn dogs while prepping/cooking my healthy-ish dinner. I get they don’t always crave salmon – I’m not sure I actually crave it either. But I eat it because I no longer have a metabolism that burns 1000 calories while sitting. Plus, I kind of want to live beyond 45. The truth is I grew up an insanely picky eater and now I have one child who is a carbon copy of my younger self and the other will eat anything I place in front of her. My point – my kids eat kid food every now and again especially on nights when they have extracurriculars. And the weekends. And whenever I’m over all the things.
Below are my Trader Joe’s go-to’s for the kids and a few adult favorites too. I’ll do another haul on adult-y food ASAP – stay tuned.
- Bambino Pizzas – 4 to a pack and the perfect size for young kids.
- Silver Dollar Pancakes – Regan would eat the entire box in one sitting if I let her. Come to think of it, this has actually happened before.
- Belgian Waffles – See above
- Big Soft Pretzel – These are awesome as an after school snack. I throw them in while girls are doing homework and they keep them full until I can get dinner on the table.
- Meatballs – I try to always have a package of these in my freezer. Great for kids but also for entertaining on the fly.
- Chicken Tenders – I am a bit of a chicken tender connoisseur. These are delicious. And only require 15 minutes of cook time.
- Turkey Corn Dogs – I buy them and they disappear. Kelly to chicken tenders = Patrick to corn dogs. Only 140 calories too.
- Mandarin Orange Chicken – One child likes it with sauce, one without. Thankfully this yummy Trader Joes find can appease both. And their parents.
- Cheese Sticks – Because what child doesn’t eat cheese sticks?
- Frozen Chicken Wings – Snack or dinner option here. Always keep a bag in your freezer for last minute entertaining or when the neighborhood kids show up starving.
- Fish Sticks – The best on the market. Yes, I’m for real.
- Butternut Squash Zig-Zags – Even Regan will eat these with whatever sauce concoction I allow her to whip up.
- Chunky Reduced Fat Guacamole – Ava and I are the only guac lovers in my house but we can plow thru this stuff in no time. It’s SO GOOD.
- Bagged Arugula – Best for the price and stays fresh longer than other brands.
- Burrata, Arugula, Prosciutto Pizza – Great for when people pop in unannounced or weekend lunch.
- Pesto Genovese Chicken – The easiest week night low calorie dinner option. Pull it out, place in oven. Eat.
- Jasmine Rice – I love the individual bags.
- Green Goddess Dressing – Use it on salads, pour over pasta, bake on chicken. The possibilities are endless.
- Green Dragon Sauce – Such an awesome hot sauce option.
- Corn Chip Dippers – Holy mother of mercy these are addictive. We can’t keep them in the pantry.
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