Care to share your Costco grocery list?

[Hondapendragon]

Hello,

I'm curious to know what groceries people buy at Costco. I'm only feeding a family of two so I don't normally try new things at Costco as my storage space is quite limited. Is there anything at Costco that is a must-try?

My usual Costco shopping list includes:

- beef tenderloin
- mixed greens salad in a box
- strawberries
- pineapple
- Piroline chocolate-hazelnut cookies
- Kawartha Ice Cream - Moose Tracks
- Japanese green tea
- whole black pepper
- sweet potato fries

I'd love to know what you buy!

Thanks in advance!

[mucho gordo]

It varies; not the same items each time:
All our prescriptions are cheaper at the pharmacy
All meats we have bought there have been fantastic
jug of maple syrup
some microwaveable dinners in refrigerated section
coffee
cake / pie / muffins / cookies
For the dog:
boneless/skinless chicken thighs and chicken jerky strips

[c oliver]

We call the chicken jerky "doggy cocaine."

[mucho gordo]

your pooch is addicted too?

[rcn44]

My dogs love these, too. Though, sometimes at parties, I serve them with ranch dressing. The guests seem to like them, as there are never any left.

[mucho gordo]

HUH!!!! You give these to humans???????? With ranch dressing??? Somehow I don't think we're talking about the same item.

[rcn44]

it's a joke....

[mucho gordo]

whew.........that's a relief!

[Beach Chick]

Lately they've had this fab bags of little heads of red lettuce and romaine and there wonderful..
With those vine ripe tomt's and baby mini peppers with some baked goat cheese..yum!
I haven't found the Quinoa yet at my Costco..
Sampled the liquid CoQ-10..they say coupons come out for this at the end of the month.

[goodhealthgourmet]

BC, which location are you going to? Carlsbad & Mission Valley always had the quinoa when i shopped there.

[Beach Chick]

Hey ghg!
We miss you in SD...
I go to the Costco in Poway and sometimes Morena when I'm slumming in the La Jolla area.
I'm going today and will look again..it's where the Uncle Ben's rice and other starches are?
xo,
BC

[goodhealthgourmet]

aw, i miss you guys too! you need to let me know if you ever have a gig up here in LA, i'd love to come check it out.

i *think* it should be in the same aisle as the pancake mix, flour, etc...but you know how they always move everything around. it's Bob's Red Mill Organic Quinoa in a 4# bag.

good luck!

[goodhealthgourmet]

edit to my earlier post - Culver City here in LA had it as an end-cap display *between* the cereal & grain aisles today.

[Rella]

What they've stopped carrying lately: Ricotta and Artichoke hearts w/out oil.
What some stores don't carry: Grana Padana
What I've never seen at any Costco: Paneer.

I buy all below at Costco and nowhere else.
Organic carrots 10# bag.
Red Onions, Sweet Onions, Yellow Onions
Lemons, Myer Lemons, Limes, California Navel Oranges
Quinoa, basmati, atta flour
Wild fish
Fage Greek Yogurt
organic chicken
Olives with pimento (Spanish olives?)
Hot Italian Sausage
Mesclun greens
Celery when they have it
Bags of English Walnuts, Almonds & Pecans
Organic Peanut Butter
Almond Butter
Sea Salt and Peppercorns
Italian, Spanish & mostly any imported Cheese

[DuchessNukem]

For the two of us; we get there about once a month. Starred items are those we buy on every trip.

*Carrot juice
*Grape tomatoes
Carrots, snap peas
Apples (for dehydrating)
*Salmon
Lobster bisque (2-pack: one for now, one to freeze)
Nus: almonds, cashews
Spices: oregano, garlic powder, chili powder, Mrs. Dash-style seasoning
*Granola bars
Coffee beans
Honey
Ro-Tel tomatoes w/chilis (there's no shame in Ro-Tel here in TX)
*Bottled water
*Paper plates/bowls
Wine/bubbly (esp. holiday deals)
Shorty socks

This thread really is fascinating; givemecarbs is right, it's just like peeking into all y'alls' carts. But without your bratty kids underfoot. LOL

[goodhealthgourmet]

it's just like peeking into all y'alls' carts. But without your bratty kids underfoot. LOL
~~~~~~~~~
and without getting maimed by someone who's so focused on getting their grubby hands on the next batch of free samples that they ram right into you with their cart!

you reminded me that i didn't include wine on my list - i do occasionally snatch up a great deal there.

[JungMann]

"[A]nd without getting maimed by someone who's so focused on getting their grubby hands on the next batch of free samples that they ram right into you with their cart!"

Amen! I've heard that Costco has Kirkland brand spirits. Has anyone tried them?

[snooks86]

-spinach
-spring mix
-romaine hearts
-frozen wild salmon
-natural peanut butter
-cottage cheese
-dijon mustard
-minced garlic
-frozen shrimp
-toilet paper
-paper towels
-canned tomatoes
-veggie sausage
-organic eggs
-organic chicken breasts and thighs
-cheddar
-marinated artichokes
-chicken broth
-vitamin zero water
-broccoli
-mixed veggies
-frozen berries
-buffalo steaks
-ground turkey
-apples
-pineapple
-mangoes
-brown rice
-tuna
-canned salmon

[NVJims]

I'm single and product lifetime is important but here are the basics:
Mexican blend shredded cheese
Meats/seafood/poultry (to be portioned, vacuum sealed and frozen)
Cottage cheese
Grana Padano cheese
Frozen shrimp, uncooked
Frozen scallops
Kirkland toilet paper
Balsamic vinegar
Cascade
Sour Cream
Tortilla Chips (Mission paper bag)
Mixed salad greens
Heavy whipping cream
Rack of lamb
24 pack eggs
Kalamata pitted olives
Vlasic Dill pickles
Grey poupon
Spices
Liqueur/wine
Frozen fish fillets
Mushrooms
Chulula hot sauce
Capers
Specialty cheeses

I can see some of the regional differences between the stores in the lists.

[goodhealthgourmet]

question for all you Hounds who buy coffee there...which one? i like my coffee dark and bold, and their whole-bean Seattle Mountain Sumatra was a letdown. unfortunately i don't like Starbucks beans, and this was the only [supposedly] dark non-Starbucks option (i'm including the Kirkland Signature beans that are roasted by Starbucks).

am i missing something? whole-bean recs only, please.

[meatn3]

Try the Kirkland green bag. Wait, I'll just get myself off the sofa and take a look......

............ ........................................ .............................

Bag says medium roast, but we brew it strong. There was one in a brown paper bag a few years ago that was better, but it went to that great discontinued place in the sky.

Oops, it is roasted by Starbucks.

[goodhealthgourmet]

aww, thanks for getting off the couch to check for me :) guess i'll stick with Trader Joe's Sumatra which is actually excellent, it's just not as cheap as Costco.

[mcf]

My big Costco peeve: they discontinued the gold bag organic medium roast, which is actually full bodied and delicious. I still have some left after buying every bag I could find for $5 per lb. They still have the decaf, but not the regular. Going to beg them to bring it back.

[Beach Chick]

Coffee
half and half
cheese..the extra sharp brick
Goat Cheese
mini peppers
romaine lettuce/butter lettuce
mushrooms
lobster bisque
French onion soup
sea salt
whole peppercorns
EVO
Parm Reggiano
shrimp cocktails
Ahi
King Crab
Scallops
Salmon
Ling Cod
Chicken salad
Cream puffs
bananas
vine ripened tomt's
paper towels
tapenade
hummus
water
butter
trash bags

An occasional big ass plasma TV..

[Divamac]

For 2 adults and a puppy

Avocados
English cucumbers
Berries
Tomatoes on the vine
Salad greens
Lemons
Baguettes
Peanut butter
Almond butter
Strawberry preserves
Fage Yogurt
Parmesano Reggiano
Gruyere
Costal cheddar
Shredded Mexican cheese blend
Eggs
Tarantino Hot Italian Sausages
Organic ground beef
Oatmeal
Dried fruit (cherries!)
Canned beans
Canned tuna
Canned tomatoes
Sardines
Canned salmon
Frozen shrimp
Frozen salmon filets
Home Run Inn frozen pizza
Bao steamed pork buns
Trash bags
Cleaning products
Paper products
Fish oil pills (for the dog)
Dog treats
Books

I think the list would have been shorter if I listed what I bought elsewhere!

[apple342]

For Baking:
- cinnamon - deal of the century! really.
- vanilla extract
- vanilla beans (when they have them)
-flour
-sugar
-eggs - organic
-butter - kirkland
-whipping cream
-cream cheese
-olive oil
-vegetable oil

Sometimes:
-manchego cheese
-cibo pesto

Every Week for juicing and smoothies:
-lemons
-avocados
-dates
-organic spinach - go through 2 a week (1 person)
-organic carrots (10 lb bag for juicing!)
-blueberries/raspberries - fresh - also get bags frozen
-pineapple
-celery

almonds
salted macadamia nuts
cashews

sometimes the gluten-free rice crackers

Don't know what I would do if I had to get all this at a grocery store. Love Costco.

[cstr]

You'd have to hand over your life savings if you shopped at a regular grocery store.

[zenofpie]

Cooking for 3 adults (unemployed son moved back home!)

Rotisserie chicken (love 'em - 1 dinner, lunch the next day, then soup!)
Organic ground beef
Tri-tips
Baby back ribs
pork chops - separated into 3 chop packets and frozen
chicken thighs, bone in skin on
Kirkland brand bacon - 1 for the frig, 3 for the freezer. Great bacon!
blueberries
raspberries
Parisienne salad mix
organic salad greens
bob's big boy blue cheese dressing
brie
whole salami
izzy's soda
beer
paperback books (too many)
t-paper, trash bags, freezer bags, ibuprofen
popcorn
cream of mushroom soup
Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal
Raisin Bran Crunch
fresh baked whole-grain bread from La Brea Bakery -- wow!
OJ
gasoline
olives & nuts for my in-laws

I just joined an organic meat buying club starting out at 10 lbs once a month (beef, pork, lamb) so that will cut down on my meat purchases at Costco.

[cstr]

Jarlsberg Cheese
Cheedar Cheese
Roqufert Cheese
Swiss Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Broccoli florettes
Organic frozen corn
Organic frozen peas
Organic frozen green beans
Grapes
Pears
Poms
Cantelopes
Watermelon
Honeydews
Apples
Sugar snap peas and other raw veggies
Flour
Sugar
Brown Sugar
Olives
Italian Cold Cuts
Ham
Peanut Butter
Organic Strawberry Preserves
Organic Flaxseed
Organic pasta
Organic canned tomatoes
Milk
Eggs
Oatmeal
Butter
Spices
Cleaning Products
Paper goods
Meats (Beef Pork Chicken)
FIsh
Bread
Wine,Beer
Tires
Lap Top
Glasses, Dishes, Pots, Pans
Small Appliances
Funiture, Flatscreen TV
Gasoline

Last Year I received cashback to purchase a set of 4 tires for my car.

[Chowrin]

uh...humm... I shop at costco, for two people, about once a month. Budget around $100-120. Then I buy milk from the corner store.

That said, this list is more of a "things I buy from costco when I run out/next time I'm there" than an "I buy every month" list.

Muffins
Sliced Bread
Garlic
50lb. bag flour
50 lb. bag sugar
2lb. bag yeast
Lemon Juice
Tomatoes (big and small cans)
Big cans of Kidneys
Oranges (in season only)
Jelly Beans (in season only)
Chicken Broth
Sour Cream (summer only)
Turkey Bacon (summer only)
Croutons (summer only)
Red Bull Salad Dressing (almost local!), or the ginger dressing that ain't.
Onions
Carrots (no one else practically mentioned this! so surprised! We live on these!)
Potatoes (in season)
Basmati Rice
Ramen!
Pouch Potatoes (great for a quick meal).
Peanut butter
Tortilla Chips
Kirk. brand salsa (out of season only)
Butter
Oleo
Mozarella/Provolone Cheese
Choice beef, including flanksteaks
Whole Chickens
Shortening
Cinnamon
Ginger
Brown Sugar
Milk
Mushrooms
Tomato Paste
Salt
Soy Sauce
Heinz distilled vinegar

Things I have bought, enjoyed, and don't have the budget for:
Tiramisu(frozen)
Sandwich steaks (so less greasy)
Multicolored peppers
Potstickers
Mixed Nuts
Around the World truffles
Hot pepper cheese
spanikopita

... I'm sure there's tons more.

Things that ain't food:
charcoal
salt for sidewalks
scrubby sponges
bestest bath soap! (4star quality)
bestest paper towels!
toilet paper

[kina57]

I buy a lot of things at Costco, but one thing I always buy when they have it:

Honey Smoked Salmon. To die for. I go to Costco just for that sometimes. And it freezes well.

[givemecarbs]

Great idea for a post Hondapendragon! I often peer into others' carts when I'm stuck in a long line. I try not to make it obvious. And when I eat at the Costco food court I gawk at the parade of carts going past. Spring and fall are the best because often trees and shrubs go by and I feel just like Macbeth. :) Thanks to you I can now peek electronically.
-milk
-butter
-potatoes (all kinds but next trip I'm going for the gold!
-fruit (grapefruit and oranges mostly right now
-avocados
-spring mix
-green beans
-broccoli
-soon asparagus!!!!
-fage yogurt
-kettle corn (so addicting sometimes I buy two bags)
-coffee (different every time but always with caffeine
-japanese green tea
-frozen organic corn (I tend to stock up on this as it seems to be seasonal where I am
-bread I like miltons but will buy white bread too under duress
-finally scored vanilla beans around Christmas and they are long gone from the shelves
-laundry detergent
-kirkland toilet paper
-kirkland dried and canned dog food
-bird seed
-lately been enjoying prime top sirloin. I'm still awed by the prime meat for sale
-pork chops
-rotisserie chickens
-salmon
-tilapia
-hamburger
-frozen tiramisu
-garlic
-onions
I try to budget a bit extra in case I see something tempting lately I have gotten
-skeechers shape up sneakers for men
-shearling boots
-men and women's sweaters and vests
-David's cookies brand cheesecakes especially the chocolate truffle
-cherry pie
-non stick fry pans
-a vacuum cleaner
-space saving hangers
-an orchid!!!! (only because of their generous return policy. It's been over two weeks and not only haven't I killed it yet, but a new flower opened!

[goodhealthgourmet]

any chance that the laundry detergent you buy is the Kirkland Environmentally Friendly HE? i'm considering trying it because my current bottle of 7th Generation is nearly empty, but i'd hate to schlep that huge container back to Costco if i don't like it.

[Chowrin]

I use the kirk brand powder. (it comes in huge industrial tubs). Highly recommend (it's the original tide formulation -- AND it cleans grease like nothing else! )

[goodhealthgourmet]

thanks Chowrin...unfortunately i can only use HE liquid detergents in my washing machine.

[viperlush]

That's the laundry detergent that we buy. No complaints. And the big container lasts forever.

[mcf]

I hope it's a LOT better than their awful dishwasher gel. Everything was dirty and all the glass was cloudy til I threw it out and upgraded back to Cascade. Now everything is clean and sparkly again.

[meatn3]

I use it too. I like it more than 7th Gen. actually.

[cheesecake17]

no dishwasher, so I use a lot of dish detergent. I like the Kirkland natural one. It has a light fragrance that's not overwhelming. Price is good too- $7.99 for a huge container.

[goodhealthgourmet]

awesome! thanks to both of you for the feedback. and perfect timing - there's a coupon in the newest batch :)

[cheesymama]

That's the one we use. I have 2 kids (so lots of dirty clothes) and I'm quite happy with it. And as said above, it lasts forever.

[LuckyCharm]

I love this detergent, its my go to. I also have sensitive skin, and this works without any type of irritation. It cleans wonderfully, and is about half the cost of Tide with the coupon that comes out twice a year. I believe it is made by P&G, it appears to be a formulation of Tide.

[givemecarbs]

Naw I grabbed the Ultra HE last time. After about a half hour at Costco the voices in my head start whispering Get Out! I finish my list faaast before they start screaming and tend to just throw the last few items in the cart and make my get away. :)

[meatn3]

Cooking for two, with one not here for meals half the time:

Frequently:
Rotisserie chicken
Green bag of coffee beans
half and half, organic
eggs
milk
rice cracker snack mix (my SO loves this stuff)
Campari tomatoes
organic baby spinach
sleeve of mixed bell peppers
berries - the blackberries are usually fantastic
Parmesan
Lamb, usually roast but chops too
Pita chips
Polish sausage w/ kraut deal
Gasoline!

Less often:
TP, kirklands
laundry soap
Cascade
dish soap
prescription medicine
nuts
San Pellegrino limonata and aranciata cans
canned tomato products
Grey Poupon
ricotta (when they have it)
wine (no spirits in NC)
crackers
cheese
wild caught fish
tzatziki sauce
hummus
steak
Ghirardelli brownie mix
appliances/electronics as needed - Costco often has the product we end up with

We have limited freezer space, so there are many items that we don't buy for that reason.
The majority of my cooking is from scratch, so the eliminates much of their offerings.
Even though I only shop a fraction of the store I still consider my membership well worth it!

[cheesecake17]

Also 2 people with limited storage space. Here's what I buy regularly-
- raspberries
- pineapple
- 6 pack of romaine hearts
- 10lb bag onions
- lemons
- vanilla
- sugar (brown, white, powdered)
- instant coffee
- shredded mozarella
- chewy granola bars
- bread (sandwich thins or 40 calorie loaf)
- butter
- milk
- eggs

Non food items- toilet paper, paper towels, tinfoil, scrubby sponges, bar soap, dishwashing soap, ziplock bags, contact lenses, electronics, down comforter.

If I'm having company, I plan my trip to Costco around it. I buy avocados, canteloupes, lox, sometimes a cake.

[coney with everything]

Tillamook cheddar loaf
Garden Fresh salsa
Organic ground beef
Lamb chops (sometimes, splurge item)
Prepared mac/cheese
San Pellegrino soda (they sell a variety pack of limonada/arranciata)
Jif peanut butter
Ghirardelli brownie mix (sometimes)
Organic dry mashed potatoes (ingredients: potatoes and salt maybe, they'll do in a pinch)
Pineapple
Organic fresh baby spinach
Cibo pesto
Sun dried tomatoes
The occasional rotisserie chicken
Sometimes the individual ciabbata if I have an immediate plan for them

Used to buy the honey roasted peanuts or trail mix but realized that we just gobble it down and we don't need the calories :)

[Jenny15X]

President's Brie - at like $5.99, I buy it ALL the time
Raw Shrimp
Cooked Shrimp
Bread
Chicken Viola (I always have it on hand for nights I can't stand the thought of cooking)
Tzatziki
Pre-cooked bacon
Frozen salmon filets
Canned white meat chicken breast (for enchiladas, curry-chicken salad sandwiches, ect)
Pre-cooked chicken breast strips
Bananas
And in the summer, cherries and strawberries!
And on my birthday, the All American Fudge Cake - OMG (those little brownie bites are good, too. And the apple pie)

[plantainchips]

Items I get repeatedly:

Bag of quinoa (Tru Roots)
Frozen salmon burgers (great quick meal with spinach cooked in oil from salmon)
Box of 2 large jugs of vinegar (put in spray bottle for cleaning kitchen counters)
Bag of pistachios in shells for snacking
Movie tickets (ok not exactly a grocery item)
Large roll of foil, freezer bags
2 loaves of bread e.g. Miltons - almost cheaper than buying 1 at the supermarket, freeze 1 loaf
Rotisserie chicken
Vitamin D3, Calcium & Fish oil
Brita filters (esp when there is a coupon)
Organic chicken thighs & breasts in packages
Goat cheese in small log (I found this less goaty than other brands)
Almond butter

[mickie44]

I forgot to put the quinoa on my list -- it's prewashed!

[noodlepoodle]

Bagged nuts
Wine
Bottled water
Rotisserie chicken
Canned beef (great for quick meal burritos and soup)
Kirkland tuna in water
Dish detergent
Kitchen bags
Big black garbage bags
Vitamin D-3 and Calcium tablets
Cetaphil face cleanser
Dried cranberries
Kirkland Decaf Coffee
Canned baked beans
Vanilla extract
Paprika
Olive oil
Helman's Mayo
Thin Spaghetti
Fresh salmon and cod
Sirloin steaks
Boneless chicken breasts
Canadian bacon
Red peppers
String beans
Spring mix
Blueberries
Batteries
Towels
Scatter rugs
Chocolate chips
Waxed paper sheets
Coffee filters

Occasionally I will buy baguettes or other bakery bread. I've tried the bakery cookies, but they're a bit too sweet for me with a processed after taste.

I used to buy canned chicken broth, but I switched to low sodium and my Costco store doesn't carry it.

I bought my slow cooker there and rolling luggage, occasionally some clothing when something appeals to me (not often). I usually am happy with the quality and there's never been a problem when I've returned things.

I don't buy too many frozen items since I live an hour away from the store and when we do go we make a day of it shopping, eating out and maybe a movie. So frozen would be not so frozen when I got home.

[bitsubeats]

I only shop for myself and this is what I like to buy specifically from costco:

scallops
salmon
rotisserie chicken (once in a while as I feel that it's ridiculously salty, but makes the best chicken stock ever)
avocados
mushrooms, mushrooms, mushrooms - baby bella and white button
cucumbers
romaine lettuce
fage 0% yogurt
whole tellicherry peppercorns (best deal ever)
vanilla beans
cibo pesto

[goodhealthgourmet]

forgot about the vanilla beans - just started buying them there this year thanks to my fellow Hounds :)

[mcf]

Oh, YES to the Cibo pesto and peppercorns. I have vanilla beans from there, too.

[IndyGirl]

has anyone figured out how to preserve that pesto? I've frozen my homemade stuff, but not sure about the store bought stuff. I've bought it before and adore it, but it always gets gross before I can finish it.

[mcf]

I freeze it. You could freeze half in a smaller container.

[KaimukiMan]

Shopping mostly for one person, my list is a bit different, although my trips are often sparked by planning a dinner for friends or a potluck or picnic to go to. Of course one should never shop hungry, so a hot dog (usually polish) is mandatory.

The list below is in order of the way this costco is laid out. Obviously I don't buy all of these every time. But these are the items in my house that are predominantly from costco.

Meats
-ground beef chubs, to be frozen
-either steak or pork chopsm some for that day, the rest to freeze
-frozen chicken thighs (unless i specifically need the more expensive breasts)
-occasionally bacon, most of which goes into the freezer
-occasionally a roast (beef or pork)

Vegetables/Fruit
-baby spinach
-artichokes when in season
-asparagus when in season
-grapes when in season
-mixed bell peppers or green bell peppers

Deli/Refrigerated
-grated parmesan
-portuguese sausage (its a Hawaii thing)
-pastrami when they have it
-some kind of dip (artichoke, seafood, hummus, it depends)
-garlic cloves

Paper Goods
-Toilet tissue
-Paper Towels
-Paper Napkins
-Paper Plates
-Wooden Chopsitcks
-Aluminum Foil
-Plastic Bags of various kinds and uses
-Trash Bags
-Dish Soap
-Laundry Soap

Dairy
-I rarely buy anything in dairy except maybe grated cheese (gasp) I'm not an egg eater,
and don't drink milk (allergic). No way I could go thru enough orange juice before it soured.

Packaged
-Pasta
-Rice
-Nuts
-Ghirardelli Brownie Mix
-Ramen
-Oil (vegetable and olive)

Canned Goods
-Tomato Sauce
-Diced Tomatoes
-Tomato Paste
-Cream of Mushroom Soup
-Chicken Broth
-Tuna
-Chicken
-SPAM ! (yes, really... I say it proudly! usually low sodium)
-Canned beans, hopefully not just kidney
-Pork and Beans
-Refried Beans
-Chili (unless they only have stagg...bleah)
-Sometimes soup, depending on what they have
-Pears
-Corn
-Green Beans
-Olives
-Mushrooms

Personal Care
-Deodarant
-Bar Soap
-Shampoo
-Razor Blades
-Mouthwash
-Toothpaste
-Vitamins

[iL Divo]

there I buy very little. don't care for CC but if I am there, it's quickly in and quickly out, the list is that short. unless of course I'm in Kauai for their ice cream outside of the building then my list is long, as long as I get my iced cream combo. :)

[goodhealthgourmet]

single girl only shopping for myself:
- Organic eggs
- Fage 0% yogurt
- Maranatha Almond Butter
- Kirkland/Ito-En Green Tea bags
- Kirkland toilet paper
- Bounty paper towels
- Organic spinach
- Kirkland Organic PB
- Organic berries when they have them
- Clementines

i don't really eat packaged snack food, and anything else fresh is just too big or goes bad before i can possibly use it all.

[mcf]

I thought Costco organic eggs were from that Ohio company with all the violations and disease last year? Hillandale, is it?

[goodhealthgourmet]

not in CA. all the Costco eggs here are from Norco Ranch, and i confirmed several times during the recall that they weren't affected.

unfortunately i just did a Google search to get general info on Norco out of curiosity after seeing your post, and turned up links about animal abuse that i hadn't seen before. looks like i'm going back to relying on Trader Joe's for my organic eggs...

[mcf]

In some cases (non chemically soaked scallops) Costco is very quality conscious and in others, quality in name only. I seem to recall the Norco name having come up in something I read as a problem supplier. So who does TJ's get theirs from? It gets exhausting, no? Michael Pollan warned about the effect of "Walmartization" on the label "organic."

In my area, the organic eggs were from the big disease purveyor. :-/

[goodhealthgourmet]

sometimes i wish i was one of those people who was okay living blissfully in ignorance. from what i just read, TJ's doesn't use a humane egg supplier either! it appears that the only retail eggs available here in CA that are certified by the Humane Farm Animal Care program are Horizon Organic and Gold Circle Farm.

guess i'll have to start paying a premium for eggs again...which means i'll also have to decrease my consumption. grrr.

[mcf]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news; I don't buy Horizon products. Gold Circle doesn't let their cage free hens outdoors; they also sell eggs from caged hens. Do you subscribe to the Cornucopia Institute?
http://www.commondreams.org/news2007/...

[goodhealthgourmet]

that news about Horizon broke years ago - i was under the impression they had cleaned up their act since then...?

you're killing me here. i already had to give up soy, gluten, and pretty much all grains. at this rate you're going to turn me into a vegan, and then i'll have nothing left to eat but fruits, vegetables and nuts!

[sedimental]

Just get some chickens. They are stooopid, but sweet. Name them things like
Hen-rietta, Egg-ness, Glad-ass, etc. That's what I did.
We are all happy now. I get the eggs and they are little queens.

[goodhealthgourmet]

i wish...my building would evict me tout-de-suite! love the names you gave yours :)

[mcf]

Sorry, I'll sit on my hands next time! I guess I don't sweat it as much as you do. To the degree that I can, I buy pastured, free range, grass fed, wild caught, humane, etc. But I know when I eat out, I'm not getting all that and I live with the fact that I'm at least reducing the demand for less desirable practices with my habits, not single handedly eliminating them. Doesn't LA have a farmer's market where you can lay in (pun intended) some eggs?

A woman walked up to me in TJ's on day while I was picking up a bag of their roasted, unsalted almonds and said to me, "those would be much better for you if they were raw." I glared at her and said "I gave up starches and sugar years ago, I'm going to eat these the way I like them!" :-)

[goodhealthgourmet]

ha! good for you. i NEVER offer unsolicited advice to people about food - i think it's incredibly intrusive and rude. but some days i wonder if someone stamped "Nutritionist" on my forehead in my sleep because i can't ever get through a shopping trip without someone stopping me to ask me my opinion about a product or food. apparently i look like i know what i'm doing :)

and yes, i can get eggs here at the FM, i just haven't been able to hit the market when i need them lately because my schedule has been all over the place.

anyway, thanks for the info!

[mcf]

LOL, I must have "Answer Grape" stamped on my forehead, because people ask me about everything, including in the laundry/cleaning aisles and the food! Happened to me last week in the dairy aisle at Fairway...

I think eggs stay fresh a very long time, so maybe you could just stock up when you do get to the FM now and then? At least you have a good option that doesn't require a rural land purchase. ;-)

[goodhealthgourmet]

remembered a few more:
- balsamic vinegar
- Brita filters
- Swiffer refills
- "raw" almonds

and during the holidays:
- fresh cranberries
- pecans
- walnuts

[Hondapendragon]

The balsamic vinegar, is it Kirkland? I've been meaning to try it...

[goodhealthgourmet]

yes, it's Kirkland. nothing spectacular, but a serviceable option for basic everyday use.

[Coogles]

It's also a good choice for making balsamic syrup. Just reduce by about 50% or so, I like to add a tablespoon or so of dark brown sugar. Very good drizzled over strawberries with some black pepper.

[viperlush]

Shopping for the two of use and having to share a fridge/freezer with a roommate. So amount of meat depends on available freezer space:

- Chicken thighs or legs (Even though a little more expensive than I usually spend, they are easy to freeze and already portioned
-Chicken breasts (divided and put in freezer)
-Pork tenderloin (divided and put in freezer)
-Salmon (divided and put in freezer)
- Mozzarella cheese

- Rotisserie Chicken

- Coffee beans (Mayorga)

- Liquid dish detergent

- Box of granola bars

And of course a hot dog (with sauerkraut)

Sometimes
Mini black and white cookies
Beer
Figs
Pork chops
Other cheeses
Tortilla chips (big brown paper bag)
Salsa
Avocados
Other fruits

[mcf]

Havarti, Dodoni feta, Cabot cheddar, provolone, parmegiano reggiano, buffalo milk mozzarella, brie
Australian lamb (leg, rack, loin chops)
Boxed organic mixed baby greens
Artichoke dip
Ricotta
Coleman organic chicken, both whole and in parts
Phillips crab cakes
Frozen shrimp, uncooked
Frozen scallops
Avocados
Limes, lemons
Campari tomatoes
Hellman's mayo
Pistachios, shelled and unshelled
Sometimes olive oil (prefer Fairway's)
Enteric coated fish oil gel caps
I miss the gold bag organic medium roast coffee terribly; discontinued

Lots of non food items.

[mrsjoujou]

carrot and orange juice
organic eggs
cheese
nuts
wild fish such as ahi and halibut and wild shrimp when they have it
berries I just got some great organic blueberries
tomatoes
avocados
meyer lemon
pomegranate
persimmon
organic herbs such as oregano
mara natha natural almond butter

[Bob W]

Almost every week:

Milk
Cottage cheese
Rotisserie chicken
Fruit

Sometimes:

Grana Padano cheese
Bottled water
Gatorade
Milk boxes
Paper products (TP, etc)
Potato bread
Laundry detergent
Batteries
Yogurt
String cheese
Dog treats
Vitamins
Nuts
Ground beef
pork chops/tenderloin
chicken breasts
cereal
Shredded cheeses (we divide into one-lb bags and freeze)
pizza bagels
frozen chicken tenders
fresh pineapples
dried fruit (cherries, apricots etc)

About once a year:

TV
Other components

I usually drop around $100 each week. I also hit BJs once a month in lieu of Costo (wider selection of canned fruits, cereal, some other stuff) and end up dropping around $150 there.

[Coogles]

Almonds
Oranges
Blueberries/blackberries/strawberries
Meats/seafood/poultry (to be portioned, vacuum sealed and frozen)
Vegetables
Beer/wine
Soda
Bottled water

Non food items include paper towels, toilet tissue, tooth paste, deodorant, razor blades, vitamins, printer ink, electronics, food-saver bags, cat litter, clothing and books among others.

[redfish62]

6 pound bag of whey protein powder
Bottle of Vitamin D3
Bottle of fish oil capsules

[HillJ]

redfish62, is that it? You pay a membership fee for those items?

[mickie44]

Pork ribs
Boneless pork chops
Multigrain crackers, the gluten free ones with sesame seeds
Coffee
Cheese -- parm, old cheddar, jalapeno jack
Tzatziki -- delicious and so much easier than making it myself
Frozen edamame
Hellman's mayo
Coffee
Frozen sea scallops

[JungMann]

butter
milk
Blue Hill Bay pickled herring
sea salt
boneless pork chops
boneless leg of lamb
frozen shrimp
mixed nuts
assorted crackers (can't recall the brand off the top of my head)
cream puffs
rotisserie chicken (most all their other prepared foods have been disappointments)

[greygarious]

You don't like the chicken salad, noodle soup, or pot pie they make from their rotisserie chickenS?

Shopping for one, plus dogs:
Kirkland Chicken & Rice kibble
Kirkland canned tuna
store-baked 2-pack breads: roasted garlic loaf or multigrain
store-made chicken salad
store-made chicken pot pie
vitamins and supplements
cheap wine for cooking
nuts
potatoes and onions (only in winter when it's cool enough to store for at least a month)
Kirkland-Sunsweet prunes
croutons
Dubliner, Paneer, and Grana Padano cheeses
Ling-Ling frozen peking ravioli (chicken&veg)
Frozen berries

[JungMann]

I haven't tried their chicken salad or pot pie. I thought their noodle soup was bland (which was surprising since the rotisserie is so salty). Are the chicken salad and pot pies any better?

[greygarious]

Of the three, I'd rank the soup last. Needs more onion and the noodles and carrots are too soft. The saltiness of the chicken comes through in the pot pie but not in the chicken salad. Still, the pot pie filling is delicious. I have to freeze slices because it's so large. I have never had the chicken caesar salad.

[givemecarbs]

Just got the soup last night, I've had it before so I know what to do. Added onion, garlic, some white meat from the rotisserie chicken I also bought, and a little bit of the organic frozen corn I also buy from Costco. The soup was for a sick family member who loves to have gallons of soup when he is sick. I know fussing with food that is supposed to be heat and eat might be losing some of the point, but I can't resist playing with my food anyway. Used the rest of the rotisserie chicken to toss in the leftover chicken tikki masala that I also got from Costco. Anyone try the prepared chili that has been appearing next to the soup?

[c oliver]

That pot pie is terrific and HUGE! Definitely have to freeze partS of it.

We've been feeding the Nature's Domain dog food for about a year I'm guessing. You might be impressed with the ingredients.

http://www.naturesdomainpetfood.com/a...

[mcf]

Isn't that a lot of potato and low protein for a dog? I buy Wellness Core grain free for my cats that's 50% protein or thereabouts. Subbing spuds for grains is kind of weasel wording.

[c oliver]

I gather that's about standard protein for dog food. In addition to potatoes there's

"Salmon meal, sweet potatoes, peas, potatoes, canola oil, potato protein, potato fiber, natural flavor, flaxseed, ocean fish meal, salt, choline chloride, dried chicory root, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, yucca schidigera extract, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, biotin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D supplement, folic acid."

Our vet likes it and the dogs are healthy and not overweight.

[Atochabsh]

go to the Wellness web site, they've had a voluntary recall of their pet food, specifically cat food.

[mcf]

Thanks, fortunately it doesn't apply to what I'm feeding my cats, which is dry Wellness Core grain free.

[Tari]

I think their chicken salad is way too salty

[mdepsmom]

That's funny b/c I thought their chicken salad was extremely bland and boring!

[HillJ]

I recall seeing the cream puffs maybe two years ago but they have been discontinued at our local Costco. My mother in law use to request them for her birthday.

[trane]

Boneless Chicken Thighs
Jarlsberg Cheese
Liberty Yogurt (regular or greek, depending on that week's price and preference)
Turkey Pepperoni Sticks
Zucchini
Frozen Broccoli florets

[cheesymama]

coffee - the green bag Kirkland brand
all bran buds - cheaper than anywhere else
hummus - we easily go through 2 containers/week
mixed salad greens
milk
sometimes the Kirkland Kettle chips, but i try to resist
Ghiradelli brownie mix
mixed nuts
I always check the cheese case, usually there is at least one good deal
parmigiano reggiano - I usually split a big block with my mother
love their chicken pot pie when we have family over

[TerryG]

Campari tomatoes (the only decent ones in my area available in the winter)
Berries -- the blackberries are usually the best deal
Haricot Vert
Spring mix or Romaine hearts
Mushrooms - button and baby portabellas
Lamb chops
Rotisserie chicken (often)
Marconi almonds
Cream puffs (our store still has them, but in a smaller package
Aidells chicken meatballs
Lobster or crab dip
Fresh salmon
Smoked salmon
Their chocolate layer cake (not the sheet cake)
Brownie Bites
Sometimes the Kettle chips
Cheese: Brie, Comte, and fresh Parmesan
Large size Pom Juice (refrigerated section)
Their lentil thingee - somewhere between a soup and a stew - V.good
Quiches and stuffed grape leaves in the refrigerated section. Grape leaves are particularly good if they have them
Texmati brown rice
Manitou dried mushroom blend
Vanilla extract
Frozen shrimp wonton soup with noodles

For the Dogs
Kirkland Weight Control dog food
Kingdom Pets Chicken Jerky
Pig Ears ( but haven't seen them lately)