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- I drive from Canada to the US to shop at Trader Joe’s. These 9 items make the trip worthwhile. (businessinsider.com)
A Canadian Mom’s Cross-Border Trader Joe’s Runs: Family Favorites Worth the Drive
Karen Habashi, a mom of three from Canada, has found a unique solution to a common problem: no Trader Joe’s stores in her home country. Twice a month, she makes the nearly hour-long drive from Canada to Bellingham, Washington, to stock up on her family’s preferred Trader Joe’s products-items that have become staples in their household for taste, convenience, and affordability.
With three picky eaters at home, Habashi relies on Trader Joe’s for meals and snacks that satisfy everyone. Here are nine must-have Trader Joe’s items that consistently make it into her shopping cart:
- Mandarin-Orange Chicken
This battered chicken glazed in orange-ginger sauce is a family favorite. Perfect on its own or alongside stir-fried noodles, Habashi sometimes pairs it with broccoli, carrots, and white rice for a complete meal garnished with sesame seeds.
- Fettuccine Alfredo
Though her son historically disliked fettuccine Alfredo, Trader Joe’s version changed his mind. Habashi heats two packages for her family and boosts the dish with breaded chicken tenderloins, milk, butter, and a sprinkle of Parmigiano-Reggiano and parsley.
- Middle Eastern-Style Kebabs
As an Egyptian native, Habashi appreciates these kebabs for their authentic taste and ease of preparation-ready in about 20 minutes. She serves them wrapped in Egyptian sourdough Baladi pocket bread with tomatoes, homemade tahini sauce, and sumac-seasoned onions.
- Chocolate-Covered Wafer Cookie Bars
A nostalgic treat reminding Habashi of her childhood in Egypt, these affordable $1.20 bars are her sweet indulgence, and she often buys several per trip.
- Vanilla Meringues
Fat-free and lightly sweet, these meringues are a hit with her youngest daughter and a regular part of their grocery haul.
- Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips with Chili and Lime
Packed with zest and heat, these extra-crunchy chips are her son’s favorite spicy snack.
- Mango Juice Smoothies
Made from mango purée, apples, banana purée, and lemon juice, these non-dairy smoothies are a vitamin-rich staple for her teenage daughter and cost just around $3 each.
- Pork Gyoza Potstickers
An ideal appetizer when hosting guests, these potstickers come in packs of about 20 and pair well with a soy sauce and rice vinegar dip, garnished with green onions.
- Cultured Salted Butter
Essential for many Egyptian recipes, Trader Joe’s cultured salted butter impresses Habashi with its taste, texture, and affordability-quick to soften and a boost to every dish.
Though the bi-monthly border crossing may seem like a lot for groceries, Habashi’s family-driven enthusiasm for these Trader Joe’s products makes the journey more than worthwhile. For Canadian families craving these unique flavors and quality offerings, a trip to the U.S. store offers a delicious solution.