Aldi's

I am a sucker for Wegmans as much as the next guy. What I'm not a sucker for is a $200 weekly grocery bill I can manage to accrue when I go there. Sure I make a list and budget, but beautiful displays, delicious smells, and strategic placing get the best of me. 

Every. Single. Time. 

So, enter my love of Aldi, a well known no frills grocery chain store, which I recently found out shares ownership (and likely many products, shhhhh!) with the swanky boutique grocery store, Trader Joe's. I must state that no frills does not equate itself with a "poor people's grocery store" , as I have heard it called. A quarter for your cart means no need for cart collectors' hourly pay (and always a cart free parking lot), and bagging them yourself reduces built in costs for bags, and makes your carbon footprint smaller (btw- their $.10 plastic bags are the best bags ever) .   I would classify myself as picky and weird when it comes to food- so I can kick myself for waiting so long to give it a fair shot. I can  feed my family of four well for about $250 a month or less. 

Interested in trying? Here's some products I love, in no particular order

• Dairy products (milk, half-n-half, butter, yogurt- they even carry almond milk, organic milk (and some other organic dairy, and soy milk all to rave reviews) Also, see Aldi's anti GMO and corporate responsibility policy here.  All their milk products are BGH free, which is more important to me than organic.  
• K-cups- they weigh in only slightly cheaper ($5.79 for 12) than Sam's Club or BJ's- but they have a variety and it saves a trip. ( I like the Fair Trade Colombian and Hazelnut).  Their ground coffee is also excellent. 
• Original Hummus- I have been told by people when I bring it that it's the best hummus they've ever had.  Look also for the Little Salad Bar Greek Yogurt Spinach Dip- low calorie, high protein- and delicious especially with the hummus. 
• Cheese products- cheese sticks, bricks of cheese, specialty slices (including smoked pepper jack, Colby blue slices, muenster, fresh shredded Parmesan or Romano, fresh mozzarella balls,  feta and blue crumbles, sometimes even Brie, cranberry white cheddar... ) Most specialty cheeses are between $2.00-$3.00, regular brick cheese is $1.79.
•  Mexican Night! Tortillas, taco seasoning, green chilies, all of it! 
•  Snacks- Fit and Active cinnamon streusel mini rice cakes (I'm obsessed with these), Fit and Active microwave popcorn, roasted or raw almonds,crasins, their brand of Wheat Thins, mulit-grain tortilla chips, sea salt pita chips, oyster crackers, party mix (like chex mix), 
• Boulder Garbage bags, and Ziploc style bags, Boulder paper products- I have zero tolerance for breaking bags and flimsy paper plates. And I buy these.
•  Frozen vegetable mixes- they change them  up, but often they have a nice variety such as snap peas, carrots, broccoli, or Asian mixes, etc.. Oh, and the plain frozen broccoli florets (not pieces and stems) are nice too, and $.99.
• Frozen buttermilk pancakes.  I can't make them better myself (I have yet to master pancake making).  And when 4 people have to be out the door by 8 am, 1 minute in the microwave works! 
• Priano Four cheese pasta sauce- having been raised in an Irish family that thinks it's Italian, homemade sauce isn't lost on me.  But for those nights when you need a fast meal, don't have any frozen sauce, and need dinner done... this is good with minimal doctoring.
• Produce- just like at any other grocery store- look at it then decide.  I have had excellent romaine hearts, tomatoes, cucumbers, apples, grapes, mushrooms, avocados ($2.99 for 3!), various citrus, pineapples ($1.99), and more.  Like any other time, seasonal is best and buy what looks good.  And hold them to their policy- if it's not within your satisfaction, bring it back (they'll refund and replace).
• Meat: I have had no issues with meat from Aldi, and have noticed they have greatly improved their selection and quality lately. I get the 90/10 ground beef, Fit and Active boneless/skinless chicken tenderloins, I have bought pork chops, ground turkey,Fit and Active turkey kielbasa and more. Their frozen shrimp is great too. (at one time they were carrying organic grass fed ground beef for $4.29/lb- a good price if you want organic). I also buy the Fit and Active lunch meats occasionally, they compare equally to Hillshire Farm, but I prefer deli meat. 
• Cereal: At $1.79 a box, everyone can choose their favorite. 
• All pantry staples- baking items, olive oil, vinegar, pickles, condiments, bottled water (if you use), salt/pepper grinders, hot chocolate, brownie mix. All great. 
• Whole grain white bread ($1.39)- no high fructose corn syrup, the nutrition of whole grain bread with the taste of white. 
• Fresh salsa- yum. 
• Frozen fruit ($1.99 a bag- have you seen the prices elsewhere??)

Some seasonal items (grab it when you see it!)

•  Lasagna Rolls- in a pinch, covered in sauce, can (and has) passed for homemade.
•  Caramel Monkey Bread mix- oh.my.gosh. Yes it calls for an insane amount of butter (ahem, 26 tablespoons), but it's ridiculously awesome. Make for company, or buy new pants. 
• Toasted four cheese ravioli- a favorite treat of mine.  They sell out fast. Stock up.  (meat available also, but not my thing)
• Speculoos (AKA windmill cookies)- totally reminds me of my childhood, and only seasonal so enjoy! 
• Seasonal spices and extracts- ground ginger, pumpkin pie spice, lemon extract, almond extract, etc... all at insane prices. Grab them when you see them, they will be gone. 
• Honey nut party mix (chex mix).  
• Baklava
• Artichoke hearts
• Chocolate Covered Pretzles 
• Spiral ham- I get the Grandessa one (Aldi's top of the line), and it's awesome for holiday dinner

And to be fair- here's what I don't like: 

• granola bars- just not as good as Quaker
• Salmon- too fishy 
• Triscuit like crackers- not the same 
• Crescent rolls- not the same at Pillsbury.  Not bad, just not the same
• Graham crackers- good at first, but seem to go stale super fast 
• Bananas- I don't like it when bananas are in a plastic bag.  That's just me, so I don't buy them at Aldi. 
• As a general statement- for every healthy or semi-healthy item Aldi carries, they probably have two horrible, processed choices that are no good.  I do avoid these, but the occasional bad choice will wind up in my cart.  Last time it was mozzarella sticks.  Bad.  But good. 
• And, finally, when Aldi has "levels" of a product- such as cheese slices, snacks, chicken breasts, etc- I buy the more expensive choice- the lower priced item is usually mega processed or cheaper for a reason... 

Not sure where to start? Check Aldi's website here to find some recipes.  Or check here for some of their winter seasonal items for ideas. Or, see what some other bloggers or writers I've come across on the web have to say about their favorites- here, here, and here. 

K-cups, lasagna rolls, hummus, specialty cheese

Best tortilla chips, and broccoli (steam in bag!)