I went a little crazy at the grocery store this morning restocking on a lot of items that I like to keep on hand. I like to share these kinds of shopping trips with you so that you get an idea of how I stock my pantry and fridge to be able to consistently cook breakfast, lunch and dinner at home. My ambassador partnership with ALDI is over but I went there for today’s trip. I really meant it when I said that they have converted me as a believer in their brand and business model and I can’t tell you how many of my yoga students and clients are now also shopping at ALDI. It’s kind of crazy.
I posted a shopping cart picture on Instagram today and and it seems that y’all are jumping on the ALDI bandwagon too! The savings are ridiculous!
So here’s what I bought today…
CHEESE EXTRAVAGANZA! Queso fresco, brie, honey goat cheese, organic white cheddar, blue cheese, feta and parmesan cheese. Also, hummus, prosciutto and uncured applewood smoked bacon.
Artichoke hearts, garlic powder, lemon pepper grinder, organic chicken broth, organic diced tomatoes, canned tuna, organic salsa, pesto.
NUTS AND CHOCOLATE! I have become a huge fan of the ALDI chocolate bars and picked up four different flavors today! Also, light brown sugar, walnuts, pecans, almonds, baking soda, dried cranberries and honey.
Organic vegetable chips and organic blue corn chips along with a multi-grain flax flatbread. (Used this in my lunch today…super good!)
Organic frozen strawberries, frozen mixed fruit, organic frozen blueberries, pineapple greek yogurt, plain greek yogurt.
Two bottles of wine (a malbec and a granacha), almond milk and Bolthouse Farms Green Goodness juice.
Randoms…sponges, egg whites, butter, Frebreeze and onions.
Fresh fruits and veggies…asparagus, avocados, organic carrots, mangos, lemons, cherry tomatoes, baby portobello mushrooms, tri-colored peppers and pineapple.
As I mentioned before, I try to buy all of my meat local whenever possible and if not local, organic, so as a rule I do not buy meat at ALDI. It’s also worth noting that I was already stocked on salad/smoothie greens and bananas. Those are two huge staples for me as well.
Let me know if you have any questions!
What are a few staples that you CANNOT leave the grocery without? Mine would be bananas, avocados, baby spinach and greek yogurt! (in addition to many, many more…including the chocolate bars! :))
I have just started shopping at Aldi’s within the past two weeks since your blog posts have been so convincing and let me tell you… it is so cheap AND good quality! Only downside for me is if I don’t go at the right time (first thing in the morning) items tend to get picked over and in the afternoon when they are less staffed, it is harder to get assistance. All I wanted was unsweetened vanilla almond milk, and I searched through all the crates I could reach in the cooler and there was none to be found!!! But that won’t stop me from going back. I am so thankful for your Aldi posts and your blog!
And it’s an emergency when I run out of bananas and avocados!
My staples are bananas, almond milk, frozen blueberries, spinach, romaine, egg whites, and avocados. I eat a lot of oatmeal, salads, and smoothies!
A healthy bunch of staples! How do you like your oatmeal?
I make my own almond milk, so a staple for me is almonds. In the winter, I also buy organic greens, but in the summer I can live off the garden and pantry for a long time, but since I’m not just shopping for myself, I always have other stuff on the list.
I don’t think we have ALDI in the west, I’ve never seen it anyway?
Did you decide on what car to buy, Prius or was it a rodeo or something, I can’t remember?
Do you find its cheaper to make your own almond milk versus buy it in the store? Where I live, almonds can kinda be expensive, so idk how it would work out financially. but then again, when you make your own you dont have a buncha weird additives in it.
I’m not sure about the cost comparison, it may well be more expensive to make my own, but I like the taste of homemade so much more, just almonds, water, vanilla a dash of salt and sweetener(I use liquid stevia). I buy the almonds at costco and also use them for making almond butter, biscotti and many other things.
i love this discussion. i’ve never tried to make my own.
It’s time consuming but a fun activity! I’ve also found it tastes richer/creamier when homemade. I buy cheese clothes, blend almonds and water in vitamix then strain through cheese cloth. Kimberly Snyder has a great you tube tutorial 🙂
This is great! Good finds! 🙂 I wish we had an ALDI! I can’t leave a grocery store without apples and bananas.
My must haves at the grocery store: romaine, spinach, bananas, chicken, broccoli, oatmeal and water. I think those are the things I HAVE to have. Usually though I end up with much more!
Loving the grocery posts! I love Aldi as well!! I can’t leave without some greek yogurt, apples and oranges!
I love seeing what you buy at the store!
My staples include: greek yogurt, granola, bananas, frozen fruits and veggies, Silk almond milk, coffee and almond butter.
we are very similar!
I never leave without pink lady apples, banana’s, avocado, organic whole milk (for my toddler), frozen blueberries and spinach.
love pink ladies! so crisp!
My grocery store staples are: broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts, chicken, peanut butter, and greek yogurt!
Nut butters, apples, bananas and chocolate : )
avocados, eggs, and bacon!
Howcome you don’t eat whole eggs? Why just egg whites?
hey wendy – i do eat whole eggs. i buy them at the farmer’s market. anytime i’m cooking eggs to eat (like scrambled, over easy, hardboiled), i eat the whole egg. i get the egg whites to use in smoothies and oatmeal (can’t use a whole egg in that!) for a little extra protein.
Cheese extravaganza looks good!
I leave with bananas, avocado and some kind of leafy veggie every trip. I just can’t get enough!
Gosh, I wish we had an ALDI in NYC. Even the not-so-nice chain stores around me are crazy expensive. Trader Joe’s is way cheaper but I have to take the cross-town bus to get there. If anyone from ALDI HQ is reading this, SOS! The Upper East Side needs your help!
But in all seriousness, you’re restocking supplies are way healthier than anything I ever purchase, Jen. Way to go! I know you include your price comparison in an earlier post, but I’d be curious to see how much this cost, now that you’re using ALDI in practice.
Just curious – can you tell us how much you spent on this?
i’m going to upload a photo of my receipt so you can see an itemized list.
This is exactly what I was going to ask. Looking forward to it! Sometimes I go on my “major restock” trips to Aldi and only spend about $90 including things like trash bags, paper products, laundry detergent, etc. It never ceases to amaze!
I’m not sure if this was covered in the comments of your past posts but, how does Aldi’s compare to Trader Joe’s? I usually do my monthly dry goods stock up at TJs (canned good, nuts, nut butters, frozen vegetables) but I’m wondering if Aldi’s would be better for my grad student budget. Thanks for these posts — I’ve really been enjoying the mix of both food and exercise!
i love both and i still go to trader joe’s for items aldi doesn’t carry but aldi is cheaper!
So great! love all the cheeses – If I could, I’d live on cheese and meat trays and red wine.
I think the organic blue corn chips are really salty compared to other brands.
thanks for the head’s up! will let y’all know what i think!
I’m so jealous of how nice your produce looks. The produce at my Aldi is always beat up and half rotten. 🙁
I came across your blog while searching for coupon info and you are one of the best discoveries I’ve ever made. I have a desire to cook the way I like to eat on a “regular” basis (instead of eating at Whole Foods all the time) and the way you make it seem doable has given me the boost I need to just do it! This post has also inspired me to find my nearest Aldi (only 10 mins away!), and I’m headed out the door in a few minutes to do some grocery shopping. Thanks for being such an inspiration for so many people.
After the blog series that went around I went back to ALDI. I’m shocked with their new products. They have so much more compared to a year ago when I visited their store – and healthier products too. Do you have a Keurig? You need to try the K-cups! I love the gourmet cheese selection and bought that same brie as well!
holly – that’s such great news! i’m glad you had a good experience. i’ve definitely become an ALDI shopper through working with them. i don’t have a keurig…tassimo and nespresso but thanks for letting me know!