Trader Joe's: Nashville's Best Grocery Store for Kids

Grocery shopping with others does not top my list of favorite things to do.  Grocery shopping with a toddler doesn't make the list at all.  I like to tackle these kinds of errands solo, but since Yogi has arrived I don't get too much "solo".

With Yogi as my errand side kick, I've had to adopt a new perspective.  My pre-Yogi perspective was all about efficiency; get as much accomplished as quickly as possible so that you have more time for the fun stuff.  Stuff that bears no resemblance to errands.  Post-Yogi it's fairly impossible to do something like grocery shop, drop off books at the library or even walk down to the street to check the mail with anything approaching speed.  It can take us 5 full minutes to make it up the stairs on a particularly distracted afternoon.  I know that because I've timed it.  What I'm saying is that nothing happens quickly anymore and I figure that if you're going to spend way.too.long doing something, you might as well enjoy it.  Enter my new perspective.....

ERRAND AS DESTINATION

No more is an errand something that we do on the way to doing something else, but the thing itself.  This little shift has done more than just lower my blood pressure, it has allowed me to enjoy these mundane little moments with my son.  Of course I still get antsy when Yogi feels compelled to examine each rock he encounters on the path from door to mailbox, but seeing the trek as more than just a means to an end (getting the mail) allows for a little breathing room.

So, what does this have to do with grocery stores?

Well, our most favorite errand destination is this place.  Trader Joe's is hands-down Nashville's most kid-friendly grocery store.  Aside from the obvious fact that they sell fabulous food (more on that later), the store itself is a pleasant place to be and that has mostly to do with the people who work there.  The staff is genuinely friendly (not that weird, scripty customer-service brand of friendliness), helpful and interesting.  The faces we encounter on our visits are consistent (seems like low turnover) and we usually have a few actual conversations while we're there.  Yogi is always recognized by someone and frequently offered a taste of something yummy (peach pops are his favorite) while he rides in the cart. 

Although we're not ready for it yet, the store also offers those fun, kiddie shopping carts.  Unlike lots of places where those things are just accidents waiting to happen, at Trader Joe's they actually work.  I think that has to do with the fact that the store is so small and the shoppers seem to be less rushed and frantic than they are at other places.  I can't say that I'm counting down the days, but based on all of the pointing he does when he's sees other kids "shopping", Yogi is looking forward to pushing his own cart.

The other BIG attraction is of course, the food.  If you eat a largely plant-based diet you can find lots of great things at reasonable prices.  This is not to say that Trader Joe's isn't a place for meat eaters (they certainly sell meat), but just that I haven't done the pricing on that.  It's a great place to get staples like seasonal produce, dairy, bread and tofu/tempeh.  I'll leave you with a list of yummy Trader Joe's specific things to try on your next visit:

• Jalepeno-Cilantro hummus
• Pizza Olympiad
• Ready-to-use frozen squares of basil, garlic and cilantro
• Veggie Masala burgers
• Cookie Butter (don't ask, just buy)
• Lemon & Triple Ginger Snap ice cream
• Dark Gingerbread mix
• Dark Chocolate coated Mints (near the registers)