How to spend $58 in 20 minutes

After our great lunch at Fuddruckers in Paramus yesterday, I decided to drive a few miles across the borough to Trader Joe's, which stocks bacon, hot dogs and other items without antibiotics, growth hormones or preservatives. We hadn't been there in more than a month to avoid having to fight holiday traffic on Route 17.

It didn't take long -- about 20 minutes -- to spend nearly $60. (Photo shows a Trader Joe's in California.)

I picked up one of my all-time favorite -- a nearly three-pound rack of St. Louis-style pork ribs from the Niman Ranch for $5.99 a pound. They come fully cooked with sauce. What could be easier to prepare?

I also grabbed two 12-ounce packages of Trader Joe's natural bacon ($3.99 each) and one package of uncured, fully cooked  beef hot dogs (also $3.99).

Image via Wikipedia

The rest of our purchases were sliced yogurt cheese with jalapenos ($4.69), three kinds of tortillas, including habanero-lime ($2.69); organic and Greek-style yogurt ($2.99 each), two 100% juices ($3.49 and $3.99) and organic blue agave sweetener ($2.99) that I drizzle over the yogurt. The tortillas can be frozen.


The total with tax: $58.59.

Trader Joe's, 404 Route 17 north, Paramus; 201-265-9624;
open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
http://www.traderjoes.com/