Yay: Candied Pecans

This little golden nuggets of tasty goodness are super pricey for the small amount, but are worth it for adding that extra "YUMMY" to a dish. The front of the package says it all: they are crunchy with just the right amount of sweet. I used them in a spinach salad, and these are not nearly as sugary as pecans found in restaurant salads. The front of the package says great for snacking, but beware because they will not last long!

Yay: Fire Roasted Red Peppers

Another staple for any culinary pantry, these fire roasted red peppers are a quick alternative to roasting your own red peppers. The lack of sodium is remarkable compared to standard grocery store brands, giving these peppers a fresh and sweet taste to complement many different dishes. Use them in pasta primavera, use as a topping for making your own pizza, add to pasta salad, or impress your friends by adding them to an antipasto plate.

Yay: Baked Cheese Crunchies

It is a challenge to find a snack at TJs that I do not like. That probably says more about my love of snacks than anything! These Baked Cheese Crunchies are extraordinary! They have 50% less fat than big brand cheesy puffs, and taste better too because they don't have the standard chemical preservatives. They are less greasy too, although the cheese powder still gets on your hands. The cheese flavor has a less saturated, more natural taste than big brand cheesy puffs. Be careful, these tiny bites might seem harmless but they are very addictive. The bag will be gone before you know it!

Yay: Extra Lean Angus Ground Beef 96% Lean/4% Fat

This lean ground beef always looks fresh and natural, and it claims right on the package that the cattle were raised with no hormones or antibiotics. Be aware that this beef is much pricier than what you'll find in your standard grocery store, however if you need meat quickly and are close to a TJs, it is worth the extra few dollars because it always tastes good and freezes very well for later use.

Yay: 50% Less Salt Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews

These cashews are a must-have item for any pantry. Among several of TJ's "50% Less Salt" options, they are priced better and taste better than the leading name brand cashews. They truly are less salty than your average bag of nuts, and while they make a great snack, they also add distinct flavor to stir-fry and baked goods. Everyone always eats the cashews out of the nut mix first, so why not grab yourself an entire bag of cashewy goodness?

Yay: Sparkling Lemon Spring Water

I'm a self-proclaimed bubbly water aficionado, and never realized TJs had sparkling water until I found it tucked away in a corner of my store. This isn't my favorite bubbly water by any means, but the price (79 CENTS! although prices may vary by store) and overall taste is why it gets a Yay. The bubbles are much smaller than other sparkling waters (i.e., La Croix), which some people might find pleasing. I prefer a larger bubble of carbonation. The natural lemon flavor is barely noticeable, which some people may also find pleasing. How do you think it would measure up in a carbonated water taste test?

Yay: Kale for Cooking

This kale is conveniently pre-washed and cut for easy steaming and sauteing. Always fresh and crispy, TJs makes it easy to include a powerful punch of vitamins in your meal. This kale can also be used in salads, although it is highly recommended to wash it beforehand and consider ripping the leaves from the meaty stalks (it is harder to chew and digest the raw stalks).

Yay: Brown Rice

Brown rice can be difficult to cook on the stove top, especially if you're an amateur cook who only eats homemade rice a few times a month. Not to mention cleaning a pot that cooked rice is an annoying chore, thanks to the rice paste reside left behind. Have no fear, TJs frozen Brown Rice is here! Packaged in three separate 10oz. microwaveable bags, you can choose how much rice you'd like to have without having to estimate water-rice ratios used in stove top cooking. In 3 minutes or less, you'll have fluffy, delicious, healthy (well healthier than white rice) brown rice. This little miracle in a bag will cut your food preparation time down drastically!

Nay: Spinach & Kale Bites

Surprisingly, these taste much better than they look. They are small lumps of spinach, kale some cheese, and onion. The texture was decent for a frozen food; it was not mushy but it left something to be desired. Maybe a dipping sauce would help? These earn a "Nay" because it is not something I'd recommend to others or willingly serve to friends and family. Also, they are not very convenient for a frozen food: they have to bake for 15-20 minutes and cool for another 10. You're better off spending that 30 minutes making a salad with fresh spinach, kale, cheese and seasoning to achieve the same flavor.

Yay: Hummus Dip

Name brand hummus can be relatively expensive in typical grocery stores (over $5 in some stores). This hummus dip not only wins on price (about half the cost of name brands, depending on location), but flavor as well. It has only 6 six ingredients: chick peas, sunflower/olive oil blend, water, lemon juice, sea salt and garlic. Don't be fooled by the simplicity though! This all natural dip is a great accompaniment to any cracker, chip or veggie. Great for parties or any regular snacking.

Yay: Breaded Chicken Tenderloin Breasts

These frozen breaded chicken tenders are a league above any big brand frozen chicken tenders found in standard grocery stores. They are easy to cook (done in 20 minutes!), and taste crispier and less greasy than your typical frozen chicken tenders. The possibilities are endless with this product. While the tastefully plain breading may appeal to the 7-year-old picky eater in just about everyone, you can also add a variety of toppings during the last few minutes of baking to change up your meals: cheese and salsa for a southwestern inspired dish, bacon and Swiss cheese for a cordon bleu taste, or red sauce and mozzarella for classic chicken parm. Whatever your tastes are, these are sure to become a staple in your freezer.

Yay: Just Mango Slices

Just Mango Slices are a rare find in the world of dried fruit because they are unsulfered (no preservatives) and unsweetened (not coated in sugar). They are literally just dried mangoes. If you live in an area with limited access to tropical fruit, these leathery strips of tasty sweetness fulfill a void. Even if you have daily access to fresh mango, these are a great, Vitamin A rich snack for any time.

Nay: Vegetable Birds Nests

These look much better in the packaging photo than they do after cooking them. In fact, eating the box packaging would be preferable to eating this soggy, flavorless "veggie" appetizer. The nests each allegedly contain zucchini and carrots, but most of the nests were a small lump of onions with a morsel of carrot and/or zucchini. The onion flavor completely overwhelms any other flavors, and the crunchy panko-like topping seen in the packaging is merely a soggy dusting of stale crumbs.

Yay: Gummy Bears

These sweet candies are a great alternative to traditional gummy bears. If you are looking for a more natural, preservative-free and dye-free candy snack, these are a great choice! They are made with all natural fruit and veggie extract, which makes them a little softer and less dense than standard gummy candies, but they are not as soft as a fruit snack. There are six flavors in every bag: strawberry, apple, orange, lemon, pineapple and cherry. Because the flavoring is all natural, it is not as strong as regular gummy bears, but they are just as gummy and yummy!

Yay: Yogurt Stars

These crispy, yogurt covered cookies are a delicious mix for the palette that will satisfy any sweet tooth. Small, start-shaped vanilla cookies are coated in three different yogurt flavors (raspberry, blueberry or vanilla), giving them a tangy crunch. The best part is these cookies do not use artificial food coloring. The yogurt coating does melt quickly, so these are best enjoyed cold.
Have you tried these cookies?
Let us know what you think! Yay or nay?