A few years ago Costco came to our town. I had been a Sam’s girl for years and thought I wouldn’t change my membership since “they are pretty much the same thing” or so I thought but I was wrong. The organic products, specialty items and quick pizza won me over. Each month I have a routine, getting certain things at Costco and filling in with the things we don’t need in bulk from other stores. I pretty much buy the same staples each month. There are still a few things I still prefer from Sam’s Club and I will share a few of those at the end. I think it is interesting to see what people buy so I thought I would share my haul with you. Grab a cart!
Maple syrup – Every Saturday my husband makes either pancakes or waffles with the kids. I can not stand traditional “pancake syrup” which is usually corn syrup based but maple syrup is pretty pricey. Not at Costco! I love the flavor and it works well in baking too.
Another great sweetener is raw honey. Nature Nates is my favorite brand and a large container is very reasonably priced when you get it at Costco. We use it for baking as well as medicinally when needed. The kids love it on toast, to sweeten their yogurt and on their peanut butter sandwiches.
Speaking of peanut butter sandwiches we love this organic pb. It is unsweetened so I can use it in my Trim Healthy Mama meals and we can use the honey or maple syrup for the kids. I mix it up in my Vitamix to keep it from separating. There are other peanut butter options but a farmer friend of mine told me to always buy organic peanut butter because of the way peanuts pull in the toxins in the soil.
Another favorite is this almond butter. I have friends who make their own almond butter using the bulk bags of raw almonds you can get at Costco and its a great idea. I don’t always have the time so this is a great option. I love the creamy texture!
Since Felicity doesn’t tolerate dairy well we always keep almond milk on hand. I like this option because it is shelf stable. My refrigerator can only hold so much! We operate on the good, better, best philosophy so although I know there may be better almond milk options, this one fits our needs best.
I usually make my own stock but sometimes I need a quick option. This Kirkland brand is great! The ingredients are clean and it is a good deal. I use it in all kinds of things!
We love cheese! I typically buy the shredded cheese at Costco but another favorite is this manchego cheese. It is a great dairy free option that Felicity tolerates well. I love the flavor!
WE LOVE BUTTER! It is definitely a staple in our home. If possible I buy the organic version but sometimes the budget is a little tight so I buy the regular Kirkland brand. I keep any extra in the freezer until we need it so it lasts a long time.
DaBecca nitrate-free, uncured bacon. We love this bacon! 2 packs of delicious thick bacon will last us the whole month of Saturday morning breakfasts. I cut each pack in half and save the rest. They also have a turkey version but I prefer regular bacon – Maybe it is just me but think how much they have to alter turkey to get it to seem like bacon?!
Lettuce – I buy the spring mix as well as the organic romaine. It is incredible how much cheaper it is to buy these at Costco vs the regular grocery store. We use them throughout the month for salads, sandwiches, & wraps.
Tortilla chips are a must have in Texas homes! I buy the organic and the regular versions of the Kirkland tortilla chips. We like both. I also LOVE the fresh salsa they carry in the refrigerated section.
Egg whites are a useful ingredient especially when I am eating on the THM plan. When I am using several cups at a time it is helpful to have them in bulk. The containers are still small so I can easily fit them in the fridge.
Bananas are a great deal in bulk and my kids go through them SO fast. Their favorite treat is sliced bananas in a bowl with almond butter and a drizzle of honey. I don’t worry about them getting brown because I can just use them in banana bread.
I like to keep coconut water on hand. I make my own electrolyte drink for the kids and it is great to have when a stomach bug hits the family! (I will share the recipe in a future post.)
These fig bars are a real life saver. They work as a great snack for the kids and I have been known to grab one on the way out of the house on our way to church. There are several flavors (my fave is raspberry but the kids love apple cinnamon.) As a bonus they are HFCS and dairy free!
Another great snack option. These things are addictive so be sure and portion them out so you don’t eat the whole bag.
I use cocoa in lots of my baking so I love having a large bag in the pantry. It is also very cost effective. I also use cocoa in my homemade hot cocoa and in my smoothies.
Some other favorites that I didn’t have pictures of…
apple sauce – my kids go through this so fast I buy four large jars a month! They like to have it with their plain yogurt and I use it in baking to make baked good more moist. Since the only ingredient is apples, I don’t have to worry about strange additives or extra sugar!
frozen veggies – what kind I buy varies but green beans, broccoli cauliflower rice, and the stir fry veggies are my favorites. It is so easy to grab them out of the freezer and have a quick side dish.
eggs – until our chickens start laying (more to come on my chickens!) I buy eggs at Costco.
corn tortillas – we go through a lot of tortillas in our house and you can’t find a better deal then in bulk.
There are still a few things I like from Sam’s Club. Peeled garlic, kids clothes, marinated fajita meat, & plastic wear.
