The Grad Student's Guide to Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's has established a reputation for its unique products and reasonable prices. Discerning foodies nationwide love the place, but what about the discerning foodie who happens to be on a particularly tight budget? I am referring to the typical graduate student - someone who is strapped for time, low on cash, but well-versed enough in Food Network programming to know that there's something better out there than Ramen. As such a person, I will offer my top ten picks for Trader Joe's (TJ's) best products to jazz up any grad student's kitchen.

Mini Bambino pizzas are fantastic treats to have on hand. I have seen both the plain cheese and pepperoni variety sold in four-packs for under five dollars. They have fewer calories and carbohydrates than a typical deli bagel, and satisfy the midnight pizza craving without the tempting leftovers.

Hamburgers may sound like something to buy at the mainstream grocery store, but I have to recommend the burgers at TJ's. Found in the fresh meats section, quarter-pound burgers come in four-packs and are grouped according to fat content. I have tried the "super lean" burgers, with an astounding five grams of fat, and was pleasantly surprised. The flavor was great, the fat content was low, and I got my iron and protein for the day.

Goat cheese is tangy, tasty, and lower in fat than other cheeses. Eleven servings worth of Silver Goat Cheese sells for under five dollars, and it freezes and defrosts nicely. Goat cheese, some water crackers, and honey or chutney would be a perfect way to impress guests. Yes, it is possible to serve hors d'oeuvres without breaking the seal on a Doritos bag.

Chicken shu mai is in the frozen aisle's appetizer section. The small dumplings come boxed and serve about three to four people. The dipping sauce is included in the package. This is another easy appetizer or component of a light meal. Preparation requires only a dampened paper towel and a microwave.

Frozen mangos, or any frozen fruit, for that matter, are considerably more affordable at TJ's than at mainstream grocery stores. A bag of mangos will only set you back about two dollars. It's a great alternative to a popsicle on a hot day, or as an ingredient in a smoothie.

Dried Edamame makes the ideal snack - it's a healthy source of protein, comes with just enough salty goodness, and, at just ninety-nine cents a bag, is actually within a grad student's budget.

Tofu is the grad student's best friend. It's amazingly cheap at ninety-nine cents for a large block, and it's versatile and healthy - what more could one desire? Well, a little more flavor, perhaps. But that's a problem easily resolved with a quick marinade, some dressing, or the solution to all problems: cheese.

What's one way to dress up the aforementioned tofu? Cilantro dressing! Look for it between the salad greens and prepared dips and meals. Beyond just great flavor, the dressing is low in fat and lower in sodium than most typical dressings.

I'm no wine connoisseur, but I have been satisfied with the bargain bin wines at Trader Joe's. You can purchase an entire bottle - sometimes two - for the same price that you would pay for one glass at a decent restaurant. A personal favorite is the Black Mountain Vineyard Shiraz. The selection is usually pretty wide, so experimentation is easy.

Desserts are the grand finale to any meal and should be treated accordingly. Cheesecake is difficult to mess up, but it is worth noting that Trader Joe's offers some tasty varieties - my favorite, the pumpkin - at the same price as one slice at The Cheesecake Factory. I must also put in a good word for the Key Lime Pie; it is a bright taste of summer to offset the winter blahs.

It's hard to go wrong at Trader Joe's. It is easy, however, to leave with a bag full of goodies that won't gouge your bank account. Grad school can be a trying time, but your menu can be a source of enjoyment.