What does a Personal Trainer Buy at Coscto

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I get it at Costco.

The number of times I say that in conversations with my clients is kind of ridiculous. But it’s true.

I’m lucky to have good pantry space, including “spillover” space in the basement, as well as a small deep freezer, so even though we’ve got a smaller family, I get a lot of things at Costco.

It all started in 2018 when my husband and I got married. Not only were we hosting the rehearsal dinner at our house, but the venue we had chosen allowed us to bring in our own food and drinks. Sure, we catered the main meal and dessert at the reception (thank you Sugar Fire and Gelato Di Riso!), but we brought our own food for cocktail hour as well as all of our drinks for the entire reception.

Enter Costco.

I knew joining one of those warehouse clubs would be worth it for the wedding, so before I chose which one, I did a bit of recon. I went to both Sam’s Club and Costco (the two options we have in our area) to just walk around and see what they had.

After my initial look, I decided to join Costco, primarily because at the time they offered more organic and grass-fed items than Sam’s. It may be different now, but that was the case at the time. Since we buy organic as often as possible (though, I’ll admit to buying conventional for many of the items on the Clean 15) my thought was that if we did end up using a warehouse store after the wedding, I would more likely shop at Costco over Sam’s.

So Costco it was. And it was great. It was exactly what we needed for the wedding… but what about afterwards? Five years later, I’m here to tell you that we still have a Costco membership, and I’m not planning on giving it up anytime soon.

Since I do have the pantry and freezer space, I generally go about once every month and a half or so to stock-up. However, occasionally I will go for a “small run” if we’re hosting a larger number of people or I want something specific.

What do I buy? The thing about these warehouse stores is that what they have in stock isn’t always 100% consistent, so occasionally they don’t have something on my normal list. That, or something that isn’t on my list shows up and is a “heck yes” buy for me. Also, since we have the space, I do watch the sales. For example, last fall when the tissues were on sale I bought multiple packages because I knew we’d go through them over the winter (and we have, plus more.)

However, since you’ve been asking- here’s a (not complete by all means) list of the things I shop for at Costco.

 

Snack Area

  • Nuts: Almonds, pistachios, macadamia nuts, walnuts, mixed nuts, Brazil nuts etc.

  • Trail Mix: My husband likes to have this at his desk. He leaves the big bag at home and takes smaller portions to work in a OXO container

  • Bars: I like having the Kirkland protein bars on hand (I go for the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough/Brownie combo box) as well as the Simply Clean protein bars (these ones don’t melt in the heat… bonus!)

  • Jerky: I always watch the price, and if one of the ones with low added sugars is on sale, I’ll grab a bag… or three

 

Pharmacy Area

  • NeilMed Sprayers: These are supposed to be replaced every 3 months. Truth bomb, I’m not that good… but I do try to replace them after we’ve used them a lot

  • Aveeno Lotion- Because lotion

  • Allergy Meds: It’s almost silly how much less expensive the Kirkland brand Zyrtec is compared to buying anywhere else

  • Toothpaste: Hubby has a favorite brand, and they have it at Costco. Winning!

  • Liquid IV: If it’s on sale

 

Pantry Section

  • Organic Fruit and Vegetable Pouches: I use them as a travel snack for my toddler because they are easy to throw in a diaper bag or purse

  • Jarred Peaches: Because fresh fruit in the winter is sometimes more challenging, and toddler = fruit

  • Annie’s Mac & Cheese: Because toddler

  • Pitas: These are an occasional buy for when I’m hosting a crowd and want something that takes little to no work (see fast meal ideas below)

  • Pho Bowls: My toddler is obsessed with “soups,” and this is an easy go-to for lunch when I need her to eat

  • Pretzel Thins

  • Canned Chicken

  • Canned Tuna

  • Hot Sauce: Franks and Cholula

  • Dijon Mustard: They don’t always have this

  • Primal Kitchen Ketchup: They don’t always have this

  • Avocado Oil Mayo

  • Olive oil and Avocado Oil: If they have them in glass containers, which they don’t always have

  • Balsamic Vinegar

  • Kirkland Organic Marinara (especially if I’m doing freezer prep!)

  • Green Olives

  • Rolled Oats: I use these for my freezer muffins

  • Almond Butter: Also for the freezer muffins

  • Kirkland Organic Maple Syrup: Freezer muffins

  • Dried Fruit: Figs, dates, etc. (I like having at least one on hand for a last minute charcuterie board)

  

Household Goods Area

  • Tissues

  • Toilet Paper

  • Paper Towels: These legit last us forever

  • Dishwasher tabs

  • Laundry Detergent: I use the Kirkland free and clear, and have no complaints

  • Sparkling Water

  • Almond Milk: Recently my toddler is into making pancakes on a weekend morning. I like having this on hand because I don’t always have enough milk for the recipe

  • Coconut Water: This is the only “juice” my toddler drinks

  • Red Bull: We don’t buy them often, but my husband likes to have these for “those days” at work. The package lasts forever, but the price is better than other places, so it’s worth it

 

Freezer Section

  • Salmon Burgers

  • Salmon

  • Mahi-Mahi

  • Scallops

  • Shrimp

  • Chicken Nuggets (either the Bare or the Gluten-Free ones)

  • Chicken Sausage Links

  • Organic Blueberries

  • Organic Mixed Berries

  • Stir-Fry Veggies

  • Cauliflower Rice

  • Waffles: If they have the frozen Kodiak Cakes waffles


Fridge Sections

  • Babybel Cheese: If it’s on sale

  • Organic Eggs: I buy several when I’m doing my egg muffin meal prep

  • Kerrygold Butter

  • Butter

  • Pesto

  • Tzatziki

  • Gyro Meat

  • Cheese: If they have the 3 goat cheese package, I’m all in. I also will buy some of the block cheeses if I know we’ll be hosting. Hello charcuterie board!

 

Produce Fridge

  • Vegetables: Asparagus, Green Beans, Broccoli, Cauliflower, English Cucumbers, Mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, Sugar snap peas (not all at the same time, mind you… just an idea of what I pick up)

  • Organic Greens Mix and/or Spinach

  • Organic Berries: Whatever they have in stock

  • Veggie tray: We’ve picked these up plenty for various parties and events

 

Meat

  • Organic Chicken: Breast, Boneless thighs, bone-in thighs, drumsticks… I buy them all for a variety. Thank you deep freeze!

  • Italian Sausage: For my egg muffin prep!

  • Lamb: Chops, rack, leg… how fancy am I feeling?

  • Ground Bison

  • Ground Beef

  • Steaks

 

Random Buys

Of course, there are other things that I don’t get often, but we also get at Costco as needed like:

  • Toothbrush heads

  • Windshield Wipers

  • Wines and liquors: The hubby could tell you better, but apparently there are some really good buys

  • Storage containers

  • Cakes for parties/anniverseries (pre-order)

  • Sandwhich trays for parties or events (pre-order)

I don’t take full advantage of the middle and this whole “side” of the store, but I tell you what- they have all the things. We actually bought our gutter guards at Costco. Who knew?!?

 

Quick Costco Meals

Okay, now that I’ve given you a ridiculous list you know why I say, “I get it from Costco” so often. However, you may be wondering- with all these random items is there anything EASY you can do? The short answer is, absolutely yes.

These are just a few of the meals that take practically no effort and are a go-to if I’m hosting a crowd or a last minute gathering.

Of course, we always have charcuterie items around as well, so throwing a board together will instantly make it seem like you’ve done more work even when you do serve one of these simple meals.

 

Gyros & Tomato Salad:

  • Gyro Meat + Pitas + Tzatziki= Gyros

  • Organic English Cucumbers + cherry tomatoes + Olive oil + balsamic = Salad

  • Red Onions (I often get these at the regular grocery store)  for the gyros and/or salad

  • Optional: Feta and Kalamata olives for gyros and/or (either from Costco or grocery store depending on how much you will eat)

Want an appetizer? They have spanakopita in the freezer section and hummus in the refrigerated section.

 

Steak and Asparagus

Steak + Asparagus (seriously, that’s it. We often serve this after a charcuterie board, so we keep it simple for dinner)

 

Rotisserie Chicken and Veg

Rotisserie Chicken and either fresh veg or cook up your favorite from the freezer section

As I mentioned before, this is not a complete or exhaustive list. But it’s a list that I’ve been asked for so many times it seems silly not to share. I hope this helps, and if this makes you a Costco devotee as well, sorry not sorry.

What do you buy at costco? Are there treasures I’m missing? Let me know in the comments below!