- I live in Vancouver with my husband and two kids, and I depend on my trips to Costco for staples.
- At the bulk store, I stock up on everything I'll need for convenient snacks and easy meal prep.
- I love Costco's easy breakfast items like turkey sausage, egg wraps, and instant oatmeal.
My life in Vancouver consists of crazy schedules between work, activities for my two kids, and making meals for my family of four. I often have little to no time between school/work and the next place we have to be.
When time is short but the need to refuel is high, I rely on staples from Costco. Here are my favorite things to buy that make my busy schedule easier.
Made Good bars are great for parents and kids.
The Made Good bars are great for filling my snack cabinet. I also put these in my bag or the kids' soccer bags when on the go.
They're common-allergen-free — which is perfect for my kids' school — and made with gluten-free oats and vegetable extracts.
Sesame Snaps make for a great pregame boost of energy.
Sesame Snaps are nostalgic for me — I grew up eating these sweet, seedy treats.
But they're actually a great low-calorie snack that's perfect for a burst of energy before a soccer or hockey game.
I take collagen protein daily to (hopefully) age gracefully.
I like to take collagen daily to help strengthen my hair, skin, nails, joints, bones, and muscles.
Organika's collagen powder is tasteless, so I mix it in my coffee. Plus, Costco sells it in a 1-kilogram tub, so I rarely run out.
My kids love jerky, and I love that it's a high-protein snack.
Gone are the days when beef jerky was just a gas-station food. Jack Link's tastes amazing, and my kids love it.
It's perfect as an added protein for lunches, recess breaks, or weekend road trips since there are 9 grams in one serving.
Almond butter is a great ingredient at home.
Almond butter is so versatile as an ingredient. I use it when I make waffles, smoothies, nut-butter cups, cookies, and even homemade dog treats.
It's high in protein and essential fats, and it's a great-tasting staple to have at home (since my kids can't take almond products to school).
I opt for crackers made with vegetables that offer some extra fiber.
For the longest time, my kids wouldn't eat cheese and crackers. But my son loves the RW Garcia sweet-potato crackers, so they've stuck around.
They taste great, provide some fiber and essential minerals, and go with anything. I like to eat them with yogurt dips or on their own.
Heavenly Hunks are great when I'm craving something sweet.
Heavenly Hunks are a bit of a guilty pleasure for me and my family. When the demand for dessert is high, especially on a school night, these are a solid pick.
The "hunks" are made with oatmeal, dark chocolate, and coconut, and they fill my craving for something sweet. I keep them at home and at the office.
Turkey breakfast sausages are a must, and they're air-fryer friendly.
Greenfield makes the best turkey sausages I've ever had.
I pop them in the air fryer on weekday mornings and serve them with whole-grain toast and a side of fruit for a simple (and extremely fast) breakfast.
I've also used them in soups to add some heartiness.
The El Monterey egg wraps are my favorite breakfast hack.
On weekday mornings I almost never have time to eat breakfast. By the time I get to work, my hunger pangs kick in, so I keep some breakfast wraps there.
All I need to do is microwave a wrap on high for one minute 30 seconds. Then I add some hot sauce for a fulfilling breakfast with 10 grams of protein that's under 300 calories.
Having vegetable base on hand means I can make tasty meals without all the effort.
I actually love to cook, but my time is limited on weeknights. I use Better Than Bouillon veggie base to flavor meat dishes, stews, sauces, and even rice.
It's a great hack for tasty food without having to season or marinate anything in advance.
I love BoomChickaPop popcorn for packed lunches.
BoomChickaPop is, in my opinion, the best store-bought popcorn. It's low-calorie, nongreasy, and airy.
I skip the microwave variety and keep this on hand for after-school snacks, to fill the kids' bento-box lunch compartments, or to grab when I need a late-night snack.
On really busy mornings, I turn to instant oatmeal.
Though I would prefer my kids eat homemade oatmeal, they only agree to have the Quaker instant version.
The variety box from Costco has the three best flavors: apple cinnamon, cinnamon and spice, and maple brown sugar. It's an easy school-day breakfast.