Friday, September 04, 2009

Open Labor Day! And more!

Hi Wheatsville friends and fans!

We're so excited these days- our brand new store is eliciting such hugely positive vibes AND record-breaking sales AND, we wone Best Neighborhood Grocery in the Austin Chronicle Best of Austin Readre's Poll as well as snagging one in the Citic's Picks for our Popcorn Tofu po'boy! Woo hoo! Thank to all of you who voted for us and thanks to the Chron's critics for the love!
We are open normal hours ALL weekend long! And we have fixin's for this holiday weekend! Come on in and see!

Scroll down for:
Meat news
Hot grocery chocolate
Deli yumminess
Cheese Island!
Staff Picks
Housewares and supplements specials!
Rush Hour Recipes!

From Bryan, the Butcher
We've got lots of Back to School specials this month in Wheatsville's meat department. In the fresh meat case you'll find great deal on Niman ranch products. We have a super great deal on Niman ground beef, 75% lean, for $4.99lb—this is a great choice for hamburger or tacos. Also, Niman ground sirloin, 85% lean, is only $7.99lb, normally $8.99lb—great choice for chopped steak. We also have Niman Ranch sausages, made with natural & certified humanely raised pork. All flavors of Niman sausages and all beef franks are at a special price of $5.49 per pack, regularly $5.99ea (while supplies last). Niman boneless pork chops on special for $6.59lb regular $7.19lb (while supplies last). This includes a selection of center cuts chops, thin breakfast chops, and boneless loin roast. This is a great deal on some of the finest pork available in supermarkets today.
 
Move on to the freezer to stock up on great deals that you can make last for all month. Organic Prairie grass-fed, organic ground beef, one pound packs, are only $7.49 each, regular $7.99. Organic prairie organic pork breakfast sausage, in one pound chubs, for $5.49lb regularly priced at $5.99lb. This is great choice for Sunday morning breakfasts.
If you're looking for sustainable seafood options we have those too. Wild Catch BBQ marinade wild caught salmon $6.99 for 10oz package, regularly $8.29. Wild Catch marinated Ahi tuna steaks $5.49 for 9oz package, regularly $5.99.
 
In The Grocery Aisle
 
Mary Louise Butters Hot Lips Brownie:
 
This brownie isn't messing around. Hot Lips is one of the Mary Louise Butters Brownies with all of the sweetness and comfort of a soft, delicious treat, but with something extra. With habanero, ancho and chipotle peppers, it's got a spicy twist. As someone who loves spicy foods, I've been disappointed in the past with chocolate and chili combinations. Hot Lips is an exception. It's not the kind of heat that renders the flavor un-enjoyable. Instead, it's the kind that reminds you that you've got taste buds and may as well use them. Check out this and other Mary Louise Butters Brownies at http://www.buttersbrownies.com/ Justin Merrifield, Grocery Buyer

From the Deli
 
September brings Sushi to the Wheatsville Deli! Made with organic rice – both brown and white – plus organic veggies like carrots, cucumbers and avocados! Made daily on our premises, the sushi chefs create fresh, delectable grab'n'go combinations for vegans, vegetarians and fish-lovers, too! Come take a look at our self-serve case - try a spicy combo, California roll or avocado roll and see what you think!

The Wheatsville Deli's brand new Smoothie of the Month is the Acai Smoothie! This icy superfood smoothie packs a tart, vitamin-packed punch in the mouth!

Our salsa for September, Salsa de Otono, is made with smoky ancho chiles and sweetened with red bell peppers and apple juice! It makes a magnificent enchilada sauce!

Also this month, we have our Fresh in the Deli specials, on sale September 1st through 15th! From the Linden Hills Co-op in Minneapolis, Minnesota comes Edamame with Garlic & Olives. This simple, high protein dish combines creamy soybeans with fresh garlic, spices and green olives! And from GreenStar Cooperative Market in Ithaca, New York, we bring you Sweet Corn & Arame! Packed with sea minerals, we sauté onions in sesame oil then simmer with corn, arame seaweed and tamari for a vegetable dish that is Asian-inspired and sweet in flavor.
And remember, Wheat-Free Wednesday is still going strong in our Bakery, with lots of gluten-free sweet treats like breads, cookies, cakes and muffins available every Wednesday for those who avoid wheat or just want a change of pace!
 
What's happening with Greg and Cheese Island
I was able to go to the American Cheese Society Annual Conference a few weeks ago.  In case you don't know about this conference, it is a big deal.  This is a national event that brings in cheese makers, mongers, and affineurs from all over the place. At the end of the conference the best cheeses are chosen from different categories and given prestigious awards.
 
I am so lucky that I get to work around so many winners! My cheese case is stocked with them. If you look around you will see that there are quite a few blue ribbon winners in our case: Graffton Village Farms Duet, Cowgirl Creamery's Red Hawk (also took 2nd Best in Show), Organic Valley's Pepper Jack, and of course Pureluck Farms' Hopelessly Blue and their Plain Chevre. I am also planning to bring in a few more when they come into season. Look for Rogue Creamery's Rogue River Blue, which won Best in Show.
 
 
Check out our "Staff Top Ten Picks" posted throughout the store, we work here and shop here!!!
Look for the green signs in front of the products.
 
From Elke Stoeckelmann, Health Team Clerk:
 
The Merry Hempster's Vegan Lip Balm -  I've tried many.  This works, and is made with sustainable Hemp.  No beeswax!
Citra-Solv – Versatile cleaner, goes a long way, and wards off insects.
Bulk Griffin Remedy Body Lotion – Simple and clean ingredients.  Feels incredibly good!
Iced Coffee from the Deli – Cold-Brewed, easier on the stomach, the kick is more powerful.
Bulk Spirulina – Very alkalizing, high in B vitamins, 60% complete protein, makes you feel good!
Bulk Guayaki Mate –energy boost more stable than coffee, nutrition-packed, doesn't keep you up at night.
Bulk Cacao Nibs – High in Magnesium, and Sulphur.  Helps neurotransmitters circulate in brain, improving focus.
VegLife Methyl B-12 Lozenge – Very absorbable vegan B-12, great for nerves, energy, and well-being.
Alvera Roll-On Deodorant – Made in Texas.  Actually really works!  Simple and natural.
Texas Medicinals Mental Clarity – Made in Austin by an incredible herbalist.  Lifts the mental fog.
 

From Erik Amos, POS Coordinator (he couldn't decide on 10 so we let him go a tad longer):
 
Hellman's 8 oz. Real Mayo - These jars are perfect for refilling with our bulk spices.
Double Espresso from our deli – It's about time!  Goes well with Munchees Lunchbox brownies.
Munchees Lunchbox Espresso Brownie –  Best mid-afternoon snack I've tried.  Goes well with our espresso.
Herban Cowboy Shave Soap – An efficient source of lather.
Hatch Chiles – Introduced to me by surface dwellers.  Best when charred.
DII Set of 6 Napkins – Brightly colored, absorbant and affordable!
San-J Organic Shoyu – Flavorful without overwhelming your food.
Sushi Rice – Yum!  Don't forget the shoyu.
Margarita's Raw White Tortillas – The best tortillas.  Sprinkle with Vermont White Cheddar.
Katz Bat City Blend – The best dark roast in town.
Greek Gods Fig Yogurt – It's almost like having dessert for breakfast.  Delicious!
Hop Devil – It pushes the hop envelope without breaking anything.
Weetabix – Why aren't more cereals pressed into bricks?  A childhood favorite.
Coho Salmon – Recipe: Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Shoyu, Brown Sugar and Pepper.
Pere Joseph Cheese – Made by monks! I was converted immediately.  Try with pears.
Sungold Tomatoes – Perfect by themselves.
 
NEW! in Housewares
Born Free Baby Bottles 9 oz wide necks, Training Cups 7 oz and Nipples, 3 styles. All are free from Bisphenol-A Phthalate & PVC!  Come check em' out across from the Health Team desk.
 
NEW! in Supplements
7 Bee products from Premier One. Pollen Power 580mg 100ct, Pollen Power Granules 4.7 oz,  Royal Jelly 1000mg 30ct, Royal Jelly 500mg 60ct, Royal Jelly in Honey 7000mg 5.5oz, Royal Jelly in Organic Honey 30,000mg 11oz and Raw Energy 500mg 60ct. 
Also, back by popular demand, from Solaray Eurocalm 200mg 60ct.

Rush Hour Recipes
 
Every month we'll feature a new entree recipe (featuring a mix of vegetarian, non-vegetarian and vegan options) at the Deli Counter and on our website. We will keep an archive of recipe cards at the member center as well, so that you can pick one up and use it for your dinner shopping. You can even use these recipes to build your own recipe book. These recipes come from various co-ops all over the States, which is pretty cool. Plus they have been kitchen tested so you trust them to turn out right. Increase your kitchen repertoire with these quick, easy, fresh, entree recipes.  Follow this link to see the Rush Hour Recipes:  http://wheatsville.coop/recipeindex.html

Have a great weekend and week!

Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy!