Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Happy New New from Wheatsville plus recipe!

Happy New Year Wheatsville!

Thank you for such a fantastic 2010. We had lots of good times with you all and I enjoyed the many side conversations from readers who liked something they read in here throughout the year or to tell me one great thing they had or just said hi!

2011 , our 35th birthday year is certain to be our best ever, BUT we're not quite done with 2010, we've got to CELEBRATE! I hope you have a fun, safe and happy New Years and that next year brings you all you could hope for in joy and fun (and we hope to continue to be a part of it!)

Our Holiday Hours are:

New Year's Eve 7:30AM-9PM

New Year's Day CLOSED

Regular hours resume on January 2! See you then for all day brunch on the hot bar!

Scroll on down for:

Guaranteed luck and prosperity (with a recipe)!

Bubbly deli celebration

Prosper with Produce

Cheese party in your tummy

Resolve to cleanse

What's the date?

New Year surf and turf

Co+op Deals and Owner Deals

Tofurky Feasts are flying!

Bulky New Years

Don't forget the Black-Eyed Peas!

All good Texans know that you MUST eat at least one black-eyed pea on New Year's Day to ensure luck and prosperity for the coming year. If you're knew to Texas, you might be scratching your head about this long-standing tradition. There are many theories on how the humble bean came to be held in such high regard but regardless of the origin of the custom, we recommend eating black-eyed peas because they taste good! At Wheatsville we are happy to offer fresh ones in the Produce Department, grown in Texas! Also, we have two varieties of canned BEP, organic and conventional, plus bulk and pre-bagged bulk for your convenience. If you aren't sure what the heck to do with them, try the following recipe from Emeril:

Hoppin' John Recipe

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large ham hock

1 cup onion, chopped

1/2 cup celery, chopped

1/2 cup green pepper, chopped

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

1 pound black-eyed peas, soaked overnight and rinsed (or use canned and cooked for convenience)

1 quart chicken stock

Bay leaf

1 teaspoon dry thyme leaves

Salt, black pepper, and cayenne

3 tablespoons finely chopped green onion

3 cups steamed white rice

(Vegetarians can substitute vegetable stock for chicken stock and omit the ham hock)

Directions

Heat oil in a large soup pot, add the ham hock and sear on all sides for 4 minutes. Add the onion, celery, green pepper, and garlic, cook for 4 minutes. Add the black-eyed peas, stock, bay leaves, thyme, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 40 minutes, or until the peas are creamy and tender, stir occasionally. If the liquid evaporates, add more water or stock. Adjust seasonings, and garnishwith green onions. Serve over rice. Enjoy!

 

Ring in the New Year with bubbly,celebratory chow and new Owner Deals from your Deli!

We have some great deals on Champagne and sparkling wine at the co-op including Piper-Heidsieck Champagne $36.99 was $44.99, Piper-Sonoma Brut $15.99 regularly $19.99, and Carousel Brut for just$9.99 a bottle,  and don't forget that when you buy six or more bottles of wine sparkling or otherwise you get  10% off!

The Deli is once again elated to share space in the front cooler near the store's entrance, which is being dedicated to must-have items for your New Year's Eve parties and First of the Year celebrating! For your grab'n'go ease, we're putting together some crispy, chewy Popcorn Tofu Platters (2 pounds for the price of 1½!) and fresh, beautiful Raw Veggie Platters – don't forget to grab a large container of ourCashew-Tamari Dressing for dippin'! Also, our huge, savory Garlic Chive Cheddar Cheese Balls will be in abundance, as well as our thick, garlicky Spinach-Feta Dip, perfect for crackers and raw veggies! A rotating assortment of our delicious, vegan Chocolate Raspberry, Coconut Pineapple and Carrot Cakes – whole, frosted, and ready to go! – are also here for you to bring along to your get-togethers, no advance notice required!

Looking for the power trio of black-eyed peas, greens and cornbread to usher in 2011 with Southern luck? We've got you covered! We'll have grab'n'go containers of our Lucky Black Eyed Pea Soup – with kale too!, Braised Organic Kale with Black Eyed Peas, and cold Texas Caviar! We use only organic black eyed peas and organic kale in these dishes! In addition to being available in our self-service case, the soup will also be served hot on our food bar, the Texas Caviar will be in our full-serve Deli case and the Greens will be running on our hot bar alongside our Bakery's cornbread!

Speaking of our cornbread, both our cheddar- and green-onion speckled Southwest Cornbread and our maple syrup-sweetened, spelt- and flaxmeal-laden Vegan Cornbread are on Owner Special for the next two weeks – $1.49, reg. $1.99! – and will certainly be available for your New Year's delight!

Also on sale for owners at our Deli Counter is our very tasty BLT, made for you on toasted sourdough bread with six crispy slices of Boar's Head bacon, mayo and the classic veggies, $3.99, reg. $4.49!

Take note that these are the last few days to get your mouth on December's Salsa of the MonthRoasted Tomato! Starting in January we will be featuring our delectable Salsa Verde!

This is also last call for our Deli Counter's "Very Berry Christmas" Smoothie of the Month! In January we will be starting our PB&J Smoothie special!

Also on sale at the Deli Counter through the end of December are classic cold cuts: Boar's Head Smoked Ham at $8.49/lb, reg. $8.99 and Provolone Cheese, $4.99/lb, reg. $5.99 – so stock up by Friday to get the best deal!

Hoppy New Beers! Gets your new year's party going with some great beer from Sierra Nevada Brewery! Sierra Nevada 6 packs are on sale for $7.49 regularly $8.49 all styles and Sierra Nevada 12 packs are on sale for just 12.99 regularly $14.99! 12 packs are Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Sierra Nevada Celebration and six packs are Pale Ale, Torpedo, Porter and Stout!

From Your Green Grocer

Happy New Year!

I'm not much of a night owl anymore, so I'll probably be in bed long before midnight on the 31st, but I am planning on a day of relaxation on New Year's Day.  With breakfast, I'll be making mimosas with delicious Cara Cara Navel Oranges.  They're a bit more expensive than a normal navel, $1.49 per pound, but they are oh so good. They're sweet and very low in acid, but I wouldn't call them mild.  They have a much more complex flavor than a normal navel, and remind me of creamsicles – they have a flavor with notes of vanilla and cherry.  We've got them merchandized with Carousel Champagne in our front cooler.  Give it a try, you won't be disappointed!

New Year's wouldn't be complete without Organic Collard Greens and Black-Eyed Peas.  We've got the collards for $1.49 a bunch and fresh black-eyed peas, 12 ounces for $1.79. Eating black-eyed peas will bring you prosperity and good luck (and magnesium, iron, and protein) in the New Year, and the collards will bring you money (and vitamin C and fiber).

If you're anything like me, the New Year means coming off about six weeks of indulgence: family's been in town and you've eaten out too often, spent too much money, consumed more sweets than your dentist would approve of, drank a bit too much, and skipped out on the gym more than just a few times.  Well, let's put that all behind us and make some changes.  One easy thing you can do is pledge to eat more home cooked meals.  You save money, control your portion size, eat healthier, and spend more time with your family.  You might actually like it!  I recognize that sometimes you get home from a long day at work and spending another hour and a half in the kitchen just doesn't seem appealing.  Our cut fruit and veggie guy, Robert, has come up with an easy solution: fresh stir fry kits made three times a week here at the co-op.  They're reasonably priced at $3.99/lb, and a one pound package typically serves two.  Right now, they're a mix of bell pepper, onion, mushroom, and squash, but we're tweaking the mix as we go, so any constructive criticism would be appreciated.  You can throw in some stir-fry meat from the meat department, add a couple cups of rice or quinoa and you are set.  We make it easy on you – just dump it in the skillet and go!

CHEESE ISLAND

Are you throwing a New Year's Eve party? Attending a New Year's Eve party? I have an assortment of cheese trays to meet your snacking needs. I have a small and simple yet delightful small domestic cheese tray for $15. Also, we offer a large domestic cheese and fruit tray containing 5 domestic cheeses and seasonal fruit, for $50.  We offer 2 new trays. One tray is a Local Cheese tray. It is filled with offerings from Pure Luck Dairy, Veldhuizen Family Farms and Brazos Valley Cheese Company for $100.  There is also a very elegant Brie and Preserve tray for $50. It will be the star of the appetizer table.

Parmigiano Reggiano is on sale for $18.99/lb, regularly $21.29/lb. We are now stocking Vermont Butter and Cream's Crème Fraiche. It is $4.99 for an 8 oz tub.

We have brought in a few new cheeses for the holidays. We have two new Montechevre goat cheese logs. One is chevre and honey and the other is a chevre with figs. Both are $3.29 each. And I also brought in a Wenslydale with cranberry $15.29/lb. We have also brought in Le Roule Garlic and Herb cheese spread and Aloutte Roasted Sweet Pepper and Olive Tapanade Torta and their Sundried Tomato and Garlic Torta.  I also have a new local cheese for the holidays. We are stocking Brazos Valley's Von Sormon. It was created because of a mistake in the production of their Montassio. Instead of throwing the wheel of chees away Mark decided to rub the rind with cinnamon and vanilla. The taste of the vanilla and cinnamon become stronger as you get closer to the rind. We have also brought in a fig and almond cake.  It is made in Spain from Pajarero figs and Marcona almonds and is traditionally eaten along with cheese. It can be eaten by itself or on a salad. It definitely is a great component to any cheese plate. And just for New Year's Eve and Day,, I am dropping the price of the Canadian brie to $8.99/lb, it is regularly $9.99/lb.

Cleansing in the New Year

After all of the festivities surrounding this time of year it is not uncommon to feel fatigued bloated, stressed, or maybe just a few pounds heavier. If any of this sounds like you, it may be a great time to cleanse. Right now in your Health department we have Renew Life Cleanses on sale. Never cleansed before? Start with their 14-day First Cleanse for $21.99 (save $5). If 14 days sounds too long for you there is a 7-day Total Body Rapid Cleanse for $23.99 (save $5). Beginning a diet? Try Renew Life's Diet Start Cleanse for $23.99 (save $6). For general all-around cleansing they also have an Organic Total Body Cleanse for $27.99 (save $7). It should be noted that it is not required to make unreasonable dietary changes while cleansing. However, it does not hurt to stay away from processed foods and toxins such as alcohol, tobacco, ect. Also, as always, remember to drink plenty of water!

Calendar Countdown!

2010 is winding down and it's your last chance to pick up your 2011 calendar!  In addition to wall calendars we still have a few day planners, including the ever-popular Slingshot, as well as some page-a-day calendars for the origami artist or cuteness lover in you.  These make excellent gifts for your New Year's party hosts.  Once our stock has run out we won't be re-ordering so get 'em while you can!

 

From the world of meat

Another year is drawing to a close, but there is still time for that one last party.  The meat department has plenty of offerings for your party's culinary needs. The Smoked Salmon Lox from Fish Brothers is a great addition to your festivities.  Fish Brothers also offers some hot Smoked Salmon in Garlic or Black Pepper varieties.  For a closer look at Fish Brothers visit them at:

http://www.fishbrothers.com/www.fishbrothers.com/Home.html

Our Summer Sausage from Uncured Natural Meats or the Italian and Herb Salami's from Niman Ranch will complement many wines and cheeses.  Also from Niman Ranch; the pre cooked Pulled Pork is a quick and easy option as well as any of our three types of Niman Ranch Hams.

If a dinner party is more your speed, we have some great choices. For a larger gathering we can cut and tie a  Niman Ranch Rib RoastLeg of Lamb Roast, or a  Pork Loin or Pork Shoulder Roast. We also have whole sides of Sockeye Salmon and Coho Salmon.

Maybe you're looking for a mélange of proteiny goodness; we have some wonderful Surf and Turf options. On the turfy side we have Niman Ranch Ribeye Steaks and Flat Iron Steaks. We also cut a great Flat Iron Steak from one of our local beef providers, Windy Bar Ranch. On the surfy side we have: Organic Peeled & Deveined Shrimp, some amazing Sea Scallops from Trollerpoint Fisheries and Oysters that we get from our sustainable sea food provider, Northern Fish.

Speaking of Windy Bar Ranch, we are rolling out a new product in the quick to fix case. It's Windy Bar Beef tenderized, stuffed with Gorgonzola Cheese and Wheatsville's own Pesto, then rolled and tied into a pinwheel.  They are easy to cook and delicious.

For our Co-op deals Owner Special we are featuring Wheastville's in House Chorizo Sausage for $6.99/lb. reg. $7.99/lb. Great with eggs or in your favorite queso, this sausage can ride passenger or fly solo.

If you're feeding a few or feeding a throng, why not let the meat department give you a hand.

 

New Co+op Deals for a New Year! – Brooks Wood, Wheatsville Co+op Deals Assistant

Warm and comforting foods are on Deal. Pacific Foods Creamy Soups are now $2.49 reg. $3.69, Muir Glen Organic Tomatoes now $1.29, reg. $1.99, Celestial Seasonings Herbal Tea now $2.29 reg. $2.99, Annie Chun's Noodle Bowls now $2.39 reg. $3.29, PJ's Organic Frozen Mexican Snacks now $3.29 reg. $4.69, Sunshine Burger Organic Vegetarian Burgers, 3 pack, now $2.79 reg. $3.99,Rustic Crust Organic Readymade Pizza Crust now $2.99 reg. $4.99, Alexia Sweet Potato Fries now $2.29 reg. $3.99 and Lundberg Family Farms Organic Risotto now $1.29 reg. $2.99.

Delicious and easy options for mornings include, Brown Cow Plain Yogurt, now $2.29 reg. $2.99, Rudi's Organic Bakery Organic Bread now $2.99 reg. $4.39, R.W. Knudsen Simply Nutritious Juice now$2.29 reg. $3.89, So Delicious Non-Dairy Coconut Milk Yogurt now $1.49 reg. $1.89, Kind Fruit & Nut Bars now $1.19 reg. $1.69, Nature's Path Organic Flax Plus Cereal $2.99 reg. $4.39, Rice Dream Enriched Rice Beverage $1.99 reg. $2.99, Cascadian Farm Organic Granola Bars $2.99 reg. $4.79 and Organic Golden Flax Seeds now $1.49/LB reg. $1.79/LB.

Remember, our Deals are easy to reference. Go to http://www.wheatsville.coop and click on the Co+op Deals link.

Co+op Owner Deals for the New Year! – Brooks Wood, Wheatsville Co+op Deals Assistant

Our New Year's Deals include so many of our favorites! Arrowhead mills Organic Crunchy & Creamy Peanut Butters are now $3.99 reg. $4.99, Kashi GoLean Slimming, Crunch & Honey Almond Flax are now $3.99 reg. $4.99, Newman's Own Olive Oil & Vinegar, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Ranch, Lighten Up Raspberry & Walnut Dressings now $3.99 reg. $4.69, Middle Earth Organics Pasta Sauces All Varieties now $4.99 reg. $6.69, Pamela's Products Corn Bread & Muffin Mix now $3.49 reg. $4.29, Earth Balance Organic Whipped Buttery Spread now $3.79 reg. $4.49, Annie Chun's Chicken & Cilantro Wontons now $2.59 reg. $3.19 and Organic Pearled Barley now $1.19/LB reg. $1.39/LB.

Our Deli has our famous B L T on Deal for $3.99 reg. $4.49, Southwest Cornbread now $1.49 reg. $1.99, Vegan Cornbread now $1.49 reg. $1.99 and House Made Chorizo is now $6.99/LB reg. $7.99/LB.

Remember, our Owner Deals are easy to reference. Check them out on our web site @ http://www.wheatsville.coop and click on the Owners link.

OMG! Tofurky Feast Clearance SALE!

Well the holidays are winding down and it's time for us to clear out the beloved Tofurky Feasts, so we're marking them down from regular price:$26.59 to the low price of $13.99 (while supplies last)

One feast contains:

  • One Tofurky® Roast (made with organic non-genetically engineered soybeans) - now 20% larger
  • Savory Giblet Gravy
  • Wild Rice, Whole Wheat Bread Crumb Stuffing
  • Tofurky® Jurky Wishstix
  • New ! Organic Chocolate Cake from Amy's Kitchen
  • Happy Tofurky Day card & coupons

Each feast is 100% vegan, cooks in about an hour, serves six and tastes fabulous!

So go ahead and invite some friends over and have yourselves a fancy vegan dinner to ring out the new year!

p.s. the delicious Wholly Wholesome Traditional Bake-at-Home Pumpkin Pies are also on clearance, marked down from regular price $7.99 to sale price $4.99!

Happy New Year from the Bulk Department!

I'd like to wish you all the happiest of new years, and remind you to stop by the bulk department for our wonderful Organic Black Eyed Peas.  Having recently moved here from the pacific northwest, this new-years tradition is new to me, but I'm not taking any chances!  This year we have dried black eyed peas pre-packaged for your convenience located at the front of the store near the cashiers, and at only $1.79/lbthey are a very inexpensive way to ensure good luck this year!

For those of you having bad luck with allergies right now, we have an exciting new item available.  Local Bee Pollen is now available for sale from the bulk department.  The pollen comes from Walker Honey Farms in the Temple, TX area (about an hour north of Austin), and it is located in the cooler next to the Health Team desk.

I truly hope you have a most awesome New Year and a happy and health 2011!

 

Most sincerely,

Dan Gillotte

Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy!

 

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Eco-friendly, local and budget conscious last minute gifts!

Hi Wheatsville friends... 

TIME'S A TICKIN'—GET YOUR LOCAL GIFTS NOW!!

We have a few new locally made items this week by Austin Natural Soap Company.   First, their awesome lip balms in four varieties including hempy mint, wild strawberry, butter me up with shea butter, and lime in the coconut—just $3.89 each.  They also brought us three new roll-on perfumes in patchouli, vanilla dream and amber—just $8.49!!  Perfect for last minute gifts and stuffing those stockings!  Come by and check 'em out!!

Budget-Friendly Gifts that Support Planet-Friendly Businesses

Does a long shopping list have you feeling the Christmas Crunch?  Don't fret, we still have lots of unique gifts for your loved ones that will make them feel special without breaking the bank.  The best part of our holiday gifts is that many are produced by fair trade companies with heart, like Handmade Expressions.  Check out their gorgeous leather journals for $18.99, super soft woven cotton scarves for just $15.99, stylish cuff bracelets for $9.99-$10.99, and colorful cloth wallets for $9.99.  Hempy's is another company we're pleased to support.  They offer durable clothing and accessories from sustainable fibers and all products are made in the U.S.  We have a variety of hats for $16.99-$24.99 and 2 styles of belts for $13.99-$15.99.

For your holiday fun, here is a link for a Youtube video of the recent TubaChristmas extravaganza at the Capitol! (Yep, your humble e-mail guy is also a low brass player, a rusty, rusty one, but I did my best.)

I hope you have a most awesome Christmas and that we see you before next year!


Dan Gillotte

GM and rusty baritone horn player

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas and New Years are easy at Wheatsville!

Hello Wheatsville friends!

I hope that you are having a most excellent December and that if you're planning on celebrating Christmas that you have wonderful plans with friends and family!

Remember, shopping at Wheatsville during holidays (well any day, really) is just easier and less stressful than the other guys, especially at Christmas and New Years. We've got great last minute gift ideas, yummy holiday snacks, treats and libations as well as delicious meal ideas for a simple or fancy holiday dinner. Don't stress out, Wheatsville has your Christmas completely covered! (and next week, your New Years eve and day, too!)

Our hours are different for the holidays:

Christmas Eve 12/24 7:30am-7pm

Christmas Day 12/25 CLOSED

Sunday 12/26 SPECIAL HOURS- 10am-10pm

Did you get your rebate?If you spent $480 or more between 6/1/09 and 5/31/10 and are an I nvested owner, you probably have a patronage rebate available at the Hospitality Desk. Come in, claim it and use it to buy product or cash it in.

Scroll down for:

Last minute gift ideas that people will REALLY like including local, eco-friendly and fair trade items!

Holi-deli: yummy food from our deli for Christmas and New Years!

Green grocer news!

Sweet Christmas! In bulk w/ recipe

Wine: mull it over

Sweet and Savory Holiday savings

Cheese trays and parmigianno!

Holiday hams, turkeys and seafood

Owner deals

A Wheatsville Gift Card can make even the grinch happy!

When you give a Wheatsville gift card, you give your loved ones the opportunity to buy themselves a fancier than usual lunch, groceries during tight times, a nicer beer than usual, or that beautiful aromatherapy candle they couldn't justify spending their money on. You also financially support Wheatsville and share your love for your co-op.

Gift cards can be purchased with any Cashier or Hospitality Clerk in any denomination you wish. We've even got the wrapping taken care of for you. For any denomination gift card, we'll give you a free holiday card. With a gift card from $25.00 up, we have stockings available. For gift cards valued more than $50.00, we have lovely metallic boxes with bows. All these goodies are stored at the Hospitality Desk; feel free to come take a look.

Thanks for giving the gift of a Wheatsville trip!

Celebrate Christmas with Holiday Foods from your Wheatsville Deli!

If there's one thing the Wheatsville Deli loves most, it's our tasty holiday dishes! And with Christmas just around the corner, all of our holiday classics are once again available for your dining pleasure, including Vegan Cornbread Stuffing, Creamy Coconut Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Fall Root Vegetables, Green Beans with Mushrooms, Leek-Roasted Carrots with Tempeh, Niman Ranch Pork Sausage Bread Stuffing, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Vegan Mushroom Gravy and Cranberry Orange Relish! Take some home for your holiday feast from our grab'n'go self-serve case all week long, or have our Deli Counter staff portion you out just the right amount from our full-serve case!

This Thursday and Friday, December 23rd and 24th, we'll have ready-to-go Complete Holiday Sides bags in our self-serve case, with enough goodies to go alongside your turkey or Tofurky to feed 4 to 6 people, including heaping helpings of Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Cornbread Stuffing, Cranberry Relish, Mushroom Gravy, Roasted Roots and Coconut Mashed Sweet Potatoes!

Also available at the Deli are all of our holiday favorites like Garlic Chive Cheddar Cheese Balls, Vegan Rosemary Biscuits, LaBrea Wheat Dinner Rolls, Walnut Pecan Pate, Vegan Coconut Cream Pies, Vegan Pumpkin Pies, Classic Pecan Pies and Classic Pumpkin Pies, both whole and in slices! Come in and stock up now on all of our homemade delights to make the most of your holiday celebrations!

And don't let the holi-daze make you forget all of our other fantastic Deli items that are perfect for celebrating too, like our brand new, old school Spinach Feta Dip, much-loved Cashew-Tamari Dressing – great as a raw veggie dip, a multitude of tasty salsas and hummus for your hors d'oeuvres table, a trip to our Tiny Brinies Bar for olives and other treats, and an assortment of veggie dishes from our cases to round out your table! Also, put together an easy salad for your holiday table by loading up on your favorites from our Salad Bar and make your holiday prep so much easier!

On Wed, Thurs and Fri, December 22nd through 24th, we will be running our Festive Feast Hot Bar, featuring sliced Holiday Ham with Apple "Jus," vegan Garlicky White Bean Cassoulet, and sliced vegan Tofurky with Gravy, alongside an assortment of our holiday fare, so you can get a head start on your noshing, or just grab some great, hot holiday food to go!

So spend time with your family and friends, and leave the cooking to us! Your friendly, neighborhood co-op has got you covered this Christmas at the Wheatsville Deli!

 

News from your Green Grocer

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

If you're still planning your Christmas dinner and are looking for some inspiration, look no further than the delicious sustainably grown sucrine lettuce we're carrying from Lillypad Farmsin San Marcos. Prized by gourmet chefs, sucrine has a fantastic, complex flavor: it's got a buttery texture that starts off sweet and transitions into bitter on the finish.  Lovingly hand crafted, we're selling these beauties for $2.99 each. That might seem like a lot to pay for a head of lettuce, but trust me, it's at least twice as good as any lettuce you've ever tasted.  Come by and I'll give you a free taste!   While you could serve it in a sandwich, sucrine really ought to be eaten in a salad.  You can make a simple but delicious citrus salad that will really complement this delicious lettuce.  Since we're in the peak of the citrus season, we've got plenty of choices for your citrus salad.  We're still stocking five pound boxes of Clementinetangerines at $6.99 eachorganic daisy, Satsuma, and Texas grown tangerines, all under $2.00 per pound. We've also been rolling with some great Texas organic rio star grapefruit, which has really turned out to be a great pick; it's not too sour with plenty of flavor.

Pears are fall season fruit, but even though it's now officially winter, there are still plenty of great tasting organic pears to be had.  Our favorite is the bosc pear.  It's sweet, and has a great, firm texture that's never grainy.  We've got them perfectly staged; you can find a pear at any stage of ripeness, whether you want to eat one today, tomorrow or this weekend.

Deschutes Jubelale six packs are just $7.49 regularly $8.49! This in the perfect holiday beer Brewed with dark crystal malt creating a luscious holiday note with bountiful hops to excite your taste buds. For the past 16 years, Deschutes Brewery has selected a local Oregon artist to create an image evocative of the season's festive atmosphere. This year, Oregon artist Natasha Bacca's unique "creation of light" adorns the label.

The Sweeter Side of Bulk

Hi folks, I'd like to put the spotlight on a wonderful product available in the bulk dried fruits area.  Sweetened Tart Cherries are made from Montmoricey tart cherries that are sweetened with cane sugar.  These come to us from King Orchards in Michigan, and they have a very unique sweet and tangy taste.  These cherries are delicious and they would make a great addition to any sort of holiday baking (fruitcake anyone?).  Here's a great recipe for trail mix cookies that uses these wonderful cherries:

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup dried tart cherries
3/4 cup sliced almonds
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 c oats
1 cup wheat flour
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup flax seed
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1c yogurt

Directions:
Mix yogurt and sugars in a small mixing bowl. Drizzle in honey and vanilla, mix well, add eggs. Set aside.

Sift flours, powder and soda in another medium size bowl. Add egg mixture to flour mixture. Stir in oats, flax seed, chocolate, almonds and cherries.

Spray muffin pan wells with non stick spray. Place one heaping tablespoon of batter into each well.

Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Yield 2 dz.

 

Mulled Wine! This holiday season why not try mulling some wine, It makes any get together special and with Simply Organic Mulling Spice it couldn't be easier. Pick a bottle of your favorite red wine and just follow the directions on the back of the package to create a spicy, warming holiday treat!

 

Sweet & Savory Holiday Goodness & Great Savings! – Brooks Wood, Wheatsville Co+op Deals Assistant

Co+op Deals are loaded with wonderful breakfast options to make the holiday easy and delicious. Shady Maple Farms Organic Maple Syrup is now $9.49 reg. $11.99, Arrowhead Mills Pancake Mix now $2.99 reg. $3.89, Bionaturae Organic Fruit Spread now $2.99 reg. $3.89, Shelton's Turkey Sausage now $3.59 reg. $4.99, Rudi's Organic Bread now $2.99reg. $4.39 and Barbara's Puffins Cereal now $2.79 reg. $4.39.

The holiday's are here and what better way to celebrate than with our most popular chocolate – ChocoLOVE! Have you tried the Peppermint in Dark Chocolate bar yet? It's the perfect combination of dark chocolate and peppermint. The Chilies & Cherries in Dark Chocolate is amazing and nothing beats the Almonds & Sea Salt. We have oodles of wonderful flavors to satisfy every taste. And they make excellent stocking stuffers! These are on Deal for $1.79 reg. $2.39. Organic bars are $2.29 reg. $2.99

The perfect complement to chocolate is our beloved Ciao Bella Sorbet & Gelato. Our variety of flavors are phenomenal! Best selling customer favorite is Key Lime with Graham Cracker Swirl. The other must-try flavors are Chocolate HazelnutPistachioTahitian VanillaMangoBlood OrangeCoconut and Raspberry.  These are on Deal for $3.49 reg. $4.79

Remember, our Deals are easy to reference. Go to http://www.wheatsville.coop and click on the Co+op Deals link.

CHEESE ISLAND

We have cheese trays to meet everyone's Christmas Eve needs. I have a small and simple yet delightful small domestic cheese tray for $15. Also, we offer a large domestic cheese and fruit tray containing 5 domestic cheeses and seasonal fruit, for $50.  We offer 2 new trays. One tray is a Local Cheese tray. It is filled with offerings from Pure Luck Dairy, Veldhuizen Family Farms and Brazos Valley Cheese Company for $100.  There is also a very elegant Brie and Preserve tray for $50. It will be the star of the appetizer table.

Parmigiano Reggiano is on sale for $18.99/lb, regularly $21.29/lb. We are now stocking Vermont Butter and Cream's Crème Fraiche. It is $4.99 for an 8 oz tub.

We have brought in a few new cheeses for the holidays. We have two new Montechevre goat cheese logs. One is chevre and honey and the other is a chevre with figs. Both are$3.29 each. And I also brought in a Wenslydale with cranberry $15.29/lb. We have also brought in Le Roule Garlic and Herb cheese spread and Aloutte Roasted Sweet Pepper and Olive Tapanade Torta and their Sundried Tomato and Garlic Torta.  I also have a new local cheese for the holidays. We are stocking Brazos Valley's Von Sormon. It was created because of a mistake in the production of their Montassio. Instead of throwing the wheel of chees away Mark decided to rub the rind with cinnamon and vanilla. The taste of the vanilla and cinnamon become stronger as you get closer to the rind. We have also brought in a fig and almond cake.  It is made in Spain from Pajarero figs and Marcona almonds and is traditionally eaten along with cheese. It can be eaten by itself or on a salad. It definitely is a great component to any cheese plate

I don't think I will ever outgrow this Christmas song.  Happy Holidays everyone!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzTG0fTLAlU

From the World of meat

Christmas is almost here and we've got what you need for Christmas dinner.  If you're looking for Turkey we've got Natural Harvest Natural Turkey's for $2.99/lb and Organic Turkey's for $3.49/lb.  Most of our Turkey's are weighing in at 10-13lbs. The rule of thumb for deciding your turkey needs is 1.5/lbs per person if you're looking for some leftovers. We also have a nice selection of Niman Ranch Fully Cooked Applewood Smoked Cured Hams.  We have Quarter and Half Cut Boneless Hams and a Spiral Bone-in Half Cut Ham, with glaze packet. We also have some other traditional options for your holiday feasting. We can cut and tie a Niman Ranch Rib roast for $19.99/lb. Also from Niman, we can cut and tie Lamb leg Roasts both boneless and bone in.

For something a little less traditional we have plenty of seafood options.  We have Coho and Sockeye Salmon sides.  The Halibut is a fine option for an entrée, and the Sablefish is also a fantastic fish that we always carry. If you're looking for some Surf and Turf, our Sea Scallops from Trollerpoint fisheries or our peeled and deveined organic shrimp from Northern Fish will pair fantastically with a Niman Ranch Flat Iron steak. These are all great options for a New Year's Dinner.

If you're looking for some party options our Smoked Salmon Lox from Fish Brothers is a great addition to your festivities. Our Summer Sausage from Uncured Natural Meats or the Italian and Herb Salami's from Niman Ranch will fill out any cheese and cracker plate.

If you are interested in more information on Uncured Natural Meats here is a link.

We also just brought back Oysters from Northern Fish.  Here is a simple and quick recipe for fried Oysters.  You will need:

12 Oysters

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup bread crumbs

Salt and pepper

First, dry the oysters.  Add salt and pepper to your favorite bread crumbs.  Coat oysters with the beaten eggs, then cover them with the bread crumbs.  Allow some time for them to dry and set up then slide them into a pan or wok of your favorite, hot, frying oil until golden brown.

Don't forget to get in on the last week of the Sheltons Turkey Breakfast Link and Patties on Co-op deals for $3.59 reg. $4.99 in the freezer.

Co+op Owner Deals just for the Holidays! – Brooks Wood, Wheatsville Co+op Deals Assistant

Our Frozen Department has several Owner favorites on Deal: Wholly Wholesome Apple and Pumpkin Pies now $6.29 reg. $7.99, Wholly Wholesome Cherry Pie now $7.29 reg. $8.99 and Wholly Wholesome Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie now $6.99 reg. $8.99

Our Bulk Department has delicious Sunridge Farms Yogurt Covered Pretzels now $4.99/lb reg. $6.99/lb, Sunridge Farms Organic Pinto Beans now $1.19/lb reg. $1.59/lb andSunridge Farms Sliced Raw Almonds now $3.49 reg. $4.69.

Our Grocery Department is stocked with savings! Food For Life Organic Original Sprouted and Organic Golden Flax Cereals now $4.29 reg. $5.89, Ginger People Ginger Syrup & Ginger Spread now $1.99 reg. $2.89, Stretch Island Strawberry, Grape, & Apple Smooshed Fruit Rolls now $3.49 reg. $4.29 and Shelton's Turkey Sausage Patties & Breakfast Sausage now $3.59 reg. $4.99.

Remember, our Owner Deals are easy to reference. Check them out on our web site @ http://www.wheatsville.coop and click on the Owners link.

I hope you have a great week and that if you're celebrating a holiday that it is cheery and bright!

Dan Gillotte

Wheatsville GM, e-mail guy and Santa enthusiast


Thursday, December 16, 2010

Holiday parties, gifts and patronage rebates!

Hello Wheatsville Fans and Friends!

 

PATRONAGE REBATES AVAILABLE NOW!

We're delighted to be able to return a portion of our profits from last years unexpectedly great financial performance back to our owners like YOU!

Starting TODAY Thursday 12/16, we will be distributing patronage rebates to eligible owners for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2010.  Owners who were fully invested no later than September 2nd of this year and who spent a minimum of $480 in the past fiscal year (June 1 to May 31) should have a rebate waiting for them at the front of the store.  We would love to hand out as many as possible this weekend, so we encourage you to pay us a visit and pick up your rebate.  They can be redeemed at any register with or without purchase.  Enjoy the extra holiday cash!

 

Scroll on down for:

Great Gift Ideas

Tea Time

Holiday Party Central PLUS Christmas Dinner!

Green Grocer says EAT CITRUS!

Turkey, Ham and Breakfast Sausage

Holiday Co+op Deals and Owner Deals!

What does a SCOBY Do?

Cheese Tray Time

Special Wine and Beer

KEEN- Wha? Bulk Quinoa plus a recipe!

 

The gift that never gets returned: A Wheatsville Gift Card!

When you give a Wheatsville gift card, you give your loved ones the opportunity to buy themselves a fancier than usual lunch, groceries during tight times, a nicer beer than usual, or that beautiful aromatherapy candle they couldn't justify spending their money on. You also financially support Wheatsville and share your love for your co-op.

Gift cards can be purchased with any Cashier or Hospitality Clerk in any denomination you wish. We've even got the wrapping taken care of for you. For any denomination gift card, we'll give you a free holiday card. With a gift card from $25.00 up, we have stockings available. For gift cards valued more than $50.00, we have lovely metallic boxes with bows. All these goodies are stored at the Hospitality Desk; feel free to come take a look.

Thanks for giving the gift of a Wheatsville trip!

 

 

GET YOUR LOCAL CHRISTMAS GIFTS TODAY!

     Time is running out to get all of your fabulous locally made holiday gifts, so pop in and grab a couple of bars of Lamar Soap Company's Santa's Pajama's for just $3.89/bar, Gift sets by South Austin People for just $19.99 each, lovely handmade bags by Anne Marie Beard for $14.99, soap samplers by Austin Natural Soap for $19.99 or any of our varieties of gifts by A Wild Soap Bar!  While not locally made, our new Benji Aromatherapy bears are cuddly and adorable for only $16.99.  Thank you for supporting all of our incredible local vendors this year!

 

Chocolove is on deal again!  That's right, Wheatsville's favorite chocolate bars are only $1.79, reg $2.39 (for the conventional 3.2 oz bar, the Organic bars are just $2.29, reg $2.99!!

This includes the Wildy popular Almonds & Sea Salt in Dark Chocolate!  Other delicious favorites include Peppermint in Dark Chocolate, Cherries and Almonds in Dark Chocolate, Orange Peel in Dark Chocolate and Extra Strong Dark Chocolate.  Every flavor I have tried is amazing, and I will be stuffing some stockings with these treats for sure!  Buy a few different varieties for a Hostess Gift, or if you know someone's favorite flavor, a whole case (12 bars) of them would make a super surprise under the tree Christmas Morning!  And did you know that we offer a 5% special order discount if you place a special order for a case?  For the conventional bars, the total for a case would be $20.41, which is about $1.70/bar.  (Organic bars would be $26.11/case, $2.18/bar)

 

New in House-Wares:  LifeFactory Water Bottles & Teethers, Awesome Storage Bowl Sets, and Containers to Keep Your Lunch Hot!

Introducing glass beverage bottles from LifeFactory!  These durable bottles are made in the U.S. and come with a colorful silicone sleeve that makes them nearly shatter-proof.  The 22 ounce bottles are $17.99 and the 9 ounce bottles are $11.99.  We also have medical-grade silicone teethers for baby, just $5.99.

Another exciting new product on the shelves is the 10-piece TrueSeal Storage Bowl Set from Anchor.  The set includes 5 glass bowls ranging from 1 to 7 cups and heavy duty leak-proof lids.  Made in the U.S. and BPA free, the boxed set retails for just $35.99 and makes a fantastic gift.

Winter weather means hot tea, cocoa, and soup!  Keep your hot beverages from going cold with a Stainless Steel Vacuum Flask from KittAmor.  The double-walled design keeps everything insulated while the easy click spout allows you to sip without spilling and the Bakelite cap serves as a handy cup.  We have two sizes to choose from, 18 ounce for $7.99 and 34 ounce for $12.99.

Keep your kiddo's lunch warm with our new Hot Lunch Containers from Fit&Fresh.  These BPA free bowls include a folding spoon that snaps into the lid and a little compartment in the bottom for storing toppings, dried fruit, or a special note from home.  Available in a variety of bright colors, they're just $8.49 and make excellent stocking stuffers.

 

Give the Gift of Healthy Drinking Water!

New Wave Enviro 10-Stage Drinking Water Filters and Shower Filter Systems make fantastic gifts and we've got both on sale through the end of December.  10-Stage Filters are regularly $109.99, on sale for just $94.99, and Shower Filter Systems are regularly $38.99, on sale for $32.99.

 

DECEMBER IS TEA TIME! It's finally cold outside and that means it's the perfect time to cozy up with a hot cup of tea. We have great deals on all your old favorite varieties in our bulk herbs aisle, like our spicy Chai Tea Blend $1.30/oz and traditional green Bancha $1.04/oz. Or try out our newest arrival, Luscious Licorice $$1.40/oz.

If you're still mulling over ideas for a perfect personalized gift, make your friends and family a tea sampler with ALL their favorites, OR try your hand at blending your own CUSTOM HERBAL TEAS for the holidays! For an invigorating pick-me-up try using Lemongrass $.83/oz, or Peppermint $1.03/oz. If you prefer a more calming blend for the stressful season, Chamomile $1.49/oz, Lavender $$2.47/oz, and Valerian $1.35/oz are all great choices for taming tension. Remember that herbal teas also have wonderful health benefits! Raspberry leaf $1.09/oz is a great woman's tonic, Nettles $1.03/oz to aid in healthy kidneys, and Mullein $1.42/oz for repertory health! Give yourself and your loved ones the gift of warmth and wellness this year! Visit us in the herb bulk aisle!

 

Specials for your Holiday Parties and New Owner Deals from your Deli!

 

This weekend, the Deli is excited to share space in Produce's front cooler near the store's entrance, which is being dedicated to items we think you'd love to take along to your wintertime holiday parties! We'll have your much-loved Garlic Chive Cheddar Cheese Balls in abundance, and see the premiere of whole cakes, frosted and ready to go, from our Bakery! This means we'll have our popular Chocolate Raspberry, Coconut Pineapple and Carrot Cakes for you to bring along to your get-togethers, no advance notice required!

And get ready for our holiday food – including your favorites like Vegan Cornbread Stuffing, Mushroom Gravy, and our multitude of sweet pies – available in our cases next week for your Christmas celebrations!

The absolutely gorgeous Honey-Roasted Gorgonzola-Stuffed Organic Pears have proven to be absolutely delicious, too! So while the pears are still in season, we will continue to make 'em! Firm, organic Bosc pears are gently roasted with a drizzle of local Goodflow honey and butter, and then stuffed with real Gorgonzola blue cheese, sprinkled with sea salt, black pepper and fresh thyme, and warmed through once more just to soften the cheese. With such few, wholesome ingredients, this fruity delicacy can certainly be served as a fancy dessert, but would also work as a fantastic side to a plate of pork chops or sliced and fanned out over a green salad for an impressive first course! Try one today!

New Deli Owner Deals through December 28th start off with Large Soups and Chili from our hot bar, perfect for the chilly weather, $3.49, reg. $3.99! Come in and get your fix of our award-winning vegan Tempeh Chili or one of our ever-changing variety of soups!

Also on sale now are our Bakery's wonderful Caramel Pecan Bars, $1.99, reg. $2.49! Sweet tooth? This will satisfy it! Vegan? Absolutely! These nutty, chewy bars with a shortbread base are a staff favorite – like candy in your mouth! Come try one today!

Our last Owner Special for this period is our Mocha drink from all all-organic, fair-trade espresso bar! Combining espresso with chocolate syrup, this caffeinated sweet drink is amazing! My personal favorite is our Spicy Mocha, with cayenne and cinnamon added in! Owners save 50¢ on either size: 16 oz for just $3.50 or a 12 oz for just $3.00!

December's Salsa of the Month is the Roasted Tomato Salsa! Oven-roasting adds sweetness to vine-ripened tomatoes and onions, and smokiness to jalapenos – when hand-blended with some fresh cilantro and lemon juice, they create a very tasty salsa, for just $4.99/lb!

Also this month, the Deli Counter will taunt your tastebuds with our creamy, sweet "Very Berry Christmas" Smoothie of the Month! Blending apple juice and soymilk with strawberries, raspberries and banana, this thick and tasty holiday special is just $4.99!

Also on sale at the Deli Counter through the month of December are classic cold cuts: Boar's Head Smoked Ham at $8.49/lb, reg. $8.99 and Provolone Cheese, $4.99/lb, reg. $5.99 – this combo would make a sweet grilled cheese or omelet addition, so be sure to stock up on your lunchables!

 

 

Green Grocer News!

Eat citrus! Eat citrus! Eat citrus!  We might sound like a broken record, but now is the time to enjoy citrus, and we want you to try it during the season's peak.  This Friday, we'll be receiving some Cara Cara navels and blood oranges – two of my favorite specialty varieties.  Load up on vitamin C and with some fantastic Texas Organic Rio Star Grapefruit – the acid level is dropping and they're milder than they were in the beginning of the season.  Their flesh is a beautiful deep red, and they're sweet enough to eat without sugar!  Great with your breakfast.

We're also featuring California Organic Satsuma Tangerines this week, on sale for $1.79/lb – lowest price of the season.  Like always, they're seedless, easy to peel, and have a great texture with very little pith.  Put one in your purse, your backpack, or lunchbox!

The other items on our weekly sales selection are California Organic Kabocha Squash for 79¢/lb and Texas-grown crimini mushrooms (8oz cello pack) for $1.99 each. They are great roasted together, and so simple to make – slice, oil, season and roast the kabocha for 25 minutes at 350º, add sliced mushrooms (also oiled and seasoned), cook for another 30-40 minutes, until the squash is tender.  Shake some breadcrumbs on top and bake for another 10 minutes.  Makes a great fall dish that's sure to please.  Share some with a friend!

 

News from the World of Meat

We have a wide selection of Niman Ranch Hams in stock now, with an exciting new addition of the Half Cut Bone-in Spiral Cut Ham for $7.99/lb! We have Boneless Quarter hams and Boneless half hams for $8.99/lb. These hams are delicious and a great way to go if you are looking for something other than turkey to be the centerpiece for your Holiday meal. Niman Ranch Ham is your choice for a high quality, certified humane and sustainable holiday meal. Below is a link to their featured farmers, the Willis Free Range Hog Farm.  http://www.nimanranch.com/featuredfarmers.aspx

If you're looking for a more traditional centerpiece for your Christmas table we have the Natural Harvest Organic Turkeys for $3.49/lb. Maybe you're looking for something beyond the traditional turkey and ham. If so, we have Niman Ranch Ribeye Roasts, and Leg of Lamb Roasts. We also have whole Sockeye and Coho Salmon sides to fill any seafood desires you may have for the holiday meal time. 

On owner special we have Shelton'sTurkey Sausage Patties and Breakfast Sausage for $3.49/lb reg. $4.99/lb.

If it's party time, the meat department has got you covered. We have three varieties of Applegate Farms Uncured Bacons to choose from. Our favorite bacon however is the Niman Ranch Uncured Bacon. We have some wonderful Sea Scallops and Organic Shrimp that would complete any appetizer plate. Our Fish Brothers Cold Smoked Salmon Lox is one of my favorites – it's great for a party, on crackers, on bagels, in a boat or with a goat!

 

 

Holiday deliciousness and great savings! – Brooks Wood, Wheatsville Co+op Deals Assistant

 

The holiday's are here and what better way to celebrate than with our most popular chocolate – ChocoLOVE! Have you tried the Peppermint in Dark Chocolate bar yet? It's the perfect combination of dark chocolate and peppermint. The Chilies & Cherries in Dark Chocolate is amazing and nothing beats the Almonds & Sea Salt. We have oodles of wonderful flavors to satisfy every taste. And they make excellent stocking stuffers! These are on Deal for $1.79 reg. $2.39. Organic bars are $2.29 reg. $2.99

 

The perfect complement to chocolate is our beloved Ciao Bella Sorbet & Gelato. Our variety of flavors are phenomenal! Best selling customer favorite is Key Lime with Graham Cracker Swirl. The other must-try flavors are Chocolate Hazelnut, Pistachio, Tahitian Vanilla, Mango, Blood Orange, Coconut and Raspberry.  These are on Deal for $3.49 reg. $4.79

 

Co+op Deals are loaded with wonderful breakfast options to make the holiday easy and delicious. Shady Maple Farms Organic Maple Syrup  is now $9.49 reg. $11.99, Arrowhead Mills Pancake Mix now $2.99 reg. $3.89, Bionaturae Organic Fruit Spread now $2.99 reg. $3.89, Shelton's Turkey Sausage now $3.59 reg. $4.99, Rudi's Organic Bread now $2.99 reg. $4.39 and Barbara's Puffins Cereal now $2.79 reg. $4.39.

 

Remember, our Deals are easy to reference. Go to http://www.wheatsville.coop and click on the Co+op Deals link.

 

Co+op Owner Deals add great value to your holidays! – Brooks Wood, Wheatsville Co+op Deals Assistant 

 

Our Grocery Department is stocked with savings! Food For Life Organic Original Sprouted and Organic Golden Flax Cereals now $5.39 reg. $4.29, Ginger People Ginger Syrup & Ginger Spread now $1.99 reg. $2.89, Stretch Island Strawberry, Grape, & Apple Smooshed Fruit Rolls now $3.49 reg. $4.29 and Shelton's Turkey Sausage Patties & Breakfast Sausage now $3.59 reg. $4.99.

 

Our Bulk Department has delicious Sunridge Farms Yogurt Covered Pretzels now $4.99/lb reg. $6.99/lb, Sunridge Farms Organic Pinto Beans now $1.19/lb reg. $1.59/lb and Sunridge Farms Sliced Raw Almonds now $3.49 reg. $4.69.  

 

Our Frozen Department has several Owner favorites on Deal: Wholly Wholesome Apple and Pumpkin Pies now $6.29 reg. $7.99, Wholly Wholesome Cherry Pie now $7.29 reg. $8.99 and Wholly Wholesome Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie now $6.99 reg. $8.99

 

Remember, our Owner Deals are easy to reference. Check them out on our web site @ http://www.wheatsville.coop and click on the Owners link.

 

Oregon Kombucha Starter Kits!

By frequent customer request, we are happy to be able to offer starter kits so you can brew your own kombucha at home!
The steps are simple: Boil water, brew tea, add sugar, let it cool, and add culture. A kit makes one gallon of kombucha and the included starter culture can be used over and over.           Choose from four delicious flavors of tea: Pear Ginger Black Tea, Black Tea, Decaf Ginger Citrus Green Tea, Strawberry Green Tea.

You can find these kits in aisle 3 in the raw foods section at Wheatsville. See the Oregon Kombucha website for more information, including step-by step instructions.

http://oregonkombucha.com





 

CHEESE ISLAND

 

December 25th is right around the corner, but for the next few weeks are Holiday parties. We have cheese trays to meet everyone's needs. I have a small and simple yet delightful small domestic cheese tray for $15. Also, we offer a large domestic cheese and fruit tray containing 5 domestic cheeses and seasonal fruit, for $50.  We offer 2 new trays. One tray is a Local Cheese tray. It is filled with offerings from Pure Luck Dairy, Veldhuizen Family Farms and Brazos Valley Cheese Company for $100.  There is also a very elegant Brie and Preserve tray for $50. It will be the star of the appetizer table.

Parmigiano Reggiano is on sale for $18.99/lb, regularly $21.29/lb. Organic Valley Four Cheese Italian Shreds 10 oz. are on sale for $4.29 ea. 

We are now stocking Vermont Butter and Cream's Crème Fraiche. It is $4.99 for an 8 oz tub.

We have brought in a few new cheeses for the holidayS. We have two Montechevre goat cheese logs. One is chevre and honey and the other is a chevre with figs. Both are $3.29 each.  And I also brought in a Wenslydale with cranberry $15.29/lb.  We have also brought in Le Roule Garlic and Herb cheese spread and Aloutte Roasted Sweet Pepper and Olive Tapanade Torta and their Sundried Tomato and Garlic Torta. 

 

Wine Sale! Conquista Malbec is on sale $8.99 regularly $9.99. This red wine from Argentina hits all the right notes. An aromatic cherry nose and big round tannins make this a great Malbec.

 

Stone Lucky Bastard Ale is here! Lucky Bastard is a dry-hopped mix of Arrogant Bastard Ale and Double Bastard Ale…with a perfect balance of the essence of OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale, All in one big beer! Stone Brewing Co. says, "This is a 'once only' special release commemorating the 13 year anniversary of when Arrogant Bastard Ale was first released upon the unsuspecting public. That is, 'once only' unless we decide to make it again. 8.5% ABV."

 

 

Bulk Quinoa on Sale

Hi folks, I just want to make sure that everybody knows that Organic Quinoa is currently on sale in the bulk department.  Quinoa is a highly versatile and complete-protein food, and it's something that I keep in my kitchen at all times.  Right now it's on sale for the great price of $2.89/lb reg. $3.99. I'd like to share a Quinoa based recipe with you that I love to make this time of year (it's great if you're feeling a bit under the weather).

Quinoa Soup with Sweet Potato and Kale

Ingredients:

1 Large Sweet potato, chopped into small cubes

1 Small Onion, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp fresh grated ginger

1 Cup uncooked Quinoa, rinsed thoroughly

1 Bunch Kale, finely chopped

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

6-7 cups vegetable broth (I like to use Rapunzel Veggie Bullion)

1 bay leaf

3 sprigs of fresh Thyme

Salt and Pepper to taste

 

Instructions:

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium –high heat.  Add the onion, garlic, sweet potato, and ginger.  Sauté until onion begins to soften.   Add the vegetable broth, bay leaf, and Thyme, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes.  Add the Quinoa and the Kale and simmer for about 20 more minutes.  Add Salt and Pepper to taste, discard the bay leaf and thyme, and serve.

 

I hope that you have a great week!

Dan Gillotte

Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy