Friday, October 15, 2010

Fall means yummy food, election and owner gathering!

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Hello Wheatsville!

We are heading into the final weekend of Owner Appreciation Days. I hope you've joined the 800+ other owners of Wheatsville in getting your discount this week. If you  have not, there is still time! Come in anytime through Sunday and receive a one-time 10% off of your entire shopping trip! A bunch of you are procrastinators, which makes our last Sunday of these weeks really really busy! We don't mind your waiting, but if you want to try and avoid the crowd, there are better times to come- Shopping on Friday nights are usually a breeze. Saturday and Sunday mornings before 11 AM will also be pretty easy. And Saturday after 8pm and Sunday after 9pm should be lighter, too. We definitely want you to shop WHENEVER you can and take advantage of the big savings that come as one of your member economic benefits. We're fixing to have our bext asles week ever, so come on in and help us break a record!

Scroll down for:

Election and Fall Owner Gathering!

Squash your hunger

Co+op Deals and Owner Deals are awesome

Kombucha Kraziness

Sausage Fest

Fall for the deli

New bottles + yoga mats

Lambics!

Perfect pot of tea

Granola Graziness

Wine deal!

 

Vote!

It is time to vote in our annual co-op election. You get to vote for our board of directors and the community action groups we'll support this year. The easiest way to vote is on-line http://wheatsville.coop/election/index.html but you can also vote by mail or in-person!

 

We are planning a really cool Fall Owner Gathering this year on Wed. October 27th at Howson Hall at the Unitarian Universalist starting at 6:30! We'll be featuring a talk by long-time Wheatsville backer and all around co-op hero, Walden Swanson as well as a panel discussion with other co-operative institutions here in Austin. We'll also have light refreshments. The UU is at 4700 Grover Ave.

 

Squash dinner!

It's finally beginning to feel like fall in Texas!  Cooler evening temperatures always make me want to reach for the winter squash recipes.  We've got several varieties in stock right now: butternut, acorn, delicata, red kuri, kabocha, and pie pumpkins are in the store right now, with more varieties to come.  Regardless of the variety you chose – and trust me, you can't go wrong – cooking them is easy as pie.  The simplest way is to cut them in half, rub the cut side with oil, and roast them cut-side down on a cookie sheet for about 45 minutes at 400 degrees.  The skin will easily come off, and the flesh can be cubed and added to any dish.  You can mash it, add nutmeg, cinnamon, and brown sugar, and you've got a pie filling.  Add stock and blend it to make a fine winter squash soup.  Endless possibilities.

A fresh crop of Co+op Deals have just arrived! – Brooks Wood, Wheatsville Co+op Deals Assistant

We have a new selection of Co+op Deals this week. Mornings are easier with our lineup of breakfast favorites. So Delicious Coconut Milk is $3.29 reg. $3.99, Organic Valley Live Organic Yogurt is $3.29 reg. $4.99, Shelton's Turkey Sausages are $3.79 reg. $4.99 & Golden Temple Granola is $2.49/lb reg. $3.79/lb in Bulk.

Looking for a warm and easy lunch solution? Our Imagine Butternut Squash Soup is $2.49 reg. $3.99 and Edward & Sons Miso-Cup Soup is $3.49 reg. $4.99. For texture and crunch add Wasa Multi Grain Crisp Bread for $1.99 reg. $2.79.  A six pack of fructose-free Blue Sky Soda is $2.69 reg. $3.99 & all three flavors of Newman-O's Cookies are $3.29 reg. $4.49.

Have fall allergies got you down? Give yourself some relief withTraditional Medicinals Organic Throat Coat Tea $3.49 reg. $4.89 or New Chapter's Lifeshield Immunity $26.99 reg. $36.99 and to keep germs at bay, we've put Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap on sale for $9.99 reg. $12.99.

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 are better than ever!

Our Deli is offering Owners delicious savings on three Deli favorites: Try it hot or cold - Gingerade is $1.19 reg. $1.69, Thai Iced Coffee $1.99 reg. $2.69 and the ultimate comfort food, Large Beans & Rice is $2.99 reg. $3.49.

Living Harvest Tempt Hemp Milk, All Varieties, 32oz is on Deal for $3.29 reg. $3.99, Uncle Sam's Cereal 10oz is $2.49 reg. $3.39 and Santini Evaporated Milk 12oz is $1.29 reg. $1.59.

Our Bulk Department has Lundberg Farms Organic Brown Basmati Rice for $1.79/lb reg. $2.49/lb, Lundberg Farms Organic White Basmati Rice $1.99/lb reg. $2.79/lb and Bragg Liquid Aminos is on Deal for $19.99/lb reg. $26.39/lb.

October is Fair Trade Month so Equal Exchange Organic Hot Cocoa Mix 12oz is $6.49 reg. $7.89 and Equal Exchange Organic Baking Cocoa 8oz is $6.49 reg. $7.99.

For the scary goblins in your neighborhood, Halloween wouldn't be right without Yummy Earth Organic Lollipops 12.3oz $4.99 reg. $6.69.

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

Kombucha Kraziness!

Just to let you know after four months of testing G.T's Kombucha is back! We are only able to receive five different flavors right now which include original, gingerade, trilogy, multi green, and gingerberry. They are once again located in the cooler in front of the bulk department.

And don't forget, local favorite Buddha's Brew Kombucha is on sale all October for the crazy price of 2 for FIVE Bucks!

Fresh made sausages oh my!
Did you know Wheatsville has our own house made sausages? The sausages are made from humanely raised animals from Niman ranch meats. We currently make several flavors: Sweet & Hot Italian-strong up front fennel flavor with a zesty garlic after taste, Mexican style fresh Chorizo—great cooked into egg for a super breakfast, Pork Breakfast sausage—sage filled country flavor, Turkey breakfast--- organic turkey version of our pork breakfast. All of these sausages retail for $7.99/lb—available stuffed in pork casings or in bull containers.

Look for our Co-op Deals specials this week: Shelton's lines of gluten-free frozen sausages are on sale till the end of the month. Turkey breakfast, Patties & Italian links—regularly $5.29, now only $3.79! These are really great sellers for us, so stock up now!

In the deli: New Owner Specials and the return of some seasonal dishes!

 

This week's Bakery case features our delicious and oh-so-seasonal Pumpkin Apple Streusel Muffins! At just $2.49 each, for one really big muffin, these go great with a fair-trade, organic Mocha from our Espresso Bar! Or slice a muffin in half, warm it up and spread it with some butter or cream cheese! We are sure you're gonna love them as much as we do! Also new to our bakery case are Gluten-Free Espresso Swirl Brownies, a fantastic recipe from our friends at the Wedge Co-op in Minneapolis that combines chocolate, coffee and cream cheese into a beautiful, delectable dessert! These specialty brownies are wheat-free, and sell for $2.99 each.

October is here and we have pulled some of our favorite cooler-weather recipes from the vault, so expect old favorites like Wheatberry Salad with Almonds and Cranberries, Honey-Mustard Sweet Potatoes and Crimson Bulgur Pilaf to show up again in the case soon! Also, we'll be running more hearty soups and chili on the hot bar as the weather demands, so look for WV classics like African Peanut, Corn Chowder, Mushroom Barley, Lucky Black-eyed Pea Soup and Turkey Chili to make more regular appearances!

Our house-brewed Gingerade is on Owner Special through October 26th, $1.19, reg. $1.69. If you've only had it cold, it's time to try it heated up! It's an allergy-destroyer and tummy-tenderizer all in one!

Our Peanut Butter Banana Dream Smoothie is our monthly smoothie special, for just $4.49 each! I like mine Elvis'ed up with a squeeze or two of chocolate syrup! October's salsa of the month, Guajillo con Miel, combines smoky ancho and guajillo peppers with sundried tomatoes, lemon juice, honey and more, at just $4.99/lb.

Looking for a deal? It couldn't be a better time to fill up on the cheap with a tasty, large Rice & Beans, $2.99, reg. $3.49, a fantastic price for a full meal! Also on sale for owners is our sweet, cool Thai Iced Coffee, $1.99, reg. $2,69! These low prices are available to Owners through October 26th.

Also on sale at the Deli Counter for the month of October are tasty cold cuts: Boar's Head Smoked Turkey at $9.49/lb, reg. $9.99 and Provolone Cheese, $4.99/lb, reg. $5.99, so stock up on your lunchables!

What are you waiting for? Come on in and eat with us!

New in House-Wares:  ThinkSport Bottles & Yoga Mats, New Designs from ChicoBag

We have some nifty new Double-Walled Insulated Sports Bottles from local vendor ThinkSport for just $17.99.  These lightweight stainless steel bottles are free of BPA, phthalates, PVC, cadmium, lead, & biologically toxic chemicals, and are vacuum sealed, making them perfect for hot or cold beverages.  The combination wide mouth/spout top allows for easy filling and easy drinking and they feature an interior mesh filter that prevents ice or tea leaves from winding up in your mouth!

We're also proud to offer The Safe Mat, a high-performance non-toxic pilates/yoga mat.  These mats are free of latex, rubber, BPA, PVC, lead, phthalates, dioxins, and other biologically toxic chemicals and come in three vibrant colors, $33.99 each.  Do something good for your body and the environment!

The Original ChicoBag is a long-time favorite around here and we've got some adorable Halloween Designs perfect for carrying all your trick-or-treating booty, just $4.99.  And guess what?  ChicoBag will donate 10% of each sale to the GreenHalloween organization.  Sweet!

Another new treat from ChicoBag, The Sling rePETe, features the same quality construction as The Original in a stylish single-strap messenger bag made from 99% recycled content.  The Sling comes in 3 gorgeous colors (Glacier, Merlot, and Olive Branch) and retails for $11.99.

Timmermans Lambics are here!

TimmermansFramboise Lambic is  Red-amber in color, fresh raspberry aroma, with a sweet-sour taste. Timmermans Strawberry Lambic is evokes the perfumes of a lovely summer. Its strawberry flavor confirms the nose's impression without sweetened saturation.   If you have yet to try a Lambic now is the time. The Lambic style can trace its roots back over 400 years, and has remained mostly unchanged from its introduction. Lambic beers are made as they were centuries ago, when the process of fermentation seemed to be a miracle. Wild yeasts shepherd the brew on its path to beerhood, converting barley and wheat sugars into alcohol, producing fascinating and wine-like beers.

ZHI TEA!

Local tea darlings Zhi Tea have made the leap from the Farmers Market to Wheatsville's grocery shelves. With hand-crafted blends such as Sweet Texas Dreams, Cacao Chai, Ginger Peach Oolong, Ancient Forest, Turkish Spice Mint and Sweet Desert Delight, Zhi Tea will help you start off this cooler season with a comforting cup of high-quality tea. Take a look at their well-designed website for information about tea, like these helpful tips for brewing the perfect cup. http://www.zhitea.com

Where to begin:

To make a perfect pot of tea, start with one of your favorite loose teas. Then add cold water to your kettle and heat to the desired temperature (see below). Fill your teapot with hot tap water to warm it. Before pouring in the hot water empty the hot tap water from the pre-warmed teapot. Next, add approximately two teaspoons of tea leaf per 6oz cup to your infuser. Pour the water directly onto the leaves and steep the tea according to the directions below.

For Black Tea:

  • bring your water to a full boil and remove from heat immediately (don't overboil).
  • allow tea to steep approximately 3-5 minutes and strain.

For Green Teas:

  • bring your water to a pre boil (appx. 180 degrees. 160 degrees for sencha)
  • when little bubbles start to form on the bottom of the kettle, remove from heat.
  • allow tea to steep 1 1/2 - 3 minutes and strain.

For Oolong Teas:

  • bring your water to a pre boil.
  • when little bubbles are coming to the surface (a bit hotter than you would need for green tea) remove from heat.
  • allow to steep 2-4 minutes and strain.
  • We have a few sales going on at Cheese Island. Our Colby and Colby-Jack are on sale for $5.29/lb, both regularly $5.99/lb. If you like Brie and you like Bleu cheese then I have the cheese for you. Borganzola is combination of the two. A goranzola mold is injected into brie and you get the best of both worlds. Better yet, it is on sale for for $9.29/lb, regularly $11.29/lb.
  • It is Member Appreciation Days and if you have not used your 10% discount yet come on over to Cheese Island and use your discount on some of the cheeses that you may have been hesitant to buy. Brie de Meaux has a new lower price, $13.99/lb, down from $19.99/lb. We have a Parrano display set up in the apple section of produce. Parrano is a delicious, robust cheese. It has the nuttiness of fine parmesan, but the texture of nice Gouda. I have been eating this cheese with a Jonagold apple. Also the Borganzola is an interesting cheese. It is Brie that has been inoculated with a Bleu mold. It has a very Bleu taste, but follow it up with a black grape. The sweetness of the grape will mellow the Bleu and add another level of flavor.

Bulk Granola Madness!

I'm excited to let you know that all of the Golden Temple brand granolas are currently on sale through Co-op Deals!  This includes the French Vanilla Almond, Low-fat Strawberry Raspberry, Rainforest, Ginger Snap, Super Nutty, Strawberry Vanilla Hemp, Coconut Almond, Maple Pecan, Fruit & Nut, Blueberry Flax, Vanilla Macaroon, and 35% Fruit Muesli varieties.  Also on sale is a brand new granola, the super tasty Cranberry-Acai!  These will all be on sale for $2.49/lb reg. up to $3.79/lb.

We'll be sampling these granolas throughout the weekend so stop on by the bulk department and try some!

Wine deal!

Don't forget that  Wheatsville Co-op has a new wine deal. Buy six or more bottles of wine and get 10% off. Any wine! Any price! Mix and match! We are also offering a great way to transport your wines with our spiffy new Wheatsville six bottle carrier. These are very cool bags that hold six bottles of your favorite beverages and they are only $1.99 each! Best of all they have the Whatsville logo on the side so you can bring it to a party with co-op pride!


I hope that you have a great week!

Dan Gillotte

Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy