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.
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
