Happy New Year Wheatsville friends and fans!
I hope 2011 is off to as awesome a start for you as it is for us!
Driving for books!
The community action group for January is People's Community Clinic. Wheatsville is organizing a children's book drive for the clinic. The clinic is requesting gently used children's books for all age ranges – English, Spanish, and bilingual books are appreciated. You can leave your children's book donation in the bins by the front door all this month! Look by the registers or at the Hospitality Desk for brochures with more information about the wonderful work done by our friends at People's Community Clinic. Thank you so much for caring for our community and helping out!
Wheatsville's One Big Thing!
Every week around here, we decide on the item that we most want to tell people about and share our love for. This week it is the delectable Cara Cara Navel Orange. Sweet and juicy with a reddish orange flesh, these are NOT TO BE MISSED! Seriously. We LOVE LOVE LOVE Cara Cara Navel Oranges!
Scroll on down for:
More action for our community
Fun, samples and savings are coming soon!
The Joys of Bulk
Resolve to eat well in the deli
Green Grocer Greetings
Meat news and an Oyster Chowdah recipe
Visit Cheese Island
Beer and wine for you
New bulk tea, perfect for cooler nights.
Tom's for your teeth
Suffer allergies less and pay less, too!
Co+op Deals
A New Way to Community Action!
As you may be aware, Wheatsville gives 1% of sales every Wednesday to a community organization chosen by our owners. This happens automatically; it's a collective generosity Wheatsville shoppers don't even have to think about!
If you forget to come on Wednesday or if you would like to donate any additional amount to the current month's Community Action Group, you can do so at the register while checking out. Simply tell your cashier if you would like to donate.
Save the dates!
Our January Owner Appreciation Days are coming! Owners save 10% off of a shopping trip of your choice between Saturday 1/15 and Sunday 1/23. We're planning a special sampling day on 1/15 AND are excited for our planned visit from our friends, the Minor Mishap Marching band http://minormishap.com/ at 3pm! We hope to see you there. They are playing for us as part of our sponsorship of the awesome upcoming Honk! TX community band festival to be held in a neighborhood near you this March 11th through the 13th. http://www.honktx.com/
The Joys of Shopping in Bulk
Hi folks! I'd like to take some time this week to talk to you about the merits of shopping in the bulk department, especially for those of you who are new to bulk shopping, or who have never tried it before.
Its great to see more and more people concerned with reducing waste from packaging these days, and the best way to do this by far is by not using it at all. By bringing your own containers from home (or making use of the re-usable containers in the department), and buying your staple needs in bulk, you can significantly reduce the amount of packaging you use on a day to day basis. With all of the fresh hi-quality foods available in bulk, from nuts to cereals to candy to coffee, I think you'll be surprised by how much of you're shopping you can do this way.
My personal favorite reason for bulk shopping is the real value of it. There really is no more affordable way to live a healthy lifestyle. When you get in the habit of basing the cooking you do at home around the dried organic options in bulk, such as quinoa or brown rice or red lentils, you'll be very surprised by how inexpensive a quality organic meal can be. The ability to purchase just as much as you need for any particular meal makes it even more affordable and convenient.
If you've never tried it before, I think you'll be very pleased to find out how convenient and rewarding shopping in bulk can be. If you're ever unsure about any product in the department, don't be shy to ask for a sample! The bulk department really does offer a bounty of fresh and exciting options so please stop on by and check them out!
Happy 2011 from your Wheatsville Deli!
Resolved to eat well and get fit in 2011?! Our salad bar is the place to do it! With a variety of greens and fixins like chopped veggies, seeds and all sorts of tasty treats for just $7.99/lb, you can mix-n-match your salads to keep it fresh every day, and make that resolution last!
Our brand new Fresh in the Deli recipes for January are divine! From the Willy Street Co-op in Madison, Wisconsin, we have the Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad! A slightly spicy chipotle- and cumin-seasoned combination of sweet potatoes, black beans, corn, peanuts, and fresh cilantro dressed in cider vinaigrette is a vegan meal on its own, or a great side with rice, chicken or pork.
And from the Brattleboro Food Co-op in Brattleboro, Vermont comes the fantastic, dramatic Roasted Carrots with Fennel. A splash of sweet orange juice makes this earthy vegan dish of oven roasted carrots and anise-flavored fresh fennel sing! A perfect side dish served with a roast or even a simple steak or pork chop!
Owner specials for this period include our Bakery's cheddar- and green-onion speckled Southwest Cornbread and maple syrup-sweetened, spelt- and flaxmeal-laden Vegan Cornbread – $1.49, reg. $1.99! Grab a slab to have with your Tempeh Chili or hot soup!
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!
January's Salsa of the Month is our mean, green Salsa Verde! This garlicky dip chockfull of poblanos, jalapenos and tomatillos is terrific on chips and adds a definite element of heat to an order of our Deli's famous $1.99 Rice & Beans!
Also this month, the Deli Counter will school your mouth with our PB&J Smoothie of the Month! Blending apple juice and soymilk with strawberries, blueberries and organic peanut butter, this sandwich in a cup is just $5.49!
Also on sale at the Deli Counter through the month of January are classic cold cuts: Boar's Head Honey Maple Ham at $8.49/lb, reg. $8.99 and Pepperjack Cheese, $6.19/lb, reg. $7.19!
Heading back to school, meeting up with old friends or just wanna make new ones? Take a look at our new, affordable Catering Menu, featuring a complete assortment of platters and trays ranging from Popcorn Tofu, Sliced Meats & Cheeses, Raw Veggies, Middle Eastern goodies, Bakery Bars and Cut Fruit, perfect for every occasion, and for any size gathering! Check out our website at http://wheatsville.coop/catering.html and call us at the Deli to place your order: 512-478-1164!
Green Grocer's Greetings
I hope the New Year's treating you well, and 2010 got a good sendoff. If one of your New Year's resolutions was to eat more home cooked meals, you've got plenty of company. Eating out is more expensive, less nutritious and much less fun! You can better control your portion size, and you know exactly what goes into your food, which can be good for maintaining resolutions. Preparing a meal with friends or family is also a good way to wind down the day. Lots of times, if I've rushed through my evening – meet up with friends somewhere, grab some food on the go – I find I've spent way too much money and require hours of "decompression time" before my mind will let me go to sleep. One way to combine convenience with home cooking is to try our readymade stir-fry kits. They're $3.99/lb, which serves two easily. Combine it with rice, quinoa, or noodles and your choice of protein and you're all set!
Citrus season is still in full effect and this week we love the 4 pound bags of Texas Organic Juicing Oranges. They're $3.99 each and every orange is juicy, sweet, and delicious. They're great for juicing because they have a good juice to pulp ratio, but they're excellent eating out of hand, too.
From the world of meat
With the New Year here, we are rolling out some new products.
First, in the Quick to fix case, we have a great new product. The Gorgonzola & Pesto Pinwheel for $12.99lb. is an elegant and simple choice for a quick, easy and delicious entrée. The Beef is from our local source for artisan style beef, Windy Bar Ranch. These folks have the experience and know how to raise cattle right. The Pesto we use is straight from the Wheatsville Deli. The pairing of blue cheese with beef is a classic choice, so the Gorgonzola fits in this pinwheel with ease. It is also simple to cook, Place in a 350 degree oven, 7-10 minutes per side. Let rest for several minutes and its dinner time. Here is a link to the Windy Bar Ranch
http://www.windybarranch.com/philosophy/index.html
For our 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.
In the Freezer, we have brought in Niman Ranch Uncured Maple Bacon for $6.99 reg. $7.99. If you like your bacon a little more sweet then this would be the way to go.
In the seafood case it's the return of oysters, they are awesome deep fried or in a soup. Here is a recipe!
Delicious Oyster Chowder:
8 ounces salt pork or bacon,
cut in small strips
2 medium onions, in small dice
3 stalks celery, in small dice
10 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 medium bell peppers, in small dice
1/4 cup flour
1 quart clear chicken stock,
clear seafood stock, or oyster liquor
3 bay leaves
1-1/2 pounds potatoes, half of them cooked
and put through a ricer, milled, or mashed,
half uncooked but cut in small dice
1 cup heavy cream
3 pints shucked oysters in their liquor
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Hot sauce
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons butter (optional)
Place a soup pot on high heat for 1 minute. Add the salt pork and cook to render for about 5 minutes, or until fat is clear and colorless, stirring occasionally. Add the onions, celery, garlic, and peppers, and cook for about 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender and onions are clear. Stir occasionally.
Add the flour, stirring constantly so that nothing sticks to the bottom during cooking. Cook for about 2 minutes or until the flour is well distributed and the mixture thickens. Add the stock and bay leaves and simmer uncovered over medium heat for 25 minutes. Add mashed potatoes, stir, and simmer for about 3 minutes. Add diced potatoes, simmer, and stir occasionally, cooking for about 25 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Stir in the cream, bring to a boil, cook for 2 minutes, and add the oysters. Cook until the edges of the oysters curl, then season with salt and pepper. Spoon into serving bowls, add a dash of hot sauce and a sprinkling of green onions to each serving, and serve with a bit of the butter, if desired, floating on top.
Cheese Island
Happy New Year! I hope it was a cheesy one.
With the New Year we have some new specials going for the first part of January. We have Galaxy Vegan Rice American Slices on sale for $2.49 each, regularly $3.69. Also Galaxy Vegan Rice Mozzarella Blocks are on sale for $2.49 each, regularly $3.39.
Our New York Sharp Cheddar will be on sale for $6.99/lb, regularly $9.99/lb.Just an early reminder, January 15th, we will be having a sampling day. All departments will be offering tastes of the products that they offer including the denizens of Cheese Island.
Beer and Wine News!
Gets your party going with some great beer from Sierra Nevada Brewery! 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
Torres Sangre de Toro Red is on sale $7.99 regularly $8.99. This is the wine with the little plastic bull on the bottle and its name indeed means the blood of the bull. A fine wine, made from Garnacha and Cariñena, Snga de Toro is superb with roasts, casseroles, game and traditional Spanish dishes. Deep ruby color with a hint of ochre. Rich complex Mediterranean aromas with exuberantnotes of spices and blackberries. Velvety tannins are noted on the palate with elegant flavors of liquorice and small dark forest fruits (blueberries and blackcurrants).
*NEW TEA* selection for the *NEW YEAR* in bulk herbs!
The holidays may be over and it may be 75 degrees and sunny, but January and February still have some cold nights in store, and our brand *NEW* LUSCIOUS LICORICE TEA $1.04/oz is sure to help make those nights a little cozier. A spicy soothing blend of LICORICE, CINNAMON, ANISE SEED, ORANGE PEEL, CHAMOMILE, and CLOVES is a great way to relax and rejuvenate after the in-laws have gone home and all the holiday crowds have finally cleared. Enjoy the new year with our delicious NEW HERBAL TEA!
ON SALE NOW TOM'S OF MAINE TOOTHPASTE!!
The entire line of Tom's of Maine toothpaste is on sale, so it's time to stock up for the New Year! January is dental awareness month at Tom's and their focus is on helping the millions that go without dental care to have access. The Tom's of Maine Dental Health for All program will give 5 mobile dental clinics a $20,000 grant to offer dental services to those in need in their communities. You can go online to vote at tomsofmaine.com until 5-1-2011; Tom's will distribute $20,000 to each of the 5 mobile dental clinics receiving the most votes. So next time you're in grab a couple of tubes and support a great cause while keeping your smile bright!!
Cedar Fever/Allergy Special!
Attention all allergy sufferers! Due to the recent influx of Cedar Fever victims, we have decided to run Herbalogic Easy Breather on sale for $14.99 for the next week! That's 25% off!
Easy Breather was designed to combat the cedar and juniper pollen allergy symptoms prevalent during central Texas winters. It is based on the classic Chinese formula, Yu Ping Fang San transalated as 'Jade Wind Screen Formula', originally created to reduce susceptibility to common colds and influenza. It has been updated with the needs of Austin and Central Texas allergy sufferers in mind, with particular focus on nasal symptoms. While other traditional formulas can cause nasal dryness and excessive thirst, this formula includes herbs that moisturize the sinus passages.
Last week to save on these Co+op Deals! – Brooks Wood, Wheatsville Co+op Deals Assistant
We're wrapping up our last full week of current deals so stock up and save! Tom's of Maine Toothpaste is now $3.99 reg. $5.99, Seventh Generation Dish Liquid now $2.59 reg. $3.89,Wellness Dog Food now $1.79 reg. $2.59 and EO Liquid Hand Soap now $5.49 reg. $7.79.
Edward & Sons Brown Rice Snaps are now $2/$5.00 reg. $3.49, Barbara's Cheese Puffs now $2/$3.00 reg. $2.49, Cascadian Farm Organic Vegetables now $1.79 reg. $2.89, Napa Valley Naturals Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil now $9.99 reg. $13.99, LightLife Smart Deli Slices now $1.99 reg. $2.79, Galaxy Nutritional Foods Vegan Rice Cheese Slices now $2.29reg. $3.69, Little Bear Yellow Tortilla Chips now $2.99 reg. $3.99, Kettle Brand Baked Potato Chips now $2.29 reg. $2.99, Crofter's Organic Premium Fruit Spread now $3.49 reg. $4.39 and Newman's Own Organic Fig Newmans now $2.99 reg. $4.49.
Remember, our Deals are easy to reference. Go to http://www.wheatsville.coop and click on the Co+op Deals link.
Have a most excellent week!
Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy
