Friday, March 04, 2011

Happy March and Happy Birthday to US!

Hello Wheatsville friends and fans!

Welcome to March! We love March for lots of reasons, but mostly because it's Wheatsville's Birthday month! A group of most awesome Austinites got together 35 years ago to start our beloved co-op! Huge shout-out to our visionary founders! We've got some special stuff lined up for March, so keep your ears open and your eyes peeled so you don't miss the fun!

A partial list of the cool stuff happening:

TODAY! Get your hands on our NEW Limited Edition 35th Anniversary T-shirt for just TEN bucks! These look awesome and won't last forever at this price.

March 5th Wheatsville sponsored It's My Park Day is happening and they STILL need volunteers! Sign up NOW and help your neighborhood parks! http://s.coop/isr

March 11,12,13 Wheatsville sponsored Honk! TX community band festival is happening all over Austin with a special event in our neighborhood and Adams Park on Saturday March 12. http://honktx.org/

March 12-20 Owner Appreciation Days- owners get a 10% discount off of one shopping trip of your choice during our Birthday week!

March 16th- Wheatsville's Birthday! Special surprises planned throughout the day TBA.

March 17th- St. Patrick's Day Hot Bar!

 

Be our fan!

We are switching our facebook page over to a fan page and we and we want you to come along- "Like" us here: http://www.facebook.com/wheatsvillefoodcoop

 

WHEATSVILLE'S ONE BIG THING W/E 03-06-11

Each week, our staff choose a favorite item to tell you about. It's our ONE BIG THING! Looking for a tasty yet economical meal or snack option? Then stop by Wheatsville's frozen food aisle and pick up a TANDOORI CHEF NAAN PIZZA. Or feel free to grab one of each delicious variety!

What do we like about TANDOORI CHEF NAAN PIZZA?

1)  Each pizza will only set you back $2.69—it's the best deal in frozen food!

2)  Try either the Cilantro Lime version or the Margherita—or both!

3)  These pizzas are all natural, vegetarian and GMO-free.

TANDOORI CHEF NAAN PIZZAS have quickly become a staff favorite. Taste one and you'll see why!

 

Scroll down for lots of tasty information like:

Produce for Peanuts (organic, too!)

Quench the flames of thirst with Fireman's 4

Did someone say Lunch?!? (Or breakfast, dinner, snack, elevenses, etc?)

Bulk Meal idea with recipe!

Seasonal IRISH cheeses!

Yep, you can get the Butcher's favorite cut of steak And a Chimichurri recipe, too

Pre-order and save!

Owner and Co+op Deals

Nut Milk Bags, Badger Balms, and Birthday deals!

 

From Your Green Grocer

I hope you're enjoying the warm weather.  I love seeing a bit more green out there.  Our friends at HannaLeigh Farm here in Austin are back and running after the cold temperatures slowed growth on their herbs.  Their Fantastic Fresh Basil is back, still at a very reasonable price of $1.99/ea.  Combine the basil with some yummy Organic Red Cherry Tomatoes and the cheese department's new Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Ciliegine, a package of Late July Classic Rich Crackers (like Ritz crackers without the nasty ingredients you can't pronounce) and a little drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper and you've got bite-sized caprese salad!  Sure to be a hit.

We still love the citrus that's in season here at the co-op.  You might feel a bit over-exposed – we talk about it all the time and our shelves are piling high with it – but it's only because it's so good right now.  Organic Cara Cara Navels are as good as ever, but they won't be around for long!  Cara Caras, along with other "specialty" citrus like blood oranges and meyer lemons have a limited season, so you've got to get while the getting's good.  They're just a bit more expensive than a normal navel ($1.69 per pound for cara caras versus $1.29 per pound for standard navels), but they're worth the extra cost.  Buy just one of them, and if you don't like it, I'll give you two regular navels for your trouble!

You might have also noticed the new bagged organic in-shell peanuts in produce.  Sunland Organic Peanuts are from my old stomping ground (New Mexico) and I am happy to have brought them with me to Texas.  For $2.99, you can get one pound of these fantastic roasted or roasted and salted organic peanuts.  I wish I could sample them in the store, but I know what kind of mess it'd make!  Give them a try and I guarantee you will love them or your money back.

Have a wonderful week!

-Adam

 

Real Ale Fireman's #4 six packs just $6.99 regularly $8.99. This refreshing blonde ale strikes a perfect balance between the smoothness of the malt, the subtle fruitiness of our house ale yeast, and zesty citrus notes from Crystal hops. Fireman's #4 is a great way to beat the heat - enjoy it on a Texas summer day, or pair it with spicy foods to help put out the fire.

 

Lots of New Treats and New Owner Specials from your Deli!

 

Our brand new Fresh in the Deli recipes for March are so tasty, and unique, too! From the Skagit Valley Food Co-op in Mount Vernon, Washington we have the Moroccan Orange Walnut Salad! A green trio of raw spinach, kale and chard creates a leafy base for a salad studded with citrusy oranges and limes, red onion, crunchy celery and toasted walnuts, all tossed in a Middle Eastern-inspired honey-cinnamon dressing.

And from City Market/Onion River Co-op in Burlington, Vermont come Sweet Potato Quinoa Fritters! Mashed organic Jewel yams are blended with organic quinoa, organic carrots, organic black beans, fresh cilantro and other flavorful aromatics, them formed into little patties for your devouring pleasure! Chewy and sweet, these little orange nuggets of joy will keep you coming back for more!

Breakfast Taco or Breakfast Sandwich? Whichever side of the Tex-Mex fence you decide to start your day on, we've got tasty vittles to start it right! Choose from fillings like eggs, cheese, potatoes, bacon, vegan breakfast sausage, black beans and rice during our regular breakfast service – from 7:30am to 11am Monday through Friday, and all the way til noon on weekends!

March is here and we are celebrating St. Patrick's Day and Wheatsville's 35th Birthday all month long with Deli specials! Our Deli Counter's brand new Featured Coffee is the Irish Cream Latte! Organic, fair-trade espresso is laced with a shot of alcohol-free Irish Cream syrup and blended with your choice of organic milk – cow, soy or rice! Come on in and get yer Irish on with our new coffee drink!

And, if you come in on Wednesday March 16th, we will be celebrating the co-op's 35th birthday with some Deli specials for all shoppers! For one day only, the Deli will be selling all sizes of our organic, fair-trade drip coffee for just 35¢ a cup, and all of our made-to-order espresso drinks – including the Irish Cream Latte! – for just $1.35 each! The Deli will also be giving away tasty morsels of delicious, fresh-baked birthday cake at different points throughout the day to help our owners and shoppers celebrate our big day! We'll have more special goodies on hand to help us mark this big year, so come on in on March 16th and celebrate with us!

As always, our bakery case is filled with an assortment of sweet treats like our scones, muffins and cakes – be sure to try our amazing, brand new, buttery and uber-chocolaty Oatmeal Fudge Bars! Also, Cashew Butter Cookies are on sale for owners at just 99¢ each, reg. $1.25, so come stock up! Don't forget we're now keeping a rotating selection of whole cakes in our grab'n'go cooler, so bring yer sweet tooth on in and get one to share for any last minute occasion!

Our Featured Smoothie is the Soylent Green Is Leprechauns Smoothie! Mangoes and bananas are blended with organic apple juice and a spoonful of spirulina, making an icy, sweet drink that's good for you and green, too!

Speaking of green, our Poblano Salsa is spicy, tangy and delicious! This staff favorite has great flavor and is fabulous with just a bowlful of El Milagro chips. Try some of this emerald delight on your taco or order of rice and beans today!

As the weather warms up, remember that we have tons of cold drinks in the Deli too, from our fruity, spicy Gingerade to our organic Black Iced Tea, and of course our infamously eye-opening Iced Coffee Toddy, which is on sale now for owners, a 16oz cup for just $1.49, reg. $1.99!

Also on sale for owners is our vegan comfort classic Southern Fried Tofu Sandwich – a marinated and breaded tofu patty is deep-fried til crunchy and served up to you on organic whole wheat bread with lettuce, tomato, onion, cucumber, carrots and sprouts, for just $3.99 each, reg. $4.99! What a deal! Dress it up with Vegenaise or our famous Cashew Tamari Dressing!

Tried our GTP? It's time. Tamari-marinated, crunchy cubes of tempeh are tossed with pasta & carrots in a creamy gingery-peanut dressing to create our most popular pasta salad, available in our grab'n'go cooler and on sale now for owners, $7.99/lb, reg. $8.49!

Also on sale at the Deli Counter are classic cold cuts: Boar's Head Oven-Roasted Turkey at $9.49/lb, reg. $9.99 and Provolone Cheese, $4.99/lb, reg. $5.99! Lunchbox time!

 

Bulk Department Meal Ideas

Here's an idea for a delicious and inexpensive meal idea that is made with Organic Arborio rice from the bulk department: Classic Italian Risotto!  I love this dish because it's very easy to make and it goes great with just about anything.  Here's a very simple Risotto recipe:        

  • 2  tablespoons  unsalted butter
  • 1  small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2  cups  Arborio rice
  • 1  cup  dry white wine
  • 4  cups  low-sodium broth
  • 1  cup  grated Parmesan
  • 1  teaspoon salt
  • 1/4  teaspoon  black pepper

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the wine and cook, stirring frequently, until the liquid is absorbed. Add the broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring occasionally and waiting until it's absorbed before adding more. It should take about 30 minutes for all the broth to be absorbed. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan, salt, and pepper.

This is a basic Risotto recipe, you can customize it by adding mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, or whatever sounds good!

 

Cheese Island

 

It's the beginning of the month and that means new Co+op deals!! We have Nancy's  Organic Low Fat Cottage Cheese 16oz. on sale for $3.59, regularly $4.99 each. Organic Valley's Mild Cheddar 8 oz. is on sale for $4.59, regularly $5.79. Organic Valley's Raw Sharp Cheddar Cheese 8 oz. is on sale for $4.59, regularly $5.29

We have our Aged Gouda on sale for $17.59/lb, regularly $18.99/lb. Also Our Applewood Smoked Cheddar is on sale for $11.29/lb, regularly $14.99. If you have not tried either of the cheeses they are amazing! The Gouda is aged for two years and has a very caramel flavor and a smooth texture. It will pair well with apples. I would go with a tarter apple, such as a Pink Lady. The Applewood Smoked Cheddar is from England and it is cold smoked with Applewood. It makes an amazing grilled cheese. I usually make mine with bacon and tomatoes. We also have Boar's Head Vermont Cheddar on sale for $7.99/lb, regularly $8.99/lb.

Starting Thursday March 3rd we will be putting our Fetas and Port Salut. Port Salut will be on sale for $13.99/lb, regularly $17.99/lb. Domestic Cow's Milk Feta will be on sale $4.99/lb, regularly $6.29/lb. Romanian Sheep's Milk Feta will be on sale for $5.99/lb, regularly $7.99/lb. And Bulgarian Sheep's Milk Feta will be on sale for $6.29/lb, regularly $7.29/lb.

For the month of March we will be carrying some wonderful seasonal Irish Cheeses. These cheeses include a wonderful molded rind cheddar, a beautiful cow's milk blue and a sheeps milk blue. Keep reading for more information.

 

DARU

A semi hard cheese made with pasteurized cow's milk by the Maher family in the heart of Tipperary. A natural mottled-mold rind encases an airy cheddar cheese, of golden paste and a citric grassy flavor.

Crozier Blue

This Farmhouse Cheese is produced from the milk of a flock of sheep recently established on the limestone pasturelands near Cashel, Co. Tipperary. The cheese is made from pasteurized milk, vegetarian rennet and is available seasonally. Even though only recently launched, it is proving popular in specialty outlets and up-market supermarkets in Ireland, England and Scotland due to its mild flavor and softer texture.

Cashel Blue

Cashel Blue was developed in 1984, it is Ireland's original artisinal blue

Cashel Blue is the creation of Jane and Louis Grubb, a husband and wife team.

Cashel Blue is a unique product made by a single family on a single farm in Tipperary, Ireland. Cashel Blue is made entirely by hand from whole un-homogenised cows milk

 

From the world of meat

We have a new item in the self serve case, the Hanger Steak or Hanging Tender. These are brought to us from Niman Ranch. This steak is also known as the Butchers cut because there is only one per animal and this tasty piece was what the butcher brought home to his family. This also makes these steaks rarely seen in a grocery store. These steaks are full of flavor, yet low in fat. It's a little bit like Skirt Steak, but more so: they have a great texture that backs up that bold beefy flavor.

Here are a few tips to remember when preparing steaks:

Let the meat warm up, the less the molecules have to work the better. If you're marinating, 3 hours at room temperature is just as good as overnight in the refrigerator.

Always let your steak rest for about five minutes after removing them from heat. When you add heat to meat, all the moisture balls up in the center.  When you let it rest, those juices redistribute giving you a juicy, delicious steak. Here is a recipe for Hanger Steak and Chimichurri. Chimichurri is an Argentinean condiment that is great for just about any meat.

Ingredients for Chimichurri:

  • 1 cup (packed) fresh Italian parsley
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup (packed) fresh cilantro
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 3/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix in a food processor or hand chop. If you like the heat, you can add any green chili that you like.

As the weather warms, the grill is always a great option. The stove top and oven are just as great an option. Lightly season the Hanger Steaks with salt and pepper. I highly suggest medium rare, over cooking will toughen the steaks. Let rest, slice against the grain and serve with the Chimichurri.

 

With Lamb becoming so popular here is another Argentinean recipe for Lamb Shoulder Chops that we also offer from Niman Ranch. This Lamb is grass fed and delicious. This recipe stays in Argentina and adds some variation to the Chimichurri.

 

Coriander & cumin lamb chops with mint chimichurri

Serves 4 or 2 very greedy people
1 lbs. lamb shoulder chops
For the spice rub:
1 Tbsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
2 tsp coriander seeds
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 black peppercorns150


100 ml olive oil

For the mint chimichurri:
Handful of mint leaves (~ 1/2 cup)
Handful of (cilantro) coriander leaves (~1/2 cup)
3 garlic cloves crushed

2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar or red wine vinegar
2-3 Tbsp runny honey
1 tsp sea salt (or 1/2 tsp normal salt)
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp Tabasco sauce or a small chilli de-seeded and chopped finely
1/2 cup olive oil

1. Using a mortar and pestle grind up the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, paprika, garlic, salt and pepper.  Add olive oil and mix to form a deep red paste.

2.  Rub all over the lamb chops and place chops in a zip lock bag with all the air squished out.  Marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

3. To make the mint chimichurri: blitz all the ingredients except for the oil, vinegar and honey until very finely chopped.  Mix in the olive oil, vinegar and honey.  Taste and adjust seasoning if required.
4. Heat a little oil in a heavy based pan/skillet or the bbq.  Cook lamb for 2-3 minutes a side (depending on how you like it, I like my lamb rare to medium rare). Rest covered in foil for around 5 minutes.

5. Serve with chimichurri.

 

This week in the self serve case, we've got a new item: Tanka Buffalo Hot Dogs are on sale for $6.99, reg. $7.99. These dogs are gluten, nitrate, MSG, antibiotic and hormone free. This is a great alternative for beef and poultry franks. They even come six to a pack, so you only have to buy one bag of buns!

In the freezer we have brought back the local, grassfed Bastrop Cattle Co. Beef Bones for Pets for $3.39/lb. There is good variation in size, which allows more selection for smaller pets. As always we have several bone and organ options for pets and their humans.

 

Wine for you!

Jean Luc Colombo 2009 Cotes Du Rhone $9.99 regularly $12.99! Hailed as the winemaking wizard of the Rhone, Jean-Luc Colombo has achieved a high-profile international reputation for making innovative wines that are original, memorable and bursting with personality. This wine is a masterful blend of traditional southern Rhone red grapes from 25year old vines grown in ancient terraced vineyards. Featuring Aromas of ripe black fruits, licorice and spices; this is an elegant wine that is well-structured with harmonious tannins and a generous finish.

 

A note from Adrienne, your friendly grocery buyer:

Hi Owners!  The springtime Owner Appreciation Week will be here before you know it, March 12 through March 20.  Now is the time to get your Pre-Orders (formerly known as Special Orders) placed.  Not only do you get a 5% pre-order discount, you can pick up your pre-order when you come to do your big shopping trip and use your 10% Owner Appreciation discount at the same time! If you shop from the Co+op Deals and Owner Deals sales, you'll save even more.  Take advantage of all these discounts for items to fill your pantry, such as non-dairy beverages, cans of beans and soup, cases of Topo Chico or Gerolsteiner or a case of your favorite bars of chocolate to hide around the house. Enjoy!

 

Come in and start enjoying our latest arrival of Owner Deals!  – Brooks Wood, Wheatsville Co+op Deals Assistant 

 

Gluten Free foods are packed full of flavor here at Wheatsville! Pamela's Products Gluten Free Baking & Pancake Mix in a generous 4lb resealable bag - now $11.99 reg. $15.69, Glutino Gluten Free Pretzels now $3.49 reg. $4.39, Organicville Gluten Free Salad Dressings now $2.89 reg. $3.69, Pamela's Products Gluten Free Cookies now $2.79 reg. $3.69, Enjoy Life Gluten Free On-the-Go Bars now $2.99 reg. $3.99 and Glutino Gluten Free Crackers now $3.29 reg. $4.39.

 

Our Bulk Department is full of Owner favorites!  Sunridge Farms Wild Ginger Harvest Mix now $5.29/lb reg. $7.69/lb, Organic Dry Roasted Unsalted Peanuts now $2.79/lb reg. $3.59/lb, Sunridge Farms Chocolate Nut Crunch Mix now $4.49/lb reg. $6.69/lb, Organic Yellow Popcorn now $0.99/lb reg. $1.39/lb, Sunridge Farms Chocolate Covered Ginger now $7.29/lb reg. $10.59/lb, Organic Pinto Beans now $1.29/lb reg. $1.59/lb and Sunridge Farms Peanut Butter Pretzels now $5.29/lb reg. $7.59/lb.

 

And with the temperature rising outside, be sure to pick up an Iced Coffee Toddy at the Wheatsville Deli – now $1.49 reg. $1.99.

 

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

 

 

Fresh new Co+op Deals have just arrived @ Wheatsville! – Brooks Wood, Wheatsville Co+op Deals Assistant

 

Delicious morning meals options! Equal Exchange Organic Breakfast Blend now $8.49 reg. $9.99, Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt now $1.59 reg. $1.99, Sambazon Organic Acai Juice now $2.49 reg. $2.99, Blue Diamond Almond Breeze now $1.99 reg. $2.79, Santa Cruz Organic Juice now $2.79 reg. $4.59, Organic Valley Half & Half now $2.99 reg. $3.49, Nature's Path Organic Optimum Cereal now $2.99 reg. $4.39, Lifeway Organic Kefir now $2.99 reg. $3.99 and Peace Cereal now $3.49 reg. $3.99.

 

Be sure to try our amazing new frozen meals from Kashi, now $2.99 reg. $4.89, Westbrae Organic Beans - our most popular beans are on Deal, now 4/$5.00 reg. $1.79, Muir Glen Organic Soup now $1.99 reg. $2.99, Annie's Homegrown Bunny Crackers now 2/$5.00 reg. $3.29, Natural Sea Fish Sticks now $4.29 reg. $6.59, Annie's Homegrown Pasta & Cheese Dinner now 3/$4.00 reg. $2.49, Muir Glen Organic Fire Roasted Tomatoes now $1.49 reg. $2.19, Natural Sea Yellowfin Tuna now 2/$3.00, Yves Veggie Deli Slices now $1.99 reg. $2.49 and Kettle Krinkle Cut Potato Chips now $3.49 reg. $4.99.

 

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

 

New in House-Wares: Nut Milk/Sprouting Bags!

We've been searching for the right distributor for so long and now we are excited to offer high-quality nut milk/sprouting bags from Vermont Fiddle Heads.  Making your own nut milk at home is simple and fun, and their website offers this easy-to-follow recipe.  The bags come in 2 sizes and are available in both nylon and hemp.

 

It's Wheatsville's Birthday – Celebrate with Supplements!

Our entire selection of Wheatsville brand supplements is 25% off for the whole month of March, so visit aisle 6 and stock up on your favorites.

 

Brand New Balms from Badger Bodycare

We've increased our line of all-natural balms from Badger!  Sooth your tired feet, banish headaches, treat tired muscles and more with specifically formulated botanical blends from a family-owned and environmentally-responsible company.

 

I hope you have a most excellent week! Happy March!

Dan Gillotte

Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy!

 

 

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

It's My Park Day needs Volunteers for THIS Saturday March 5!

Austin Parks Foundation

It's My Park Day

It's My Park Day, presented by Wheatsville Food Co-op, is Austin Parks Foundation's annual citywide volunteer event. Help out at a park near you! This year we have 70+ different volunteer-led projects.


We still need 1500 volunteers for this Saturday's event! Please register by Wednesday, March 3, 2011 to make sure to get your t-shirt size at your park's event! 

Urgent! Please pass the word - 1500 volunteers needed! Tell your social network, tell your glee club, tell your friends to tell their friends, and register to volunteer!

Find an Event and Register Here


What can you do?
   Some great workday efforts are: Mulching trees and bare areas, weeding planting beds, planting trees, painting and cleaning playscapes, repairing trails, or removing trash.

These projects can make a huge difference.  Did you know that trees that are mulched have 3 to 5 times more root growth than trees in grass?  An inch of mulch in spring can make a huge difference to a tree's summer survival.


This year we are having a 'Best It's My Park Day Photo and Story' Contest with great prizes, including $50 gift certificates from REI! For more information, and to submit your Story or Photo go to the It's My Park Day 2011 Best Story & Photo Contest page.

Remember, register to volunteer by Wednesday, March 3, 2011!


Our tremendous thanks to our presenter, Wheatsville Food Co-op, 
and to our sponsors:

Jackson Walker LLP, Community TechKnowledge, Texas Gas Service

MFI Foundation, BMC Software, Backwoods, URS, REI, CA Technologies, Frost Bank, HS&A, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 12 Oaks Dental, Cisco Systems, Hill Country Outdoor, The Austonian, MWM Design Group, Austin Simply Fit, DWG Landscape Architecture, Enviromedia Social Marketing, Texas Rowing Center, The Garden Club of Austin, Clif Bar, Ivy Block, Advanced Organic Materials, Randalls, and Tecnu Extreme.

www.austinparks.org
816 Congress, Suite 1680, Austin, TX 78701
phone (512) 477-1566 - fax (512) 477-1586

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