Hello Wheatsville friends and fans!Lights are going up, gifts are getting wrapped, people are singing and our kitchen is turning out some really special treats and catering trays. It must be the holidays! Every year we get excited for the new year to come and the time we get to spend with families and friends. Whether we celebrate winter with the solstice, a festival of lights or a big shindig - winter is a time to be generous and grateful for the things we have and the special people in our lives. We continue to accept food donations through the end of the year for Capital Area Food Bank. Please donate pantry items for Austin families and we will make sure they are delivered and sorted. To date Wheatsville customers have donated over 500 pounds of food which will make over 400 meals. Thank you for your continued generosity! Scroll on down for:WHEATSVILLE'S ONE BIG THINGEvery week, Wheatsville staff picks the product we're most excited about right now! This week's One Big Thing is our seasonal PEPPERMINT MOCHA! - Organic, Fair Trade Coffee Beans are the first ingredient in all our cafe drinks! - Organic, Fair Trade Dagoba Chocolate will certainly put a smile on your face! - On Sale for owners! Only $3.50 for a 16oz. cup! WOW! Seasonal + Local Winter TreatsWe're back with one of our seasonal favorites this week: Organic Broccoli from Johnson's Backyard Garden, grown right here in Austin! It might be hard to believe, but there is really quite a difference in flavor and texture when comparing the stuff we get from California and the locally grown broccoli from JBG. Johnson's broccoli is so much sweeter, and the stems more tender. Broccoli is a cold weather crop that grows well here in Austin. Take advantage of the opportunity, it won't be around forever! It's citrus season in the northern hemisphere and we're excited to bring new varieties of oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, and lemons to Wheatsville. We'd like you to join us and Celebrate Citrus! on Sunday, January 15th from 4:00pm – 7:00pm. Come by and taste a sample of every citrus item we have in stock! Kumquats! Tangelos! Red Grapefruit! Blood Oranges! Now is the time to eat citrus and we want you to be as excited about it as we are. Right now, our favorite is the 3lb bag of Clementine tangerines. They're mild, seedless, juicy, sweet, and easy to peel. Basically the perfect citrus for kids. They travel well in lunchboxes or in your backpack, so they're great for a snack on the go. Did you know citrus was the original "stocking stuffer?" Truth! They're welcome at Christmas parties, too, so you can grab a bag along with that bottle of wine as you're heading out to spend time with friends or family. So easy. Speaking of gifts to bring to holiday parties, the poinsettia is another classic. Since poinsettias are grown for their pretty leaves as opposed to their flowers, they look beautiful for much longer. When I was a kid, we'd take poinsettias to folks who for one reason or another couldn't leave their homes during the holidays. They really brighten up the home and they're a thoughtful gift. We've got your standard crimson red poinsettias here at Wheatsville, along with some nice pink and speckled ones. Your Local Source for Meat & SeafoodA few things you should know about Wheatsville's Meat & Seafood Department: - ALL of our meat is humanely and sustainably raised - ALL of our meat is free of antibiotics and hormones - ALL of our seafood is on Monterey Bay Aquarium's Best Choice or Best Alternative List - We carry many of the same local meats you'd find at the Farmer's Markets - We hire experienced meat cutters who can help answer your questions about farms & cuts - We will happily make you a special cut of meat - just ask!
Christmas is just around the corner. Do you need some meal ideas for Christmas day? How about a Niman Ranch Rib Roast? The king of roasts is always sure winner. Just remember, 10 minutes per pound for medium rare and let it rest for about a half an hour before carving it up. Of course we'll have Turkeys. You have a choice between Grateful Harvest Organic and Natural Turkeys. Organics are $3.49/lb and Naturals are $2.99/lb. There are no small sized Natural Turkeys this year, but we do have 8-12lb. organics. With at least a days notice we will be more than happy to cut and tie a Lamb Roast. We can make a roast out of the Leg or Shoulder for you. If you're looking for something a little less ordinary, how about trying some Windy Hills Farm Boer Goat. A nice goat stew or a roasted or grilled loin would be a great surprise for your holiday meal. Maybe seafood is what you're looking for? We can cut whole sides of Coho Salmon and we also have whole sides of Sockeye salmon. New Years is just after Christmas and there are plenty of parties to go to. Whether attending or hosting, food is always an important guest. Any of our Fish Brothers Smoked Salmons would be a great addition to the finger foods. Holiday SpiceSensational Seasonal Standards at the Wheatsville Deli! Have you tried our Bakery's Pumpkin Cake? Favorite fall flavors of pumpkin, vanilla and cinnamon are sweetened with brown sugar and baked into moist, yummy cake, then topped with real, tangy cream cheese icing. Grab a slice for dessert or a sweet breakfast treat! Or maybe you'd prefer our vegan Caramel Pecan Bars, on sale for owners for just $1.99 each, reg. $2.49! These nutty and chewy bars have a shortbread base are a staff favorite! And nothing could complement your sweet treat better than a delicious, hot, seasonal drink from our Deli Counter to get you in the holiday spirit! Looking for a caffeinated pick-me-up? Sidle up to our organic, fair-trade espresso bar for a Peppermint Mocha, where the great tastes of chocolate and mint unite in one delicious beverage! In fact, all varieties of our organic, fair-trade 16oz Mochas, made with organic Dagoba chocolate syrup, are on sale now for owners, just $3.50 each, reg. $4.00! Combining espresso with chocolate syrup, this coffee drink is amazing! Not in the mood for mint? Try our Spicy Mocha, with a kick from cayenne, or just get a plain, simple chocolate Mocha with your choice of organic cow, soy, almond or coconut milk! Click here to read about all of our Deli deals & specials! Entertaining + FondueOur Housewares team has brought in a very nice fondue pot. It would be a wonderful gift for the cheese lover in your family. You could also buy it for yourself and use it to entertain at your Christmas or New Years party. Fondue is a Swiss tradition with a French name. Traditionally cheese is used, but chocolate is also another option. We have some wonderful Swiss and Swiss style cheeses that would make a great fondue. And check out the assortment of chocolate that our grocery team has to offer. If you are running out of ideas for a gift, try a gift basket made up of cheeses, fancy mustards, salami, crackers, chocolate and beer or wine. You can buy baskets at Hobby Lobby for as low as 3 dollars. And we have the products to fill it. You could give your basket a local theme or a French theme. Cards + GiftsHoliday Card Countdown Channukah begins Tuesday, December 20th, Winter Solstice is December 21st, and Christmas is just around the corner – have you mailed your holiday cards yet? Never fear, we still have a lovely selection of boxed holiday cards, including hand screen-printed cards from Great Arrow, as well as special holiday designs from local card makers Flat Flower Botanicals and PeaceNotes. Handmade Fair Trade Gifts Galore! Check out our new end cap display featuring cozy handmade scarves, hats, leg warmers, and mittens from fair trade distributor Andes Gifts! We also have lots of stylish hand bags, wallets, tree-free journals, and cotton scarves from Earth Divas and Handmade Expressions. Give your friends and family beautiful gifts from companies that use ethical business practices to build stronger communities! Local GiftsLocally made gift extravaganza! Looking for some last minute gift ideas? Wheatsville's got ya' covered! We have a great assortment of locally made bar soaps like creamy pumpkin, candy cane, sugar plum and Christmas love. In addition, the Austin Natural Soap mini soap samplers Lone Star, Flower Power, and Austin Power are flying off the shelf! At just $19.99 they make a perfect gift for that someone special. Loads of perfumed body sprays and lotions from Dancing Dingo-- the sandalwood vanilla is to die for! If silly is more your cup of tea, perhaps the corn dog lip balm, bacon band aids or Shakespearean insult gum is for you! So stop by soon and get stuffing those stockings! Sustainable Gifts + Seasonal TreatsWhether you've got holiday parties or you're just plain in the mood – Wheatsville's got you covered for seasonal cooking and baking! Organic Pumpkin Pie Spice is $1.06oz in bulk, and we've also got Apple Pie and Dessert spice for $.69oz. Bulk Mulling spices are $.99 and great in cider AND wine! Xanthan gum for the vegan baker are available in small quantities for only $2.49oz – all in Bulk Herbs! Can't decide on a gift for those hard-to-shop-for people in your life? Wheatsville's got the perfect answer! Back to the Roots: Grow Your Own Mushroom Garden kit makes it fun and easy for all ages to grow up to 1 ½ pounds of gourmet oyster mushrooms in your own kitchen from recycled organic coffee grounds! At $19.99 it's the perfect sustainable gift for anyone on your list! Look for them by the drink cooler near produce! Making Spirits BrightWine This Christmas why not give the gift of super premium wine. Cakebread 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is on sale for just $74.99 regularly $84.99. Cakebread Cabernet grabs the taster's attention immediately with enticingly fresh, fruit-forward aromas of black currant, blackberry and boysenberry, joined by seductive chocolate and roast coffee scents. Beer Sierra Nevada Celebration 12 packs on sale for $13.99 regularly $14.99. Wonderfully robust and rich, Celebration Ale is dry-hopped for a lively, intense aroma. Brewed especially for the holidays, it is perfect for a festive gathering or for a quiet evening at home! Apple Rosemary TurnoversHere is a recipe involving our puff pastry in the frozen department from our very own Wheatsville Food Co-op baker, Mindy Dolnick! "Fruit turnovers are fast and easy to make, and they lend themselves to several variations using almost any kind of filling you choose. Pears with ginger and five-spice? Sure. Blueberry sage? Sounds great. Nutella with chopped hazelnuts? Now we're getting crazy, but this kind of crazy is the kind I like! Here's one of my favorites for a weekend winter morning breakfast. " Click her for the Recipe: Apple Rosemary Turnovers New at Wheatsville this week!Royal Himalayan Dried Durian This sun-dried wild-crafted Malaysian Mountain Durian is grown without artificial fertilizers or chemicals. Durian is a good source of Vitamin C, B, Manganese, Copper, protein and healthy fats, also rich in Tryptophan. In our raw foods set in aisle 3. Reg. $12.49 4 oz. Royal Himalayan Irish Moss The best kept secret for the most delicious and emollient raw food creams. This Irish moss is wild-crafted and truly raw, fresh from the ocean -- it comes with a little sand and salt, and needs to be cleaned and soaked before use. Irish moss is loaded with minerals and is also purported to strengthen lungs and respiratory system. 8oz Reg. $9.99 Royal Himalayan Raw Trail Mixes: Raw Bliss Mix, Golden Princess Mix, or MacMulberry Mix These indulgent, raw, organic trail mixes are chock full of everything from Himalayan Golden Hunza Raisins to Princess Pistachios. Find them in our raw foods set in aisle 3. 7oz Reg. $9.99 Dandy Blend Dandy Blend herbal coffee substitute is made of water-soluble extracts of roasted roots of dandelion, chicory and beets, and the grains of barley and rye. It is caffeine-free, and tastes remarkably like a rich, full-bodied cup of coffee with no acidity or bitterness. One of our customers' most requested wish list items, we're happy to now stock it near the bulk coffee section, with the coffee alternatives. Reg. $13.99 7 oz. Gold Mine Foods Organic White or Yellow Corn Masa The search is over—we finally got our hands on some organic masa! Make your own tamales and tortillas at home. It's fun and easy with authentic corn masa, a flavorful stone ground cornmeal that's been precooked with limewater to make the dough pliable. Find them in aisle 1, with the Latin foods. Reg. $3.99 1 lb. Gold Mine Foods Vegan Chicharrones Enjoy delicious homemade chips that are ready in seconds! Made from brown sea vegetables and whole wheat, Vegan "Chicharrones" are a fun, tasty way to enjoy sea vegetables! Just fry for a few seconds in coconut, sesame or olive oil and drain on a napkin. They magically puff up into curly chips that are great with dips, soups, salads and sandwiches. Find them with the Latin foods in aisle 1. Reg $5.99 8 oz. Organic Sundried Tomatoes (Bulk) A colorful, mouthwatering addition to any dish. Drying makes them sweet! No salt added. In our Bulk department. Reg. $16.99/lb. Ohsawa Freeze Dried Natto Natto is a traditional Japanese food made from soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilis. This free-dried version, having little odor or stickiness, can be enjoyed as a nutritious snack like nuts, or moistened and eaten like fresh natto. Natto is very high in vitamin K. Find it in aisle 2, with the macrobiotic foods. Reg. $9.79 3 oz. Ohsawa Pickled Shiso Leaves in Ume Vinegar An herb that is related to mint, shiso (also known as perilla) has a slight lemony taste yet a unique flavor of its own. These mineral-rich leaves come straight from the pickling kegs of umeboshi plums. Shiso imparts to the plums a beautiful deep red color and a sweet taste and makes a mouthwatering pickle on their own. Besides adding color and flavor to umeboshi, shiso has strong antibacterial and preservative qualities both in the pickling process and on the person who eats them. Roll into sushi, steam with greens, add to dips, dressings or soups, or stir fry with rice or vegetables! Look for Ohsawa Shiso Leaves in aisle 2, with the macrobiotic foods. Reg. $12.99 5 oz. Ohsawa Japanese Nigari Naturally extracted from clean ocean water by solar evaporation, nigari (magnesium chloride) is not food, but is used as a coagulant in making tofu. Makes over 50 pounds of tofu! Located in aisle 2, with the macrobiotic foods. Reg. $5.49 16 oz. Maine Coast Kelp Krunch Bar With sesame seeds, wild kelp, rice syrup and maple syrup, Kelp Krunch bars are delightfully brittle, with just-right, natural sweetness. Part of the proceeds of this bar goes to support "Allied Whale," an education and research friend of the whales. Find them in aisle 4, with the energy bars.Reg. $2.19 1oz. Illy Issimo Caffè, Caffè No Sugar Illy Issimo offers ready-to-drink coffees made with Illy's unique blend of 100% natural Arabica coffee. The classic Caffè is simply bold, full-bodied, Italian espresso-style coffee with a touch of sugar added. The Caffè No Sugar is completely unsweetened, and comes in at just 15 calories. Both versions contain approximately 155mg of caffeine per can, and can be found in the beverage cooler nearest to the cash registers. Reg. $1.99 6.8oz / Reg. $7.49 4 Pack Co+op Owner DealsAround the holidays, people traditionally love to gather and share a great breakfast together. In anticipation of this, Wheatsville has lowered the prices on many of your favorite breakfast staples. Equal Exchange Organic Regular Bulk Coffee is on Deal now for $9.99/lb reg. $11.49/lb (decaf is not included in this sale), Peace Cereals are now $1.99 reg. $3.99 (selected varieties), Stahlbush Island Farms Frozen Fruit is now $2.79 reg. $3.79 (selected varieties), Rudi's Organic English Muffins are now $2.59 reg. $3.69 and Chino Valley Ranchers Veg A Fed Eggs are now $3.19 reg. $3.87. Click here for more Co+op Deals, valid Wednesday, December 14th – Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012. —Brooks Wood, Co+op Deals Coordinator Co+op DealsExcellent for your health and perfect for snacks and holiday parties, we've lower the price of our Bulk Organic Salted Roasted Pistachios which are now $6.89/lb reg. $10.49/lb. Click here for more Owner Deals, valid Wednesday, December 14th – Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012. —Brooks Wood, Co+op Deals Coordinator I hope you have a most excellent week! Dan Gillotte Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy | 
