We love February!

 

Hello Wheatsville friends and fans! This February has been very kind to Texas. All the rain plus mild cooler temperatures have given our  local farmers good strong crops which means more local, organic produce on our tables! Our favorites have been Hairston Creek's Organic Head Lettuce and Johnson's Backyard Garden Carrots. Plus due to all the rain we were able to find a few more leaks in our office. Oh well, keeping roofers in business is just another way we support our local economy. We also wanted to let you know that because of your generosity, we were able to contribute $2,517.11 to People's Community Clinic  along with dozens of children's books that will be used in the clinic's waiting room. Thank you again for your support of our Community Action Wednesday groups! And thanks to everyone who put a valentine in our front window. It's a Wheatsville tradition that grows bigger and bigger year after year. We love to see how much "heart" our shoppers have, and judging from the windows - it's A LOT! Happy February! Scroll on down for: This week's One Big Thing ·         Raining Lettuce ·         Organic Greens ·         Land & Sea ·         Parmesan ·         Get Planting! ·         Diva ·         Heart Health ·         Bigfoot ·         New at Wheatsville ·         Co+op Deals ·         Owner Deals ·         SafePlace WHEATSVILLE'S ONE BIG THING Every week, Wheatsville staff picks the product we're most excited about right now! This week One Big Thing is local Rio Star Red Grapefruit! Why do we like them?  Not only are they local but they are at peak season and flavor  Even people who don't like grapefruit LOVE this variety They can be substituted into any recipe calling for citrus   Raining Lettuce "The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you've got to have a what-the-hell attitude." –Julia Child We agree!  We also think that having fresh, high quality ingredients are more important than a kitchen full of fancy tools or obscure components.  If you shop at Wheatsville, you're guaranteed to find what you need to make a great meal.  Don't be scared!  It's not as hard as it looks! This week, fruits are some our favorite produce items: Organic hass avocados and organic minneola tangelos.  Our avocados have been really incredible recently, better than usual.  An avocado makes a great, healthy snack spread on a piece of bread or mixed with some garlic, onion, and pepper to make guacamole. The minneolas are a staff favorite: beautiful, juicy, and flavorful.  Minneolas are actually a cross between a tangerine and a grapefruit and occasionally they can be on the bitter side. Fortunately, the ones we're stocking fall more on the tangerine side of the flavor spectrum. They're attractively priced too, at only $1.49 per pound. In the world of local produce, we really love Hairston Creek's Organic Head Lettuce.  Hairston Creek Farm is a long-time partner of Wheatsville, and is located in Burnet.  This summer was pretty rough, with very little rainfall, but a mild, relatively wet winter have done great things for them.  Their lettuce is tender and delicious!  We're currently carrying Green Leaf, Red Leaf, and Romaine varieties.  Great for salads and sandwiches! Organic Greens Try A Grab'n'Go Deli Salad Made With Organic Greens!   Looking for a light lunch in a hurry? Try one of our Deluxe Salads made with organic spring mix from our self-service grab'n'go cooler! These pre-packed green salads will give you the nourishment and energy you need, either veggie-only or made into a meal topped with a protein: strips of tasty baked tofu, tender slices of grilled, all-natural Buddy's lemon-pepper chicken, or fresh, soft cubes of mozzarella cheese. Each of these salads comes packed full of organic spring mix, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, carrot and sprouts, and comes with your choice of our Cashew-Tamari or Cilantro-Lime dressing! Plus, for the next two weeks, our Green Salad with Grilled Chicken is on sale for owners, just $4.49 each (reg. $4.99). So save some time, go green and grab a salad for a healthy, quick and filling lunch!   Click here to read about all of our Deli's new items, deals & specials! Land & Sea Check out our New Niman Ranch sustainably and humanely raised Beef Entrees. Beef Pot Roast in Pomodoro Sauce or Beef Tips Provencal - just heat and serve. Get your sides at the Wheatsville Deli and you have a really easy, tasty weeknight dinner. This week brings in some new Co+op Deals and one of our favorites is Blue Horizon Bites. Great for party finger foods or a T.V. nibble, and we have three great flavors; Crab, Salmon and Fish & Chips. On Co+op Deal for $3.99 (reg.$4.99). Make sure you try our sustainable and humanely raised duck. We have whole White Pekin Duck for  $5.49lb as well as boneless breast and leg quarters. Giblets, unrendered fat and other parts for stock are also available, but you have to be quick as they've become very popular. Note: Duck makes a great rich stock and can be blended with other stocks to deepen a chicken stock or to lighten a beef stock for soups or sauces. Check out our new lower prices on the Mary's Organic chicken in our self-serve case and the new lower prices on the Windy Hills Farm Boer Goat products in our freezer. Parmesan This month's Big Cheese is Parmesan. However, all parmesan is not created equally. Parmesan is a generic word for all Parmigiano Reggiano style cheeses that do not meet the EU's criteria for Parmigiano Reggiano. Some of the criteria is that it be made in the area of Parma, and Modena, Italy, that it be made with milk of the cows from that area and that it passes inspection by the Conzario of Parmigiano Reggiano. Most people use it as a topping for pasta dishes, but this cheese can be eaten by itself or along with balsamic vinegar and/or honey. Most people toss the rinds when they are done with the inside of the cheese, but you can put those rinds into soup. It gives the soup a small level of creaminess and a whole lot of flavor. You can also stuff the rind inside of a chicken. This lends to the chicken a wonderful flavor. Parmesan can be used as an ingredient in Mac and Cheese and Potatoes Au Gratin. Get Planting! For Texas, rain and cooler weather means that it's time to get planting! Coming out of such a dry summer, any rain is welcome and the freezing temperatures actually help our wildflower seeds germinate! At Wheatsville – the sleet has got us excited to bring in lots of new spring seeds that can all currently be planted now - either inside or directly into the ground. Tomatoes, Peppers, Summer Squash, Broccoli, Kohlrabi, Wildflowers, and Peas are just naming a few! All of our seeds are heirloom varieties from Seed Savers Exchange, a non-profit company run by its members. Many of our seeds are also organic and all of them are only $2.29 a package and produce viable seeds that can be planted true to form year after year! Come check out our growing and colorful variety of spring seeds in bulk herbs! Diva If you have ever wanted to try a Diva Cup, now is the time!  The world's leading menstrual cup, an eco-responsible alternative to tampons and pads is on sale now at the incredible low price of $25.99!  That's a savings of $6.50 off the regular price of $32.49!  So stop in and pick one up today! Heart Health Boost your Heart Health with Omega-3s during American Heart Month. It's not just hype.  There is evidence from many very large studies that omega-3 fatty acids from fish or fish oil supplements not only help prevent cardiovascular diseases in healthy individuals, but also reduce the incidence of cardiac events and mortality in patients with existing heart disease.  Now is a good time to support your heart health with these great products currently on sale: The entire line of Nordic Naturals on sale, anywhere from $2 - $9 off!  Nordic Naturals is the most respected fish oil supplement manufacturer in the US.  Nordic Naturals adheres to and exceeds the stringent European Pharmacopoeia Standard (EPS) and are 3rd party tested.  Also, Nordic Naturals utilizes enzymatic and oxygen-free processing technologies to ensure a completely burp free product, and a light and fruity taste.  It's true!  We've tried it! Also, on sale: Natural Factors RxOmega-3 Factors Extra Strength, $5 - $7 off!     The 2:1 ratio of EPA and DHA in RxOmega-3 Factors has been the dominant ratio used and proven in scientific studies to produce clinical benefits. If you prefer the plant-sourced Omega-3s, we have those too, on sale: DEVA Vegan Omega-3 DHA-EPA, $6 off!  This new product contains both DHA and EPA from microalgae that is grown in a controlled environment, eliminating the risk of oceanic contamination, and is encapsulated in delayed release vegetarian capsules to make sure there is no aftertaste. Have you seen Bigfoot? Sierra Nevada Bigfoot is here! Beware of the Bigfoot for it is a mighty beer. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot is an award-winning barleywine that boasts a dense, fruity bouquet, an intense flavor palate and a deep reddish-brown color. Its big maltiness is superbly balanced by a wonderfully bittersweet hoppiness. New at Wheatsville This Week! We work hard to seek out exciting new products and flavors we think our customers will love. Check out what's new at Wheatsville this week. Co+op Deals Biokleen 10 LB Free & Clear Laundry Powder is on sale this week for $13.99 reg. $19.99. This awesome laundry powder is fragrance free and like all Biokleen products, is clear of dyes and brighteners. It effectively cleans tough stains and odors while brightening whites and colors. Stock up now and save! Click here for more Co+op Deals valid Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 – Tuesday, February 28th, 2012. —Brooks Wood, Co+op Deals Coordinator Owner Deals We've put our favorite pickles on Owner Deal – Bubbies Kosher Dill Pickles & Bread & Butter Pickles are each on sale now for $5.29 reg. $5.89. Buy a nice cold jar, pop open the lid and grab yourself a crispy pickle! Here are some fun facts to read about pickle consumption! More than 67 percent of all households eat pickles. American households purchase pickles every 53 days. Americans consume more than nine pounds of pickles per person annually. Who knew? Click here for more Owner Deals valid Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 – Tuesday, February 28th, 2012. —Brooks Wood, Co+op Deals Coordinator Safe Place Round Up Your Total for SafePlace – Every Nickel and Dime Counts!   During the month of February, we have been supporting SafePlace with our Community Action Program.  In addition to receiving 1% of February's Wednesday sales, they will also benefit from extra contributions shoppers make at the cash register.    Here are some ways you can help increase SafePlace's donation from Wheatsville: Donate your reusable bag and container credits Round up your total purchase to the nearest dollar Donate a dry good for the SafePlace Food Drive Shop on Community Action Wednesday   Your extra change can make a BIG difference for our community!  Just tell the Front End Clerk you would like to round your purchase to the nearest dollar and we'll donate the difference to our Community Action Program.  Don't be fooled, though.  All the spare change from shoppers quickly adds up!  In January 2012, we collected $670 in extra donations (in addition to $1,850 from CAW).   Thanks for helping us support SafePlace and their vision for a violence free community.           I hope you have a most excellent week! Dan Gillotte Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy

 

Featured Cheese: Parmesan

Fresh in the Deli

 

Popcorn Tofu

 Owners can now save big on our famed classic Popcorn Tofu, deep-fried daily in our Deli kitchen! These crunchy, savory batter-dipped and deep-fried tofu nuggets are legendary! Stuff them into a roll to make a sandwich or just eat them dipped in our Cashew-Tamari Dressing! This vegan comfort food delight – our top-selling deli item! – is on sale for owners at just $8.99/lb, reg. $9.99/lb! If you’ve never before tried Popcorn Tofu, now is the time, for vegans and omnivores alike! Like it hot? Try our brand new Spicy Buffalo Popcorn Tofu by the pound or as a sandwich from our Deli Counter with a drizzle of our Vegan Blue Cheez Dressing! Yum!

Hot Sandwiches

We are super excited about our brand new hot sandwich oven behind the Deli Counter! To celebrate its arrival, we are offering a menu of six hot and toasty sandwiches for you! Try our classic BLT on toasted local sourdough, or our cheesy Caprese with melted mozzarella, house-made pesto, fresh veggies and oil and vinegar! The Italian will fill you up, piled high with two kinds of salami and honey maple ham on local toasted ciabatta. Our Smoked Ham & Swiss comes with stone ground mustard, lettuce and tomatoes on local rye bread. Try my favorite, the Tuna Melt, which melts sharp white cheddar over our house-made tuna salad. Or have a WV Turkey Club, featuring oven-roasted turkey, crispy bacon and ripe avocado with veggies on organic wheat bread. Come on in to read the menu for all the details! We’ll be working on even more hot sandwich selections to come, but for now, just head on over and try one!

Zhi Teas

We are delighted to introduce a wonderful line of local, organic Zhi Teas at the Wheatsville Deli! We are now carrying seven of Zhi’s best-selling, most indulgent, aromatic, colorful, fresh and flavorful teas – hand-crafted in small batches and sold in individual, biodegradable (non-GMO) corn silk sachets. The folks at Zhi use many of the finest organic and fair-trade ingredients in creating their tea blends, like red rooibos, coconut, cacao, anise, stevia leaf, peppermint, vanilla, pineapple, papaya, rose petals, orange peel and lavender. Choose from Austin Breakfast, Jasmine Green, Restful Blend, Sweet Desert Delight, Tropical Green, Turkish Spice Mint and Custom Earl Grey, and get a steamy cup at the Deli counter for just $1.39! We hope you’ll love our local Zhi Teas as much as we do!

Chocolate Croissants

We are also thrilled to bring in an item that was requested via our customer wish list, Chocolate Croissants from Sweetish Hill! It only takes one bite to see why this flaky pastry stuffed with chocolaty goodness is a local favorite and we are happy to offer it for just $1.99 each! Wonderful with a cup of coffee or glass of milk, this fantastic croissant is great as is, or try heating it up just a bit to create a melty masterpiece of chocolate and bread! Yum!

 

Wheat-Free Wednesday

And for those of you looking to limit the gluten in your diet, c’mon in for our Bakery’s Wheat-Free Wednesdays and choose from a scrumptious selection of gluten-free baked goods, like muffins, bars and cakes, like the fabulous Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Whoopie Pies! Also, be sure to check out our new Bakery table every day in front of the Deli Counter, where you’ll find an assortment of wrapped, sweet treats! And don’t forget to try a loaf of our yummy, fresh-baked LaBrea artisan breads – have you tried our hearty Wholegrain Loaf?

Breakfast 

From 7:30 til 11:00 am every day, the Deli is running a breakfast bar of grab’n’go goodness to start your morning right! Come on over to our hot bar, where you’ll find a variety of freshly made Breakfast Tacos wrapped and ready for you! Now, even when you’re running late, you can stop in for a super-quick and super-tasty breakfast with no wait! Grab a vegan Black Bean, Potato & Sausage Taco, a vegetarian Egg, Potato & Cheese Taco, or a meat-lovers mainstay Bacon, Egg & Cheese Taco on a wheat tortilla with a side of Salsa to start your morning right! Or, come up to the Counter and order a custom-made taco!

Also, for just $1.99 a cup, our organic, vegan Steel-Cut Oatmeal offers a hearty, nutty bite to warm you up on these chilly mornings, and an abundance of toppings are available to make it just how you like it: organic butter, maple syrup, agave nectar, local honey, coconut milk, cow’s milk, brown sugar, raisins, sliced almonds, cinnamon and more! So come in and have a delicious breakfast in a flash at the Wheatsville Deli!

Salsa

Our Featured Salsa is the taco-tastic Chipotle Salsa! This smoky red salsa is very popular on our breakfast tacos and adds a definite element of heat to an order of our Deli’s famous $1.99 Rice & Beans! A Wheatsville Deli stock for quite a long time, our Chipotle Salsa is now becoming one of our rotating Featured Salsas, which means we will only be making it once a year – this is the time to stock up!

Smoothies

Our Featured Smoothie right now is the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie! Strawberries and organic, fair-trade chocolate syrup are blended with bananas, your choice of milk and apple juice, making one delicious, icy cold and thick drink! Come on in and taste the love, just $4.99!

Boar's Head

Also on sale at the Deli Counter through February are tasty cold cuts, sliced to order: Boar’s Head Ovengold Turkey at $9.49/lb, reg. $9.99 and Provolone Cheese, $4.99/lb, reg. $5.99! Come ‘n’ get it!

New at Wheatsville This Week!

We work hard to seek out exciting new products and flavors we think our customers will love.
Check out what’s new at Wheatsville this week!

Amy's Light N' Lean Entrees

Family-owned Amy’s Kitchen has been churning out vegetarian meals, snacks and staples since 1987, and now introduces a new line of entrees to their frozen selections: Light N’ Lean Meals. Each entrée contains fewer than 300 calories and is low fat, yet tasty and satisfying. Selections include the Three Cheese Penne with Marinara, the Asian Sweet and Sour Bowl, a Roasted Polenta with Swiss Chard, and more. Amy’s meals use only natural and organic ingredients, and are non-GMO.

8oz, Reg. $4.79

 

Rudi’s Organic Bakery Bagel and Sandwich Flatz

Rudi’s newest product line, Flatz, is the first nationally available, organic sandwich round and bagel on the market with only 110 calories or less. As a great solution for those looking to find organic, healthy options, all of the new Flatz products have 3- 5 grams of fiber and 23-25 grams of whole grains per serving. Now when you want a lighter option, you never have to choose between great taste and nutrition. Both Flatz are available in either Whole Wheat or Multigrain.

12-13oz, Re. $4.29

Good Karma FlaxMilk

Bursting with creamy delicious flavor, Good Karma's new FlaxMilk is dairy free, gluten free, soy free, tree nut free, and provides all of the calcium of dairy milk plus a healthy dose of omegas. Each serving of FlaxMilk delivers 1200mg of Omega-3, an essential fatty acid that has been shown to help prevent heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. Quality sources of Omega-3's can be a challenge to obtain by those following a vegetarian or vegan diet, and flax is an excellent source. Just one taste and we think you will agree, the smooth rich flavor sets a new standard for the most delicious way to enjoy the power packed nutrition and goodness of flax. Available in Unsweetened and Vanilla.

64oz, Reg. $3.49

  

 

Siggi’s Icelandic Skyr

Skyr is the traditional yogurt of Iceland, made by straining skim milk to make a thick, creamy, concentrated yogurt. Three to four times the amount of milk required to make a regular cup of yogurt will make just one cup of skyr, resulting in more than double the protein content of standard yogurt. Siggi's Skyr is fat free and sweetened with agave nectar, and is available in Blueberry, Strawberry, Vanilla, and Orange Ginger.

5.3oz, Reg. $1.99

 

Hilary’s Eat Well World’s Best Veggie Burger

Hilary's Eat Well makes delicious, convenient, and amazing food that is free of gluten, dairy, corn, egg, soy, yeast, and nuts! Hilary's original product, The World's Best Veggie Burger, starts with two gluten-free whole grains, then adds four vegetables and healthy fat to create a veggie burger that even carnivores devour. Ingredients include organic quinoa and millet, sweet potato, psyllium husk and more. Each package contains two patties in a biodegradeable bag. Keep frozen.

6.4oz, Reg. $3.99

The Sticky Toffee Pudding Company

The Sticky Toffee Pudding Company was founded in Austin by Tracy Claros, a native of England and a baker since childhood. Tracy's pure hand-made desserts reflect the revival of the great tradition of British hot puddings brought to America for you to share. The Sticky Toffee Pudding itself consists of moist cake made with dates and topped with a hot buttery toffee sauce. We recommend warming it in the microwave and drizzling with clotted cream. Pure gooey goodness!

18oz, Reg. $9.99