Hello Wheatsville friends!
There is a lot of exciting stuff happening at the co-op these days! We'll be opening up the new addition in just a matter of DAYS! Yep, sometime in the week of March 16th (our BIRTHDAY!) you'll be able to get your first shopping experience in the new Wheatsville! We're shooting for opening on March 17th or 18th, but will keep you posted!
I'll have a lot more information about this in next week's post and you can read about it in the March issue of the Wheatsville Breeze, but for now here is a quick look at what's coming mid-March!
At first, we'll be opening the new deli, meat & seafood and frozen departments. We'll have our NEW bathrooms! Cheese will be in a new temporary location. The old deli will be closed and start to get renovated. That's all I have time for right now, but like I said, lots more information will be coming next week! Stay tuned! It's WAYYY exciting!
In the rest of this post, scroll down for:
Produce seasonal deliciousness
The deli has some specials
Shopping for your family on a budget
Eat Your Greens
With spring coming quickly, it is time to start switching up what you're cooking at home. Within the next two months it will get too hot to braise meats for hours and hours, and slaving over a pot of soup just won't feel as nice as it did back in December. A nice salad, or steamed pile of greens will nicely compliment the lighter fare that we assoiciate with spring and summer here in Texas. We offer a great selection of organic greens: curly kale, lacinato kale, red kale, red, green, and rainbow chard, as well as mustard and collard greens. I like to blanch or steam my greens, and then finish them in some kind of fat (either butter, bacon grease, or duck fat...). If you saute some onions and garlic, then add the greens for until they're nice and shiny, and finish with a vinegar of your choice for a little brightness. Eat your greens!
Citrus
Citrus is on the way out. This season has been good, and look for some lingering citrus varieties over the next month or so, but we'll soon be transitioning to spring veggies soon enough. The blood oranges are amazing right now, and if you haven't tasted one of these crimson beauties, get'em while we got'em. If you like grapefruits to start your day, now is the time to get really amazing Rio Star grapefruits from South Texas. These are very juicy and have a great balance of sweet and tart.
Mushrooms Are Good For You
Or mushroom selection offers delicious varieties of organic specialty mushrooms, as well as Texas grown varieties. This week i'd like to tell you about maitake mushrooms. These delicate mushrooms have a nice meaty flavor, and a supple texture that lends itself nicely to stirfrys or sautes that focus on them. You can use them instead of meat as a protein, and be careful not to over cook them. I like them sauted in butter with a little bit of garlic, parsley, and thyme. The make a great side to rich cuts of meat, like ribeyes, or strip loin steaks. Delicious.From the deli:
In The Grocery Aisle
Tanka Bars:
I'll admit I was skeptical at first. A bar made of buffalo and cranberries sounds unusual to me. But it turns out this is a variation of a Native American recipe that's been around for a long time. It's an energy bar the old fashioned way. Tanka Bars combine slow smoked buffalo with tart-sweet cranberries for a taste that is unusually easy to take. It's a natural snack packed with protein and mellow, smoky flavor. Tanka Bars are one of my new favorite snacks for a quick break. For a plethora of history and information on this company, go to http://www.tankabar.com
Justin Merrifield, Grocery Buyer
The deli rocks the delicious food! (and will soon be in their new home!)
In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, this month the Deli Counter brings you the "Soylent Green is Leprechauns!" Smoothie! This tasty pineapple-strawberry concoction has an added boost of protein-rich spirulina (plus the obligatory ground-up leprechauns, magically vegan of course!) to give the shake added nutritional value as well as a brilliant emerald green hue!
In the same wearing of the green spirit, Poblano Salsa is the salsa for March – an instant hit with staff and owners, this green salsa blends poblanos with tomatillos, jalapenos, onions, garlic and lime juice to make a delicious, spicy and flavorful salsa, perfect for dipping chips or topping your taco!
On sale at the Wheatsville Deli now through March 15th are our two brand new Fresh in the Deli Specials for March. From Blue Hill Co-op Community Market and Café in Blue Hill, Maine, we have the savory, creamy Red Curry Tofu. A vegan favorite, we marinate chunks of tofu in sesame oil, tamari, curry and other spices and roast it in the oven. When it cools off, we toss it with Veganaise, celery, red onions and carrots to make a velvety, intriguingly spicy vegan entrée.
In our self-serve case, you can pick up our new Spinach Salad with Maple Vinaigrette, recipe courtesy of the Hanover Co-op Food Store in Hanover, New Hampshire. Up in New Hampshire, springtime means maple syrup time! We combine fresh spinach with sweet dried cranberries, crunchy walnuts and tangy bleu cheese, and include a wonderfully sweet and sour maple walnut vinaigrette in each Spinach Salad.
Deli value!
Money-saving coupons this month at the Deli include 50¢ off a delicious deli-made Tuna Salad Sandwich, made with fresh green apples, celery, red bell peppers, carrots and green onions, on any kind of bread you like with all the veggies you could ask for! We're also featuring 25 ¢ off a Black Bean Taco, which you can order on your choice of corn, white or wheat tortilla, a slew of veggies and your choice of salsa (try the Poblano!!). We also have a great deal going on in the self-serve case – our all-white meat, all-natural Buddy's Chicken Salad, tossed with tart apples, toasted pecans and crunchy celery in a fresh basil mayonnaise dressing, is 50¢ off the price of each package all month long.
And don't forget to stop by the Deli during Owner Appreciation Week – March 7th through the 15th – we'll be sampling many of our items, so come by and have a nibble! (Owner coupons were available in the Wheatsville Breeze that was mailed to your house!)
From Greg in the land of cheese
I want to welcome Brazos Valley Cheese to Wheatsville. They are located 7 miles north of Waco along the Brazos river. Their cheeses are made with raw cow's milk, vegetable rennet and all natural ingredients with no additives or preservatives. I am bringing in their Roquefort and Brie right now but they make other styles of cheeses. I have tried their cheeses and they are amazing. I am so excited to be able to introduce to you these wonderfully made local cheeses. Enjoy!!!
From Bryan, the Butcher
Saving money at the meat case…and on your groceries: Part 2.
Last week I offered some suggestion to our members on how to spend smartly at the meat case, but I realize not everyone's situation is the same. My point of view is cooking for one or two people. Family food planning can be more intensive, but the basics can still apply. If time permits, cooking at home is a big money saver. Here are a few simple steps you can take to save on your grocery bill.
One: plan ahead. Don't decide on dinner in the parking lot. Maybe menu planning isn't your favorite thing (or even something you would normally do), but try to think about meals which can use up leftover ingredients from one meal to the next. In my kitchen, leftover veggies always make it into a soup or a quick stir-fry. When I buy a large cut of meat, I'll cut it down and save the trimming to use the next day. Of course, I cut meat all day, so it's not a big deal for me; the rest of you could just use the left-over cooked meat in a meal.
Two: Buy whole foods. Non-processed "ingredients" are the key. These are raw foods that you keep in your pantry or freezer for long-term storage. Hit up the bulk department and pick up a week's worth of rice, beans, pasta or anything else you would like to eat regularly. This very simple step really works. Buying ground pork instead of pre-made and seasoning it into your favorite sausage saves your money. At the meat case buy a 1 to 1 ½ pound chuck roast instead of the pre-cut stew meat. Pick up a steak and cut it in half for two meals. Better yet, buy a 2-3 rib roast and invite some friends over for some amazing rib eye steak that you've cut yourself. I guarantee you're going to get a free meal of your own out of it someday. (If not, your friends' suck.) Plus you'll save up to $2 a pound on rib eye steak going this route. Buy a whole chicken and learn how to cut it up yourself. Like I mentioned last week, whole chicken can be very useful in long term planning.
Three: Look for those specials. Wheatsville always has a lot of discounts. There are always regular monthly specials and store coupons. Plus, our store-wide event, Membership Appreciation Day (MAD for short) is a great time to save 10% off your entire bill, as is the week-long version. It's really a time to plan for and wait on those big pantry stock items that keep for months and months. Another thing most folks forget about is filling the freezer with great meat options that can last for 6 months to a 1. You can also have the meat department prepare your products for the freezer in special wrapping paper that better preserves the meat for long term storage. Remember: buy discounted or special priced items.
Four: Portion control. This works great in larger dishes where meat is the main ingredient. Cut down the amount of the meat and increase something else that is not so expensive. I'd even go so far as to say you can use TVP to stretch out hamburger meat in a meal. Use fish filets for cakes and then you can make more servings by using bread crumbs or oatmeal as filler. Do the same thing for hamburger patties or chili. The flavor is already there, so you won't even notice you did anything different.
There are a lot of other tips you can try. Some other things I suggest are:
Use the green produce bags that keep veggies longer and are sold in the produce area. They work well and will save you money in the long run.
Make larger meals like soup and casseroles and try portioning it out and freezing it. This is very useful because reheating requires less energy than cooking a new meal.
Try walking or riding bike to the grocery store. This will save money on your gasoline costs and walking is fun. (Sorry for you folks that live too far to walk.) City busing is always an option for some of us.
One thing I almost hate to mention is eating less. Please don't shop less. Just steer away from snack foods and choose to make meals that will keep you satisfied all day.
Another thing you might want to consider as a long term money saver is a counter vacuum sealer. These might have an up-front cost, but in the long run you'll find them to be a real value. Store anything and everything. Store the leftovers or portions of meals, meats, cheese, veggies, almost anything that has limited freshness.
Lastly, look into the past. There are many ways to eat smart and on-the-cheap that we have forgotten about. In most cases, this will involve more complicated meal preparation, but with more profound results. Examples include pate, terrines, & confit. If you don't know what the heck those are, there's a reason. They have been all but forgotten by the modern world of faster food. They are inexpensive to make and, by their nature, are designed to preserve themselves. I suggest looking them up and starting your own culinary adventure.
This is a basic gumbo recipe. Remember from last week that you should make your own stock from the chicken, but be sure to remove your favorite part(s) to make another dish at a later date. The gumbo will not be affected. You can also leave the rice out while cooking and cook it separately. Try this when you make the gumbo; Take the leftover gumbo and add more stock (fresh preferred), more veggies, and some sausage, then cook and reduce again. If the volume is right, the roux will still thicken the soup again 1 or 2 times. I have had success in getting back to a volume that's close to the original batch. Adding more liquid than your recipe originally called for will create a thin gumbo… nothing really wrong with that, since it will still taste great. Don't be scared of Roux, it takes time and patience. Don't use burnt roux. Just make another batch.
CHICKEN STOCK
Bony chicken pieces (backs, necks, and wings) from 2 chickens
2 stocks celery with leaves cup up
1 carrot cut up
1 large quartered onion
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
3 whole cloves
6 c. cold water
Put all ingredients into large stock pot or Dutch oven and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour. Remove chicken, strain stock and discard vegetables. If to be used right away skim off fat if not chill and lift off fat. Makes 4 1/2 cups stock.
Chicken Gumbo
1 3lb Broiler-fryer chicken, cooked (boil with vegetable trinity to make stock)
2 tbsp Vegetable shortening (for Roux)
2 tbsp Flour, all-purpose (for Roux)
2 Onions, finely chopped
1 Green bell pepper, fine chop
5 cups Warm chicken homemade broth
8 Tomatoes, peeled/chopped
½ lb Okra, cut into 1/4″ pieces (frozen is ok)
2 Ribs celery, chopped
1 tsp Salt
½ tsp Pepper
1/4 tsp Thyme
½ tsp Oregano
pinch Cayenne (more to taste)
1 whole bay leaf
1. In large Dutch oven, melt shortening over low heat; add flour and cook,
Stirring, until brown, about 10 minutes (do not hurry; if flour burns, roux
is ruined).
2. Add onions and bell pepper; cook until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Slowly add warm broth; stir until broth reaches a boil.
4. Add tomatoes, okra, celery, salt, pepper, thyme and bay leaf; bring to a boil.
5. Add chicken; when mixture boils again, reduce heat to low, cover and cook about 20 minutes.
6. Some add rice to the gumbo in order to cook the rice. That's fine and with this recipe add a ½ cup of rice in step 4. Or better make the rice separate and pour finished gumbo over. I believe this is more traditional.
7. Stir and cook, covered, 20 minutes longer.
SWEET AND SOUR BEEF BRISKET
1 (5 lb.) beef brisket or boneless beef chuck pot roast
PREPARE MARINADE:
1/2 c. vinegar
1/2 c. apple juice
1/2 c. chili sauce
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
ROASTING INGREDIENTS:
2 med. onions, sliced
1 c. sliced celery & leaves
3 sm. cooking apples
2 tbsp. cornstarch
Trim fat from beef. Mix above ingredients together until dissolved. Pour marinade over beef in a large roasting pan. Chill covered for 12-24 hours, turning occasionally.
After roast has marinated, place the roast in a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish and top with 2 medium onions and celery with leaves, pour marinade over top of roast and cover. Bake in a 325 degree oven for approximately 3 hours. Add 3 small cooking apples the last 10 minutes of cooking.
For Gravy: Remove meat and vegetables. Measure 2 1/2 cups of strained juices. In medium saucepan, stir in 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water and juices. Cook 2 minutes or until thickened.
Let's not forget about this month's specials. We have Niman choice beef briskets, which are great for corned beef on St. Patrick's Day. This month they're $1 –off the total retail price. We will cut briskets to order if you call ahead. Also this month our new favorite Dewberry Hills Farm whole fryers is $1-off the total price with a member coupon. It's a great time to try out some of the tips I've offered the last two weeks. If you ever have questions, please feel free to contact me (Bryan) at meatdept@wheatsville.coop. I'll do anything I can to help.
Have a great week!
Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy!
Austin's Community Grocery since 1976. We're a funky grocery store in one of the coolest towns in the country, Austin TX. We have all kinds of great food with a focus on local and organic!
Friday, March 06, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
March is our Birthday! Value and deliciousness and more!
Hello Wheatsville friends!
We like to win things, so please vote for us in the Austin360 A-List poll for best neighborhood grocery.
http://www.austin360.com/alist/content/alist/youralist_index.html
Reminder, as part of our big project, we had to close our store restroom. SO, we have a deluxe portable one (including a hand washing station) next to the patio outside. We're sorry for the inconvenience, but it is necessary AND temporary. We'll be opening our new bathrooms around March 15th!
March is our birthday month and we're excited to usher in our 33rd year on the edge of some exciting changes! Stay tuned to future e-mails this month with more birthday stuff!
This week, scroll down for:
Upcoming events
The delicious deli
Value tips from our butcher
Produce seasonal news you can use
Refrigerated update! Milk prices come down!
Talkin' Softball
Upcoming events of note!
This year, we are the major sponsor of It's My Park Day on March 7th, Austin Green Art Earth Day on April 18th, and the Sustainable Food Center's signature fundraiser, Farm to Plate in May.I am really proud and pleased to partner with these great groups and help them to do the good work that they do in our community.
The fine folks at the Austin Parks Foundation are the movers and shakers behind the awesome It's My Park Day and they could use your help! Here's more about it and how you can get involved!
It's My Park! Day, presented by Wheatsville Food Co-op, is an annual citywide park volunteer event. Individuals and community groups lead projects ranging from simple cleaning and repair to trail building and playground installation.
This year's It's My Park! Day, coming up March 7, features more than 50 different projects at parks in every area of town. Tree planting will be a major focus. Come meet your neighbors and lend a hand at a park near you!
See the full list of projects and register online at www.austinparks.org. Registered volunteers receive a free tee shirt. Snacks will be provided by Wheatsville.
Wheatsville Herb Fair TRANSPLANTED!
Due to the construction, our annual celebration of growing season is being held downtown at the Austin Farmer's Market!
Come visit the temporarily transplanted Herb Fair on March 14th from 9am-1pm at Republic Square Park.
The deli cooks so you don't have to!
Record high temperatures mean it's time to cool off at the Wheatsville Deli! We have an abundance of delicious treats to cool your head and fill your belly! Smoothies!!! All fruit and no ice, our chilly smoothies are thick, sweet, creamy and made fresh to order every time! In today's deli case are so many of our staff and customer favorites: Crispy Fish Cakes, Curry Lime Chicken Salad, Risotto Cakes, Asparagus and Orzo Pasta Salad, Veggies Vinaigrette, Couscous with Feta and Fava, Lively Carrots and Beets, Basil Pecan White Beans, and tons more! We have Sesame Baked Tofu, Southern Fried Tofu and Popcorn Tofu! African Peanut and Black Bean Beer soups are on the menu as well. As always, sandwiches – grab a coupon for 50 cents off a Boar's Head meat sandwich this month, tacos, and our rice 'n' beans are ready to be served just the way you like 'em. And don't forget our righteously famous Frito Pie, made with our own Tempeh Chili – it's a chewy, crunchy taste sensation and the perfect lunch on any day. Or just grab a bite from our self-service deli case – green salads, chicken salad, Gingered Tempeh Pasta, tuna salad, pimento cheese, Thai pasta, hempseed hummus… all these and more await you, so stop in and let the Wheatsville Deli fill you up!
Super Deli Value, EVERY DANG DAY!!!
Looking for a well priced, nutritional lunch? We always have organic black beans and organic rice for only $1.99. This is one of the best deals that we have, the serving is just right plus it comes topped with your choice of fresh salsa.
From the Land of Cheese, Greg Flores
This is the last week that Follow Your Heart Vegan Cheeses will be on sale. They will be going back to their regular price on Sunday. We have Pure Luck Goat Feta on our shelves and their Hopelessly Blue will be coming soon. And if you are looking for a good deal on Brie we are stocking a tasty Canadian Brie that is $9.99 a pound. And if you are in need of a savory snack and you cannot seem to make up your mind we have Cherry peppers stuffed with prosciutto wrapped provolone. The weather is warming up and it will be picnic season. The Brie and stuffed cherry peppers would be great picnic items.
From Bryan Butler, the Meat Guy
Saving money at the meat case: Part I
In most areas of the country the recession is very real. Fortunately, Austin has shown great resilience to this economic down turn. Even so, there are plenty of Austinites really feeling the pinch. In some cases folks have had to drastically change their spending habits. Not eating out as much helps. So does having a budget when spending, not to mention a healthy dose of frugality. Wheatsville has many departments that offer great deals, the biggest being the bulk department, where your dollar can really be stretched. And of course the grocery department always has great coupons and sweet monthly specials.
As with most things in the meat department, the old, traditional ways of doing things are always the best. The phrase, "using the whole animal" comes to mind. Too bad we don't sell the whole thing (yet!) But the ideas can still be applied, albeit with some creativity and imagination. Much of southern Americana cooking revolves around these ideas, although it's not exclusive to southern cooking: most regional cooking around the world has these ideas represented in spades. Soups, casseroles, and stir-fries can stretch your meaty ingredient to their max without compromising great flavor.
For example: buy a whole chicken or one that's already cut up. Save your favorite part, (let's say the breast) and use it in a manner that you normally would. Then, you have the remainder that you can boil and make stock with for soups. Pick all the meat off and reserve some to make a nice chicken salad with... maybe a few servings. (You can also make a second chicken veggie stock with the leftover bones and the trinity of celery, carrot, and onions. That's really stretching your dollar). What you have left may well be the mother of all things good: great stock and tasty meat.
You could go a number of ways with it from here. I like to make Gumbo. Gumbo is really an amazing thing to behold. One of the magical things about gumbo is that it can be stretched out over weeks (really!) The reason: It's that awesome French stuff called Roux. Roux allows the consistency and flavor of the soup to remain after several heating's.
Another great idea is stir-fry. You can buy our precut stir-fry for $9.99 a pound, which is a great price for an outstanding pre-prepared product. You can also prepare it yourself with only a sharp knife and an adventurous mind set. Here's my tip: buy your favorite steak… I'm thinking of the ambassador sirloin ($8.99lb). Cut the steak into the thin 1/8th inch strips lengthwise through the steak. Then, either take the strips as they are or cut them in half again to make them ready for stir-frying. To really save a buck, use something less expensive than sirloin…like chuck steak, shoulder steak, eye-round steaks or thin pork chops. If your technique is good, the meat will be exquisitely tender without you having to pay the premium steak cost. The same substitution can be done with stew meat: instead of using steak, try roasts for an even cheaper choice.
Remember that the real trick is portion control. Instead of using all of the stir-fry or stew meat in one dish, make two! Once the flavor of the meat is there, it stays. Use other substitutes for that chunky meat. I like tofu (please don't tell anyone) or mushrooms… like the king trumpets that Johnny mentioned in last week's email. I prefer beech mushrooms, but buttons work fine, too. A good variety of veggies also does the trick.
One thing's for sure: you have a lot options when buying your meats. Let me say one thing that may just save…well, your life (or at least your health). Many people elect to buy really cheap, conventional meats when times get tough. This is not a good idea! Without talking too much about all the bad stuff you wind up eating in conventional meat (like antibiotics and genetically modified corn feed), you're getting far less nutritional value. Buying quality meats from Wheatsville ensures that you're getting the highest quality products with the highest nutritional value. That's a plain fact and it really translates into getting more for your money in the long run. So, be smart! And think before you buy. Or better yet, track me down and ask me how you can save some money at the meat case. You might be surprised at what you're missing out on.
In my next weekly email, I'll give you more tips and techniques to make gumbo as well as other great recipes that will stretch your dollar to its max, while still allowing you to eat like a king. I know… you're probably thinking that the meat guy has lost his mind, but it's not true. These are proven techniques handed-down from one from generation to generation. They're also darn smart…not necessarily quick, but cooking is supposed to be fun. Why rush?
Let's not forget about the great member coupons this month. Get great $1 off deals on Niman rib eye steaks and Ivory white king salmon filets with member coupons.
From the world of Produce I bring you Johnny Livesay!
In Between Seasons
Citrus season is getting long, but the flavors are still fresh! If you haven't tried any of our delectable citrus, then you are missing out. We've been getting rave revues on the Rio Star grapefruit, and the Texas juicing oranges. Both are organic, and from South Texas, give'em a try. Nothing beats fresh squeezed orange juice, and we sell a few great citrus juicers in the housewares section in aisle three. Meyer lemons are still around, and make wonderful additions to sauces, chicken or fish dishes, or simple salad dressings. These lemons are sweeter, and more flavorful than their regular cousins the plain old lemon.
Eat Your Greens
You should eat more greens. They're good for you. Besides being nutrient dense, and a good source of fiber, they just taste good. We have a nice selection of greens, have you seen it? I'm really enjoying curly leaf kale, and red chard right now. Chard is a very versatile green, with delectable leaves, and flavorful stalks. If you sautee the stalks in some remember when butter... or duck fat, if you have some handy, the taste wonderful. Add the leaves in when the stalks are near finished, and some garlic, and you'll take your greens to the next level!!! For reals.
What Are You Cooking?
I'd like to know what you guys are doing with our produce, and other products. If you are doing interesting things with our foods, I'd like to know. I read food blogs written by a few of our members, and am always stoked to see my produce in there wonderful meals. If you want to share what you're doing with our food when you get it home, email me at: jlivesay@wheatsville.coop . I'd love to hear from you, and maybe publish some recipes in the breeze! Thank you for sharing!
In the Grocery Aisle from Justin Merrifield, Grocery Buyer:
Cascadian Farm Organic Honey Nut O's:
I brought some Cascadian Farm Organic Honey Nut O's home thinking that my kids would like a something a little sweet for breakfast. I decided to try them and ended up eating most of them myself. Being the Organic alternative to other cereals, I'm okay sharing them with my children. The moral of the story is these are some tasty O's that you don't have to feel guilty about eating, even if you're all grown up. These and other Cascadian Farms cereals are on sale at Wheatsville now. It's a perfect time to give them a try. Read about this company at http://www.cascadianfarm.com
Here's the latest from Chill Buyer Mike Crissey:
No more crying over spilt milk? No whey!
After more than a year of climbing milk prices, we've started to see a little relief, particularly for our two Texas brands – Oak Farms and Remember When Dairy. Prices for Oak Farms Dairy, our conventional milk brand, which is based in Dallas, are now $4.49 a gallon (down from a high of $5.19 last year) and half-gallons are $2.79 (down from $2.99). Meanwhile, prices for the low-temperature pasteurized, non-homogenized, grass-fed milk from Remember When Dairy, which is in Yantis, are $5.29 a gallon (down from $5.69) and $3.19 for a half gallon (down from $3.59).
We're also still selling Remember When Dairy's absolutely intoxicating farmstead butter for $1.50 off ($2.99, reg. $4.59) a half-pound. This tangy, cultured butter – which borders on cheese -- makes everything better.
Come buy the 'Bucha
This week is the last that shoppers can enjoy almost $1 off all flavors of GT's Raw Organic and Synergy Organic and Raw Kombuchas. They remain on sale for $2.49 (reg. $3.29) until the store closes on Saturday night. Unfortunately, shoppers are out of time to special order cases of Kombucha at the sale price but we should be able to sell you a case out of the cooler while supplies last.
No milk mustaches here
This past weekend, I competed against about a dozen other furry faced men in the 3rd annual Misprint Magazine Beard and Mustache Contest. My 8-inch organic, natural push broom with handlebars and no additives didn't help me place. Grocery stocker Mike Conti tried for gnarliest beard but also came away empty-handed.
A link to the contest (and a picture of my apparently unimpressive mustache – slide 27) can be found here:
http://www.austin360.com/alist/mediahub/media/slideshow/index.jsp?tId=146959
Austin Chronicle rings up 21 against Wheatsville in Alternative Softball action
The newly-formed Wheatsville softball team (the SKUs or Stock-Keeping Units) came up short against The Austin Chronicle this past Sunday, losing 21-13 in a scrimmage as part of the Alternative Softball League. The 2008 ASL champions had a nine-run inning which put the game out of reach for Wheatsville. This summer is the second season for the Alternative Softball League, which consists mostly of teams from independent businesses. Wheatsville will be playing in a division with The Austin Chronicle, BookPeople, KOOP Radio and SXSW. Check out the Alternative Softball League and the Wheatsville SKUs on MySpace. Just a warning, the ASL is all about keeping Austin weird, but not always keeping things clean. Some people could take issue with some of the league's banter, which is in good fun.
Have a great week!
Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy
We like to win things, so please vote for us in the Austin360 A-List poll for best neighborhood grocery.
http://www.austin360.com/alist/content/alist/youralist_index.html
Reminder, as part of our big project, we had to close our store restroom. SO, we have a deluxe portable one (including a hand washing station) next to the patio outside. We're sorry for the inconvenience, but it is necessary AND temporary. We'll be opening our new bathrooms around March 15th!
March is our birthday month and we're excited to usher in our 33rd year on the edge of some exciting changes! Stay tuned to future e-mails this month with more birthday stuff!
This week, scroll down for:
Upcoming events
The delicious deli
Value tips from our butcher
Produce seasonal news you can use
Refrigerated update! Milk prices come down!
Talkin' Softball
Upcoming events of note!
This year, we are the major sponsor of It's My Park Day on March 7th, Austin Green Art Earth Day on April 18th, and the Sustainable Food Center's signature fundraiser, Farm to Plate in May.I am really proud and pleased to partner with these great groups and help them to do the good work that they do in our community.
The fine folks at the Austin Parks Foundation are the movers and shakers behind the awesome It's My Park Day and they could use your help! Here's more about it and how you can get involved!
It's My Park! Day, presented by Wheatsville Food Co-op, is an annual citywide park volunteer event. Individuals and community groups lead projects ranging from simple cleaning and repair to trail building and playground installation.
This year's It's My Park! Day, coming up March 7, features more than 50 different projects at parks in every area of town. Tree planting will be a major focus. Come meet your neighbors and lend a hand at a park near you!
See the full list of projects and register online at www.austinparks.org. Registered volunteers receive a free tee shirt. Snacks will be provided by Wheatsville.
Wheatsville Herb Fair TRANSPLANTED!
Due to the construction, our annual celebration of growing season is being held downtown at the Austin Farmer's Market!
Come visit the temporarily transplanted Herb Fair on March 14th from 9am-1pm at Republic Square Park.
The deli cooks so you don't have to!
Record high temperatures mean it's time to cool off at the Wheatsville Deli! We have an abundance of delicious treats to cool your head and fill your belly! Smoothies!!! All fruit and no ice, our chilly smoothies are thick, sweet, creamy and made fresh to order every time! In today's deli case are so many of our staff and customer favorites: Crispy Fish Cakes, Curry Lime Chicken Salad, Risotto Cakes, Asparagus and Orzo Pasta Salad, Veggies Vinaigrette, Couscous with Feta and Fava, Lively Carrots and Beets, Basil Pecan White Beans, and tons more! We have Sesame Baked Tofu, Southern Fried Tofu and Popcorn Tofu! African Peanut and Black Bean Beer soups are on the menu as well. As always, sandwiches – grab a coupon for 50 cents off a Boar's Head meat sandwich this month, tacos, and our rice 'n' beans are ready to be served just the way you like 'em. And don't forget our righteously famous Frito Pie, made with our own Tempeh Chili – it's a chewy, crunchy taste sensation and the perfect lunch on any day. Or just grab a bite from our self-service deli case – green salads, chicken salad, Gingered Tempeh Pasta, tuna salad, pimento cheese, Thai pasta, hempseed hummus… all these and more await you, so stop in and let the Wheatsville Deli fill you up!
Super Deli Value, EVERY DANG DAY!!!
Looking for a well priced, nutritional lunch? We always have organic black beans and organic rice for only $1.99. This is one of the best deals that we have, the serving is just right plus it comes topped with your choice of fresh salsa.
From the Land of Cheese, Greg Flores
This is the last week that Follow Your Heart Vegan Cheeses will be on sale. They will be going back to their regular price on Sunday. We have Pure Luck Goat Feta on our shelves and their Hopelessly Blue will be coming soon. And if you are looking for a good deal on Brie we are stocking a tasty Canadian Brie that is $9.99 a pound. And if you are in need of a savory snack and you cannot seem to make up your mind we have Cherry peppers stuffed with prosciutto wrapped provolone. The weather is warming up and it will be picnic season. The Brie and stuffed cherry peppers would be great picnic items.
From Bryan Butler, the Meat Guy
Saving money at the meat case: Part I
In most areas of the country the recession is very real. Fortunately, Austin has shown great resilience to this economic down turn. Even so, there are plenty of Austinites really feeling the pinch. In some cases folks have had to drastically change their spending habits. Not eating out as much helps. So does having a budget when spending, not to mention a healthy dose of frugality. Wheatsville has many departments that offer great deals, the biggest being the bulk department, where your dollar can really be stretched. And of course the grocery department always has great coupons and sweet monthly specials.
As with most things in the meat department, the old, traditional ways of doing things are always the best. The phrase, "using the whole animal" comes to mind. Too bad we don't sell the whole thing (yet!) But the ideas can still be applied, albeit with some creativity and imagination. Much of southern Americana cooking revolves around these ideas, although it's not exclusive to southern cooking: most regional cooking around the world has these ideas represented in spades. Soups, casseroles, and stir-fries can stretch your meaty ingredient to their max without compromising great flavor.
For example: buy a whole chicken or one that's already cut up. Save your favorite part, (let's say the breast) and use it in a manner that you normally would. Then, you have the remainder that you can boil and make stock with for soups. Pick all the meat off and reserve some to make a nice chicken salad with... maybe a few servings. (You can also make a second chicken veggie stock with the leftover bones and the trinity of celery, carrot, and onions. That's really stretching your dollar). What you have left may well be the mother of all things good: great stock and tasty meat.
You could go a number of ways with it from here. I like to make Gumbo. Gumbo is really an amazing thing to behold. One of the magical things about gumbo is that it can be stretched out over weeks (really!) The reason: It's that awesome French stuff called Roux. Roux allows the consistency and flavor of the soup to remain after several heating's.
Another great idea is stir-fry. You can buy our precut stir-fry for $9.99 a pound, which is a great price for an outstanding pre-prepared product. You can also prepare it yourself with only a sharp knife and an adventurous mind set. Here's my tip: buy your favorite steak… I'm thinking of the ambassador sirloin ($8.99lb). Cut the steak into the thin 1/8th inch strips lengthwise through the steak. Then, either take the strips as they are or cut them in half again to make them ready for stir-frying. To really save a buck, use something less expensive than sirloin…like chuck steak, shoulder steak, eye-round steaks or thin pork chops. If your technique is good, the meat will be exquisitely tender without you having to pay the premium steak cost. The same substitution can be done with stew meat: instead of using steak, try roasts for an even cheaper choice.
Remember that the real trick is portion control. Instead of using all of the stir-fry or stew meat in one dish, make two! Once the flavor of the meat is there, it stays. Use other substitutes for that chunky meat. I like tofu (please don't tell anyone) or mushrooms… like the king trumpets that Johnny mentioned in last week's email. I prefer beech mushrooms, but buttons work fine, too. A good variety of veggies also does the trick.
One thing's for sure: you have a lot options when buying your meats. Let me say one thing that may just save…well, your life (or at least your health). Many people elect to buy really cheap, conventional meats when times get tough. This is not a good idea! Without talking too much about all the bad stuff you wind up eating in conventional meat (like antibiotics and genetically modified corn feed), you're getting far less nutritional value. Buying quality meats from Wheatsville ensures that you're getting the highest quality products with the highest nutritional value. That's a plain fact and it really translates into getting more for your money in the long run. So, be smart! And think before you buy. Or better yet, track me down and ask me how you can save some money at the meat case. You might be surprised at what you're missing out on.
In my next weekly email, I'll give you more tips and techniques to make gumbo as well as other great recipes that will stretch your dollar to its max, while still allowing you to eat like a king. I know… you're probably thinking that the meat guy has lost his mind, but it's not true. These are proven techniques handed-down from one from generation to generation. They're also darn smart…not necessarily quick, but cooking is supposed to be fun. Why rush?
Let's not forget about the great member coupons this month. Get great $1 off deals on Niman rib eye steaks and Ivory white king salmon filets with member coupons.
From the world of Produce I bring you Johnny Livesay!
In Between Seasons
Citrus season is getting long, but the flavors are still fresh! If you haven't tried any of our delectable citrus, then you are missing out. We've been getting rave revues on the Rio Star grapefruit, and the Texas juicing oranges. Both are organic, and from South Texas, give'em a try. Nothing beats fresh squeezed orange juice, and we sell a few great citrus juicers in the housewares section in aisle three. Meyer lemons are still around, and make wonderful additions to sauces, chicken or fish dishes, or simple salad dressings. These lemons are sweeter, and more flavorful than their regular cousins the plain old lemon.
Eat Your Greens
You should eat more greens. They're good for you. Besides being nutrient dense, and a good source of fiber, they just taste good. We have a nice selection of greens, have you seen it? I'm really enjoying curly leaf kale, and red chard right now. Chard is a very versatile green, with delectable leaves, and flavorful stalks. If you sautee the stalks in some remember when butter... or duck fat, if you have some handy, the taste wonderful. Add the leaves in when the stalks are near finished, and some garlic, and you'll take your greens to the next level!!! For reals.
What Are You Cooking?
I'd like to know what you guys are doing with our produce, and other products. If you are doing interesting things with our foods, I'd like to know. I read food blogs written by a few of our members, and am always stoked to see my produce in there wonderful meals. If you want to share what you're doing with our food when you get it home, email me at: jlivesay@wheatsville.coop . I'd love to hear from you, and maybe publish some recipes in the breeze! Thank you for sharing!
In the Grocery Aisle from Justin Merrifield, Grocery Buyer:
Cascadian Farm Organic Honey Nut O's:
I brought some Cascadian Farm Organic Honey Nut O's home thinking that my kids would like a something a little sweet for breakfast. I decided to try them and ended up eating most of them myself. Being the Organic alternative to other cereals, I'm okay sharing them with my children. The moral of the story is these are some tasty O's that you don't have to feel guilty about eating, even if you're all grown up. These and other Cascadian Farms cereals are on sale at Wheatsville now. It's a perfect time to give them a try. Read about this company at http://www.cascadianfarm.com
Here's the latest from Chill Buyer Mike Crissey:
No more crying over spilt milk? No whey!
After more than a year of climbing milk prices, we've started to see a little relief, particularly for our two Texas brands – Oak Farms and Remember When Dairy. Prices for Oak Farms Dairy, our conventional milk brand, which is based in Dallas, are now $4.49 a gallon (down from a high of $5.19 last year) and half-gallons are $2.79 (down from $2.99). Meanwhile, prices for the low-temperature pasteurized, non-homogenized, grass-fed milk from Remember When Dairy, which is in Yantis, are $5.29 a gallon (down from $5.69) and $3.19 for a half gallon (down from $3.59).
We're also still selling Remember When Dairy's absolutely intoxicating farmstead butter for $1.50 off ($2.99, reg. $4.59) a half-pound. This tangy, cultured butter – which borders on cheese -- makes everything better.
Come buy the 'Bucha
This week is the last that shoppers can enjoy almost $1 off all flavors of GT's Raw Organic and Synergy Organic and Raw Kombuchas. They remain on sale for $2.49 (reg. $3.29) until the store closes on Saturday night. Unfortunately, shoppers are out of time to special order cases of Kombucha at the sale price but we should be able to sell you a case out of the cooler while supplies last.
No milk mustaches here
This past weekend, I competed against about a dozen other furry faced men in the 3rd annual Misprint Magazine Beard and Mustache Contest. My 8-inch organic, natural push broom with handlebars and no additives didn't help me place. Grocery stocker Mike Conti tried for gnarliest beard but also came away empty-handed.
A link to the contest (and a picture of my apparently unimpressive mustache – slide 27) can be found here:
http://www.austin360.com/alist/mediahub/media/slideshow/index.jsp?tId=146959
Austin Chronicle rings up 21 against Wheatsville in Alternative Softball action
The newly-formed Wheatsville softball team (the SKUs or Stock-Keeping Units) came up short against The Austin Chronicle this past Sunday, losing 21-13 in a scrimmage as part of the Alternative Softball League. The 2008 ASL champions had a nine-run inning which put the game out of reach for Wheatsville. This summer is the second season for the Alternative Softball League, which consists mostly of teams from independent businesses. Wheatsville will be playing in a division with The Austin Chronicle, BookPeople, KOOP Radio and SXSW. Check out the Alternative Softball League and the Wheatsville SKUs on MySpace. Just a warning, the ASL is all about keeping Austin weird, but not always keeping things clean. Some people could take issue with some of the league's banter, which is in good fun.
Have a great week!
Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Breaking Expansion news that will affect you! Food deals, recipes, It's Your Park Day and other upcoming events!
Hello Wheatsville friends!
I hope that you are having a great week! There has been a lot of exciting stuff happening around here lately!
This week, scroll down for:
Expansion/ Renovation update including some major changes that MIGHT affect you!
Wheatsville sponsors It's My Park Day and other upcoming events.
Good food for less
Orange you glad it's citrus season?
Sneak peek at the Wheatsville Meat and seafood department of the (near) future
Cheese and Beer news
Deli yumminess
More Staff Picks!
Board meeting
Where's the bathroom?!?!?
So, we are really starting to heat up on the project front and it's going to start affecting you even more starting early next week! In order to build our new refrigerated cooler, we have to build it through the current customer bathroom. So, we need to close the bathroom beginning on Monday for 2-3 weeks. We will have a lit, ADA compliant portable bathrooom (with handwashing station!) at the Southeast corner of the building. I know that this is kind of a bummer, but there really was no way to proceed without this step. The plus side is that within 3 weeks, we will opening up our brand spanking new bathrooms!
Yep, it's true by March 15th (or so) we will be utilizing the new addition!!! We'll have lots of details coming your way in the March edition of the Breeze, but in brief, you'll get access to our new deli, new meat and seafood, and more! Stay tuned to e-mails for more news!
Thanks for your continuing patience on this immense project!
Wheatsville's community involvement (and you can help!)
Wheatsville has long been an important partner with lots of local groups, but over the past few years, we have really stepped up our involvement and support. This year, we are taking that commitment even further with MAJOR sponsorships of some important local events!
This year, we are major sponsors of It's My Park Day on March 7th, Austin Green Art Earth Day on April 18th, and the Sustainable Food Center's signature fundraiser, Farm to Plate in May.I am really proud and pleased to partner with these great groups and help them to do the good work t hat they do in our community.
The fine folks at the Austin Parks Foundation are the movers and shakers behind the awesome It's My Park Day and they could use your help! Here's more about it and how you can get involved!
It's My Park! Day, presented by Wheatsville Food Co-op, is an annual citywide park volunteer event. Individuals and community groups lead projects ranging from simple cleaning and repair to trail building and playground installation.
This year's It's My Park! Day, coming up March 7, features more than 50 different projects at parks in every area of town. Tree planting will be a major focus. Come meet your neighbors and lend a hand at a park near you!
See the full list of projects and register online at www.austinparks.org. Registered volunteers receive a free tee shirt. Snacks will be provided by Wheatsville.
Wheatsville Herb Fair TRANSPLANTED!
Due to the construction, our annual celebration of growing season is being held downtown at the Austin Farmer's Market!
Come visit the temporarily transplanted Herb Fair on March 14th from 9am-1pm at Republic Square Park.
Wotta Deal!
Here's the latest from Chill Buyer, Mike Crissey
Yogurt, an important part of your broke-as-a-joke breakfast
I'm a big breakfast taco fan (the deli folks have my order memorized) but sometimes I need to switch things up when I'm short on cash or time.
Here's my back-up breakfast, which won't break the bank:
A muffin from the Wheatsville bakery ($1.49)
A banana (organic or conventional) from the Produce section ($.27 to $.50)
A cup of your favorite yogurt ($.79 on sale, or $.99 to $1.49)
Total: $2.55 to $3.97.
This month's yogurt sale is Brown Cow Whole Milk cups (the red tops) for $.79 (reg. $.99). Next month during March, Stonyfield Farm organic yogurt cups (low-fat and whole milk) go on sale for $.79 (reg. $.99).
You butter not miss this sale!
If you haven't tried Remember When Dairy's absolutely intoxicating farmstead butter, you've been missing out. My eyes roll back into my head when I peel the lid off a half-pound container and the scent of butterfat hits my nostrils. This tangy butter makes everything better. It's made with low-temperature pasteurized, non-homogenized milk from mostly grass-fed, pastured jersey cows, which receive no artificial hormones or antibiotics.
For a limited time, the half-pound tubs of this fantastic butter will be $2.99 -- $1.60 off the regular price of $4.59. No whey, you may say. Butter grab them while you can.
End of Dairy Puns (for this communication at least!)
Grocery deal of the week from Justin Merrifield, Grocery Buyer
Annie's Shells and Real Aged Cheddar:
They're on sale right now. This is a perfect time to stock up on one of the most convenient natural foods. Annie's Shells and Cheddar are made with organic pasta and real, natural cheese, and colored with natural annatto. They taste great too. I always keep some on hand for the kids' lunch time. They're definitely a hit at my house, and Annie's is a great, health conscious and earth conscious company. Learn more athttp://www.annies.com
So fresh you'll want to slap it, here is a produce update from Johnny Livesay!
Citrus Season Going Strong
If you haven't tried any of this season's citrus, then you are really missing out. We've been getting a lot of feedback from customers about this seasons Rio Star grapefruit, they are sweet, juicy and delicious. Personally, I have really enjoyed the Cara Cara pink navels, meyer lemons, blood oranges and the clementines. They are all organic, make great additions to salads, and vinaigrettes. Try using them to marinate some chicken or some tofu. Get'em while they last, the season is pretty short, deliciously short.
What a Fungi
I want to let you all know about a somewhat undiscovered gem in our produce department, the king trumpet musroom. We've been carrying these since the summer, and they have been slow to take off, but if you've ever eaten them then you are probably a huge fan. These mushrooms are long and dense, with a very meaty texture. I like them best thinly sliced, and sauteed in butter with a little garlic and fresh thyme. They go well with pasta, steak, brasies, and cooked on top of a fresh salad. Try them out, you will not be disappointed.
They Call 'em Fingers but I've Never Seen 'em Fing
Fingerlings. Best potatoes ever? Fact, or fiction? I say fact. These little tubers are like a butter wraped in a thin, delicious skin. I find them best to be boiled until fork tender, then finished in butter, preferably Remember When, or duck fat if you have some handy, with some salt and pepper. We sell them in the bag, and loose.
In the Beer Aisle
SEASONAL BEER! LIMITED TIME ONLY!
Lagunitas Gnarlywine
From the groovy brewery in northern California, Lagunitas Gnarlywine (like Barleywine) is available at Wheatsville for only a few months of the year. Witness the chocolaty malt so completely intermingled with the thick forest of hops that it is really hard to tell them apart. A heavy, rich flavor, bursting at the seams. Sweet coffee aftertaste. Enjoy it while it lasts! (in the singles cooler) http://www.lagunitas.com/
Your yummy deli cooks for you!
We have an abundance of delicious treats to warm your soul and fill your belly this week in the Wheatsville Deli! In today's deli case are so many of our staff and customer favorites: Crispy Fish Cakes, Curry Lime Chicken Salad, Risotto Cakes, Almond-Roasted Asparagus, Balsamic-Marinated Portobello Mushrooms, Texas Caviar, and tons more! We have Mongolian BBQ Tofu, Southern Fried Tofu and Popcorn Tofu!
Ward off cold and flu season with our Garlic Soup, or try a hearty cup of our hearty Minestrone. As always, sandwiches, tacos, and our rice 'n' beans are ready to be served just the way you like 'em.
Wheatsville's salsa of the month for February is the smoky, sweet Ancho Bomb! This smooth, red salsa combines smoky, dried ancho peppers with the sweetness of roasted red bell peppers, plus a bit of fresh-squeezed orange juice and fresh garlic to round out the flavors. Try a dollop on a Custom Breakfast Taco! Ancho Bomb also makes a fabulous enchilada sauce!
And don't forget our righteously famous Frito Pie, made with our own Tempeh Chili – it's a chewy, crunchy taste sensation, and the perfect lunch any day of the week.
Or just grab a bite from our self-service deli case – green salads, chicken salad, Gingered Tempeh Pasta, tuna salad, pimento cheese, Thai Pasta, Black Olive Hummus… all these and more await you, so stop in and let the Wheatsville Deli fill you up!
New from the Wheatsville Bakery comes a Lone Star classic, Texas Sheet Cake! When warm icing is poured over a hot, fresh from the oven cake, three layers of deliciousness result upon cooling: a layer of creamy chocolate frosting on top, a brownie-like layer of fudgy goodness in the middle, and a moist layer of chocolate cake beneath. Following an authentic recipe, our version of the official state cake is topped with toasted pecans. Think you can handle all of that chocolaty Texan goodness? Well, come and take it! That is, if it doesn't sell out before you make it here!
From Bryan, the Butcher:
If you've been by the store recently you can see that big changes are afoot. We're all very excited about the future of Wheatsville. When it comes to the meat and seafood department you're grown to love, great changes are on the horizon. Many folks have noticed that some products can't be found in their usual place. That may be for several reasons. One of which is just a general re-organization of the department. Another is just a real lack of merchandizing space. That's all changing and you're going to have all those choices back and much, much more.
One thing I'm really excited about is the new seafood case, which means no more tray and film wrapped fish. Wheatsville is a pledged member of the seafood advocacy group and is please to offer the best choices possible when it comes to sustainable seafood. We'll have fresh shrimp and awesome Alaskan sea scallops, oysters, rock lobster, blue crab, calamari and whole fish on display plus all the great selection you have all ready seen. All sustainably raised, of course. It will be a personal mission of mine to provide only environmentally responsible and sustainable seafood for our members. Attempts to go all sustainable by our very large competitors have left them under scrutiny. Because of our size we know we can offer the real deal in sustainability.
Another really cool thing will be a great selection of fresh made sausages made at Wheatsville. We already have a great beef and pork Italian sausage which is already devoured regularly by customers (you know who you are). Another favorite is the fantastic spicy Moroccan style lamb sausage which can be used for all kinds of recipes, from traditional dishes to hamburgers. If you haven't seen these before that's probably because we have sold out, which can happen in a few hour sometimes, but the great thing is that will change and we'll always have these and other great fresh made sausages.
More local products will be found too. We're going to have greater selection grass-fed beef, pastured pork, pasture raised poultry including heritage turkey for next thanksgiving. And all from our favorite local producers like Bastrop Cattle Company, Richardson's farms, Dewberry Hills Farm, Country Side Meats, and Loncito's grass fed lamb.
We also plan to invite the house cook to take the night off with the addition of quick to fix entrées. With choices like marinated chicken breast, spiced crusted roasts, and stuffed everything else it will make dinner decisions less stressful. Look for the exciting new meat department in our new digs toward the middle of March!
We still have Niman boneless ribeye at $1 off with member coupon and Niman sweet Italian sausage $1 off so come by soon before this offer is gone!
Here's a quick word from our friend Patty Jacobs with Bastrop Cattle Company.
Drought Cuts Quantity, but Not Quality
As most of you already know, Central Texas is in the depths of a two-year drought. It certainly is affecting all of us - we here in the rural areas know how you in the cities are being asked to cut back on water usage - and we appreciate your sacrifices.
For many of us out here its not just an environmental crisis - most of us are now dependent on our water wells for our animals and our corps - it's also an economic crisis. And we do need your help.
When you shop at your local Farmers Market or at stores that carry local, sustainable food, you are directly buying from your rural neighbors.
We don't want charity. We have great produce and guarantee that the quality is outstanding! When you shop with us, it re-enforces what we're doing and means we can continue to sow and raise the healthy, sustainable foods you want close to home.
You accomplish much by your choice of where to shop and buy. Buying lettuce and kale locally means your money stays in the community, it means your carbon footprint is smaller and it means that the food you are buying is more environmentally friendly.
Thank you!
Thanks Patty we always appreciate your insight as a local producer.
No recipe from the meat department this week so get out there, be creative, have fun and feed someone you love! (Or, check out these recipes on our web-site!)
Rush Hour Recipes
Every month we'll feature a new entree recipe (featuring a mix of vegetarian, non-vegetarian and vegan options) at the Deli Counter and on our website. We will keep an archive of recipe cards at the member center as well, so that you can pick one up and use it for your dinner shopping. You can even use these recipes to build your own recipe book. These recipes come from various co-ops all over the States, which is pretty cool. Plus they have been kitchen tested so you trust them to turn out right. Increase your kitchen repertoire with these quick, easy, fresh, entree recipes. Follow this link to see the Rush Hour Recipes: http://wheatsville.coop/recipeindex.html .
What do you love?
Check out our "Staff Top Ten Picks" posted throughout the store, we work here and shop here!!!
Look for the green signs in front of the products.
Featuring Mindy Dolnick, Baker
Coconut O.N.E. - Easily the most refreshing drink on the planet!
Dried Mango - This chewy all-natural snack quickly satisfies the sweet tooth
Smart Puffs - WARNING: It's incredibly easy to eat this entire bag in one sitting...by yourself
South Austin People Sandalwood Vanilla Spray : A fresh, soothing scent from South Austin People
EmergenC Pink Lemonade packets - tasty hydration, on-the-go
Wheatsville deli's Vegan Colcannon - healthy comfort food? yes, please!
Wateroak Farm Goat Milk Ice Cream: Rich, creamy, flavorful, and locally made!
Yogi Tea Kava stress relief - sweet dreams in a mug
Naked Juice Peach Mangosteen Bliss - Peaches + Mangosteen = a perfect pair
Stonyfield Farm Caramel Underground Yogurt - It's good for you, but tastes like it should be bad for you. Love it!
Featuring Gabriel Gallegos, Membership Coordinator
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Biscuit and Baking Mix: The best gluten free mix I've tried so far. It's a staple in my kitchen.
Enjoy Life Gluten Free Snickerdoodles: Hands down the best soft-baked gluten free cookie out there.
Amy's Black Bean Enchiladas: I never knew frozen enchiladas could taste so good!
L&A Coconut Pineapple Juice: It's like dessert in a bottle!
Tinkyada Rice Pastas: By far, the best gluten free pastas. We also carry it in bulk.
Van de Walle Farms Salsa:Great on tofu scrambler for breakfast.
El Milagro Corn Tortillas:You can't find a better bargain for corn tortillas than this and they taste great too!
Ener-G Tapioca Loaf: It's packaged like a science project, but it makes great sandwiches when toasted.
Nature's Path Mesa Sunrise Flakes: I love to eat these for breakfast with vanilla almond milk.
Rice Dream Horchata: Nothing hits the spot quite like a glass of ice-cold horchata.
Have a Great Week!
Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy
I hope that you are having a great week! There has been a lot of exciting stuff happening around here lately!
This week, scroll down for:
Expansion/ Renovation update including some major changes that MIGHT affect you!
Wheatsville sponsors It's My Park Day and other upcoming events.
Good food for less
Orange you glad it's citrus season?
Sneak peek at the Wheatsville Meat and seafood department of the (near) future
Cheese and Beer news
Deli yumminess
More Staff Picks!
Board meeting
Where's the bathroom?!?!?
So, we are really starting to heat up on the project front and it's going to start affecting you even more starting early next week! In order to build our new refrigerated cooler, we have to build it through the current customer bathroom. So, we need to close the bathroom beginning on Monday for 2-3 weeks. We will have a lit, ADA compliant portable bathrooom (with handwashing station!) at the Southeast corner of the building. I know that this is kind of a bummer, but there really was no way to proceed without this step. The plus side is that within 3 weeks, we will opening up our brand spanking new bathrooms!
Yep, it's true by March 15th (or so) we will be utilizing the new addition!!! We'll have lots of details coming your way in the March edition of the Breeze, but in brief, you'll get access to our new deli, new meat and seafood, and more! Stay tuned to e-mails for more news!
Thanks for your continuing patience on this immense project!
Wheatsville's community involvement (and you can help!)
Wheatsville has long been an important partner with lots of local groups, but over the past few years, we have really stepped up our involvement and support. This year, we are taking that commitment even further with MAJOR sponsorships of some important local events!
This year, we are major sponsors of It's My Park Day on March 7th, Austin Green Art Earth Day on April 18th, and the Sustainable Food Center's signature fundraiser, Farm to Plate in May.I am really proud and pleased to partner with these great groups and help them to do the good work t hat they do in our community.
The fine folks at the Austin Parks Foundation are the movers and shakers behind the awesome It's My Park Day and they could use your help! Here's more about it and how you can get involved!
It's My Park! Day, presented by Wheatsville Food Co-op, is an annual citywide park volunteer event. Individuals and community groups lead projects ranging from simple cleaning and repair to trail building and playground installation.
This year's It's My Park! Day, coming up March 7, features more than 50 different projects at parks in every area of town. Tree planting will be a major focus. Come meet your neighbors and lend a hand at a park near you!
See the full list of projects and register online at www.austinparks.org. Registered volunteers receive a free tee shirt. Snacks will be provided by Wheatsville.
Wheatsville Herb Fair TRANSPLANTED!
Due to the construction, our annual celebration of growing season is being held downtown at the Austin Farmer's Market!
Come visit the temporarily transplanted Herb Fair on March 14th from 9am-1pm at Republic Square Park.
Wotta Deal!
Here's the latest from Chill Buyer, Mike Crissey
Yogurt, an important part of your broke-as-a-joke breakfast
I'm a big breakfast taco fan (the deli folks have my order memorized) but sometimes I need to switch things up when I'm short on cash or time.
Here's my back-up breakfast, which won't break the bank:
A muffin from the Wheatsville bakery ($1.49)
A banana (organic or conventional) from the Produce section ($.27 to $.50)
A cup of your favorite yogurt ($.79 on sale, or $.99 to $1.49)
Total: $2.55 to $3.97.
This month's yogurt sale is Brown Cow Whole Milk cups (the red tops) for $.79 (reg. $.99). Next month during March, Stonyfield Farm organic yogurt cups (low-fat and whole milk) go on sale for $.79 (reg. $.99).
You butter not miss this sale!
If you haven't tried Remember When Dairy's absolutely intoxicating farmstead butter, you've been missing out. My eyes roll back into my head when I peel the lid off a half-pound container and the scent of butterfat hits my nostrils. This tangy butter makes everything better. It's made with low-temperature pasteurized, non-homogenized milk from mostly grass-fed, pastured jersey cows, which receive no artificial hormones or antibiotics.
For a limited time, the half-pound tubs of this fantastic butter will be $2.99 -- $1.60 off the regular price of $4.59. No whey, you may say. Butter grab them while you can.
End of Dairy Puns (for this communication at least!)
Grocery deal of the week from Justin Merrifield, Grocery Buyer
Annie's Shells and Real Aged Cheddar:
They're on sale right now. This is a perfect time to stock up on one of the most convenient natural foods. Annie's Shells and Cheddar are made with organic pasta and real, natural cheese, and colored with natural annatto. They taste great too. I always keep some on hand for the kids' lunch time. They're definitely a hit at my house, and Annie's is a great, health conscious and earth conscious company. Learn more athttp://www.annies.com
So fresh you'll want to slap it, here is a produce update from Johnny Livesay!
Citrus Season Going Strong
If you haven't tried any of this season's citrus, then you are really missing out. We've been getting a lot of feedback from customers about this seasons Rio Star grapefruit, they are sweet, juicy and delicious. Personally, I have really enjoyed the Cara Cara pink navels, meyer lemons, blood oranges and the clementines. They are all organic, make great additions to salads, and vinaigrettes. Try using them to marinate some chicken or some tofu. Get'em while they last, the season is pretty short, deliciously short.
What a Fungi
I want to let you all know about a somewhat undiscovered gem in our produce department, the king trumpet musroom. We've been carrying these since the summer, and they have been slow to take off, but if you've ever eaten them then you are probably a huge fan. These mushrooms are long and dense, with a very meaty texture. I like them best thinly sliced, and sauteed in butter with a little garlic and fresh thyme. They go well with pasta, steak, brasies, and cooked on top of a fresh salad. Try them out, you will not be disappointed.
They Call 'em Fingers but I've Never Seen 'em Fing
Fingerlings. Best potatoes ever? Fact, or fiction? I say fact. These little tubers are like a butter wraped in a thin, delicious skin. I find them best to be boiled until fork tender, then finished in butter, preferably Remember When, or duck fat if you have some handy, with some salt and pepper. We sell them in the bag, and loose.
In the Beer Aisle
SEASONAL BEER! LIMITED TIME ONLY!
Lagunitas Gnarlywine
From the groovy brewery in northern California, Lagunitas Gnarlywine (like Barleywine) is available at Wheatsville for only a few months of the year. Witness the chocolaty malt so completely intermingled with the thick forest of hops that it is really hard to tell them apart. A heavy, rich flavor, bursting at the seams. Sweet coffee aftertaste. Enjoy it while it lasts! (in the singles cooler) http://www.lagunitas.com/
Your yummy deli cooks for you!
We have an abundance of delicious treats to warm your soul and fill your belly this week in the Wheatsville Deli! In today's deli case are so many of our staff and customer favorites: Crispy Fish Cakes, Curry Lime Chicken Salad, Risotto Cakes, Almond-Roasted Asparagus, Balsamic-Marinated Portobello Mushrooms, Texas Caviar, and tons more! We have Mongolian BBQ Tofu, Southern Fried Tofu and Popcorn Tofu!
Ward off cold and flu season with our Garlic Soup, or try a hearty cup of our hearty Minestrone. As always, sandwiches, tacos, and our rice 'n' beans are ready to be served just the way you like 'em.
Wheatsville's salsa of the month for February is the smoky, sweet Ancho Bomb! This smooth, red salsa combines smoky, dried ancho peppers with the sweetness of roasted red bell peppers, plus a bit of fresh-squeezed orange juice and fresh garlic to round out the flavors. Try a dollop on a Custom Breakfast Taco! Ancho Bomb also makes a fabulous enchilada sauce!
And don't forget our righteously famous Frito Pie, made with our own Tempeh Chili – it's a chewy, crunchy taste sensation, and the perfect lunch any day of the week.
Or just grab a bite from our self-service deli case – green salads, chicken salad, Gingered Tempeh Pasta, tuna salad, pimento cheese, Thai Pasta, Black Olive Hummus… all these and more await you, so stop in and let the Wheatsville Deli fill you up!
New from the Wheatsville Bakery comes a Lone Star classic, Texas Sheet Cake! When warm icing is poured over a hot, fresh from the oven cake, three layers of deliciousness result upon cooling: a layer of creamy chocolate frosting on top, a brownie-like layer of fudgy goodness in the middle, and a moist layer of chocolate cake beneath. Following an authentic recipe, our version of the official state cake is topped with toasted pecans. Think you can handle all of that chocolaty Texan goodness? Well, come and take it! That is, if it doesn't sell out before you make it here!
From Bryan, the Butcher:
If you've been by the store recently you can see that big changes are afoot. We're all very excited about the future of Wheatsville. When it comes to the meat and seafood department you're grown to love, great changes are on the horizon. Many folks have noticed that some products can't be found in their usual place. That may be for several reasons. One of which is just a general re-organization of the department. Another is just a real lack of merchandizing space. That's all changing and you're going to have all those choices back and much, much more.
One thing I'm really excited about is the new seafood case, which means no more tray and film wrapped fish. Wheatsville is a pledged member of the seafood advocacy group and is please to offer the best choices possible when it comes to sustainable seafood. We'll have fresh shrimp and awesome Alaskan sea scallops, oysters, rock lobster, blue crab, calamari and whole fish on display plus all the great selection you have all ready seen. All sustainably raised, of course. It will be a personal mission of mine to provide only environmentally responsible and sustainable seafood for our members. Attempts to go all sustainable by our very large competitors have left them under scrutiny. Because of our size we know we can offer the real deal in sustainability.
Another really cool thing will be a great selection of fresh made sausages made at Wheatsville. We already have a great beef and pork Italian sausage which is already devoured regularly by customers (you know who you are). Another favorite is the fantastic spicy Moroccan style lamb sausage which can be used for all kinds of recipes, from traditional dishes to hamburgers. If you haven't seen these before that's probably because we have sold out, which can happen in a few hour sometimes, but the great thing is that will change and we'll always have these and other great fresh made sausages.
More local products will be found too. We're going to have greater selection grass-fed beef, pastured pork, pasture raised poultry including heritage turkey for next thanksgiving. And all from our favorite local producers like Bastrop Cattle Company, Richardson's farms, Dewberry Hills Farm, Country Side Meats, and Loncito's grass fed lamb.
We also plan to invite the house cook to take the night off with the addition of quick to fix entrées. With choices like marinated chicken breast, spiced crusted roasts, and stuffed everything else it will make dinner decisions less stressful. Look for the exciting new meat department in our new digs toward the middle of March!
We still have Niman boneless ribeye at $1 off with member coupon and Niman sweet Italian sausage $1 off so come by soon before this offer is gone!
Here's a quick word from our friend Patty Jacobs with Bastrop Cattle Company.
Drought Cuts Quantity, but Not Quality
As most of you already know, Central Texas is in the depths of a two-year drought. It certainly is affecting all of us - we here in the rural areas know how you in the cities are being asked to cut back on water usage - and we appreciate your sacrifices.
For many of us out here its not just an environmental crisis - most of us are now dependent on our water wells for our animals and our corps - it's also an economic crisis. And we do need your help.
When you shop at your local Farmers Market or at stores that carry local, sustainable food, you are directly buying from your rural neighbors.
We don't want charity. We have great produce and guarantee that the quality is outstanding! When you shop with us, it re-enforces what we're doing and means we can continue to sow and raise the healthy, sustainable foods you want close to home.
You accomplish much by your choice of where to shop and buy. Buying lettuce and kale locally means your money stays in the community, it means your carbon footprint is smaller and it means that the food you are buying is more environmentally friendly.
Thank you!
Thanks Patty we always appreciate your insight as a local producer.
No recipe from the meat department this week so get out there, be creative, have fun and feed someone you love! (Or, check out these recipes on our web-site!)
Rush Hour Recipes
Every month we'll feature a new entree recipe (featuring a mix of vegetarian, non-vegetarian and vegan options) at the Deli Counter and on our website. We will keep an archive of recipe cards at the member center as well, so that you can pick one up and use it for your dinner shopping. You can even use these recipes to build your own recipe book. These recipes come from various co-ops all over the States, which is pretty cool. Plus they have been kitchen tested so you trust them to turn out right. Increase your kitchen repertoire with these quick, easy, fresh, entree recipes. Follow this link to see the Rush Hour Recipes: http://wheatsville.coop/recipeindex.html .
What do you love?
Check out our "Staff Top Ten Picks" posted throughout the store, we work here and shop here!!!
Look for the green signs in front of the products.
Featuring Mindy Dolnick, Baker
Coconut O.N.E. - Easily the most refreshing drink on the planet!
Dried Mango - This chewy all-natural snack quickly satisfies the sweet tooth
Smart Puffs - WARNING: It's incredibly easy to eat this entire bag in one sitting...by yourself
South Austin People Sandalwood Vanilla Spray : A fresh, soothing scent from South Austin People
EmergenC Pink Lemonade packets - tasty hydration, on-the-go
Wheatsville deli's Vegan Colcannon - healthy comfort food? yes, please!
Wateroak Farm Goat Milk Ice Cream: Rich, creamy, flavorful, and locally made!
Yogi Tea Kava stress relief - sweet dreams in a mug
Naked Juice Peach Mangosteen Bliss - Peaches + Mangosteen = a perfect pair
Stonyfield Farm Caramel Underground Yogurt - It's good for you, but tastes like it should be bad for you. Love it!
Featuring Gabriel Gallegos, Membership Coordinator
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Biscuit and Baking Mix: The best gluten free mix I've tried so far. It's a staple in my kitchen.
Enjoy Life Gluten Free Snickerdoodles: Hands down the best soft-baked gluten free cookie out there.
Amy's Black Bean Enchiladas: I never knew frozen enchiladas could taste so good!
L&A Coconut Pineapple Juice: It's like dessert in a bottle!
Tinkyada Rice Pastas: By far, the best gluten free pastas. We also carry it in bulk.
Van de Walle Farms Salsa:Great on tofu scrambler for breakfast.
El Milagro Corn Tortillas:You can't find a better bargain for corn tortillas than this and they taste great too!
Ener-G Tapioca Loaf: It's packaged like a science project, but it makes great sandwiches when toasted.
Nature's Path Mesa Sunrise Flakes: I love to eat these for breakfast with vanilla almond milk.
Rice Dream Horchata: Nothing hits the spot quite like a glass of ice-cold horchata.
Have a Great Week!
Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy
Major Expansion news that will affect you! Food deals, recipes, It's Your Park Day and other upcoming events!
Hello Wheatsville friends!
I hope that you are having a great week! There has been a lot of exciting stuff happening around here lately!
This week, scroll down for:
Expansion/ Renovation update including some major changes that MIGHT affect you!
Wheatsville sponsors It's My Park Day and other upcoming events.
Good food for less
Orange you glad it's citrus season?
Sneak peek at the Wheatsville Meat and seafood department of the (near) future
Cheese and Beer news
Deli yumminess
More Staff Picks!
Board meeting
Where's the bathroom?!?!?
So, we are really starting to heat up on the project front and it's going to start affecting you even more starting early next week! In order to build our new refrigerated cooler, we have to build it through the current customer bathroom. So, we need to close the bathroom beginning on Monday for 2-3 weeks. We will have a lit, ADA compliant portable bathrooom (with handwashing station!) at the Southeast corner of the building. I know that this is kind of a bummer, but there really was no way to proceed without this step. The plus side is that within 3 weeks, we will opening up our brand spanking new bathrooms!
Yep, it's true by March 15th (or so) we will be utilizing the new addition!!! We'll have lots of details coming your way in the March edition of the Breeze, but in brief, you'll get access to our new deli, new meat and seafood, and more! Stay tuned to e-mails for more news!
Thanks for your continuing patience on this immense project!
Wotta Deal!
Here's the latest from Chill Buyer, Mike Crissey
Yogurt, an important part of your broke-as-a-joke breakfast
I'm a big breakfast taco fan (the deli folks have my order memorized) but sometimes I need to switch things up when I'm short on cash or time.
Here's my back-up breakfast, which won't break the bank:
A muffin from the Wheatsville bakery ($1.49)
A banana (organic or conventional) from the Produce section ($.27 to $.50)
A cup of your favorite yogurt ($.79 on sale, or $.99 to $1.49)
Total: $2.55 to $3.97.
This month's yogurt sale is Brown Cow Whole Milk cups (the red tops) for $.79 (reg. $.99). Next month during March, Stonyfield Farm organic yogurt cups (low-fat and whole milk) go on sale for $.79 (reg. $.99).
You butter not miss this sale!
If you haven't tried Remember When Dairy's absolutely intoxicating farmstead butter, you've been missing out. My eyes roll back into my head when I peel the lid off a half-pound container and the scent of butterfat hits my nostrils. This tangy butter makes everything better. It's made with low-temperature pasteurized, non-homogenized milk from mostly grass-fed, pastured jersey cows, which receive no artificial hormones or antibiotics.
For a limited time, the half-pound tubs of this fantastic butter will be $2.99 -- $1.60 off the regular price of $4.59. No whey, you may say. Butter grab them while you can.
End of Dairy Puns (for this communication at least!)
Grocery deal of the week from Justin Merrifield, Grocery Buyer
Annie's Shells and Real Aged Cheddar:
They're on sale right now. This is a perfect time to stock up on one of the most convenient natural foods. Annie's Shells and Cheddar are made with organic pasta and real, natural cheese, and colored with natural annatto. They taste great too. I always keep some on hand for the kids' lunch time. They're definitely a hit at my house, and Annie's is a great, health conscious and earth conscious company. Learn more athttp://www.annies.com
So fresh you'll want to slap it, here is a produce update from Johnny Livesay!
Citrus Season Going Strong
If you haven't tried any of this season's citrus, then you are really missing out. We've been getting a lot of feedback from customers about this seasons Rio Star grapefruit, they are sweet, juicy and delicious. Personally, I have really enjoyed the Cara Cara pink navels, meyer lemons, blood oranges and the clementines. They are all organic, make great additions to salads, and vinaigrettes. Try using them to marinate some chicken or some tofu. Get'em while they last, the season is pretty short, deliciously short.
What a Fungi
I want to let you all know about a somewhat undiscovered gem in our produce department, the king trumpet musroom. We've been carrying these since the summer, and they have been slow to take off, but if you've ever eaten them then you are probably a huge fan. These mushrooms are long and dense, with a very meaty texture. I like them best thinly sliced, and sauteed in butter with a little garlic and fresh thyme. They go well with pasta, steak, brasies, and cooked on top of a fresh salad. Try them out, you will not be disappointed.
They Call 'em Fingers but I've Never Seen 'em Fing
Fingerlings. Best potatoes ever? Fact, or fiction? I say fact. These little tubers are like a butter wraped in a thin, delicious skin. I find them best to be boiled until fork tender, then finished in butter, preferably Remember When, or duck fat if you have some handy, with some salt and pepper. We sell them in the bag, and loose.
In the Beer Aisle
SEASONAL BEER! LIMITED TIME ONLY!
Lagunitas Gnarlywine
From the groovy brewery in northern California, Lagunitas Gnarlywine (like Barleywine) is available at Wheatsville for only a few months of the year. Witness the chocolaty malt so completely intermingled with the thick forest of hops that it is really hard to tell them apart. A heavy, rich flavor, bursting at the seams. Sweet coffee aftertaste. Enjoy it while it lasts! (in the singles cooler) http://www.lagunitas.com/
Your yummy deli cooks for you!
We have an abundance of delicious treats to warm your soul and fill your belly this week in the Wheatsville Deli! In today's deli case are so many of our staff and customer favorites: Crispy Fish Cakes, Curry Lime Chicken Salad, Risotto Cakes, Almond-Roasted Asparagus, Balsamic-Marinated Portobello Mushrooms, Texas Caviar, and tons more! We have Mongolian BBQ Tofu, Southern Fried Tofu and Popcorn Tofu!
Ward off cold and flu season with our Garlic Soup, or try a hearty cup of our hearty Minestrone. As always, sandwiches, tacos, and our rice 'n' beans are ready to be served just the way you like 'em.
Wheatsville's salsa of the month for February is the smoky, sweet Ancho Bomb! This smooth, red salsa combines smoky, dried ancho peppers with the sweetness of roasted red bell peppers, plus a bit of fresh-squeezed orange juice and fresh garlic to round out the flavors. Try a dollop on a Custom Breakfast Taco! Ancho Bomb also makes a fabulous enchilada sauce!
And don't forget our righteously famous Frito Pie, made with our own Tempeh Chili – it's a chewy, crunchy taste sensation, and the perfect lunch any day of the week.
Or just grab a bite from our self-service deli case – green salads, chicken salad, Gingered Tempeh Pasta, tuna salad, pimento cheese, Thai Pasta, Black Olive Hummus… all these and more await you, so stop in and let the Wheatsville Deli fill you up!
New from the Wheatsville Bakery comes a Lone Star classic, Texas Sheet Cake! When warm icing is poured over a hot, fresh from the oven cake, three layers of deliciousness result upon cooling: a layer of creamy chocolate frosting on top, a brownie-like layer of fudgy goodness in the middle, and a moist layer of chocolate cake beneath. Following an authentic recipe, our version of the official state cake is topped with toasted pecans. Think you can handle all of that chocolaty Texan goodness? Well, come and take it! That is, if it doesn't sell out before you make it here!
From Bryan, the Butcher:
If you've been by the store recently you can see that big changes are afoot. We're all very excited about the future of Wheatsville. When it comes to the meat and seafood department you're grown to love, great changes are on the horizon. Many folks have noticed that some products can't be found in their usual place. That may be for several reasons. One of which is just a general re-organization of the department. Another is just a real lack of merchandizing space. That's all changing and you're going to have all those choices back and much, much more.
One thing I'm really excited about is the new seafood case, which means no more tray and film wrapped fish. Wheatsville is a pledged member of the seafood advocacy group and is please to offer the best choices possible when it comes to sustainable seafood. We'll have fresh shrimp and awesome Alaskan sea scallops, oysters, rock lobster, blue crab, calamari and whole fish on display plus all the great selection you have all ready seen. All sustainably raised, of course. It will be a personal mission of mine to provide only environmentally responsible and sustainable seafood for our members. Attempts to go all sustainable by our very large competitors have left them under scrutiny. Because of our size we know we can offer the real deal in sustainability.
Another really cool thing will be a great selection of fresh made sausages made at Wheatsville. We already have a great beef and pork Italian sausage which is already devoured regularly by customers (you know who you are). Another favorite is the fantastic spicy Moroccan style lamb sausage which can be used for all kinds of recipes, from traditional dishes to hamburgers. If you haven't seen these before that's probably because we have sold out, which can happen in a few hour sometimes, but the great thing is that will change and we'll always have these and other great fresh made sausages.
More local products will be found too. We're going to have greater selection grass-fed beef, pastured pork, pasture raised poultry including heritage turkey for next thanksgiving. And all from our favorite local producers like Bastrop Cattle Company, Richardson's farms, Dewberry Hills Farm, Country Side Meats, and Loncito's grass fed lamb.
We also plan to invite the house cook to take the night off with the addition of quick to fix entrées. With choices like marinated chicken breast, spiced crusted roasts, and stuffed everything else it will make dinner decisions less stressful. Look for the exciting new meat department in our new digs toward the middle of March!
We still have Niman boneless ribeye at $1 off with member coupon and Niman sweet Italian sausage $1 off so come by soon before this offer is gone!
Here's a quick word from our friend Patty Jacobs with Bastrop Cattle Company.
Drought Cuts Quantity, but Not Quality
As most of you already know, Central Texas is in the depths of a two-year drought. It certainly is affecting all of us - we here in the rural areas know how you in the cities are being asked to cut back on water usage - and we appreciate your sacrifices.
For many of us out here its not just an environmental crisis - most of us are now dependent on our water wells for our animals and our corps - it's also an economic crisis. And we do need your help.
When you shop at your local Farmers Market or at stores that carry local, sustainable food, you are directly buying from your rural neighbors.
We don't want charity. We have great produce and guarantee that the quality is outstanding! When you shop with us, it re-enforces what we're doing and means we can continue to sow and raise the healthy, sustainable foods you want close to home.
You accomplish much by your choice of where to shop and buy. Buying lettuce and kale locally means your money stays in the community, it means your carbon footprint is smaller and it means that the food you are buying is more environmentally friendly.
Thank you!
Thanks Patty we always appreciate your insight as a local producer.
No recipe from the meat department this week so get out there, be creative, have fun and feed someone you love! (Or, check out these recipes on our web-site!)
Rush Hour Recipes
Every month we'll feature a new entree recipe (featuring a mix of vegetarian, non-vegetarian and vegan options) at the Deli Counter and on our website. We will keep an archive of recipe cards at the member center as well, so that you can pick one up and use it for your dinner shopping. You can even use these recipes to build your own recipe book. These recipes come from various co-ops all over the States, which is pretty cool. Plus they have been kitchen tested so you trust them to turn out right. Increase your kitchen repertoire with these quick, easy, fresh, entree recipes. Follow this link to see the Rush Hour Recipes: http://wheatsville.coop/recipeindex.html .
What do you love?
Check out our "Staff Top Ten Picks" posted throughout the store, we work here and shop here!!!
Look for the green signs in front of the products.
Featuring Mindy Dolnick, Baker
Coconut O.N.E. - Easily the most refreshing drink on the planet!
Dried Mango - This chewy all-natural snack quickly satisfies the sweet tooth
Smart Puffs - WARNING: It's incredibly easy to eat this entire bag in one sitting...by yourself
South Austin People Sandalwood Vanilla Spray : A fresh, soothing scent from South Austin People
EmergenC Pink Lemonade packets - tasty hydration, on-the-go
Wheatsville deli's Vegan Colcannon - healthy comfort food? yes, please!
Wateroak Farm Goat Milk Ice Cream: Rich, creamy, flavorful, and locally made!
Yogi Tea Kava stress relief - sweet dreams in a mug
Naked Juice Peach Mangosteen Bliss - Peaches + Mangosteen = a perfect pair
Stonyfield Farm Caramel Underground Yogurt - It's good for you, but tastes like it should be bad for you. Love it!
Featuring Gabriel Gallegos, Membership Coordinator
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Biscuit and Baking Mix: The best gluten free mix I've tried so far. It's a staple in my kitchen.
Enjoy Life Gluten Free Snickerdoodles: Hands down the best soft-baked gluten free cookie out there.
Amy's Black Bean Enchiladas: I never knew frozen enchiladas could taste so good!
L&A Coconut Pineapple Juice: It's like dessert in a bottle!
Tinkyada Rice Pastas: By far, the best gluten free pastas. We also carry it in bulk.
Van de Walle Farms Salsa:Great on tofu scrambler for breakfast.
El Milagro Corn Tortillas:You can't find a better bargain for corn tortillas than this and they taste great too!
Ener-G Tapioca Loaf: It's packaged like a science project, but it makes great sandwiches when toasted.
Nature's Path Mesa Sunrise Flakes: I love to eat these for breakfast with vanilla almond milk.
Rice Dream Horchata: Nothing hits the spot quite like a glass of ice-cold horchata.
Have a Great Week!
Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy
I hope that you are having a great week! There has been a lot of exciting stuff happening around here lately!
This week, scroll down for:
Expansion/ Renovation update including some major changes that MIGHT affect you!
Wheatsville sponsors It's My Park Day and other upcoming events.
Good food for less
Orange you glad it's citrus season?
Sneak peek at the Wheatsville Meat and seafood department of the (near) future
Cheese and Beer news
Deli yumminess
More Staff Picks!
Board meeting
Where's the bathroom?!?!?
So, we are really starting to heat up on the project front and it's going to start affecting you even more starting early next week! In order to build our new refrigerated cooler, we have to build it through the current customer bathroom. So, we need to close the bathroom beginning on Monday for 2-3 weeks. We will have a lit, ADA compliant portable bathrooom (with handwashing station!) at the Southeast corner of the building. I know that this is kind of a bummer, but there really was no way to proceed without this step. The plus side is that within 3 weeks, we will opening up our brand spanking new bathrooms!
Yep, it's true by March 15th (or so) we will be utilizing the new addition!!! We'll have lots of details coming your way in the March edition of the Breeze, but in brief, you'll get access to our new deli, new meat and seafood, and more! Stay tuned to e-mails for more news!
Thanks for your continuing patience on this immense project!
Wotta Deal!
Here's the latest from Chill Buyer, Mike Crissey
Yogurt, an important part of your broke-as-a-joke breakfast
I'm a big breakfast taco fan (the deli folks have my order memorized) but sometimes I need to switch things up when I'm short on cash or time.
Here's my back-up breakfast, which won't break the bank:
A muffin from the Wheatsville bakery ($1.49)
A banana (organic or conventional) from the Produce section ($.27 to $.50)
A cup of your favorite yogurt ($.79 on sale, or $.99 to $1.49)
Total: $2.55 to $3.97.
This month's yogurt sale is Brown Cow Whole Milk cups (the red tops) for $.79 (reg. $.99). Next month during March, Stonyfield Farm organic yogurt cups (low-fat and whole milk) go on sale for $.79 (reg. $.99).
You butter not miss this sale!
If you haven't tried Remember When Dairy's absolutely intoxicating farmstead butter, you've been missing out. My eyes roll back into my head when I peel the lid off a half-pound container and the scent of butterfat hits my nostrils. This tangy butter makes everything better. It's made with low-temperature pasteurized, non-homogenized milk from mostly grass-fed, pastured jersey cows, which receive no artificial hormones or antibiotics.
For a limited time, the half-pound tubs of this fantastic butter will be $2.99 -- $1.60 off the regular price of $4.59. No whey, you may say. Butter grab them while you can.
End of Dairy Puns (for this communication at least!)
Grocery deal of the week from Justin Merrifield, Grocery Buyer
Annie's Shells and Real Aged Cheddar:
They're on sale right now. This is a perfect time to stock up on one of the most convenient natural foods. Annie's Shells and Cheddar are made with organic pasta and real, natural cheese, and colored with natural annatto. They taste great too. I always keep some on hand for the kids' lunch time. They're definitely a hit at my house, and Annie's is a great, health conscious and earth conscious company. Learn more athttp://www.annies.com
So fresh you'll want to slap it, here is a produce update from Johnny Livesay!
Citrus Season Going Strong
If you haven't tried any of this season's citrus, then you are really missing out. We've been getting a lot of feedback from customers about this seasons Rio Star grapefruit, they are sweet, juicy and delicious. Personally, I have really enjoyed the Cara Cara pink navels, meyer lemons, blood oranges and the clementines. They are all organic, make great additions to salads, and vinaigrettes. Try using them to marinate some chicken or some tofu. Get'em while they last, the season is pretty short, deliciously short.
What a Fungi
I want to let you all know about a somewhat undiscovered gem in our produce department, the king trumpet musroom. We've been carrying these since the summer, and they have been slow to take off, but if you've ever eaten them then you are probably a huge fan. These mushrooms are long and dense, with a very meaty texture. I like them best thinly sliced, and sauteed in butter with a little garlic and fresh thyme. They go well with pasta, steak, brasies, and cooked on top of a fresh salad. Try them out, you will not be disappointed.
They Call 'em Fingers but I've Never Seen 'em Fing
Fingerlings. Best potatoes ever? Fact, or fiction? I say fact. These little tubers are like a butter wraped in a thin, delicious skin. I find them best to be boiled until fork tender, then finished in butter, preferably Remember When, or duck fat if you have some handy, with some salt and pepper. We sell them in the bag, and loose.
In the Beer Aisle
SEASONAL BEER! LIMITED TIME ONLY!
Lagunitas Gnarlywine
From the groovy brewery in northern California, Lagunitas Gnarlywine (like Barleywine) is available at Wheatsville for only a few months of the year. Witness the chocolaty malt so completely intermingled with the thick forest of hops that it is really hard to tell them apart. A heavy, rich flavor, bursting at the seams. Sweet coffee aftertaste. Enjoy it while it lasts! (in the singles cooler) http://www.lagunitas.com/
Your yummy deli cooks for you!
We have an abundance of delicious treats to warm your soul and fill your belly this week in the Wheatsville Deli! In today's deli case are so many of our staff and customer favorites: Crispy Fish Cakes, Curry Lime Chicken Salad, Risotto Cakes, Almond-Roasted Asparagus, Balsamic-Marinated Portobello Mushrooms, Texas Caviar, and tons more! We have Mongolian BBQ Tofu, Southern Fried Tofu and Popcorn Tofu!
Ward off cold and flu season with our Garlic Soup, or try a hearty cup of our hearty Minestrone. As always, sandwiches, tacos, and our rice 'n' beans are ready to be served just the way you like 'em.
Wheatsville's salsa of the month for February is the smoky, sweet Ancho Bomb! This smooth, red salsa combines smoky, dried ancho peppers with the sweetness of roasted red bell peppers, plus a bit of fresh-squeezed orange juice and fresh garlic to round out the flavors. Try a dollop on a Custom Breakfast Taco! Ancho Bomb also makes a fabulous enchilada sauce!
And don't forget our righteously famous Frito Pie, made with our own Tempeh Chili – it's a chewy, crunchy taste sensation, and the perfect lunch any day of the week.
Or just grab a bite from our self-service deli case – green salads, chicken salad, Gingered Tempeh Pasta, tuna salad, pimento cheese, Thai Pasta, Black Olive Hummus… all these and more await you, so stop in and let the Wheatsville Deli fill you up!
New from the Wheatsville Bakery comes a Lone Star classic, Texas Sheet Cake! When warm icing is poured over a hot, fresh from the oven cake, three layers of deliciousness result upon cooling: a layer of creamy chocolate frosting on top, a brownie-like layer of fudgy goodness in the middle, and a moist layer of chocolate cake beneath. Following an authentic recipe, our version of the official state cake is topped with toasted pecans. Think you can handle all of that chocolaty Texan goodness? Well, come and take it! That is, if it doesn't sell out before you make it here!
From Bryan, the Butcher:
If you've been by the store recently you can see that big changes are afoot. We're all very excited about the future of Wheatsville. When it comes to the meat and seafood department you're grown to love, great changes are on the horizon. Many folks have noticed that some products can't be found in their usual place. That may be for several reasons. One of which is just a general re-organization of the department. Another is just a real lack of merchandizing space. That's all changing and you're going to have all those choices back and much, much more.
One thing I'm really excited about is the new seafood case, which means no more tray and film wrapped fish. Wheatsville is a pledged member of the seafood advocacy group and is please to offer the best choices possible when it comes to sustainable seafood. We'll have fresh shrimp and awesome Alaskan sea scallops, oysters, rock lobster, blue crab, calamari and whole fish on display plus all the great selection you have all ready seen. All sustainably raised, of course. It will be a personal mission of mine to provide only environmentally responsible and sustainable seafood for our members. Attempts to go all sustainable by our very large competitors have left them under scrutiny. Because of our size we know we can offer the real deal in sustainability.
Another really cool thing will be a great selection of fresh made sausages made at Wheatsville. We already have a great beef and pork Italian sausage which is already devoured regularly by customers (you know who you are). Another favorite is the fantastic spicy Moroccan style lamb sausage which can be used for all kinds of recipes, from traditional dishes to hamburgers. If you haven't seen these before that's probably because we have sold out, which can happen in a few hour sometimes, but the great thing is that will change and we'll always have these and other great fresh made sausages.
More local products will be found too. We're going to have greater selection grass-fed beef, pastured pork, pasture raised poultry including heritage turkey for next thanksgiving. And all from our favorite local producers like Bastrop Cattle Company, Richardson's farms, Dewberry Hills Farm, Country Side Meats, and Loncito's grass fed lamb.
We also plan to invite the house cook to take the night off with the addition of quick to fix entrées. With choices like marinated chicken breast, spiced crusted roasts, and stuffed everything else it will make dinner decisions less stressful. Look for the exciting new meat department in our new digs toward the middle of March!
We still have Niman boneless ribeye at $1 off with member coupon and Niman sweet Italian sausage $1 off so come by soon before this offer is gone!
Here's a quick word from our friend Patty Jacobs with Bastrop Cattle Company.
Drought Cuts Quantity, but Not Quality
As most of you already know, Central Texas is in the depths of a two-year drought. It certainly is affecting all of us - we here in the rural areas know how you in the cities are being asked to cut back on water usage - and we appreciate your sacrifices.
For many of us out here its not just an environmental crisis - most of us are now dependent on our water wells for our animals and our corps - it's also an economic crisis. And we do need your help.
When you shop at your local Farmers Market or at stores that carry local, sustainable food, you are directly buying from your rural neighbors.
We don't want charity. We have great produce and guarantee that the quality is outstanding! When you shop with us, it re-enforces what we're doing and means we can continue to sow and raise the healthy, sustainable foods you want close to home.
You accomplish much by your choice of where to shop and buy. Buying lettuce and kale locally means your money stays in the community, it means your carbon footprint is smaller and it means that the food you are buying is more environmentally friendly.
Thank you!
Thanks Patty we always appreciate your insight as a local producer.
No recipe from the meat department this week so get out there, be creative, have fun and feed someone you love! (Or, check out these recipes on our web-site!)
Rush Hour Recipes
Every month we'll feature a new entree recipe (featuring a mix of vegetarian, non-vegetarian and vegan options) at the Deli Counter and on our website. We will keep an archive of recipe cards at the member center as well, so that you can pick one up and use it for your dinner shopping. You can even use these recipes to build your own recipe book. These recipes come from various co-ops all over the States, which is pretty cool. Plus they have been kitchen tested so you trust them to turn out right. Increase your kitchen repertoire with these quick, easy, fresh, entree recipes. Follow this link to see the Rush Hour Recipes: http://wheatsville.coop/recipeindex.html .
What do you love?
Check out our "Staff Top Ten Picks" posted throughout the store, we work here and shop here!!!
Look for the green signs in front of the products.
Featuring Mindy Dolnick, Baker
Coconut O.N.E. - Easily the most refreshing drink on the planet!
Dried Mango - This chewy all-natural snack quickly satisfies the sweet tooth
Smart Puffs - WARNING: It's incredibly easy to eat this entire bag in one sitting...by yourself
South Austin People Sandalwood Vanilla Spray : A fresh, soothing scent from South Austin People
EmergenC Pink Lemonade packets - tasty hydration, on-the-go
Wheatsville deli's Vegan Colcannon - healthy comfort food? yes, please!
Wateroak Farm Goat Milk Ice Cream: Rich, creamy, flavorful, and locally made!
Yogi Tea Kava stress relief - sweet dreams in a mug
Naked Juice Peach Mangosteen Bliss - Peaches + Mangosteen = a perfect pair
Stonyfield Farm Caramel Underground Yogurt - It's good for you, but tastes like it should be bad for you. Love it!
Featuring Gabriel Gallegos, Membership Coordinator
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Biscuit and Baking Mix: The best gluten free mix I've tried so far. It's a staple in my kitchen.
Enjoy Life Gluten Free Snickerdoodles: Hands down the best soft-baked gluten free cookie out there.
Amy's Black Bean Enchiladas: I never knew frozen enchiladas could taste so good!
L&A Coconut Pineapple Juice: It's like dessert in a bottle!
Tinkyada Rice Pastas: By far, the best gluten free pastas. We also carry it in bulk.
Van de Walle Farms Salsa:Great on tofu scrambler for breakfast.
El Milagro Corn Tortillas:You can't find a better bargain for corn tortillas than this and they taste great too!
Ener-G Tapioca Loaf: It's packaged like a science project, but it makes great sandwiches when toasted.
Nature's Path Mesa Sunrise Flakes: I love to eat these for breakfast with vanilla almond milk.
Rice Dream Horchata: Nothing hits the spot quite like a glass of ice-cold horchata.
Have a Great Week!
Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Warning! Valentine's posting ahead! Includes recipes!!!
Hi Wheatsville friends and fans!
If you are way not into Valentine's, then this post may not be for you. Fair warning! But, remember! You don't need a sweetheart or significant other to enjoy Valentine's Day. You can use it as a chance to celebrate the friends and family that you love as well! Or, just treat yourself to some of the fun! Don't forget to make a Valentine (or 2 or 5) at our Valentine's making station. Put them in the box when you're done and we'll hang them up for the world and your loved one(s) to see!
This e-mail is jam-packed with action (like we hope your Valentine's will be) so buckle up!
Scroll down for:
Bake up your own Valentine treats!
Bake up a DIY Valentine's fancy, gourmet-ish baking projects for you and your sweetie frmo the LA Times http://tinyurl.com/akyyqq
Quiches, Heart Shaped Cake and more from the deli
Cheesy Valentine's plus meat for your sweet!
Have we told you how much we love chocolate lately?
Citrus love
Bubbly and brew of the week
Health team specials
Recipes!!!
Right now, in your produce department, we have a great selection of organic citrus for your enjoyment. We are currently featuring organic cara caras (amazing!), organic honey tangerines, organic clementines, organic blood oranges, organic tangelos, organic royal mandarins, organic meyer lemons, organic kumquats, organic Rio Star Grapefruit, three pound bags of organic Texas valencias, and conventionally grown Texas valencias. As always we have organic lemons, and bags of organic limes. It is getting close to the peak of citrus season, so if you want to eat seasonal fruit in the dead of 'winter', now's the time.
(Dan note: Yesterday, we asked a question of our Twitter pals ( www.twitter.com/wheatsville) whether they prefer Rio Star Grapefruits or Blood Oranges best. It was a close one, but it appears Rio Stars edged out my personal fave Blood Orange. But there was A LOT of love for both!)
More from Montesino
The fine folks out at Montesino Ranch in Wimberly will be bringing us some nice, organic, seasonal produce next week. Look for their amazing organic brussels sprouts, lettuce, kale, salad mix, and spinach in our department next week. This farm produces on a pretty small scale, so get their goods while they last!
Apologies (Banana culpa)
I'd like to extend an apology to anyone who was trying to buy organic bananas earlier this week. We were having issues getting bananas in saleable condition, but things should be okay for now. Thank you for your patience, and sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Bubbly Valentine!
Looking for some yummy bubbly this Valentine's Day, why not try Piper Sonoma Brut Sonoma County Select Cuvee NV? This sparkling wine is made from hand-picked Champagne grapes (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay) grown in the Northern reaches of Sonoma County and the wine is aged on the yeast for a minimum 2½ year period of time. This gives the wine a complex bread-yeast aroma and lightly yeasty flavor. The wine is aged in large, French oak barrels (1625 gallon barrel foudres), prior to bottling and secondary fermentation. By aging this wine in oak, there is imparted to the wine a toasty/vanilla character in addition to the light apple and lemon flavors that the wine ordinarily possesses. At $16.99 a bottle, Piper Sonoma Brut Sonoma County Select Cuvee NV is the perfect treat for you and your sweetie.
In the Beer Aisle
Beer of the Week: Tecate 12 pack cans!
(Warning: lime rhyme ahead)
Packaged in its own handy carrying case, Tecate's crisp and refreshing taste is great for this week's warmer clime. Take a 12 pack to this weekend's cookout and don't forget the lime!
On Sale in Supplements:
Herb Pharm Digestive Bitters, promotes healthy appetite & digestion reg: $10.99/sale: $8.79
Health Team Member Coupons:
Natural Max Bloat-X, an advanced digestive, water & fluid balance formula containing probiotics, enzymes and herbs. $14.29 / $4.00 off with your member coupon.
Thompson Pomegranate CoQ-10, an antioxidant combo featuring 500mg of pomegranate fruit extract and 30mg of CoQ-10 in 2 vegetarian capsules. $17.29 / $4.00 off with your member coupon.
RECIPES!!!
Use blood orange, Rio stars or meyer lemon juice to make simple yet delicious vinaigrettes for your fresh salads.
6 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp of white wine vinegar
1 Tbsp of fresh citrus juice
1/4 tsp dijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste
Combine vinegar, citrus, and dijon in a high sided container, and mix until mustard is evenly incorporated. Slowly add the oil while whisking to form the emulsion. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy. Will keep for quite some time.
You made it to the end of this super full e-mail! Congratulations! May love pour down on you like yesterday's rain!
Have a great week!
Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy
If you are way not into Valentine's, then this post may not be for you. Fair warning! But, remember! You don't need a sweetheart or significant other to enjoy Valentine's Day. You can use it as a chance to celebrate the friends and family that you love as well! Or, just treat yourself to some of the fun! Don't forget to make a Valentine (or 2 or 5) at our Valentine's making station. Put them in the box when you're done and we'll hang them up for the world and your loved one(s) to see!
This e-mail is jam-packed with action (like we hope your Valentine's will be) so buckle up!
Scroll down for:
Bake up your own Valentine treats!
Bake up a DIY Valentine's fancy, gourmet-ish baking projects for you and your sweetie frmo the LA Times http://tinyurl.com/akyyqq
Quiches, Heart Shaped Cake and more from the deli
Cheesy Valentine's plus meat for your sweet!
Have we told you how much we love chocolate lately?
Citrus love
Bubbly and brew of the week
Health team specials
Recipes!!!
Wheatsville deli loves you!
Our Wheatsville Deli has been busy cooking up homemade treats for our owners! New in the Bakery case are Ultimate Lemon Squares, featuring a deliciously sweet-tart lemon curd filling spread over a shortbread base and dusted with powdered sugar! Yum!
Persian Rice Salad, our new Fresh in the Deli special for February, has been a big hit with staff and owners alike! The simplicity of this brown rice salad belies its tastiness! The wholesome nuttiness of the rice is complemented with sweet, chewy dates, crunchy toasted cashews, sliced green onions and tossed with a delicate lemon-dill vinaigrette – so simple yet so appealing!
But the most important thing going on in the Deli this week is Valentine's Day, so let's get down to it! Let us cook for you and yours!
In the Deli case this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, you will find Florentine Meatballs, made with fresh ground turkey, spinach and parmesan cheese. Add to those a bottle of red sauce from our Grocery and some fresh, local pasta in our Cheese department and you'll have a special, nearly-homemade Valentine's Day dinner ready in no time!
In addition to those tasty meatballs, the Wheatsville Deli will be making two specialty quiches for you to take home this weekend! We'll have a vegetarian Broccoli & Cheddar Quiche, as well as a Monterey Jack & Mushroom Quiche with Boar's Head Ham for the meat-lovers. Pick one up to share with your sweetheart on Saturday morning for a lovely, romantic Valentine's brunch!
And it's the weekend, so let's talk Mimosas! Add on a bottle of te aforementioned Piper Sonoma Brut Champagne and a carton of Tropicana orange juice to your quiche order for just over $20 more! Pick it all up by Friday and you can have breakfast in bed ready in a flash without ever having to leave home! And for those who don't have the appetite for a whole pie, our quiches will also be sold by the slice in our Deli case! Let us know what you think!
And don't forget our Deli counter's Valentine's spirit, as well! Our holiday-themed smoothie of the month is Chocolate Covered Strawberry! Strawberries and cacao nibs are blended with bananas, soymilk and apple juice, making a pretty and pink drink, spiked with tiny chocolaty chips of cacao!
Come on in and taste the bakery love!
The Wheatsville Bakery will have special Valentine's Day treats for your sweetie, too! Pick up individually-sized heart-shaped vegan frosted Chocolate-Raspberry Cakes and heart-shaped Pecan Linzer Torte Cookies, filled with jam and topped with powdered sugar, for your honey!
Chocolate Amore aka if loving chocolate is wrong, we don't want to be right!
Be sure to take a look at our new monthly sales display featuring new varieties of chocolate bars at great prices!
NEW: Theo & 3400 Phinney Chocolate Bars with such delicious varieties as…
Coconut Curry Milk-chocolate with toasted coconut and savory curry spices.)
Bread and Chocolate Dark Chocolate-An innovative twist on a traditional pairing, featuring dark chocolate with buttery, toasted artisan breadcrumbs and the perfect amount of salt.)
Theo Ghana Dark Chocolate Bar 84%-The Fair Trade Certified™ cacao used in this single-origin dark chocolate bar is from the fertile growing region surrounding Kumasi, Ghana. The perfectly fermented and dried beans yield slightly floral notes over golden and round chocolate flavors.
Theo Jane Goodall 70% organic Dark Chocolate or Milk Chocolate
70% Organic Dark Chocolate – richly satisfying dark chocolate bar, organic and Fair Trade certified
Proceeds from the sale of these chocolate bars will benefit cocoa farmers, promote conservation in the tropical rainforest and directly contribute to the Jane Goodall Institute's efforts to save chimpanzees, develop community centered conservation efforts and direct youth education programs around the world.
For more information see https://www.theochocolate.com/
Also on sale: your favorite varieties of Chocolove, Equal Exchange and Dagoba Chocolate bars. We also have oodles of Valentine goodies such as the ever popular "Love Rats", Kids' Valentines, Valentine Greeting Cards, delightful bodycare products and NEW! Sjaak's Dutch style chocolate in cute Valentine packaging, featuring Organic, Fair-trade and some styles are Vegan, delicious chocolate treats!
From the land of Cheese
This week we are welcoming back an old friend, Pureluck farms. They are producing their wonderful goat cheeses again, after taking a couple of months off while their goats were kidding. Their chevre molds were the only cheeses available, but the other cheeses are soon to follow. I was also told that there is a new cheese in the works. Very exciting!
Still deciding what to prepare for that Valentines day meal? You can start off with a nice hunk of Saint Andre's brie served with a fig spread, walnuts, a warm crusty baugette and some champagne. Next a wonderful and light salad made with some baby greens, sliced pears, walnuts, and crumbled blue cheese or feta and our deli's Cashew Tamari dressing. For the main course a pasta dish made with one of our fresh Pasta and Company pastas and a P/2 Organics pesto or alfredo sauce. Our meat department sales a wonderful Italian sausage that you can use along with your pasta. This is not only simple and delicious, but it will not bog you down for the after dinner festivities ; )
From Bryan, The Butcher
Hello everybody! Good coupons this month stop by and see what's crackin. We have Niman natural sweet Italian sausage at the great price of $5.99, but wait…this month you get $1 off the regular price with your member coupon. That's a buck a sausage! You can use sweet Italian sausage in your favorite pasta dish like spaghetti, lasagna, or with penne and peppers. Sliced, it's great on homemade pizza. For you purists, it's awesome on a hotdog bun with onion and peppers.
Also, this month we're still running specials on the Niman ranch Boneless Ribeyes steaks. Get $1 off the total price with member coupon.
Hang on though, this week is our meaty send up to Valentine's Day. The "sweetheart" steak is basically a butterflied boneless ribeye. This cut is a monster of a steak, impressive, and to gourmands' it's heaven on earth. This creation was taught to me by an old retired butcher from another generation when a special meal like this really meant something. When cut perfectly the steak takes the shape of a heart.
It takes a special kind of couple to see the love in this meal but believe me it's there. I really must recommend grilling this steak since its so large. If you think your loved one would get off on this please give me a call and I'll make it to your order. Plus Friday and Saturday we'll cut some for the case so come by and see for yourself.
Citrus in Full SwingRight now, in your produce department, we have a great selection of organic citrus for your enjoyment. We are currently featuring organic cara caras (amazing!), organic honey tangerines, organic clementines, organic blood oranges, organic tangelos, organic royal mandarins, organic meyer lemons, organic kumquats, organic Rio Star Grapefruit, three pound bags of organic Texas valencias, and conventionally grown Texas valencias. As always we have organic lemons, and bags of organic limes. It is getting close to the peak of citrus season, so if you want to eat seasonal fruit in the dead of 'winter', now's the time.
(Dan note: Yesterday, we asked a question of our Twitter pals ( www.twitter.com/wheatsville) whether they prefer Rio Star Grapefruits or Blood Oranges best. It was a close one, but it appears Rio Stars edged out my personal fave Blood Orange. But there was A LOT of love for both!)
More from Montesino
The fine folks out at Montesino Ranch in Wimberly will be bringing us some nice, organic, seasonal produce next week. Look for their amazing organic brussels sprouts, lettuce, kale, salad mix, and spinach in our department next week. This farm produces on a pretty small scale, so get their goods while they last!
Apologies (Banana culpa)
I'd like to extend an apology to anyone who was trying to buy organic bananas earlier this week. We were having issues getting bananas in saleable condition, but things should be okay for now. Thank you for your patience, and sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Bubbly Valentine!
Looking for some yummy bubbly this Valentine's Day, why not try Piper Sonoma Brut Sonoma County Select Cuvee NV? This sparkling wine is made from hand-picked Champagne grapes (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay) grown in the Northern reaches of Sonoma County and the wine is aged on the yeast for a minimum 2½ year period of time. This gives the wine a complex bread-yeast aroma and lightly yeasty flavor. The wine is aged in large, French oak barrels (1625 gallon barrel foudres), prior to bottling and secondary fermentation. By aging this wine in oak, there is imparted to the wine a toasty/vanilla character in addition to the light apple and lemon flavors that the wine ordinarily possesses. At $16.99 a bottle, Piper Sonoma Brut Sonoma County Select Cuvee NV is the perfect treat for you and your sweetie.
In the Beer Aisle
Beer of the Week: Tecate 12 pack cans!
(Warning: lime rhyme ahead)
Packaged in its own handy carrying case, Tecate's crisp and refreshing taste is great for this week's warmer clime. Take a 12 pack to this weekend's cookout and don't forget the lime!
On Sale in Supplements:
Herb Pharm Digestive Bitters, promotes healthy appetite & digestion reg: $10.99/sale: $8.79
Health Team Member Coupons:
Natural Max Bloat-X, an advanced digestive, water & fluid balance formula containing probiotics, enzymes and herbs. $14.29 / $4.00 off with your member coupon.
Thompson Pomegranate CoQ-10, an antioxidant combo featuring 500mg of pomegranate fruit extract and 30mg of CoQ-10 in 2 vegetarian capsules. $17.29 / $4.00 off with your member coupon.
RECIPES!!!
Here's a quickie of a recipe from Bryan Butler for Valentine's Day or anytime that uses the meat special this month, Italian sausage. It's a neat and fast recipe so you can get down to more important things if you catch my drift, *wink*wink*nudge*nudge* say no more.
PASTA WITH SAUSAGE AND MUSHROOM CREAM
SAUCE
1 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 lb. sweet sausage (casings removed)
1 lb. sliced fresh mushrooms ( your choice)
1 1/4 c. heavy cream (anything Remember When product will work)
Parsley (fresh is a must)
Pasta (defiantly get this from our great bulk pastas)
Parmesan cheese (buy the good stuff from our cheese case. Never the green can, yuk.)
In skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic, saute 2 minutes. Add sausage and mushrooms. Saute, breaking up sausage until cooked. Add heavy cream and simmer 3 minutes. Toss in parsley. Serve over your favorite hot, cooked pasta with Parmesan cheese.
This recipe is also quite cheap to make the meal should easily cost less than $10, and you can spend your extra bucks on some wine or your favorite hooch.
Use blood orange, Rio stars or meyer lemon juice to make simple yet delicious vinaigrettes for your fresh salads.
6 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp of white wine vinegar
1 Tbsp of fresh citrus juice
1/4 tsp dijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste
Combine vinegar, citrus, and dijon in a high sided container, and mix until mustard is evenly incorporated. Slowly add the oil while whisking to form the emulsion. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy. Will keep for quite some time.
You made it to the end of this super full e-mail! Congratulations! May love pour down on you like yesterday's rain!
Have a great week!
Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy
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