Hello Wheatsville friends and fans!
I hope the winter has been treating you well and giving you chances to drink hot tea, bake or cook in your kitchen and snuggle up with loved ones!
We are super excited this week for a couple of reasons!
First, we're having our Staff Appreciation Party Thursday night. It's a great chance for us to show our thanks for the great work our staff do all year long and gives us a chance to have fun together! BUT, in order to make it happen, we do need to close a little early. We'll close at 9PM on Thursday so that staff can attend the party. Thanks for your understanding and support!
We're also excited because we appreciate you, too! This weekend starts Owner Appreciation Days. We'll give you a 10% discount off on one shopping trip of your choice any time between 1/15 and 1/23. Might I suggest you plan your shopping trip earlier than later? The last weekend can get pretty jammed up around here with last minute Appreciating, so you may have a more mellow shop if you do it sooner than later!
And, to induce you to come in early, we have some fun stuff lined up for this Saturday! We'll have lots of free samples throughout the store from 1-3 including a wine tasting! Then, at 3pm, we'll be joined by our friends the Minor Mishap marching band. They'll be playing for fun and to help promote the Wheatsville sponsored Honk! TX community Band festival coming to a park near you March 11-13 Learn more about the band and Honk! TX. http://www.facebook.com/minormishapmarchingband
We hope to see you this week!
Scroll down for:
The Incredible Bulk!
Texas pecans! Limited time!
Your very own wine cellar
Delicious Deli
Sharpen up on Cheese
Green grocer recipes
Fight those allergies
New local cards
Co+op and Owner Deals
Arctic Cod recipe
Victory Hop! Beer specials
Bulk is our One Big Thing this week
Each week our staff pick one thing that we're especially excited about and this week we want to extol the virtues of an entire department, one of our favorites, BULK Foods!
The Joys of Shopping in Bulk
So, we're going to share the joys and merits of shopping in the bulk department, especially for those of you who are new to bulk shopping, or who have never tried it before.
Buying in Bulk reduces waste! Its great to see more and more people concerned with reducing waste from packaging these days, and the best way to do this by far is by not using it at all. By bringing your own containers from home (or making use of the re-usable containers in the department), and buying your staple needs in bulk, you can significantly reduce the amount of packaging you use on a day to day basis. With all of the fresh hi-quality foods available in bulk, from nuts to cereals to candy to coffee, I think you'll be surprised by how much of you're shopping you can do this way.
Buying in Bulk saves MONEY! One of our favorite reasons for bulk shopping is the real value of it. There really is no more affordable way to live a healthy lifestyle. When you get in the habit of basing the cooking you do at home around the dried organic options in bulk, such as quinoa or brown rice or red lentils, you'll be very surprised by how inexpensive a quality organic meal can be. The ability to purchase just as much as you need for any particular meal makes it even more affordable and convenient.
Buying bulk is fun! Since you can buy as much or as little as you want or need, the bulk department offers up a perfect chance to experiment with new foods! Curious about Quinoa (keen-wah) Never had basmati rice? Interested in Israeli Couscous? Buy a little in bulk and you may find a new favorite!
If you've never tried it before, I think you'll be very pleased to find out how convenient and rewarding shopping in bulk can be. If you're ever unsure about any product in the department, don't be shy to ask for a sample! The bulk department really does offer a bounty of fresh and exciting options so please stop on by and check them out! And, we're happy to help you shop in bulk if you need assistance, just ask us!
New Local Goodness in Bulk
I'm very proud to announce that the bulk department is now carrying a great new product from the fine folks at Kosmic Kombucha. It's called Kosmic Krunch and it's a delicious Orange-Cranberry flavored raw granola. This granola is made with all raw Pecans, Medjool dates, grade B maple syrup and a variety of nuts and seeds, and it's great with yogurt or just on its own. Kosmic Kombucha is a local Austin company making very high quality raw and vegan products and I am very happy to be carrying this tasty new addition of theirs.
I'm also excited to announce that Organic Walnuts are on Co+op deals this month for only $7.99/lb reg. $9.99. This is a really great deal so be sure to stop on by the Bulk department and pick some up!
LIMITED TIME ONLY!
Wheatsville Owner produced Texas Pecans!
From Wheatsville owner Booka Michael's Rancho Pancho in Hunt, Texas, 100% All Natural shelled pecans conveniently packaged in a "generous" one pound bag. These nuts are naturally dried for two weeks and husked by hand. They are SO delicious. Eat them out of the bag, toast them for your next salad, or use them to bake pecan brownies. He only has about 100 pounds to sell, so it's first come first serve. They are by the front door in the produce department next to the display of Kabocha and Delicate Squash. Bake a squash and add toasted pecans for a hearty winter treat! (When I brought these pecans home the other night, my wife and 5 year old literally cheered with delight.)
Create your own wine cellar during Owner Appreciation!
Did you know that when you buy six bottles or more of wine for owner appreciation you get 10% off in addition to the 10% you get off for being an owner! For example that means if you were to buy six bottles of Sangre de Toro for $7.99 each regularly $8.49 you would pay $39.35 instead of $53.49! Now is the time to stock your wine cellar because the more you buy the more you save!
Greetings from the Wheatsville Deli!
This week in our co+op deals we have our delicious Food Bar for $6.99lb. (reg. $7.99lb.) This includes all of our in-house prepared hot bar lunch and dinners, the entire tiny briny bar, and our fresh salad bar! If you have a sweet tooth, we are featuring local bakery Sweetish Hill's Cherry Cream Cheese Danish for $1.99 (reg. $2.29). The yummy Full Quiver Cheese Spreads found on Cheese Island go great with our own local Rockstar Bagels, remember if you buy 5, the 6th is FREE! Warm up from the cold snap with our award winning Tempeh Chili and Fresh Baked Cornbread, try it with aHot Gingerade for $1.69 to beat your allergy blues. As always your friendly deli staff is available to make your perfect custom-made sandwich or taco to order! Enjoy!
Sharpen it up on Cheese Island
Our New York Sharp Cheddar will be on sale for $6.99/lb, regularly $9.99/lb. Adam King, our produce manager, is raving about the Pink Lady apples. A Sharp Cheddar and an apple with bite, sounds like a wonderful snack.
This Saturday and Sunday, January 15th and 16th, we will be hosting all store sampling days. Sampling will start at 1 p.m. and end at 3 p.m. Come sample some of our delicious products and meet some of our vendors.
From your Green Grocer
Our featured local item this week is Texas Organic Rio Star Grapefruit. Such a great way to get a good shot of Vitamin C. They're beautiful with deep red flesh – not too tart but with plenty of flavor, they don't need sugar. Try one with breakfast! I think they go great alongside a bowl of oatmeal. Nicely priced at $1.59/lb.
Our featured seasonal item this week is the beautiful, antioxidant packed Organic Pomegranate. They're huge – almost the size of a softball – and so delicious right now. Plus, they're a great price, only $1.49 each! They are a bit of a mess to eat, but rewarding! Some people eat the seeds. I usually chew on them a while until I've got a wad of them and then find a way to discreetly spit it out. It's up to you.
If chilly weather makes you run for the kitchen, you're not alone. Cooking up warm, comforting foods helps stave off the winter blues. This week, we've got three great winter cooking ingredients on sale: Organic Acorn Squash for 99¢/lb, Organic Red Potatoes for 99¢/lb, and Organic Bunched Spinach for $1.29 each.
My favorite way to eat spinach is in saag paneer. Fantastic over basmati rice, this creamy spinach dish will become a fast favorite. I found an easy recipe athttp://www.indiasnacks.com/recipe/662/Saag-Paneer.php but once you've made it one or two times, it's simple enough to just wing it.
I love herb roasted red potatoes – they're easy and tasty. I like to boil the potatoes whole until they're about half cooked – this reduces the time you have to roast them. Then, you just let them cool, quarter them, coat with olive oil and some salt and pepper and your choice of herbs. Pretty much any herb will be great – rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano, or dill. Roast them till they brown. Yum!
I found a great idea for using two of our featured produce items this week:
Acorn squash with pomegranate sauce.
The pomegranate sauce can be made by combining 6 parts pomegranate seeds, 1 part sugar, and 1/2 part lemon juice. You can safely estimate these numbers. If you like, you can add some pumpkin pie spices to this sauce: nutmeg, allspice, or cinnamon. Cook on a stovetop, mashing the seeds as you go. Simmer for about an hour, let cool, and strain with cheesecloth.
You cook the acorn squash normally: cut in half, scoop out the seeds, slice the squash, oil it and spread the slices on a baking sheet. Drizzle the pomegranate sauce over the squash slices, cook for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Flip the squash over, drizzle again with pom sauce, cook for another 15 minutes. It's done when you can easily insert a fork into the squash.
Happy Winter!
GOT ALLERGIES? TRY A NETI POT!!
The neti pot is fast becoming the hottest allergy relief solution in the country during an exceptionally severe allergy season. How does it work? Basically, using a neti pot allows allergy sufferers to thin mucus and flushes out nasal passages thereby removing bacteria, allergens, and other irritants that can cause sinus problems—just mix ¼ teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt in 8 ounces of warm water in your neti pot until dissolved and flush away! Wheatsville carries several varieties of neti pots—from ceramic and bioplastic (great for travelling) to the Nasaline which is a nasal irrigator. All are around $15.00 bucks, which when considering the cost of a visit to the ol' allergy Doctor seems pretty reasonable. We also carry several varieties of nasal cleaning salts and solutions to support healthy nasal passages. So the next time the sneezing, watery eyes, and sinus headaches start coming on consider trying a neti pot-- it may provide immediate relief and help keep those annoying symptoms from coming back!
Cedar Fever/Allergy Special!
Last week's sale on Herbalogic Easy Breather was so popular that Herbalogic and Wheatsville have agreed to extend the sale for another week. That means you can get Herbalogic Easy Breather for$14.99 for another week! That's 25% off! If you missed the sale last week, want to stock up, and/or want to get a bottle for a fellow allergy sufferer you have another week to save!
Easy Breather was designed to combat the cedar and juniper pollen allergy symptoms prevalent during central Texas winters. It is based on the classic Chinese formula, Yu Ping Fang San transalated as 'Jade Wind Screen Formula', originally created to reduce susceptibility to common colds and influenza. It has been updated with the needs of Austin and Central Texas allergy sufferers in mind, with particular focus on nasal symptoms. While other traditional formulas can cause nasal dryness and excessive thirst, this formula includes herbs that moisturize the sinus passages.
New In Housewares: Flat Flower Cards!
We are pleased to introduce a new line of local greeting cards from the folks at Flat Flower Cards. These cards are blank inside and feature gorgeous full color prints of hand-gathered flowers leaves and botanicals. They are truly unique and perfect for any occasion. Stop by the Health Team desk and check them out!
A New Crop of Co+op Deals Just Arrived! – Brooks Wood, Wheatsville Co+op Deals Assistant
Cascadian Farms Organic Fruit is now $2.79 reg. $4.59, Nancy's Organic Kefir is now $2.99 reg. $3.99, Organic Valley Organic Yogurt now $3.29 reg. $4.99, Rising Moon Organic Ravioli now $2.79 reg. $3.99, Montebello Organic Pasta now $2.79 reg. $3.79, Koyo Ramen Noodles now $0.69 reg. $1.19, San - J Premium Tamari Soy Sauce now $1.79 reg. $2.59, Muir Glen Organic Soup now $2.39 reg. $3.49, Honest Tea Organic Ready to Drink Tea now $0.99 reg. $1.49, Barbara's Shredded Cereal now 2/$5.00 reg. $4.49 and Late July Mini Sandwich Crackers now 2/$5.00 reg. $3.49.
We're excited to introduce a new line of delicious pasta sides and meals from Back To Nature! Stroganoff Pasta Skillet Dinner & Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet Dinner both now $2.49 reg. $2.99, Crazy Bugs Macaroni & Cheese & Harvest Wheat Macaroni & Cheese are both $1.29 reg. $1.69.
Co+op Owner Deals Deliver Excellent Savings! – Brooks Wood, Wheatsville Co+op Deals Assistant
Wheatsville Food Bar is now on Deal for $6.99 reg. $7.99, Ginger People Minced, Grated & Pickled Sushi Ginger now $1.89 reg. $1.99, Earth Balance Original Natural Buttery Spreadnow $8.49 reg. $9.99, Earth Balance Original, Unsweetened, Vanilla & Chocolate Soy Milk made with U.S. grown soy beans now $3.49 reg. $3.89, Newman's Own Organic Pretzel Sticksnow $2.49 reg. $2.99, Justin's Nut Butter Organic Honey Peanut Butter Blend, & Classic Peanut Butter Blend now $0.49 reg. $0.59 and Green Mountain Gringo Tortilla Strips now$1.69 reg. $2.19 and Green Mountain Gringo Blue Tortilla Strips now $2.29 reg. $2.89.
We're featuring Organic Turkish Apricots on Deal now $6.99/LB reg. $8.99/LB, Helen's Kitchen Organic Entrees all varieties now $2.99 reg. $4.39, Manitoba Shelled Hemp Seed now$5.79 reg. $7.79 and Happy Baby Organic Apple, Banana & Green Puffs now $2.29 reg. $3.39.
Remember, our Deals are easy to reference. Check them out on our web site @ http://www.wheatsville.coop and click on the Co+op Deals or Owners link.
From the world of meat
For our Owner Special we are featuring Wheastville's in House Chorizo Sausage for $6.99/lb. reg. $7.99/lb. Great with eggs or in your favorite queso, this sausage can ride passenger or fly solo.
Also on owner special is Arctic Cod for $13.99 reg. $14.79. We get this cod from Northern Fish. It is sustainable and very versatile in the kitchen. Good for baking, grilling and frying. Here is a recipe for
Cod fishsticks
Ingredients:
1 pound boneless, skinless cod
1 egg white
1/4 cup skim milk
4 slices dry bread
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 lemon, cut into wedges
Directions:
Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Cut fish into 8 stick-shaped pieces. In small bowl, whisk together egg and milk until foamy. Place bread in a plastic bag and crush into fine crumbs using a rolling pin. Measure 1 cup of crumbs and combine with pepper, parsley and paprika. Dip fish into egg mixture and coat with crumb mixture. Place on a nonstick baking dish (or regular baking dish lightly coated with vegetable oil) and squeeze lemon juice evenly over fish sticks. Bake 20 minutes.
Also on special we have Niman Ranch Baby Back Pork Ribs for $7.99 reg. $8.49. Whether you prefer rubs or sauces or both at the same time, these are the ribs to use. Pork Ribs are simple and tasty. Great for the grill or roasted in the oven, baste frequently with your favorite sauce.
In the Freezer, we have brought in Niman Ranch Uncured Maple Bacon for $6.99 reg. $7.99. If you like your bacon a little more sweet then this would be the way to go.
Stock up with these great beer deals!
Three great six packs from Victory Brewing Company are on sale now. Victory Prima Pils is just $8.49 regularly $9.49. Heaps of hops give this pale lager a bracing, herbal bite over layers of soft and smooth malt flavor. Victory Hop Wallop $11.49 regularly $12.49. This beer is vivid, robust ale that serves as Victory's annual homage to the hop harvest, expect loads of aromatic splendor and bitter beauty. Victory Hop Devil six packs are just $8.49 regularly $9.49. Menacingly delicious, with the powerful, aromatic punch of whole flower American hops backed up by rich, German malts.Last chance to save on Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Sierra Nevada Celebration 12 packs! Just 12.99 regularly $14.99!
I hope that you have a most excellent week!
Dan Gillotte
Wheatsville GM and e-mail guy
