We’ve been moving things around again

by Lauren, March 24, 2009 | Permalink

Yup, we’ve been moving things around again in the grocery aisles.  This time we shuffled the oil, vinegar, salad dressings and condiments.  Next time you plan to shop for these sorts of pantry staples (since you’re probably eating out less these days, a well-stocked pantry is a necessity), make sure you give yourself time to scan the shelves carefully since we’ve introduced some really interesting and healthful products.  And don’t forget to check out the very top and very bottom shelves. 

I discovered that we now carry Hemp oil!  No, you can’t get high on hemp oil.  But your body will thank you for consuming it.  Hemp oil is a great source of essential fatty acids.  It contains a well-balanced ratio of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fats.  Hemp is also a good source of GLA and vitamin E which are both good for skin health.   Try hemp oil drizzled on steamed vegetables, in salad dressing or as a dipping oil for bread.  Its subtle, nutty flavor also goes well with pasta and bulghur.  If you don’t care for the flavor, you can add it to your morning smoothie.  Just don’t cook with hemp oil as the polyunsaturated fats are fragile so should not be heated.

A New Dairy Free Alternative

by Lauren, March 14, 2009 | Permalink

I just noticed a new dairy-free “milk alternative” on the shelf the other day.   If hazelnut and hemp “milk” weren’t exotic enough, we now carry a coconut milk-based beverage for people who don’t drink regular cow’s milk for health or environmental reasons. “So Delicious” brand - owned by Turtle Mountain company which produces the most delicious dairy free frozen desserts under the “Purely Decadent” label - Coconut Milk beverage is formulated to “perform” like soy milk in recipes, on cereal or as a refreshing drink. 

Coconut milk has gotten a bad wrap for being high in fat, but this new product is diluted coconut cream, combined with a little sugar and vitamins & minerals, so only has five grams of fat per serving.  The cool thing about the saturated fat in coconuts is that it is primarily comprised of medium chain fatty acids (also known as MCFAs) which are easier for the body to digest and burn off compared to longer fat molecules.  Plus the lauric acid in coconut milk has been shown to have anti-microbial properties.  Contrary to the popular opinion that coconut oil contributes to heart disease, unprocessed coconut oil has not been shown to increase serum cholesterol levels (studies which showed coconut oil to be harmful were done using hydrogenated forms of the fat).

Soy allergies are becoming very common these days making soy milk a threat to even hardcore vegans.  However, I have yet to come across a customer with a coconut allergy.  A person may claim “allergic” for fear of saturated fat, but there is nothing to fear from this product.  So now everyone can enjoy a glass of “milk.”  I’ll be pouring my portion into a bowl of Grandy Oats Granola.

Whole Trade Brownies

by Lauren, March 10, 2009 | Permalink

Great news!  Our Whole Trade VEGAN Brownies are back.  For people who like a deep, dark chocolate dessert with a soft & cakey texture, this is the brownie for you.  Even if you’re not a strict vegan, I encourage you to resist the urge to turn up your nose at this product just because it does not contain butter or eggs.  Our bakers have skillfully substituted ground flaxseeds and tinkered with the recipe to make it just as appealing as similar brownies made with sinful ingredients.  Don’t be afraid to indulge because each serving contains just 2.5 grams of fat.

Another compelling reason to buy a brownie is the Whole Trade guarantee that comes along with it.   You can eat this dessert with a clear conscience because it is made with fair trade sugar, cocoa and vanilla.  And we donate 1% of sales of all Whole Trade products to the Whole Planet Foundation to help empower poor people in developing countries.  The revenue generated funds microlending projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America so recipients can start their own small businesses and escape the vicious cycle of poverty.  So far, the repayment rate on the loans we’ve extended is 99%!  

For more information about the Whole Planet Foundation, check out the website.  If you’d like to contribute more to the cause, speak to your cashier at check out.

Save Money by Buying More?

by Lauren, March 6, 2009 | Permalink

Savvy consumers take advantage of the fact that the unit price (the cost of a product per unit measure, like “per pound” or “per gallon”) of an item is inversely proportional to the quantity purchased (sorry, I liked math when I was in school).  So a good strategy for saving money in the long run is to buy larger containers or cases of your favorite products and pantry staples.  Many people head to BJ’s or Costco to stock up on paper goods, canned goods and frozen foods in an effort to save money.  In fact, both Wal-Mart and BJ’s Wholesale Club saw their share prices rise this week as a result of the current economic climate.

However, this strategy doesn’t work for people who live in a small household, have limited storage space, don’t own a vehicle (or have a driver’s license) or simply can’t shell out extra cash for food to sit in their cupboard for 6 months.  If you fit into any of these categories, there are many other ways to save on everyday necessities.  First of all, you’ll save time and money on gas by shopping for reasonable quantities of food at your neighborhood Whole Foods Market. 

In the Brighton store, we have a moderately sized bulk department where you can buy whole grains, rice, beans and nuts at ridiculously low unit prices.  For a couple of dollars, you may fill a bag with enough rolled oats to last a month if you eat a bowl a day.   Half cup of pearled barley - enough to make one batch of mushroom barley soup - can be paid for out of your change purse.  We also allow customers to grind their own salmonella-free peanut butter.   You can buy a whole quart-sized container for the family to enjoy or just grind a couple tablespoons for a satisfying snack (I love to spread it on celery sticks).

Our store brand - “365 Everyday Value” - products are flying off the shelves these days.  While price is their greatest selling point, the quality and taste make them a really awesome value.  I think that one of the best deals in the grocery dept is our 365 Extra Virgin Olive Oil - it’s just as good, if not better than some of the pricier ones packaged in fancy bottles.  Many of our team members are hooked on the 365 Organic Potato Chips - they satisfy the meanest salt craving for just $2.39 (5 oz. bag) and are made with certified organic potatoes.   

Many healthy deals can be found in our dairy department.  365 organic milk and yogurt are significantly cheaper than equivalent products and offer the same health benefits.   There is even a coupon hanging off the shelf for our 365 organic spreadable butter (made with cream from grass-fed cows!) so you can get an instant savings of $1.00 off.

If you are interested in learning more tricks for sticking to your food budget and eating healthfully, join me for a tour of the Brighton store on March 11, 14 or 19th!