Of course, we’ve had whole chicken sales before, but never quite like this. Friday’s birds are locally raised and processed by Will Harris and his team of pasture-centered experts at White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, GA. These happy chickens were the first in the south to meet our 5-step animal welfare standards for poultry*.  This long standing partnership with Will Harris is a testament to our commitment to local & animal compassion, all while respecting our core value to create win-win partnerships with our vendors and suppliers. Will came to Whole Foods Market originally as our grass-fed beef farmer, and when he was ready to expand into poultry, we were right beside him, ready to buy.

We thought that since so many people love his grass-fed beef then they would certainly love his chickens as well. This sale is a great way show this LOCAL producers some love AND to make things really fun, we’ve decided to center all our whole chicken demonstration recipes around all the LOCAL products we could.

The following recipe was created using LOCAL ingredients, indeed the only ingredient that is not local is the Vidalia onion (although Vidalia, GA isn’t too far away).

I sure do hope you enjoy my LOCAL LOVE SANDWICH.

*http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/meat/welfare.php; http://www.globalanimalpartnership.org/the-5-step-program/meet-5-step-farmers/meet-will-harris/

Local Love Chicken Sandwich, Serves One.

• 1 chicken cutlet, cut from a whole chicken breast
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 2 slices Big Sky 3-seed bread
• 1-2 tablespoons Alecia’s Tomato Chutney
• 1-2oz Wanda Yellow Moon cheese from Wright’s Dairy, grated
• 1 quarter Vidalia onion, sliced

Season chicken cutlet with salt and pepper on both sides. Add oil to non-stick skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken for 3-5 minutes per side, turning once.

Meanwhile, slice the onion & grate cheese. Remove chicken from pan and turn up your heat to medium high and add onion, cook for 5-10 minutes until caramelized.

On one slice of Big Sky bread spread chutney, then top with onions, chicken and grated cheese. Place the sandwich on a Panini press and cook on low until the cheese has melted.  If you do not have a Panini press you can always just cook the sandwich like you would a grilled cheese sandwich. Just keep the temperature low and be careful when flipping it.

After you finish cooking the only thing left to do is slice the LOCAL LOVE Sandwich and enjoy. We’ll see y’all on Friday.

Perfect One Day Sale going on today for the Engine 2 Challenge – Our Organic Navel Orange Sale! They’re just 79 cents / lb (that’s a $1.20 savings!) Here are some great thigns to do with them (as always, adjust salt, added sugar and oil in recipe to fit within the E2 model!)

Orange Fennel Salad

Orange Avocado Salad

Rainbow Kale Slaw

So load up! A Case of these Organic Navel Oranges is only $27.02 (that includes your 10% case discount!) and they store long term in the fridge, plus they’re delightful for juicing.

Cucumber & Tomato Salad (hold the Feta and Olive Oil) http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/581

Quick Moroccan Vegetable Couscous (compliments of Epicurious.com – just hold the oil)  http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Quick-Moroccan-Vegetable-Couscous-1194

Grilled Fruit (a combination of pineapple and nectarines would be good. Just skip the sauce!)http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/2537

Two great numbers to report: Chris, one of our Associate Store Team Leaders has lost 9 lbs. so far and his fiancee has lost 7.

Lunch today is a kitchen-sink sandwich. A bag of whole wheat mini pitas bread was a mere $2.99 and a 16 oz. container of shredded carrots from our Value-Added wall in Produce rang up for $0.70 . . . add that to my fridge contents this morning (E2 Hummus with Kalamata olives mixed in and Organic Girl Super Greens!) and I had all I needed for 3 days of lunch. Here’s the finished mini-pita pocket.

Any fillings would work, try these combination’s with your choice of whole wheat pita:

• Kalamata olive hummus (E2 Hummus with olives pureed in, Super Greens Blend (such as Organic Girl), shredded carrots
• Black beans, Cilantro & Pico de Gallo
• Napa cabbage, carrots, green onions, minced ginger, rice wine vinegar and Bragg Liquid Aminos
• Rep pepper hummus (take the E2 recipe and add roasted red peppers), sliced cucumbers, mixed field greens
• Black bean hummus for a spread, Seitan (soy-based crumble with a texture similar to ground beef), onions, mushrooms, peppers & roasted potatoes.

Bon appetit!

We’ve been cooking all day getting ready for tonight’s Engine 2 Support Meeting/ We wanted to inspire you for that Professional-League Football-Game-the-first-weekend-in-February-that-we-aren’t-allowed-to-call-out-by-name (the rules!) and here’s what’s on the Menu:

• Housemade Pineapple-Mango Salsa (oil and salt-free and made fresh in our Produce Department!)
• Guacamole (oil and salt-free and made in house!) 
• Sprouted Chips (with a super-low sodium count!) available in opur Grocery aisles
• Chocolate Chunk Cookies (Engine 2 Diet Book, pg. 254)
• Chili Dogs & Applesauce (Engine 2 Diet Book, pg. 166)

It’s everything you need for a nutrition-packed meal plan and Engine 2 approved! See you tonight!

And to ease you into this first week of detox, we’ve lanuched an Engine 2 Diet BAR in our Prepared Foods Department. You won’t have to be tempted by fried haddock and mac & cheese, we’ve designed a special segment to whet your palate and support your challenge!

At a loss for how to plan your meals now that you’re on the challenge? Check out our 28-Day Low-Cost Meal Plan so you can take the challenge and stick to your budget!

Bok Choy & Brown Rice Noodle Stir Fry

• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1/2 cup diced carrot
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• fistful bok choy (stems separated from stalks), dice stems, chiffonade leaves
• package of brown rice noodle
• Bragg Liquid Aminos
• 2 scallions, chopped

Soak rice noodles for stir fry according to package directions (you’ll finish them off in the stir-fry). Heat a nonstick skillet to high, add 1/2 cup water and quickly add all the vegetables except bok choy leaves (watch out for sizzle!) and saute until onions are translucent and remaining veggies are soft, stirring often to prevent burning (add more water if needed), about 7 minutes. Add in pre-soaked brown rice noodles, boy choy leaves, and Bragg’s Liquid Aminos and saute an additonal 2 minutes. Top with chopped scallions and enjoy!

Awesome Fries Deux

• 2 russett potatoes (or sweet potatoes for a more nutrient-dense option), thickly cut in fingers or wedges
• T. chopped fresh rosemary
• tsp. minced garlic
• freshly cracked black pepper
• smidge cayenne pepper

Toss potatoes with rosemary & garlic until combined. Sprinkle in pepper and cayenne. Spread out in single layer on sheet pan and roast for 425 for 15-20 minutes until crisp. Serve warm alongside a Black Bean Burger.

Bon appetit.

The Engine 2 Challenge is a 28-day Plant Strong save-your-life plan that lowers cholesterol and burns away the pounds. Our customers and our Team Members are forging ahead with this challenge Jan. 23 – Feb. 19 . . .we’re down to the wire so if you’re interested in stopping your health-roulette routine, email Ashley.Gonzalez@wholefoods.com