To further illustrate how gift cards are great gift solutions and offer a ton of variety, I asked three team members to select what they would buy if a gift card of different denominations was tucked into their stocking this holiday. You’ll probably notice beer made it on everyone’s list here (we do have the Best Bottled Beer Selection in town.) Santa take notes…

$25 Gift Card

Shopped by Sandy in the Bakery: Midas Touch 6-pack, Lunch at the Smokehouse for a Portabello Hoagie and some GTs Kombucha!

What to spend your gift card on: Sandy selects Midas Touch

$50 Gift Card

Shopped by John in Specialty:

John said if he received a gift card, he would splurge on his upcoming Superbowl party: 5 pounds of boneless pork, BBQ sauce and buns for some pulled pork sandwiches  and a Squatters Mini IPA Keg. Delicious!

$100 Gift Card

Shopped by Rachel in Floral:

Rachel was so excited to come up with her fantasy $100 gift card list. She opted for a healthy options to add to her pantry and her bookshelf. Rachel’s picks: Herbal Medicine book by Charles Kane, Living Intention Acai Blueberry Superfood Cereal and coconut milk, Asian pears and avocados, Uncle Matt’s Grapefruit juice, our housemade Guacamole with HaveA Corn Chips, Bissinger’s Chocolate Covered Oranges in the bakery and a Build Your Own Six Pack (where you customize your six pack with single bottles of craft beer). She also selected a bouquet of peonies to brighten her home. Nice!

Here’s wishing everyone a Happy Holiday season and whichever way you celebrate, be safe and be merry!

Get Your Green On

 Looking for unique and healthy holiday gifts for those on your holiday list who are already into healthy nutrition or want to turn over a new leaf in 2012?

 Give the gift of green this holiday season!

 You can buy everyone on your holiday list — your loved ones, friends, employees or family members – a membership to the Salad A Day the Duncan Way available for pick up at your local Whole Foods Market in Chandler.  Not only will your recipients enjoy a healthy bounty of fresh produce weekly, you’ll know that your purchase helped the local economy, too. By buying produce grown in Arizona, you’re helping make Arizona a cooler and greener state.

Duncan CSA bags are filled with farm-fresh organic produce

Here are five more reasons a Salad A Day the Duncan Way is the perfect gift:

• It’s inexpensive
• It offers healthy,vitamin-packed nutrition
• It’s farm-to-your-fork food delivery fresh from our fields to you
• There are several locations to pick up from including valley Whole Foods locations, Wigwam Farmers Market, St. Joseph’s Hospital and more 
• There’s no minimum commitment

The first 30 people to make this healthy choice will receive a fabulous Duncan Family Farms canvas bag. Learn more about this wellness program at http://www.saladadaytheduncanway.com/salad-a-day-program/ 

Please note: The canvas bag is available to new subscribers at Whole Foods Market Chandler only. Please check in at Customer Service for your complimentary bag on your first pick-up. This offer is valid through February 1, 2012.

• Back to School Picks
• Special Event! Free Children’s Wellness Doc Talk
• Announcing the Whole Kids Foundation Garden Grant Project

Back to School is back in full swing for many East Valley families. Here at Whole Foods Market in Chandler we are ready to be a neighborhood hub for all your Back to School needs – from all natural snacks and lunchbox necessities to reusable water bottles and children’s everyday supplements and bodycare essentials.

Shopping Seasonal, Sales and Everyday Value Basics

Here are just a few of the many items that are both Back to School basics and a great deal.

GO LOCAL

Local English Family Farm apples are the perfect size for lunchboxes. Local bread by Whole Grain is just $1.99 a loaf and a perfect lunch staple.

ON SALE NOW

Amazing Grass’ Kidz Superfood is nutrient dense and supports your children’s immune function. Not to mention the great flavors. Mix with your favorite juices or blend into smoothies. Now half off through August 31st!

 Special Back to School Children’s Wellness Talk

• Thursday, August 25^th

6 to 7 p.m. Free!

Don’t miss our FREE informative talk with Dr. Laci Figa of Health Solutions Wellness Center to discuss children’s health topics – from immune system support to backpack safety. We will also teach proper hand washing courtesy of Mrs. Meyers. Raffle drawing and free samples, too!  Kids are welcome to attend this event! Please RSVP at sp.chr.marketing@wholefoods.com.

Announcing the Whole Kids Foundation Garden Grant Project

Please join us in helping their gardens grow this fall as we begin raising money to support the new Garden Grant Project. The program’s goal is to offer 1,000 schools a $2,000 grant to create and expand school garden programs. It is also a partnership with Food Corps. The fundraising effort will begin in the store on August 17^th. For more information about how to involve your local school, please visit the website at wholekidsfoundation.org.

Make the most of the warm weather months with LocalLily.com and Whole Foods Market with inspired ideas to help you survive the summer.

• Pack a cooler with simple summer snacks like locally made Laughing Giraffe Organics granola and discover shady hikes and watering holes where the temps are often 20 degrees cooler just an hour or so outside the city.

• Go underground to discover basement bars, wine cellars and speakeasies where you can cool your core.

• Take a cooking class at your neighborhood Whole Foods Market taught by talented chefs from some of our favorite local restaurants.

• Create your own hydrating mist with a simple recipe from Strawberry Hedgehog. I keep them in the fridge, bathroom, in my desk and purse. If you’ve ever lingered by the stunning handmade soap displays than you may be familiar with Strawberry Hedgehog luxury eco-friendly products.

 The air may be dry and the heat relentless, but summer doesn’t have to suck. Visit LocalLily.com or click HERE  to view the Summer Guide on your computer or mobile device. Or text LOCALS to 69302 and view it on your smart phone

Organic Goat Cheese - It's a Value Pick!

Speaking of Value Picks of the Month, our departments have selected items that are great-tasting at easy-to-swallow prices, too! For instance, in Seafood, we have the Mahi Mahi Everyday Value portions now available fresh or frozen. Or, check out Whole Body’s 365 One A Day Multi. Look for the green and white Value Pick of the Month sign in the store to know what our teams have selected for you to try.

Next up – Sales!

Who doesn’t love a good sale? Throughout the year, make sure to check for the One Day Sales – such as today’s One Day Sale on Organic Blueberries for $1.99 pint! These sales usually take place on Fridays and often highlight a seasonal item. Also, we have a new weekly sales ad that comes out every Thursday. You will always be able to pick up a Weekly Special flyer at the front of the store. Lastly, look for items that are on ongoing specials such as Everyday Values – these items are competitively priced.

Look for weekly One Day Sales, such as the Friday, June 17th Organic Blueberry sale, for amazing Summer deals!

How about those coupons?

Coupons are another great way to save – we have the Whole Deal coupon book – also available at the front of the store or at Customer Service. In the current issue there is more than $45 in savings in coupons – which you can also print online at – http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/wholedeal. Look for products labeled as Sure Deals, which are great to stock up on for more savings.

It's a Sure Deal!

What about buying in bulk or in larger quantities?

The bulk aisle is a great place to add variety to your diet and save because you can buy as little or as much as you like. Or you can save additional money by buying larger amounts – such as the Meat Department’s Extreme Butcher Buys that come pre-packed and ready to go!

Other quick tips:

1. Keep track of what’s in your pantry or fridge and only buy what you need.
2. Plan meals for the week and stick with it!
3. Buy in season! Prices for berries, melons and grapes are more affordable in the summer months than winter.
4. Shop when you have time to compare pricing of similar items on the shelf.
5. Plan ways to use leftovers – giving them new life in soups, salads or sandwiches and wraps.

Here’s to being a savvy shopper! 

Lisa Wilson

Marketing Supervisor

James Weighs in on Stone Brewing

Hello all, this is James, your friendly neighborhood Beer Guide right here at Whole Foods, 101 & Ray in Chandler AZ.  Every week I will bring you some great info on the newest & coolest beers here at our store.

This week I bring you The Stone IRS, or Imperial Russian Stout.  I know it sounds odd to release a high alcohol imperial stout in June but let us not forget that this is Stone Brewing we are talking about.  You are “Not Worthy” after all.  Let’s start by saying that this is indeed a Russian Imperial Stout of epic proportions.  90+ IBUs make it quite bitter but give it an amazing balance.  This brew is 10.5% ABV and arrogantly pronounces that fact in the nose, mouth feel & finish.  Dark & thick as a cold winter’s night, Stone defies tradition by releasing it during the warm summer months and packs more grain into the mash than anything this side of Oskar Blue’s Ten Fidy.  Flavors include dark malts with hints of anise (licorice), molasses, dark roast coffee and just a touch of dark fruit.  See the trend here?

Imagine pairing this IRS with a Fillet Mignon broiled in butter & smothered in melted blue cheese.  For dessert perhaps a black forest chocolate cake with a warm currant berry sauce and dab of real vanilla bean ice cream. Oh how the mind reels!

 RateBeer.com gives this monster a perfect score of 100 and although my palate leans towards Ten Fidy, I must agree it deserves every point.  As I understand this is a Very Limited Release, so pop on over and grab a bottle or two ASAP.  Regardless of the hop content, it’s my opinion that this stout will age quite nicely so do the two-bottle buy.  One for now, one for next year! Trust me it’s going to be a lot of fun finding out how this one turns out! Until next time, cheers everyone!

BEER CLASS: Friday, June 10th, 7 to 8 p.m. Stone Brewing. $5. Tasting some of the best Stone brews with a special surprise!

Hello Everyone!!!

 For those of you I haven’t gotten to meet yet, my name is Jillian Mitchell and I am the Grocery Team Leader for the Whole Foods Market in Chandler, AZ. I am an avid supporter of the Engine 2 Diet and the Healthy Eating programs in our stores. I support them because I know they work! I began my Engine 2 diet adventure in January of 2010 after seeing the results of others. I struggled with my weight like everyone else, but I also suffered from acne and low energy levels. These were ailments that I had just accepted as part of my genetic makeup, what a fantastic surprise! Within the first 2 weeks – pounds began falling off, my skin cleared and my energy rocketed.

And believe it or not, I was never hungry. The foods you will try as you work your way through this life-changing experience will become new, exciting favorites. You will become a total foodie…committed to eating only the best food available. The Engine 2 Diet book is your key to success through these first few weeks. The recipes are delicious and company worthy. So for those doubting friends of yours, just invite them to dinner!

So first things first…. Clean out your pantry! Get rid of oils, refined foods and animal products. Get down to Whole Foods and stock up on fresh produce, rich-whole grains and nutrient-packed legumes. Check the E2 website for help with organizing your shopping list: www.engine2diet.com I am always available if you need a little help making sense of all these do’s and don’ts. Trust me, it’s going to be worth it! Commit for yourself and your longevity. Your body is gonna love you for this.

I can’t wait to meet you all and see some familiar faces this Wednesday night.

PlantStrong for Life,

Jillian

Contact Jillian directly at jillian.mitchell@wholefoods.com or for general questions about the 28 Day Challenge at the Chandler store, contact sp.chr.marketing@wholefoods.com.

Hello all, this is James, your friendly neighborhood beer guide right here at Whole Foods, 101 & Ray in Chandler AZ.  Every week I will bring you some great info on the newest, coolest beers here at our store.

This week we shall chat about Summer beers, namely Solace from Firestone Walker, Somersault from New Belgium & & Summerfest from Sierra Nevada.  As summer falls upon us & the temperature here in Arizona begins to rise we say good bye to winter stouts, porters & barley wines & look to the lighter side of life.  Solace, Somersault & Summerfest are just the antidote needed for our hot summer nights.

The first of our trio, Solace from Firestone Walker brewing is an unfiltered American wheat beer.  About 6% ABV., this brew exudes flavors of banana, clove, tropical fruit & various spices.  Nicely carbonated  w/ a creamy mouth feel that’s balanced by more hop character than usually found in beers of this type.   A truly wonderful brew to pair with spicy grilled sausages or a nice medium rare burger with melted blue cheese! 

Next up, the Somersault from New Belgium Brewing.  A truly unique golden summer beer brewed with a touch of ginger, a bit of oat grain & a subtle fruity hop character.  I like the complexity this beer offers as opposed to the everyday summer beer.  A lot of character, but still quite refreshing at  5.2% ABV.   This beer makes for a beautiful pairing w/ BBQ chicken, pork or grilled fish. Last but not least, my favorite of the bunch for the desert heat, Sierra Nevada Summefest.   The perfect pool side companion at 5% ABV.  Summerfest is a pilsner style lager w/ a nice floral hop character & a grainy pilsner malt flavor.  A delicate tangy finish only adds to the appeal.  A true summer time treat that will pair well with anything coming off your back garden grill. 

That’s it for this week. Hope this sheds some cool light on your summer time refreshment! Thank you so much for stopping by. 

Until next week, cheers!   James

Hello all, this is James, your friendly neighborhood beer guide right here at Whole Foods, 101 & Ray in Chandler AZ.  Every week I will bring you some great info on the newest, coolest beers here at our store. A thousand pardons for missing last weeks blog.  It was inventory week & I managed to hurt myself in the process of counting kegs.  I’ve heard a few complaints via emails, so sorry lads I won’t let you down again.

This week we’ll dive head first into Le Terroir, a dry hopped sour ale brewed by New Belgium in Fort Collins Colorado.  Let’s chat about the terms dry hopped & sour just to bring things into perspective.  Dry Hopping is a term coined for the act of adding hops during the fermentation process.  Hopping during fermentation creates amazing aromas & can add to a beers overall flavor profile.  Floral & aromatic lower alpha acid Nobile hop varieties are a popular choice for dry hoping.  

Sour ales are created by introducing varieties of yeast and bacteria other than standard brewer’s yeasts into fermentation.  During fermentation or “ageing”, these wild organisms create flavors, phenols & esters not commonly produced by standard brewer’s yeasts.   These flavors range from earthy & citrusy to vinegar & ripe fruit. Quite strange, but very intriguing!

Alright!  On to the Beer in question, Le Terroir dry hopped sour aged ale.  First let me say that we carry this beer both on tap & in bottles so if your curiosity is just overwhelming you, feel free to come down and have a sample.  “Le Terroir” is a French term & means “of the earth”.  A term describing variations in movement, temperature, humidity & other factors that can affect the outcome of any living or growing thing.  The perfect name for a beer that thanks to the wild yeast, probably changes w/ every brew.  At 7.5% ABV., this sour beer pours a hazy golden yellow with a light colored effervescent foam.  Very tart on the palette, there are undertones of bright American citrus hops & slightly soft ripe fruit. The aroma is amazing, brimming w/ tart citrus but changes drastically as the beer begins to warm.  Slight hints of black pepper & earth begin to dominate the nose. What complex little brew this is!

I blended this sour ale w/ Lost Abbey Judgment Day last night and was amazed by the outcome.  Delicious!  Try this at home kids, 1/4 Le Terroir to 3/4 Judgment Day.  Of course, pour the Le Terroir in first.  

Sour aged ales have become quite popular in the Arizona craft beer market this last 18 months or so & I have a feeling we’ve only seen the beginning of this phenomena.  Most certainly an acquired taste, but one well worth trying.  Until next week, cheers!

Spring begins a whole new celebration of the seasons. Brightly colored produce like radishes, greens, lettuce and asparagus are satisfying a renewed craving for hearty salads full roasted vegetables. Beets are simple and delicious when roasted with a small amount of olive oil, perhaps from Queen Creek Olive Mill, salt and pepper in a foil packet on the grill or in the oven.

The same can be done with a mixture of garlic and cauliflower or green beans with almonds. Serve with a fresh loaf made by Breadsmith in Mesa and a locally crafted pint from San Tan Brewery in Chandler and your meal is set.

March through May is the time in Arizona when barbeques , garden parties and weddings are in full bloom. Choosing fresh, consciously made, locally sourced ingredients is a simple guarantee everything will come together beautifully.

I am one-part creator of Locallily.com, a curated list of inspired locally owned businesses. Living in Arizona affords us generous opportunities to fill our plates with delicious locally sourced foods and our time with inspired experiences.

 Locallily.com exists to be a central resource for our Arizona neighbors seeking to make conscious, informed choices on where they spend their time and money and how they feed themselves and their loved ones. Since its creation, Locallily.com has blossomed to include a growing social community of passionate individuals looking to make meaningful connections with their communities and each other through events and daily interaction.

My neighborhood Whole Foods provide me a simple, satisfying way to fill my fridge with quality, consciously selected staples like produce, beer and wine and baked goods that support my community and state economy.

 LocalLily.com readers want to know where there foods come from. In store events like Meet the Vendor Days allows me to shake hands with the Arizona farmers and dairymen that labor to grow my groceries. Doing this makes my purchases more meaningful.

If you are interested in learning more about exceptional local events, culture and supporting Arizona owned businesses like The House at Secret Garden, 24 Carrots and the ways your neighborhood Whole Foods shares our mission to support local then please visit www.LocalLily.com, Followus on Facebook and Twitter @Locallily and register your email address to receive Local Lily news at your inbox.

http://www.locallily.com

http://www.breadsmith.com/locations/mesa.html

http://www.santanbrewing.com/