Honeycrisp.  The word that elicits smiles and cheers of joy from apple lovers everywhere.  If you’ve never experienced a Honeycrisp apple do not let another season go by without trying this delicious treat.  Now you may not think of an apple as a “treat” but let me assure you this apple eats more like dessert than something you’ve been told you have to eat to keep the doctor away. 

The Honeycrisp first came about in 1960 from the University of Minnesota’s apple breeding program as the result of the cross pollination of a Macoun and Honeygold apple by brushing the pollen of a Macoun flower against that of a Honeygold flower, by hand.  The Honeycrisp wasn’t widely marketed until the 1990’s but it has gained increased popularity ever since.

As the name implies, the fruit is characterized by refreshing sweetness and a crisp bite that is unique to the Honeycrisp.  Aside from the exceptionally sweet, crisp, juicy texture the Honeycrisp is also quite hardy and can store well for months with proper refrigeration without compromising taste or texture. 

Join us as we embrace fall (90+ degree weather aside) and celebrate the season by kicking off the month with all things Honeycrisp!  Stop in this weekend as we feature Honeycrisp apple recipes in our Prepared Foods department and be sure to visit the Meat department for seasonal selections of Honeycrisp stuffed cuts of meat.  Look for the “Made with Honeycrisp Apples” flags and signs throughout the departments and, of course we encourage you to ask for samples! 

Best of all, stop by Saturday Oct. 2^nd for a Dippin’ Demo in the Produce department!   We will be sampling the crisp, sweet Honeycrisp apples dipped in caramel, chocolate, nuts, and other candy apple goodness.  We’ll be dippin’ in the produce department from 12pm -4pm. 

Finally, to tempt your taste buds and provide a little culinary inspiration, here’s a yummy Raw Apple Crisp recipe that’s quick, easy, and sure to please your sweet tooth. 

Talk To Us! Leave a comment with your favorite Honeycrisp Apple recipe or how you will be using apples in your fall recipes, and you will be entered to win a Local Vendor Gift Basket Filled with goodies from our awesome Local Arizona Vendors (and a few Honeycrisp apples too)!  Eligible entries due by Oct.16th. 

Oh yes, it’s that time of year.  Youngsters with backpacks have begun converging on the streets on their way to the bus stops.  To get this school year started off right Whole Foods Market is partnering with parents, educators, school districts and the community at large (let’s call it extended family) to do the thing we most love to do…get kids to eat their veggies!  Oh my friends, not just veggies, no over-cooked broccoli here, we’re going for the “S” word (the one they’re actually allowed to say), SALAD!   Whole Foods Market is committed to healthy eating and we’ve raised the bar on our commitment to impacting what is served in school cafeterias.  We’ve partnered with Chef Ann Cooper, The Renegade Lunch Lady and her Food Family Farming Foundation to collaborate on The Salad Bar Project to put salad bars in local Tucson schools.  The typical vegetable in a school lunch program is often french fries or tater tots.  While the deep fried potato dipped in sauce is often the life of the party we all know there are better fresh fruit and vegetable options to nourish the bodies and minds of our growing youth.  More than 30 million children participate in the National School Lunch Program every day and for many kids this is their only “complete” meal of the day. 

If artificially flavored foods and deep fried potatoes aren’t your idea of a nutritious lunch get on board with The Salad Bar Project and help us put salad bars in LOCAL Tucson, AZ schools!

GOAL:  A healthy salad bar in at least two Tucson area schools.

WHY: According to The Center for Disease Control, children born in the year 2000, one‐third will contract diabetes. And, these children will be the first in our country’s history to die at a younger age than their parents.

• 70.1% of Americans are overweight; 4.3 million children ages 10 – 14 will become overweight or obese in the next 24 months.
• Rates of childhood obesity are soaring. About 12 percent of children ages 2 to 5 are obese compared with 17% of kids 6 to 11, and 18% of kids ages 12 to 19.

HOW: We are engaging our customers and team members to help us raise at least$2,500 at each of our two Tucson stores to help implement a salad bar program in two Tucson are schools.  If we raise twice that amount at each location that means we can double the number of salad bars! 

WHAT ELSE? Interested schools may apply for the salad bar grant between Sept. 1, 2010 and Nov. 1, 2010 at www.salabarproject.org.  Schools must commit to having a salad bar program for at least two years following acceptance of the grant.  Successful applicants will be notified by Nov. 1, 2010. 

ACT NOW! Visit either of our two Tucson area stores and make a donation at the register.  Donate $1, $5 or whatever amount you’re able to share.  Every donation, regardless of size will make an impact on this program and allow us as a community to support our youth and kick off what is sure to be a healthy eating epidemic.  

MORE INFO: www.wholefoodsmarket.com/backtoschool

The amount of protein required per day is thought to be 1 to 2 grams per kilogram of body weight – 40 to 70 grams of protein for most adults. Vigorous exercise may increase the need for dietary protein. Also, the demands of pregnancy call for increased intake.

 Vegetarians and vegans (who don’t eat any animal foods) can get plenty of protein if they eat a variety of beans, seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables and fruit.  Beef, chicken, pork, fish, eggs and milk products contain all of the essential amino acids and provide concentrated forms of protein.   

 Protein supplements can be a great addition when we’re not eating enough protein-rich foods. For people with food sensitivities to dairy or soy there are MANY alternatives: eggs, rice, hemp seed, peas, chia seed, flax seed, spirulina and chlorella.

 Use protein powder as a starting point for a delicious homemade smoothie and add your favorite fruits (berries, bananas – yum!), milk (dairy, almond, soy, rice, hemp), fiber powder, etc.  Ask a Whole Body Team Member – they’d be happy to support you in your quest for the optimal protein, and can answer your other supplement questions too!

Here’s a great smoothie recipe that would pair nicely with a protein powder of your choice

Generously Contributed By Robin Rogosin, Associate Whole Body Coordinator.

• Samples? Yes.  We have an open sample policy. If you’re considering a purchase or are eyeing a new item you haven’t had before please ask one of our friendly Team Members for a sample.  With a few exceptions (alcohol) it’s very likely that we can provide a sample that you’re sure to love.
• Reuse? Please do.  We offer a 5¢ bag refund when you shop with your own reusable bag.  The nickel goes back on your bill or you may donate it to our designated Recycle Your Change charity.  Shopping, saving, giving…It’s all good. 
• Free Stuff? Yep. Come in on Wednesday and get a free cup of coffee with the purchase of any cookie, pastry, bagel, scone, or muffin.  You were buying the cookie anyway, now you have something to wash it down with. 
• Rewards? Heck Yea.  Pick up our Whole Body Vitamin Card and get it punched each time you purchase a supplement $9.99 or greater before tax.  After 10 punches redeem your full card for a FREE supplement, up to $25 in value.   But wait…Also pick up our Juice & Smoothie Rewards card!  Purchase 10 fresh juice drinks or smoothies, get a punch for each and redeem your full card for a FREE 16oz juice or smoothie.   Refreshing indeed.
• Kids? We love ‘em.  Have the youngsters ask for a Kids Club Card at the register.  When they show it at the register they’ll get a little kid friendly treat for being an awesome customer. 
• Tweet? For sure.   Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/wfmtucsonand Twitter @WFMTucson and you shall be richly rewarded with riveting info you can’t live without but more importantly with free stuff.  We Facebook (yes it’s a verb) and Tweet each Thursday about a snazzy item we’re giving away that evening at both Tucson stores for free.   
• Can’t Find Something? Just Ask.  If it’s an approved item we have available to us in our region it’s possible we can special order it for you or make a recommendation for a comparable item.  Remember though, some items, as yummy as they may be may not be approved in our stores.  No artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives in our food products.  Ever.

Our Team Members look forward to serving you.  Ask questions, offer suggestions, and let us know how much you love that new product you sampled today.  We look forward to seeing you!