Thursday, December 31, 2015

Lucky Foods For The New Year

Traditions abound around the world as to what foods eaten for New Year's, especially tomorrow on the Day, will bring good luck for the year. Whether they do or not, the prevalence of things like legumes and winter greens makes them attactive for menu planning. And you can get really picky by looking into things like whether certain shellfish might bring bad luck because they swim backwards. Here are a few guides to help you out: Lucky Foods for the New Year from Epicurious, A Buffet for Luck: New Year's Foods from Around the World from Whole Foods, Lucky Foods for the New Year from Martha Stewart, and 10 Foods That Will Bring You Good Luck in the New Year from Bon Appetit.

Have a fun and safe New Year's Eve!

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Cured's Annual Sale Tomorrow

Cured, that fabulous, one-of-a-kind local purveyor of artisanal cheese, charcuterie, wine, and lots of other wonderful things, will hold its annual sale tomorrow, with just about everything 20% off at both its original store on Pearl, and the new adjunct at the west end. Here's what they say:

Cured’s Annual Sale: Some of you may be remembering…isn’t there a sale that happens around this time of year?! Good news my friends, you happen to be correct. Every year on the 31st, Cured opens its doors and knocks down its prices, letting you have SD-Sale-Graphic copyat all our scrumptious goodies at a 20% discount. That means cheese, meat, truffle salt, olive oil, wine, beer, spirits…you name it!Everything in our shop that isn't bolted down, other than platters and sandwiches, is yours for the taking :) Plus, this year we have an extra special treat for you in the form of our sweet little Cured West.Everyone knows the youngest child is the favorite, so to honor little Westie, we’re offering 25% off everything at Cured West, excluding our daily sandwiches. Obviously we don't quite have the wine, cheese and charcuterie selection there, but I guarantee you there are an epic number of decadent chocolate bars, extra virgin olive oils, truffle products and more for you to indulge in. So whether you find yourself on the East End, the West End, or both, come and pay us a visit between 10:30 and 5 on the last day of 2015 to stock your pantry for the year ahead! 

This Week's Hot Grocery Deals (IMHO)

We have new sales starting today at our Boulder Sprouts and Whole Foods stores, while as mentioned in the post just below, Vitamin Cottage is on a sales Hotline hiatus, probably until January 1st, almost upon us. Here's what's looking good to me now.

In Sprouts' new sale through January 6th, I'm liking boneless sirloin tip roast or steak for $3.99 a pound (just cut that up for stew beef), all of their fresh chicken sausage $3.99 a pound, fresh ground chicken breast or previously frozen ground turkey breast also $3.99 a pound, and their very good stuffed chicken breasts $2.99 a pound. They also have stew beef at $4.99 a pound, but note you could buy the sirloin tip and take a second to cut it up yourself for less. In fish, fresh farmed Atlantic salmon fillets are just $4.99 a pound (and I've been surprised by how pleased I've been with these in the past), raw peeled and deveined 31/40 count wild shrimp are $5.99 a pound, and wild Alaskan cod fillets are $7.99 a pound, both of the latter previously frozen.

In organic produce at Sprouts, green curly, Lacinato or red Russian kale are all 98 cents a bunch, a better price than you'll see in the Whole Foods sale below. Red, yellow or orange bell peppers are $1.50 each, four pound bags of Valencia oranges or grapefruit are both $2.98 each, and bananas are just 48 cents a pound. In conventional produce, Hass avocados are notable at 48 cents each. Elsewhere in the store at Sprouts, I'm liking select Annie's products at 50% off, some Cascadian Farm cereals also 50% off (their granola or bars also included), some Odwalla juices $2 for that usual 15-ish ounce bottle, and some Spectrum chia seeds are 25% off, although I burned out on those a while ago, using too often and plentifully on my salads, but they really are good.

In Whole Foods' new sale through January 5th (that's exceptionally short for them), organic green kale is $1.50 a bunch, but you'll do better than that at Sprouts. For turkey breast that's freshly ground instead of previously frozen as at Sprouts, that's $5.99 a pound. Some Rumiano sliced cheeses are $3.99 each (size not specified in the flyer), paiche fillets are $9.99 a pound (a new favorite in the fish world and it's good, although fresh/frozen not specified in the flyer), Uniekaas Robusto gouda is $13.99 a pound, Ford Farm Seaside cheddar is $8.99 a pound, and WFM's own chocolate mousse sounds tempting at $6.99 a pound. Plus, the big 100 ounce sizes of Seventh Generation laundry detergents are $11.99 each, although I've gotten hooked on the convenience of WFM brands' tablet form for that.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Vitamin Cottage Hotline Hiatus

I made it to Vitamin Cottage, but found that they are again on a hiatus for their full Hotline sales flyer, but not for long. The helpful person at customer service told me they expect the next one on January 1st, which of course is awfully close. She also mentioned there are a few specials for the holidays currently to be found around the store, even without a sale flyer.

Monday, December 28, 2015

New Year's Eve Ideas

With Christmas just behind us, it's time to start thinking about New Year's Eve, although that isn't a big deal in this house. For inspiration, here are a few guides to help you out:  New Year's Eve Recipes for a Crowd from Food and Wine magazine, Most Elegant, Festive New Year's Party. Ever. from Epicurious, and at Cooking Light, when you click on New Year's, it brings you to Holiday Open House Menu.

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Chef's Call Back Actually Works!

As previously mentioned, with Chef's Catalog's most unfortunate going out of business sale, it has been impossible to place an order through the overloaded website, and I had their phone line on speakerphone for at least an hour and a half this morning hoping to get through. During that time, I heard frequent messages that you could request a call-back and still maintain your place in the queue, but with the way things go these days, I just didn't believe it. But when giving up on the phone call, I requested the call-back, and lo!, at 1:30 this afternoon, I got one. That's from being 217th in line very early this morning. I would have expected a totally stressed responder, but Denise was absolutely perfect, getting my order exactly correct while thanking me for condolences re the closing (this must effect folks like her particularly hard, so sad to see).

Giving Up On Chef's Sale

As mentioned yesterday (post just below), Chef's Catalog is sadly going out of business, and announced considerable discounts yesterday. They have some flatware I've been interested in, but their poor website must be so overloaded, it's completely disfunctional in terms of placing orders. So a little before 7:30 this morning, I called their customer service number (800 338-3232) and spent about 20 minutes doing redial just to get past a busy signal before finally reaching the system. There, I found I was 217th in line to place an order. Given that I've now been waiting a full hour and a half with their hold music on speakerphone, I think it's time to give up and get on with my day. But darn, I did want that flatware.

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Chef's Going Out Of Business

I was shocked to receive an email today from Chef's Catalog, saying they are going out of business after 36 years. All sales are final, and are up to a whopping 90% off. They are perhaps going out of business even faster than they thought since at least at this moment, their website, chefscatalog.com, is not working.

While I like to shop locally at places like Peppercorn first, there have been times I've turned to Chef's, with generally great results. I'll miss them.

Greenwood's Calendar

Okay, so I can't find any way to tie this to the theme of this blog, except that Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is a place I hugely respect, just as I do the Boulder food scene. Greenwood does enormously important work saving wildlife, the critters not handled at all by that also fabulous place, the Boulder Valley Humane Society. Since it's always a challenge to find an interesting wall calendar, if you are looking for one this year, I doubt you could do better than this:

We still have 2016 custom Greenwood calendars for sale for only $20, featuring many of the adorable critters we've cared for this year! Stop by our Center in Lyons or our Thrift Shop and Consignment Gallery at 3600 Arapahoe in Boulder to get one now. Or, call 303-823-8455, and we'll mail one or more to you for a small fee. All proceeds benefit the wildlife in our care. 

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Merry Christmas Parking Lot

I hope you have everything organized for your Christmas cooking needs. If not, it's just getting crazy out there, so good luck. I stopped by the Whole Foods on Pearl Street yesterday to pick up the previously mentioned tamale special, and they actually had Boulder police in the parking lot, seemingly for crowd control. While people were circling madly for a parking space, I'm glad to report that at least what I saw was quite civil. Merry Christmas Eve!

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Special Sales Through Tomorrow

Whole Foods is doing a couple of special sales through tomorrow, Christmas Eve. Tamales, a wonderful Christmas tradition involving vast amounts of work if you make them yourself, can be had ready-made for $2 each, and some Christmas candy is already half off. Also, Nordman fir trees are $39.99, if you are running late on that tree.

This Week's Hot Grocery Deals (IMHO)

Happy first full day of winter, with a trace of fresh snow to celebrate it. Heading into the holiday home stretch, we have new sales starting today at our Boulder Sprouts and Whole Foods stores. Something is surely also happening at Vitamin Cottage, but when I stopped by there yesterday to pick up a sales flyer, there wasn't a parking spot to be had all the way up to Mapleton. So here's what's looking good to me now.

With everybody pretty much done with their shopping frenzy, Sprouts is taking an abbreviated approach this week, doing just a two page ad instead of their usual four (and I'm glad to see they'll be closed for Christmas Day, also closing at 7 p.m. for Christmas Eve). So in this short list of sales lasting through January 1 (!), I'm liking value packs of boneless skinless chicken breasts at $1.69 a pound, baby back pork ribs $2.79 a pound, their Presidential Cut standing rib roast $7.99 a pound, chicken Italian sausage (pork also) $3.99 a pound, and their own stuffed chicken breasts or ground chicken $2.99 a pound. In fish, previously frozen wild Alaskan sockeye salmon fillets are $6.99 a pound, previously frozen wild king crab legs are $12.99 a pound, and previously frozen wild caught five ounce lobster tails are $6.99 each, although you could have done better than that putting still frozen ones in the freezer in the past couple of weeks.

With this abbreviated ad, there's not much to report for organic produce, just broccoli at $1.48 a pound. In conventional produce, Hass avocados are 48 cents each, and two pound bags of Cuties Mandarins are $1.98 each. Elsewhere in the store, I'm thrilled to see my new favorite, Home Run Inn frozen pizzas, at $5.99 each (for a frozen pizza, they are surprisingly good, and everybody deserves a break from real cooking every once and a while). Muir Glen organic pasta sauces are $2.79 a jar, a whole bunch of snacks are 25% off (like you need to eat more stuff right now), and they have ten fresh catering trays at 25% off.

Whole Foods is also doing a quickie, with a sale only lasting through December 29th, instead of their usual two or three weeks. I'm liking satsumas at $1.68 a pound, and their availability is very brief, pineapples $2.50 each (Sprouts has them for the same price, but these come with the Whole Trade pedigree), eight ounces of Belgioioso burrata $4.99 each, king salmon (not specified in the ad but has to be previously frozen)$19.99 a pound for fillets, four-packs of Izze's sparkling drinks $3.99 each, and 365 brand organic canned chili three for $5, for when you are feeling overwhelmed. Plus you can treat yourself with four-packs of Rubicon chocolate peppermint cream cupcakes for $3.49 each, less than $1 per cupcake.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Beware The Imagine Broth Ring Up

The Whole Foods store on Pearl Street has a huge display (maybe five or six feet wide and several feet high) of my beloved Imagine organic broths, proclaiming them to be on sale for $2.50 each (two for $5). However, today, taken from that big display, they rang up at $3 each, also noted as a sale price. A kind person ran back to that display (facing the meat counter) and returned to confirm the two for $5 price, which was quickly adjusted on my bill. But I also want to double check the price I was charged for Blue Moose roasted red pepper hummus, which I grabbed because it was marked at a particularly good sale price that I didn't pay much attention to, yet rang up at basically $6, yikes.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Christmas Is Almost Upon Us

With Christmas at the end of this week, it's time to get serious about planning some food. Here are a few guides to help you out: Best Christmas Ever from Epicurious, Holiday Headquarters from Whole Foods, and Ultimate Holiday Cookbook from Cooking Light.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Weekend Sales At Alfalfa's

Alfalfa's is doing some great specials through tomorrow, including prime rib roast for $10.99 a pound, and they have very good beef indeed. Also, the olive bar is 20% off, sustainable cooked shrimp are $10.99 a pound (the size isn't specified), and wild caught lobster tails are $5 each. Plus, if you look around, there are various places to find a coupon for $20 off a $100 purchase, including yesterday's print Daily Camera, and often on Facebook, if you "like" them.

More Whole Foods Sales

Tis the season to be too busy to write blog posts, and since I just do this for fun, I'm not going to angst about it. In any case, Whole Foods has introduced a few new sales through the 22nd, in addition to the parm and Rao's mentioned below. Select 365 brand frozen appetizers are a whopping 40% off, some DeCecco's pastas are $2 a box (too bad they don't carry the whole wheat fettuccine anymore), and Whole Foods' own French milled soaps are $4.99 for a 4.4 ounce bar that comes in a giftable tin.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Slew Of Sales At Whole Foods

Not sure if I even have time to cover all of these, and they have different time periods, so pay attention!

One week sale through the 22nd:

Parmigiano Reggiano $15.99 a pound, and select Rao's pasta sauces to go with it for $5.99 a jar.

"Happy hour" cheese sale for tomorrow, 4 to 7 p.m. only, Borough Market Stilton half price.

All weekend, tomorrow through Sunday:

Two brands of toys and stuffed animals 30% off, golden king crab $16.99 a pound, and four sales on the various grades and darkness of maple syrup by Crown Maple. Panettone also on sale, I suppose really good for French toast, but that's not my thing.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Tree Sale At Whole Foods

Through Christmas Eve, Whole Foods has now marked their Nordman fir trees at $39.99 each, and I believe for each tree you buy, they pay to plant another (am sure I read that, but no time to double check right now).

This Weeks's Hot Grocery Deals (IMHO)

Good snowy, beautiful morning, Boulder. I think they were expecting only about half the amount of snow we got yesterday. In any case, we have new sales starting today at our Boulder Sprouts and Whole Foods stores, while there also should be something new at Vitamin Cottage, must check that out. Here's what's looking good to me now.

In Sprouts' new sale through December 24th (yikes, one week away!), I'm liking value packs of chicken breast tenders (thighs also, and it's possible those might be the only ones requiring the value pack, unclear from the ad) for $1.69 a pound, their "Presidential Cut" standing rib roast $7.99 a pound, all chicken sausage (pork also) $3.99 a pound, and bone-in pork shoulder roast $2.49 a pound. In fish, fresh farmed Atlantic salmon fillets are $5.99 a pound, previously frozen wild Alaskan cod fillets are $7.99 a pound, and previously frozen "chem-free" cooked 31/40 count farmed peeled and deveined shrimp are $8.99 a pound, easy shrimp cocktail.

In organic produce at Sprouts, the stunner is Valencia oranges at 48 cents a pound. Organic table carrots or russet potatoes are both $2.98 for a five pound bag, Braeburn or red delicious apples are $1.50 a pound, and 5.6 ounce containers of blackberries are $2.50 each. I don't ususually bother with conventional produce, but this week I'm interested in asparagus at $1.98 a pound and pineapples just 98 cents each. Elsewhere in the store, I'm liking all Spice Hunter items at 50% off, bulk coffee $6.99 a pound, 750 ml bottles of San Pellegrino 99 cents each, some Voskos Greek yogurts for just 88 cents, some Lundberg rice packages 35% off (really interested in that one), and lots of Sprouts' own brand products on sale.

At Whole Foods through December 29th (takes us just about to New Year's!), I'm liking their Whole Trade pineapples for $2.50 (98 cents this week at Sprouts, but without that assurance re fair deal for the farmer), satsumas $1.68 a pound (and their season is short, so enjoy while you can), and eight ounces of Belgioioso burrata $4.99 each. It doesn't specify, but I'd assume previously frozen, king salmon fillets, the best in my opinion, can be enjoyed at $19.99 a pound. Some Udi's gluten-free frozen pizzas are $5.99 each, four-packs of Rubicon chocolate peppermint cream cupcakes are $3.49 each, and when you're really tired of all the shopping, decorating, cooking and partying bustle, you can open a can of Whole Foods' 15 ounce organic chili at three for $5.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Sprouts Essential Oils Webinar

Major apologies, as this webinar occurs today, but it has been exceedingly busy around here right now. In any case, Sprouts is offering a really good-sounding webinar this evening on last minute DIY gifts using essential oils. Registration details can be found here.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Superior Supports My Favorites

Every year, Superior Liquor (in Superior, obviously) does a wonderful campaign in which you can donate your customer points to a great cause, which they then brilliantly leverage through additional corporate sponsorship. This year, customer club members have the splendid choice of donating to Community Food Share or the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, two of my favorite organizations ever. And thanks to the corporate support they've arranged, every $1 you give in accumulated points becomes $3 to the organization of your choice. You have until December 31st to donate, so consider doing it if you are a member!

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Prices On Wreaths

I took a look at wreaths while I was at the Pearl Street store a bit ago, and they have 20 inch wreaths on sale for $12.99 each. I didn't notice a sale end date, but last year it went all season. The kicker however is that the wreaths I saw are completely devoid of decoration, fine if you happen to like doing it all yourself. By contrast, the wreaths I previously mentioned from the Trader Joe's flyer are 22 inch ones accented with juniper and pine cones for $9.99 each. So you get a bigger wreath already sporting some decoration for a lower price.

Friday, December 11, 2015

Alfalfa's Tasting Fair Tomorrow

The Alfalfa's store in Boulder will hold a holiday tasting fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow, the 12th. (Their Louisville store got its chance last weekend.) If it's anything like the one I enjoyed while doing Thanksgiving shopping, it will be fabulous.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Weekend Sales At Whole Foods

Our local Whole Foods stores will offer us a bunch of special sales to celebrate the weekend. First of all, for tomorrow, from 4 to 7 p.m. only, the "happy hour" cheese special will be my favorite applewood smoked gouda half price, yum. For tomorrow through Sunday, there will be a quartet of sales, with all items by Earth Therapeutics 30% off, Uniekaas Robusto cheese $13.99 a pound, the 32 ounce size of RW Knudsen apple cider $2.50 each, or triple your size while just doubling the price by buying the big 96 ounce size for $4.99 a jug (the jug is cider & spice only, while the smaller one also comes in apple ginger).

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Prime Rib Sale At Alfalfa's

For today through this Sunday, the 13th, prime rib roast at Alfalfa's is on sale for $9.99 a pound. Alfalfa's has very fine beef, with no hormones or antibiotics ever.

This Week's Hot Grocery Deals (IMHO)

We have a new sale starting today at our Boulder Sprouts stores while the current one continues through the 15th at Whole Foods, and just through this Saturday, the 12th, at Vitamin Cottage (heads up on that one). Here's what's looking good to me now.

For this weekend, Friday through Sunday, Sprouts will do yet another 72 hour sale. Items appealing to me include boneless pork loin chops (roast also) just $1.79 a pound, previously frozen raw 26/30 count shrimp $4.99 a pound, 1.25 liters of Crystal Geyser sparking water 79 cents each, 24-packs of Arrowhead water $2.99 each, and Hass avocados two for $1 (although those are better when they're three for that price).

In Sprouts' regular sale through December 16th, I'm liking fresh chicken breast tenders $1.88 a pound, "Presidential Cut" standing rib roast $7.99 a pound, whole or split chickens $1.69 a pound, all chicken sausage (pork also) $3.99 a pound, fresh ground chicken (breast or thigh) or pork $2.99 a pound, and previously frozen Alaskan sockeye salmon fillets $7.99 a pound.

In organic produce at Sprouts, tomatoes are great at $1.98 a pound, Braeburn or red delicious apples are $1.50 a pound, four pound bags of Valencia oranges or grapefruit are $2.98 each, and black seedless grapes are just $1.98 a pound. Elsewhere in the store, I'm liking a line drive on all Barbara's products a whopping 50% off, some Odwalla juices $1.99 each, my favorite Blue Diamond Artisan Nut-Thins $2.50 a box (that's quite good for the Artisan ones), and the entire bulk department (the bins, spices and coffee) is 25% off, so I know where I'll be getting my bulk coffee beans this week.

One-Day Sale At Whole Foods Today

For today only, the 9th, our local Whole Foods stores will have top sirloin and petite sirloin steaks for $7.99 a pound.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Great Wreath Price At Trader Joe's

The new "Fearless Flyer" from Trader Joe's has a particularly good price for a 22 inch wreath at just $9.99 each (often to be found more like $25), accented with juniper and pine cones. Add your own bow if you wish.

Last year, Whole Foods was doing a similar size for about $12.99 as a special. I haven't yet had a chance to check on that this year. I'm still planning on paying full price for my wreath at the lovely local farm where every year we offer to buy an armload of trimmings from the bottoms of their sold Christmas trees to use as loose evergreen decorations, and every year they tell use we're welcome to just take them. Not going to reveal that family secret location.

Monday, December 7, 2015

Colorado Gives Day Tomorrow

Not particularly food-related (although you can find some great opportunities to support those in need of that), tomorrow is Colorado Gives Day, a day in which you can focus on donating to those non-profits of your choice that make this such a great community. Details and donating can be found on their website.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Last Day For The Winter Market

It's your last chance to get to the final fling of the Boulder Farmers' Market this year, their Winter Market out at the fairgrounds in Longmont. In addition of lots of gift-buying opportunities from wonderful local crafts people, you can stock up on winter produce from those farmers you love. On that front, here's what the Market says to expect:

In Season Now


arugula, bell peppers, beets, cabbage, cardoons, carrots, celeriac, chevril, escarole, frisee, garlic, horseradish, kale, leeks, lettuce, mache, minutina, mushrooms, mustard greens, onions, pac choi, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabaga, scallions, spinach, Swiss chard, tatsoi, tomatoes, turnips, winter squash 

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Alfalfa's Loves Beef Lovers

Since a fabulous holiday tasting fair was happening, I did my shopping today at the Alfalfa's in Louisville, not terribly far from me. I was so impressed, I'm planning on ordering my standing rib roast for Christmas from them instead of Whole Foods this year. While I don't yet have info from Whole Foods to compare it with, Alfalfa's price of $13.99 a pound for a bone-in rib roast, plain or seasoned with rosemary and garlic or smoked salt and pepper, seems very reasonable for the very good beef they carry. Speaking of which, Alfalfa's is also courting beef lovers with an excellent price on organic ribeyes and NY strip steaks and roasts, $12.99 a pound, half off, in their regular sale through December 15th. That's from the flyer, and it may have been a fluke, but today the strip steaks were marked at just $9.99 a pound instead.

Friday, December 4, 2015

Alfalfa's Louisville Tasting Fair Tomorrow

Tomorrow, the 5th, the Alfalfa's store in Louisville will offer a holiday tasting fair from 4 to 6 p.m. If it's anything like the one I went to at the Boulder store for Thanksgiving, it will be fabulous. By the way, they also have wild caught king crab for $16.99 a pound through Sunday.

Hanukkah Celebration Guides

Despite the lovely warm weather, Hanukkah is just around the corner this weekend. If you are looking for some culinary inspiration for your Festival of Lights, here are a few guides to help you out: Our Best Hanukkah Recipes from the New York Times' Cooking collection, Hanukkah from Epicurious, and Hanukkah Recipes from Cooking Light magazine.

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Winter Farmers' Market This Weekend

With its regular season now ended, the Boulder Farmers' Market will host a special Winter Market out at the Boulder Fairgrounds in Longmont this weekend, both Saturday and Sunday. A good chance to check out both local food and gift possibilities from local crafts people. Here are the details from the Market (but oh no! this is one of those things that will cut off on the right when I paste it in - think you can get all the info you need, though):
9th Annual Winter Market
December 5 and 6
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Boulder County Fairgrounds Exhibit Building
9595 Nelson Rd., Longmont

In Season at Winter Market




Fresh produce
arugula, bell peppers, beets (gold, red, chiogga), cabbage, cardoons, carrots (yellow, purple, orange), celeriac, chevril, escarole, frisee, garlic, horseradish, kale, leeks, lettuce, mache, minutina, mushrooms, mustard greens, onions, pac choi, parsley, potatoes (yukon gold, sweet, fingerling, red), radishes (cherriette, watermelon, daikon, black), rutabaga, scallions, spinach, Swiss chard, tatsoi, tomatoes, turnips, winter squash (spaghetti, acorn, butternut, pumpkin)

Other farm products
beef, cornmeal, dried beans (anasazi, hidasta red, scarlet runner, purple crescent, tiger eye, black), lamb, pig leather, popcorn (red, purple, yellow), pork, seeds, sheep pelts, wool

Winter Market Weekend Schedule  

 

Saturday, December 5
Live music from Heartwood Duo and The Heartstring Hunters
Gift-wrapping by Firehouse Art Center, sponsored by Two Hands Paperie
10-11am: The Roost Chef Demo
11-11:25am: Silver Canyon Coffee Demo
11:35am-12pm: Colorado Aromatics Demo

Sunday, December 6

Live music from Defunkt Railroad and Flynn & Co.
11-11:25am: Homemade European Foods Demo
11:35am-12pm: Daybreak Criations Alpacas Demo

Join our Facebook event to stay updated on Winter Market vendors and events

Weekend Sales At Whole Foods

After our recent feeding frenzy, Whole Foods is laying back by offering us just a duo of special sales this weekend. Tomorrow's cheese happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. only Mountain time will be Uniekaas duo cow-goat cheese 50% off. For the whole weekend, tomorrow through Sunday, some scarves and accessories will be 30% off.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Cookie Love From Whole Foods

A while ago it was 25 cent coffee, then 25 cent oatmeal. Now Whole Foods is celebrating National Cookie Day by giving us their own baked chocolate chip cookies for a mere quarter, not just for a day, but for a week, running through December 8th. Caveats being while they last, limit three per customer. Like I need this temptation right after Thanksgiving...

One Week Sale At Whole Foods

From today through December 8th, peeled and deveined raw shrimp are $9.99 a pound. The online listing doesn't specify size or fresh/frozen, so it's hard to compare with Sprouts' shrimp sale this week at $6.99 a pound (look one post below for that one).

This Week's Hot Grocery Deals (IMHO)

Back to a more normal Wednesday after last week's holiday rush and sale hiatus, we have new sales starting today at our Boulder Sprouts and Whole Foods stores, while the current one continues at Vitamin Cottage through December 12th (use the list of posts at the lower left to find that one). Here's what's looking good to me now.

Sprouts' new sale lasts through December 9th, and it's interesting that after their taking last week off from new sales, this week their flyer is only two pages instead of four, so half as many items to peruse. In any case, I'm liking value packs of boneless skinless chicken breasts (thighs also) for just #1.77 a pound, if I'm ready for more poultry, all chicken sausage $3.99 a pound, and their very good stuffed chicken breasts $2.99 a pound (guess I'd better be ready for chicken). In fish, previously frozen wild Alaskan sockeye salmon fillets are $9.99 a pound, and previously frozen 31/40 count peeled and deveined wild shrimp are $6.99 a pound (not very big, but all the work is done for you).

Not much to report regarding organic produce at Sprouts, as the only item listed in this abreviated flyer is organic mini seedless watermelon at $2.50 each. If you're willing to go conventional, five pound boxes of Cuties mandarins are $3.88 each. Elsewhere in the store, I'm liking some Earth Balance buttery spreads (sticks also) at just $2.99 each (timely, as Thanksgiving nearly wiped out my supply), 40% off the entire line of very good Back to Nature products, Organic Vally salted or unsalted butter $3.99 a one pound package, Tillamook Greek yogurts 77 cents each, some Delallo pastas $1.50 a one pound package, and to go with it, Rao's pasta sauce $4.99 a jar.

In the new sale at Whole Foods through December 15th, I'm liking organic Pink Lady apples at just $1.68 a pound, domestic sockeye salmon fillet $12.99 a pound (although you'll find that cheaper at Sprouts this week, but Whole Foods always has such glorious fish), 12 ounce Isigny St. Mere brie for $5.99 each, my favorite Imagine organic broths $2.50 a box, and their own organic cranberry baguettes sound intriguing at $2.49 each (just how would you enjoy a cranberry baguette?).

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Holiday Recovery Foods

If like me, you've spent too much time finishing off those rich Thanksgiving leftovers in the fridge, you might be interested in the post holiday detox suggestions from Food and Wine magazine. Quinoa and veggies do sound good about now. Just in time to start thinking about Christmas and all those holiday foods yet to come, since it's happy December 1st.

Monday, November 30, 2015

Patience Until Wednesday

As previously mentioned, current sales are continuing at Whole Foods and Vitamin Cottage, but I was not sure what might be happening at Sprouts, as their last sale flyer said it was good through Thanksgiving day. It's now looking like we'll need to wait until the usual Wednesday for something new from them, as there's no weekly sale flyer online now, and nothing in the store when I was there yesterday, although there are still plenty of specials marked on the shelves, seemingly continuing from that last weekly sale. Makes sense, as I still have a few turkey leftovers to go.

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Shop Small Saturday

In the midst of Black Friday weekend, with a frenzy surrounding the big box stores, how nice to celebrate today as Shop Small Saturday, a day to enjoy the small and preferably local. Boulder abounds with options, including lovely Peppercorn for your food-related gift buying. Cured, now with two stores near downtown, would be another excellent place to patronize.

Friday, November 27, 2015

Thanksgiving Leftovers Ideas

So now we're done with the feast proper, but facing a mountain of beautiful leftovers, not a bad problem to have. What to do with them? Last week I read a quick essay in the New York Times' Cooking feature from a guy who eschews the prevalent idea that transforming them is necessary, advocating instead that you just reheat and re-enjoy that fabulous feast as it was. There's great merit in that idea, at least for one meal. If you are looking for some other ideas, here are a few guides to help you out: Thanksgiving Leftovers Go Beyond the Turkey Sandwich from the New York Times, Top Thanksgiving Leftovers from the Food Network, and Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes from Allrecipes.com. I usually like to include something from Epicurious.com, but unfortunately their link for Thanksgiving Leftovers goes to something about sweets for Rosh Hashannah, whoops.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Weekend Sales At Whole Foods

Happy Thanksgiving! In the midst of all the prep, there's probably no time to contemplate how Whole Foods will be doing Black Friday and beyond. I don't have that time either, so here's a short version. For tomorrow only, the Black Friday deal will be 7 to 8 foot Christmas trees for $39.99 each. Time to move on to the next holiday, after all. For the whole weekend, sockeye salmon (presumably previously frozen) will be $11.99 a pound, the cookie bar will be $8.99 a pound (like you need more calories), and watch for specials on apparel and also on Theo's chocolate bars. Time to get back to my dinner prep!

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

An Unusual Wednesday

Wednesday is usually "food day," when the new sales are announced, but for Thanksgiving Eve, this is of course an unusual one. Sprouts always does something new on Wednesday, but in this case, its sale will continue through the holiday tomorrow. By the way, they'll also be open from 7 am to 4 pm in case your planning didn't work out quite so perfectly. The current sales at Whole Foods and Vitamin Cottage also continue on, those for quite some time, so look below for those.

When Sprouts does announce its new sale, I expect to be quite busy with family and friends, and will simply get to the sale when I get to it. Isn't enjoying good times and being thankful with family and friends what Thanksgiving is about anyway?

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Reminder Re Thanksgiving Planners

If you still haven't ironed all the details for Thanksgiving dinner, here's a reminder of the guides I posted a couple of weeks ago, in addition to the ones posted yesterday, just a bit below this.

Monday, November 23, 2015

More Thanksgiving Ideas

If you still haven't made up your mind for some Thanksgiving particulars, here are a couple of excellent guides, in addition to the ones I posted a couple of weeks ago: Thanksgiving 2015 from the New York Times' excellent Cooking source, and Thanksgiving Menus from Whole Foods.

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Community Food Share Drive

Just a reminder that the incredibly important food drive that Community Food Share conducts every year at this time runs through this Wednesday, the 25th. If you haven't already done so, it's a wonderful opportunity to provide non-perishable food for the drive at so many of our Boulder stores while doing your own ample holiday shopping.

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Last Call For First Bite Boulder

Today's the final day of First Bite Boulder, with lots of restaurants offering special three course menus for $29. You can check out the various menu options on the First Bite website, but be aware if you haven't already gotten your reservation, you might be out of luck.

Friday, November 20, 2015

Genetically Modified Salmon?

Yesterday the FDA approved genetically engineered salmon for consumption, making it the first approved GMO animal to potentially reach your plate (eventually). I heard that Whole Foods will not be carrying it, no surprise there. You can read about it in lots of places, including this article from the New York Times.

Final Regular Markets Tomorrow

Tomorrow, just in time for Thanksgiving, will be the final regular Boulder Farmers' Markets, both in downtown Boulder from 8 to 2 and at the fairgrounds in Longmont 8 to 1. There will also be a special Winter Market at the fairgrounds in early December, more to come on that later. Here's what the Market says to expect for tomorrow, with lots of root veggies for that Thanksgiving dinner:

In Season Now


Leeks, tomatoes, cauliflower, spicy greens, broccoli, Swiss chard, radishes, arugula, kale, cabbage (click through for a sauerkraut recipe and storage tips), potatoes, winter squash, beets, carrots, winter radishes, turnips, garlic and celeriac. Also available: honey, bread, baked goods, eggs, beef, lamb, goat, pork, chicken, cheeses, preserves and mushrooms.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Weekend Sales At Whole Foods

Whole Foods is really mixing it up with a bunch of different sales, so let me try to sort them out by time frame.

The shortest is a happy hour cheese sale from just 4 to 7 p.m. tomorrow, when Bellavitano merlot cheese will be half off.

There's a quintet of special sales for the usual weekend timeframe, tomorrow through Sunday. Whole Foods' own chocolate marshmallows and caramels are two for $7, their own truffles are two for $8, eight ounces of Allegro's Celebration coffee will be two for $8 (whole bean, ground, or decaf), bison ribeye steaks are $14.99 a pound, and something that's really getting my attention, prepared seafood appetizers will be 25% off, and that includes take and bake options. Maybe I won't even make my baked clam dip from scratch.

For today through Sunday, it's beaujolais nouveau time again, with Georges DeBoeuf for $9.99 a bottle, presumably with the wine store next door participating.

Then the longest special sale, starting yesterday and running through the 24th, is on three pound bags of organic Braeburn apples at $2.98 each. Whew, hope I got that all exactly.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

This Week's Hot Grocery Deals (IMHO)

Heading into Thanksgiving week, we have new sales starting today at our Boulder Sprouts and Whole Foods stores, while the current one continues through December 12th at Vitamin Cottage (look a post just below for that one). Here's what's looking good to me now.

Sprouts' new sale runs through November 26th, taking it through Thanksgiving Day instead of the usual Wednesday, and they note they'll be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving. I sure hope they are adequately compensating those who will be working those hours. The new sale has value packs of boneless skinless chicken breasts for $1.77 a pound, although poultry other than turkey won't be a high priority for me right now. Similarly, whole or split fresh chickens are $1.69 a pound, stuffed chicken breasts are $2.99 a pound, and chicken sausage (pork also) is $3.99 a pound for links and $2.99 a pound for bulk. Their Presidential Cut of beef standing rib roast is $9.99 a pound, pork loin chops are $2.99 a pound, fresh farmed salmon fillets are $5.99 a pound, and previously frozen wild Alaskan cod fillets are $7.99 a pound.

In organic produce at Sprouts, some Earthbound Farm salads are $2.50 for a five ounce container (how I wish they still had the bulk organic greens that were always a great price), celery or one pound bags of baby carrots are $1.50 each, acorn, butternut or spaghetti squash are all 98 cents a pound, and Granny Smith or red delicious apples are both 98 cents a pound. In conventional produce, I'm pleased to see asparagus remaining $1.98 a pound. Elsewhere in the store, I'm liking their bulk coffee just $6.99 a pound instead of the usual $9.99, Horizon organic butter $3.99 for a one pound package (a good week for going through organic butter, preferably unsalted), all Spice Hunter items are 50% off, some Horizon organic milk is $3.49 for 64 ounces, putting it on a par with Whole Foods' own brand, some Lundberg rice packages are 30% off (their blends with wild rice are great), and there are a lot of Sprouts' own brand products on sale, including their hummus at $2.99 for the pretty big 10 ounce size, and organic maple syrup $6.99 for a 12 ounce bottle, which considerably beats Vitamin Cottage's sale price.

In Whole Foods' new sale running through December 1st, I'm liking satsumas at $1.69 a pound (presumably conventional, but they're fun and have such a short season), but I'd get my conventional asparagus at Sprouts, as Whole Foods' sale price is $1 higher at $2.98 a pound. Fresh Icelandic cod looks yummy at $13.99 a pound, and mini ovals of San Daniele prosciutto are $3 each (that's only for an ounce, but that can still look like a fair amount of prosciutto. If you are looking for an alternative to turkey, their very fine American Homestead or Wellshire bone-in spiral hams are $5.99 a pound, and have that Whole Foods pedigree. And if you are looking to cheat on dessert, Immaculate Baking Company's ready to bake pie crusts are $2.50 each, or you could go further and just get a WFM prepared iced lemon Bundt cake for $6.99 each.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Current Sale At Vitamin Cottage

Sometimes the terrible events of the world make me feel writing this silly blog is about the stupidest thing possible, but then I consider that sharing wholesome food with friends and family is one of the finest gifts we have in life. So why not contemplate those new specials on excellent food from Vitamin Cottage (aka Natural Grocers), especially as we near Thanksgiving, a holiday dedicated to giving thanks.

Vitamin Cottage's current sale runs through December 12th, and includes plenty of items to help with your Thanksgiving table. For starters, five pound bags of organic russet potatoes are just $2.39 each, so whip up a big pile of mashers or a gratin to go with your turkey. Organic jewel and garnet yams are also looking good at $1.49 a pound, and 12.7 ounce bottles of Shady Maple Farms organic grade B maple syrup are handsome at $9.99 each (my understanding being that grade B is the more flavorful and desirable anyway, and this is for organic too). I'm thrilled to see they have my favorite Imagine organic broths at $2.50 a box, so I can get that price halfway through next month instead of just this week at Sprouts (it's a requirement for my Bell's Seasoning bread stuffing for my turkey). Lundberg rice chips are tempting at $2.29 a six ounce bag, the big 28 ounce size of Muir Glen organic tomatoes is a stock up price of $2 a can, Annie's organic salad dressings are great at $3.29 an eight ounce bottle (just $2.69 if you go for the natural ones instead), and some of my favorite Earth Balance buttery spreads are $3.29 each (no cholesterol being quite a plus in this season of overindulgence). Some Back to Nature crackers are $2.39 a box, and Horizon organic half and half, whipping cream and eggnog are also looking good. The Bark Thins snacking chocolates that are being sampled everywhere are $3.29 for a 4.7 ounce bag, and while I haven't tried them, Immaculate Baking Company has 16 ounce tubes of flaky or buttermilk biscuits that might land on my Thanksgiving table at $2.69 each. I rarely care for a bakery tin of prepared rolls and don't have the ambition to make my own from scratch, but those sound quite appealing. They also have cinnamon rolls for $3.29 a tube.

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Surf And Turf At Alfalfa's

Just through today (sorry for the short notice, but it's also a brief sale), Alfalfa's has organic, grass-fed beef ribeyes or New York strip steaks for a fabulous $12.99 a pound (yes - that's for organic!), and you can pair them with lobster tails for $5 each.

Let's Bag Hunger Today!

One of my favorite annual events, Community Food Share's Let's Bag Hunger food drive collection, starts today and runs through November 25th. You can pick up some extra groceries and drop them off for Community Food Share at practically any grocery store in town, except the weird thing is that I don't see Safeway or Whole Foods listed, and they've always participated in the past. Whole Foods has previously even had prepared bags to grab and donate, so maybe it's just an oversight in Food Share's flyer. In any case, items most needed (in addition to cash, which goes a long way for them) are canned proteins like meats or tuna, soup, canned meals like chili, peanut butter, pasta, and all those other good, high quality non-perishables you can think of. Donate a whole bunch, and you'll enjoy your own fine meal at home all that much more.

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Boulder Farmers' Market Today

What a beautiful fall day to enjoy the second to last Boulder Farmers' Market of the year. Revel in temperatures in the 60s for today and tomorrow, since snow is likely for Monday and Tuesday, possibly all the way into Wednesday, brrr. Here's what the Market says to expect on this gorgeous day (and don't forget to pair it with a visit to nearby Alfalfa's for the Thanksgiving tasting fair, see a couple of posts below):

In Season Now


potatoes (click through for prep, storage and cooking tips), leeks, beets, tomatoes, spicy greens, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, winter squash, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, onions, celeriac, potatoes, kale, turnips, radishes, rutabaga, Swiss chard, arugula, lettuce, garlic and herbs.

Friday, November 13, 2015

First Bite Boulder

A reminder that First Bite Boulder, with lots of restaurants offering three course dinners for $29, starts today and runs through November 21st. You can check out the offerings of each restaurant at the First Bite website.

Tasting Fair At Alfalfa's

Another chance to get in the mood for Thanksgiving. Tomorrow the Boulder Alfalfa's will offer a tasting fair from 11 am  to 2 pm, offering samples from their Thanksgiving catering menu. Note that this is in the Boulder store only - the Louisville one got its chance last weekend. Combine this tasting fair with the Boulder Farmers' Market, only a block away.

Happy Friday the 13th!

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Weekend Sales At Whole Foods

For tomorrow only (happy Friday the 13th), from 4 to 7 p.m. only mountain time, cranberry Wensleydale cheese will be half off. Also, from tomorrow through Sunday, Aura Cacia essential oils are 30% off, and all Cappello's products are half off.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Steak Sale At Whole Foods

Whole Foods is doing a one-week sale on New York strip steaks, starting today and running through the 17th for just $12.99 a pound (although the online notice doesn't mention bone-in/boneless). Heck, at that price, I might just throw them on the grill pan tonight, in case today's snow discourages the family griller. There are also several new produce sales just for the week, including green beans $1.48 a pound (I'd assume those are conventional, doesn't say).

This Week's Hot Grocery Deals (IMHO)

Happy Veterans' Day on this pretty, somewhat snowy morning. We have a new sale starting today at our Boulder Sprouts stores, while the current one continues at Whole Foods through November 17th. I still need to check out what's happening at Vitamin Cottage too, but here's what's looking good to me now.

I think Sprouts knocked itself out with so many good deals last week (that one-day gift card sale, the 72 hour sale, and really good stuff through the week), that they deserve a little bit of a break this week. They do have London broil for $3.99 a pound, chicken Italian sausage (pork also) also $3.99 a pound, beef stew meat $4.99 a pound, fresh farmed Atlantic salmon fillets $5.99 a pound, and fresh wild Pacific cod fillets $7.99 a pound (that's a change from the usual previously frozen cod, must take a look).

In organic produce at Sprouts, fruit is reigning this week, with 5.6 ounce blackberries $2.98 each, black seedless grapes $2.98 a pound, and Braeburn apples just 98 cents a pound, plus some five ounce Earthbound Farm salads are $2.50 each. In conventional produce, asparagus remains notable at $1.98 a pound. Elsewhere in the store, I'm thrilled to see the holiday sale season begin on my favorite Imagine organic broth, with boxes $2.50 each. It's possible it will go even lower, but that's pretty darned good for a staple that keeps well and regularly sells close to $4 a box. I'm also liking Annie's mac and cheese $1.50 a box, Late July tortilla chips $2 for the six-ish ounce bag, and some Wallaby organic yogurts 88 cents each.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

A Diabolical Appetizer Idea

I'm expecting there will be two, possibly three New England ex-pats at my western Thanksgiving table, and I've just encountered a really tempting appetizer idea for them in the current issue of Martha Stewart Living. It's for baked clam dip, which Martha calls a nod to New England. The kicker is that it is served with potato chips, and I've been looking for an excuse to buy Charles Chips online ever since I heard the company revived in an attempt to recapture its glory days in my childhood. Back then, every family room had the iconic tan and brown tin, which was refilled whenever the Charlie Chip truck cruised the neighborhood (although they are technically Charles Chips they were always known as Charlie). Now I'll have to buy them online, and had balked at the idea of paying $20 for three bags of chips to be delivered. But with this appetizer for Thanksgiving and the New England ex-pats at my table, I just might have to do it.

Monday, November 9, 2015

Thanksgiving Planners

Guess it's time to start getting serious about planning for Thanksgiving. If you are looking for ideas, check out the Thanksgiving guides from Epicurious, Food and Wine, Cooking Light, and Saveur.

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Boulder Farmers' Market Today

We're down to three left for the year, but it's still a lovely fall day to stroll the Boulder Farmers' Market. Here's what they say you can expect to find (plus, you can stop by their Info Booth to enter an end-of-season raffle):

In Season Now


acorn squash (click through to learn all about acorn squash), leeks, beets, apples, tomatoes, spicy greens, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, delicata, cabbage, broccoli, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, carrots, onions, peppers, beets, eggplant, potatoes, kale, turnips, radishes, rutabaga, Swiss chard, arugula, shallots, celery, edible flowers, lettuce, garlic and herbs.

Friday, November 6, 2015

Tasting Fair At Alfalfa's

Time to get in the mood for Thanksgiving. Tomorrow, the Alfalfa's store in Louisville will hold a tasting fair sampling dishes from their Thanksgiving catering menu from noon to 2 pm. Note that this is at the Louisville store only - stay tuned for one at the Boulder store next weekend. (P.S. I so rarely shop there, but Safeway is also doing a tasting Open House tomorrow 11 am to 6 pm.)

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Coupon From Whole Foods

As Thanksgiving preparations get underway, Whole Foods is saying if you order online (unclear if they specifically mean the turkey) by November 15th, you'll get a coupon for $10 to use on a $75 or more purchase from November 27th through December 31, 2015. Wish I had something to link to, but this is something that came in through my email, so not sure if you have to use that "Order Now" button in the email to get this.

Immune Health With Brigitte Mars

Renowned local Brigitte Mars will be talking about immune health at Bauman College on the evening of the 9th. Here's what the Boulder Farmers' Market says about it:

Community Conversations: Immune Health
Nov. 9, 6 to 7 p.m. at Bauman College in Boulder

Flu season is here, and it is extremely important to do everything you can to stay healthy. But before you run out to get your flu shot, join Brigitte Mars — Nutrition Consultant Instructor, Herbalist, Author, and Teacher — as she discusses how to support your immune system naturally. Learn how to use food, herbs, essential oils, and lifestyle techniques for a healthier immunity, more resistance to disease, and greater well-being. Please RSVP.


Weekend Sales At Whole Foods

Our local Whole Foods will offer us several specials just for this weekend. For tomorrow only, the 6th, shucked oysters will once again be $1 each. They will also offer us a trio of specials for the entire weekend, tomorrow through Sunday, with very fine Bell & Evans Cornish game hens $3.99 a pound (game hens are cheaper at Sprouts, but I really like Bell & Evans, and how heavy is a game hen anyway?), Giovanni 2 Chic blackberry and coconut shampoo and conditioner $5 each, and Simple Mills baking mixes $4 each (Paleo-friendly and gluten-free).

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Title Nine Blowout Sale Returns For 2015!

This has nothing to do with food except everybody I know works out, and you have to, to work off all that great cooking. It has been quite a while since we've seen the Title Nine (aka Title 9) blowout sale (aka warehouse sale) in our area, and it's coming back! It will be November 12-15th at 600 Center Drive, Space 22 in Superior (that in the Superior Marketplace next to Whole Foods - there's the food connection!). Hours Thursday 9am to 7pm, Friday 10am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm, and Sunday 10am to 4pm. They're taking cash, Visa or Mastercard. Yahoo!!!

This Week's Hot Grocery Deals (IMHO)

We have new sales starting today at our Boulder Sprouts and Whole Foods stores. There also should be something new happening at Vitamin Cottage, as their prior long-lasting sale ended this past weekend, must check that out. Here's what's looking good to me now.

At Sprouts, before I get to the regular or even 72-hour sale, the big news is the return of the $100 gift card for $89.99, a deal available for today only, November 4th. Sure you could get it to actually gift to someone, but why not get them for yourself (limit 10) and effectively get 10% off all your purchases, even those that are already great deals?

Sprouts will also do another 72-hour sale for this Friday through Sunday. Items appealing to me in that one include Hass avocados three for $1, bulk mild cheddar $2.99 a pound, 750 ml bottles of San Pellegrino sparkling water four for $5, and all full service seafood 30% off.

In Sprouts' regular sale through November 11th, chicken breast tenders are $1.77 a pound, their very good stuffed chicken breasts are $2.99 a pound, Cornish game hens are $2.49 a pound, whole or split chickens are $1.69 a pound, ground chicken is $2.99 a pound (looks like a good week for poultry), bone-in country style ribs are $2.99 a pound (shoulder roast and steaks also), and stew beef is $4.99 a pound.

In organic produce at Sprouts, on-the-vine tomatoes are $1.98 a pound, five pound bags of table carrots are $2.88 each, cantaloupe or honeydew melons are 88 cents a pound, and black seedless grapes are $1.98 a pound. And if you don't care if your hard squash is organic or conventional (that's something I don't worry about so much as other veggies), conventional acorn, butternut or spaghetti squash are all just 48 cents a pound, and local too. Elsewhere in the store, I'm liking Chobani Greek flip cups 99 cents each, my favorite Blue Diamond Nut Thins at a stock up price of $2 a box, some Near East rice, quinoa or couscous $1.50 a box, 30% off all Frontera products, and the big 100-is ounce size of Seventh Generation laundry detergents $9.99 each.

At Whole Foods through November 17th, I'm liking fresh conventional asparagus at $1.98 a pound, organic Fuji apples $1.99 a pound, six ounce organic raspberries $2.98 each, prepared turkey ficelle sandwiches with smoked mozz and peppers $5.99 each, four ounce packages of Applegate Farms soppressetta $3 each, and if you're feeling really decadent, slices of chocolate eruption cake are $2.99 each.

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

More Non-Food Mags For The Foodie

'Tis the season, I guess. The November 1st issue of the New York Times Magazine is also its Food Issue. And the cover story of the new November 9th issue of Time is "The War on Delicious," probably kicked off by that recent World Health Organization report on processed meats and cancer. I haven't looked at a hot dog for most of a lifetime, but charcuterie, that's a different thing. It's a spooky article about meat in general.

New Yorker Food Issue

Fans of food and the New Yorker magazine might appreciate that the current November 2nd issue of the New Yorker is the Food Issue. You could always buy it or check it out at the local library, but if you're lucky enough to have a Longmont library card, you can also download it for free to the device of your choosing. The service is called Zinio, which the Boulder library also has, but interestingly the New Yorker is not among the titles offered by Boulder through the service.

Happy National Sandwich Day

Thanks to those fine folks at Mile High on the Cheap for pointing out in their daily email that today is National Sandwich Day, and there are deals to be had. The one appealing to me is sandwiches half price at Modmarket if you say the magic word "Sammy" when ordering. I don't see anything about it on Modmarket's website, but you could always call ahead to be sure.

Monday, November 2, 2015

Farmed Salmon Passing As Wild

Catching up on some reading over the weekend, I found the New York Times reported a few days ago on a study that found a rather stunning amount of salmon labelled as wild is actually farmed. It looks like restaurants are more likely culprits than supermarkets, but those are in the game as well. I just hope (and rather don't think) the stores I shop at aren't among the transgressors. You can read the NYT article here.

Saturday, October 31, 2015

What's In Your Halloween Candy?

Might want to think twice about what's in those trick or treat bags and bowls of candy that are everywhere. The cover article of the new issue of Science News is an interesting one regarding the safety of nanoparticles that are added to foods for color enhancement and the like. There's a chart showing levels of titanium dioxide in a bunch of foods, and M&Ms and Good & Plenty candies are on the list (chewing gum is also well represented). Glad I stick with at least natural and largely organic foods, although it seems some nanoparticles can appear naturally as well.

Boulder Farmers' Market Today

On yet another beautiful fall day, it's hard to believe there are only four more markets left for this year's Boulder Farmers' Market season. Put on something Halloween-ish and stroll the fall colors of the market. There will be pumpkin carving for the kids, and I bet more than a few costumes too. Here's the produce the Market says to expect:

In Season Now


beets, apples, cauliflower, pumpkin, delicata, butternut squash, acorn squash, spaghetti squash, carrots, onions, Brussels sprouts, peppers, beets, eggplant, potatoes, kale, turnips, radishes, chard, arugula, celery and lettuce.

Friday, October 30, 2015

Spooky Halloween Foods

If you are still looking for ideas about what to serve (besides candy) for Halloween, here's a reminder of the post I did with guides to help you out.

Vitamin Cottage Sale

Just a heads up that tomorrow is the last day of the current sale at Vitamin Cottage. My post about it a few weeks ago is here. Bear in mind that stocks do tend to run low at the end of the sale, and who knows what we'll see from them next.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Weekend Sales At Whole Foods

Our local Whole Foods stores will offer us a trio of special sales for tomorrow through Sunday, plus a sale for tomorrow only. For tomorrow only, since the Whole Foods on Pearl has its liquor store next to it, that's presumably participating in the 20% off all beer sale. Well timed for anticipation of Halloween and recovery from the influx of Republican presidential candidates. For tomorrow through Sunday, Mrs. Meyer's very nice liquid hand soaps are $3 each (the 12.5 ounce size), Crunch! cookies by FancyPants Baking Company are $3.99 each (I'd hope that would be for a container, not for a single cookie), and Creminelli Tartufo six ounce varieties are $9.99 each, and I believe that's a type of artisan sausage that's particularly good.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Five-Day Sale At Whole Foods

Whole Foods is really mixing it up these days. They are doing a five-day sale with a quartet of specials for today through November 3rd. Fresh asparagus is $1.98 a pound, organic Fuji apples are $1.99 a pound, organic raspberries are $2.99 for a six ounce container, and Rio Star grapefruits are 98 cents a pound (note that Sprouts is about a dime cheaper on both the asparagus and organic raspberries for the whole week).

This Week's Hot Grocery Deals (IMHO)

Good crazy Wednesday morning in GOP debate-driven Boulder. The good news is that my outdoor plants have escaped last night's frost that came so close, so we've made it all the way to the end of October. In any case, there's a new sale starting today at our Boulder Sprouts stores, while the current one continues at Whole Foods through November 3rd and at Vitamin Cottage through this Saturday, the 31st. Here's what's looking good to me now.

At Sprouts through November 4th, pork baby back ribs are $2.79 a pound, all chicken sausage is $3.99 a pound, fresh ground chicken is $2.99 a pound, and Rosie organic whole chickens are also $2.99 a pound. In fish, previously frozen wild Alaskan cod fillets are $7.99 a pound, and I continue to be mystified by fresh wild Pacific salmon fillets, now $4.99 a pound.

In organic produce at Sprouts, pints of grape tomatoes are $2.50 each, but that's all that's listed for the veggie side. Organic raspberries or blackberries are $2.88 for a six-ish ounce container, red green or black seedless grapes are $2.88 a pound, and Granny Smith or Lady in Red apples are both 98 cents a pound. In conventional produce, asparagus at $1.88 a pound and Hass avocados 48 cents each are of note. Elsewhere in the store, all frozen pizza is 50% off, some snacks are 25% off, some Voskos Greek yogurts are 99 cents each, two count packages of Justin's peanut butter cups are $1 each (nice choice if you want to be really good to your trick or treaters), and 10 types of fresh catering trays are 25% off.  Also of note, some of my fave Giovanni 2 Chic hair care products are 25% off, and lots of the packages are also sporting a $2 off coupon.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

First Bite Boulder Coming Up

First Bite Boulder, that fun time where over 40 Boulder-area restaurants offer three course dinners for just $29 per person (and a few at just $18), will be coming up shortly, from November 13th through the 21st. It's a popular event, so it pays to make reservations at your favorite places early, before they're totally booked. You can read the details and peruse the restaurants' special menus for this event here.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Sprouts' Immune System Webinar

Sprouts will be hosting a Wellness Webinar this Thursday, the 29th, this time on Defend Your Health With A Strong Immune System, presented by Janet Little. You can read all the details from Sprouts and register here.

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Boulder Farmers' Market Today

And only five more left of them for the year! Enjoy the lovely, dried out weather to gather some fall produce, and note that it need not be all hard squash - things like arugula and even tomatoes are still available too. Here's what the Farmers' Market says to expect:

cauliflower, tomatoes (yes, tomatoes still!), pumpkin, delicata, butternut squash, acorn squash, carrots, onions, Brussels sprouts, apples, peppers, beets, eggplant, potatoes, kale, turnips, radishes, chard, arugula, celery, lettuce and sunflowers. 

Friday, October 23, 2015

Turkeys At Vitamin Cottage

Time to start thinking about Thanksgiving already. Vitamin Cottage is taking reservations for Mary's fine turkeys (non-GMO, no antibiotics or ionophores, free-range, and the list goes on and on). A $5.00 deposit is required to reserve your deep chilled turkey, and here's their pricing:

Mary's free range turkeys - $2.79 a pound,

Mary's organic turkeys - $4.29 a pound,

Mary's heritage turkeys - $6.99 a pound,

Mary's organic bone-in turkey breasts - $7.99 a pound.

They're also offering Mary's free range geese for $7.99 a pound.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

My Last CSA Pickup For The Year

It had to come eventually. This week is my final CSA pickup from Red Wagon Organic Farm for the year. They did a spectacular job working their butts off to bring us beautiful organic produce choices in such a difficult growing year. Here are the offerings in the final pickup, and I'm looking forward to next year!


Early Morning Frosty Tuscan Kale
Early Morning Frosty Tuscan Kale

It’s the last CSA pick up and it’s an all veggie shares pick up:
Weekly, Biweekly A and Biweekly B

Regular Share
-Winter Squash
-Onions
-Choice: Lettuce OR Arugula
-Choice: Potatoes OR Tomatoes OR Mixed Peppers
-Choice: Carrots OR Beets OR Hakurei Turnips
-Choice: Red Russian Kale OR Bok Choi OR Chard OR Mustard Greens OR Collard Greens OR Leeks

Large Share Additions
-Cauliflower
-Choice: Sunchokes OR Parsnips

Weekend Sales At Whole Foods

Our local Whole Foods stores will offer us a quartet of special sales, one for tomorrow only, and the other three lasting through the weekend. For tomorrow only, shucked oysters will once again be $1 each. For tomorrow through Sunday, the 23rd through 25th, 31/40 count cooked shrimp will be $9.99 a pound (shrimp cocktail time!), Long Clawson Cotswold cheese (one of my faves) will be $12.99 a pound, and all hair color will be 30% off.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

This Week's Hot Grocery Deals (IMHO)

Good soggy, rainy morning Boulder. Isn't the rain a nice, much needed change for a bit? Anyway, we have a new sale starting today at our Boulder Sprouts stores, while the current ones continue at Whole Foods through November 3rd and at Vitamin Cottage through October 31st (look several posts below for those). Here's what's looking good to me now.

At Sprouts through October 28th (Halloween in a little more than a week!), value packs of boneless skinless chicken breasts are $1.88 a pound, boneless pork loin chops (roast also) are $2.99 a pound, whole or split fresh chickens are $1.69 a pound, their very good stuffed chicken breasts are $2.99 a pound, and Italian chicken sausage (pork also) are $3.99 a pound. In fish, fresh farmed Atlantic salmon fillets can be had for $5.99 a pound, and two pound bags of frozen farmed raw ez peel 16/20 count shrimp are $15.98 each (effectively $7.99 a pound in that two pound bag).

In organic produce at Sprouts, green curly, Lacinato or red Russian kale are all 98 cents a bunch, table carrots are $2.98 for a five pound bag, red Delicious apples are just 98 cents a pound, and red seedless grapes are $1.88 each. For fans of conventional asparagus, the good news is that it's $1.98 a pound this week, a little higher than last week's stunning price that should last through today, but still very good.

Elsewhere in the store, the Vitamin & Body Care Extravaganza has returned, with everything in stock in that department 25% off regular retail. Time to stock up on favorites that otherwise don't go on sale. I'm also liking some Noosa yoghurts $1.50 for eight ounces, and some Alexia potatoes BOGO. Last but definitely not least, through the 28th, when you check out at Sprouts, you can round up your purchase to the nearest dollar to support Vitamin Angels, an organization that provides vitamins to at-risk children.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Spooky Foods For Halloween

Halloween will be here before we know it, and with considerable rain and much cooler temperatures expected for tomorrow, it's time to get in the mood. If you are looking for culinary inspiration that goes beyond bags of candy, here are a few guides to help you out: How to Fearlessly Host Halloween from Epicurious, Scary-Good Halloween Recipes from Cooking Light, and "Devil" Foods for Halloween from Food and Wine magazine. Boo.

Monday, October 19, 2015

Oatmeal Steal At Whole Foods

First it was coffee, now Whole Foods has moved on to hot oatmeal. I saw a sandwich board outside the Pearl Street Whole Foods store proclaiming eight ounces of oatmeal for just 25 cents before 10 am. I think the special runs through October 27th, and might be at other stores as well.

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Boulder Farmers' Market Today

It's a beautiful day to enjoy the Boulder Farmers' Market and also to celebrate the life of Bob Munson. A reminder that the Market will be donating a portion of today's proceeds to the University of Illinois scholarship that has been set up in his name, and you can also make a donation yourself at the Info Booth.  Here's what the Market says to expect produce-wise:

In Season Now


pumpkin (click through for a Pumpkin Pie Latte recipe)butternut squash, carrots, onions, delicata, Brussels sprouts, apples, garlic, tomatoes, peppers, beets, eggplant, potatoes, kale, turnips, radishes, chard, arugula, shallots, celery, basil and mums. 

Friday, October 16, 2015

Food Film Festival

Leave it to Boulder to have a film festival dedicated to food. The Flatirons Food Film Festival will run from Monday the 19th through Sunday the 25th. Lots of films, obviously, but also other events, including a fermentation fair featuring Sandor Katz. You can get all the details on the Festival's website.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

One-Day Sale At Whole Foods Tomorrow

This is getting to be quite the regular thing for Whole Foods on Fridays. For tomorrow only, our local Whole Foods stores will offer shucked oysters for $1 each. Also, I'm not familiar with this product, but for tomorrow through Sunday, Vega One large tubs (30-ish ounces) will be $42.99 each. Whatever it is, it must normally be super expensive.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Farmers' Market To Celebrate Bob Munson

This coming Saturday, the 17th, the Boulder Farmers' Market will be a celebration of the life of Bob Munson. The Boulder community lost this extraordinary farmer and pioneering tech whiz on August 31st. Here's part of what the Market says (I particularly like the scholarship fund):

Boulder County Farmers Markets will donate 10% of the Boulder Farmers Market net proceeds that day to the Robert E. Munson University of Illinois Scholarship Fund, which the Munson family has set up to support future electrical engineers in his honor. Customers may also make donations directly to the Scholarship Fund at the Info Booth that day, or on their own accord (via The Robert E. Munson U of I Scholarship Fund, care of Premier Members Credit Union, 5495 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, Colo., 80303). 

This Week's Hot Grocery Deals (IMHO)

We have new sales starting today at our Boulder Sprouts and Whole Foods stores, while the current one continues at Vitamin Cottage through October 31st (look just a little below for that one). Here's what's looking good to me now.

At Sprouts through October 21st, there's a Sausage Bonanza, with all fresh chicken sausage varieties (pork also) at $3.99 a pound, and any size package of chicken breast tenders (boneless skinless thighs also) can be had for $2.99 a pound. Sprouts' chicken specials are frequently lower than that, but you have to buy in the large value pack size for the price. In fish, I'm intrigued by wild freshly caught Pacific salmon fillets for just $5.99 a pound. First, how are they getting fresh wild salmon so late in the year, and second, how at such a low price? Previously frozen wild Alaskan cod fillets are $7.99 a pound, and 26/30 raw ez peel farmed shrimp are being sold frozen in two pound bags for $12.98 a bag.

In produce, there's a bit of news to me in conventional before I get to my usual organic, as asparagus is just $1.48 a pound. A reminder of spring to eventually come as we finally get into some fall-like weather? In organic produce, red, yellow or orange bell peppers are all $1.50 each, pints of grape tomatoes are $2.50 each, six ounce containers of raspberries are $2.98 each, and red, green or black grapes are all just $1.88 a pound. Elsewhere in the store, there's a big sale on gluten-free items, some as much as 40% off. It's not the comprehensive one they've offered in the past, but they do say it includes hundreds of items (I see yummy Pamela's cookies in a picture, and favorite Artisan Nut-Thins are shown at $2.50 a box. Also, some Chobani Greek yogurts are BOGO.

At Whole Foods through November 3rd, I'm liking previously frozen wild sockeye salmon fillets for $12.99 a pound (further compounding the mystery of Sprouts' price on fresh wild), and their very good American Homestead boneless country style pork ribs at $4.99 a pound. I'm also liking organic red Bartlett pears for $1.48 a pound, Whole Foods' own organic Greek yogurts at $1 each, some Evol burritos $2 each, and for those who want to curl up with a can of organic chili instead of making their own, Whole Foods' 365 brand is $1.50 each, 79 cents off.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Current Sale At Vitamin Cottage

I finally got into Vitamin Cottage (aka Natural Grocers) to check out the current sale that runs through October 31st. Items appealing to me include mini mixed organic peppers at $2.69 a container (of course, all produce at Vitamin Cottage is organic), big 11-ish ounce bags of Late July organic tortilla chips $2.79 a bag, Kingdom organic sharp cheese $4.75 for seven ounces, Lundberg organic short, medium or long grain brown rice $3.59 for a two pound bag, Cucina Antica pasta sauces $4.79 a jar, and the 15-ish ounce size of Muir Glen select organic tomatoes $1.39 a can (although Sprouts has an even lower price on those through tomorrow). And of course, being Vitamin Cottage, there are lots of specials on supplements.

Munson's Corn Season Ending

Always a sad time for me, with my local Munson's corn obsession. I was at the farm stand yesterday, getting corn for my corn and green chile chowder for last night, and to go on the side with tonight's ribeyes from Whole Foods, and found I was lucky to get the corn I did. Their season usually ends when the first really hard freeze hits, which hasn't yet happened in this spectacular autumn. However, their corn has proven so very popular this year, they are actually just about out of corn to pick! The girl at the stand said tomorrow or even today could be the last day of availability, although they'll continue to troll the fields, looking for any more salable ears. On to the days of butternut squash...

Monday, October 12, 2015

Weekend Deal In Superior

I swung by the Whole Foods store in Superior yesterday to grab those ribeye steaks on the last day of the weekend sale and saw a sandwich board on the sidewalk proclaiming you'll get $10 off a $50 purchase this coming weekend, on the 17th and 18th. Don't know if this is limited to that store in Superior, or if others are involved. Will be on the lookout the next time I'm at the Pearl Street store.

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Boulder Farmers' Market Today

Still a few weekends left to enjoy the Boulder Farmers' Market. On a beautiful day today, here's what the market says to expect. Sure, lots of hard squash and apples, but also those great tomatoes, peppers, sturdy greens, etc.:

In Season Now


butternut squash, carrots, onions, pumpkins, delicata, apples, garlic, tomatoes, peppers, beets, eggplant, potatoes, kale, turnips, radishes, chard, arugula, shallots, celery, basil and mums. 

Friday, October 9, 2015

BCFM Harvest Market

Here's something out of the ordinary. Tomorrow, the Boulder County Farmers' Market will host a Harvest Market at Denver's stunningly renovated Union Station. Plus, Union Station has a slew of casual to fine dining restaurants (and hmm, I wonder where the Lobster Bliss food truck will be in Denver tomorrow, if you like a really good, fresh lobster roll). Here's part of what the Farmers' Market says about tomorrow's event (and the blanked out calendar part is Saturday October 10th, 9 am to 1 pm):

Friends of Boulder County Farmers Markets, 

We are partnering with Denver Union Station, Larimer Associates, RTD and the Downtown Denver Partnership to host an outdoor Harvest Market at Denver's Union Station next Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Wyknoop Plaza. 

The Harvest Market at Denver Union Station will feature 10 Colorado farms, locally produced food items and fresh food dishes from Denver Union Station restaurants, including Mercantile Dining & Provision, Stoic & Genuine and Snooze - an AM Eatery. Participating Colorado farms include The Fresh Herb Co, Cure Organic Farm, Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms, Bean Acres, Jodar Farms, Oxford Gardens and Plowshares Community Farm.