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.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Weekend Sales At Whole Foods

Our local Whole Foods stores will offer us a slew of special sales this weekend. For tomorrow only, the 9th, shucked oysters will once again be $1 each. For the entire weekend, tomorrow through Sunday, there's a sextet of specials. Their fine bone-in ribeye steaks look great at $12.99 a pound (and the weekend forecast is looking good for grilling after a rather gloomy week). RW Knudsen's huge 96 ounce Cider and Spice is two for $9, Brown Cow Greek yogurts (the 5-ish ounce size) are five for $4, eight ounce Manitoba hemp hearts are $4.99 each, Guayaki Yerba Mate is two for $3 for a 16 ounce can, and shelf-stable 32 ounce Blue Diamond almond milk is two for $3.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Brie Sale At Whole Foods

Our local Whole Foods stores are doing a midweek three-day sale on Isigny holiday brie for $4.99 each (doesn't specify the size). The sale actually started yesterday and ends tomorrow.

This Week's Hot Grocery Deals (IMHO)

We have a new sale starting today at our Boulder Sprouts stores, while the current one continues at Whole Foods through October 13th. Here's what's looking good to me now.

Sprouts will kick off the weekend with another 72 hour sale for Friday through Sunday, in which you can catch carving pumpkins for $3 each, some Cascadian Farm organic cereal, granola or bars at $1.99 each, and previously frozen wild Alaskan snow crab clusters for $6.99 a pound, among other things.

In Sprouts' regular sale from today through October 14th, I'm liking value packs of boneless skinless chicken breasts for just $1.88 a pound, whole bone-in pork shoulder roasts $1.49 a pound (limit three packages), their own very good stuffed chicken breasts $2.99 a pound, boneless New York steaks $8.99 a pound, all fresh chicken sausage $3.99 a pound,, and bone-in pork country style ribs $1.99 a pound. In fish, I like fresh farmed Atlantic salmon fillets for $6.99 a pound and raw peeled and deveined (no work!) wild 31/40 count previously frozen shrimp at $8.99 a pound.

I can't say anything about organic produce specials at Sprouts because this week they are occupying that space in the sale flyer with the continuation of their big sale on organic items throughout the store. Items particularly appealing to me include the 15-ish ounce size of Muir Glen organic tomatoes at $1.25 a can, Muir Glen organic pasta sauce $2.79 a jar, 40% off all Nature's Path items, and some 16 ounce bags of Cascadian Farm frozen veggies $2.50 a bag.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

National Noodle Day

Today is National Noodle Day (who knew?), and to celebrate, Noodles & Company is giving away free noodles for a year to one lucky customer at each of its stores today, plus other fun and prizes. Here's part of what they say:

To celebrate this day devoted to the delicious, delightful noodle, Noodles & Company is going big and giving away free Noodles for a Year to one lucky guest at each of their restaurants nationwide.

Thoughts For A Fall Day

Sounds like this afternoon and evening will be pretty soggy, and not too warm, either. Maybe it's time to start celebrating fall, possibly starting with 15 Bucket List Recipes For Fall from Food and Wine magazine.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Final Wednesday Market This Week

The last midweek Boulder Farmers' Market of the season will be this Wednesday, the 7th, from 4 to 8 pm in downtown Boulder. (The fledgling midweek market in Longmont folded quite a while ago, not surviving a succession of rainy Wednesdays.) The Saturday markets continue through November 21st in both Boulder and Longmont.

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Boulder Farmers' Market Today

So it's a nice, slightly damp morning to enjoy the Farmers' Market - we need the moisture and are hoping for more this afternoon! Here's what the Farmers' Market says you can expect, plus there's a Carrot Fest (this is in Boulder, not the Longmont one), with all sorts of carrot-related activities like a cooking demo and scavenger hunt. A giant carrot has been spotted all over town in preparation for this - bet he'll be at the Market too.

In Season Now


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

Friday, October 2, 2015

This Week's Red Wagon CSA

I just so love my CSA from Red Wagon Organic Farm. Here's what they've been doing this week. We're hitting that transition period, typified by the choice between cherry tomatoes or spaghetti squash. Tomatoes, please! And there's nothing better than shishito peppers sauteed in a bit of olive oil, then some salt freshly cracked over them. Ultimate bar snack masquerading as chic veggie. Here's what Red Wagon says:

Here’s what we hope to bring you:
Another beautiful morning!
Another beautiful morning!
Regular Share
-Choice: Cherry Tomatoes OR Spaghetti Squash
-Choice: Roasted Anaheims OR Roasted Poblanos
-Choice: Parsnips OR Carrots
-Choice: Sunchokes OR Tomatoes
-Choice: Bell Peppers OR Shishitos
-Choice: Kale OR Chard OR Bok Choi OR Basil
Large Share Additions
-Cherry Tomatoes AND Spaghetti Squash
Peppers
Peppers
Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry Tomatoes

Thursday, October 1, 2015

One-Day Sale At Whole Foods Tomorrow

Happy October. For tomorrow only, the 2nd, shucked oysters will be $1 each at our local Whole Foods stores. The slimy things unfortunately don't appeal to me. (Anyone else remember Gilda Radner's Roseanne Rosannadanna comment?)