Taking It Easy For Labor Day

Isn't that what Labor Day is about? In addition to liking to save money, I look to our local natural foods sales for inspiration, and this week the sales at Whole Foods are channeling that I should just kick back. Grilling of course is mandatory, so tomorrow we'll send the family griller out to the grill with the turkey brats that are on sale for $3.99 a pound, and we'll serve them in Whole Foods' beautiful organic French baguette that's $1.99 a loaf. Making it even easier, I'll try the Market Made Hatch chile potato salad that's nearly half off at $3.99 a pound on the side, and maybe make a caprese salad with the organic heirloom tomatoes ($3.99 a pound), the weekend sale on Belgioioso fresh mozzarella ($6.99 a one pound log just through tomorrow) and my own fresh basil. Corn on the cob would be classic too, for which I'll pedal out to Munson's or just get even lazier by picking that up a Whole Foods as well. Sounds like a great way to unofficially see out the end of summer. There will be plenty of other opportunities for fancier plans.

Gut Bacteria Controlling You?

Sure there's been lots of news recently about the (mostly good) bacteria to be found within the human body, but this article from the New York Times brings it to the creepy level that they might even be controlling your food preferences.

Boulder Farmers' Market Today

For your Labor Day shopping pleasure, just a reminder that the Boulder Farmers' Market is 8 to 2 in downtown Boulder, and 8 to 1 at the fairgrounds in Longmont. Or you can head out to 75th and Valmont to stock up on your sweet corn at Munsons (also at the downtown Market, don't know about Longmont) then head to the store at Cure Organic Farm across the street for your organic veggies.

Chili and Beer Festivals In Superior

Don't those two sound like a match made in heaven? On September 6th, two festivals will take place together from 2 to 6 pm in Community Park in Superior: the 14th annual Chili Fest, plus a new Beer Fest featuring at least 15 local craft breweries. You can find info regarding the Beer Fest here, and also the Chili Fest here.

Weekend Sales At Whole Foods

Our local Whole Foods stores will offer us a four-day sale starting tomorrow, to stretch across the long Labor Day weekend, plus a one-day sale for tomorrow only. For diehard fans of Hatch green chiles, they will be on sale by the case for tomorrow only, but the notice just says see store for details. (Personally I prefer mine already roasted by someone else.) For tomorrow through Labor Day, 32 ounce Honest lemonades will be a whopping two thirds off at $1 each, delicious one pound logs of Belgioioso fresh mozzarella will be $3 off at $6.99 each (pair that with some of the organic heirloom tomatoes that are part of the regular ongoing sale), and Siggi's yogurts will be $1 each, 59 cents off.

This Week's Hot Grocery Deals

Happy Wednesday, halfway to the long Labor Day weekend. We have new sales starting today at our Boulder Sprouts and Whole Foods stores, while the current one continues at Vitamin Cottage all the way through September 27th (look a few posts below for that one). Here's what's looking good to me as we come up on a holiday weekend.

At Sprouts through September 3rd, all chicken sausage (pork also) are $2.99 a pound, a sale price that used to be customary but is rarely seen these days. Pork baby back ribs or bone-in country style ribs (great for the grill) are also $2.99 a pound, whole or split chickens are $1.69 a pound (cut-up a little higher), and boneless ribeye steaks are $9.99 a pound, so plenty of attractive grilling options there. In fish, I'm glad to see fresh wild Alaskan sockeye salmon fillets still $9.99 a pound. They also have flash frozen swordfish steaks (ahi tuna also) for $7.99 a pound, but it always seems to be from Singapore, only once was it the domestic that I prefer.

In organic produce at Sprouts, on-the-vine cluster tomatoes are very good at $1.98 a pound, russet potatoes, and yellow or red onions are all 98 cents a pound, six-ish ounce containers of raspberries or blackberries or one pound ones of strawberries are all $2.98 each, Bartlett pears are just $1.25 a pound, and red or green seedless grapes are great at $1.98 a pound. Elsewhere in the store, I'm liking their bulk coffee at $7.99 a pound, Blue Diamond Nut Thins BOGO, 16 ounce organic Honest Teas $1 each, and some De Cecco pastas $2 a box (wonder if any whole wheat ones are included - probably not). Also, there's a Labor Day snack sale with a variety of snacks 25% off.

In Whole Foods' new sale through September 16th, I'm liking organic heirloom tomatoes for $3.99 a pound, organic raspberries $5.99 for a 12 ounce container (basically same price per ounce as Sprouts, so make your choice based on whether you want the smaller or larger container), but with organic Bartlett pears on sale for $1.99 a pound, I'd get those at Sprouts instead this week for $1.25. Hatch chile salmon burgers that are oh so good are $3.99 each (but plain salmon burgers that are very good too are half that at the Lucky's in Longmont this week at $1.99 each - which way to go?), Market Made turkey cowboy burgers or turkey breast kabobs are both $4.99 a pound, while their classic turkey brats (also spinach feta) are $3.99 a pound, all great grilling options. Also, Country Natural beef bottom round steak is nearly half off at $3.99 a pound. In the deli, Hatch chile potato salad sounds yummy and nearly half off at $3.99 a pound, while heirloom tomato caprese pasta salad is $2 off at $7.99 a pound. Whole Foods' own fantastic organic French baguettes (nearly as good as those in France) are 70 cents off at $1.99 each, and temptation looms in the form of their own Two Bite dessert tubs at $3.99 each. That's only $1 off, but when it's put in front of you like that, who could resist?

Three-Day Sale At Alfalfa's

Alfalfa's in both Boulder and Lousiville is doing another three-day sale, today through Thursday, the 28th. They are advertising six items, three of which look particularly good to me: organic Palisade peaches $1.99 a pound, imported Parmesan Reggiano $11.99 a pound ($8 off and it keeps for quite a bit), and local organic corn from Full Circle Farms at three ears for $2. They also have specials on housemade seasoned chicken drumsticks more than half off, kid's grilled cheese and fries, and housemade muffin 4-packs, none of which are on my radar.

Fresh From The Fields This Week

I'm so glad Red Wagon Organic Farm offers a biweekly CSA pickup, since depending on your household size, weekly could be overwhelming with the bounty of summer. We're still grappling with everything from the pickup a few days ago so won't be dealing with this week, but here's what they say will be on deck now, always a good indicator of what's to be found at the Boulder Farmers' Market as well (looks like a mandate for ratatouille):

This week we hope to bring you
:

Regular Share

Melon
Beans
Carrots
Choice: Zucchini OR Cucumber
Choice: Eggplant OR Potatoes
Choice: Peppers OR Parsley
Choice: Tomatoes OR Broccoli OR Cherry Tomatoes

Large Share Additions
Extra Choice: Eggplant OR Potatoes
Scallions

Fruit Share
Peaches

Current Sale At Vitamin Cottage

Vitamin Cottage's current sale runs through September 27th, practically into October, and as usual, there are good deals to be had. Appealing to me are six ounce packages of Applegate organic sliced turkey breast for $4.69 each, organic red, green, or black seedless grapes all fantastic at $2.19 a pound, Ezekiel 4:9 sprouted breads $3.69 a loaf, Cascadian Farm organic cereals and granolas $2.95 each, 13 ounce Newman's Own Organics Newman-Os cookies just $2.99 each (usually $4.35), Clif bars spectacular at 79 cents each, Muir Glen organic pasta sauces just $2.69 a jar, and their organic canned tomatoes in the convenient 14-ish ounce size are very good at $1.19 for the regular and $1.39 for the fire roasted. Pamela's yummy gluten-free cookies are great at $2.79 a box, as are Annie's organic salad dressings at $2.89 for the eight ounce size, a price that usually is closer to $4. I haven't tried them, but for those avoiding dairy, Silk's 5.3 ounce cups of dairy-free fruity and creamy blended cultured soymilk look good at 79 cents each. And being Vitamin Cottage, there are of course lots of specials on supplements.

Summer Tomato Pastas

My idea of a great dinner at this time of year is loads of fresh veggies (our Red Wagon CSA is certainly helping with that) and a nice piece of grilled fresh fish. But with a long distance runner in the family, pasta also has to appear frequently, and with local tomatoes finally coming in, I'm on the prowl for new ideas to use them with pasta. The current issues of Cooking Light and Bon Appetit have already given me three ideas, and I'm not yet finished reading the latter one. One of these is likely to be on our table this week: Curtis Stone's pasta shells with salsa cruda or BLT pasta, both published in Cooking Light, or spicy lobster pasta from Bon Appetit, which notes it can also be made with shrimp instead.

As for the rest of the week, we'll primarily be motivated by using the bounty from our CSA pickup. All the zucchini went on the grill last night, along with a nice piece of wild salmon (fortunately our rain shower timed itself for earlier in the day). For the giant bag of green beans, I could resort to the ground beef and green beans recipe from Jane Brody again (Sprouts has grass-fed organic ground beef for $4.99 a pound through Wednesday), but for variety, I might do a spin on Asian-flavored seared tuna with green beans from Bon Appetit, possibly trying it with swordfish instead, although I do like my swordfish naked except for lemon, hmmm. And crab cakes will also make an appearance while they are $2.99 each at the Longmont Lucky's through Wednesday (usually $1 more at the Boulder Lucky's, no time to check right now). I do seem to be on a protracted roll with fish.

Boulder Farmers' Market Expanding Today

The ever popular downtown Boulder Farmers' Market has outgrown its current available space, and starting today, an expansion of it can also be found one block north in the One Boulder Plaza on Saturdays. The plan is to have about a dozen prepared food vendors plus some local artists and live music there, according to the Daily Camera.

Weekend Dinner Plans

Quick rundown, and they're so simple. With such a lovely, rare rainy day today in Boulder, we couldn't have a better day for Whole Foods' one-day sale on roasted chickens, $5 for natural and $8 for organic, way off their usual prices for such fine and tasty birds. I'll also pick up a five pound bag of organic potatoes at Sprouts for mashers on the side, since organic russets, red or Yukon potatoes are all $3.98 a bag, and that will leave me with a good stock for later use too. For a side veggie, so many choices from my CSA pickup yesterday.

Tomorrow will be some salmon fillet, probably the fresh sockeye that's $9.99 a pound at Sprouts. Whole Foods has a great sale on very expensive king salmon all weekend, but with more storms threatened for tomorrow afternoon, I have a feeling the fish will land on a grill pan indoors rather than out on the grill, so I'd rather go with the cheaper choice. I will pick up some of the organic figs on sale for the weekend at Whole Foods, since they can just be munched as is if they don't get to go out on the grill.

For Sunday, I think I'll finally get my chance to make corn and green chile chowder from the Food Network, with roasted chiles from Whole Foods and Munson's corn, of course. Seems like every time I've planned that since chiles and corn arrived, something's come up to change course, but Sunday finally looks like the day.

Stay dry and enjoy the rain!

Local Craft Beer Festival Tomorrow

Boulder County certainly is a hotbed for craft breweries, and twenty of them will be coming together for the first ever Boulder Craft Beer Festival tomorrow, 12 to 5 in West Central Park. In addition to beer sampling, there will be live music and food for purchase. You can read all the details here, and you can save $5 if you purchase your ticket today, rather than tomorrow.

Fresh From The Fields This Week

Here's what was in my Red Wagon Organic Farm pickup yesterday, always a good indicator of what you'll find at tomorrow's Boulder Farmers' Market. They also did a very interesting blog post about how this year has had the coolest growing temperatures since they first started operating, and the challenges that presents with the hot weather later summer veggies not coming along on their usual schedule. Anyway, here's what is coming along:

This week we hope to being you:

Regular Share
Beans
Zucchini
Cucumber
Onions
Carrots
Choice: Potatoes OR Fennel
Choice: Kale OR Collards OR Chard

Large Share Additions
Potatoes AND Fennel
Extra Choice: Kale OR Collards OR Chard
Tomatoes

Fruit Share
Peaches

Weekend Sales At Whole Foods

Whole Foods is giving us two great roasted chicken options for tomorrow only, the 22nd, with whole natural ones just $5 each, and $8 each for the organic ones, great prices and they are sooo good, plus your cooking is already done for you. Also, for the entire weekend through Sunday, king salmon fillets will be $17.99 a pound, $7 off. The post doesn't specify fresh, but I imagine it is. There are also three other sales running through the weekend that I'm afraid I just don't have time to relay details, but look for good specials on Mychelle sun care, Brown Cow yogurt cups, and pints of organic figs (yay, figs!).

Three-Day Sale At Alfalfa's

We're in the midst of a three-day sale at Alfalfa's, and I hope the local grass-fed ground beef nearly half off at $3.99 a pound and the BOGO chia seed sales don't cut off on the right, but I bet they will.

This Week's Hot Grocery Deals (IMHO)

If it's Wednesday, it's food day, time to get back to keeping tabs on Boulder's natural grocery deals scene after several days of being more laid back. We have a new sale starting today at our Boulder Sprouts stores, while the current one continues through August 26th at Whole Foods. Something must also be happening at Vitamin Cottage, and apologies that I have just not yet had time to check that out. This week for sure. Meanwhile, here's what's looking good to me now.

At Sprouts through August 27th (almost September!), while we don't buy much burger, grass-fed organic ground beef does look good at $4.99 a pound, but I'm not enthused about the other sale prices on the products I usually buy (boneless skinless chicken breasts are $3.99 a pound, although that's any size package, and stew beef is high at $5.49 a pound). In fish, I'm happy to see fresh wild Alaskan sockeye salmon fillets remain available at $9.99 a pound, and previously frozen Alaskan cod fillets look good at $7.99 a pound. If you're into farmed salmon, steaks are just $5.99 a pound, but do the math and beware of six ounce portions of fillets priced at $4.99 each.

In organic produce at Sprouts, curly green kale or celery look great at 98 cents each, five pound bags of russet, red or Yukon potatoes are just $3.98 each, five pound bags of carrots are $2.98 each, pints of grape tomatoes are $2.50 each, golden delicious apples are $1.50 a pound, red or green grapes are $2.50 a pound, and one pound containers of strawberries are $2.50 each. Elsewhere in the store, they are doing a Sprouts brand sale, with sale prices on their own brand in lots of departments.

Lunch Box Sampling

I don't see much on the various Whole Foods calendars anymore except web chats, but this Saturday, the Whole Foods in Superior notes it will be hosting a back to school lunch box sampling. Here are the details from them, and sorry as usual recently, it cuts off on the right.

BACK TO SCHOOL SAMPLING

• print
• email

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23RD

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
SUPERIOR WHOLE FOODS MARKET, FREE

Saturday, August 23

1:00pm-3:00pm

Back to School Sampling

Free

Parents and Kids join us in each department throughout our store and enjoy samples of lunch box favorites, quick and easy meal solutions and after school snacks. Grab some recipes to take home with you!

A Delicious Novel From Ruth Reichl

Just finished reading Delicious!, the first novel from Ruth Reichl, and want to pass on that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Reichl has been the restaurant critic for both the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, and also was the editor of Gourmet magazine for a decade. That latter position might explain how the novel is premised on the sudden demise of a well respected food magazine with an illustrious history at the hands of an ignorant corporate owner. It not only involves food, but also cryptography, a magazine library, WWII history, architectural history, James Beard, and a healthy respect for librarians. What's not to love?

Denver Restaurant Week Coming Up

Which also includes some options in Boulder like Cafe Aion and the Greenbriar. Running from this Saturday August 23rd through the 29th, the participating restaurants are offering multi-course dinners for just $30 per person. Check out the Restaurant Week website for all the options, and to see the Boulder ones, once you click Browse Menus Now (the tomato stuck with a big fork), just pick Boulder in the location field.

Boulder Farmers' Market Today

Don't forget about the Boulder Farmers' Market today, 8 to 2 in downtown Boulder, 8 to 1 at the Boulder County fairgrounds in Longmont, where the cornucopia of summer produce will be amazing. For those like me not enjoying the crowds (fine on a Manhattan street for a visit but a little weird in Boulder), the farm stands of Cure Organic Farm and Munson Farm at 75th and Arapahoe make a lovely alternative for your fresh produce.

Plus, don't forget the Lafayette Peach Festival in Old Town is today too, 9 to 4 on Public Road.

Give A Goat A Little Love

Oh dear, that brings to mind an Edward Albee play called The Goat we saw a few years ago starring Sally Field. Just google that one for perverse amusement. But if you want to commune with goats in a more normal way, here's something for your calendar.

Saturday, August 30

Public visiting hours, Mountain Flower Dairy, Boulder 

If you missed the Mountain Flower goats at the market on July 30, you can still visit the goats and see the urban dairy facilities at Mountain Flower Dairy during their public visiting hours. 

Lafayette Peach Festival This Weekend

The Lafayette Peach Festival, with over 30,000 pounds of certified organic peaches from several Palisade growers, will be this Saturday the 16th, from 9 am to 4 pm on Public Road. It will also feature peach cobblers and pies, a farmers' market, two stages with live performances, a Bonfils blood drive, and stuff for kids. You can see all the details here.

One-Day Sale At Whole Foods Tomorrow

At least at the Pearl Street store, where I saw the sandwich board out front, but that generally means at all of them. For tomorrow only, the 15th (happy birthday to Julia Child in heaven!), all supplements will be 25% off. Great time to stock up, especially if you buy Whole Foods' own brand. There might be more in terms of full weekend sales but unfortunately I just don't have time to check this week.

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 long lasting sale ended last weekend, so I need to check that out. Here's what's looking good to me now.

At Sprouts through August 20th, various cuts of boneless chicken are all 40% off, stuffed chicken breasts and all chicken sausage are $3.99 a pound (those prices used to be $2.99), ground pork is also $3.99 a pound, and Rosie's organic whole chickens are $2.99 a pound. In fish, fresh wild Alaskan coho salmon fillets are $10.99 a pound, fresh tilapia is $6.99 a pound (although I'd want to see where it was farmed), and previously frozen 30/40 count Peruvian sea scallops are also $6.99 a pound.

In organic produce at Sprouts, zucchini or yellow squash are both $1.98 a pound, red or green grapes are also $1.98 a pound, Palisade yellow peaches (yup, organic ones) are $2.98 a pound, red or gold beet bunches are fantastic at just 98 cents each, 5.6 ounces of blackberries or one pound containers of strawberries are $2.98 each, and yellow or red onions are 98 cents a pound. Elsewhere in the store, there's a Frozen Frenzy Sale with 20% off all frozen foods, although this seems to me to be the season to be eating everything fresh from the fields. A whole bunch of Annie's products are 40% off, and local Noosa yoghurts are quite low for them at $1.79 for eight ounces.

At Whole Foods' new sale through the 26th, I'm liking organic heirloom tomatoes for $3.99 a pound, and organic figs (yay, figs!) for $3.99 a container of unspecified size, but I'll take my figs at any price. They also have Hatch green chiles for 98 cents a pound, but if you're really into comparisons, they're 68 cents a pound at Sprouts. Sixteen ounce jars of Justin's Nut Butter are nearly half price at $3.39 each, and six ounce Organic Valley stringles are exactly half off at $3 each. Their baked in-house Hatch green chile cheddar loaf isn't the greatest price at $3.99 a loaf, but it is oh so good.

Fresh From The Fields This Week

So glad Red Wagon Organic Farm offers the biweekly option for its CSA, as I'm still contending with a ton of beautiful veggies from last week's pickup. But what the CSA offers is also a good indicator of what to expect at the Farmers' Market, so here's the plan for this week:

Lucky week 13!  This week we hope to bring to CSA…
Regular Share
-Carrots
-Zucchini
-Cucumbers
-Choice: Arugula OR Beets OR Squash Blossoms
-Choice: Kale OR Collards OR Chard
-Choice: Celery OR Leeks
-Herb Choice: Basil OR Parsley OR Sage OR Chives OR Mint
Large Share Additions
-Extra Choice: Arugula OR Beets OR Squash Blossoms
-Extra Herb Choice: Basil OR Parsley OR Sage OR Chives OR Mint
-Japanese eggplant
Fruit Share
-Peaches

An Abundance Of Veggies

What a delightful dilemma to have. What, oh what am I going to do with all the glorious veggies from this week's Red Wagon Organic Farm pickup? I thought they were giving us plenty at the start of the season, but evidently the offerings grow even larger as the harvest progresses. This week I have leeks, carrots, green beans, beets with beautiful greens, kohrabi (braving it again and it was actually good on the grill last night), zucchini, and a big bunch of parsley, despite having parsley in my own herb garden. What occurs to me for tonight is a recipe for vegetable-bean soup with pistou from my beloved Jane Brody's Good Food Book. Being from an old cookbook it doesn't have a link, but this recipe from Bon Appetit for vegetable soup with pistou is quite similar. The soup would use up the leeks, some of the carrots, some zucchini, and some of the giant bag of green beans, still leaving me with a whole bunch of veggies in the fridge. I could make the pistou from scratch as one of my basil plants is ready for that, but I prefer to do that in a large quantity at the end of the season and because of that, I fortunately have one last container of pesto in the freezer from last year's bounty. So lots of CSA veggies in the pot, plus this will make for an easy midweek reheat dinner as well. Beyond tonight, well I still have to figure that out.

Family Fun At New Louisville Alfalfa's

The new Alfalfa's in Louisville is family-friendly with events every Sunday evening this summer. Here's the word from them:

Family Fun Nights Every Sunday Night 4:30 to 6:00pm Louisville Outdoor Patio

Join us on our patio for live music, summer favorites hot off the grill, and other fun activities! Plus, $2 off housemade pizza pies and $1 gelato scoops. • July 27th: The Nancy Walker Trio • August 3rd: The Fourteeners • August 10th and 17th: Band TBA • August 24th: Singer/Songwriter Reed Foehl • August 31st: Wild Mountain Honey • September 7th: Sweet Spot Trio

Weekend Sales At Whole Foods

Our local Whole Foods stores will offer us several options this weekend, including half off coho salmon fillets for today only at $8.99 a pound (it doesn't specify fresh/frozen, but I'd assume fresh, and any fish from Whole Foods is perfect), plus from today through Sunday, you can catch Honey Stinger waffles (not familiar with them) 10 for $10, Organic Valley 12 packs of aseptic milks for $6.99, a stunning $8 off, and Fage Greek yogurt cups $1 each.

Three Day Heads Up Re Vitamin Cottage

Just a heads up that the current long lasting sale at Vitamin Cottage ends this Saturday, the 9th, so you'd better hurry if you want to grab those good deals on organic blueberries, Late July chips, and Crunchmaster crackers, among other things (although stocks do tend to run low at the end of the sale). You can read my initial report here, but who knows what goodies their next sale will bring too.

Chile Pepper Update

Frequent readers of this blog (thank you!) know I'm a bit fanatical about freshly roasted chiles, and look forward to their summer arrival almost as much as I look forward to Munson's corn. A cult seems to have developed around Hatch chiles from New Mexico, but there are many other options, including some very local organic ones that get roasted right in front of you at the Boulder Farmers' Market a little later in the season. I was disappointed to find that Whole Foods jumped the gun, advertising on an outside board that they'd be roasting first of the season Hatch chiles last weekend when in fact they weren't able to get them, but I noticed that Lucky's in Longmont had a roaster outside yesterday with a sign that they were already roasting, probably the chiles from Pueblo they were advertising last week. Heavy rains are evidently slowing the Hatch crop, as this is the latest from Whole Foods (and the hype regarding Hatch is a bit annoying, considering there are other options):

Hatch Chile Peppers

It's time to get your hatch on. At least it's almost time. Hatch chiles, famous in this area and around the globe, are now in season! Excessive rains in New Mexico have soaked the fields, keeping farmers from harvesting them all at once. The result? These little guys are even more coveted than usual and will arrive later this week. We'll waste no time getting them into the roasters, upon their arrival.

This Week's Hot Grocery Deals (IMHO)

We have new sales starting today at our Boulder Sprouts stores, while the current ones continue a Whole Foods through August 12th and at Vitamin Cottage through August 9th (heads up on that one). Here's what's looking good to me now.

In addition to its regular sale, Sprouts will be doing a 72 hour sale for this Friday through Sunday, during which Palisade peaches will be just 88 cents a pound (assuming conventional but that's the way it goes, unless you can nab Morton's organic at the Farmers' Market), Olathe corn will be 4 for $1 (ditto re conventional but at least we're talking Colorado produce on both of these), 30/40 count previously frozen Peruvian sea scallops will be $6.99 a pound (perhaps a corn and scallop chowder?), Arrowhead spring waters will be two for $5 when you buy two 24 pack cases ($2.99 for a single case), and baby back ribs will be $2.99 a pound, among other specials.

In Sprouts' regular sale through August 13th, I happy to see fresh wild sockeye salmon fillets still available at $9.99 a pound (same price also for 26/30 count shrimp, but the sale prices on the other meat and seafood items I buy are once again running about $1 higher than they used to, but I guess that's inevitable. Value packs of boneless skinless chicken breasts are $2.99 a pound (but I have a freezer full from Lucky's prior far superior sale), chicken Italian sausage is $3.99 a pound, boneless center-cut pork loin chops are also $3.99 a pound, and that's also the price of stuffed chicken breasts.

In organic produce at Sprouts, on-the-vine tomatoes are good at $1.98 a pound, red or green grapes are great also at $1.98 a pound, cantaloupes or honeydew melons are just 88 cents a pound, broccoli is $1.50 a pound, and one pound clamshells of strawberries are $2.98 each. Elsewhere in the store, I'm liking Voskos Greek yogurts at 99 cents each, smoked gouda cheese $5.99 a pound, and some Seventh Generation laundry detergents up to the big 100 ounce size $9.99 each.

Three Day Sale At Alfalfa's

Just saw this about a three day sale happening today through Thursday at both Alfalfa's stores (guess we're done with the grand opening sales for the Louisville store). That olive bar price is pretty impressive. Whoops, sorry it cuts off on the right. There are organic grape tomatoes $2 a pint, a dozen red roses $9.99 and a Goddess Garden sunscreen nearly half off deals over there.

Fresh From The Fields This Week

Here's what's expected to be in my lovely CSA share from Red Wagon Organic Farm this week, and that's always a good indicator of what you can be sure to find at the Boulder Farmers' Market as well. Hmmm, am I brave enough to tackle kohlrabi twice in one summer?

Week 12!  This week we hope to bring you:

Regular Share
-Carrots
-Beets
-Leeks
-Green Beans
-Choice: Zucchini OR Cucumber
-Choice: Basil OR Parsley
-Choice: Kohlrabi OR Celery OR Onions

Large Additions
-EXTRA Zucchini OR Cucumber
-EXTRA Choice: Kohlrabi OR Celery OR Onions
-Potatoes

National Farmers' Market Week Happenings

Many fine events going on this week in celebration of National Farmers' Market Week.  Here's the word on local events via the Boulder Farmers' Market:

 Monday, August 4: 5:30-7pm

Farmers Market Week: Yoga & Wine in Oxford Gardens, Boulder 

aEnjoy the beautiful scenery of Peter Volz's Oxford Gardens while unwinding with an evening yoga class led by Blake Burger of Denver Botanic Gardens (Brad, our Markets Manager's brother!), followed by a glass of Bookcliff Vineyards wine and a tour of the farm led by Peter. Limited to 20 participants. 

RSVP to creative@bcfm.org and pay day-of, $10. Cash only.  

Monday, August 4: 6pm

2nd Annual Boulder County Fair Farm to Table Dinner, Fairgrounds Picnic Shelter, Longmont

Chef Dale Lamb will present a fabulous menu that highlights broiled Colorado Lamb chop, braised tatanka & tequila, mesquite grilled whole roasted rainbow trout, roasted sweet corn & green garlic risotto and so much more! Sip Colorado wines, listen to the bluegrass sounds of Murph, Wind & Fire and enjoy a great benefit to keep the fair free! For more information and to purchase tickets go to www.bouldercountyfair.org or 

call 720-864-6460.Tickets are limited to the first 100. 

Tuesday, August 5: 5:30-7:30pm

Farmers Market Week: Farmers Market Dinner at the Black Cat, Boulder
For just $24, join us for a unique farm-to-table experience in the Grange Room of Bramble & Hare (Black Cat's sister restaurant), where farm and restaurant owners and Boulder Farmers' Market vendors Eric and Jill Skokan will present a Farmers Market Week special centered on Black Cat-raised pork and vegetables. Eric and Jill will talk to our small group about their experience growing and raising food for their restaurants and the value of being at the farmers' market. Space is limited to the first 20 RSVPs. $24 per person includes a pork or vegetarian dish plus a farm-based cocktail. RSVP to Bramble and Hare: 303.444.9110. 

Wednesday, August 6: 1-5pm

Farmers Market Week: Crop Mob at Red Wagon Organic Farms with Foodshed Productions, Longmont

Come out and get to know your farmer! Work on this incredible organic production farm comes with trust. This will be not just a seasonal task but instead a large scale 'flip!' With the 2015 season fast approaching, we'll be pulling out an old planting of strawberries and prepping ground for cover crops. Taking place on a Wednesday afternoon, our mob finishes with plenty of time to meet up at the Downtown Longmont Farmers' Market afterwards for dinner. Limited to 25 participants. RSVP on Eventbrite: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/red-wagon-organic-farms-crop-mob-tickets-12335908033. 

Wednesday, August 6: 4-8pm

Rescheduled from last week: Family Night at Downtown Longmont Farmers' Market, 5th Ave and Main St

Save the date for a fun-filled family night Downtown Longmont! Stop by the info booth to pick up a farmers' market family scavenger hunt and earn Market Bucks to spend with your family. There will also be an edible art activity at the LiveWell Longmont booth, as well as live music and other family-fun.

 

Thursday, August 7: 9am-12:30pm

Farmers Market Week: Cure Organic Farm Morning Harvest & Picnic, Boulder

Start your day harvesting with Anne Cure, who has been farming for nearly 20 years. She will lead the group in harvesting tomatoes, summer squash, carrots, or whatever is ready at the time. During your morning volunteering work, you will notice her two-month-old piglets (and their mamas), chickens, gorgeous fields of veggies, an acre of flowers, and most likely a children's summer camp. Around noon, Anne will send you off with some veggies. Stick around to enjoy fresh Fior Di Latte gelato. You will have earned it! Limited to 25 participants. RSVP to creative@bcfm.org. 

Thursdays, August 7-21: 5:30-7:30pm

Summer Salads with Farmers Market Produce, Boulder  

August is the peak season for produce in Colorado, and what better way to enjoy it than in refreshing salads. In this hands-on class, make a bevy of interesting salad combinations, spanning cuisines and using both familiar and not-so-familiar produce. Discover how salads can be a fun, creative way to eat your 5-a-day. Come cook with Mary Collette Rogers and The New Kitchen Cooking School. Register through the City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department: 303.413.7270 with class code 215249. More info: EveryDayGoodEating.org 303.443.0353

Friday, August 8: 11am-1pm & 1pm-3pm

Farmers Market Week: Haystack Mountain Goat Cheese Workshops, Longmont
Are you one of Haystack Mountain's goat cheese-lovers? Haystack's John Scaggs will host two fun-filled educational workshops, just for Farmers Market Week, that you won't want to miss. He will take us on a tour of the facility, lead us through a cheese-making workshop, grilled-cheese master class, and of course, let us hang out with his goats! Workshops are limited to 20 participants each. RSVP and purchase your ticket on 

Eventbrite: haystackstackgoatworkshop.eventbrite.com. 

 

Saturday, August 9: 5-9pm

15th Annual Cultiva Farm Dinner, Growing Gardens, Boulder 

Feast under the stars at Growing Gardens, a Boulder non-profit dedicated to cultivating community through urban agriculture, and enjoy a bountiful five-course dinner prepared by award-winning local chefs. The annual summer celebration and fundraiser casts the spotlight on the Growing Gardens Cultiva Youth Project and is a collaboration of all-star chefs joining to support the community via an enchanting selection of one-of-a-kind appetizers, signature dishes, and memorable desserts-all paired with wine, beer and garden cocktails. 

No Roasted Chiles At Pearl Whole Foods

If your instinct tells you it's too good to be true, follow it. Although the Pearl Street Whole Foods expected to be roasting the first of this year's Hatch green chiles this weekend, it was too early to get them in, much as I suspected. So it's back to square one for me for dinner.

Can I Get To Pearl Whole Foods Today?

With Boulder's first full Ironman triathlon happening all over town (and the county) today, it occurred to me in the middle of the night that maybe I might not be able to get to the Pearl Street Whole Foods today to get my first of the season freshly roasted Hatch chiles for tonight's corn and green chile chowder, also including Munson's corn. But checking out the Camera's street closure article, it appears I should have no problem, as the street closures are basically all downtown. Looks like Boulder's extensive network of bike paths and underpasses must be serving it well for this race. On an unrelated note, if you go to the Camera site to see the street closures, I'd highly recommend also checking out the article about a "service animal" snake on a local bus.

County To Allow Grow Operation

Didn't have time to do another post when this news came out Friday. The county commissioners have decided that a large marijuana growing and processing facility meets the zoning and land use requirements right by my favorite farms, Cure Organic Farm and Munson Farm. You can read the entire Daily Camera article about it here.

Boulder Farmers' Market Today

Just a reminder that's it's time for the Boulder Farmers' Market from 8 to 2 downtown, plus out in Longmont at the fairgrounds from 8 to 1. I've heard that if you get to the Longmont one early enough (before 10), you can meet Devon, a lovely librarian from the Longmont Library at their booth there. Here's what the Market says about everything going on.

This week at the market: tomatoes, peaches, beets, sweet corn, kale, raspberries, bell peppers, garbanzo beans, potatoes, mushrooms, bison, beef, pork, garlic, basil, mint, sunflowers. 

Boulder Farmers' Market Saturday 8/2

• On stage: Patty Cummings 

Longmont Farmers' Market Saturday 8/2

• On stage: Left Hand Market Boys 
• Boulder County Fair 

Boulder Farmers' Market Wednesday 8/6

• In the beer garden: Wild Woods Brewery, Boulder 

Downtown Longmont Farmers' Market Wednesday 8/6

• Family Night: Rescheduled from last week's rain. Family farmers' market scavenger hunt, edible art with LiveWell, chalk art on the farmers' market truck, live music and more! 

Hatch Green Chiles Already Here!

Uh oh, I regard this as welcome news but also a harbinger of the end of summer, so get the rest of those hot weather plans in line! The Pearl Street Whole Foods has a sign out front announcing that they will be roasting the first of the Hatch green chiles this weekend. That means I'll be doing a corn and green chile chowder to celebrate this weekend, probably on Sunday after fresh wild salmon going on the grill tomorrow from Sprouts (see below for prices). As already noted many times, the fresh Munson's farm corn has arrived to support all this, including a side for the grilled salmon so we are really in gear, perhaps some psychic support to all those amazing people doing the Boulder's Ironman triathlon this weekend.