Whole Story, the blog for Whole Foods Market, is hosting a contest through Jan. 31, so hurry.
Quote about contest from blog:
"So tell us, what healthy eating changes do you plan to make in 2011? Where do you find your motivation and inspiration? We want to hear it all!
Share a bit about your approach to healthy eating in the comments below by January 31st for a chance to win." You do this in the comments section of the blog contest entry.
Contest winners get a $99 Whole Foods Market card and will be put in touch with one of the store's Healthy Eating Specialist to get a "pantry makeover" that helps them learn how to shop for healthy food at a reasonable price.
Showing posts with label healthy food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthy food. Show all posts
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Reasons Detroit Food Rocks
I slightly twisted a title from an article in Canada's version of the Reader's Digest called 9 Surprising Reasons Why Detroit Rocks for this blog post.
Number 5 in the article includes Detroit Eastern Market, a place where my dad always got steaks for Detroit Western International High School's staff picnic, which he organized for many years. He felt they were the best steaks ever. (We always got the leftover steak because he coordinated the picnic, and I agree with his assessment.) Another site the article recommended is vegan- and vegetarian-friendly Russell Street Deli, which I want to try.
One reason Detroit area food rocks is that many of the supermarkets here, supermarkets including Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe's, Kroger's and locally-owned Hiller's Markets, make it super easy to find healthy food. Hiller's also has a gluten-free foods section and a shelf tag system making it easy to choose Michigan products.
That's just the tip of the iceberg as far as Detroit area food is concerned. Check this blog for more great places in 2011.
Number 5 in the article includes Detroit Eastern Market, a place where my dad always got steaks for Detroit Western International High School's staff picnic, which he organized for many years. He felt they were the best steaks ever. (We always got the leftover steak because he coordinated the picnic, and I agree with his assessment.) Another site the article recommended is vegan- and vegetarian-friendly Russell Street Deli, which I want to try.
One reason Detroit area food rocks is that many of the supermarkets here, supermarkets including Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe's, Kroger's and locally-owned Hiller's Markets, make it super easy to find healthy food. Hiller's also has a gluten-free foods section and a shelf tag system making it easy to choose Michigan products.
That's just the tip of the iceberg as far as Detroit area food is concerned. Check this blog for more great places in 2011.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Shopping Review: BetterHealth Market
BetterHealth Market is a good middle-of-the-road store with some great choices. It is a little bit more, I find, than either Whole Foods Market or Trader Joe's, but there are some things I get there that aren't readily available at either of those, one of which (sob) will be no longer. (I'm referring to the Cocoa Mole flavor of the LaraBar)!
Moving on ... The customer service I have experienced at the Novi store is wonderful. I can always get help if I need assistance finding something I want. It has a good selection of healthy foods minus the mind-boggling number of choices you'd find at a Whole Foods Market.
The prepared food section also is a good place to pick up a quick dinner if you'll be too tired to cook after shopping.
You can get some great loss-leader sales on certain items in the store. In addition, BetterHealth Market offers coupons. Some (which vary from 10 percent off your order to 20 percent off a single item) are sent to me in the mail. Usually, there are coupon books available with the flyer in the front of the store. Check these out before shopping to get the best possible deals!
Moving on ... The customer service I have experienced at the Novi store is wonderful. I can always get help if I need assistance finding something I want. It has a good selection of healthy foods minus the mind-boggling number of choices you'd find at a Whole Foods Market.
The prepared food section also is a good place to pick up a quick dinner if you'll be too tired to cook after shopping.
You can get some great loss-leader sales on certain items in the store. In addition, BetterHealth Market offers coupons. Some (which vary from 10 percent off your order to 20 percent off a single item) are sent to me in the mail. Usually, there are coupon books available with the flyer in the front of the store. Check these out before shopping to get the best possible deals!
Shopping Review: Trader Joe's Market
A few years ago, a former coworker brought in some beautiful red peppers and hummus. When I asked her where she got them, she said "Trader Joe's; that's where I do most of my shopping."
Think of Trader Joe's as a decently-sized specialty market minus the specialty prices. While it doesn't have the extensive stock of Whole Foods Market (which is both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on how pressed for time I am). It does feature a bit of everything without being a megastore. While I enjoy both Whole Food Market and BetterHealth Market (more on that later), I find that, when I'm in a hurry to grab something to eat on the run, and there's a Trader Joe's in the neighborhood, it's my choice. It includes some heavenly healthy choices, including some wonderful meats, vegetables and fruits.
Unfortunately for me, the closest Trader Joe's to Milford is just south of Eight Mile on Haggerty. That means I don't get there often. If I'm on my way home from the area before 9 p.m. (which, I believe, is closing time), I usually make it a point to go there and get some of my favorite things. The great thing about TJ's is that I can do a quick shopping job there in about 15 minutes!
Think of Trader Joe's as a decently-sized specialty market minus the specialty prices. While it doesn't have the extensive stock of Whole Foods Market (which is both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on how pressed for time I am). It does feature a bit of everything without being a megastore. While I enjoy both Whole Food Market and BetterHealth Market (more on that later), I find that, when I'm in a hurry to grab something to eat on the run, and there's a Trader Joe's in the neighborhood, it's my choice. It includes some heavenly healthy choices, including some wonderful meats, vegetables and fruits.
Unfortunately for me, the closest Trader Joe's to Milford is just south of Eight Mile on Haggerty. That means I don't get there often. If I'm on my way home from the area before 9 p.m. (which, I believe, is closing time), I usually make it a point to go there and get some of my favorite things. The great thing about TJ's is that I can do a quick shopping job there in about 15 minutes!
Shopping Review: Whole Foods Market
I have always enjoyed going to Whole Foods Market; it's a shopping experience. I've been to the one in Ann Arbor and the one in Farmington Hills. Probably my favorite one (which is likely by virtue of being the one I know the best) is the Farmington Hills location.
Cheese lovers and wine lovers alike can go wild there. Foodies everywhere drool over the prepared foods, including all-American favorites such as a luscious macaroni and cheese dish as well as Kosher foods, vegan choices, vegetarian fare and a terrific salad bar. I love the place.
That said, I frequently hear (or read) complaints that the chain is pricey. In some instances, that is true, but the biggest downside for me is that it's a megastore; with my penchant for label reading, a small shopping trip will take me at least an hour (usually closer to one-and-a-half hours). So I'd advise getting your perishables last.
As is the case with many other chains, there are some great loss-leader sales available. If you stick to bulk food section and specials, you can get some bargains, especially in terms of healthier snacks.
I strongly suggest reading the flyer before you start shopping and limiting your purchases of the fabulous premade foods (particularly baked goods) to healthier choices so you too can have a shopping experience that's great for both your waistline and your wallet.
Cheese lovers and wine lovers alike can go wild there. Foodies everywhere drool over the prepared foods, including all-American favorites such as a luscious macaroni and cheese dish as well as Kosher foods, vegan choices, vegetarian fare and a terrific salad bar. I love the place.
That said, I frequently hear (or read) complaints that the chain is pricey. In some instances, that is true, but the biggest downside for me is that it's a megastore; with my penchant for label reading, a small shopping trip will take me at least an hour (usually closer to one-and-a-half hours). So I'd advise getting your perishables last.
As is the case with many other chains, there are some great loss-leader sales available. If you stick to bulk food section and specials, you can get some bargains, especially in terms of healthier snacks.
I strongly suggest reading the flyer before you start shopping and limiting your purchases of the fabulous premade foods (particularly baked goods) to healthier choices so you too can have a shopping experience that's great for both your waistline and your wallet.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Healthy Snacks Revisited
As we get back to school and head into fall, it's time to think of some healthier snacks.
One of my all-time favorites, which also is good in lunches are flavored (the ones without added sugar). There is a fabulous one that is Mott's Healthy Harvest; see prior product review here.
Another thing I enjoy is trail mix. Now here you have to be careful with the portion size: stick to 1/4 to 1/3 cup by dividing it into little snack bags. The best trail mix I ever made featured chocolate covered Raisinets, Chex Rice cereal, a small package of the Ritz peanut butter cracker sandwiches, pecans, walnuts, raisins and dried cranberries. Aunflower or pumpkin seeds also are good.
For some additional ideas, try this article from Self or another from Eating Well magazine as well as my prior post about quick snacks.
One of my all-time favorites, which also is good in lunches are flavored (the ones without added sugar). There is a fabulous one that is Mott's Healthy Harvest; see prior product review here.
Another thing I enjoy is trail mix. Now here you have to be careful with the portion size: stick to 1/4 to 1/3 cup by dividing it into little snack bags. The best trail mix I ever made featured chocolate covered Raisinets, Chex Rice cereal, a small package of the Ritz peanut butter cracker sandwiches, pecans, walnuts, raisins and dried cranberries. Aunflower or pumpkin seeds also are good.
For some additional ideas, try this article from Self or another from Eating Well magazine as well as my prior post about quick snacks.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Avoid Brain Decay by Eating Berries, Walnuts and Bright Veggies?
I'm thrilled; it seems as though my favorite fruits and vegetables — such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and colorful peppers — may be able to somewhat reverse the aging process.
Yes, you may have heard that these are good for you already in the media. But this news comes from a professional scientific journal: Science Daily. In its Aug. 24, 2010 edition, an article titled "Eating berries may activate the brain's natural housekeeper for healthy aging" gives the scoop: berries, walnuts and other, brightly-hued red, orange and blue druits and vegetables are high in polyphenolics. This means act as "housekeepers" in your brain cleaning up residue that otherwise would impede normal brain function.
I'll have to get back to you on the results, but I plan to make a salad with as many of these things as possible in it sometime soon.
Yes, you may have heard that these are good for you already in the media. But this news comes from a professional scientific journal: Science Daily. In its Aug. 24, 2010 edition, an article titled "Eating berries may activate the brain's natural housekeeper for healthy aging" gives the scoop: berries, walnuts and other, brightly-hued red, orange and blue druits and vegetables are high in polyphenolics. This means act as "housekeepers" in your brain cleaning up residue that otherwise would impede normal brain function.
I'll have to get back to you on the results, but I plan to make a salad with as many of these things as possible in it sometime soon.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Blogging (and cooking) by the seat of my pants
My first blogs were very well planned. I wrote them in advance in Word and edited them extensively. Then I realized something: many blogs are more or less spontaneous, reacting to what life throws at you.
For example, I'm typing this blog at the library and have about 18 minutes left before it shuts off because the recent storm knocked our power out Thursday. I do three blogs a week and I'm not letting a minor detail, such as a lack of power or no clue what my topic is, stop me.
A good portion of what was in the frig are in coolers with ice at present. I don't think I appreciate sufficiently how wonderful it is to have all that food handy until something like this happens. We're trying not to open the frig as much as possible to keep the stuff good.
I'm used to convenience. It's easy to want to get something like Hot 'N Ready Pizza at Little Caesar's or McDonalds when you're in a situation like this, but that's really not the way my family does things.
The Coleman stove is perched on the inert grill outside and I had oatmeal with soy milk this morning. It was good to stick to healthy eating. Hopefully, the power will be on tonight. Hopefully, there will be something good at the graduation party I'm attending. Otherwise, it will be whatever we can cook on the Coleman stove or sandwiches for dinner: whatever's easy (and healthy) to fix.
P.S. It must be my lucky day: not only was the food at the graduation great (chocolate fountain with fruit and goodies, anyone?), but only one freezer (the side door one in the older refrigerator) had to be majorly purged. The other frig and basement freezer were intact. I'll also be cooking a lot of things that thawed but were still cold and improvising ingredients like crazy. How does a big breakfast fryup of chicken sausage and veggie soup sound?
For example, I'm typing this blog at the library and have about 18 minutes left before it shuts off because the recent storm knocked our power out Thursday. I do three blogs a week and I'm not letting a minor detail, such as a lack of power or no clue what my topic is, stop me.
A good portion of what was in the frig are in coolers with ice at present. I don't think I appreciate sufficiently how wonderful it is to have all that food handy until something like this happens. We're trying not to open the frig as much as possible to keep the stuff good.
I'm used to convenience. It's easy to want to get something like Hot 'N Ready Pizza at Little Caesar's or McDonalds when you're in a situation like this, but that's really not the way my family does things.
The Coleman stove is perched on the inert grill outside and I had oatmeal with soy milk this morning. It was good to stick to healthy eating. Hopefully, the power will be on tonight. Hopefully, there will be something good at the graduation party I'm attending. Otherwise, it will be whatever we can cook on the Coleman stove or sandwiches for dinner: whatever's easy (and healthy) to fix.
P.S. It must be my lucky day: not only was the food at the graduation great (chocolate fountain with fruit and goodies, anyone?), but only one freezer (the side door one in the older refrigerator) had to be majorly purged. The other frig and basement freezer were intact. I'll also be cooking a lot of things that thawed but were still cold and improvising ingredients like crazy. How does a big breakfast fryup of chicken sausage and veggie soup sound?
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Mom's Fruit Salad
Fruit salad dressed with a mixture of Cool Whip and Miracle Whip to bind it was the fruit salad of my childhood, sort of a Waldorf salad-type thing. That's really not necessary to taste good, as my mother proved with hers made for a recent family graduation party.
Mom's Fruit Salad
Serves between 30-35 people.
Mom prepares the salad the day of the party, as she doesn't like it to get a bit watery in the bottom. If you have to make it in advance, you always can drain it. (We were eating it for about four days after the party; I liked it better the second day.)
1 cantelope, cut into 1-inch squares
half a honeydew melon, diced into 1-inch squares
two center-cut pieces of a medium-sized seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch squares
quart of strawberries, washed, hulled and each sliced in half
pint of blueberries, washed
2 C. red seedless grapes, washed and halved
1/2 of one cored, peeled pineapple, cut into 1/2-inch square pieces
Mix together into a very large mixing bowl. Additional fruit salad may be kept in the refrigerator in a large freezer bag to replenish the bowl as needed.
Mom's Fruit Salad
Serves between 30-35 people.
Mom prepares the salad the day of the party, as she doesn't like it to get a bit watery in the bottom. If you have to make it in advance, you always can drain it. (We were eating it for about four days after the party; I liked it better the second day.)
1 cantelope, cut into 1-inch squares
half a honeydew melon, diced into 1-inch squares
two center-cut pieces of a medium-sized seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch squares
quart of strawberries, washed, hulled and each sliced in half
pint of blueberries, washed
2 C. red seedless grapes, washed and halved
1/2 of one cored, peeled pineapple, cut into 1/2-inch square pieces
Mix together into a very large mixing bowl. Additional fruit salad may be kept in the refrigerator in a large freezer bag to replenish the bowl as needed.
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