Friday, September 3, 2010

Go Wild!


Pulling out a load of freshly cleaned clothes and reveling in the scent of cleanliness, I realize how much I love my laundry detergent! Not often a statement you hear, but if your detergent acted more like a five-star spa for your clothes, treating them with tender loving care as they were primped and primed for the next time you need them, you might hear it a bit more frequently!

"Indigo Wild", a brand that never fails to disappoint, has rolled out yet another product to go wild over! Their new aromatherapy laundry soaps, so luscious that they can only be found in our Health and Beauty section, give your clothes the TLC they deserve as they spin and tumble in your washer and dryer. The secret to their fabulous product; pure essential oils that leave your clothes smelling great without introducing harmful chemicals! Natural vegetable oils also soften fabrics while tenderly doting on your whites, brights, darks, and delicates! Their highly concentrated and low sudsing formula is a great alternative for high-efficiency machines! And with four luxurious scents (Frankincense & Myrrh, Eucalyptus-Citrus, Lavender, and Sweet Orange) what could possibly be better?


So next time your feeling down about your lack-luster detergent, go wild with "Indigo Wild's" handmade, natural aromatherapy laundry soaps!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

In-Store Coupon Matchups for September!

We have several great coupon books available in-store, including Mambo Sprouts and Healthy Clippings!  Make sure you pick yours up at the grocery counter on your next visit!   They are available while supplies last!  Check out these great deals:

So Delicious Coconut Milk on sale for $3.49
Snag $1/1 Peelie
Final cost $2.49!

Mambo Sprouts:

NaSoya Tofu (select varieties) on sale for $2.49
$1/1 NaSoya product
Final cost $1.49!

San-J Gluten Free Teriyaki Sauce on sale for $2.79
55 cents/1 San-J sauce
Final cost $2.24!

Healthy Clippings:

Food for Life Cluckphrey & Moophrey on sale for $3.19
55 cents/1 product
Final cost $2.64!

Annie's Mac & Cheese on sale for $1.39
75 cents/1 coupon
Final cost 64 cents!

Knudsen Just Black Cherry Juice 32 oz on sale for $3.99
$1/1 coupon
Final cost $2.99!

BioKleen Laundry Liquid Citrus 32 oz on sale for $4.79
$1/2 coupon
Final cost $4.29 each when you buy 2!

Taste for Life Magazine (available free, in-store)

Rudi's Gluten Free Bread on-sale for $4.59
$1/1 coupon
Final cost $3.59!

Country Choice Soft Baked Cookies on sale for $2.99
$1/1 coupon
Final cost $1.99!

Printable Coupon Matchups for September!

Here are a few printable coupon match-ups for the month!  Remember to print as soon as you see them, because many may have limited prints available! 
Arrowhead Puffed Cereals on sale (select varieties) $1.49
$1/1 Arrowhead Mills product here.
Final cost 49 cents!

ZenSoy Chocolate Pudding 4 pack on sale for $2.59.
$1/1 Zensoy Pudding product here.
Final cost $1.59!

Lightlife Smart Ground on sale for $3.39
$1/1 Lightlife Item here.
Final cost $2.39!

Enjoy Life Gluten-Free Cookies on sale (select flavors) $2.99
55 cents/1 Enjoy Life item here.
Final cost $2.44!

Organic Valley Coupons here, including:
$1/1 Cheese
$1/1 Butter
Organic Valley Provolone & Muenster sliced cheese on sale for $3.79

Final cost $2.79!
Organic Valley No Salt Butter on sale for $5.79
Final cost $4.29

Country Choice Soft Baked Cookies on sale (select flavors) $2.99
$1/1 Country Choice product here.
Final cost $1.99!

Fage 5 & 7 oz oz Greek Yogurt on sale (select varieties) $1.39
50 cents/1 Fage Total Greek Yogurt when you sign up here.
Final cost 89 cents!

Organic Prairie Smoked Ham, Smoked Turkey, Roasted Turkey & Roasted Chicken slices on sale for $4.99
$1/1 Organic Prairie Fresh Meat Product here.
Final cost $3.99

Pacific Foods Low Fat Almond Beverage on sale for $1.99
Pacific Foods Condensed Cream of Mushroom, Chicken or Celery soups on sale for $1.59
$1/2 Pacific Foods products here.
Final cost on Almond Beverage $1.49 each when you buy two!
Final cost on Condensed Soups $1.09 each when you buy two!

Brown Cow 6 oz Whole Milk Yogurt on sale for 99 cents each.
50 cents/3 Whole Milk Brown Cow 6 oz Yogurt when you sign up here.
Final cost 83 cents each when you buy 3!

Oikos Greek Yogurt 5.3 oz on sale for $1.99
50 cents/2 Oikos Greek Yogurt 5.3 oz when you sign up here.
Final cost $1.49 each when you buy 2!

Oikos 4 pack yogurt on sale for $4.99
50 cents/1 Oikos 4 pk yogurt when you sign up here.
Final cost $4.49!

Debole's Kis Only Gluten Free Tuettini pasta on sale for $1.99
$1/1 Gluten Free Item (select brands, including Debole's) when you sign up here.
Final cost 99 cents!
Ghirardelli Intesnse Dark Chocolate Toffee on sale for $1.99
$1/2 Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate Bar (in bottom right corner) here.
Final cost $1.49 each when you buy 2!

Earth Friendly Fruit & Veggie Wash on sale for $2.89
$1/1 Earth Friendly Fruit & Vegetable Wash here.
Final cost $1.89!

Aura Cacia 4 oz Almond Oil on sale for $3.49
$1/1 Aura Cacia carrier oil here.
Final cost $2.49!

Hyland's Calms Forte 4 Kids on sale for $4.29
$1.50/1 Hylands Calms Forte 4 Kids here.
Final cost $2.79!

Chocolate Brownies.....with Black Beans?!?


I had heard about a recipe for Black Bean Brownies a few years back but never got up the nerve to actually make them. Because, however bold I am at trying weird and unusual food items I just wasn't quite sure about beans....in my dessert.

But it's a great concept. Beans equal fiber. And fiber equals ....well, I think you get the idea. They are basically a win win.

I tried the recipe the other night and they were super easy to make and delicious. You cannot tell they have beans in them whatsoever. The taste is the same as a normal brownie as well as the texture. Here is the recipe for those brave souls who are so inclined:
Black Bean Brownies

1 box of organic brownie mix
1-15 oz. can of organic black beans

Rinse beans in can until all existing water is gone and fill can up with fresh water. Put into food processor until beans and water are smooth.

Add to brownie mix and follow the box instructions. Voila!

(my husband was totally into these brownies and loved them until I "spilled the beans" on what the number one ingredient was). So don't tell a soul in your family and this will be a great way for your kids to get in the extra fiber they need in their diet while still eating chocolate! You can also substitute pinto beans in place of the black beans. One can of black beans contains almost 21 grams of fiber by the way. Although, I don't suggest you eat the whole batch yourself.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

September 2010 Newsletter

Go here to see our latest newsletter!  Recipes, info and super sales!

Vegan Wednesday!: Coconut Rice

Coconut Rice

3 tbsp oil
1/2 onion, diced
1 tsp lemon grass, diced (optional)
2 cups white rice
2 1/2 cups water
1 14 oz can coconut milk
1/4 cup lightly toasted coconut flakes (optional)

In a large frying pan, sautee the onion in the oil for 3-5 minutes. Add rice and lemongrass and cook for about two minutes, until rice is toasted, stirring frequently and adding more oil if needed.
Carefully add water to rice. Allow to boil before reducing heat and covering. Continue to stir occasionally for about 15 minutes.
Add coconut milk and cook 10-15 more minutes, until rice is cooked through.
Top with toasted coconut flakes, if desired, and enjoy!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

BPA: The Facts

With the recent news about the high levels of exposure to BPA in credit card receipts, I thought it might be a good time to provide a quick guide to the history, facts, and risks surrounding BPA.

The History
Bisphenol A (aka BPA) was developed and released in 1891 by Russian chemist Aleksandr P. Dianin. The "A" stands for acetone, which is commonly known as a solvent but is also naturally produced in the body.

BPA is most commonly used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It has been used in plastic products for over 50 years. Polycarbonate plastic is used in the production of many common items, including: CD's and DVD's, lenses, bottles, sporting equipment, appliances, and medical and dental devices. The epoxy is most widely used for the lining of nearly every food and beverage can.

Something to keep in mind while reading this: in 2007 it was announced that the average levels of BPA in people are above those that cause harm in lab animals. BPA, because it is so common in our daily lives, affects every person.

The Problems
BPA has been known to be estrogen mimicking since the 1930's. Several studies have now been released, dating back to the late 1980's. These tests show strong link between BPA exposure (including fetus exposure) and brain, behavior, prostate, mammary gland, development, and obesity problems. It has been shown to bind the thyroid hormone receptor. BPA is a known endocrine disruptor, but it had been declared safe. The Endocrine Society released a statement resulting in a second look at these "safe" test results. Tests are currently underway.

Studies done in 2008, 2009 and early this year have shown that even low exposure to BPA can contribute to abnormalities in breast development. Data that has been gathered over the last several years and animal tests that have been performed strengthen the hypothesis that BPA exposure could be an underlying cause in the significant increase in breast cancer incidents over the last 50 years. BPA may also reduce sensitivity to chemotherapy treatments.

And men, don't think you're excluded! BPA (within the range of concentrations currently measured in humans) is linked with permanently increased prostate size. In addition to several other issues, it is also linked specifically with male sexual dysfunction.

Marine life is also severely affected by BPA that leaches into the water from plastic trash. Because their skin is so much thinner (fish in particular) than humans, the BPA is much more potent. Fish become sterile, have abnormalities, and/or come up with toxic readings in sample testing.

BPA in Credit Card Paper
So why is something that is used in plastics and epoxy in credit card paper? BPA is also used as a color developer in thermal paper (like that used for the majority of credit card receipts) and carbonless copy paper. A layer of BPA and invisible ink is placed between paper. When heat, primarily, is applied, color shows up. Neat trick, huh? It is so popular because ink doesn't have to be used in the machines to print receipts.

Here is the problem. When polycarbonate bottles first start to leach, there is only very small amounts of BPA (think nanograms) released. EVERY BPA receipt contains 60-100 mg of free BPA. Free BPA means that, unlike polycarbonate BPA, which is chemically bound to polymers, this BPA is pure and floating around, ready to be inhaled, absorbed, or rubbed onto something that we eventually ingest.

The Upside
There are only a handful of companies in the United States that produce BPA. One of the producers, Sunoco, is now refusing to sell the chemical to any company that manufactuers products intended for children under the age of 3 (when humans are supposedly most susceptible to BPA). The 6 largest baby bottle manufacturers are BPA free.

Legislature has been passed in several states banning BPA in bottles. Internationally many forward-thinking countries are beginning to ban any products that contain significant amounts of BPA.

General Mills (the owner of one of our favorite brands, Muir Glen) has found a suitable alternative to the BPA epoxy for canned tomatoes. Tomatoes are highly acidic and it has been difficult to find something tough enough, and safe enough, to keep tomatoes in cans. They are now using this blend for all canned tomatoes (and we're guessing they are probably using it for the rest of the line, too).

The best way to combat the BPA on the receipts is to wash or sanitize your hands frequently- ESPECIALLY before eating- and don't leave them sitting in a place where the BPA can rub off on other items you commonly use (e.g. a purse, cup holders in your car, et cetera).

Monday, August 30, 2010

Manic Monday Meal: Citrus Chicken w/Feta

The weekend is over and it's back to reality! Each Monday we will post an easy recipe, either for the crockpot, quick fix or five ingredient or less recipe. Here's to eating healthy, simply!


Ingredients:
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 boneless chicken breasts
2 red onions, thinly sliced
Freshly squeezed juice of 1 orange
Freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon
3/4 cup pitted black olives
3oz. feta cheese, crumbled
1 bunch arugula, trimmed

Directions:
Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.  Saute the chicken, turning once, until golden, about 10 minutes.  Add the onion and saute until just tender, about 3 minutes.  Add the orange and lemon juice.  Cover and bring to a boil.  Sprinkle with the olives and feta.  Cover and cook for 1 minute.  Serve hot with arugula.