Author: Evan Friedley

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Produce

Remember when smoothies were something akin to a fruit milkshake? In the past, many smoothies were heavy on the flavor and sugar. Commercial fruit smoothies were more like a dessert than a health tonic. By: Charli Mills, Editor, Living Naturally (Valley Natural Foods' print publication). Featured in the Spring 2016 Living Naturally edition. Click here to view the entire issue. Photo by: Melissa Berg What was once a syrupy new fad at the mall food court has evolved into a powerful way to deliver a balanced meal or snack when time is crunched. Today’s smoothies are of the healthy variety made with fruits and vegetables. You can even blend spinach into the mix and no one will ever know. Careful using kale, though. Because it is a heartier leaf, it doesn’t blend as well and might be noticed. Other healthy additions to any smoothie include chia seeds, flax seeds, raw protein powders and veggies. Whey protein and wheat germ are good,

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Health and Wellness

We envision how to keep balance in our lives—work, play, family, study and home life. We work on creating a healthy lifestyle for our families and ourselves. By: Eileen Johnson, RN, Valley Natural Foods. Featured in the Spring 2016 Living Naturally edition. Click here to view the entire issue. Photos by: Melissa Berg New and vital thinking has us considering the promise of a balance that stays true to values of protecting, sustaining and allowing the earth, its wildlife, our fellow human beings—and ourselves—to heal and flourish. The wellness department at Valley Natural Foods pursues a balanced approach to building awareness of authentic product selections by seeking to introduce customers to new options in the market. Evan Healy stays true to the belief that the skin is the largest organ of the body, and that properly balancing four basic elements—oil, water, clay and Shea—establishes a healthier and more stable protective mantle. This protects the skin from harmful and damaging bacteria. Healy searches for raw materials that are sustainably

By
Fresh Deli

Who doesn’t like the ooey, gooey melt in your mouth goodness of a grilled cheese sandwich? I know I would never pass one up. Just thinking of it makes me salivate at the idea of biting into two crunchy, butter pieces of toasted or grilled bread, only to have a sharp, cheddar cheese ooze out of the middle of it. It’s the perfect comfort food or it can make a quick meal idea, especially when combined with deli meat and grilled as a panini. When you are splitting hairs on what to serve for dinner, know that grilled cheese can be that old favorite that will make even the pickiest of eaters happy. Cheers to cheese! According to our cheese department buyer, Shelly, add your favorite pesto or jam to your grilled cheese sandwich to liven up this old favorite and

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Featured

With spring arriving, we all are thinking about spring-cleaning, but it’s also the time to have a field day stocking up on Field Day products! Field Day products make up Valley Natural Foods’ Co+op Basics program, which offers everyday low prices on many popular organic grocery and household items. Be sure to take a field trip to the co-op from March 30-April 12, 2016 as you will find, for this limited time only, that many select Field Day products are available at even lower prices. Shopping organic on a budget just got easier as this is the bargain sale if there ever was one. Hint, hint, there are many meal ideas you can utilize these items for, including spaghetti, tacos, bean soups, peanut butter sandwiches for lunch, salads and more! Below is a listing of many of the Field Day products you will find

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Uncategorized

I can’t believe Easter is this Sunday and I’m sure many people feel the same! In addition, I haven’t completed any of the shopping needed yet for the dinner I’m attending. Perhaps this sounds familiar? For those attending a dinner, it is a nice gesture to bring either an appetizer, a dish to pass or a dessert. For those hosting and preparing the meal, getting that signature ham or those potatoes for the side dish for example, is essential. Then of course many people may not make a dinner, but instead a delicious, simple Easter brunch for their families. Therefore, I started shopping the co-op to see what goodies I could come up with to help people in all of these different Easter scenarios. Here are several ideas I discovered in my shopping journey.   1. Springy Appetizer or Simple Dessert When you think about appetizers, many

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Featured

Easter baskets full of treats and Easter eggs are tradition. However, growing up as a kid in the 90s, I remember all of those corn syrupy sweet candies and eggs with artificial colors filling my Easter basket. My parents nor did many other people at the time know or even think about natural or organic options as much as they do today. Flash forward 25 years and now natural and organic Easter options are becoming mainstream. You can find many organic and natural Easter options at Valley Natural Foods. The co-op even has many adult-friendly Easter–type gift items too, if candy or sweet treats are not quite your speed. Here’s the lowdown of 10 ways you can fill your Easter basket with new traditions this year:     1. Honey Easter Bears – 2 oz.  $2.99/each This is by far the cutest Easter basket stuffer I’ve

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Departments

Since my first name is Erin, I’ve been asked many times if I’m Irish and unfortunately I have to tell people I’m not. But with an Irish name and St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner on March 17, whose to say I can’t pretend, just for a bit! After all, we all want to be that lucky Leprechaun that finds a pot of gold under the rainbow! While Valley Natural Foods may not be able to offer lucky pots of gold, it can offer festive St. Patrick’s Day novelty foods that can make pretending to be Irish and celebrating the day all the more fun and flavorful. Here are my top four picks for authentic St. Patrick’s Day fare or food items that simply make the day memorable:   1. Cahill Farm’s Irish Whiskey Cheddar Cheese - $21.99/lb. If authentic Ireland is what you are looking

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Education, Featured, Members Only

These days quiet yet very inquisitive co-op owner Iraj Aryan of Apple Valley, MN, is always reading online and learning about the latest health information to ensure he continues to eat right. Eating right has become a lifestyle choice for him, especially since years ago he often became sick before he shopped at the co-op. He relays that it was an easy choice to become an owner almost 4 years ago, as he had been shopping the store for a while and it just made sense. After all, it is only $100 for a lifetime ownership! What is most important to Aryan is eating organic, as he wants to avoid pesticides, processed foods and GMOs. He believes that many people are getting sick and the only way to correct that is to eat right and your body will respond. Aryan is also an

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Departments

Shopping organic on a budget is easier than you think at Valley Natural Foods. We know saving money is important so we want to be sure you are aware of 5 ways to save every day at the co-op! Co-op shopping does not have to be expensive as it is more about following the sales, shopping our bulk department and taking advantage of everyday low prices through our Co+op Basics program. Also, most of these options are available for all shoppers! Remember, everyone is welcome to shop at Valley Natural Foods.   Fresh Deals - For Everyone  Our Fresh Deals are deep weekly discounts on organic produce, meat and deli items. Look for new Fresh Deals in-store and listed on our blog every Wednesday: valleynaturalfoods.com/blog/  These deals are really great too as for example, you could get 2/$3 mangos one week or 4/$5 avocados another week! Co+op Basics -

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Education, Wellness Center

Did you know that your day doesn’t start when you wake up but before you go to bed? According to Anna Wiens, an instructor at Valley Natural Foods, following natural body rhythms is as crucial as what we eat.  She uses Ayurveda, an ancient healing system of India, as the foundation to help people explore how to not only be aware of their natural body rhythms but how to embody this knowledge through simple integration techniques and tips. Through this blog, we will travel throughout the healing world of Ayurveda as a tool to help you embody a healthy lifestyle. At Valley Natural Foods, we want to not only provide you with healthy options but give you the support you need to experience positive, lasting effects. What really is Ayurveda? Wiens reveals that the word "Ayurveda" means “Signs of Life” and it uses five

13750 Co Rd 11, Burnsville, MN 55337

Call us during store hours at: 952-891-1212

Valley Natural Foods Co-op works in partnership with the South Metro community to support health and well-being through education and expertise in local, sustainable food and wellness services.

Store Hours:

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. daily

Coffee & Juice Bar In-Store Hours 8:00 a.m. –7:00 p.m. daily

Coffee & Juice Bar Drive-Thru Window 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. daily

Holiday Hours

OPEN on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

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