Healthy Updates Newsletter

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Eco-Friendly Food Choices, Healthy Updates Newsletter

Many people envision healthy nutritious eggs to be those raised organically or naturally with free-range pastured hens, but have you ever thought about what happens after the eggs are collected? Recently some alert members spotted an article on this very topic and were concerned by what they read. Eggs need to be porous, allowing air to pass through to the inside of the egg so that it can breathe, yet at the same time the egg is protected from bacterial invasion by a natural waxy coating called the bloom. Commercial industry practice is to wash eggs thoroughly. On the surface this appears to be a positive thing, but as they say, the devil is in the details. Unfortunately, this washing removes the bloom, opening the egg to infection. To compensate for this, commercial industry practice is to replace the bloom with a mineral

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Healthy Updates Newsletter

As you may know,  Paul Nutting, our beloved Meat and Seafood manager passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 22nd.  Paul was special. He followed his father’s footsteps, becoming a grocery store butcher. He knew the old-fashioned techniques that small-town and neighborhood grocers employed. He introduced our co-op to one of those techniques—hanging beef. That’s what got us started on the Bubba’s Natural beef. He was talking to our board director about it and that’s when Tom Koskovich said he had a place to raise a small herd. Paul had to call up his brother Steve because we couldn’t find the rails needed for hanging beef. Steve found us some in somebody’s basement and we also had to build a unique meat refrigeration unit for the process. Paul ended up teaching many new hires how to cut meat. As we grew, he found farm partners

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Healthy Updates Newsletter

Every day is Earth Day at Valley Natural Foods. As far back as 1977, the people who started our co-op had that goal in mind and over the decades we continue to strive for ways to reduce waste. In the beginning, we built our business around a bulk department that offered food in the amounts a person would use with less packaging. Our bulk department thrives today and is a great way for households to reduce waste, especially if shoppers commit to bringing in their own containers. From an operational standpoint, our co-op has made great strides as a business. In 2007, Valley Natural Foods participated in Dakota Electric’s Rate 70 program and installed a backup generator. Not only does this reduce the co-op’s electric rate, it also reduces the store’s connection load during times of peak energy demand. When the

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Education, Healthy Updates Newsletter

Nine Things We Can Do to Improve Our Health and Our Food System 1. Consider signing up for a CSA share. Community Supported Agriculture is a simple way to eat local, support a small farm. Generally, a CSA share can be picked up once a week during the growing season, giving you a box of fresh produce straight from the farm. Valley Natural Foods is a drop-off point for two. Contact the farm directly. Featherstone Farm, Rushford, MN: featherstonefarm.com 2. Eat more at home instead of eating out. People consume almost twice as many calories when eating food prepared outside the home. A shared meal at home can replace “eating on the run” with a healthier family and community. 3. Commit to at least one “meatless day” a week. Livestock production is responsible for 20 percent of the greenhouse gases that are part

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Healthy Updates Newsletter

Two of the benefits of membership at Valley Natural Foods, are a monthly 5% discount and a 10% case discount. Both discounts can help frugal shoppers plan and save money. Many members save the 5% discount for their largest shopping trip of the month or for replenishing monthly supplements. Other members plan ahead and buy by the case on products they use a lot. Still others share a case (and split the cost).  While both discounts are terrific ways to save money as a co-op member, you should know that not all products are discounted. So you are not surprised at the cash register, here is a list of those exceptions: • Eggs • Milk • Sushi • Fresh-cut flowers from produce • Books (already 15% off every day) • Items already discounted (member, CAP, general or red tag items) These items are exceptions because they are already discounted so low that if the

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FRESH Recipes for Healthy Food, Healthy Updates Newsletter

Colcannon, traditional fare in Ireland is a delicious dish; the cabbage, kale, leeks and potatoes provide a wallop of nutrients: Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, minerals, protein and fiber. An old Irish Halloween tradition was to conceal charms in the colcannon that would reveal someone's future, such as remain a bachelor or a spinster or become rich. Serve colcannon paired with a corned beef brisket (this week's Fresh Meal Solutions) and you have the perfect celebratory meal for St. Patrick's Day, for the Irish in all of us, at least for a day! Colcannon 1/2 head of green cabbage, shredded 1 bunch dino kale, coarsely chopped 2 1/2 lb. baby potatoes 1 C. cream 1/2 C. salted butter 2 medium leeks, most green trimmed off 2 tsp. black pepper 2 tsp. salt Wash potatoes well. Fill a large pot half full of water, add 1 teaspoon

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Healthy Updates Newsletter

 Do you know this woman? We do! It’s Susan McGaughey, our general manager at Valley Natural Foods. Not only do we know this woman, we hold her in the highest regard as fellow member-owner, leader and friend. If you were to look at the growth of Valley Natural Foods under her direction, you would see a steady line of annual increase. So we also know what she can do. Over the past 30 years Susan has applied her steady leadership and committed her serving heart to Valley Natural Foods. And she has had good company along the way. Kathleen Boegemann, operations manager of our co-op, was recently honored at an all-staff meeting for her 20 years of service. Both women have been committed to excellence, sharing a long-time journey and friendship. Their commitment to excellence has garnered Valley Natural Foods several

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Healthy Updates Newsletter

When it comes to healthy eating, here are 7 easy, nutritious and  very satisfying snack ideas to help you continue with your healthy New Year's resolutions. 1) Organic Tortilla Chips from Whole Grain Milling Company with Valley Natural Foods Homemade Garden Salsa (from the produce department)  2) Fresh crisp Pink Lady apple slices dipped into two tablespoons of almond butter (from the jar, or grind your own fresh from the bulk department)   3) Half of a thinly sliced cucumber and 2 pieces of Eichten's string cheese (from the deli)   4) Thuro Bread on-the-go snack (look for special freezer case at the registers)    5) A couple slices of deli turkey or chicken and a fresh mandarin tangerine 6) Four tablespoons Holy Land hummus with celery sticks and radish slices   7) One single-size container of Greek Gods Honey Greek yogurt and a handful of sprouted almonds (from the bulk department) Use your imagination and mix it up a little. Cucumber

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Education, Healthy Updates Newsletter

  People enter our doors to find answers to their diet and health questions. Sometimes it’s as simple as, “Where’s the salad bar, I ‘m hungry,” or as serious as, “My child was just diagnosed with a nut allergy.” When it comes to special diets and food allergies we understand that some people are more sensitive than others. We have all different types of customers and we’re thrilled about that, but every item in our store isn’t for everybody. For example, we are very proud of our bulk department. It’s a great way to try new items, keep your cupboards full of fresh product and save money, however if you are shopping for a person with food allergy it’s important to be aware that the bulk bins may be cross contaminated. We sell all types of flours and nuts in these bulk bins and

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Education, Healthy Updates Newsletter

Thirty-eight percent of land is currently being used for farming, and industrial agriculture is the leading polluter of water, according to Rainforest Alliance’s Web site.  That is the reason they created a certification for agriculture to help reduce that impact. Rainforest Alliance says on their Web site  that, “Rainforest Alliance Certified farms have reduced environmental footprints, are good neighbors to human and wild communities and are often integral parts of regional conservation initiatives.” Rainforest Alliance Certified means: Less water pollution Less soil erosion Reduced threats to the environment and human health Wildlife habitat is protected Less waste Less water used More efficient farm management Improved conditions for farm workers Improved profitability and competitiveness for farm

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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