Guest Post Written by Samuel Trimboli
Customer Communications Representative, Resident Pinterest Expert

Chances are, you’ve “liked” a friend’s post, commented on a funny “status,” “tweeted” what’s on your mind and supplemented it with a #hashtag.  Maybe you’ve even given your friends a shoutout on Follow Friday… but have you pinned anything yet?

No, I’m not talking about sewing. Pinterest is a relatively new social network designed in the form of an online pinboard. This site serves as a way for users (also referred to as “pinners”) to both showcase their own creativity by uploading and sharing pictures, and to bookmark ideas and items that they like or might want to come back to by “pinning” them.

Pinning is essentially bookmarking an item. Pinterest has an easy-to-install “Pin” button, which makes pinning almost second nature. For example, if I’m surfing the web and I come across a picture of an excellent recipe for no-bake cheesecake, I would click the “Pin” button and the image with a direct link to the recipe would then be pinned to one of my pinboards, appropriately named “Desserts to Die For.” If I come across something that another pinner has on their board, I can also add it to one of my own by re-pinning. Pinterest makes it so simple (and fun!) to share things with your friends. Pinterest is great because it’s basically like having a subscription to 10 different magazines, but not having to pay for them or worry about them cluttering your coffee table. That being said, the days of clipping out recipes from magazines to bring to our friends could be numbered. Thanks to Pinterest, all they need is the link to one of your pinboards. Pinterest is unique because it provides a form of recreation as well as functionality. If you’ve already tried it, you’ll know what I mean. It’s a lot of fun looking through tons of eye catching, colorful photos of everything from headbands to Harley-Davidsons to heart-healthy fruit smoothies. And when we see something we like we can save it to one of our boards to come back to. After a solid chunk of time spent Facebooking, I usually find myself wondering where the time went and feeling like I could’ve done something a little more productive. In contrast, after a good Pinning session I usually feel like I accomplished something. It’s nice when I can go back and see what I’ve done in the 30 minutes I spent cultivating my Pinterest page. Some of the most popular board categories are recipes and style ideas, but some pinners have taken to making “wish-list” boards, where they pin birthday and holiday gift ideas. No more worrying about dropping that subtle hint!

So, I encourage all of you to go out and sign up for Pinterest if you haven’t already! Believe me when I say that there really is something on there for everyone. While you’re at it, make sure you follow us at www.pinterest.com/pricechopper to stay updated with what we’re featuring!  We’ve added a Chopper Shopper Blogger board featuring blogs run by our customers!  If you’d like to be featured on our Blogger board, comment with a link to your blog!

We’d like to be able to interact with you and hopefully showcase some of your favorite things on our boards. We like to update our Pinterest page with the newest in easy, yet delicious recipes to make your weekly meal planning a little easier. We’re also currently celebrating Oreo’s 100th birthday, so be sure to check out our board for some tasty Oreo treats! My personal favorite is our board for sustainable kids’ crafting ideas. Check it out, and you’ll be surprised at what you can do with some leftover egg cartons and soda bottles! We enjoy sharing recipes, contests and new ideas with all of our Chopper Shoppers and we love being able to see what’s important to you as well. Naturally, we really like the idea of Pinterest! We hope you love it too, and we can’t wait to hear your feedback! Happy pinning!

Where would you go on an ideal Valentine’s Day getaway and who would you bring with you?  Would you go skiing out west or travel somewhere exotic to bask in the sun?  We want to help you get there!  Tell us where you would go and who you would take with you and you could be entered to win a $250 Marriot gift card AND a $250 Southwest gift card; thats $500 towards a dream vacation!  Post your story below as well as on the corresponding Facebook post by February 13th to be entered.  One lucky winner will be chosen at random to win! Read official contest rules here. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, you should be able to find a destination that is perfect for your dream vacation.  If you’re looking for some traveling ideas, check out the top 10 vacation spots as listed by US News Travel below! 10. Yosemite National Park, California 9. Honolulu-Oahu, Hawaii 8. Chicago, Illinois 7. U.S. Virgin Islands 6. Maui, Hawaii 5. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 4. New York City, New York 3. San Diego, California 2. Washington D.C. 1. San Francisco, California Where would you go on an ideal Valentine’s Day getaway and who would you bring with you?  Would you go skiing out west or travel somewhere exotic to bask in the sun?  We want to help you get there!  Tell us where you would go and who you would take with you and you could be entered to win a $250 Marriot gift card AND a $250 Southwest gift card; thats $500 towards a dream vacation!  Post your story below as well as on the corresponding Facebook post by February 13th to be entered.  One lucky winner will be chosen at random to win! Read official contest rules here. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, you should be able to find a destination that is perfect for your dream vacation.  If you’re looking for some traveling ideas, check out the top 10 vacation spots as listed by US News Travel below! 10. Yosemite National Park, California 9. Honolulu-Oahu, Hawaii 8. Chicago, Illinois 7. U.S. Virgin Islands 6. Maui, Hawaii 5. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 4. New York City, New York 3. San Diego, California 2. Washington D.C. 1. San Francisco, California
Guest Post Contributed by Elizabeth Barbone
http://www.GlutenFreeBaking.com

Is it just me or is the Super Bowl second only to Thanksgiving as a food holiday? Here are four recipes for classic game-day foods, made gluten-free!

Photographs: Elizabeth Barbone

Wings Most wings you order at a bar or grill are breaded and fried. Since I don’t want to drag out the deep-fryer on game day, I bake mine and nix the breading. By baking them in a really hot oven, they get nice and crispy. Personally, I’ve come to prefer this recipe to fried wings. 2 1/2 pounds chicken wings 1/4 cup butter 3 cloves garlic, minced or put through a garlic press 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder, optional for an extra kick 3/4 cup cayenne pepper sauce 1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil. Bake wings until golden brown and crispy, about 20 minutes. Turn once during cooking. 2. While the wings bake, prepare the sauce. In a small heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until soft and aromatic, stirring frequently. If using, add chipotle powder. Stir to combine. Add cayenne pepper sauce. Reduce heat to low. Stir frequently. 3. Transfer wings to a large bowl. Toss with prepared sauce. Serve immediately.

Photographs: Elizabeth Barbone

Pigs in a Blanket  Traditional wheat-based pigs in a blanket are often made with store-bought dough, usually crescent dough or puff pastry. Those of us on the gluten-free diet currently don’t have the option of using pre-made dough. While not as easy as popping open a can of dough, this gluten-free pastry isn’t tough to make. Dairy-free Replace the butter with solid shortening and the milk with a dairy-free and gluten-free milk replacement. 5 ounces (1 1/4 cups) white rice flour 3 ounces (3/4 cup) cornstarch 1 ounce (1/4 cup) sweet rice flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, chilled and diced 1/2 cup plus additional milk as needed 2 large eggs, divided 1 package (16 ounces) gluten-free cocktail wieners
  1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the white rice flour, cornstarch, sweet rice flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
  3. Add the butter, and using your fingers or a pastry cutter, work it into the flour mixture until no large pieces remain. The mixture should be coarse, with tiny pebbles of butter distributed thoroughly throughout.
  4. Using a wooden spoon, stir in 1/2 cup of the milk and 1 egg. Blend until a dough forms. The dough will be dry and won’t hold together, add a splash (about 2 tablespoon) more milk until dough is firm and forms a ball when rounded between your palms.
  5. Pinch off little balls of dough, about 1 generous teaspoon each. Press the dough evenly around a cocktail wiener to coat the wiener. Leave ends of the wiener exposed. Don’t worry about the dough jacket being perfect. You just want to encase the sausage in dough. Looks don’t matter. Place on the prepared pan. Repeat until all the dough and wieners are used.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining egg and about 1 tablespoon milk with a fork. Using a pastry brush, brush the egg mixture onto each dough wrap.
  7. Bake 15 to 18 minutes, until the dough is light golden brown. Remove from pan and serve hot.

Pigs in a Blanket recipe from “How to Cook Gluten-Free” by Elizabeth Barbone (Lake Isle Press 2012. Recipe shared with permission.)

Pizza

Photographs: Elizabeth Barbone

I love pizza! But I don’t always love making it with a houseful of guests. Here’s what I do:

Brownies If you have a sweet tooth, like I do, here’s an easy recipe for rich brownies. Because no matter how your team is doing, chocolate is always a good idea!

Dry Ingredients 1 cup white rice flour 1/2 cup cornstarch 1/2 cup cocoa powder (either Dutch-process or natural) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum Wet Ingredients 2 cups granulated sugar 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 4 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Gluten-free cooking spray

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with gluten-free cooking spray.

  1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. Set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. (Use medium-high speed with a handheld mixer or medium speed with a stand mixer. Add eggs. Mix until combined.
  3. Reduce mixer speed to medium. Add dry ingredients and vanilla extract. Mix until a batter forms. Spread batter into prepared pan.
  4. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
  5. Remove pan from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool. When cool, cut into squares.

Photographs: Elizabeth Barbone

And don’t forget all the naturally gluten-free foods! Here are just a few:

Written by Kevin Schulke
Category Manager of Beer, Wine and Salty Snacks

How is your memory?  Mine’s really pretty good… I still remember the special birthday oh so long ago, the one that brought along with it a rite of passage; that is legal age.  I have enjoyed the adult alcoholic beverage we call beer ever since.  I guess that’s not so surprising; beer, after all, has been around for quite some time and I’m pretty certain it will be around for quite some time going forward.  It was way back in 1587 (I assure you I was not there) that colonists first brewed beer here and then 20 years later the first shipment of beer arrived here from England. (They must have been quite thirsty by then!)  In 1609 there was a massive and frantic job search in London for brewers for the new Virginia Colony and in 1632 the first brewery was built (are you kidding me, it took until 1632?) in New Amsterdam (NYC).  Actually this was not even the beginning for beer on this continent as beer had been brewed here long before this period in time by Native Americans.   (They were smart; not waiting for the brewery to be built.)

Jumping ahead in time, there are now more than 1700 breweries in this country and this is certainly testament to the fact that so many people enjoy the beverage just as I do.  Whether you are enjoying a frosty beverage after a hard day’s work, or while watching a sporting event with friends, or even pairing a pint with tonight’s dinner, beer is a beverage that is enjoyable in many different social settings.

I have been selling and drinking beer for many years and I do feel at least slightly qualified to offer some bit of beer drinking advice. My first piece of advice is moderation (and it’s sound advice indeed).  My second piece of advice (but also quite sound) is try drinking variety.  You may be like many people who love Coors Light, Bud Light or Miller Lite and drink nothing but that particular brand.  My suggestion is to please try something else even if you only do it every now and then. After all, with 1700 different breweries out there, that means there are plenty of new and different varieties to try.  A great tip: When traveling always ask your server what local favorites they offer and when at home look a little to the left and then right of your favorite beer when you step up to the cooler… there are so many beers out there just waiting for you to give them a try.

I’d like to mention a few local options available not too far from a Price Chopper possibly near you.  In Troy, New York, Brown’s Brewing (http://brownsbrewing.com), began operation in 1993 in a 19th Century Warehouse on the shore of the Hudson River.  They brew a number of unusual styles, but I suggest you try the Oatmeal Stout and you’ll be glad you did; it is dark, silky, smooth, and oh so rich.  It’s no wonder they won a Gold Award at the 2004 World Beer Cup and you’ll be as surprised as I that they haven’t won another since.  This beer is a perfect pairing with a hearty winter stew or a rich Salmon dish, but also so versatile that you can serve it with your favorite chocolate dessert (OK, I will admit I had it for dessert at least once).

Heading East to Massachusetts (where Price Chopper also has locations) is the home of Harpoon Brewery (http://www.harpoonbrewery.com).  Rich Doyle and Dan Kenary founded the brewery in 1986 after completing college and traveling through Europe. (After tasting their beer I’m convinced they were both brilliant students.)  In 1992, they brewed a Summer Seasonal IPA that was so popular that it became their flagship offer and was renamed Harpoon IPA.  It’s a medium bodied beer with floral notes and a long clean hop finish.  The finish is created by using a technique called dry hopping; that is adding fresh hops to the beer during the conditioning process.  If you wish to serve Harpoon IPA with a meal you need not feel many limitations.  It pairs well with grilled seafood, spicy chicken dishes or sharp cheeses.

Traveling north to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, we have the Smuttynose Brewery (http://www.smuttynose.com), which was founded in 1994. They make a great Winter Ale and it’s reminiscent of a Belgian Abby Double.  It is characterized by fruity aromas, balanced by soft crystal hops and you’ll note flavors of caramel and toffee with just a hint of chocolate.  Enjoy a glass in front of your fireplace on a cold winter’s evening or serve it with braised beef, or well aged creamy cheeses like camembert.

Reversing our trail, heading west back to New York, let us highlight the Long Trail Brewing Company (http://www.longtrail.com).  It was founded in 1989 in Bridgewater’s Corners Vermont and moved to its scenic riverside state of the art brewery in 1995. Their Long Trail Ale is a German Alt-bier style (means old beer).  The top fermenting yeast produces an ale that is both clean and crisp making pairing with food is quite simple.  Try it with smoked meats, sausage, hearty soups or even pizza.

Each year we try to find popular up and coming new brands to stock in our Price Chopper Beer Coolers, but if you have your own favorite please let us know as it may just end up in one of our coolers soon.

Last note, I believe there’s no such thing as a bad beer; some are just better than others.  Just think how much fun you can have looking for that next great beer! I hope to see you on the trail; in hot pursuit of the next great beer!  Remember the search started long ago and we have no intention of ending it any time soon. CHEERS!

*Please remember to always drink responsibly.

Now that the holidays are over, we’re partnering with Clorox to help you clean up! Our customers have told us in the past that Clorox products come in handy when those big messes happen. Clorox can help you with laundry, cleaning, and keeping your home and family healthy.  Tell us about your most memorable mess and how you were able to restore order!  We’ll choose three winners to each receive a $100 Price Chopper gift certificate.

We also know how important it is to keep your family healthy throughout cold and flu season.  Washing your hands often and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces can help slow the spread of cold and flu viruses.  Clorox disinfecting products such as Clorox® Regular-Bleach, Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes, Clorox® Clean-Up Cleaner with Bleach, and many more, not only clean but also kill 99.9% of cold and flu viruses.* Stop by the pharmacy in your local Price Chopper for a free Clorox customized kit with samples and tips on how to disinfect your home and stay healthier this season. There are limited quantities of coupons for $1 Clorox wipes available at the pharmacy!

Make sure you check the coupon tab on our Facebook page later this week for hot offers on Clorox products!  There are also great savings on your favorite Clorox products like wipes, bleach and clean up spray in this week’s ad!  Read official rules here.

 *Use products as directed on hard, nonporous surfaces. See label for organisms and more information.

by Karen Anderson, LCSWR,RD,CDN,CSSD

Nutrition Consultant

On October 15, 1995 I was presented an unusual birthday gift: the diagnosis of Celiac.  This was a brand new, never-before-imagined present for me, turning 36. With it came challenge both nutritionally and emotionally. My resolution to be gluten-free was an un-chosen, non-refundable and resisted thing. Why me? Was it not enough to live with three other autoimmune conditions? Wow, being healthy is certainly trying, I thought. Such is life. However, after many questions and expressed concerns… after asking for the gift of sympathy in addition to this diagnosis…AND after consuming about 20 Snickers bars over the course of 2 months (“Why?”, my dentist asked. “Because I CAN”! I exclaimed), I accepted the challenge and a brand new year in my life began. And now another new year, 2012, begins. What better time to reflect on facing challenges, changes and resolutions. In honor of 2012, I bring you 12 thoughts to support a happy and healthy outlook for the New Year:

  1. Take a POSITIVE PERSPECTIVE. Reframe celiac as a clearer picture; a gift of knowing. All you need is the right lens to make gluten-free eating acceptable and workable for you. The positive of being GF, by the way, is being WELL!
  2. SEE an RD. A registered dietitian who is specialized in gluten-free nutrition AND is upbeat will help you to see the growing amount of gluten-free choices there are. The idea is to focus is on what you CAN eat more than on what you cannot.
  3. DO NOT ISOLATE yourself. Because you live with Celiac does not mean life is over. And you are not alone. Almost 1% of the US population has Celiac. Connect with others who understand, can educate and can support you. Support groups, printed resources, web information, health care providers, vendors of gluten-free products…the resources are growing…as are the number of chefs educated about GF eating and restaurants offering more and more GF choices.
  4. EXPECT EMOTION. Frustration, anger, relief, sadness, jealousy, disappointment, fear, whatever you may feel that comes with the “gift” of gluten-free living. Expect and accept where you “are at”. Find healthy outlets of expression. It is less about what we are given to deal with and more about how we deal with it.
  5. BECOME INVOLVED. If you can’t beat Celiac, well bring it on and join a support group….get blogging…go to a favorite restaurant and request a new GF entree…If you don’t see a desired GF product at Price Chopper, ASK! (They listen!)…volunteer at community groups to educate others on eating GF…the sky is the limit as to how you stay connected and accepting.
  6. Spend TIME WITH FRIENDS. Friends are the gifts we give ourselves. Do not shut them out. They are your friends. They want to spend time with you. Let them in. They can help you be you and be there if you need to vent too.
  7. GET PHYSICAL. Move. Get fit. Yes, it is good for managing the now absorbable calories you are consuming being GF, good for your immune system and many other health reasons, but exercise is also great for stress busting and mood elevating! You do not know how good you can feel!
  8. BE REALISTIC. Set realistic short and long term goals for being healthy. Meet GF challenges one at a time and as best as you can.
  9. ACCEPT CELIAC. The first step toward meeting any goals and getting anyplace is accepting where you are at. Accepting the need to be gluten-free is the first step toward being happy and well.
  10. STAY CURRENT. Processed product ingredients can change. When in doubt (Is this still gluten-free?), check it out. Also, change it up: Just as you hanker for a change in wall color or a new wardrobe item, you will be looking for a change in GF food choices as time goes on. Try a new gluten-free grain….a new recipe, baked good, combination of GF foods….a new place to eat, etc. There is more to choose from every day!!!
  11. THINK MORE NOT LESS. Thinking about what can you eat more of vs. less of is a more positive mindset and a good coping strategy for meeting the challenge. More whole foods, fruits and veggies, water, proteins… More new choices and new recipes…more energy and good health! This thinking counters the thought of having to “give up” things and the feeling of loss and deprivation.
  12.  RELAX AND REFRESH. Get a good night’s sleep. Take a mid-day break. Remember your strengths. Take a slow deep breath. Get a massage. Treat yourself. Reflect on what you DO have. Picture yourself in a wonderful place. GF living is easier when relaxed.

Happy New Year!

What do you love about local products?  We love Saratoga Chips!  The story behind the infamous chip began with an unsatisfied patron at Moon’s Lake House in Saratoga Springs back in 1853.  He ordered fried potatoes with his meal but complained that they were too thick and sent them back to the kitchen.  The cook, George Crum, was upset that someone had criticized his cooking so he sliced the potatoes paper-thin and fried them in boiling oil to a crisp.  What was intended as a stunt turned into an instant hit!  The patron loved the “crunch potato slices” and soon enough George Crum had opened his own restaurant with Saratoga Chips on every table.

We love this local product because it not only tastes great but has a story behind it! The original company closed its doors in the early 1920’s, however, the Saratoga Specialties Company was launched in 2009 and its mission was to reintroduce the Saratoga Chip.  These delicious chips are made by gourmet kettle artisans, in individual batches and sold in a replica of the original packaging used by George Crum in 1853.

Tell us why you love local products and you could win 2 boxes of Saratoga Chips!  Post your entry below and on the corresponding Facebook post and you could be one of the 10 winners to receive this great local product.  Read official contest rules here.

 

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Do you enjoy summer fun, or are you more of a winter fan?  Now through December 24th at Price Chopper you can purchase a 2012 Season Pass to the Great Escape in Lake George, NY for $52.49.  That’s 25% off the regular price, and the lowest price in years! Season Pass holders can visit the park any day it’s open to the public, as many times as they want, including Splashwater Kingdom water park.  This also includes the addition of Alpine Freefalls, a two level water slide complex set to open in May, 2012! This pass is a perfect last minute gift for a summer-loving friend!

In addition to this great offer, you can also purchase one of our Ski Any 3 Passbooks!  Price Chopper’s Ski Any 3 Passbooks are available in stores through January 1, 2012, and include three passes good for a one-day lift ticket at your choice of mountains. The Big Mountain Passbook sells for $139 and passes can be redeemed at Gore, Whiteface, Mount Snow, Smugglers Notch, Bromley, and Mount Sunapee. The Family Mountain Passbook is $109 and passes can be redeemed at Jiminy Peak, Windham, Pico, West, Toggenburg, Bolton Valley, Song, Plattekill, Wachusett and Granite Gorge.  Each passbook includes many other money-saving offers, as well! (Sunday-Friday, non-holiday, thru end of season, Spring 2012. For specific end of season dates, please contact mountain directly. Cannot be combined with any other discount offer. Non-refundable. Cannot be resold. No cash value. Non-transferable. Not valid on the following dates: December 23, 2011 – January 1, 2012; January 14-16, 2012; February 18-26, 2012)

Tell us about what activities you enjoy during your favorite season and you could be entered to win either a Ski Any 3 Passbook or aGreat Escape Season pass!  Two winners will be chosen for each pass so make sure to tell us why you would love either a season pass to the Great Escape or a Ski Any 3 Passbook!  See official contest rules here.

Written by Sylvia Geiger MS, RD, CD 
Price Chopper Community Nutritionist

A homemade present is a gift from the heart that says, “I care about you” to the person who receives it.  It’s a time-honored way to give something meaningful and personal, especially when it’s a gift of food.  Who hasn’t questioned the materialism surrounding Christmas or Hanukah—do we really need more stuff?  Why not give something people can actually use?

There are many reasons why I find the time to make holiday food gifts. Here are just a few:

  1. They are personal and unique gifts that share my love of food with others.
  2. Making them is fun, so it’s a great activity to share with children and friends.
  3. I can be as creative as I want to be or have time for, and there is no right or wrong way to do it. Martha Stewart—Watch out!
  4. They are perfect for “the person who has everything” or is hard to buy for.
  5. It’s easy on the pocketbook—no need to spend too much money; you can tailor your gifts to what you can afford.
  6. They are always appreciated; no one scoffs at a tin of freshly baked cookies!
  7. Giving and sharing foods is a traditional way of celebrating the holidays in all cultures. It’s a loving act of kindness that is universally understood and appreciated.

Here are some budget friendly holiday food gifts to make and share.

Rolled Christmas Sugar Cookies or Spiced Holiday Cookies

Cranberry-Orange- Nut Cookies

Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons

Ginger Crinkle Cookies or Cherry Biscotti

Homemade Hot Chocolate Gifts

Maple Nut Granola

Cinnamon Streusel Bundt Cake or Chocolate Walnut Cake

Drunken Prunes

Almond Italiano

Chex Caramel Crunch