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

The parade is over and the fireworks are hours away. It’s time for the backyard cookouts to begin! The 4th of July is all about an outdoor celebration with family and friends. Of course, it wouldn’t be a cookout without all the yummy foods—the grilled chicken & steak, burgers & dogs, baked beans, potato salad and yummy desserts such as pie topped with loads of ice cream.  Even though such delicious foods are part of the celebration, they’re not really the best choices for those trying to watch their sugar, salt or calories in order to stay on track with health goals or their doctor’s order.  And let’s face it— these days many of us have to do just that! But eating at a BBQ doesn’t mean sacrificing your health goals in order to enjoy and indulge your self. After all, it is a party! Here are some grilling ideas that are so delicious; you’ll forget that they’re also good for you! All of these recipes feature this week’s sale items. Black Bean Salsa and Baked Potato Chips or Pita Grilled Chicken Ratatouille Turkey Stuffed Portabella Mushroom Caps   or try our vegetarian Grilled Portobello Burger Grilled Shrimp with mango BBQ sauce Need some ideas for dessert? Try… Blueberry Tart with Walnut Crust Grilled Peach Sundae So slather on the sunscreen and bug repellent, and get the yard ready for a party! Your family and friends are gathered and everyone is looking for a good time.  For more grilling ideas for some healthy BBQ foods read or download our House of BBQ brochure. Free tickets to Jazz Fest or the Ballet Gala Lawn Party! Join our friends at SPAC for a day with 15,000 of the coolest Jazz fans you know at the 34th Annual Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival! Have a fun filled day where you can toast Jazz legends, soak in the sun and celebrate summer on SPAC’s green grounds. This event will feature: TWO winners will receive four lawn tickets each, either on Saturday or Sunday! In addition, you will receive a $100 gift card to Price Chopper to supply your own picnic. Don’t forget a blanket and lawn chairs! To enter to win, tell us what you love about Jazz music or even better – Jazz Fest at SPAC! Post your answers on both this blog post and our Facebook page. Winners will be announced on Friday, June 24th. Would you enjoy a night at the ballet? SPAC’s Junior Committee is hosting A Gatsby Night Ballet Gala Lawn Party. The NYC Ballet will be performing on July 9th at 6 PM. At this event you can expect: We will be giving one winner 4 tickets for a double date or night out with friends and a $100 Price Chopper gift certificate for your picnic. To enter to win 4 tickets to the NYC Ballet Gala, tell us about your favorite ballet. Post your answers on both this blog post and our Facebook page. Winners will be announced on Friday, June 24th. Check out the link below for Official Rules. [slideshow] Visit the SPAC website for more information on the The Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival and the NYC Ballet Gala. Good luck and enjoy your weekend! Price Chopper and SPAC Arts Contest Official Rules

Guest blog written by Ellie Wilson, MS, RD Senior Nutritionist, Price Chopper Supermarkets

Father’s Day is a time to celebrate dads, and show them how much they mean to you. It often includes a nice meal, sleeping late, maybe a cool gadget or gift. When I think about how fatherhood has evolved, especially over the last twenty years, I am particularly struck by how much more men cook, and how many more are concerned with nutrition, for themselves and their children.

We also see many more fathers shopping, and the number grows each day. We hear from them about the resources we have in place, including the NuVal Nutrition Scoring system at Price Chopper, and how they use it as part of taking care of themselves and their children. I would like to share some of their comments, and hope we inspire the fathers in our Price Chopper communities use NuVal to care for themselves and their families.

From Josh Weinstock, (NY, father of two): “The NuVal labeling system has been a wonderful learning experience for my family.  Seeing the NuVal labels in the weekly ads has led to many discussions around our kitchen table.  My kids have learned what ingredients make a product healthy and unhealthy.  We often pull items out of our pantry to compare the nutritional labels and buy brands accordingly.  NuVal has been a fun and practical educational experience for all of us.”

From Paul Merson (CT, father of three):  My wife and I are the parents of three teenagers.  I, as the father, do the primary grocery shopping for the family.  Price Chopper and the NuVal System work to make good and easy nutritional choices.  When one of my teenagers accompanies me to shop, looking at The NuVal numbers almost turns into a game of products versus numbers that we can agree upon. 

Ray Caouette, (NY Two-time heart attack survivor, father of seven): “After my heart attacks, the learning curve on eating more healthfully was arduous. NuVal has made it easy for my wife and I to take care of our health, help me protect my heart, and help me point my children in the right direction.”

Fred DeNovio (NY, father of one): “I can quickly make a healthier choice between two similar products by using the NuVal system.”

Fred’s words bring home another phenomenon we hear from men about NuVal – that they have more choices at the shelf, and that they can participate more in choosing healthier foods for their families. As a colleague, Dr. John May, rather funnily put it, “not only can we help with the shopping, but if we have to get an item that is not on the list, the NuVal score can be part of our defense for our choice!” I know that has worked for my husband too!

Enjoy your Father’s Day, and then enjoy better nutrition with your family, using NuVal at Price Chopper. Here’s to a HealthyU! Guest Blog, Written by: Michela Calabrese of interrupcion* fair trade Price Chopper is committed to being the best in fresh by supplying you with the best produce. We would like to introduce interrupcion*fair trade as an organic, fair trade producer. But you might be wondering, what exactly is fair trade? Fair trade is an agreement that allows farmers to negotiate a fair price with purchasers, so that they get a fair price for their products. This allows the farmers to pay their workers a fair price and engage in environmentally-friendly practices. Fair trade can be thought of as a sort of social movement among producers all over the world. You can choose to play a role in this social movement by purchasing fair trade products. Committed producers promise to participate in fair trade in order to improve long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Fair trade products stand for a rational price, valuable products, environmental awareness, and community impact. Click here for more information on fair trade and how you can find products within the Price Chopper stores.

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Behind each and every piece of fruit we eat, there is a story. There is a place it came from and a way the earth was treated due to its production; there is a worker who planted, farmed, and packed our fruit, and there is a family that depends on it for their livelihood. These people and lands are vital parts of the supply chains that bring us our food. However, in some places now and throughout history, these workers have been relatively poor and without opportunities for a better life, and the earth has been exploited with processes that are unsustainable. With fair trade we connect directly with the story of our foods. We make a positive impact on the people, communities, and land that cultivate the foods we rely upon. Fair trade guarantees fair pay and safe work for the people harvesting the foods we enjoy, ensuring that they are treated just as you or I would want to be treated. Every fair trade item we buy generates a fair trade premium, which is a small amount of funds that is used towards a better world. The workers invest their fair trade premiums to support the important social and health needs of the community. All of these transactions are audited by a 3rd party; therefore, we feel secure that we are trading fairly. At interrupcion*fair trade, we’ve had producers use their fair trade premiums to start emergency health care programs, buy much needed school supplies for children, and rebuild their homes after the devastating Chilean earthquake. This month we’re proud to partner with Price Chopper to bring you interrupcion*fair trade organic gala apples, which are produced in the valleys of the Andean mountains of Argentina. You can learn more about this producer here. Fair trade products, and their stories, can also be found amidst the chocolate, coffee and tea isles of Price Chopper. With fair trade, your purchase is power. Price Chopper welcomes you to try our Fair trade breakfast blend coffee. Go to our Facebook page and click the coupon tab to print a coupon for a 10 oz bag of Fair trade breakfast blend coffee for $4.99 with coupon and card (valid 6/16/11-6/18/11).

It’s that time of the year when you get to thank your dad for being… well, your dad! Sometimes we forget to thank Dad for all the great lessons he has taught us over the years. Maybe your dad taught you how to correctly grip a golf club, or perhaps he gave you advice on how to successfully swing a putter. Tell us about the best lesson you ever learned from your father. Maybe he taught you a skill, provided you with guidance or shared some advice that has really come in handy. We want to hear about it! Here’s how to enter the contest: Post your lesson from Dad to both this blog and our Facebook page from 6/12 to 6/16. Two winners will receive a $250 American Express gift card, which means you can now invest in a new driver, putter, golf bag, or treat your dad to a round of golf! You can check out our official rules for the Father’s Day Contest here. Does your dad need something to use to freshen up after a long day of golfing? This week, Price Chopper has a coupon for $1.00 off any Dove Men+Care product (valid 6/12/11-6/18/11). Dove Men+Care products will leave Dad feeling refreshed and recharged.

Price Chopper would like to wish all the Dads a Happy Father’s Day!

Price Chopper and Doritos® are teaming up to bring you… Green Lantern! Price Chopper customers will be given the chance to win tickets to see the premiere of Green Lantern before its official release date!

We will award a total of 100 winners (25 per day) over the course of four days (6/7-6/10).  Winners will receive a ticket for themselves and three guests to see the premiere showing of the Green Lantern on June 16, 2011 at 7:00 PM. The premiere will take place at Movieland (400 State Street) in Schenectady, NY.  In order to be in the running for tickets you should “like” our Facebook page, which will give you access to the trivia questions and the final Big Green Question. We will post one trivia question each day from Tuesday to Thursday (6/7-6/9). On Friday (6/10) we will post our Big Green Question and choose the final 25 winners on Monday (6/13).

Here’s how to enter: send your answer to our questions posted on our Facebook page (one per day) to the official email address for this promotion: doritos@pricechopper.com. The first 25 people to answer the trivia questions correctly each day, Tuesday (6/7) through Thursday (6/9), will be contacted by Price Chopper with a congratulatory e-mail response and further information on redemption of the tickets. Only one entry per day is allowed per the rules.  If you do not receive an e-mail before the next question is posted, you may try again. On Friday (6/10), we will post our Big Green Question. A team from Price Chopper will choose the most creative 25 answers to our Big Green Question on Monday (6/13). Feel free to comment on our Facebook page, but don’t forget to send your answers to doritos@pricechopper.com to be in the running.  Winners cannot win more than one (1) 4-pack of tickets throughout the promotion period.

Please note, you may not duplicate trade or sell your tickets. There is no purchase necessary for participation in the Green Lantern promotion. Winners must come to the event with a printed version of the tickets and at least one form of valid ID or you will not be permitted to enter and attend the event.  Please come prepared.  Click here for DORITOS® Green Lantern Sneak Preview Ticket Giveaway Official Rules.

Good Luck!

Price Chopper and Doritos® are teaming up to bring you… Green Lantern! Price Chopper customers will be given the chance to win tickets to see the premiere of Green Lantern before its official release date!

We will award a total of 100 winners (25 per day) over the course of four days (6/7-6/10).  Winners will receive a ticket for themselves and three guests to see the premiere showing of the Green Lantern on June 16, 2011 at 7:00 PM. The premiere will take place at Movieland (400 State Street) in Schenectady, NY.  In order to be in the running for tickets you should “like” our Facebook page, which will give you access to the trivia questions and the final Big Green Question. We will post one trivia question each day from Tuesday to Thursday (6/7-6/9). On Friday (6/10) we will post our Big Green Question and choose the final 25 winners on Monday (6/13).

Here’s how to enter: send your answer to our questions posted on our Facebook page (one per day) to the official email address for this promotion: doritos@pricechopper.com. The first 25 people to answer the trivia questions correctly each day, Tuesday (6/7) through Thursday (6/9), will be contacted by Price Chopper with a congratulatory e-mail response and further information on redemption of the tickets. Only one entry per day is allowed per the rules.  If you do not receive an e-mail before the next question is posted, you may try again. On Friday (6/10), we will post our Big Green Question. A team from Price Chopper will choose the most creative 25 answers to our Big Green Question on Monday (6/13). Feel free to comment on our Facebook page, but don’t forget to send your answers to doritos@pricechopper.com to be in the running.  Winners cannot win more than one (1) 4-pack of tickets throughout the promotion period.

Please note, you may not duplicate trade or sell your tickets. There is no purchase necessary for participation in the Green Lantern promotion. Winners must come to the event with a printed version of the tickets and at least one form of valid ID or you will not be permitted to enter and attend the event.  Please come prepared.  Click here for DORITOS® Green Lantern Sneak Preview Ticket Giveaway Official Rules.

Good Luck!

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

For many families the start of summer  signals a time for a special adventure known as the “Family Road Trip.” Everyone packs into the car with their gear and everything they need to head down the highway to visit long lost family, far away National Parks or other memorable destinations.

Eating well during these trips can be a challenge. There’s often little time to stop for a meal, and when you do the choices aren’t always great and can become expensive. Packing some snacks is a good way to keep you fueled up until you can stop for a real meal. Snacking in the car can have its drawbacks.  It’s easy to mindlessly polish off chips and candy by the bagful, leaving no one satisfied and everyone thirsty.  

Here are some ideas for healthy foods that travel well, without making a mess of your car. 

Not planning a road trip this week? 

Recipe Ideas using this week’s sale items

All main ingredients are on sale

 (NuVal score for raw ingredient in parentheses.)

Chipotle-Marinated Pork Tenderloin & Oven-Fried Chicken

Chipotle-Marinated Pork Tenderloin & Oven-Fried Chicken

 

We’ve got new technology and new faces in the House of BBQ!

We now have a new House of BBQ mobile site where you can check out great recipes! Use your smartphone to take a photo of our QR code and go to our site:

If you can’t scan our QR code, text FIRE to 47170 to have a link sent to your phone to take you to our great grilling recipes!

Don’t have a camera phone or a smartphone? Don’t worry, you can still find our House of BBQ recipes here!

How do you celebrate Memorial Day? Do you commemorate those who have bravely served our country with a special routine, such as visiting or decorating a memorial site? Do you attend a parade, or kick off the start to summer with a barbeque and some patriotic food, such as an American flag cake?

Whatever your Memorial Day celebration may include, we want to hear about it. Tell us how you celebrate Memorial Day to make it a special holiday and you could win $$ to throw your own House of BBQ party! Please be sure to comment on both this blog post and on our Facebook page to be entered into the contest. Two winners will be selected to each receive $150 in Price Chopper gift certificates.  (Please read all Official Rules below.)

Did you know…

-The name for the holiday gradually changed from “Decoration Day” to “Memorial Day”.   In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May.

-Each year on Memorial Day a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 pm local time. 

-Currently, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave.  Also, it is customary for the President or Vice President to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

(www.history.com)

Price Chopper wishes you and your family a happy Memorial Day!

PC Memorial Day Contest Official Rules