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

Crock pots are usually associated with hearty soups and stews that keep you warm and satisfied during the frigid winter months. Come springtime – when lighter, fresher meals are more appealing – we tend to eat salads instead of soups and stews.

Don’t be too eager to relegate your crock pot to the cupboard just because the weather is changing – it can still be the workhorse behind a delicious and light family meal.

As the days get longer, time always seems to get shorter because of the increase in kids’ sports and activities. Similarly, dinnertime always rolls around faster than expected.

To avoid the dinner crunch, I started relying on my crock pot to make a few staples that I could keep in my refrigerator at all times. This strategy lets me quickly pull together a healthy family meal or have one ready to serve after a long afternoon standing on the sidelines watching the kids. Here are a few crock pot tips:

Make a pot of beans to use throughout the week. Beans are the busy mom’s (or dad’s) secret weapon — they’re easy to prepare and very healthy. They’re also filling, inexpensive and jam packed with nutrients including lean protein, fiber, folate, and iron. You can use beans as a side dish or in tacos, quesadillas and salads. Check out our recipe for Slow Cooked Beans in Your Crock Pot.
Make a dish that works for several meals. My family enjoys this Barbecue Pulled Chicken recipe. Serve it on whole wheat bun and with salad and you’ve got dinner taken care of! Plus, check out the Dole Salad Blends on sale this week! Also, leftover BBQ chicken on top of cooked beans is great as a take-it-to work lunch or even dinner the next night.
Another family favorite that light and easy is Squash, Chickpea & Red Lentil Stew. Serve it with a salad and some fresh Crusty Bread from our Price Chopper bakery and “dinner is served.”
This slow cooker Fresh Veggie Lasagna is nice to come home to after a long T-ball or lacrosse practice.

Here’s the Healthy Meal of the Week! All main ingredients are on sale and NuVal scores are in parentheses.

Pan-Roasted Chicken & Gravy (39) or Hearty Glazed Sirloin Tip Roast( 28)
Florida Sweet Corn on the Cob (91) or Baked Potato (92)
Salad made with Dole Salad Blends (100) or Romaine Hearts (100)
Fresh cut fruit assortment: Golden Delicious Apple (96) Bartlett Pears (96) , California Navel Oranges (100)

We’d love to hear how you use your crock pot! Share your thoughts in the comments.

Price Chopper and Unilever are giving you the chance to win a 42 inch TV and tons of opportunities to win Price Chopper gift certificates! Our “Basketball Blitz” contest is about to tip-off and we’ve got all the info you need to win!

Basketball Blitz runs from March 27, 2011 – April 4, 2011 with four rounds. It’s a knockout contest with fewer winners every round, but if you don’t advance there are still openings to win prizes!

We’ll be posting special coupons for two Unilever products on March 27, 2011! Unilever makes some of your favorite brands including Axe, Dove, Hellmann’s, Slim-Fast and Lipton so be sure to check the “Coupons” tab on our Facebook page. You’ll also be able to find big savings on some Unilever products in our stores all week!

Here’s how the contest works:

Round 1: Ultimate Fan Round

Our contest starts with the “Ultimate Fan Round” on Monday, March 28, 2011! We can’t tell you exactly what you’ll have to do to advance, but here’s a hint: You won’t make it to the next round without showing school spirit! We’ll announce our eight round winners on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.

Round 2: Dove or Axe Guy

The winners from the Ultimate Fan Round will then compete in our “Dove or Axe Guy Round” for the chance to advance. Didn’t make it out of the first round? No need to worry – one of our four Dove or Axe Guy winners will come from the comments on our Facebook post! Anyone who didn’t make the cut will have a chance to get back in the contest by answering the question we post. The round will begin on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 in the afternoon.

Our four winners will be made up of three contestants from the Ultimate Fan Round and one Facebook commenter. These winners will be announced on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Those who won in the Ultimate Fan Round, but did not win in the Dove or Axe Guy round will each receive $25 in Price Chopper gift certificates as a consolation prize!

Round 3: Sprint to the Finals

Basketball Blitz’s third round, “Sprint to the Finals” kicks off in the afternoon on Thursday, March 31, 2011. Here’s a hint about this round: Our contestants will have to answer a question about college basketball’s final game to make it to our finals!

Two Sprint to the Finals winners will be announced on Friday, April 1, 2011 in the afternoon. The two Dove or Axe Guy Round winners who do not advance will both receive $50 in Price Chopper gift certificates!

Final Round: Guess the Game

Our two Basketball Blitz finalists will participate in the “Guess the Game” round. We won’t say exactly what they’ll be guessing, but it will have something to do with the big game!

Also, Facebook fans who didn’t make it to the final can still win: the first two people who guess the right answer to the question we ask will each win $25 in Price Chopper gift certificates!

The “Guess the Game” question will be posted on Monday, April 4, 2011 in the morning. Our finalist who is victorious in the “Guess the Game” round will win a 42 inch TV! Our second place winner will receive $350 in Price Chopper gift certificates!

To read official contest rules, go to http://www2.pricechopper.com/sweeps/blitz.pdf.

Good luck and we’re rooting for you in the Basketball Blitz!

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

Did your pantry get cluttered over the winter? If so, it’s time to weed out those half-eaten boxes and freshen up your shelves with some lighter and healthier ingredients to power you through spring cleaning, gardening and yard work!

I always get a burst of energy when spring arrives and start weeding through my pantry. This year, I’m using the NuVal shelf-tag scoring system to find more nutrient-rich ingredients. Here are some simple tips for stocking your shelves with delicious wholesome ingredients:

Use the NuVal shelf tag score to trade up for health; the higher the NuVal score the better the nutrition. When you’re shopping, take a moment to compare the NuVal scores of foods sitting side-by-side on the shelf. You’ll be surprised at how simple it is to find a food with a higher score.
Look for cereals that score above the average NuVal cereal score of 27. Great choices include Oatmeal (59) Cheerios (37) Wheat Chex (91). Not ready for those? Then simply put a higher scoring cereal in your cart.
Try whole grain pastas (89-91), brown rice (82), whole wheat cous-cous (57) or even quinoa (91). Whole grains have fiber which slows down digestion to keep you fuller for longer and the germ kernel adds a mild flavor.
Look for canned vegetables and soups that are lower in sodium or have no added salt. Use NuVal scores to guide you to the healthiest selections.
Choose a healthy cooking oil such as olive oil (11-17) or Canola oil (23).
Look for breads and wraps that list whole grain or whole wheat as the first ingredient.
Choose the best ingredients with our Guide to Stocking a Healthy Pantry.

Here’s our Healthy Meal of the Week! All main ingredients are on sale and NuVal scores are in parentheses.

For your main course, choose either:

London Broil with Balsamic Vinegar (34)

Chili Rubbed Tilapia with Asparagus & Lemon (Tilapia 82)

With your favorite fresh or frozen vegetable or Lemon Lovers Asparagus (100)!

Try a different grain! How about Quinoa (91) or Whole Wheat Cous-Cous or Brown Rice Pilaf (82)?

Add a fresh fruit cup: Blackberries (96) Raspberries (98), Navel Oranges (100), Mangos (93) and Mini-Watermelons are all on sale!

Want to bake a dessert? Then give this recipe for Mixed Berry Almond Gratin a try!

Remember to use the NuVal system to help make healthy choices this spring!

Price Chopper mourns the loss of Melvin Sparks – the kind and musically-gifted man who lent his voice, bluesy guitar licks and gleaming smile to our annual “House of BBQ” campaign. He helped us to fire it up, and for that, he will always have an honorary place in our ‘House’.

Melvin was an accomplished jazz guitarist who played alongside the likes of Little Richard and Marvin Gaye. He will be missed by the entire Price Chopper family.

If you would like to learn more about Melvin’s long musical career, you may read his obituary in the New York Times here.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments below.

A little leprechaun whispered in our ear that St. Patrick’s Day is almost here and we couldn’t be more thrilled! Have you planned your celebration yet? Whether you’re headed to a parade, marching in one, or celebrating at home, Price Chopper can help you make the most of your St. Patrick’s Day!

How about trying a classic Irish dinner and supporting a locally owned and operated business at the same time? You can do both if you make tasty corned beef and cabbage with Old World’s New York State National Brand Corned Beef in your dish! The Albany-based company has over 60 years experience delivering “Real New York” taste. Check out our recipe for corned beef and cabbage.

You can’t have a real Irish dinner without potatoes, so pick up a 5 lb. bag of our Price Chopper Red Potatoes to complete your meal! You’ll be in the spirit and eating healthy – these potatoes have a 93 NuVal score. Try this recipe for Champ, a traditional Irish potato dish that will melt in your mouth!

You might get a little bit thirsty eating all of that food. Consider washing your dinner down with some classic Irish beers – Guinness, Smithwick’s and Harp Lager are available in our stores. Have one, two or even a few, but please enjoy responsibly and only if you’re of age!

After dinner, how about some dessert? One of our teammates has gone above and beyond to create a special dessert just for you! Chris Hunt from our Shopper’s World location invented Irish Cream Cake in a Cup, available only until St. Patrick’s Day. (Thanks Chris!) This mouth-watering sweet treat is yellow cake filled with frosting then topped with whipped cream and finished off with touches of chocolate! This Irish Cream Cake in a Cup is available only at Price Chopper!

It’s a special day so why not have some special bread? You can find some just baked in store Irish soda bread in our Bakery Department. Thinking green? We’ll have green rye bread in stores too!

No one is more Irish on St. Patrick’s Day than Price Chopper, so make us your go to location for this celebration!

It’s a special day so why not have some special bread? You can find some just baked in store Irish soda bread in our Bakery Department. Thinking green? We’ll have green rye bread in stores too!

No one is more Irish on St. Patrick’s Day than Price Chopper, so make us your go to location for this celebration!

Haven’t made it to the mountain yet? Looking to hit the slopes a few more times before spring? Want another day of family fun? We’ve got a great deal for you! With our “Ski or Ride Anytime” package, you can get a full day lift ticket at one of 11 mountains for either $59 or $29! Plus, we’ve got a chance for you to win Red Bull snowboarder Pat Moore’s gear! For just $59 you can get a full day lift ticket to: Gore Mountain Windham Mountain Bromley Mountain Mount Sunapee Whiteface Mountain Smugglers’ Notch Vermont For $29, you can go to: Ski Butternut Song Mountain Resort Blue Mountain Toggenburg Mountain Plattekill Mountain There are no restrictions on weekends or holidays so go whenever you’re free! Tickets are available 24/7 through Tickets to Go at any open register. Red Bull snowboarder Pat Moore can really tear up a mountain: He’s won the Abominable Snowjam halfpipe title and come in second in the World Tailblocking Championships. Now we have a chance for you to board like Pat! Text MOORE to 72855 to enter a trivia contest to win prizes from Red Bull and Pat Moore! Prizes include Pat’s signature board, his gear and other items! Check out this video of Pat snowboarding through New York City: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilcu3_M2UCU] Official contest rules are available here. Don’t forget to pick up your passes before it’s too late! Our Ski and Ride Anytime deal ends March 26!

What are your Valentine’s Day plans? Whether they include candy, food, flowers or fun, Price Chopper has everything you need for the day of love!

We’re making dessert for you too with our 5’’ Central Market Classics “Be Mine” Decadent Cake. If you want something sweet and homemade, try this recipe for chocolate truffles.

How about making a special Surf ‘n Turf dinner with your special someone? We’ve got 4 oz. stuffed lobster tails filled with Real Phillips Crab meat in stores now and check out our recipe for Pepper Herb Crusted Beef Tenderloin. Or, if you’re going out to eat, pick up a gift card to your restaurant of choice before you leave so you can earn Fuel AdvantEdge points while you eat!

For flowers, go to Price Chopper’s Central Market Florist for our “Heart Throb” singing bouquet or our “Light Up My Life” fiberoptic bouquet. If you can’t make it to a store, you can order flowers from wherever you are at myfloralplace.com.

While you are deciding how to spend your day, here are some Valentine’s Day facts to enhance your day of romance:

1. There are 141 million Valentine’s Day cards exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion. When Valentine’s cards given by students are included, that number goes up to 1 billion.

2. In addition to the United States, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.

3. The first commercial Valentine’s Day greeting cards produced in the U.S. were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland. Howland, known as the Mother of the Valentine, made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as “scrap.”

4. Valentine’s Day is a procrastinator’s holiday: In the US, 64 percent of men do not make plans in advance for a romantic Valentine’s Day with their sweethearts. (If you’re making last minute plans, head to Price Chopper for all your essentials!)

5. The internet is a place to show affection: An estimated 15 million e-valentines were sent in 2010.

For many more ideas, head to our Valentine’s Day headquarters at http://www2.pricechopper.com/valentine/.

Have a happy Valentine’s Day!

[slideshow]What’s better than shopping for groceries at Price Chopper? Winning free groceries for a whole year from Price Chopper! Six lucky people won’t pay a cent for their food over a 12 month period with our “Win Free Groceries for a Year” contest. Here’s how to win: Just use your AdvantEdge card and purchase any combination of 10 items from the Price Chopper, Central Market Classics, Clear Value, Price Chopper Naturals, Full Circle or Top Care brands over a two week period and you’ll be automatically qualified to win. From January 23 to April 16, we’ll have a new winner every two weeks. The products can be from any department of the store and you can mix and match between the brands – as long as you buy 10 total items per period you’ll be entered to win. We know you want free groceries, so don’t forget to purchase your items between these dates:

January 23 and February 5

February 6 and February 19

February 20 and March 5

March 6 and March 19

March 20 and April 2

April 3 and April 16

If you buy more items, you’ll have a better chance to win! You can have up to six entries per period. When a new period starts, everyone’s balance will go back down to zero. Interested, but not sure what to buy? Check out the slideshow of products at the top of the post for ideas! Winners will be selected randomly from a pool of qualified shoppers.