National Seafood Month
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN, CDN
Manager, Lifestyles and Wellness
Celebrating #NationalSeafoodMonth is a great time to celebrate family meals! #FAMILYMEALSMOVEMENT. The Family Meals Movement is a national cross-sector initiative to help families enjoy more meals together, which supports healthy growth and weight, better family relationships, less risky behavior, better mental health, and more. ₁ Time is always short for busy families; seafood is a go-to for quick meals that can get on the table in as little as 10 minutes – even if it is coming right out of the freezer! Bonus – seafood is a smart way to add up nutrition benefits that support brain and heart health. ₂ Choices that are high in omega-3’s can help you level up your family meal – learn which seafood items can make dinner a seafood power meal! Find out more here.
Some parents and caregivers may not know how easy it is to cook seafood – it is one of the comments we hear the most from customers who want to eat more but need some tips to get them started. We can make it very easy – our Seafood Teammates can steam your seafood for free! Then, you can take it home and try a sauce or serving ideas:
- Pantry Power – easy Mediterranean mix-up topper for any Seafood – PICS Capers, PICS Sliced Olives and Culinary Tours Sundried Tomatoes are easy to toss together and top any seafood meal.
- Sauce savvy – Tour the Flavors of the World with Culinary Tours Sriracha Ranch, Thai Chili, Tikka Masala, Sesame Teriyaki. Seafood is mild and easy to season – and variety makes it easy to please everyone at the table.
- Pair with your favorite salad kit for a quick prep and clean up meal.
Keeping meals easy and delicious makes magic happen – for everyone, including the cook. Sheet pan meals are a one-pan wonder, savory and satisfying, and quick clean-up. We are sharing some amazing recipes below, with some special ideas for children.
Sheet Pan Orange-Ginger Salmon Foil Packets
Sheet-Pan Honey-Mustard Glazed Salmon with Roasted Vegetables
Tuna Crescent Rolls: Perfect for Toddler Food – This was developed for toddlers, but is a good idea for every age, and with a few ingredient trades, could be a great snack or appetizer. How about “Salmon in a Blanket”? Bite size and fun, they are tempting and tasty! See the recipe below – we kept the yum factor and better-for-you benefits together with reduced fat dough and sodium smart seasoning recommendations.
Fish Dippers with Lemon-Chive Dipping Sauce – A delicious idea for your little seafoodies!
Family favorite in my house – we use Boboli Thin Crust pizza shells and top ours with sliced fresh scallions. Yum! Shrimp Pesto Pizza
#FallinLovewithSeafood – Perfect for Fall – Salmon
The budget battle is always a factor, and eating seasonally is one strategy to shop smart. This Butternut Squash, Salmon and Rice Bowl puts seasonal, savory savings on the table!
Look for seafood sales and recipes on our website, and #EatSeafoodAmerica!
Salmon in a Blanket (adapted from the Seafood Nutrition Partnership)
- Fresh or frozen Market 32 Salmon Filets (defrosted in refrigerator), cut into bite-size pieces.
- PICS Reduced Fat Crescent rolls, each crescent cut in half to make 2 triangles (16 pieces)
- Salt free seasoning – look for options from PICS, Mrs. Dash, Badia, Kinder in the spice section.)
- Additional options: PICS Maple Syrup OR PICS Honey
Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Prepare a sheet pan with a light coating of olive oil, or parchment paper. Unroll the dough and separate each crescent. Slice in half to create 2 triangles. Cut salmon into bite size pieces – approximately 1.5 inches square. Place salmon pieces on the smaller crescent triangles. Season with a dab of honey on each bite, or a sprinkle of fresh or dried herbs. Following the crescent dough rolling directions, roll the salmon into the dough and place on the prepared sheet pan. Cook at 350°F for about 15 minutes. Internal temperature should be 145°F, and dough should be cooked and light brown.
Experiment! This could also be done with frozen/baked phyllo cups or cooked in an air fryer (follow air fryer recommendations for time and check internal temperature for doneness.) Enjoy!
Price Chopper/Market 32 is a recognized #FAMILYMEALS Partner
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN, CDN
The Big Game is here once again! Each year, this football game brings fans, family, and friends together to cheer on their team and enjoy festive foods that score big on flavor and tradition. Did you know? U.S. households will eat an estimated 1.4 billion chicken wings on Sunday! Even if you are only there for the half-time show, you are bound to find something to crunch and munch. The surprise play you don’t want to watch? Any issues with food safety that can knock your event off the go-to list. Keep bacteria on the bench with some fresh tips and resources to ensure your party is positioned to win!
Ordering food?
Make sure someone (adult) is home to get the delivery*, check temperatures (danger zone is 40 – 140 degrees/2 hours) and packaging to be sure nothing is tampered with or left at an unsafe temperature for any length of time.
*Notify the company if you suspect tampering or that perishable food was left out too long. Don’t eat the food, or even taste it to see if it is safe.
Cook, Serve or Save
Time your order and serve delivered prepared foods when you receive it. If you are not serving right away, follow storage directions and refrigerate or freeze items until you are ready to cook them.
Pre-Game Prep
Keeping best practices for winning at food safety every day in mind as you plan and set up your event. Check your food thermometer to be sure it is working or purchase a new one. Wash hands, counters, cutting boards and serving utensils. Repeat washing hands as different foods are handled or prepared. Have plastic bags and storage containers ready to use so putting foods away is easy and quick.
- Clean— When handling raw meat and poultry, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and clean and sanitize surfaces often with soap, water and a sanitizer.
- Separate— Don’t cross-contaminate. Use separate cutting boards, plates and utensils to avoid cross-contamination between raw meat or poultry and foods that are ready-to-eat.
- Cook— Cook to proper internal temperatures, checking with a food thermometer.
- Chill— Refrigerate promptly and do not leave food out at room temperature for over two hours.
Buffet Play
Set up the buffet so hot foods, like wings, can be kept hot, and cold foods, like deli wraps and salads, can be kept cold. Slow cookers and chafing dishes are good choices for the range of snacks and appetizers that may require heat to maintain enjoyment and safety. A tray with ice or ice packs is good for cool foods, unless your location is very warm. Consider keeping perishable foods out for two hours or less – then get them properly stored to minimize food waste.
End Zone
The game is over, leftovers are packed away, and the kitchen/buffet is clean and ready for the next meal. Leftovers can be kept refrigerated for 3 to 4 days or frozen up to 3 months. To serve safely, reheat to an internal temperature of 165 F.
Post-Game
Odds are you will share happy pictures (or sad, depending on which team won) of your party with friends and family via text and social media. Should anyone that attended let you know that they became ill after the event, next steps would be to ensure they get medical attention immediately and get some guidance from your local health agency. It can happen to anyone, even when best practices are strictly managed. You cannot see, taste, or smell harmful bacteria. Some guests, especially young children and those older than 65, may be more vulnerable to exposure. Reporting foodborne illness is critical to keeping food safe for everyone.
If you or a family member experience symptoms of a serious foodborne illness, seek medical attention and contact your local health agency.
The CDC public health gateway can help you locate your local health agency.
Questions? Try these toll-free federal food safety hotlines. For meat, poultry, or pasteurized egg products, call the USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854). For all other food products, call FDA’s Food and Cosmetic Information Center at 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-723-3366).
December picks up the pace for many – family and friend gatherings galore, shopping and shipping you swore you would do earlier this year, school shows and tree lighting and so much more! Wishing you could take something off your (to-do) list? If you are feeling the pinch of budget and crunch of less time, our family meal and snack ideas may be your first gift of the season!
We will keep you moving and get you to the table to share some high quality together time with everyone at your table. Holiday time is a fun time to share meals and hear about adventures of the day, explore the meaning of the season, consider what you are grateful for and how to share those thoughts with friends and family. The time you spend together is really the most precious gift of all, and what has the most lasting impact, especially on children and teens. These meal makers, like classic warm-you-up Pasta Fagioli soup with Italian Sausage , or the Chef’s Menu Stir Fry meals like Korean BBQ from our Meat Department are fast, fresh options. Find more Meal Makers and time savers that keep you close to the most important people in your life on our Family Meals page!
The official start of the holiday season is upon us! It’s the best time of year for sharing and caring, especially through wonderful food. Some quick meal ideas will help you manage the week, while Thanksgiving Day hacks and helpers will lead you to success this year.
One of our favorite parts of Thanksgiving are the leftovers – find yummy recipes to rescue the leftovers and enjoy them just as much the second time around. On top of that, we’re offering up ideas to help you entertain your guests all day long. After all, Thanksgiving has been called the ultimate family meal, so we’re providing all the steps we can towards a grateful gathering.
Do you know why you love this holiday so much? Favorite foods, favorite people, and favorite way to spend time – in the company of those who are important to you. We know you have a lot to prepare this week, so meal and snack suggestions are fuss-free so you can stay fresh and focused! Check out:
• Fresh Pork Tenderloin roast with a side of salad and Bakery sweet potato pie!
• 10-Minute Microwave Magic – Seal and Cook Seafood/Fresh Veggie/Herb Butter Meal paired with PICS Ready Rice or Quinoa.
• Snack Savvy – Red grape, black and green grapes and Halo Clementines are grab and go!
• Signature Sip – Pomegranate Cranberry Poinsetta cocktail or mocktail for children and adults!
• App Tactic – Variety apple slices (McIntosh, Granny Smith, and Honey Crisp?) as “crackers”, soft and hard cheese slices, and those tri-color grapes make a light and fresh start. Or, wow guests with this beautiful Cheese Board.
• Leftover Love – Pilgrim Sandwiches, Grilled Cheese Sliders, Rachel Ray Turkey and Stuffin’ Soup…YUM!
When it comes to a meal as big as Thanksgiving, leftovers are inevitable. Make sure you store them appropriately for the longest lasting freshness possible. Check out some of our tips on leftover storage below:
• Refrigerate or freeze leftover turkey, stuffing and gravy within 2 hours of serving
• Divide large quantities into smaller portions to chill more quickly
• Store leftover turkey in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, and stuffing and gravy 1 –2 days
• Bring leftover gravy to a rolling boil before serving
• For longer storage, properly wrap and place in freezer and use within a month
There’s a lot to keep track of while preparing for Thanksgiving, especially if you’re hosting. Here’s a few helpful hacks to make your day go as smooth as possible.
• Prep-power – Get platters, special servers, tablecloths and napkins washed and ready the weekend before. Check your stock of aluminum foil, food storage containers with matching lids, wraps and baggies, and add them to your shopping list as needed.
• Collaborate – Is there a famous family pie maker? Have them show off their talents and get dessert off your prep list. Or, find some wonderful choices in the store!
• Designate – One family photographer to take the beauty shots for the meal and the table celebration picture and share later. Label a basket with a sign “Grateful to Spend Time with You” and invite guests to leave phones there during the meal.
It’s hard to think about food for the rest of the week when you’re so focused on Thanksgiving. That’s why we’ve come up a few easy meal solutions for you and your family when turkey is not the main dish. Try Fresh Pork Tenderloin with your favorite seasonings, served with a surprise side of Bakery Sweet Potato Pie and a Fresh Express Honey Pecan Salad Kit. Seafood is another great option, Seal and Cook Fresh Seafood, Veggie, and Herb Butter meal served with PICS Crescent Rolls. For a quick and easy meal, enjoy Fresh Prepared Heat and Eat Meal Options – Pasta, Chicken Breast, and more! For a savory snack, grab some Black, Red, or Green Grapes, or Halo Clementines.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Family Meals – Fresh and Fast
Ellie Wilson, MS, RDN Senior Nutritionist
September is a time the majority of us hit the reset button, pull out the calendar and get back to school and work routines. No doubt, many of us find we are already overcommitted before we even get started! Catching up around the dinner table is a great way to reconnect after these busy days, but getting that organized can be one more thing on that already long list. Don’t worry, we have your back with #TimeBetterSpent solutions to kick off National #FamilyMealsMonth, an annual celebration of all of the benefits every occasion you can eat together with family and friends can bring.
Sunday – Get ahead and power up Monday breakfast with a delicious, easy overnight oats and berries recipe (see below). September is also #WholeGrainsMonth! Give everyone the protein and #wholegrains they need for brain power, and know some morning time eating together will get the week off to a great start!
Monday – Go Can Crazy with a quick family and budget friendly chili recipe. Crunch some #wholegrain chips or fresh baked corn bread from the bakery and get all the news of the day at dinner.
Tuesday – First night for sports, Scouts, homework – way too many things to think about cooking too! Rustle up a fresh Rotisserie Chicken, bagged Fresh Express salad, and the leftover corn bread. Fresh and fast!
Wednesday – Mac and Cheese please (see below)! Comfort food that connects the dots – time and kid-friendly, make it with #wholegrain PICS whole wheat rotini so they get what they want, and you get what you want – healthy, happy kids!
Thursday – Dinner is in the bag! Seal and Cook fresh seafood meals made daily in stores include cut fresh vegetables, 4 different seafood choices, and are made with or without garlic butter. They can be steamed in the store, microwaved or baked at home. Seafood is brain food, smart families are enjoying more with this no muss, no fuss solution!
Friday – Rotisserie Turkey (Bonus AdvantEdge points!) or chicken and bagged Fresh Express salad close the week with a fresh family favorite.
#TimeBetterSpent on #FamilyMeals pays off with a lifetime of benefits for your whole family. Learn more about #FamilyMealsMonth at https://www.pricechopper.com/time-better-spent/. You bring the kids, and we’ll bring you the meal solutions!
Overnight Oatmeal and Berries by Jodie Fitz
2 1/2 cups PICS Greek plain or vanilla yogurt
2 cups PICS old-fashioned rolled oats
¼ cup PICS honey
1 teaspoon Full Circle cinnamon
1 cup PICS frozen blueberries or strawberries
In a large bowl, stir the yogurt, oats, honey and cinnamon together. Divide the mixture among 4 airtight containers*. Add the frozen berries on top. Seal the containers and let sit overnight in the refrigerator. Grab and go in the morning for a quick and easy breakfast!
*Small canning jars work great!
Macaroni and Cheese
8 oz. PICS whole wheat rotini
4 T. PICS unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
4 T. PICS all-purpose flour
2 cups PICS milk
Salt and pepper to season
Pinch Full Circle organic nutmeg
2 cups PICS shredded macaroni and cheese blend
1 cup crushed PICS snack crackers
2 T. PICS melted butter
2 tsp. smoked paprika
Cook pasta until tender, drain and rinse.
Meanwhile, melt 4 T. butter in a sauce pan and add the flour to make a roux. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the milk and whisk until smooth. Reduce heat and simmer for approximately 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the shredded cheeses.
Toss the pasta and sauce together to coat well. Spoon into a lightly greased casserole dish or 4 individual ramekins.
Combine the crackers, 2 T. melted butter and paprika. Sprinkle over macaroni and cheese, and place in a preheated 375° oven and bake for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Serves 4.
IDAHOAN STEAKHOUSE POTATO SOUP
Idahoan Steakhouse Potato Soups use a convenient, just add water formulation using proprietary Steakhouse technology for a rich textured soup. The 5 minute prep time
compares to 15 – 25 minutes of other brands.
Idahoan Steakhouse Potato Soups contain no MSG, PHOs or Artificial Flavors – in addition to being Gluten Free. They are made with Premium ingredients, including Baby Reds Potatoes.
Family friendly with Four (4) Servings per Pouch.
Look for Idahoan Steakhouse Potato Soup in the Condensed Soup and Ready-To-Serve Soup
Section of the Soup aisle. Family Mealtimes Matter – All Year Long
Ellie Wilson, MS, RDN Senior Nutritionist
Today marks the original CASA Family Day, promoted by the Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) and Price Chopper since 2001, when their research showed the positive link between more family meals and less negative behavior in at risk teens. Since then, the research keeps showing that eating together is the glue that keeps kids healthy and families strong.
The Family Mealtimes Matter and National Family Meals Month campaigns technically wrap up this week, but they will keep going, in your house and in ours! You will always find great meals and snack solutions in our stores. Did you know, Americans are getting more than 50% of their calories from snacking, making snack time another great time for busy families to eat together. Snacks can help parents add more plant-based items to the foods they serve their children, promoting good habits and good health. It doesn’t have to be fancy, or at a specified time, or even served on a plate! Please, join us at the table whenever you can find time with your family – Family Mealtimes Matter! #familymealtimesmatter #familymealsmonth Family Mealtimes Matter – Chef’s Menu Meals Make it Easy
Ellie Wilson, MS, RDN Senior Nutritionist
Eating with your family each night is a priority for your family. Life is so busy – your kids have activities and homework, the dog is barking, laundry in the washer, even the gold fish is trying to get your attention – and everyone is hungry! You want to make this happen, but can’t even think about what to cook…..then you remember, you bought the Chef’s Menu chicken marsala meal – sauté the fresh cut veggies, then the chicken, add the simmer sauce (not too high in sodium, nice!), warm up the wild rice – you’re done, and they love it! One pan, happy faces around the table, some precious time to hear about their day, share yours, and feel good about the fresh meal you made for your family. A little bit leftover will make a great lunch for you tomorrow….everyone cleans up, and 5 minutes later, the dog is barking, the laundry is in the dryer, and the kids give you a kiss “just because”…
The Chef’s Menu meals are a huge hit – great variety, portioned well, classic recipes and some new flavor adventures to try, they tick a lot of boxes for busy families. Fresh produce, cut and ready to cook, and delicious, nutritious sides that take just a few minutes to warm up, they help you put it all together.
Family Mealtimes Matter – try them all, mix and match – over 40 combinations to enjoy!
#familymealtimesmatter #familymealsmonth
Price Chopper and Market 32 can help with your Easter celebration – from planning that Easter brunch or dinner to creating a unique basket your children will love!
Activities for Kids
Nothing is more special than creating lasting memories with your children and/or grandchildren. Plan crafts to involve them in preparing for Easter, as well as a few games the day of. Coloring and decorating eggs and Easter Egg Hunts are among the most popular along with the Easter Egg Roll, the most famous of which takes place on the White house lawn every year!
Egg Coloring and Decorating
- Keep in mind these food safety tips if dyeing eggs for fun or for an egg hunt:
- Wash hands with warm water and soap before and after handling eggs
- Use only eggs that have been refrigerated and discard eggs that are cracked or dirty
- After hard cooking, dye eggs with food-safe coloring and return them to the refrigerator within 2 hours
- Fun egg decorating ideas can be found here.
- Hold outside if weather permits so the kids can run and enjoy the outdoors
- Decorate the house or yard with helium balloons, streamers, paper cutouts of eggs and rabbits, and bunny paw prints
Estimate approximately one dozen eggs per child- Fill multicolored plastic eggs with jelly beans, chocolate eggs, small toys, and money (my kids especially loved this as they got older (quarters, fifty-cent pieces and dollar bills)
- Give the children baskets for the Easter egg hunt or have them decorate a paper bag with colored markers and stickers
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Author: Maureen Rowan Murphy, Manager Consumer Trends, Nutrition and Lifestyles Written By Jerry Golub, CEO
One of the most enjoyable aspects of our business is helping our customers celebrate their holiday traditions as they come together to create special moments and lasting memories. Knowing that we play this role is incredibly fulfilling, as it speaks to our higher purpose and the important difference we can make in peoples’ lives.
As I visit our stores during the holiday season, it’s apparent that our teammates share this feeling. The excitement of the season seems to transcend their interactions with our shoppers and with each other. As a result, the bonds that have been built over time between our teammates and shoppers appear to be highlighted and strengthened as a result of those exchanges.
As a company, we are completely focused on delivering a great shopping experience on a consistent basis throughout the year. Whether someone is shopping for a special occasion such as their holiday meal, or to satisfy any number of everyday needs, our goal is to be viewed by each customer as a valuable resource. In order to accomplish this, we depend on all our teammates to understand and meet our shoppers’ many different needs through their interactions with thousands of individuals every day.
I believe those interactions between our teammates and our customers have been even more important this holiday season than in past years. During a time of uncertainty and disruption for many around the world, the reassurance of everyday connections we share and the caring we show each other during our daily routines can act as a very powerful grounding force for everyone.
So I have two messages this holiday season.
First, to all our teammates, I want to thank you for the incredible job you do. You are able to set aside the pressures of your own daily lives, and focus on delivering a great shopping experience to our customers every day of the year. For that, I am extremely grateful.
Finally, I’d like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and a very happy, healthy, and fulfilling new year. May 2016 bring an increased awareness of the humanity we all share and with it a universal goal of achieving peace, both in our own homes and in the world.
Happy New Year, everyone.
Musical Inspiration: Here’s a recording of a classic, but very timely song, performed by some exceptionally talented local high school students at the 2007 “Melodies of Christmas” concert at Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady. This annual concert benefits the Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Albany Medical Center, and is also broadcast on Albany’s CBS station on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxCOrfS_NY0