Written by Sara Lilkas, Marketing Intern December is here and I’m honestly not quite sure where this past year went. All I know is that since the holiday season is here with all the merry cheer and holiday beer I’ve never been more ready for December!  Get your growlers ready the tasting events this month are sure to get you into the holiday spirit! First up is the Hop Hunter IPA by Sierra Nevada. Sierra Nevada has developed a unique method to gather pure hop oil which makes for a Sierra-Nevada-Logo1uniquely aromatic beer. The Hop Hunter Sierra Nevada pairs nicely with wood-grilled salmon (stop by the seafood department after you’ve filled up your growler to check out our signature salmon options! ) Try Sierra Nevada’s Hop Hunter IPA: December 4th, 2015 December 5th, 2015 Just in time for the last few nights of Hanukkah the Shmaltz Brewery shmaltz-brewing-logofrom Clifton Park will be featuring their Hanukkah, Chanukah: Pass the Beer. Bring home a growler of this dark ale to pair with your latkes! Happy Hanukkah! Try Shmaltz Brewery’s Hanukkah, Chanukah: December 10th, 2015 from 4-6pm at Market 32 in Clifton Park, NY. December 11th, 2015 from 4-6pm at Market Bistro in Latham, NY. December 12th, 2015 Now that the schedule is moving into mid-December hopefully the weather hasn’t gotten too cold and all of your holiday shopping is done. If davidson brewingit isn’t and you need a shopping break. I suggest stopping in for the Davidson Winter Ale tasting. Davidson Brother’s is a brewpub out of Glens Falls, NY and is family owned and operated. Try Davidson Brother’s Winter Ale: December 18th, 2015 December 20th, 2015 The tastings at Market Bistro and Market 32 in Clifton Park will be extra special today! Both tastings will feature a Barbershop Quartet singing Christmas Carols! One of my personal favorites will be featured the week leading up to Christmas. Straight from Cooperstown, NY Ommegang’s Three brewery-ommegang-85412382Philosophers will be featured in tastings for three days. Three Philosophers is a unique beer that actually ages in a way similar to wine when stored correctly.  Featuring a mix of Belgian-style dark ale and cherry ale, Three Philosophers is known for its sweetness making it the perfect brew to serve with desserts. Try Ommegang’s Three Philosophers: December 22nd, 2015 December 23rd, 2015 December 24th, 2015 A seasonal beer tasting wouldn’t be complete without the current seasonal offering from Samuel Adams. Brewed with cinnamon, ginger, and orange peel, the Winter Lager is a holiday season staple. Try Samuel Adams Winter Lager: SamuelAdamsLogo-575December 19th, 2015 December 31st, 2015 Last up for the month of December is Brown’s Brewing Company out of Troy, NY. Their Oatmeal Stout is a staple at the brewpub located in downtown Troy and has even won a gold medal at the World Beer Cup! Try Brown’s Brewing Company Oatmeal Stout:browns December 29th, 2015 December 31st, 2015 As always let us know what your favorite brews were this month in the comments below! Please enjoy responsibly.         Written by Sara Lilkas, Marketing Intern  Thanksgiving is right around the corner and for almost everyone it is a day to be thankful for what they have, spend time with family, and most importantly eat a delicious Thanksgiving Feast. Since the majority of us are guests at these Thanksgiving events we do not have to worry about cooking many of the complex dishes that are expected to be served as part of the festivities. Now even for experienced cooks, the Thanksgiving meal can be a daunting task. Even if you aren’t cooking for a large group of people there are usually high expectations that go along with Thanksgiving dinners and no one wants to disappoint their guests. Holiday dinnerIf you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, it is essential to sit down and plan out the tasks that need to be completed ahead of time and create your plan of attack. At this point you have to think about what kind of planning works for you. I like making lists where I can check things off as I do them. (For some reason the physical act of checking something off makes me feel like I’m actually accomplishing something and makes the whole task seem more bearable.)  I find it especially helpful when I am presented with tasks that seem overwhelming or difficult. As with almost everything in this world what works for me might not work for you, so it might be beneficial to host a smaller gathering (maybe with a few friends) as a test run to see how you like to plan or organize these kind of events. Now that you know how you want to organize your Thanksgiving dinner, it’s time to actually plan it. Starting to prep around two weeks in advance is the ideal time frame. This is when recipes should be gathered and narrowed down to the final menu. When planning the menu think about what time you are planning to serve dinner as well as what kitchen tools will be needed for each dish and how long everything takes to prep and prepare. As part of the planning process you will want to make sure you have everything required to complete those recipes. Timing is another thing to consider. Since it’s safe to assume most people only have one oven, planning out the space andiStock_000006683483_Medium time every dish needs to be fully cooked is essential. At this point go back through your planned menu and see what can be prepped and prepared ahead of time. Items such as pie crust dough and cranberry sauce can be made a few days ahead a time. Many vegetables can also be chopped and prepped ahead of time. Take a look at the menu and decide which items can be prepped early to save you some time on Thanksgiving Day. Now let’s get talking about that turkey. The weight of your turkey determines how long it takes to defrost if you have purchased a frozen turkey. It could take DAYS!( Please refer to our We Know Turkey guide for more information about defrosting and cooking turkeys!)Make sure you plan accordingly, no one wants a frozen turkey on Thanksgiving Day! Also make sure you have a safe environment to thaw your turkey out in. Plan out how you are going to cook your turkey and if you are worried about how it will turn out, it’s not a bad idea to practice on a smaller turkey or a whole chicken in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. Pricechopper has plenty of different turkey recipes to try out and who knows maybe one will become your new holiday favorite! I hope these tips help to make your holiday season less stressful and more enjoyable! Make sure to share your Thanksgiving table pictures with #PriceChopper and #Market32 on Twitter and Instagram! Written by: Kevin Schulke, Senior Category Manager Beer & Wine You know it is something special when you get your own T-H-E proceeding the name and the people at Goose Island Brewing knew this was a very special beer when they named it “The Ogden.” After all this Belgian Tripel was named after William B. Ogden and not only was he the 1st to open a Brewery in Chicago, he became their 1st Mayor. He also served as a Trustee to the Chicago Land Company which sliced a channel creating an Island in the Chicago River later named Goose Island and the namesake of the of the now well know Brewery. the ogdenWilliam was not done after a stint in business and public service, he went into the Railroad Business and led a campaign to connect the East and West Coasts with a Railroad Line this effort was completed in 1869 in a town called Ogden Flats Utah and that is where they drove the “Golden Spike” on May 10th . It was the culmination of of a long and difficult project. The name Belgian Tripel refers to the use of up to 3 times the malt of the standard Trappist brewing style. This Belgian style Tripel is gold in color with a dense creamy head. The aromas and flavors are of Tropical Fruits with banana characteristics, there is a sweetness from the hops and higher alcohol, true to the Tripel standard of 9 percent alcohol. We will have a very limited supply of THE OGDEN at our Growler Stations beginning at 10 am on August 8th, please don’t wait too long for when our barrels are poured, it is gone. This is beer is truly fitting to be a reward after a long or difficult personal effort whether it is after a hard day working in the yard or after you just drove your own “golden spike”. Join us on August 8th from 10 AM-Noon at the following locations to taste The Ogden and don’t forget to bring your growler to take home this special brew! Locations with Growler Stations: Market 32, Clifton Park, NY (Shoppers World) Market Bistro, Latham, NY Bethlehem (Slingerlands), NY Malta, NY Route 50 (Saratoga, NY) Market 32, Wilton, NY Written by Jane N. Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs

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Greek yogurt is all the rage these days due to the creamy texture and great health benefits it provides.  Litehouse is delivering these benefits to you and your family by creating OPA, a delicious salad dressing that packs in twice the protein with fewer calories, while still providing the big flavors you expect from Litehouse. How did Litehouse do this?  They utilized the magic of Greek yogurt as a base for OPA by Litehouse dressings!  Available in Blue Cheese, Ranch, Feta Dill, Kalamata Feta and Roasted Pepper, OPA by Litehouse delivers the creamy texture and healthy benefits of Greek yogurt without compromising taste.  Feel great creating delightful meals for your family with OPA by Litehouse dressings, which are made fresh with no preservatives, no MSG and are gluten free! Look for OPA by Litehouse Salad Dressings in the Produce Department.

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Simply Mashed, now located above the refrigerator dough section in the Dairy case, introduces new flavors:                  Sweet Potato, Sour Cream & Chive, Garlic and Parmesan Peppercorn. Simply Potatoes takes all the work out of preparing mashed potatoes.  They peel, cook and mash the potatoes so you don’t have to.  Their mashed potatoes are made with fresh, never frozen potatoes, butter and a touch of cream so that they taste just like homemade, but without all the work.  With several great flavors to choose from, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Look for Simply Mashed Potatoes in the Dairy case. Written By: Ellie Wilson, MS, RD  Senior Nutritionist, Price Chopper Supermarkets Salmon filet on a wooden carving board. Seafood is a great idea – easy to season and prepare, fish and seafood are lean protein choices that have many health benefits. Both the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Heart Association recommend two servings per week for good health. But, there is also a lot of confusion about seafood, due to a number of recent reports that have highlighted poor fishing practices and even species fraud at restaurants and grocers around the country. Our seafood team at Price Chopper has put a number of procedures in place to ensure we bring the best seafood to your table. We also make it easy – try a Create, Take and Bake meal with your choice of seafood, seasonings, and vegetables, for less than 500 calories! Offering the highest quality is central to our team’s approach. Starting with the end in mind, Price Chopper buyers travel the globe to Canada, New England, Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, Central and South America, and Asia to find the best quality. Our seafood professionals inspect our supplier facilities to ensure they meet the highest safety, quality and sanitation standards. The country of origin is clearly noted at seafood counter on signage – you can see exactly where your seafood came from. We also place very high importance on accurate labeling of the items we sell. Price Chopper was first in the supermarket industry to start random seafood DNA testing to ensure that you get what you pay for. This species verification testing is done by a third party laboratory, Therion Inc., located in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Therion randomly selects and tests fish fillets from our Distribution Center, providing us with objective results that validate the species of our seafood which in turn allows us to offer sound assurances to our customers. Customer confidence drives our efforts. Over 150 samples of 15 different species that are at moderate to high risk of substitution were initially tested. A testament to the hard work of our team and the quality suppliers they work with, all 150 varieties tested true to species. Approximately 70% of the earth is covered by water. We know that our seafood sourcing must be done with great care, protecting the health of our oceans and the seafood industry. Enjoy a wonderful seafood dinner from Price Chopper this week. Written By: Ellie Wilson, MS, RD  Senior Nutritionist, Price Chopper Supermarkets Girl Assisting Mother In Preparing Food At Counter I hear a lot from people these days about getting back to basics, cooking and eating at home more, and reconnecting to families. I love this trend, and hope it becomes the new normal, for the sake of some very important people, our children. I say that because a great number of children are struggling with poor nutrition, particularly being overfed and undernourished. We have some work to do. Children learn almost all of their food skills and practices from their parents. They add those skills up the same as they add the ability to walk, talk, think, play and draw, with different skills gained at different stages of childhood. To help parents develop the food skills their children need, I am sharing some make-it-happen ideas, tested by USDA, to help our children grow strong and healthy. Here they are: Written by Jane N. Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs

NASOYA TOFUBAKED

tofu-baked-sesameNasoya is demystifying tofu and making it easier than ever for consumers to enjoy the healthful meatless protein at home with Its new TofuBaked.  Research from Nasoya has long identified ease of use as the main challenge in cooking tofu at home. Pre-cooked, marinated and available in two flavorful varieties,  Sesame Ginger and Teriyaki, TofuBaked takes the guesswork out of tofu by providing home cooks with a ready-to-eat way to prepare and serve tofu, without the draining or pressing. Consumers often overlook tofu thinking that it’s difficult to prepare.  Versatile, delicious and ready-to-eat, TofuBaked can be placed atop a salad, added to a vegetable stir fry or can serve at the protein in a sandwich or wrap. Packed with 32g of protein per 8 oz. package, is a cholesterol-free and low saturated fat alternative to meat.  Nasoya TofuBaked, like all Nasoya tofu products, is USDA Certified Organic using Non-GMO soy. Look for Nasoya TofuBaked in the Produce aisle meatless refrigerated case.

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Nestle Toll House has come to Frozen to provide you with ultra-convenience! 18 individual 1 oz. frozen pieces. Re-sealable stand-up bag. Uses real ingredients like homemade recipes. No Preservatives or Trans Fats – 100% Real Chocolate. In 4 exciting new flavors: Look for Nestle Toll House Frozen Cookie Dough in the Frozen aisle. Written by Jane N. Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs

COLGATE ENAMEL HEALTH

Product-Detail-EnamelHealthColgate Enamel Health has a unique formulation.  It offers the same great benefits of everyday toothpaste. Its unique formula smooths your enamel in two ways: It replenishes calcium and other minerals back into enamel, filling in rough spots. Because of Enamel Safe Silica, Colgate Enamel Health polishes the enamel surface so germs are less likely to stick. Its Active Fluoride System protects enamel and prevents acid damage while offering better protection against future acid attacks. It helps enamel resist adhesion of bacteria and stains.  It also helps enamel maintain its shiny luster. Colgate Enamel Health is available in both Sensitivity Relief and Whitening variants in the Oral Care aisle of your local Price Chopper store.

TEMPTATIONS TUMBLERS

Temptations Treats for Cats Brand introduces the launch of TEMPTATION TUMBLERS, the new bite-sized cat treat temptdesigned for owners to toss and roll, allowing cats to play while they snack! TEMPTATION TUMBLERS spark spontaneous fun and encourage cats to “Play Ball” providing cat owners with a new way to bond with their fur children every day.  Cats are playful by nature.  Cat play that mimics their instinctual hunting behavior has a direct and positive influence on their mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. By encouraging play, owners support their cat’s instinctive needs – and that makes both owner and cat happy.  With this interactive treat, playing with your food is encouraged and no longer considered a bad thing.  Simply open the bag, toss and watch your cat enjoy this exciting and tasty treat! Look for TEMPTATION TUMBLERS in the Pet Aisle. Written by Jane N. Golub Director In-Store Marketing Programs

DOVE, DEGREE and AXE DRY SPRAY ANTIPERSPIRANTS

Dove-Deodorant-Invisible-Dry-Aerosol-6183Are you tired of Antiperspirants that go on sticky or wet and leave residue on your clothes?  Well, right now Price Chopper has something new for you that goes on instantly dry for a cleaner feel. Introducing new Dry Spray Antiperspirants from Dove, Degree and Axe – the new way to stay dry. Not only do they provide 48 hour odor and wetness protection, they also leave no visible residue, which is great news for your wardrobe. So, the next time you get out of the shower and want to start your day the dry way, try Dove, Degree or Axe New Dry Sprays – available in the Personal Care aisle.

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New from Nestle, Stouffers presents Mac Cups that can be found in the Frozen aisle in these three exciting new flavors: Classic Mac and Cheese – Freshly made macaroni in a 100% Real Cheddar Cheese sauce Cheeseburger Mac – Freshly-made macaroni in a tangy 100% Real Cheddar Cheese sauce full of ground beef White Cheddar & Bacon Mac – Freshly made macaroni and bacon in 100% White Cheddar Cheese sauce Hearty Quality Ingredients: Sized to Satisfy: More than a snack, less than a meal Convenient for any moment: Ready in 3 minutes Kevin and wineWritten by: Kevin Schulke, Senior Category Manager Beer & Wine Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving for the first time or the twentieth time, or if you are a guest looking for a great wine to bring to your holiday festivities, we have three wines that will please someone in every crowd and pair wonderfully with traditional Thanksgiving foods.  It is no wonder they are among the most popular wines during this holiday. Red wine enthusiasts will love Mark West Pinot Noir.  With aromas of spice, dark fruit and MWsmoky oak it pairs wonderfully with the abundance of herb-infused dishes Thanksgiving offers. The black cherry, cola, strawberry and plum flavors will go great with dark turkey meat, ham and stuffing.  Mark West is the #1 Pinot Noir in America and a great value for the money! If you want to impress your guests with a new-age red wine, Beaujolais Nouveau is for you.  Beaujolais Nouveau is a young red wine made from handpicked Gamay grapes grown in the Beaulolais region of France.  While most red wines improve as they age, Beaujolais’ allure is all about freshness.  Fermentation is so short that the resulting wine exhibits fruity flavors and light tannins.  Under French law, this wine may be released at 12:01 on the third Thursday of November, just weeks after the wine’s grapes have been harvested.  Producers race to deliver this wine to retailers throughout France and the world where it is popularly enjoyed with Thanksgiving dinner.  Beaujolais Nouveau should be consumed within a year of being made and is best served slightly cooled.  We recommend enjoying this wine chilled to bring out the strawberry, raspberry and cherry flavors. CSM_CV_rieslingWhen hosting any event, you should always have a white wine as well as red.  Chateau St. Michelle Riesling is a blend of Riesling from throughout Washington’s Columbia Valley. If you’re looking for a refreshing, flavorful, medium-dry Riesling, this is the one for you!  The wine offers crisp apple aromas and flavors with subtle mineral notes. This “everyday Riesling” is a pleasure to drink and easy to match with your Thanksgiving dinner. The Riesling’s innate flavors of apple and its clarifying acidity give it a significant pairing edge with the likes of sweet potatoes, turkey meat and spice-laden or herb-filled stuffing.  Rieslings are typically sweeter than most white wines so it may be a good idea to have a drier white wine as well, such as a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Cheers! Kevin *Please note Price Chopper only carries wine in Vermont, New Hampshire and the following Massachusetts stores: Pittsfield, Shrewsbury, Lenox.