What toppings are on your favorite pizza?  Did you know that sausage is the #1 pizza topper?  We want to see your homemade pizza creations!  Send us a picture of your pizza with a short description of your pizza’s toppings for a chance to win an epitourean.com culinary trip for 2 brought to you by Johnsonville Italian Sausage!  Email your photos to photos@pricechopper.com by October 19th for your chance to win, one second prize winner will receive a Big Green Egg Grill Package.

Check out epitourean.com for a list of domestic culinary getaways that the grand prize winner will be able to choose from!    Airfare will also be included to the culinary getaway of the winner’s choice.   Read official contest rules here.  Check out the blog below brought to you by Johnsonville Italian Sausage on how to turn pizza making with your kids into a learning experience for all ages!

Turn Your Kitchen Into A Classroom By Making Pizza With Your Kids

By Johnsonville Italian Sausage

Everyone knows that kids love pizza. And what’s not to love? In addition to the gooey, melty cheese kids can’t resist, pizza provides them the ability to personalize their pie with all sorts of toppings – just the way they like it. Now Johnsonville® and Price Chopper want you to make your kids’ night by making pizza with them at home. Not only will the finished product satisfy their little stomachs (and yours too), the time spent preparing your masterpiece will double as an educational opportunity. The kitchen is a unique setting to teach kids all sorts of things including counting, fractions, measurements, reading, following directions, etc. Depending on the age(s) of your kiddo(s), you’ll have to tailor your lesson accordingly, but here are some ideas about how to use this time to your advantage: 1. Counting and Numbers Help your Pre-K- and Kindergarten-aged kids with counting by asking them to get out the number of plates, napkins and utensils for the number of people in your family. Have them help you add the toppings to your pie and to count how many pieces of sausage and other toppings there are. When the buzzer dings and it’s time to eat, find out how many slices there are to share. For older kids, ask about what fraction of the pizza remains after 2,4 and 6 pieces have been eaten or how many pieces each person will get and what will be left over. Fractions are much easier to “swallow” when they taste good. 🙂 2. Measurements, Multiplication and Shapes Challenge older kids by asking how much certain measurements would be if you doubled the recipe. Or you can even ask things like, “if this recipe serves 4, how can we make it serve 6?” Have the younger ones help by filling up measuring cups to specific amounts. And when the pizza is ready, try cutting half of it into “pie-like” (triangular) slices and the other half into squares so the little ones identify the shapes that they are eating. 3. Conversions It helps every cook (big or small) to know some basic conversions in the kitchen. Pass the time that the pizza is in the oven by teaching your kids about some of the most common fluid measurement conversions. Take a piece of white paper and some markers and have your kids draw a “G” big enough to take up the whole space. In a different color, have them draw large “Q”s inside of the G. Inside each Q, draw 4 “C”s using a color you have not already used, and inside each C, draw 8 “O”s in yet a different color. This will help them to understand that in each gallon, there are four quarts, in each quart there are four cups and in each cup, there are 8 ounces. They can then count the total number of “O”s to find out how many ounces are in a quart or gallon — and now you’ll know that that if a recipe calls for 20 ounces of milk, the half gallon of milk you have won’t cut it. Hang the drawing on the fridge and refer to it each time you are in the kitchen with your kids. (It may come in handy to help you remember, too!) For younger kids, introduce the idea of measurement equivalents by having them figure out how many tablespoons of water will fill up a one cup measuring cup. 4. Heat and Energy Kids know that they shouldn’t touch the stove or the oven or even a piece of pizza right when it’s done because it will burn them, but they should also learn that heat is key when it comes to cooking. Use the  time in the kitchen to teach them how heat cooks our food and makes it safe for us to eat. Discuss that water boils at 212ºF and freezes at 32ºF. Have them use a kitchen thermometer to test the internal temperature of the sausage on the pizza when it comes out of the oven — sausage should always reach a temperature of 160ºF. With all of these lessons, your little helpers are sure to be hungry. Enjoy your time with them and your delicious homemade pizza masterpieces! Written by: Kevin Schulke, Senior Category Manager Beer & Wine It’s always sad when you realize that the nights are getting darker earlier and summer is really over!  Before winter gets the best of us, we should really try to enjoy the glorious autumn season to its fullest.  I suggest the following outside activities to truly take advantage of everything the season has to offer: The looming fall season will also bring a number of seasonal beer offers.  Remember, these are limited time offers, often quite unique, and provide the perfect opportunity to try something different!  While I’ll try to tell you about a few seasonal beer products that will be on our shelves this fall, keep in mind that these products are made seasonally, which means they may differ slightly from years past.  They’re limited editions so they may not be in every location and they will certainly not last long! Today there are seasonal beer offerings for every season, but the roots of seasonal beer are traced to October 12, 1810, the marriage of Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Bavaria. There was a special Oktoberfest Beer produced to celebrate their wedding and we are still celebrating now over 200 years later! Samuel Adams Octoberfest– The list must start here as in this country this is the number one fall seasonal beer. It has a deep red amber color, slightly sweet malty aroma, and the flavor is roasted caramel with a slightly hoppy toffee malt. Enjoy it with sausage, roasted chicken or a delicious roast pork, but do enjoy it. Brooklyn Oktoberfest-Brewed with German malt and hops, it is true to the German style with a little “Brooklyn” know-how. It pairs well with roasted foods or great with a burger. Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale– Certainly and singlehandedly responsible for the huge popularity of the pumpkin style beer today. It boasts hints of pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It is a crisp and refreshing beer that pairs equally well with food or while socializing with friends. Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin Ale– Orange amber in color, with a pumpkin aroma and crisp clean finish. It is perfect for your Thanksgiving Dinner; the trick is to avoid drinking it before Thanksgiving Day. Saranac Pumpkin Ale– Brewed with real pumpkin and the same spices you’d use to make pumpkin pie. The results are delicious and you might serve this with roast duck, hearty soup, or pumpkin pie. It’s scary good! Samuel Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale-This fall seasonal has its roots in Colonial days; where pumpkin was added in place of traditional malts. This version has over 17 pounds of pumpkin in every barrel. The results are a dark amber brew, full bodied and with subtle spice notes. It is perfect with the traditional holiday meals! While my suggestions for fall activities and limited time fall malt beverages will not stop this winter from being extremely cold with potentially record snowfall ,they may provide some pleasant memories to help you make it until spring! What is your family’s favorite food pairing?  Is it peanut butter & jelly, spaghetti & meatballs or something completely unique?  Share it with us below and on our Facebook page for your chance to win a $400 Price Chopper gift card! Unilever has many brands that provide meal solutions to help you and your family enjoy your favorite food pairings that are both tasty and nutritious! Skippy Natural is a great tasting, 100% natural peanut butter spread your kids will love! There’s no need to stir, no oily mess, and no preservatives, artificial flavors or colors which makes it an excellent lunchtime addition! Pair it with your favorite jelly or enjoy it on its own. Ragú pasta sauce is made with 100% California tomatoes, simmered to perfection for a great tasting smooth sauce!  We all know there’s nothing as comforting as a nice plate of spaghetti and meatballs! Price Chopper and Unilever want to make sure that you and your family get to enjoy your favorite food pairings, whether it’s PB&J, spaghetti & meatballs or something else! That’s why one lucky grand prize winner will be selected to receive a $400 Price Chopper gift card and three runner ups will each receive a $200 Price Chopper gift card! To be entered into the contest, comment below AND on our Facebook page telling us what your family’s favorite food pairings are! Leave your comments by Monday, October 8th 2012 to be entered to win. Read official rules here. Did you adopt your pet from a humane society, rescue them from an animal shelter, or pick them out of a big liter?  Tell us the story of how you got your pet and you could win $100 in coupons for Price Chopper Paws Premium Pet food!  Post your comment below as well as on our Facebook page by Monday, October 1st to be entered.  One dog winner and one cat winner will be randomly chosen to win! We know how much your furry friends mean to you and your family and we want to help you care for them!  Sign up for the Price Chopper Pet Club to receive monthly newsletters filled with exclusive coupons, helpful articles and useful tips!  Sign up today and start receiving this great newsletter! Also—don’t forget to check out the back page of our ad this week for some awesome deals on our Paws pet food line!  Paws delivers a complete and balanced nutrition for your pet at a great price. Read official contest rules here. Want to win a beer and food pairing dinner at the Gideon Putnam hotel in Saratoga? Our Saratoga summer giveaways are winding down but we have one more exciting contest for our fans, courtesy of Heineken!  Do you like to pair different beers with certain foods?  If so, we have the perfect event for you!  Tell us your favorite beer and food combination for a chance to win four tickets to an evening beer and food pairing dinner at the Gideon Putnam hotel in Saratoga!  One of the talented chefs at Putnam’s restaurant will personally suggest and recommend different beer and food pairings—sure to please anyone’s palate!  The dinner will be held on September 29th and four invitations will be sent to the winner! Comment below as well as on our Facebook page with your ideal beer and food pairing by Tuesday, August 28th at 2:00PM to be entered to win!  Read official rules here.

Maureen Murphy, Price Chopper's Manager of Consumer Trends, Nutrition and Lifestyles wants you to dust off your crock pot!

Crock pot cooking is hot!  Popular in the 70s, crock pots are enjoying a come back as consumers look for ways to save time and money.
There are so many delicious meals you can make in a crock pot, and if you aren’t familiar with crock pot cooking then be sure to check out our site,  www.2.pricechopper.com/crockpot/. We make it easy with cooking tips, menu suggestions and great recipes!

 

For those of you who are already crock pot fans we encourage you to enter our Crock Pot Recipe Contest.  Enter your favorite crock pot recipe by e-mailing photos@pricechopper.com for a chance to win a Mega Meat Saving Pack and a Price Chopper Gift Card valued at $100.

Think of all the wonderful meals you could treat family and friends to with that prize! Read the official rules here.

Maureen Murphy, Price Chopper's Manager of Consumer Trends, Nutrition and Lifestyles wants you to dust off your crock pot!

Crock pot cooking is hot!  Popular in the 70s, crock pots are enjoying a come back as consumers look for ways to save time and money.
There are so many delicious meals you can make in a crock pot, and if you aren’t familiar with crock pot cooking then be sure to check out our site,  www.2.pricechopper.com/crockpot/. We make it easy with cooking tips, menu suggestions and great recipes!

 

For those of you who are already crock pot fans we encourage you to enter our Crock Pot Recipe Contest.  Enter your favorite crock pot recipe by e-mailing photos@pricechopper.com for a chance to win a Mega Meat Saving Pack and a Price Chopper Gift Card valued at $100.

Think of all the wonderful meals you could treat family and friends to with that prize! Read the official rules here.

Making Strides WalkIt’s the first day of October, time for changing leaves, pumpkins, apples, candy corn and Breast Cancer Awareness month.  For many, Breast Cancer Awareness Month has great meaning as the disease may have touched a grandmother, mother, sister or a friend.  1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer at some point in her life, most of us know someone who has been impacted by this disease.

At Price Chopper we support this cause across our company in many ways, not only for our customers, but also for the many survivors we have working here, including myself. 

My story is not unique. A routine mammogram caught the tiniest spot, it was cancer.  I had always participated in our fundraising efforts however, since my diagnosis, the work we do at Price Chopper to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer has taken on a whole new meaning for myself and my two young daughters.

This month Price Chopper’s involvement in this cause will include a number of different fundraising efforts and events starting with our Price Chopper Brand products.  Now through the rest of the year, look for specially marked packages of Price Chopper Branded Products.  We will donate 5 cents of the purchase price to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  Not only are Price Chopper Brand products great quality, they now play a role in this fight for a cure!

Price Chopper is also a flagship sponsor of the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Albany, Syracuse, Binghamton, Utica and Hartford on Sunday, October 18th, 2009.  I am a participant of our walk in Albany.  Price Chopper looks forward to this walk as our chance to raise money to fund research, care and treatment for those touched by Breast Cancer.  For my family, the walk is a celebration of survivorship and the life we have to look forward to thanks to the medical advances that have been made from such donations!

Price Chopper has other events to come for Breast Cancer Awareness Month so stay tuned and check out our website for more information about our events.

In the meantime, please join us in this fight so that one day my daughters and the girls of generations to come will never have to hear the words “you have Breast Cancer.” 

Price Chopper’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Fundraising Page

Thanks for your support.  Be Well!

Heidi Reale, 3 year Breast Cancer Survivor and Proud Price Chopper Associate