Happy Heart Month!
Ellie Wilson, MS, RDN, CDN, FAND
Manager, Lifestyles and Wellness
February is American Heart Month, and we would love to help you 🥰 your ❤️! Like the steady beat of our own hearts, steady routines and practices that naturally support overall health can go a long way toward keeping your one and only happy and healthy! Check out some of these smart moves!
- Know your family health history and get annual checkups. February is the perfect time to schedule your annual physical. Most insurance companies offer full coverage for that preventive visit. Create a personal plan with your healthcare provider that focuses on what you need to do to stay well.
- Check your health insurance for options like gym membership incentives, over-the-counter health products or healthy food shopping. Make sure you know what they are offering and take advantage of it!
- Eat Smart for Your Heart – three moves to make:
- Eat more fruits and vegetables. Best practices include enjoying more fresh, frozen and canned, no sodium added produce items. A quick way to put that into action is to double up servings of your favorite choices at each meal. More seafood, especially items that have some omega-3 fats like salmon or canned tuna should be on your plate twice per week.
- Eat more seafood. Research shows us that most people enjoy seafood but often reserve it for eating out or special occasions. We think you’re special at least twice each week! So does the American Heart Association and heart care supporters like registered dietitian-nutritionists, nurses, and professional trainers. Check out your PCM32 store – our savvy Seafood Teammates can show you some wonderful fresh seafood meals and options that are quick and delicious!
- Enjoy small servings of whole grains. Whole grains contain critical vitamins and nutrients for heart health. Research has shown skipping whole grains may negatively impact heart health and length of life! Whole wheat, oatmeal, quinoa – give them all a place on your plate 4 or 5 times per week!
- Keep moving! Whether you’re 8 or 80, keeping active is key to a happy heart. Walk whenever you can and find some fun activities you enjoy on a regular basis. Bonus – staying active helps all of your body systems stay well, particularly your blood pressure!
- Stress less. If you notice you are struggling with stress, check your health insurance for supportive resources or coverage for assistance like a therapist. We all have challenging times, the sooner you get some support, the better you will feel.
Recipes for Your Lunar New Year Celebration!
Happy Lunar New Year! We’re celebrating with a variety of delicious recipes. Bring the Lunar New Year festivities to your home with our favorite recipe suggestions below.
A delicious and fresh appetizer or light meal, combining tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and creamy peanut sauce, all wrapped in delicate rice paper.
These sliders are quick to prepare and deliver a satisfying spicy kick. Enjoy them as appetizers or a main course!
These Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a flavorful and refreshing option, perfect for a light meal or appetizer.
A warm, comforting bowl of Asian noodle soup is perfect for any day. Packed with flavor, this customizable dish is easy to make and can be tailored to your preferences.
A quick and delicious stir fry packed with colorful veggies and your choice of noodles.
Juicy and flavorful, this soy-marinated chicken recipe is perfect for grilling, baking, or pan-searing. It’s simple to prepare and packed with umami goodness!
This deconstructed version of classic chicken lettuce wraps is easy to make, loaded with flavor, and perfect for meal prep or a quick dinner.
A quick and savory dish loaded with tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and vibrant veggies, all tossed in a flavorful sauce.
Combines bright citrus flavors with a hint of ginger for perfectly cooked, tender salmon. The foil packets make cleanup a breeze, and you can customize the veggies for a complete one-pan meal!
Wishing you a Happy Lunar New Year! Here’s to new beginnings and exciting opportunities in the Year of the Snake.
Written by our friends at the American Dairy Association
February is Lactose Intolerance Awareness Month, and we are here to share everything you need to know about lactose intolerance. Did you know that being lactose intolerant doesn’t mean giving up nutrient-rich milk entirely? Lactose-free milk provides the same essential nutrients—like calcium and vitamin D—as regular milk, but without the lactose.
Understanding Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance occurs when the body cannot fully digest lactose, the natural sugar found in milk and other dairy products. This happens because the body doesn’t produce enough lactase, the enzyme needed to break down lactose. As a result, consuming foods with lactose can lead to digestive discomfort, including bloating, gas, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and nausea.
It’s important to note that lactose intolerance is not the same as a milk allergy. A milk allergy is an immune system reaction to milk proteins, which can cause symptoms like hives or even anaphylaxis. While lactose intolerance is more common in adults, milk allergies are more frequently seen in infants and young children.
Five Tips to Enjoy Dairy While Living with Lactose Intolerance
- Choose lactose-free options: Lactose-free milk and milk products are real dairy, just without the lactose. They provide the same great nutrients, like calcium and protein, as regular dairy.
- Build your tolerance: Start with small amounts of milk daily and gradually increase over several days or weeks. This can help your body adapt and improve your tolerance to lactose.
- Combine dairy with other foods: Mix milk into smoothies, soups, or sauces, or enjoy it as part of a meal. Pairing dairy with other foods slows digestion and may reduce discomfort.
- Opt for natural cheeses: Cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, and Swiss are naturally low in lactose and make a great addition to sandwiches, crackers, or salads.
- Enjoy yogurt with live cultures: Yogurt with live and active cultures can help digest lactose, making it an easy and delicious option for those with lactose intolerance.
Check out these delicious lactose-free recipes made with lactose-free real dairy.
12 Recipes to Elevate Your At-Home Breakfast & Brunch
Picture this – it’s a cozy weekend morning at home. You get to sleep in and relax with the family. The only thing missing is a great dish to kick off the day. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Check out our 12 recipe ideas to elevate your at-home breakfast and brunch. See something that piques your interest? Give it a try!
Bacon, Tomato & Mushroom Strata
A strata is a savory breakfast casserole that layers bread, eggs, cheese, and various fillings. This Bacon, Tomato, and Mushroom Strata combines crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and fresh tomatoes with Gouda and Parmesan cheeses, all baked to golden perfection.
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowl
This Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowl is a satisfying morning meal that combines creamy cottage cheese with a variety of toppings. It includes fresh fruits like blueberries and pineapples, nuts and seeds for added crunch, and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup for sweetness.
Blueberry-Stuffed French Toast
A delightful breakfast dish featuring layers of thick-sliced bread filled with a rich cream cheese and blueberry mixture. Perfect for brunch!
Egg Frittata Muffins
Egg Frittata Muffins are individual-sized baked egg dishes, like mini omelets, that are versatile and convenient for breakfast or brunch. They are made by whisking eggs with a variety of fillings such as vegetables, cheeses, and meats, then baking the mixture in a muffin tin until set.
Cinnamon-Walnut Crunch Coffee Cake
This Cinnamon-Walnut Crunch Coffee Cake is a moist and tender cake featuring a rich cinnamon-sugar swirl and a crunchy walnut topping. This delightful treat is perfect for breakfast or as an afternoon snack, pairing wonderfully with a cup of coffee.
Ham & Avocado Toast with Crispy Parmesan Eggs
A savory breakfast dish that combines creamy avocado spread over toasted bread, topped with slices of ham and a crispy fried egg coated in Parmesan cheese. The Parmesan adds a flavorful crust to the egg, complementing the richness of the avocado and the saltiness of the ham.
Farmer's Market Hash with Poached Egg
A hearty breakfast dish that combines a medley of fresh vegetables—such as butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, and potatoes—cooked until tender and golden. This flavorful hash is topped with perfectly poached eggs, allowing the rich yolk to mingle with the seasoned vegetables.
Heuvos Rancheros
Huevos Rancheros is a traditional Mexican breakfast dish featuring fried eggs served on lightly fried corn tortillas, topped with a flavorful tomato-chili sauce. Often accompanied by refried beans, sliced jalapenos, and fresh cilantro, this hearty meal offers a delightful combination of textures and bold flavors, making it a popular choice for breakfast or brunch.
DIY Glazed Donuts
Bring the joy of glazed donuts to your at-home menu with this fun recipe. Breakfast and brunch might never be the same.
Roasted Veggie & Bacon Sheet-Pan Frittata
A versatile and hearty dish that combines roasted bell peppers, onions, kale, and cherry tomatoes with crispy bacon and a savory egg mixture. The combination of roasted vegetables and smoky bacon provides a flavorful and satisfying meal suitable for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner.
Smoked Salmon & Scrambled Egg Bagel Sandwich
The Smoked Salmon Scrambled Egg Bagel Sandwich is a delightful breakfast option that combines creamy scrambled eggs with rich smoked salmon, all nestled between a toasted bagel. Elevate it with additions like chive and onion cream cheese, fresh tomato slices, and thinly sliced red onion, for a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
Stuffed French Toast Rolls
Stuffed French Toast Rolls are a delightful twist on traditional French toast, featuring flattened bread slices filled with sweet or savory fillings, rolled up, and cooked until golden brown. These roll-ups make for a fun breakfast option that’s both easy to prepare and customize to your taste.
New Year, New Recipes
Looking to elevate your at-home menu for the New Year? We’ve got you covered with endless options for whatever you’re craving! Check out some new recipe ideas below and browse our recipes gallery for more: https://shop.pricechopper.com/recipes/
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
The entire month of January is National Soup Month, and there is no better way to warm up on a cold winter night than with a hot bowl of your favorite soup. At Price Chopper and Market 32, we have a ton of soup options including hot soup in our deli, canned soup in our soup aisle, and all the ingredients to make it homemade. The great thing about making homemade soup is that you can completely customize it to your liking, and there is no right or wrong way. Check out our recipes here!
Instant Pot® Tortellini & Vegetable Soup: This warm and filling soup is loaded with a variety of vegetables. While it is free of meat, you can always add in chicken or beef if you choose.
Chicken, Spinach, & Quinoa Soup: We have heard of soup with noodles and rice, but what about quinoa? Be sure to check out our variety of quinoa that is located in the aisle with the rice and beans.
Thai Coconut Shrimp Soup: Bring a little bit of summer in your home on a cold January day! Sprinkle on fresh cilantro or jalapeño pepper for garnish.
White Cheddar & Ale Soup: Love a cheesy, creamy soup? Then this is the recipe for you! Be sure to stop by the bakery section and pair with your favorite bread.
Happy National Soup Month!
Cozy Up with Sweet Dessert Recipes
It’s COLD in the Northeast! And New Year’s Resolutions aside, sometimes comfort dessert food is just what you need to get through it. A sweet treat to warm you up on the inside. Check out some of these sweet recipes that may help cure your winter blues.
Eggnog Poke Cake with Cinnamon Whipped Cream: Still have some eggnog leftover from the holidays? Make a cake! This unique recipe allows for a new take on baking.
Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches: There’s never a bad time for ice cream, even when it’s below freezing outside. Grab a blanket and cozy up with these delicious cookie ice cream sandwiches.
Chocolate Chocolate Cheesecake: What’s better than one layer of chocolate? Two layers of chocolate! This cheesecake recipe doesn’t hold back on the chocolatey goodness.
Cookie Butter Fudge: This easy-to-make recipe combines the rich taste of cookie butter with smooth, melt-in-your-mouth fudge—perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings.
Peanut Butter Cookie Mug Cake: Perfectly rich and gooey, this quick treat combines the irresistible flavor of peanut butter with the comfort of a warm, homemade cookie – all in a single mug.
Pretzel Turtle Bars: Packed with crunchy pretzels, smooth caramel, and rich chocolate, this decadent dessert is the perfect blend of flavors and textures. Easy to make and impossible to resist.
Coffee, Chocolate-Hazelnut & Vanilla Mousse Trifle: Layers of velvety mousse, rich chocolate-hazelnut spread, and aromatic coffee come together for a decadent, irresistible treat.
Brookie Muffins: Combining the best of both worlds, these muffins feature a rich, fudgy brownie center surrounded by a soft, buttery cookie exterior. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack anytime.
Croissant Bread Pudding: Find comfort in every bite with this Croissant Bread Pudding! Flaky, buttery croissants transform into a rich, custardy dessert, baked to perfection.
Chocolate Chunk-Walnut Brownies: A must-try treat for any chocolate lover! These brownies are the perfect balance of fudgy texture and nutty flavor.
The History of Eggnog
Eggnog, a creamy and spiced holiday beverage, has a rich history that dates back to medieval Britain. Originally called “posset,” it was a hot, milky ale or wine drink enjoyed by monks and aristocrats. By the 18th century, the drink evolved into the eggnog we know today, blending milk, eggs, sugar, and spirits like brandy or rum. Colonists brought the recipe to America, where the abundance of dairy and cheaper liquor like rum made it a holiday favorite. Over time, eggnog became synonymous with festive gatherings, a symbol of warmth, celebration, and seasonal cheer.
Eggnog is always a holiday staple, but many find themselves with more in their refrigerator than they know what to do with. You may not even know how many other uses there are for eggnog besides just drinking it. With the main ingredients being sugar, eggs, milk and heavy cream, eggnog is a perfect substitute in baking and breakfast recipes. The richness of eggnog makes it a great ingredient to bake with all while making your recipe a bit more festive.
Here are a few ways to use up that extra eggnog:
- Milkshake
No one can refuse a milkshake, even in the winter! Use a blender to combine ¼ cup of our PICS eggnog and 4 scoops of the ice cream of your choice (we suggest PICS vanilla: a classic). For an extra festive treat, top with whipped cream, holiday sprinkles and a cherry.
- Pancake and waffle batter
Instead of using milk in pancake or waffle batter, use eggnog. It will feel like Christmas morning every day!
- Icing
This holiday icing is perfect to use on cinnamon buns, cupcakes, cookies or just about anything! You’ll just need ½ cup melted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 4 cups confectioners’ sugar, and 6 tablespoons eggnog. Combine the ingredients, while slowly mixing in the confectioners’ sugar. Incredible!
- Oatmeal
Whether you’re using rolled oats or instant oatmeal, you can swap out water or milk for our PICS eggnog. This makes a quick and easy holiday breakfast.
- Mashed sweet potatoes
Rather than adding sour cream to your mashed sweet potatoes, use eggnog! It’ll make it extra creamy and sweet.
The holiday season will be over before you know it, so be sure to try one (or a few, or all) of these methods, and head over to your local store to grab our PICS eggnog before it’s too late. Happy holidays from our family to yours!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Today is a very important day; it’s National Maple Syrup Day! Maple syrup is used for so much more than just on pancakes or waffles. You can find maple syrup in cookies, drizzled on oatmeal, or even on your spaghetti! (Buddy the Elf, anyone?)
At Price Chopper and Market 32, we are proud to partner with a variety of local maple farms in our region to bring you the season’s best. Three farms we would like to highlight today are Adirondack Maple Farms (NY), Highland Sugarworks (VT), and Lamothe’s Sugar House (CT). Let’s see what they are all about!
Adirondack Maple Farms: Fonda, New York
Adirondack Maple Farms has been around for almost 50 years. Originally started by Bruce Roblee, the farm is now run by him and his son. “Adirondack Maple Farms prides itself on providing an extraordinary quality product with top-notch customer service.”
Learn more here!
Highland Sugarworks: Barre, Vermont
Highland Sugarworks was founded in 1968 by Jim MacIssac. He built his one and only sugarbush on the land he leased from his parents, packed the syrup and distributed it to local stores. In 2009, Highland Sugarworks relocated to a much larger location. “This 37,600 square-foot facility has been designed to accommodate additional high-speed bottling as well as streamlining all aspects of product handling, warehousing and shipping.”
Highland Sugarworks has a deep concern for the protection of the environment, and strives to improve their work methods.
Learn more here!
Lamothe’s Sugar House: Burlington, Connecticut
The Lamothes began making maple syrup in 1971. When Leonard Lamothe found taps for maple syrup, he and his sister decided to research how to make maple syrup at their local library.
Over time, the family learned the ins and outs of producing maple syrup and eventually moved their outdoor kitchen indoors. Their turning point was when a gentleman noticed they had been boiling sap and inquired about purchasing a quart of maple syrup from them. The family knew they were at the start of something huge!
Learn more here!
