Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Have you heard of #ChillinWithChopper? This is week one of a five-week long event. Each week has a set theme, so be sure to follow our Facebook page to be in the know!
To start off our journey, we will begin by highlighting some of our favorite summertime drinks. As the temperatures rise, there’s nothing better than quenching your thirst with a cool, refreshing beverage. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, hosting a backyard BBQ, or simply relaxing on the porch, we’ve got you covered at Price Chopper and Market 32. Cheers to a season filled with sun-soaked days and delicious sips!
Peach Paradise: This cool, refreshing day certainly beats the heat! If you are a fan of peach-flavored drinks, you must try this!
Sangria Mocktail: This non-alcoholic drink is perfect for any summertime occasion! With four different fruits mixed in this drink, you will be so thankful you tried this!
Slushy Punch: Who doesn’t love a good slushy? Nothing says summer like a nice brain freeze! Try this recipe ASAP!
We hope you enjoy our recipes! Be sure to check out the following sites for more:
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
While National Ice Cream Day is celebrated today, July 16th, we think every day is Ice Cream Day! Whether it is hot and humid or a stormy blizzard, there is never a bad time to eat ice cream. Speaking of all things ice cream, National Ice Cream Sandwich Day is celebrated on August 2nd, so we made sure to provide you with our fantastic recipe below. Now for the fun part – We want to give you the scoop on this creamy, indulgent dessert!
Favorites:
Vanilla is ranked the most popular ice cream flavor, followed by chocolate. Of course, ice cream toppings are a must! Hot fudge is the most popular ice cream topping, which is only fitting for your traditional ice cream sundae.
Chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, rated number seven for most favored flavors, was introduced by the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Burlington, Vermont. Oh, and we should mention that our Price Chopper and Market 32 locations sell a variety of Ben & Jerry’s!
Ice Cream in the United States:
As of 2022, the United States ranked second after New Zealand for the most ice cream consumption worldwide. This makes sense considering about 90% of United States households have ice cream in their freezer.
Can you guess the state that produces the most ice cream? The answer is California. In total, the United States produces 1.38 billion gallons of ice cream each year! I guess you can say that is a LOT of ice cream!
Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich: Homemade cookies with PICS Ice Cream is a must-have this summer! This recipe is unforgettable.
Celebrate National Ice Cream Day the right way, and browse our ice cream selection. Be sure to check out our PICS new pint ice cream!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
There is so much to celebrate throughout the month of July. Not only is the weather warm and there is so much to do, but it is also National Smoothie Month! If you are a smoothie lover, then this blog is for you. Nowadays, there are many places to order smoothies on the go. However, what about making your own smoothie at home? You can save time by not having to drive anywhere, and you can also save money by adding in your own ingredients. At Price Chopper and Market 32, we have a ton of smoothie add-ins for you to try, as well as recipes. While there are no right or wrong ingredients to add in your smoothie, we have some delicious ideas for you below. Without further ado, let’s get blending!
Fruit:
Blueberries (National Blueberry Day is July 11th!)
Strawberries
Bananas
Oranges
Veggies:
Kale
Spinach
Avocado
Milk:
Skim, 2%, or Whole Milk
Almond Milk
Soy Milk
Cashew Milk
Yogurt:
Plain Greek Yogurt
Flavored Greek Yogurt
Nut Butter:
Peanut Butter
Almond Butter
Cashew Butter
Powdered Peanut Butter (PB2)
Other Add-Ins:
Protein Powder
Cocoa Powder
Honey
Flax Seeds / Chia Seeds
Interested in some recipes? Check them out below!
Kicked Up Green Smoothie: A delicious blend of fruits, veggies, and yogurt to power you through your day!
Chocolaty-Orange Smoothie: This smoothie is so refreshing for a warm summer’s day!
Winter Kiwi, Clementine & Blackberry Smoothie: Fresh produce, coconut water, and sweet honey? Yes, please!
Haleigh Eustis
Floral Intern
Summertime is approaching faster than ever and what better way to beat the heat than with an ice-cold glass of lemonade? Nothing! Even though lemonade is a wonderful drink, it can taste a bit boring at times. Practically everyone knows the signature flavor of lemonade, as it’s a classic summer staple, so why not mix it up a bit!
Simple syrup is an easy and exciting way to create a different taste to any drink. The possibilities are endless when creating this quick simple syrup. Add virtually anything to create a fun and unique take on a drink that we all love! Add fruits, herbs, spices, and flowers to simple syrup.
That’s right, flowers can be used to flavor simple syrups! Their floral and decadent scent can easily be mimicked into any drink. Though not every flower can be used in simple syrup, lavender is a popular flower that is commonly used in lemonades, coffees, teas and so much more!
If you would like to try a fun simple syrup that adds some excitement to your summer, then follow this recipe that breaks down how to create the perfect staple syrup for your summer!
What You Need:
- 2 or 3 Teaspoons of Edible Lavender (Dried or Fresh)
- ¾ Cup of Granulated Sugar (You Can Use Honey as Well)
- 1 Cup of Water
Instructions:
- Pour your cup of water into a pot and bring to a boil.
- Once your water is boiling, pour your cup of sugar in the pot along with 2 or 3 teaspoons of lavender.
- Bring your mixture to a simmer. (You don’t want the sugar to burn as your lavender steeps!)
- Stir the sugar until it’s completely dissolved and let the liquid simmer even more.
- Wait 10-15 minutes to acquire the perfect lavender taste, best suited for you! (Feel free to taste test and play around with flavor intensity in this step.)
- Strain your simple syrup with a mesh strainer (double strain to ensure no buds!)
- Once your syrup has cooled fully, place the syrup in a bottle and store in the fridge. (Your simple syrup will last for two weeks!)
- Add desired amount of syrup to any beverage.
There you have it! An easy and carefree simple syrup that takes minimal time and adds an exciting, new flavor to any drink. Replace lavender with fruits and other (edible) flowers to create a variety of syrups all summer long! Shop all your simple syrup making needs at Price Chopper and Market 32.
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Happy National Coconut Day! Yes, coconuts actually have their own day – June 26th. This tropical fruit may have you dreaming of being on an island, piña colada in hand, and not a care in the world. Whether you are reading this in your office building, by a pool, or a tropical beach if you are lucky, we have everything coconut-facts and tropical fruit recipes!
A question that many may wonder is whether a coconut is a fruit, nut, or seed. While the word “nut” is in “coconut,” that can be misleading. Coconuts are considered a fruit that have a hard shell enclosing the coconut seed.
Coconuts need high humidity and frequent irrigation to grow and survive which is why they flourish in tropical regions. Today, the Philippines are the largest producers of coconuts, with Indonesia and India closely behind. In the United States, coconuts grow in Hawaii and Florida. While the origin of coconuts is still up for debate, there have been fossil records of coconuts found in New Zealand dating back to 15 million years ago!
Another surprising fact about coconuts is that there are different varieties of them. A few of many are listed below!
- Malayan Yellow Dwarf Coconuts: These coconuts were first found in the Malaysian area between 1800 and 1900. When they are still immature, these fruits will appear a pale green but eventually turn a pale yellow to brown color.
- Fiji Dwarf Coconut: Popular in Florida, the Fiji Dwarf Coconut tree is known to grow copious amounts of coconuts while being remarkably short in size.
- VHC1 Coconut: This coconut tree is incredibly large and produces the fruit once every four years!
- Macapuno Coconut: The meat of this coconut is jelly-like due to natural mutations and are primarily grown throughout Asia. Interestingly enough, the Macapuno Coconut is considered a delicacy where they are grown in Asia and are much higher in price compared to other coconuts.
Coconut is widely used in baking and cooking, and coconut water has some great health benefits. Coconut flour is a great alternative for those that are gluten free and coconut milk works for those who are lactose intolerant. Additionally, many yogurts, creamers, and whipped cream are now made with coconut milk. When it comes to cooking, many people use coconut oil for cooking and frying, and there are even varieties of coconut spray to coat the bottom of your frying pan for a lower calorie option.
While coconut meat is relatively high in calories and fat and should be eaten in moderation, coconut water is great for the body. Many athletes drink coconut water for rehydration after an intense workout, but there is no evidence that supports the fact that coconut water is more hydrating than plain water. Also, coconut water has between 45 to 80 calories per eight ounces. Unsweetened and unflavored coconut water tends to have less calories than its counterparts.
Today, many beauty products are made from coconuts to moisturize the skin and hair. Who knew that these little fruits could have so many benefits other than just being delicious!
Interested in incorporating coconut in your cooking and baking? Check out some fun recipes below!
Coconut-Ginger Key Lime Bars: These cool, refreshing bars are the perfect way to celebrate National Coconut Week!
Tropical Daiquiri: Nothing screams “National Coconut Week” like this Tropical Daiquiri! Be sure to pick up PICS coconut milk. Honey, and ice at your local Price Chopper or Market 32.
Magic Brownie Bars: Name a better combo than coconut and chocolate. Well?
Instant Pot® Coconut-Curry Lentils with Tofu & Vegetables: This is the best time of the year for fresh produce! Mix your veggies in with tofu, coconut milk, lentils, and more for this hearty lunch or dinner.
Happy National Coconut Day!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Quality you can see and taste! PICS Peanut Butter is made in the Northeast from U.S. grown peanuts. Whether a savory or sweet dish our natural Peanut Butter is the star. Only at Price Chopper & Market 32.
Peanut butter is a staple in many households. It is a delicious, filling, and easy spread that has been used in the classic pb&j for years. The great thing about peanut butter is that it is so versatile. Nowadays, you can find thousands of recipes with peanut butter, ranging from peanut butter smoothies, to thai peanut sauce, to peanut butter s’mores (check it out below)!
When people think of recipes with peanut butter, they may think of something sweet like peanut butter cookies for example. However, there are actually many savory recipes that can be made with peanut butter, like chicken with peanut sauce! We are here to change your peanut butter game. At Price Chopper and Market 32, we have a wide variety of PICS Peanut Butter and peanut butter recipes on our website. Take a look below for some inspiration!
Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps: This recipe is an easy & refreshing summertime recipe. If you have liked lettuce wraps in the past, then you must try this one!
Thai Shrimp Zoodle Bowl: Not only does this recipe contain PICS Peanut Butter, but it also calls for PICS Peanuts as well. Calling all peanut-lovers!
Grilled Chicken Saté with Peanut Dipping Sauce: No more boring grilled chicken – Spice it up this summer with this delicious recipe. You will not be disappointed!
Now for the moment you have been waiting for – PB & J S’mores! If there is any recipe that is a must-try this summer, it is this one!
International Sushi Day: A Guide to Get On A Roll
Jon Waiksnoris
Social Media, Digital Marketing
What did Sushi A Say to Sushi B? Wasabi!
June 18th is International Sushi Day! We love sushi and we’re proud to offer a modern approach to an age-old art form in our stores. Check out our unique selection of Aburi style sushi, where the fish is partially grilled and partially raw. You’ll also find favorites like the traditional California and Rainbow rolls, or more daring options like Crunchy Dragon and Shrimp Dynamite.
Sushi can be confusing…especially to those who are looking to order or buy it for the first time. Check out this guide of different sushi and sashimi options so you know what you’re getting into.
Nigiri: Nigiri is the original and most traditional style of Sushi rolls. They’ve existed for centuries and they’re probably what you picture when you hear the word “sushi.” Made up of an oval bed of seasoned rice topped with raw fish, seafood, or vegetables.
Maki Roll: Maki Rolls are traditional Japanese rolls prepared by rolling a layer of rice with different varieties of fish or vegetables inside. Wrapped with nori or seaweed on the outside.
Uramaki Roll: Uramaki Rolls are an Americanized-Style Sushi Roll, rolled with nori sheet hidden inside and topped with rice. Examples include, the traditional California Roll, Spider Roll with soft-shell crab, Tempura Roll, and Dragon Roll.
Temaki Roll: Temaki Rolls, also knows as Hand Rolls, are cone-shaped with nori sheet folded like a cone. With sushi rice and a variety of ingredients inside, easily eaten with your hands rather than chopsticks.
Sashimi: Sashimi differs from sushi; in that it is not made up of rice or nori. However, it is usually offered as an option at any sushi restaurant. Sashimi is made up of finely sliced pieces of high-quality sushi-grade raw fish or seafood served with soy sauce.
Sushi Hand Roll: Check out our recipe for a Sushi Hand Roll, aka Temaki Roll. Featuring Market 32 Shrimp, PICS Steamable Cauliflower Rice, an Asian style chopped salad kit, and tasty vegetables. It’s a great option for trying your hand at your own homemade sushi!
Shop Sushi
Source: https://itsyourjapan.com/beginners-guide-to-sushi-menu/
Mia Teal
Paid Media Marketing Coordinator
Crisp, colorful, and bursting with flavor, fresh veggies are the perfect addition to any summer meal. From tasty salads to zesty stir-fries, there are endless ways to enjoy these nutritious powerhouses. At Price Chopper and Market 32, not only do we have fresh veggies for you year round, but we also have a ton of recipes that you can make with them. What better time to try a new recipe than today, National Fresh Veggies Day!
I am sure we all remember the dreaded statement as kids: “Eat your veggies!” However, there are actually so many fun ways we can eat them, from dipping your carrots in ranch dressing to making a delicious stir fry meal. Oh, what about in a smoothie? The possibilities are endless when it comes to making veggies more appealing. Don’t believe us? Well, let’s take a look below…
Heirloom Tomato, Mozzarella, & Beet Stack: Nothing says summer like mozzarella, tomato, and basil. I can just smell this combo! This recipe combines the most delicious summertime ingredients for your next appetizer or light meal.
Mexican Street Corn: Have you ever tried Mexican Street Corn? Well now you can! These are so delicious, you will be coming back for seconds!
Carrot-Zucchini Chocolate Muffins: This sneaky way to get vegetables in your food is not only delicious, but easy too! Your child will love these.
Kicked-Up Green Smoothie: Enjoy this refreshing smoothie on a hot summer day to feel energized and rejuvenated!
Looking for more inspiration? We have an abundance of on our Recipes Page, Price Chopper Ready Website, and YouTube Channel. We hope you enjoy fresh veggies not only on National Fresh Veggies Day, but all year long.
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Let’s be honest – we don’t need an excuse to eat candy all month long. However, if you are looking for one – we have you covered! June is National Candy Month, and we think this is something to celebrate. Since June means warm weather, that means it’s time to also break out the ice cream! What better way to enjoy National Candy Month than with our wide variety of PICS ice cream covered in our PICS candy, hot fudge, whipped cream, and nuts! Be sure to browse our delicious ice cream sundae selection at the bottom of this article.
Sweet Facts about Candy & Chocolate!
- National Candy Month was first observed in 1974.
- The average American consumes 12 pounds of chocolate per year.
- White chocolate actually is not chocolate since it contains no cocoa.
- 200 million Skittles are produced each day.
- As of 2021, America’s favorite Halloween candy are Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Looking for a fun candy recipe to make? Try these S’mores Truffle Pops!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Happy June and happy (almost) summer! It is safe to assume that the warm weather is now here to stay. We want to introduce you to some incredibly delicious summertime recipes that we think will be a hit at your parties this season. Below you will find eight popular summertime flavors and a mouthwatering recipe to go along with that. If you are interested in more recipes, be sure to check out our website, YouTube channel, and Price Chopper Ready website.
Flavor #1: Cherry
This cherry dessert has the consistency of a smoothie due to the vanilla yogurt. It is very refreshing on a warm summer day! Try adding in Triple Sec or Grand Marnier to take this to the next level.
Flavor #2: Berry
Oh, how berry nice this dessert is! Only five simple ingredients, too? How sweet! Be sure to follow the instructions carefully when making this.
Flavor #3: Cucumber
Three ingredients for flavor #3! This plant-based recipe is perfect for an appetizer or snack this summer.
Flavor #4: Orange
Now this is what you call refreshing! All you need are clementines, oranges, coconut water, and dark chocolate.
Flavor #5: Lemon
While lemon is a popular flavor year-round, we have a delicious lemon recipe for you below. Whether you are baking for Father’s Day, 4th of July, or just having a barbecue, this dessert is sure to be a hit.
Flavor #6: Coconut
Coconut is one of the most popular summertime flavors. From piña coladas, coconut cream pie, coconut shrimp, and everything in between, coconut is a very versatile ingredient.
Flavor #7: Peach
Peaches are back in season! Bring on all the goodness that peaches have to offer!
Flavor #8: Watermelon
Last but certainly not least – watermelon! This sweet and refreshing fruit pairs well in salads, on meat, or with cheese.
Enjoy the beauty of summer and all the recipes it has to offer!