Summertime means firing up the grill with a variety of meats and veggies, including sausage! While sausage & pepper sandwiches are a traditional summertime meal, you may find yourself with some leftovers, but don’t let them go to waste! We have a very simple recipe for you and your family to enjoy with your leftovers. Let’s see what’s grilling this week…
Sausage & Peppers:
1 pack Premio Italian Sausage
1-2 large Bell Peppers
1 pack Market 32 Sub Rolls
1 bag Dole Salad Kit
Shop Sausage & Peppers with a side salad here!
Pasta with Sausage:
Leftover Premio Italian Sausage
1 jar Rinaldi Marinara Sauce
1 box PICS Angel Hair Pasta
1 bag Birds Eye Steam Fresh Veggies
1 bag Dole Salad Kit
Shop Pasta with Sausage here!
Check out our YouTube page on how to perfect your sausage & peppers on the grill!
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN, CDN
Hydration is always a “hot” topic in the summertime – it is an essential element to staying well and at being at our best, whatever the season. Here are some tips and hacks to ensure you and yours are hydrated and happy!
Why is it essential? Every cell in the body, all our tissues and organs, and most of our functions, like blood pumping, breathing, moving and sweating – all require water. In fact, our body is 50 – 70% water. Water also supports brain function, skin health, and waste removal – all critical body systems are impacted by hydration.
To ensure we can maintain those systems, our body can extract water from many foods – humans get about 20% of their water intake from foods, including produce, proteins, and dairy. See the chart below for some high-water content produce – all of their energy and antioxidant benefits and water to support absorption – win win!
Each age and stage of life has a recommended range for the types and quantities of beverages that can support healthy hydration. You can find information about children’s needs here: Choose Water for Healthy Hydration – HealthyChildren.org. Keeping water handy and encouraging them to sip frequently will help them stay hydrated and build a good habit for health. Older adults may be at risk for dehydration and not realize it – lower activity or reduced awareness of thirst can set up a domino effect that can impact balance, memory, and chronic health issues. Learn about the signs, symptoms, and treatments for dehydration at the National Library of Medicine resource page: https://medlineplus.gov/dehydration.html.
Enjoy more of these great produce picks as part of your hydration plan – many are in season right now!
High Water Content Fruits
Watermelon and strawberries contain about 92 percent water per volume. Other fruits with high water content include grapefruit with 91 percent, cantaloupe with 90 percent and peaches with 88 percent water. Fruits containing 87 percent water by weight include pineapple, cranberries, orange and raspberries. Apricots hold 86 percent water, while blueberries and plums contain 85 percent water. The water content for apples and pears is 84 percent. Cherries and grapes contain an average of 81 percent water.
High Water Content Vegetables
On top of the vegetables list are cucumber and lettuce, consisting of 96 percent water. Zucchini, radish and celery are comprised of 95 percent water. Ninety-four percent of tomato’s weight is water, and green cabbage is 93 percent water. Vegetables that contain 92 percent water include cauliflower, eggplant, red cabbage, peppers and spinach. Broccoli is 91 percent water by weight. Additional healthy hydrating foods include carrots with 87 percent water and green peas and white potatoes with 79 percent water.
Haleigh Eustis
Floral Intern
Happy August! As the excitement of summer starts to dwindle down, kids prepare to go back to school, and the air slowly starts to feel crisp and cool. You may be thinking this is the time when flowers are beginning to wither away and prepare for the colder season. Well, think again! Flowers can grow successfully until mid-October and for specific months such as August, flowers are just beginning to flourish! One of summer’s most beloved flowers is the sunflower, which, coincidentally, is the official flower of August! This beautiful and vibrant flower has a rich history that has made it a staple flower in gardens over the decades.
This flower originated over four thousand years ago when indigenous peoples started to cultivate this crop for its health benefits and cooking uses. Though this flower was once previously used for its practicality, once it was brought to Europe many people ignored its health and culinary benefits and used the sunflower for its decorative nature.
As the sunflower migrated throughout Europe and into Asia, many other places in the world started to adapt to this flower. The most notable country is Russia. Russians learned how to extract the sunflower’s benefits while utilizing its beauty in decorations. Because of Russia’s popularized multi-uses for sunflowers, foods like sunflower seeds and cosmetics such as sunflower oil are popular to this day!
That being said, growing these beautiful flowers doesn’t have to be intimidating. Here are a few tips and tricks to grow sunflowers:
- As you’d guess, sunflowers flourish in complete sunlight. Bright areas outside are preferred, rather than any indirect sunlight. The barrier of a window indoors could affect the growing habits of a sunflower so make sure to avoid indoor growth.
- For sunflowers to flourish they need to be planted in well-drained soil. For those who are unfamiliar with what exactly “well-drained” soil is, don’t worry, I can help!
- “Well-drained soil” is almost exactly what it sounds like. For soil to drain well, it needs to be in an elevated container, whether that’s a pot, or a raised gardening bed. To go the extra mile, add compost to your soil to encourage draining.
- Water your flower regularly but wait to re-water after the first few inches of your flower’s soil is dry! Too much watering of your plant will lead to root rot, which no one wants!
- Lastly, these flowers can survive in various temperatures. On average, sunflowers thrive in mid-seventies, but can survive in hotter or colder temperatures as long as they’re planted in a well-drained soil and have a decent fertilizer.
There you have it! Follow these tips to growing a sunflower and you’re sure to grow and thriving and beautiful flower that’s equally has stunning as it is useful. Happy gardening!
Buy all your floral needs at Price Chopper/Market 32 Floral Department!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Welcome to week two of our #ChillinWithChopper journey! Each week has a set theme, so be sure to follow our Facebook page to be in the know!
This week we are highlighting some of our delicious frozen items and recipes, such as ice cream, frozen fruit, smoothies, and more. Frozen desserts offer a wide array of flavors and textures, making them a delightful treat for people of all ages. They can be store-bought or homemade, and many variations and creative recipes can be found to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite delicious recipes!
Frozen Tropical Bark: Get a tropical taste of paradise with these easy and delicious treats! They will be a hit at your next event.
Banana Split Milkshake: Take a look at this video for banana split heaven!
Watermelon Blueberry Pops: A four-ingredient simple recipe that will have the kids beyond excited!
Hawaiian Smoothie Bowl: Make your own smoothie bowl with this incredible recipe!
Shop Frozen Desserts!
Be sure to check out our websites for more frozen dessert inspiration!
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:
Haleigh Eustis
Floral Intern
Happy July! Summer is a wonderful time of year for so many reasons; the sun is shining, the air is warm, the sky is blue and it’s the perfect season to tend to potted plants. Caring for plants is a great hobby for the summer, but it may be overwhelming to decide which plants to tend to successfully. If you’re a beginner in plant care, fear not, I can help! Here is the beginners guide to (successful) plant growth.
African Violets: A beautiful flower for the summer season that is easy to care for! The African Violet requires a lot of bright indirect sunlight, as it enjoys warm temperatures and minimal water. It’s better to have slightly damp soil, rather than soggy soil as it will rot the roots of your plant! Though the flower’s needs are minimal, make sure you don’t water the petals of your African Violet, or it will brown and wither. Focus solely on the soil! Fertilize your flower every other week to ensure proper plant health.
Peace Lilies: Who knew Peace Lilies were an easy flower to tend to? Well, now you know! This beautiful and elegant flower requires warm weather, but not direct sunlight! Find a good spot that’s near a window, but not directly in front of one. Peace Lilies don’t require constant watering; they require water once their soil has dried out from their last watering. While watering your flowers, make sure your soil is damp, not soaking! Over watering will rot the roots of your flower, which will inevitably kill the plant. Your Peace Lily also requires fertilization every two weeks.
Ivy Plant: Last, but definitely not least, is the Ivy plant! This beautiful plant is growing in popularity as it’s used frequently for its “aesthetic” look. If you’re looking to follow a popular trend right now, or you just think it’s beautiful to look at, caring for Ivy is simple! This plant requires a lot of indirect sunlight. If you’re a beginner plant owner and don’t know what the term “indirect sunlight” is, it’s okay! Indirect sunlight is something that interferes between your plant and the sun itself. In most cases, your “medium” or barrier between the sun and plant will be a window. If you find that your plants are drying out and withering, use sheer curtains as an extra barrier. As well as a barrier, your Ivy’s soil will need to be watered once your topsoil is no longer damp. Don’t over water though, as it will lead to root rot. Fertilize every month, and voila! Ivy maintenance has never been this easy!
There you have it, with this guide you’re now a master plant owner! Shop all your summer floral needs at Price Chopper/Market 32 Floral Department!
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.