by Ben Becker, Newsletter Writer
January 1st marks more than the turning of a calendar page. A traditional date of celebration, this annual transition presents an
opportunity to look back on the past twelve months of shifting seasons and life changes. Even more so, the new year marks an occasion for looking ahead, making plans, and considering new goals and challenges worth taking on. It also brings a chance to consider new endeavors and experiences. Many see the new year as a time to refocus on their health, wellness, and happiness. Beyond considerations of one’s personal wellbeing, resolutions can also be set for bettering the community and world which we inhabit. Exploring exciting new options for your lifestyle can be a welcome addition at the start of the year. January at the Co-op brings with it a number of methods and products which can help to support success in your resolutions.
Juice & Coffee Bar
When kicking off your first shopping trip of 2020, why not make your first stop at the Juice & Coffee Bar to give your body a jumpstart. Nothing has quite the kick as that health drink on the go, the intense ginger shot. You can enjoy all that spicy flavor as the juicer extracts the gingery essence from its root pulp. As you digest the unadulterated heat of this beverage, you can enjoy all the natural benefits ginger has to offer. The roots of this plant have historically been used in long and various forms of both traditional and alternative medicines. Ginger has been said to help aid digestion and can also alleviate nausea. It may even inhibit bacteria growth and lower the risk of infection. These immune system-boosting properties make it a helpful ingredient when warding off symptoms of the flu or the common cold. The main bioactive compound in ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which makes it useful for reducing muscle pain. Ginger is said to even help lower your cholesterol and blood sugar levels. With all these benefits, it is well worth the burn you’ll feel after swallowing this shot, but you may want to ease it down with a chaser of juice.
If cold and flu season is really getting you down this winter, you might pick up some hot toddy concentrate. This beverage mixer has been around for a while but remains a very popular item among Co-op staff and customers. Combining this compound of honey, lemon, and ginger with hot water or your favorite toddy recipe can give you an invigorating boost. The sweetness of the honey will help cut its acidity while soothing your sore throat. For something a little stronger, our staff recommends a shot of brandy or whiskey as part of your home preparation. Whether ordered as a hot beverage from the Juice & Coffee Bar or bottled as a concentrate, this handy mix will make for a powerful weapon in fighting off infirmity in these bleak winter months.
For something a bit smoother, you might want to go with the Golden Monkey. A favorite among Produce staff, this smoothie infuses banana with honey and a mixture of turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, and ginger blended into your choice of milk. These spices give the drink a nice bit of heat in an otherwise cool and refreshing beverage, while also boasting an anti-inflammatory immune boost.
Produce
If fighting colds is your goal this January, be sure to make a stop in the Produce section as the citrus season is in full swing. It is a great time of year to stock up on some of the best oranges and grapefruit of the year, or maybe even a pomelo if you are feeling more adventurous. If sour is pleasing to your palate, don’t forget to grab a bag of kumquats. These bite-size citruses can be eaten whole like a nature-made candy. Just roll one between your fingers to unleash the juices then pop it in your mouth, peel and all, to enjoy. If this intense sourness is too much for you all at once, try slicing these tiny delicacies to make for an invigorating garnish with your hors d’oeuvres or in a winter salad. Kumquats are not the only must try this time of year. Keep an eye out for limequats as the citrus season continues. Cultivated as a hybrid crossing the kumquat with the key lime, these small fruits pack a wallop of citric acid and Vitamin C. While you may choose to eat the limequat whole like a kumquat, you can also employ it in the mixology of your home cocktails. Peel a twist of rind to add a sweetened flair to your highball, or bring out the inner bitterness through its juice and pulp. These little fruits can also be candied whole, or made into conserves once you remove their bitter seeds.
Plant-Based Foods
If your New Year’s resolutions include incorporating more produce and plant-based foods into your diet, you may also be looking for alternatives to animal products. You may be surprised to discover a number of non-dairy-based options displayed shoulder to shoulder with the traditional animal-based milk and cheese selection. You can celebrate your Wisconsin lifestyle without the burden of lactose by subbing nut cheese onto your shopping list. In addition to shreds, be sure to sample some of the softer varieties, many of which come in savory flavors such as herbs or scallion. You can use these to spread across a bagel, as a flavorful dip, or on crackers for a quick snack. If you have any leftover dates from the holiday season, I recommend cutting them in half and stuffing some nut cheese inside. The savory flavors work to playfully juxtapose the often saccharine sweetness of the date, creating a delectable balance between the two extremes.
You might also be looking to change up some of your favorite recipes with plant-based meat alternatives. Our dairy shelves are packed with a plethora of brands and varieties of plant-based products mirroring what you would find in the butcher’s case.
At first glance, one could be forgiven for mistaking the Beyond Burger for an ordinary hamburger patty. With all the marbling and juiciness of the traditional hamburger, you can swap these patties onto a bun for a great taste made without the cow. These burgers also boast 20 grams of protein, while containing no genetically modified ingredients or soy, all while fitting into a gluten-free diet. Beyond Meat also offers other plant-based meats designed to trick your taste buds into thinking you’re eating meat. Beyond Beef can take the place of your premium ground round, delivering the texture and protein you crave to complement a favorite pasta dish, or to make that spicy filling on taco night. The Beyond Sausage can tag-team in for bratwurst at your grill-out or can be used to maintain the heat in a recipe calling for Italian sausage. Beyond Meat isn’t the only option when looking for a new entrée or centerpiece.
For a locally sourced take on faux meat, check out the Milwaukee-based Cedar Teeth brand. Not only will you find some unique pizza varieties, but their Thunderbird product makes a great substitute in recipes calling for pulled pork or chicken. If something with an artisan flair is what you’re looking for, Field Roast brand is great. Their Celebration Roast, made with butternut squash, apples, mushrooms, and spices is an excellent grain-based main course for a special dinner or a holiday meal. Field Roast also features their own take on grain-based burgers and sausages. If sandwiches are your thing, you can still enjoy the flavors of sliced ham or turkey with plant-based deli slices from Tofurky, allowing you to recreate that classic club or even bologna on white bread. If you are struggling to beat your bacon cravings, Upton’s Natural brings its sophisticated style to seitan, made from wheat and soy. Serve up these strips with a side of pancakes, or try their other flavors such as Chorizo or Italian. Seitan makes for a delicious alternative to beef and other meats, or you might give Upton’s Jackfruit a try, a remarkable plant that closely resembles the texture of chicken.
New pantry strategies
Outside of your meat and dairy alternatives, check out the center aisles of our Co-op for some new pantry strategies that you may not have tried before. A new staff pick from our Grocery department is Love Corn, These kernels make for a great snack. Try the crunchy and delicious sea salt flavor as an alternative to your bag of potato chips. Or for the more adventurous, experience these roasted kernels in all their glory in the Smoked BBQ variety, or if you like it hot, go with the Habañero Chili. Great for munching straight out of your hand, these vegan gluten-free kernels also make for a healthy addition to your soups and salads.
If your cravings lean toward the sweet, check out our chocolate bar selection. With a number of varieties from several great brands, you can run the gamut from the mild sweetness of milk chocolate to the intense bitterness of 92% Cacao Dark. In between, you’ll want to indulge with the flavors of caramel, sea salt, almond, mint, and orange mixed in. Not only will the caffeine and antioxidants help to boost your mood, but you can enjoy this treat knowing that many of our varieties come from mission-driven producers, such as Equal Exchange—a company committed to ensuring sustainable fair trade deals for small-scale farmers across Latin America, or Endangered Species Chocolate, whose products advocate a sustainable eco-system that encourages habitat conservation.
Bulk
Along with great snacks for your sweet (and salty) tooth, our Bulk aisle contains some delectable items to keep you going between meals. If you are not a Bulk aisle aficionado already, it is really a way to shop that you must try out in the new year. If you are looking for some nice healthy fats for your diet, fill up a bag or a container from home with cashews or some of our other nuts with a quick, gentle tug on the bulk lever. You can create a nice trail mix by blending these with other Bulk items such as dried fruits, pretzels, or chocolate-covered ginger.
If you are of storing up your favorite grains and beans to get you through the winter, the bulk aisle will be your new best friend. A personal favorite of mine is the orange lentil, a surprisingly versatile legume that is perfect for hearty soups and stews in frigid January. If you are looking to perk up and add some warmth to the early days of the new year, check out the variety of coffee bean flavors you can bulk up on from Equal Exchange and Just Coffee.
For many, buying in bulk can be a great strategy for being thrifty in 2020, and there is nothing better suited for the fiscally conscious shopper than bulk spices. You can save a little space, a little waste, and a nice chunk of change in just a few steps when you forego buying a new spice jar each time. Just grab a baggie, mark down the PLU of one of our many spice jars, unscrew the lid, and use the scoop to measure a pinch or a pile. We price our bulk spices by the pound, but since most refills only amount to only a few ounces, you are sure to be pleased with how little you’ll spend compared to the cost of a new container!
Wellness
If you are a fan of loose leaf tea, you can repeat this process a few aisles over in the Wellness aisle, where you’ll find robust varieties such as jasmine and ruby oolong.
While browsing the Wellness aisle, you are likely to find quite a few items that will support a healthy new you for the new year, including a number of supplements to help give your body that needed boost. Vitamin D supplements may prove an especially helpful addition to your diet as we make our way through these months of low sunlight. Collagen supplements are another worthwhile try that can support your joint health. If you are looking for a new way to increase your intake of omega fatty acids and amino acids, pick up a few Evo Hemp Protein bars.
Environmental Consciousness
As you are looking for ways to better your own health and wellness in the new year, you may also want to find ways that your purchase can be more socially and environmentally conscious as well, and the Wellness aisle is a great place to start. You can reduce your environmental impact by looking for products with reduced packaging and less plastic such as cardboard tube deodorant, or bar soaps. Making use of our bulk product selection will also help to cut down on your waste stream. One product I cannot recommend enough is the Klean Kanteen bottles. Great for both cold and hot liquids you can skip bottled water when you fill these up from your tap or filter pitcher. They also are great for taking the daily coffee cup out of your waste equation. Many coffee shops around town, including our Juice & Coffee Bar, will gladly fill these containers and give you a discount for bringing one with you. With the Klean Kanteen’s vacuum seal technology, your coffee will stay hot throughout the day as well! In addition to products that can help you live a more healthy and sustainable lifestyle, the Co-op also offers a number of items from producers committed to improving our world. This new year, make a commitment to supporting fair trade. By helping to economically support small farmers find a sustainable livelihood, you can practice empathy not just at home but in your global influence. 2020 is sure to bring exciting new experiences with it, and hopefully, your Co-op can help you to try new things and further enliven your body, mind, and spirit this year.