Blog - Wichita

Fool Your Family This April Fools!March 03, 2012

Filed under: Recipes - greenacres @ 10:04 AM

April Fool’s Meatloaf Cake – No Joking Here!

Sure to become a family, year-round favorite!

Meat Loaf:

2 lb lean organic or grass-fed ground beef

3 large eggs

1 C gluten free bread crumbs

2/3 C sliced green onions

1/2 C milk

1/2 C chopped fresh parsley

3 large garlic cloves, minced

2 T Worcestershire sauce

1 t salt

1/4 t black pepper

“Frosting”

3 1/2 C hot mashed potatoes

8 cherry tomatoes, stems removed, halved, or drizzled ketchup

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, bread crumbs (use Glutino or substitute for a gluten free cake!), green onions, milk, parsley, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, just until blended. Divide mixture between two 8-inch round cake pans, patting to cover pans evenly and make level. Bake 45-60 minutes in center of oven.

Pour off juices from pans. Invert 1 meat loaf onto a flat serving plate. Spoon mashed potatoes on top of the first layer and smooth with a rubber spatula. Invert second meat loaf on top of frosted first layer. Using a spatula, spread 2 1/2 cups mashed potatoes over top and sides of meat loaf. Spoon remaining potatoes into a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe swirls around top edges of cake. Pipe stars around bottom of cake. Place cherry tomato halves, in a ring around top of meat loaf “cake” to resemble cherries. Cut meat loaf into wedges; serve April Fool’s Meat Loaf Cake immediately.

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Naturtint—The Natural Approach to Hair ColorMarch 03, 2012

Filed under: Savings - greenacres @ 2:33 PM

Our lives are full of harmful chemicals. It’s basically impossible to escape them. They are infused in the very chairs we’re sitting in, in the sheetrock that surrounds us, in the plastics in our computer. And then there are the more obvious chemicals that we use habitually. The most troublesome of these commonplace chemicals for many women is hair dye and the intense odors and sensations associated with traditional ammonia-based varieties. Naturtint takes the worry out of dying your hair, especially as a regular user. Naturtint formulates their dyes with completely plant-based materials, and no harsh chemicals to treat, protect, and of course tint your hair to match the color you love.

Naturtint's active plant-based ingredients protect and regenerate hair fibers, restoring lost vitality and shine, even in hair previously damaged by aggressive coloring processes and treatments.
Naturtint is ammonia free and paraben free and does NOT contain, resorcinol, silicones, paraffin, mineral oils, heavy metals, artificial fragrances, SLS or formaldehyde derivatives.
Wheat proteins substantially reduce hair breakage. Hair fibers appear smooth and soft, bringing back the healthy shine of young, natural hair.
Sunflower extract provides increased protection against the elements, so your new hair color maintains its rich color for up to 5 weeks.
Ultra-concentrated micro-pigments penetrate to the deepest layers of your hair, giving it an intense and vibrant color that won't fade with washing.
Naturtint's revolutionary healthy and effective hair coloring formula provides permanent hair color and complete coverage from the first application, even for gray hair.

And the best part is, with all these natural benefits, you still get the color spectrum that you need and want! See below for all the colors that Naturtint provides to match the perfect shade you have in mind!

Plus, catch them on sale for the rest of March for just $10.69. That’s a 40% savings. Wow! Hurry in while supplies last!

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Start Your Seedlings Now for a Great Summer Crop!March 03, 2012

Filed under: Natural Living - greenacres @ 5:31 PM

With all this unexpectedly warm weather and the absolute deluge of rain we’ve had in the last few days, we’re all itching to get out and do some digging in the garden. What better way to set up your veggie garden for big things this season than seeding inside during this wet spell? Choose from tons of seeds in the store from Seeds of Change. Starting your own seedlings will give you a far greater variety than buying them from a nursery. There are a huge variety of edible plants available in seed packets that you simply can’t find as seedlings in a nursery. Try something new this year! It just might be your favorite variety of ___ yet!

Here are a few simple tips to starting your in-home seedling operation. It’s deceptively easy and incredibly rewarding!

Assemble your equipment. You’ll need seed-starting containers (I like egg cartons or old seedling cups from nurseries collected over the years), starting medium or soil mix, watering can, and your seeds!
Plant 2-3 seeds in each well/pot. Cover the seeds to a depth of three times their thickness by carefully sprinkling them with light, dry potting soil or seed-starting medium.
Note: be sure you label which container has which plants. It’s easy to confuse some plants when they’re so young, and varieties can be impossible to decipher even once they’re grown.
Set the flats or pots in shallow containers of water and let them soak until the surface of the planting medium looks moist. You can also gently mist the mix with a fine-topped watering can nozzle so as not to displace the seeds.
Cover the container using clear plastic or a floating row cover for seeds that need light, or black plastic, damp newspaper, or burlap for those that prefer the dark. Your seed packet will tell you what is recommended for that variety.
You’re done! Just place your seedling containers in a warm place (in light if needed for germination) and monitor them daily for moistness, light exposure, warmth, etc.

Here’s to the vegetable garden of your wildest dreams this summer! Don’t forget to share the bounty of your crop with neighbors, and, of course, brag about your prize tomatoes to everyone you meet. Happy gardening!

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Spring is Springing!March 03, 2012

Filed under: Recipes - greenacres @ 1:22 PM

As the old adage goes, April showers bring May flowers…

We seem to be a month ahead of schedule! All this warm weather and these rainy days make it easy to believe that tomorrow is the first day of spring. The trees are in bloom, daffodils and tulips are shooting up, and the sun is bringing everything to life. And of course, the onset of spring means so many wonderful foods that have been imported or unavailable throughout the winter are now available closer to home, and fresher! Look for in-season veggies like asparagus, artichokes, and celery root in the produce section. As the warm weather continues we’ll be getting more and more veggies that are fresher and more local than we’ve seen them throughout this winter. You can’t get it any fresher than buying your produce straight from the farmer. Stay tuned for a start date for our seasonal Farmer’s Market on the website and the blog--the projected start date is April 24th!

In the meantime, try this incredible, fresh spring recipe for a dose of Mother Nature’s spring treat, and a twist on everyone’s favorite, classic potato salad! This recipe is brought to you by Judy L. Young, cookbook author and produce expert extraordinaire! Sign up to receive her emails, and get more great fresh produce tips and recipes here.

Grandma’s NO-Potato Salad

3 c. Celery Root, small diced, cooked
2 hard-boiled eggs, diced
¼ c. green onion, finely sliced
½ c. bell pepper, any color, diced small
¼ c. regular table celery, diced small
¼ c. dill pickle relish (no sugar)
¼ c. real mayonnaise
2 T. mustard
1 pinch coarse ground pepper

To prepare the Celery Root:

Choose heavy bulbs, as they are freshest. This plant is not grown for the green celery tops but rather simply for the large meaty root bulb. You can use the tops, if available, to make veggie broth.

You'll need a stiff veggie brush to clean it. Immerse it in cold water in your sink and scrub the dickens out of it to loosen the sand embedded in the hairy roots. Place in a deep saucepan, add 2" of water, cover and steam for 20-30 min, until tender or a knife point enters the side of the bulb easily. Allow to cool, and the skin will slide right off like paper. You can refrigerate the cooked bulbs for several days before preparing the salad or you can dice it up and store in the freezer for a couple of months. Buy them when they are in season, cook and freeze for future use. Be sure to package in serving sizes that fit your needs.

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a large glass salad bowl, except the mayo and mustard. Add them last, squirt the mustard on top of the mayo being sure not to get the mustard on the other ingredients. Mix the mustard into the mayo then stir both into the salad, mixing well. Enjoy!

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Organic Bistro Frozen mealsMarch 03, 2012

Filed under: Organic, Savings - greenacres @ 8:18 AM

Are you running out of time at the end of the day but still looking for “real” food? Then look no further than Organic Bistro frozen meals. Try all their lines of frozen entrees for creatively combined, delicious and healthful meals!

Super-premium, unprocessed, whole food ingredients are the beginning of each Organic Bistro meal, making it easy for you to eat a delicious AND nutrition-rich meal. Organic vegetables, whole grains and legumes are balanced with wild-caught, sustainable fish, lean poultry or grass fed beef and finished with a punch of flavor. Organic herbs, spices and nuts top it all off for a wonderful finish.

Stop by to get the NEW Organic Bistro “Baked Entrees” on special for $3.79 through March. Choose from Wild Albacore Tuna, Turkey Cheddar, Wild Alaskan Salmon, and Chicken Parmesan Bakes. Ready in minutes, you can incorporate an easy, wholesome meal into your busy weekdays and give your body the vital nutrients it needs while satisfying your evening hunger.

Hurry in while supplies last!

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Celebrate the Luck ‘O the Irish with Us!March 03, 2012

Filed under: - greenacres @ 5:25 PM

Are you Irish or are you “Irish for a Day”? No matter your answer, this Saturday will be YOUR day to party as we all celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. GreenAcres Market will be celebrating with you by “wearing the green”!

Stop by our deli for traditional St. Patrick’s day fare, including corned beef and cabbage and “green” potatoes. Look for the full deli menu on Facebook Saturday morning – we’ll be pulling out all the stops to celebrate Irish traditions!

You can find St. Pat’s celebration items throughout our store. Be sure to check out shamrock-shaped cookies from McTavish Shortbread and Gianna’s Homemade Baked Goods. We’ll also be the stop for all your party needs, including artisan cheese & crackers and chips & dips.

Keep on the lookout for a special savings coupon on the weekly e-newsletter later this week. To receive our weekly emails with store specials and great health news, sign up here.

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Vitamin D, the New Vitamin C…?March 03, 2012

Filed under: Natural Living, Supplements - greenacres @ 2:53 PM

You may have heard about Vitamin D in the news recently. Maybe you watch Dr. Oz, or Oprah, or subscribe to a health news blog. Lots of folks are talking about it, and they all seem to be saying more or less the same thing: the U.S. has a major problem with Vitamin D deficiency. Research shows that 40% of the U.S. population is Vitamin D deficient. But what does that mean for our health? This is where some research differs, but the jury has weighed in, and it’s not good.

“Vitamin D3 deficiency can result in Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Depression, Psoriasis, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Kidney Stones, Osteoporosis, & Neuro-degenerative disease including Alzheimer’s Disease. Eventually, Vitamin D deficiency may even lead to Cancer (especially breast, prostate, and colon cancers),” says Nurse Practitioner and Diabetes Educator Pamela Egan. ‘Vitamin D3 is believed to play a role in controlling the immune system (possibly reducing one’s risk of cancer and autoimmune diseases), increasing neuro-muscular function and decreasing falls, improving mood, protecting the brain against toxic chemicals, and potentially reducing pain. Vitamin D3 is both a vitamin and a hormone. It acts as a vitamin when it binds with calcium for proper absorption. Humans cannot digest calcium without adequate amounts of Vitamin D3.”

You’re probably starting to see all the important roles that Vitamin D3 plays in our bodies. Proper levels can help us to stave off infections, prevent certain types of cancer, keep dangerous chronic conditions at bay, and more.

Studies from the Vitamin D Council suggest that there is no easy way to tell who is Vitamin D deficient and who is not: “Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency could be described as chronic pain, weak bones, frequent infections, depression, etc., but the same will not be true for everyone who is deficient. Because the possible effects of vitamin D deficiency are wide-ranging and can manifest in the body in any number of ways, there are no specific associated symptoms.”

So how do you know if you are Vitamin D deficient? There are some correlations between certain variables and an individual’s likelihood for deficiency. For instance, seniors and those with darker colored skin are more likely to be Vitamin D deficient due to the skin’s lack of responsiveness to sunlight. Of course, if you’re not seeing enough sun (you work indoors all day, and stay indoors in your evenings) you’re likely not getting enough sunlight for your body to keep up with manufacturing proper levels of Vitamin D.

Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should also be mindful of their Vitamin D intake. Studies show that up to 76% of pregnant mothers are severely vitamin D deficient. Deficiency can be passed onto the child if the mother is not producing or in-taking proper levels of Vitamin D. This can cause widespread vitamin D deficiencies in their unborn children, which predisposes them to type 1 diabetes, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia later in life. 81% of the children born to these mothers were deficient.

So what can you do? Getting more sunlight and spending more time outdoors is an option for some, but not all. A high-quality Vitamin D supplement is recommended to ensure the body’s absorption, and that proper levels are maintained in the body. We have many Vitamin D options available at GreenAcres. Check out this month’s Country Life Vitamin D3 Bonus Buy…45% off thru March!

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Great Bonus Buys for March!!March 03, 2012

Filed under: Natural Living, Savings, Supplements - greenacres @ 1:41 PM

Did you see our newsletter for March? We’re featuring 8 products and even 1 entire line throughout March, so you can find the supplements you love, and your body needs...at a great value. Now who can argue with that? Stop by and see for yourself the top-quality dietary supplements that we’re featuring! We work tirelessly behind the scenes to get great deals from our vendors, and to pass on that savings to you, our customer. Not sure what all those things are? Find a short synopsis of each one below, and enjoy the savings!

Methylcobalamin—Now that’s a mouthful! This tongue-twister is a particular form of B₁₂ vitamin that is useful in treating conditions that arise from a lack of B₁₂, like pernicious anemia. It can also be helpful in managing neurological disorders associated with diabetes. Get the Solgar brand and receive 40% off the original price!

Vitamin D3—Have you heard about Vitamin D yet? Just this morning I was talking to a local producer who said that “Vitamin D is the new Vitamin C!” It changed her life around when she started taking it, and it could do just the same for you. Research shows that 40% of the U.S. population is Vitamin D deficient. Wow! That’s a big problem. Did you know that Vitamin D deficiency can be one of the root causes associated with obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, and more? Find out more about the amazing effects of Vitamin D Thursday on our blog.

“Perfect” Multi’s—New Chapter has come out with a new line of targeted Multi-Vitamins, specifically formulated to assist each individual in the area they need the most. This month find Perfect Energy, Perfect Immune, and Perfect Calm Buy One Get One Free! These multivitamins are whole-food complexes of vitamins, herbs, roots, and other whole foods that absorb most effectively in our bodies for maximum impact, and maximum healing. Learn more at these links: Perfect Calm, Perfect Energy, Perfect Immune

Magnesium Malate—Source Naturals Magnesium Malate is a compound of magnesium and malic acid. Magnesium plays an important role in over 300 enzymatic reactions that play a part in your body’s metabolism (and is a great boon to your heart health!), while malic acid is a natural fruit acid present in most cells in the body. It, too, is a key ingredient in enzymatic processes, and an important component of efficient energy production. It’s 40% off now thru the 31^st.

5-HTP—A natural little amino acid with a big job! At least one of my co-workers here at GreenAcres swears by 5-HTP to keep her calm when she’s stressed—and with two young boys, that happens pretty often! 5-HTP is used as an antidepressant, appetite suppressant, and sleep aid. Ever heard of that chemical, tryptophan, that’s in your Thanksgiving turkey? It’s the one that makes us sleepy after that big feat. 5-HTP is its mild, calming cousin. Try the Natural Factors brand 45% off thru March.

B Complex 100—B Vitamins are little miracle workers, especially when they are all combined into one convenient package. They are thought to increase the rate of metabolism, maintain healthy skin, hair, and muscle tone, enhance immune and nervous system function, and more. They are even thought to reduce the risk of some types of cancers. Get the Solaray version at 45% off this month!

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March is National Nutrition Month!March 03, 2012

Filed under: Recipes - greenacres @ 2:08 PM

March is National Nutrition Month! National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign is designed to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. For more about National Nutrition Month, visit the webpage. In honor of this month, we're bringing you loads of helpful hints, new and useful products, and more to help you feel healthier in your own skin! Keep checking back on our blog for recipes, tips, product features, and more!

Everyone wants to feel healthy in their bodies. That means making all the little choices correctly; and for most of us, that is easier said than done. It seems so much easier to throw together a pizza than a salad, or to watch our favorite TV program than take a stroll around the block. But part of living a healthier life is finding the simple solutions that work for you. Don’t try to take a lot of time on a busy weeknight making an elaborate meal for yourself or your family. Throw together something quick. Stock the things that make it easy on you, and make it part of your routine.

Below you’ll find two healthy recipes that take almost no preparation: use pre-cut filets for the salmon (remember to get at least 2 servings of fish per week!), jarred minced garlic, and real bottled lemon juice (not from concentrate!) as super easy substitutes that save you time and still give you the taste and the nutrition you want and need. For the salad, stock pre-cut, pre-washed baby spinach, pre-shredded Romano, and ready-made salad dressings from all natural companies like Newman’s and Annie’s. This is a dinner you can easily be making once or twice a week, substituting a chicken breast or a handful of shrimp for the salmon, and tweaking the salad toppings to match your taste and lifestyle. Go Greek and do feta cheese, canned artichoke hearts, your favorite olives, and roasted red peppers with grilled or baked chicken breasts; try it Cali-style and go with turkey, avocados, tomatoes, red onions, and toasted slivered almonds. There are so many variations on this theme…make it yours! And start your wellness journey today!

Baked Salmon

Ingredients

2 cloves garlic, minced

6 tablespoons light olive oil

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

2 (6 ounce) fillets salmon

Directions

In a medium glass bowl, prepare marinade by mixing garlic, light olive oil, basil, salt, pepper, lemon juice and parsley. Place salmon fillets in a medium glass baking dish, and cover with the marinade. Marinate in the refrigerator about 1 hour, turning occasionally.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Place fillets in aluminum foil, cover with marinade, and seal. Place sealed salmon in the glass dish, and bake 25 to 35 minutes, until easily flaked with a fork.