Want to Recycle? Check out these awesome local programs!September 09, 2011
Filed under: Natural Living - greenacres @ 1:37 PM
Up until about 10 years ago, recycling programs in Wichita were few and hard to come by. Now it seems there are many governmental programs and independent businesses stepping up to help Wichitans dispose of their waste more responsibly. Going green doesn’t just mean turning off your lights when you’re not in the room. It also means getting rid of your excess responsibly: rather than throwing those old batteries in the trash to go into the landfill, recycle them at a battery store or recycling center. Check out the options below for different places in Wichita that help you recycle:
Waste Connections Recyclebank:
Waste Connections is the program that GreenAcres is a part of. We recycle everything that we possibly can from the store, office and deli into our containers out back. If you leave empty glass or plastic bottles at the front after your meal, we also recycle those into the same bins. This is a great program because it doesn’t take any hassle at all! Just chuck all accepted materials into your bin and move on with your day. Simple as that. Plus, when you’ve accumulated enough points based on the weight of your recyclable material, you can redeem them for all kinds of rewards…including free groceries at GreenAcres! Visit their website here.
Pro Kansas Miller Recycling Center:
This not-for-profit recycling center is located at 725 E. Clark in Wichita. It runs almost entirely off of volunteer time and support with only 2 paid staff members. The facility is open for limited hours, but it collects most of the items that many other recyclers can’t or don’t, including print and toner cartridges, eyeglasses, old cell phones, and batteries. For more information, click here.
SedgwickCountyHousehold Hazardous Waste Facility:
If you have something that you’re not sure should be thrown into the landfill, chances are it probably shouldn’t. The Hazardous Waste Facility can safely dispose of chemicals and other pollutants like paint, fluorescent light bulbs, medications, computers, antifreeze, and more. For more answers to your hazardous waste questions, visit their website by clicking here.
To see the county’s guide to recycling…everything from computers and clothes hangers to ammunition, visit the web page below:
http://www.sedgwickcounty.org/environment/recyclingguide.asp
Congrats to Our 2011 Tasting Fair Gift Basket Winners!September 09, 2011
Filed under: Classes & Events - greenacres @ 1:35 PM
Thanks to everyone who came out to our Tasting Fair on Saturday, September 17th. Your presence and participation made the day a great success! Thanks also to everyone who went out to visit the deli when they were grilling at the Autumn and Art Festival on Bradley Fair Parkway. We had tons of fun, and it was so nice to see some familiar faces out there in the beautiful weather!
We’ve given away most of the gift baskets to our lucky winners! Check out the pictures below to see some of the lucky customers with their baskets...
Will with his awesome Nordic Naturals gift basket.
Bill's new Gluten Free Basket
Mary and her Prairie Fire Basket
Pam with a basket-full of Enzymedica goodies
Chris with his Charlie's Soap bag...sorry you came out fuzzy!
Our grand prize winner, Karen, wih her brand new Citizen Compact Bike!
Congrats also to our other Gift Basket winners who didn't get a picture taken or haven't stopped by. If you haven't, come snatch it up; we can always add you to the gift basket family post!
Looking to win some great GreenAcres goodies? Enter for the Great Grocery Giveaway anytime you’re at the store! You can put a slip in each time you make a purchase. Winners are drawn weekly, and receive a GreenAcres canvas tote that is chock full of all your favorite treats…from cereal and chips to chocolates and candies.
Juicing: Get Your 5-A-Day Fast!September 09, 2011
Filed under: Natural Living, Organic, Recipes - greenacres @ 12:15 PM
As fall rolls around, our bodies crave less of the fruits and vegetables that they did in the heat of the summer. It can be hard to convince your mind and body that you really should eat those carrot stick with lunch or reach for an apple rather than crackers for an afternoon snack. But luckily modern technology has provided us with a quick and painless way to get all the benefits of our fruits and veggies without the hassle of gobbling down tons of roughage.
There is no doubt that fruits and vegetables are a healthy source for a whole array of vitamins and minerals, but many people don't realize that much of the nutrition in whole vegetables is bound by fiber. While fiber is good for us and has many benefits for the body, vitamins that are trapped in it are difficult to assimilate. For this reason, many of the 
vitamins in whole vegetables pass through the body unused. When these whole vegetables are juiced, however, the vitamins and minerals are freed from the fiber, so the body can process and absorb them much more easily. Fiber also makes it difficult for the body to use the water in vegetables, but fresh homemade vegetable juice contains plenty of this vital element.
While most conventional bottled juices are pasteurized at high temperatures (or contain additives and preservatives) juicing preserves the enzymes that are present in live produce. Enzymes are naturally occurring, and are an important part of all processes that happen in our bodies. They help us to digest our food and absorb all the nutrients to allow them to work most effectively in our bodies.
Another up-side to fruit and vegetable juicing is also closely tied to the lack of fiber consumed from juicing as opposed to eating the whole fruit. Many juicing recipes contain many different fruits and vegetables, so they provide an extensive variety that is vital to total health. It can be unexpectedly difficult to get your five servings a day, but when you juice you are able to include a whole spectrum of fruits and vegetables that you might not otherwise take the time to prepare.
But juicing can also be a great tool for those trying to maintain a healthy weight, or even shed a few pounds. Many juicing recipes contain far fewer calories than the sum of the vegetables within them, including fat-burning and metabolism-boosting ingredients like lemon and other citrus, or additives like protein powders and chia seeds can help you burn more fat and calories while maintaining satiety to curb cravings.
And don’t forget: when you’re juicing, it always pays to go organic. It’s important to remember that organic versus conventional is a question of system and process. Produce grown conventionally has been sprayed since its infancy with fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. That means it’s not just surface contamination that affects us; these chemicals are present in the innermost fibers of conventional produce.
For starters, try out this awesome juicing recipe that was featured in our July Newsletter:
Green"Acres" Lemonade
This lively green drink will satisfy your craving for lemonade while helping maintain your body alkalinity. Some claim this beverage is a terrific beverage, while others say it satisfies their sugar cravings and leaves them fulfilled. Either way, it is surely a terrific snack that will leave you energized and refreshed!
Ingredients:
- 1 organic lemon
- 2 organic fuji apples
- 6 organic kale leaves
- 1 bunch organic celery
- Mint sprigs (for garnish)
- Ice cubes
Directions:
Wash thoroughly the lemon, apples, kale and celery. Cut into pieces that will fit into your home juicer chute. Juice everything into a large cup and mix well. Pour over ice and garnish with fresh mint. Serves 2.
Don’t have a juicer at home? Check out the options in the store! We also have special discounts
on juicing cases for staples like apples, carrots, and wheatgrass available all the time, as well as most fruits and vegetables available for special order by the case. Talk to us today to find out more by calling the store at (316) 634-1088. Enjoy your juicing adventures!
Got Fall Allergies? Could Local Honey Be Your Ticket Out?September 09, 2011
Filed under: Local Vendors, Organic - greenacres @ 3:14 PM
wisdom that eating local honey in a
healthy daily dose can act as a sort of vaccination for allergy sufferers. The theory goes that the bees producing the honey buzz about to many local blooms and collect pollen on their legs, which makes its way into their honey. Then consuming that honey, with small doses of that pollen will then force our body into a gradual immunity to these pollens. This prevents the body from over-reacting to the offending pollen with itchy, watery eyes, sore throats, sniffles—in short, seasonal allergies.
But does this theory hold water? A preliminary Google search brings up many contradictory views and findings. In the natural food community, we tend to be more than willing to believe that something as simple, pure, and delicious as honey could be a “cure” to our allergy woes—it’s a natural junky’s dream, really. Clinical studies have come to various conclusions. Some find little to no measurable change between a control group and local honey in seasonal allergies. Some find that some symptoms among certain subjects are 
lessened, while other subjects experience no difference in any of their symptoms.
Of course, on top of scientific inquiries, we have loads of anecdotal evidence from ex-allergy sufferers whose daily honey regimen has been credited with their eventual recovery into the symptom-free world. After all, allergy shots operate on exactly the same principle. If any of you experienced allergy shots when you were children (I know I did!), although they can be painful and traumatic…they work! Allergies that were once nearly deadly for children can become minor annoyances by adulthood with simple weekly or monthly treatments. When given a dose of the offending substance, gradually and over long periods, the body becomes immune to a reaction against that material.
At the end of the day, we at least know that honey certainly can’t hurt us! Honey can immediately sooth a sore throat (whether it’s caused by seasonal allergies or not). It’s a natural, temporary energy booster. According to the National Honey Board, it “contains small amounts of a wide array of vitamins and minerals, including niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.” Wichita store manager Matt Murray adds that “While local honey is considered to possess properties that might help our airborne allergies by building up our immunity to those pollens, we just can’t know for sure. But at least we can say that we’re supporting our local farmers and producers to create a truly delicious and healthful natural product.”
GreenAcres carries honey from west Wichita from a producer named Randy Hamill. You’ve probably seen his bears and jars in several places on the store shelves. This is one of my favorites because it’s pure, raw, and unrefined. Unlike other un-refined honeys I’ve tried, though, it doesn’t have any bitterness that can sometimes be associated with local honeys. If you’re willing to test yourself in a one-person clinical study, this is the way to go! The question I’d like to pose is this: Have you ever, or has anyone you know and trust, ever tried a local honey regimen to reduce the symptoms of seasonal allergies? Did it work? What were your methods, and your impressions of how it worked? We’d all love to know how it went!
Are Your Hormones in Balance?September 09, 2011
Filed under: Classes & Events, Natural Living, Supplements - greenacres @ 4:59 PM
Join us Thursday, September 22nd at 7:00pm at the store for an in-depth class on women’s hormone health. Do you suffer from pre-menstrual symptoms like mood swings or cramps, are you having menopause-related symptoms like hot flashes or fatigue, or maybe you’re just feeling sluggish, un-interested in sex, or you’ve been experiencing weight gain. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, you could be suffering from hormone imbalance. Join Jennifer Kaumeyer from the Riordan Clinic for a look at natural remedies and safe solutions to combat a lack of hormone support.
Hormones are a vital part of everyone’s bodily functions. And men’s and women’s hormones function differently in each sex’s body. Everyone’s hormonal balance is affected by their diet. It is astounding the extent to which the foods we eat can dictate our hormonal balance. A high-carbohydrate diet of junk foods, processed vegetable oils, trans fats, stimulants, and soy products can instigate such an imbalance. Foods from animals that have been treated with hormones and antibiotics can also be prime candidates for throwing women’s hormones out of equilibrium. Many foods, including all kinds of meat products, and dairy products like milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, and more can all contain these offenders. It’s important to look out for hormone, antibiotic, and chemical-free products, and especially organic products, that will not be harmful to that delicate balance.
But what can you do to not just prevent, but fight your negative symptoms associated with hormone imbalance? Jennifer will address this very question using integrative medical techniques and training that focuses on naturopathic solutions.
To be a part of the conversation, simply attend this informative seminar. Call the store to save your spot, or click “Attending” on our Facebook page here. Registration is required, but there is no fee for attending. Hope to see you there!
New BioSil Bone Support from Natural FactorsSeptember 09, 2011
Filed under: Supplements - greenacres @ 10:21 AM
“Bones are not inert structures, like the beams or pillars of your house. They are dynamic living tissue that requires a wide range of nutrients for optimal health—and not just minerals like calcium.” —Dr. Michael Murray of doctormurray.com.
Intro BioSil from Natural Factors. BioSil provides a unique blend of vitamins and minerals designed to support bone health and assist in regenerating bone, naturally and safely. The folks at Natural Factors have come out with 2 new products in the BioSil line designed to work together to build bone strength and health. BioSil Bone Mineralizer provides 3 forms of calcium to increase bone mineral density. These 3 type are specially formulated to be easier to digest than many leading calcium supplements, so your doses may be taken between meals with little likelihood of an upset stomach. Because less than half of dietary calcium (calcium consumed through food and drink) is absorbed into our bones, the calcium source in BioSil is paired with other materials like Magnesium, MK-7, and Lysine. These ensure that the calcium is transported to the bones, giving it a greater likelihood of absorption.
While this alone can do tremendous good for bone strength, to reap the full effects of the BioSil system it is best to pair the Bone Mineralizer with the Bone Collagenizer. New bone growth is made possible by the work of collagen—the key building block of bone tissue, comprising nearly a third of all bone matter. Collagen provides the "binding sites" for calcium and other bone minerals. When bone collagen diminishes, bone mineral density decreases. The collagen, calcium, and Vitamin D (to name a few) in BioSil all work together to build the strong chemical bonds that make for super-strong bones. In addition, collagen gives bones the vital flexibility they need. New bone research reveals that collagen, in conjunction with deposited calcium, gives bones their ability to withstand physical stress, as with sudden impact.
All this in combination with a good, alkaline-based diet—fruits, veggies, nuts & legumes—and regular physical exercise can go a long way toward preventing problems with osteoporosis in the future. Don’t wait! Start your bone health regimen today! BioSil’s new Mineralizer and Collagenizer are also available in a combined value pack…and they’re all on sale thru the month of September! Come in and see if BioSil’s bone support pack could be right for you.
Groundbreaking News for GreenAcres in Jenks, OK!September 09, 2011
Filed under: - greenacres @ 2:39 PM
Last week marked the long-awaited Groundbreaking Ceremony for the third branch on the GreenAcres family tree. Co-Owner and President Shannon Hoffmann spoke to a crowd on Thursday about GreenAcres’ mission and the mission of the development of which we’ll be one of the pioneers: Village on Main. The complex is centered around creating a healthy lifestyle; and that is right in line with our own goal: to educate and assist the community in all of its healthy living goals. Below is some an article written about the new store in Jenks, OK--just south of Tulsa:
Ground broken for GreenAcres Market
By Steven James
Staff Writer
Article link: http://jenksjournal.com/news/ground-broken-for-greenacres-market/article_6e654e8c-da3f-11e0-aeea-001cc4c03286.html
Years of planning and months of site preparation came to fruition Thursday when officials broke ground on a new nearly 13,000 square-foot grocery store in Jenks.
GreenAcres Market is the third project in the Village on Main development, behind Utica Park Clinic and Waterfront Grill, but the first building to go up in the heart of the planned commercial, office and residential development located south and west of the intersection of Main Street and Aquarium Drive.
Village On Main owner and developer Duane Phillips called the new store the "cornerstone" of his vision.
The 12,000 square-foot organic and natural foods market will be the third GreenAcres facility. The first opened in 1994 in Wichita, Kan., and another opened later in Kansas City, Mo.
Shannon Hoffman, co-owner, said GreenAcres Market is focused not only with providing its customers with the best natural, organic and locally-grown food, but also educating the community on healthy living.
The market will host regular in-store classes to encourage customers to make healthy food choices and seminars held by wellness experts, she said.
Hoffman said GreenAcres hopes to be able to open its doors in late spring or early summer next year.
Find the YouTube Video of Shannon (and others) at the ceremony!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTCZEy4fkDM
To see more coverage, check out the links below:
From the Tulsa World:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=53&articleid=20110909_53_E1_JENKSA76317
From This Week magazine:
From Channel 2 News:
http://www.kjrh.com/dpp/news/local_news/new-village-on-main-project-moving-forward-in-jenks
To see more pictures of the ceremony, click here. While you’re there, “Like” us to follow construction news and up-to-date ETA’s!
September is Organic Harvest Month!September 09, 2011
Filed under: Organic - greenacres @ 9:14 AM
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The Organic Trade Association has designated the month of September as Organic Harvest Month! Originally started as a low-key way for the organization to get the word out about organic foods and agricultural practices, it has now become a nationally recognized month in honor of the organics industry and its core principles.
Why go organic?
The National Organic Standards Board has defined “organic” as “a labeling term that denotes products produced under…guidelines for organic production [that] use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole.” Now that’s a movement to get behind! Bringing our farming ecosystems into a balance with plants, insects, animals, and of course people, we and our earth can begin to heal from the over-use of monoculture farming and chemical pesticides and herbicides that have left scars on our environment and on our food system.
But organic isn’t just about our planet. It’s also about what we put into our bodies. Going organic eliminates much of the risk associated with consuming chemicals that have been a concern in the public eye for years now. And it tastes better. A totally subjective statement, of course, but surveys have found that consumers truly do taste a difference between organic and conventional carrots. 
We’re also finding that organically grown products have a higher quality nutritional profile than their conventionally grown counter-parts. Vitamin, nutrient, and antioxidant levels are higher in over two-thirds of organic match pairs, and nitrate levels are also uniformly lower—higher levels indicate a greater risk for the spread of disease and bacteria, while lower levels are associated with dietary health benefits. (For the full report from The Organic Center, click here.)
So what can you do to support Organic Harvest Month?
Here are 5 simple suggestions to get you and your family started on the organic path:
1. PREPARE one meal with as many organic ingredients as possible. Don’t forget to serve the organic beverage of your choice with your meal and enjoy an organic dessert. Make it a celebration!
2. GO SHOPPING and fill one grocery bag with all organic products. Remember, organic isn’t just in the produce aisle, it’s in the frozen section, in the health and beauty department, and it appears everywhere between dairy and canned goods. If you can’t find organic items in your store, talk to your grocer to find out about bringing some in.
3. WEAR organic cotton clothing, available in everything from socks to sweaters. Enjoy the comfort and style while you support agriculture that builds healthy soils and protects the environment.
4. INDULGE yourself. Take a long bath in water scented with organic oils. Nibble on rich organic chocolate. Sip organic wine, beer or even a martini made with organic vodka. Buy yourself a bouquet of organically grown flowers. Cuddle in a towel or robe made from organic cotton.
5. SAY THANK YOU to an organic grower or producer because they’re the ones who bring organic food and fiber products to the tables and stores all across North America. Grab a friend and go to your local farmers market where you can buy organic products directly from a certified organic grower and say “Thanks!”
A Sit-Down with Andrea Cassell of Dining Light with AndreaSeptember 09, 2011
Filed under: Classes & Events, Recipes - greenacres @ 11:34 AM
We know and love Andrea Cassell from her cooking classes here at the store...and we'd like for you to get to know her, too! That's why we sat down to get her story, key points along her cooking journey, and a bit of sage advice from a sesaoned cook to the kitchen novice. I hope you enjoy reading our conversation as much as I enjoyed having it!
Where did you grow up, and how did your childhood influence your cooking journey?
I grew up in Miami, FL in the city with my parents and brother. From the time I was 6 months until entering preschool at age 3 I spent almost all my time with my grandparents while my parents were teaching. My grandmother and grandfather owned a grocery store that was right in their backyard. Every morning we would walk over; I was kind of like the store mascot. It was there that I formed my personality; I learned the art of hospitality and developing personal relationships from them, the vendors, the customers. I grew up there.
How did you get interested in cooking?
Well, I was always around food, and of course my grandparents would bring food from the store. My grandmother taught me in her own kitchen and I would assist her, ever since I can remember up through when I left for college. She was always teaching me new dishes and techniques, and of course, my favorite part was being the taster…does that need more salt; is there enough lemon? The tasting was important because she never used measurements; and I still don’t to this day.
What would you say is your philosophy behind cooking and eating?
When you cook for others, or for yourself, you are essentially sharing the love of cooking with your hands. When you go to a fast food place, you don’t get that love through the food, and the sense of sharing. But in the home, using foods that you chose and bought, when you sit down as a family you give something more than just a meal; and food is a gift that everyone can enjoy! And it doesn’t have to be hard. Even a plate of scrambled eggs shares the love of cooking with your hands.
I think it’s so important to bring meals back to the home. When you go out to eat you just don’t get that feeling as much, especially at fast food places. I think that’s why GreenAcres is such a good fit for me. I feel very comfortable here, and I love all the people. I can come in and greet everyone and give hugs and chat, and feel totally comfortable. It feels like a continuation of family here, GreenAcres is just that kind of environment. Now that I’m talking about it, I feel like I’ve come full circle; here I am bringing me right back around again to where I grew up.
What dish do you make the most from your cookbook?
That’s a hard one! I think I’d have to say that I make the tabouleh most frequently—except for the wheat, it’s all stuff that comes straight from my garden, so it’s the most fresh, and I don’t even have to go to the store! I also make grape leaves a lot. It’s more time consuming, that’s for sure, but it’s definitely a favorite.
What advice would you give to beginners who want to eat healthy and cook for themselves?
- Cook what you like. Make it simple. You don’t need to follow measurements, just be creative with the things you already know you like.
- Take a simple cookbook that is healthy and add your own kick to it. For example, if you know you like hummus, change it up by adding something that you like…a taste you enjoy. Don’t be afraid to add and subtract from recipes.
- If you don’t have time to cook, buy a slow cooker and whatever you like to eat, throw it in, turn it on, let it cook all day, and when you get home from work it’s ready; take any recipe you like that you could make on the stove and do it in the slow cooker. And you’re still keeping that experience in the home and in your kitchen.
- Finally, I have to add that my secret ingredient (for everything!) is Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I use extra virgin because it comes out of the first cold press, so it’s lighter than the others. But I use it on everything! I never use butter; I always substitute olive oil for butter and oils. And not just in cooking…on my skin, hair, cuticles. But ingesting it is really so good for you. Too much of anything is not good, of course, but my grandmother used to take a tablespoon just straight olive oil every day after breakfast, and she lived to 101. She never took medication, had all her teeth, and only a couple gray hairs…so I’m a believer! I call it my secret weapon.
Thanks so much for everything—the interview and the classes you teach.
It’s my pleasure and honor to help people out. That’s really what it’s about. I have so many friends that think it’s so hard to cook! What’s up with that?! I get 4 or 5 emails a day from people who’ve read my cookbook telling me they didn’t know it was so easy—and that’s really why I do this.
Phone interview, 9/2/11.
For more information on Andrea’s cookbook, visit the Nahima’s Hands website.
Andrea's next class will be held September 8th at 7pm. Cost is $15 per person per class. Seating is limited so registration is required. For more details see our events page; and to save your seat call (316) 634-1088. If you can't make the 8th, there will be another September class on the 29th at 7pm, and more classes to be announced in October. See you there!
