
A glorious dinner worthy of the greatest mother in the land (yours!) needn’t be heavy. Let spring produce and warmer weather dictate a seasonal spread fit for a queen. Ease up on animal protein and swap oils and sugars for healthful substitutes to celebrate naturally flavorful whole foods.
Treat your mother right with light and easy dinner dishes that will leave the whole family feeling great.
Hey mama. We think you’re pretty awesome and we want to show you just how much during Mom-O-Rama! Come celebrate your mom-ness with us this Thursday, May 9th from 10am to 1pm in all our US stores. There will be tasty samples and lots of treats you’ll love. Plus we’re giving away goodie bags to the first 50 moms to claim them during Mom-O-Rama.
I’ll never forget the first time I pulled a whole roasted chicken from the oven. Juicy and golden, it was a beautiful sight. I almost didn’t want to eat it (but I’m glad I did)!
Whole chickens are one of the most popular items at the meat counter, and options span free-range to organic to pasture-raised and more. So what makes pasture-raised different?
Pasture Makes Perfect
Though hailed as a precursor to summertime gatherings, Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) has its roots in independence. It’s the day Mexicans commemorate their 1862 defeat of the French army in the Battle of Puebla. This holiday is embraced as a delicious chance to celebrate Mexican culture and history.
Cover your bases with refreshing drinks, quick dips and sauces, versatile sides and salads, savory mains and spiced-up desserts.
Start the party right with festive sippables.

"Blanching," is a cooking technique that brightens the colors and enhances the textures of fresh vegetables, and also makes them easier to digest. It's perfectly suited for recipes where you want to maintain maximum freshness and flavor, but avoid eating raw produce.
From wearing green clothes to drinking green beer, everyone seems to be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.
Why not take it one step further and eat green food, too?
Not only is it in the spirit of the day but eating green foods can be good for you too. How lucky! Here are some of our favorite green foods and recipes to inspire your menu on March 17th and beyond.
Breakfast
We embrace the lean, adaptable slab of brisket as a springtime favorite, but look to it year-round to inexpensively feed a crowd. You can go several ways with brisket – slow-cooked pot roast-style with root vegetables, smoked and slathered with barbecue sauce (burnt ends please!), blanketed in lemon slices and simply roasted. You really can’t go wrong with this versatile cut, but we here to make sure things go very right.
When I was pregnant with my second child, I craved hardboiled eggs. At first, I ate them plain or with a sprinkle of sea salt flakes. Then I used them as a sandwich filling at breakfast or lunch. Finally I started making deviled eggs for one…well, technically two. My experimentations with deviled egg recipes ranged from using dry mustard to capers to bacon to chives. As many deviled eggs as I ate from one trimester to the next, I never did get sick of them.
Britney is the web editor at Kiwi magazine, a publication devoted to green and healthy living for families. She has previously written for Parents magazine and The Huffington Post.

When it comes to romance, we’re most comfortable showing our love in the kitchen. But treasures to have and to hold? That’s a little more complicated. We asked our pals at Etsy for a little help sorting out gift options this Valentine’s Day.
We’ve paired our tasty recipes with unique gifts from Etsy for a match made in heaven! Wow your sweetheart with a thoughtful one-of-a-kind treasure and a plateful of something delicious.
Breakfast in Bed
You may have taken a breather from indulgences during January, but the official month of love (and chocolate!) is upon us. You could show up to your sweetheart’s with a cellophane-wrapped box of mystery chocolates, or you could head to the kitchen and whip up your own chocolate-enrobed treat and let the proverbial Cupid’s arrow fly.
These recipes run the gamut from dark and fudgy to spicy and crisp – let your heart be your guide.
You could mark Mardi Gras with masks, beads and a flight to New Orleans, but a plate of pancakes is an easy and fun way to pay homage to Shrove Tuesday traditions. Throw a pancake party with these eight flapjacks-gone-wild recipes.
They say the way to a lover’s heart is through the stomach, and while that looks unappetizing in print, we know it’s true. Would your sweetheart be by your side if you’d plunked down a frozen burrito on your first let’s-do-dinner-at-my-place? Didn't think so.
Salty, sour, crunchy, juicy – fried pickles boast a unique combination of flavors and textures. If you’ve never experienced fried pickles, consider yourself warned – you may find yourself craving them on a daily basis!

There are few things I like better than guacamole. The flavor and texture are amazing, and it seems you can’t avoid feeling festive when you serve it.
Looking for a little guidance through this month of oh-so-many expectations? Try these 9 easy tweaks and enjoy better-for-you-food without overhauling your life.
1. House Rule: Always eat a green salad when you eat pizza.
Gathering together and sharing food is a big part of the holidays, and it can be easy to overindulge on all the tasty treats that are available. Luckily, if you’re looking for alternatives to the standard fare, we’ve got options.
Our Health Starts Here® recipes celebrate naturally flavorful whole foods, and even in wintertime there are plenty of delicious options for the holiday table. Try adding a few of these dishes to your festive feast.
Sure, you’ve probably already cruised by the cookie jar more than a few times this week, but have you thought about what to serve as your dessert centerpiece for your Christmas celebration?
Whether your taste buds are longing for something decadent or something light (or you just want another excuse for pie), we’ve got the recipes for you. Set your dessert table with a few of these options:
Whether the star of your holiday feast is pork, chicken, beef or a veggie alternative, add a beer-alicious zing with this malty sweet, lip-smacking beer glaze!
The holiday entertaining season is in full swing! I love getting together with friends to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s – not only because I get to see people I love, but because there’s always plenty of nibbles.
Parties featuring small bites instead of full meals make for a relaxed atmosphere and allow for a wide variety of foods. There’s always something to make every palate happy, and the small portions make it easy to visit with friends instead of being stuck at a table for a five-course dinner.
The two words “Christmas dinner” evoke memories of happy meals around a large table, with family members not seen all year long. Piles of warm rolls, tender green beans, potatoes dripping with gravy, and the centerpiece ham – my mouth is watering just thinking about it!
Navigating holiday foods doesn’t have to be difficult for those with special dietary needs. With a little planning and preparation, you can create a spectacular meal suitable for many food preferences.
We’ve gathered some of our favorite holiday gluten-free and dairy-free recipes.
Gluten-Free Recipes
This week, Susan demonstrates two easy techniques for zesting citrus.

From the traditional latke to tender brisket, the comforting flavors of Hanukkah are an important part of the season. Whether you’re setting your table for a large gathering or just a small meal, here are our suggestions for a delicious Hanukkah.
Susan writes the blog Cardamom Kitchen to share her culinary experiences as an Indian-American rooted in the Midwest. Luckily she's also sharing her experiences with Whole Story readers by demystifing essential cooking skills with step-by-step instructions and her own handsome photos.
When it comes to Thanksgiving, my family’s creed is “The more the merrier!” We’re not just talking about guests here – we mean the food! Turkey Day leftovers, from a classic turkey sandwich to mashed potato fritters, are a big part of our holiday enjoyment.
Do you love reliving the Thanksgiving meal just as much as we do? Or are you dreading the stacks of reusable containers filling your fridge on Thursday night? Either way, there are plenty of ways to enjoy those leftovers without making your plate look like another pass at the buffet table.
Turkey
The turkey might get all the attention for Thanksgiving, but I’d much rather fill my plate with a variety of amazing sides. After all, isn’t part of the point of a Thanksgiving banquet to taste as many dishes as possible, from Grandma Ruth’s cherished sweet potatoes to your foodie cousin’s new twist on stuffing?
If you’re looking for some stunning sides to round out your holiday table, we’ve got lots of options. Here’s a few of my favorites:
Susan Pachikara of Cardamom Kitchen demystifies essential cooking skills with step-by-step instructions and her own handsome photos.
There’s lots of talk about turkey leftovers but what about that leftover stuffing or cranberry sauce? Here are some easy ways to use them up. In fact, I suggest buying extras of these Thanksgiving pantry staples because these recipes are delicious any time of year.

Stuffing
Susan writes the blog Cardamom Kitchen to share her culinary experiences as an Indian-American rooted in the Midwest. Luckily she's also sharing her experiences with Whole Story readers by demystifing essential cooking skills with step-by-step instructions and her own handsome photos.
Those sweaters have come out, the heaters have started coming on in the mornings, the hot soups are back onto weekly menus, and all the heirloom hard squash and pumpkins are spilling out of every Whole Foods Market® outdoor display. Autumn is here and the holidays are right around the corner!
Susan writes the blog Cardamom Kitchen to share her culinary experiences as an Indian-American rooted in the Midwest. Luckily she's also sharing her experiences with Whole Story readers by demystifing essential cooking skills with step-by-step instructions and her own handsome photos.
From the tip of their distinctive shape right down to their unique texture, pears are a beautifully satisfying fruit. And autumn and winter are the perfect time for pears and when you’ll see the most varieties.
Fall weather is a great invitation to start baking, but many of the treats that define the flavors of the season are pies and other baked goods. If you or your loved ones follow a gluten-free diet, you’ll need to get a little more creative.
Susan writes the blog Cardamom Kitchen to share her culinary experiences as an Indian-American rooted in the Midwest. Luckily she's also sharing her experiences with Whole Story readers by demystifing essential cooking skills with step-by-step instructions and her own handsome photos.
With a five-year-old in the house, Halloween is a big deal for our family. Sure, we negotiate most of the candy away from our son, but the thrill of the holiday is getting to dress up and go out in the dark! For the adults, we appreciate the family time of a long stroll and my son’s excitement over every house visit.
We keep dinner easy on busy nights, and Halloween is no exception. These recipes are quickly ready for the table and provide a nourishing meal in your belly before a night of tempting treats.
If Labor Day marks the end of summer, Halloween kicks off the holiday party season. In our house, with a spunky five-year old, we love dressing up in costumes all year long. So when Halloween comes around, the only problem is deciding what to wear – every day my son comes up with a new idea for his trick-or-treat outfit!
There is something so satisfying about crunching into a sweet apple with just a twist of tartness, and they have a regular spot in our fridge at home and in our lunchboxes (the toddler’s and the grownups’). Apples are available year-round, but they’re at their best during the fall. Don’t miss this year’s crop – they’re especially delicious!
While Galas and Fujis are my go-to apples, each year I see a new variety that I’ve never tried before and have to taste. No matter which variety you choose, look for firm, fragrant, bruise-free fruit.
Susan writes the blog Cardamom Kitchen to share her culinary experiences as an Indian-American rooted in the Midwest. Luckily she's also sharing her experiences with Whole Story readers by demystifing essential cooking skills with step-by-step instructions and her own handsome photos.
Ahhh, fall! There is no other season that has me wanting to jump into the kitchen and bake up something scrumptious. After all, what’s more comforting than the aroma of a freshly baked pie or loaf of bread wafting through the house?
Fall baking means classic fall flavors – pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, sage, gingerbread and more. And between quick bread, pie, cookies, pie, biscuits, pie and cake (and did I mention pie?) there are plenty of recipes to warm your house and tummy. Think of it as a test run for all the holiday baking to come!
I used to be one of those people who thought that cooking healthy food was all about bland, boiled dishes. But that’s not so! By using spices and herbs instead of added sodium, extracted oils and refined sweeteners, healthy recipes can indeed be delicious.
Bake sales, fall festivals, birthday parties – there are lots of treats all around us and lot of them contain nuts. But what if you're not nuts for nuts? Then you're in the right spot. We've pulled together some of our favorite recipes for baked goods that don't call for nuts.
When I was a kid in Wisconsin, we had raspberry and black raspberry bushes growing in our backyard. Once those berries started to ripen, the family would head out every day and pick as many as we wanted for an afternoon snack. Even our Springer Spaniel was in on the act, snagging the low fruit while we went for the higher ones that tempted the neighborhood birds.
Though the days are getting colder, there’s still a wealth of yummy vegetables out there, just waiting to make it to your table. Hearty beans are a great ingredient to explore this season too. Whether you’re a vegetarian, love veggies or you simply enjoy delicious, seasonal foods the abundant produce available in fall is hard to resist!
From warming, hearty dishes to cold-weather salads, these recipes will keep you cozy through fall:
Winnie Hsia is a founder, instructor, and performer with Sky Candy, Austin’s first and most diverse aerial and circus arts school. You may remember her as Whole Foods Market®’s first Social Media Coordinator and Community Manager. She still loves making meals at home from scratch and entertaining friends and family.
Although the roots of the term “wench” are technically Middle English and “beer wench” is now common Australian slang, wenches are more closely associated with the beer culture in Germany than anywhere else.
Cooler weather and the return to routine calls for a return to the kitchen as well. Fall is a great time to introduce the family to new flavors, especially when incorporating fresh produce.
I want to talk about fall color. Not the typical autumn hues of fiery red, rich gold and deep umber but one color not normally associated with fall: green. In particular, the green you see in the produce section this time of year.
Susan writes the blog Cardamom Kitchen to share her culinary experiences as an Indian-American rooted in the Midwest. Luckily she's also sharing her experiences with Whole Story readers by demystifing essential cooking skills with step-by-step instructions and her own handsome photos. First up, how to make fresh and dry bread crumbs.
At Oktoberfest in Munich, they generally serve more than ten million pints of beer and close to a million sausages. Of course, they have a reputation to uphold as the birthplace of Oktoberfest back in 1810, celebrating the wedding of Crown Prince Luitpold I and Princess Theressa of Bavaria. It strikes me a little odd that we are still celebrating that union today. But, of course, it may be that we are really celebrating the perfect union of wurst (sausage) and brew (beer) instead!
The official start of fall is just days away, but I’ve been in a fall-cooking mindset since Labor Day. For me that doesn’t just mean cool-weather produce like apples, butternut squash and Brussels sprouts – it means hearty meals that don’t require a lot of post-dinner cleanup. As we creep toward winter, I know I’d rather spend extra time soaking up the remaining sun than doing a mountain of dishes!
That’s why I turn to one-pot meals like spicy chili, simmered soups and fast frittatas to get dinner on the table.
Our butchers are a cut above the rest, and we just crowned the king.
As the heat of summer slowly subsides, the autumn change of weather begins to offer those amazing crisp mornings, and colder nights.
Is there anything more refreshing than the juicy sweetness that bursts when eating a cold grape? I know I’m not the only one who tries to keep grapes cold for ultimate enjoyment, even making sure to put them next to a cooler pack in my lunch bag. My son has gotten on the grapey train too, gobbling them up by the bowlful after a long afternoon playing outside.
Don’t get me wrong – I love taking in a game at the ballpark in the heat of summer, but when September rolls around I am more than ready to trade innings and home runs for quarters and touchdowns. Maybe it’s my Wisconsin roots and home team pride, or maybe it’s the opportunity to provide a delectable array of treats to nosh on week after week.
Of course, I don’t want to spend lots of time in the kitchen instead of watching the game. That’s why I rely on no-nonsense recipes to help me score big.
Pre-Game Prepped
Before my son was born, “date night” with my husband sometimes consisted of pouring a glass of wine, turning on some music and spending a leisurely evening cooking up a complicated meal that was exquisitely delicious. Over dinner we’d guesstimate how much such a divine dinner would cost if we ate it at a restaurant and we'd congratulate ourselves on our cooking talents and our savings savvy.

Fee-fi-fo-fum! Remember the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, the English folktale about a boy who goes to market to sell his cow and ends up with magic beans that grow into a gigantic beanstalk? As a child I was fascinated by that story, only to become spellbound once my mother told me my green beans came from beanstalks. Could the green beans I was having for dinner possibly be from the same beanstalk that Jack had climbed?
Originating in Peru, green beans spread throughout South and Central America, and eventually Europe and the rest of the world. They are known by many names, including “snap beans,” “pole beans” and “string beans,” although the thin string that runs down the side of the bean is rarely found in modern varieties. Although mostly green in color, some “green beans” are yellow, red, whitish green and even streaked with color.
Does anyone else build an entire meal out of summer fruits? I find it hard not to insert fruit into every meal, especially when we’re in the height of the hot weather and need all the cooling, quenching refreshment we can get!
Stone fruits like peaches, nectarines and plums (and yes, even cherries!) may seem too fussy for summer snacking due to the large pits, but every juicy bite is worth it!
If you’re doing more than just snacking with stone fruits, look for freestone varieties, which have easily-removed pits.
Summer may be winding down, but you can still serve the last of the season’s superstars at your table without worrying about making ends meet. The Whole Deal value guide has a week full of savvy meal solutions for summer’s last hurrahs or for any day. Here’s the plan:
MONDAY: Veggie Monday
Grilled veggie kabobs with peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and eggplant wrapped in a pita with hummus will bring your family to the table. The promise of 365 Everyday Value® Organic Vanilla Wafers and yogurt for dessert will keep them glued to their seats until the final course.
TUESDAY: Grass-Fed Greatness
Easy and flavorful Grass-Fed Beef and Couscous Lettuce Wraps with Mint are…well, great and we think your family will agree. Pour smooth, sweet Thirst Tamer tea for the kids and Bubo Zinfandel for the grown-ups. Then delight your table with fresh peaches.
There’s no doubt about it: tomatoes are one of the best things about summer. Once those vine-ripened beauties start appearing, my brain goes into overdrive coming up with ways to use them before the season ends. Roasted and topped on salads, sautéed with garlic and served with pasta, or sliced thick and added to sandwiches — my mouth is watering just thinking about it!
In fact, my summer tomato love has led me to “put up” 40 pounds of heirloom paste tomatoes this year. Even if you’re not a canner, you can still enjoy juicy, flavorful summertime tomatoes in these recipes. But you better eat up because the heirloom season doesn’t last long!
When the heat is on, the last thing I want to do is cook up a big, heavy meal. Salads to the rescue! Not only are they full of crisp, refreshing ingredients, they’re a snap to put together. Veggies, grains, beans and fruits are all key components of a perfect salad. If you want to step outside the traditional salad bowl, try a few of these.
It’s the perfect time to explore an almost endless variety of produce at its peak. From sweet berries, cherries and melons to crisp cucumbers, creamy eggplant and gorgeous heirloom tomatoes, summer makes it easy to load our plates with fresh flavors. Need ideas on how to serve the season’s best offerings? I like to serve up summer are in dishes that go light on the salt and don’t use any extracted oils or refined sweeteners. Who needs that stuff? Summer produce is flavorful all on its own. Some might call these recipes healthy, I call them delicious!
Finding a meal adults will agree on is hard enough, but throw kids into the mix and you’ve got a recipe for nightly disaster. Although I’ve been lucky enough to be blessed with an adventurous eater, we still have to deal with spur-of-the-moment taste changes and almost nonstop requests for the foods he adores. It seems there’s no way around kids being, well, kids, at mealtime, but thankfully there are dishes out there that are sure to please your small fry without resorting to French fries. Here are some of my picks for picky eaters (big and small):
Swordfish is not like other fishes – rich and meaty, it’s almost hard to believe you’re eating seafood! I had only ever tried swordfish in restaurants, thinking that it would be much too difficult to prepare at home. Luckily, I was wrong! Swordfish cooked at home can be on the table in only a few minutes. Summer is the best time to catch swordfish at its freshest. For a few short weeks harpoon-caught swordfish comes to us from a Nova Scotia fishery certified sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council.
Summer is so full of fresh fruit that it’s hard to decide just which one to snack on. Unless the sweet cherries have come in! We always pick up a bag of juicy dark-red cherries for the family to share, and it’s one of my son’s favorite fruits to eat. He loves helping prep them by pulling off the stem and handing them to me for the pitting. It’s not long before we’ve worked through half the bag and splattered cherry juice all over the kitchen table. The sweet fruit makes it worth a little mess, though! Cherries are delicious in a variety of dishes, from classic pie to savory scallops.
I’m one of those people who love soup year-round. It’s not only easy to make, but amazingly customizable, ultra comforting and of course, the perfect thing to dip crusty bread into. So when summer’s temperatures start creeping up, it doesn’t stop me from whipping up a batch of soup – cold soup, that is! If you’ve never tried a cold soup before, you’re in for a treat. The most traditional cold soup, gazpacho, is made from the best that summer has to offer: juicy ripe tomatoes and crisp cucumbers. More than any salad, it’s summer in a bowl. Ready to get refreshed?
Now’s the time to go all out with summer melons. Whether you show up at the next picnic balancing a watermelon on your hip, or add chunks of cantaloupe to your morning smoothie and summer fruit salads, there are lots of ways to appreciate melons. Here are some of our favorite recipes featuring one of summer’s most refreshing fruits: Drinks and Coolers
We asked some team members to share how they pull off summer entertaining with panache instead of panic. Jennifer shared her tips for hosting a last-minute dinner party. Now, it’s Elizabeth’s turn.
From diving into a pool to sitting in front of a box fan, it’s funny that we seek to escape the sultry summer after waiting for it all winter long. But who can resist the inner chill of eating ice cream while sweating in the sun? Definitely not my family. Weekend afternoons are spent lounging on the front porch with cones in hand, trying to eat them up before the sun turns the sweet treat into a sticky mess. We may not always win, but a little bit of scrubbing afterward is more than worth it.
What hot dog and burger cookout is complete without a side of beans? It’s easy enough to heat a few cans of prepared baked beans — and there are plenty of great canned options in our aisles that meet our exacting Quality Standards — but have you ever made baked beans from scratch? I think our version of Classic Baked Beans is pretty awesome!

Potlucks are like insta-parties: choose a location, add people and food, and voila! While the host might take care of the main dish, dessert or a vast selection of beverages, potlucks ensure that the cooking doesn’t fall entirely on their shoulders. That’s something everyone can appreciate during the long, lazy days of summer.
I don’t know about you, but as soon as I start getting my garden ready for tomato seedlings, I get itchy for a meal cooked on the grill. While we used to stick with tried-and-true burgers, bratwurst and corn on the cob, in recent years my family has branched out to grilling whole chickens, halved peaches and basket after basket of small, flavorful peppers. This summer, who knows what I’ll decide needs a turn on the flames!
Part of what makes grilling so fun is how endless the possibilities are.
American flag T-shirts; red, white and blue décor; news segments on the Founding Fathers … yup, it must be almost time for Independence Day! For me, it’s an opportunity to see the joy on my son’s face while he watches fireworks set to the national anthem. It’s not just patriotic pride that brings us together on July Fourth, but it’s also the love of connecting with family and friends.
We asked some team members to share how they pull off summer entertaining with panache instead of panicking. Jennifer, a writer at the global support office, is the first in this series.
Dads are often the unsung heroes of the family.
While moms often get all the attention for taking care of the kids, cooking meals or tending the house, dads are right there along with them, changing diapers, flipping pancakes and pulling weeds. Why not take some time to celebrate the dads in your family with a feast filled with favorite foods? Here are a few ideas to get the party started and give props to Pops. Is Dad a veggie fiend? We’ve got gorgeous summery salads and great meat-free options.
School may be out for summer but rest assured, we’re still doing our homework to offer great-tasting natural and organic products that meet our shoppers’ needs. Like all products on our shelves, these new offerings are free of hydrogenated fats and artificial preservatives, colors and flavors, meaning you get all the summer flavors you want and none of the junk you don’t.

Every spring, I count down the weekends until the local berry farm is ready to open for harvests. Then, full of visions of jam, pie, muffins and just plain eating, I load box after box with sweet, sun-ripened berries. (I can’t resist sneaking a few into my mouth, too.)
Can anything make a summer evening more satisfying than a glass of lightly chilled wine enjoyed on the patio? Pairing that wine with a delicious meal, of course!
Our Top Ten Wines for Summer provide a bevy of flavor and value, making it easy to choose summery fare for your entertaining table. Here are a few of our favorite recipes to pair and share.

It’s almost Memorial Day, and you know what that means – a string of parties, picnics and potlucks that only begins to subside in September. But don’t let that stress you out. I’m certainly not complaining. I love spending an afternoon or evening with my friends, relaxing and enjoying the company and delicious fare.
With the fast approach of school’s end and summer’s start, one thing you don’t want to worry about is how to balance your grocery budget to keep up with the onslaught of cookouts, sleepovers and just plain hungry kids.
But don’t fret – in the latest issue of The Whole Deal value guide, we’ve got recipes galore to keep mealtime simple, delicious and easy on the wallet.
Lindsay Robison is on the global public relations team and manages the @wholefoodsPR Twitter handle. A foodie at heart, in her free time she loves to cook, eat, read food magazines and write in her food blog, Apron Adventures.

Our grocery team works hard to bring great-tasting natural and organic products to our stores that meet our shoppers’ needs.
Admittedly one of the best things about working at Whole Foods Market is being able to taste your way through these innovative products. I have happily played hooky from my to-do list for a taste of chips and dips, gluten-free cereals and decadent desserts. (Does it still count as a taste if you go back for seconds and thirds?)
Looking for some fun and festive ways to ring in 2012? We asked around and gathered ten of our favorite ideas for homemade merrymaking. From family game night to a DIY sparkling drinks bar, we think you’ll find something that suits you. Of course, there are a ton of other ideas out there so let us hear them!Holiday parties don’t have to feature tacky sweaters and cheese balls – though if that’s your thing, live it up. And they don’t have to be stressful, expensive or leave you with a hangover, either. Here are some creative and cost-conscious ways to celebrate the season with friends.
Fresh herbs are a fantastic way to add subtle flavor to a dish or they can be used as boldly flavored garnishes and in sauces. Since herbs are quite perishable it’s best to use them soon after purchase.
We like to celebrate this time of year with our citrus growers who bring the bright taste of sunshine to the holidays! Many people think that citrus season is in the summer when other juicy fruits are in season, but peak citrus season is actually in the cooler months.
You wouldn’t think there’d be much opportunity for a better choice when it comes to something as simple as mustard, and for the most part, there isn’t…unless you care whether the mustard seed it’s made from was sprayed with toxic and persistent pesticides or herbicides and whether some of those chemicals may have ended up in the
That’s right! Today only, June 17th you can get a pint of organic blueberry goodness for only $1.99.
One of the best things about social media is that it allows us to connect with people that enjoy eating food and sharing it with others as much as we do.
That's right! Super delicious, large ORGANIC Hass avocados are on sale this Friday only, February 4th, for 5 for $5! Whether you buy 1, 5 or 25, you'll get that rich taste and creamy texture at a great value. Perfect for your famous guacamole and more!
For many people, when it comes down to it, Thanksgiving is all about the side dishes. Here are some of our very favorite holiday side dishes. For a more complete listing, visit our holiday recipe pages.
XX = Amount of savings and grower sources vary by stores. But you can bet it’s a heck of a deal regardless!
Growing up, the minute it started getting cooler, my parents would whip up the first of many batches of vegetable soup. Their recipe is easy enough, but when cooking for one, I burn out on it pretty fast.
Flying into Switzerland I am always amazed by the mountains. The world famous Alps, home to mountaineers, skiers and even stories about elephants crossing (not sure how this ever happened). In my visits to the country I have always been impressed by the pristine wonder of nature.
Our Fall into Organics celebration is well underway, and our favorite pick for this week is Bartlett Pears. Known for their quintessential “pear flavor,” Bartletts are aromatic, sweet and juicy with a soft, smooth texture.
I don’t mean to be corny, but popcorn is a snack that is just bursting with value! Although, I have to admit it’s not exactly bursting with flavor, which is why folks typically take to drowning it in butter and salt. But I’m here to tell you there’s a better way to flavorize your popcorn.
Remember Mary Poppins? “A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down….” Well, that’s just a spoonful. What happens when it becomes 22 spoonfuls, or worse, 34 spoonfuls? That’s right!
Are you celebrating fall with organic produce? We are! Our favorite pick for this week is gala apples.
As the dog days of summer come to an end and the air becomes crisp, it’s time for some great fall produce. Hard squash, leafy greens, cauliflower and fruits like apples, pears and pomegranates begin appearing in our stores and on our plates, and there are many ways to enjoy this bounty — even if you’re cooking for one person.
We love organic produce. And this fall, we are celebrating some of our favorite organic fall picks. Here’s the first: red grapes!
September is an overlap month in the world of vegetables. Tomatoes, squash, corn and other summer vegetables are still available in abundance and while most of these are still quite good, the cool fall evenings and crisp mornings bring with them that familiar tug in my tummy to the hardier greens and roots of fall.One of our seven Core Values is "Caring about our Communities and our Environment" and we embody that Core Value by doing our part to lessen our impact on the environment, and by giving back to the communities where we do business. In honor of this Core Value, we'd like to give a "shout out" to a few of our vendor suppliers who created products especially for our 30th birthday, with portions of the sales donated to organizations and foundations supporting the health and well-being of our greater global community!
If you guessed artisan cheeses, you'd be right! And you won't find them anywhere other than in our stores because award-winning artisan cheesemakers Sue Conley and Peggy Smith of Cowgirl Creamery and Mary Keehn of Cypress Grove developed these two exclusive cheeses to celebrate Whole Foods Market's Big 3-0. What a cool present!
For most of us, September means back to school, changing leaves on trees and the gradual cooling (thankfully!) that marks the beginning of fall. For produce, September also marks a rare overlap of two distinctive seasons where the remaining bounty of summer is joined by the first of fall's apples and pears.Liz Pearson worked as the kitchen director for Saveur magazine before moving back to her native Texas.
In the lead up to Labor Day - the last big grilling event of the summer - our Whole Foods Market meat teams are pulling out all the stops to introduce you to our grass-fed beef rancher partners.
Hey Newsletter Subscribers, we apologize for the coupon confusion! To get the exclusive coupon, all you need to do is print the email you received. As a paper saver, you might want to check your print preferences and print just the first page. You don’t need to print the coupon if you have a mobile device. Just pull it up on your device at checkout and show it to the cashier. It’s that easy! If you don’t subscribe to our newsletters, you should!

Our August/September issue of The Whole Deal value guide is full of bright ideas for back-to-school basics like brainy breakfasts.
Texas peaches are so good this summer that I’m eager to include them in as many meals as possible. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, I can’t think of anything that a peach can’t improve. I hope your local peach crop is as good as ours this year.
It’s tomato time and I am celebrating! Last night I sautéed tiny grape tomatoes in olive oil with garlic, basil, salt and pepper; then spooned it over grilled chicken and served it with steamed zucchini. I love seasonal eating.
I’m a big swimmer, especially in the summer. It’s a great way to unwind from a hard day at work, and I usually swim for at least an hour every evening. By the time I’m done, I’m ravenous and it’s late, so I turn to my trusty stash of summer vegetables for a delicious, simple dinner for one.
As an avid homebrewer who is also environmentally conscientious, I’ve looked for creative ways to use the byproducts of brewing beer, including the spent grain.“I did not have the dates but substituted with raisins and whatever raw nuts I had available. This was fabulous, easy and will become a staple in our home.”
Ain’t no cure for the Summertime Blues! Or maybe there is a cure. What about the many blue cheeses available that will make your picnickers do a happy dance? Think sliced blue cheese on burgers — there are some great ones from Wisconsin that are sure to please.
What would a summer garden be without basil? Pretty boring if you ask me! I love to think of fresh herbs as staples for exquisite cooking and, come summer, basil is a must-have. Its refreshing aroma and distinct flavor are loved by cooks all over the world and the popularity of pesto simply added to its appeal.
Recently I was lucky enough to be able to travel to Africa (for the first time!) as part of my work with the Whole Planet Foundation.
Lentils are so nutritionally rich that I think they should be eaten way more often – in fact, I just wrote a whole blog post about Loading Up on Lentils.
This week in our series tracking down the “Best Ever” classic summer dishes (see Best Ever Pasta Salad and
It’s week three of our collaborative 8-Week Recipe Contest with food52, an online community for home cooks. If you have a great recipe starring fresh cherries, go to the food52 contest page to submit your recipe for a chance to win a $100 gift card from Whole Foods Market.
It used to be that when I thought of bulk foods, I thought of one of those giant membership warehouses where I could buy a case of pretzels or a gross of cheese balls, but Whole Foods Market has changed that way of thinking for me.
Sue Swyt is our randomly selected winner of the $25 gift card. Thanks everyone for your entries!
Spring is in the air again! The days are getting warmer, the flora is blooming, and the Easter bunny is hiding right around the corner. What better way to celebrate than by helping him fill his basket with beautiful, naturally decorated eggs?


Mmmmm...adding a steaming hot cup of green tea to a crazy afternoon brings its own measure of peace and tranquility, but did you know that routine consumption also brings an easy, comforting boost of beneficial phytochemicals and powerful antioxidants?
Need some help kicking your New Year into gear? I'm not as big on resolutions (which can seem kind of lofty and unattainable) as I am on lifestyle changes. Here are some of the ones I recommend to all of my new clients to get them off to a good start.
I had a bit of a panic moment earlier this month. Our annual office holiday meal was right around the corner and I was having no luck locating good foraged mushrooms (Chanterelles) for the dish I traditionally contribute.
...on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose. I've sung that song for (many) years but grew up with little understanding of chestnuts. Living in Texas and California, I spent more time decorating cactus at Christmas time than ice skating, playing in the snow or eating roasted nuts.

I have a confession: Of all the citrus fruits, my absolute favorite is grapefruit. Sinfully refreshing, every grapefruit season I indulge almost daily with drizzled raw honey and lightly roasted walnuts! I love it as well for an afternoon snack or an after dinner dessert, as is, or with a square or two of dark chocolate.
Thank goodness for leftovers! One of the joys of being the holiday host is having delicious leftovers available for subsequent meals. Here are some of our favorite tips for making new, exciting dishes from your leftovers.
Mashed Potatoes