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Win a Healthy Pantry Makeover
| Meet the Blogger | More Posts by Rebecca Joerres
To celebrate the New Year, we’re giving away ten $99 gift cards to help stock healthier pantries in 2011. Why? Because eating healthy can be done on a budget, and we’re going to show ten winners how!
Each of the ten winners will be chosen at random from the comments below. Each winner will receive a $99 gift card, a list of suggested products, and will be put in touch with one of our Healthy Eating Specialists. Our Healthy Eating Specialists are well versed in our Health Starts Here™ program and can help guide a shopping trip, suggest recipes and give cooking tips, or simply answer your questions about making healthier choices when it comes to food.
We’ll notify the winner by email during the first week of February to let them know how to get their gift card, and how to get in touch with a Healthy Eating Specialist at their local store.
The $99 gift card will cover your shelf-stable basics for stocking a healthier pantry. You'll need to shop for some of them two or three times a month, depending on how many people you are cooking for. Then, once or twice a week, you’ll shop for perishables and specific recipe ingredients.
So tell us, what healthy eating changes do you plan to make in 2011? Where do you find your motivation and inspiration? We want to hear it all!
Share a bit about your approach to healthy eating in the comments below by January 31st for a chance to win.
17,367 Comments
Comments
Mid 50's here & just had a health wake up call! I know a few basics of healthy eating but I have begun investing myself in learning a great deal more about natural foods. A trip to Whole Foods is a super fun adventure to me. Unrefined foods really DO taste better!!!
10/10/2011 12:16:13 PM CDT
When you start you kids off eating healthy whole grains and organic that just becomes normal for them. So they select those healthier products automatically,No nagging involved.
10/14/2011 11:04:50 PM CDT
We are trying to eat healthier for our son Jacob, who was diagnosed with PKU (Phenylketonuria) at 9 days old. He is now 15 months old and is still transitioning to table foods but it is difficult when he has to eat a certain way, low-protein foods/vegan diet, while the rest of the family are meat eaters. So I'm learning how to feed my family healthier and in a way that we can incorporate more foods that we can all eat as a family. There are many products available at your store that is beneficial to his diet, this opportunity to stock our pantry and to also work with a Healthy Eating Specialist will help our family out tremendously!
10/19/2011 4:57:33 PM CDT
You can certainly see your enthusiasm in the paintings you write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren't afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.
11/12/2011 3:50:09 PM CST
For years, I have eaten a "whole food" diet, comprised of home cooked/healthy prepared foods made from fresh, whole foods only. Seems to work for me! Would be great to add to the pantry, of course!
11/12/2011 7:33:45 PM CST
My goal is to eat healthier this year and years to come. I found out that I have High Blood Pressure at 47, that's not good. I plan to be here to see my grand kids grow up and great grands which I don't have yet. Thank God, but I am walking, drinking water, and trying to eat more grains and fruits. Being on a budget, healthy food is expensive so this would really help me out and the advise would be great. I will not go on blood pressure pills, I'll just take the water pills for now. Pill free is my goal to may side affects in medicine. Looking forward to getting the certificate.
11/14/2011 4:26:05 PM CST
I am a diabetic and need help in getting it better under control
11/30/2011 12:39:03 AM CST
Just had my second knee surgery...only 14. ive gained weight. i really want to be healthy again and get back in shape to play soccer!!! Help!
11/30/2011 4:44:37 PM CST
I am looking to have a diet for fibromyalgia/arthritsi.
I had a horrible accident due to a drunk driver years ago a Tramatic head injury and still I have aftermath from that and now I have the 2 things above added. I don`t know where to start? I know more fruits and vegetables are great! I just need help and a new way of eating so that I can releive the problems some and help my digestive system be better. I just don`t know where to start?? it is hard when your husband brings home not good things to eat.
My husband has asthma and I know help with his diet would help some to. I`m trying to get him to cut down on red meat, hard for a man, I have cut out red meat and rarely eat it. Trying alot of healthly soups. Just need some help on getting on the right track for life!!!
12/08/2011 11:23:31 AM CST
I am drinking more water and thinking more about what I eat. I want to finish this year strong and start the new year even stronger. I also want to learn to cook healthier and incorprate more vegetables.
12/09/2011 6:31:57 AM CST
I am intrigued, and mystified by bulk foods. I consider myself a healthy eater but have not figured out how to efficiently navigate the bulk food section. I love to cook and and not afraid to "cook from scratch" but need some planning, prep and shopping guidance.
I am up for a challenge and have been wanting to make over my pantry for a while. I have 2 kids 8 and 10 and a husband who could all benefit from eating less processed and more whole foods. Plus I think there is a lesson to be taught to today's children in regards to "making" your own food not just buying pre made and packaged food.
12/09/2011 1:00:14 PM CST
@Jody I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. Of course we always want to remind that we at Whole Foods Market are just foodies, and that when changing your diet for medical reasons you should always consult your doctor. That being said, thanks for your submission to the contest and good luck!
12/13/2011 10:20:18 AM CST
What healthy eating changes do you plan to make in 2011? Where do you find your motivation and inspiration?
Our family's health will start with financial health by putting a fixed amount of cash in a mason jar and using that to pay for a smaller, better quality groceries in the 2012. This isn't a punitive system, but rather an opportunity to make fewer, but better choices to support not only financial, but physical health.
12/17/2011 7:39:17 AM CST
I am going to be cutting out gluten from my diet to help with health issues and hopefully get in shape for my upcoming wedding.
:-)
12/22/2011 2:22:58 AM CST
I have been going to the cooking and health classes at whole foods this last year, wow, this has really opened my eyes!! thank you! i thought I was eating healthy, but have learned so much about real healthy eating, organics and food/body connection. Now I do understand that food is medicine and I am starting a new career and going back to school for holistic nutrition - thanks to whole foods and their wonderful community classes! I have begun the steps in the health starts here program myself, but this year I am excited to begin with the whole 28 day program and learn more!! Again, thanks to whole foods this is possible. I will continue to get healthier and educate others. Please pick me - I am a student now!
12/27/2011 8:58:06 AM CST
Thanks for sharing such a valuable information
12/28/2011 1:03:35 AM CST
I changed my eating habits March 2011,because a dear friend with diabetes is having serious problems and diabetes is in my family's DNA. In November 2011 the macular degeneration condition I have, progress and is a threat to my eyesight. These two situations requires healthy eating habits. I live in an area without a Whole Foods Market, therefore I drive 70 miles to shop at the Whole Foods Market. I am required to eat Swiss Chard, Kale and other green leafy vegetables which is difficult to locate in my hometown.I enjoy shopping at the Whole Foods Market and eating the prepared foods.I get great ideas for food preparations.
12/28/2011 7:11:28 AM CST
I'm a single mother of a growing baby. He is in hisself my motivation to eat better in 2012. It's very tough though since I'm on a budget, and rely on family and different charitable donations to stock up my pantry and that isn't usually the healthy stuff. Alot of canned goods and such. We make the best with what we have and the bright side is I'm learning slowly but surely how to cook more things so he is not eating alot of processed food, and is exposed to alot of different tastes. (so he doesn't become picky). I'm going to try to incorporate a veggie with EVERY meal or fruit at breakfast! Happy New Year!!
12/28/2011 9:12:56 PM CST
Rice, beans, dried pasta, diced tomatoes.
12/29/2011 5:18:16 AM CST
Eating more grains, fruits and veggies is my focus for the new year
12/29/2011 6:45:14 AM CST
rice and chocolate is all i need.
12/29/2011 7:45:00 AM CST
trying to stay away from gluten, sugar, flour and oil as much as possible this new year!
12/29/2011 7:52:19 AM CST
Got to have black beans, peanut butter, low carb tortillas, and low sodium chicken broth in the pantry.
12/29/2011 8:01:49 AM CST
I keep pasta, diced tomatoes, dark ground turkey breast available. Add in fresh vegetable ie onions, peppers, mushrooms and add zucchini, broccoli and any vegetable i have on hand. This makes a quick healthy stirfry. Add seasonings such as Turmeric, a great ani inflammatory. Great on a large tortilla for next days healthy lunch.
12/29/2011 8:03:44 AM CST
Beans, oatmeal, peanut butter!
12/29/2011 8:14:02 AM CST