Whether it’s Thanksgiving without the turkey or veggie burgers on Father’s Day, trading in the meat-y centerpiece of a celebratory meal can seem daunting for dinner hosts, but it doesn’t have to be.

Chef Kim O’Donnel, trained chef, longtime journalist and author of The Meat Lover’s Meatless Cookbook: Vegetarian Recipes Carnivores Will Devour and The Meat Lover’s Meatless Celebrations is here to help!  Come spend time with Chef Kim and PNW Co-op Specialty Foods as she cooks some of her most satisfying meatless alternatives and gives insight into customary holiday fare.

In Meat Lover’s Meatless Celebrations, author Kim O’Donnel extends her Meatless Monday lifestyle to special occasions, with twenty six menus from appetizers to desserts, sans the stigma of typecasts like that questionably colored tofu turkey.  Both cooks looking to transition from meat diets and longtime vegetarians will delight in the bounty of kitchen inspiration, with seasonally themed recipes and menus for all kinds of occasion.

Stop by and try her Red Lentil Puree and Southern Fried Chickpea Patty with BBQ Sauce and have her sign a copy of her cookbook. 

January is the time to focus on health, and we have all the supplements and healthy lifestyle products you need to feel great. Our Health Fair will feature ten of our favorite vendors who will share their knowledge and offer samples of products including vitamins, supplements and nutrition bars. Plus, our super knowledgeable Whole Body team will be on hand to answer any questions you might have. Come kick off your healthy New Year habits with us! 

Want to eat healthy but don’t know where to start?  From January 16^th through February 13^th, take the 28-Day Challenge and adopt a plant-strong, whole food, nutrient dense way of eating!  A change like this can be, well, challenging.  Join others and our Healthy Eating Specialist Jen, as she helps you along the way to your heart-healthy, mind-healthy, body-healthy, and taste-bud-tempting, plant-strong lifestyle.  Jen is registered dietician with her Master's in Nutrition Sciences from Bastyr University.

For only $30, you will receive a suggested four-week meal plan, daily emails and a starter kit to help you stick to your healthy eating goals and achieve success.  Each kit contains delicious food samples from local vendors, recipes, a book, handouts, and food journals.  Each week, participants will attend weekly classes and check-ins with our Healthy Eating Specialist to help guide the way and provide an opportunity to talk with others taking the challenge.

To kick things off, on January 16^th, from 9-10 a.m., we will host a breakfast event and book signing with Rip Esselstyn, a former Austin (TX) firefighter, now Healthy Eating Ambassador for Whole Foods Market and author of the New York Times Best Seller book, The Engine 2 Diet.  Rip has appeared on the Today Show, Dr. Oz, as well as countless radio and print-media outlets.  He’ll be here to give an inspiring talk to start your challenge off right!

Fun prizes will be given away throughout the challenge.  For every class or check-in you attend, you'll get an extra chance to win a drawing for a Health Starts Here pantry makeover. 

Registration for the 28 Day Challenge is $30 and payment is required by January 13th.  Space is limited; first come first serve. Email jennifer.buchanan AT wholefoods DOT com, or stop by or call Customer Service at (206) 985-1500 x 0 to register.

Here are the planned classes and check-ins we will offer to Challenge participants. Attendance at classes is not required, but will be fun and rewarding!

28 Day Challenge Events

January 15th:  Orientation for 28 Day Challenge:  Restocking Your Pantry and Batch Cooking, 6-7pm

January 16th:  Rip Esselstyn: Breakfast event and book signing, 9-10am

January 19th:  Week 1 check-in, 10am

January 24th:  Plant-strong: Reconfiguring Your Plate and Alternatives to Oil and Salt, 6-7pm

January 26th:  Week 2 check-in, 10am

January 31st:  Healthy Fats:  Healthy Gameday (or everyday!) Snacks, 6-7pm

February 2nd:  Week 3 check-in, 10am

February 7th:  Nutrient Dense:  Getting the Most Bang for your Buck: Alternatives to Sugar, 6-7pm

February 9th:  Week 4 check-in, 10am

February 13th: Celebration-  Healthy Cook Off: Show Us Your Skills! 5-7pm

To kick off our 28 Day Challenge, we are hosting a breakfast event and book signing with Rip Esselstyn, a former Austin (TX) firefighter, now Healthy Eating Ambassador for Whole Foods Market and author of the New York Times Best Seller book, The Engine 2 Diet. Rip has appeared on the Today Show, Dr. Oz, as well as countless radio and print-media outlets. He’ll be here to give an inspiring talk to start your challenge off right!

Space is limited, first come, first serve. Please stop by our customer service booth or call 206-985-1500 to reserve your spot.

To kick off our 28 Day Challenge, we are hosting a breakfast event and book signing with Rip Esselstyn, a former Austin (TX) firefighter, now Healthy Eating Ambassador for Whole Foods Market and author of the New York Times Best Seller book, The Engine 2 Diet. Rip has appeared on the Today Show, Dr. Oz, as well as countless radio and print-media outlets. He’ll be here to give an inspiring talk to start your challenge off right!

Space is limited, first come, first serve. Please stop by our customer service booth or call 206-985-1500 to reserve your spot.

How you eat can help elevate your exerise. We'll share ideas, favorite recipes, and more. Follow #wfmdish on Twitter to join the conversation from 6pm - 7pm CST.

You've heard about "super foods" but what's behind all of the hype? Join us on Twitter from 6pm - 7pm CST to discuss just what super foods are, what they can do for you, and how to get more of them in your diet in tasy ways. Follow #wfmdish on Twitter to join the conversation.

From big game parties to comforting dinners and healthy soirees, winter is a great time for entertaining. Join us on Twitter from 6pm - 7pm CST to swap recipes, ideas, and more. Follow #wfmdish on Twitter to join the conversation.