Putumayo Kids just released what’s destined to be your kid’s new favorite: Jazz Playground. From bebop and swing to Latin and African jazz, this multicultural CD celebrates the vibrant diversity and global influence of jazz and will get the whole family grooving. (Read on for a chance to win some Putumayo CDs.)

I’ve loved their Playground series since my daughter was young and would play a CD over and over and over again. We quickly realized that Putumayo CDs pleased her as well as us! It turns out that Dan Storper, founder of Putumayo, had that exact plan in mind:

With our children’s series, my professional goals and responsibilities as a father of a 4-year-old son seem to merge. I’m always looking for songs that William will love and, despite playing scores of time, won’t drive my wife and me crazy. Jazz Playground is filled with lots of loveable, jazzy songs that are great fun for kids but which parents not only can bear but may even press the replay button for themselves. One of the songs, Cumbamba, by Cuban-American, Jose Conde, was recorded especially for this CD after I’d heard a scratchy, early version that I thought would sound nice if re-recorded. The cross-cultural collaborations and tasteful versions of children’s favorites like Sing a Song of Sixpence, Mary Had a Little Lamb and the Spiderman theme song make this a one of kind musical journey that the whole family can appreciate.

Want a taste? Try this track from Oran Etkin for Little Lamb Jam.

Note: you can simply listen online using the player below, or you can “right click” to download the mp3 file.

Want more? Pick up Jazz Playground, now available in our stores. Bebop, swing and all that jazz: cool tunes for global kids!

Want to win? By March 16th, enter a comment letting us know what CD you or your kids listen to incessantly, and we’ll choose a random winner to receive a 5-title Putumayo package – a little something for everyone.

Whole Foods Market Organic Castile Soaps

• Check it out — these all-purpose liquid soaps are organic!
• Scented with pure essential oils, they provide a rich, luxurious lather perfect for skin, hair, body, kitchen and household
• Try all three scents: Lavender, Almond and Peppermint

Whole Foods Market L-Theanine

• Honor your body and mind with this new dietary supplement
• It supports non-drowsy mental and physical relaxation
• 100 mg vegetarian capsules

Whole Foods Market NAC

• Support your body and mind with this new dietary supplement
• It provides important everyday antioxidants
• 500 mg easy-to-swallow-capsules

VivAgave Organic Blue Agave Inulin

• This versatile, soluble-fiber prebiotic supports “good” intestinal bacteria
• Use it as a low-glycemic addition to cereal, juices, smoothies or anywhere you may need more fiber
• Look for the Original and Organic Vanilla varieties in the Agave syrup section

Wallaby Organic European Style Sour Cream

• Try Wallaby’s new, ultra-rich sour cream
• Give your favorite dish a decadent, creamy touch
• It’s made with cultured organic cream and no additives

Wallaby Organic Yogurts

• Deliciously smooth Australian-style yogurt made in the Napa Valley
• Try all three new 6 oz. varieties: Lowfat Plain, Lowfat Vanilla Bean and Caramel Apple Down Under

Nature’s Path Organic Granola Bars

• Introducing a delicious assortment of granola bar flavors, from salty to sweet and everything in between
• New, reduced packaging means environmental savings
• Try all eight varieties: Pumpkin-n-Spice, Sunny Hemp, Berry Strawberry, Lotta’ Apricotta, Peanut Buddy, Peanut Choco, Chococonut and Mmmaple Pecan

Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Organic Cereals

• Enjoy the crunchy goodness of gluten-free cereal made from organic corn, rice, flax, quinoa, buckwheat and amaranth
• They’re packed with fiber and whole grains
• Try both the Crunchy Vanilla and Crunchy Maple Sunrise varieties

Products may only be available in some stores and only while supplies last.

Here’s a confession: My brother ate nothing but peanut butter (on bread) for an entire year. He was a little kid and my mom obviously wasn’t taking control of his diet! He wanted peanut butter and she let him have it. Of course there are all kinds of things wrong with that and, luckily, he’s outgrown the obsession. He still loves peanut butter and (in moderation) there’s everything right about that!

So, what would you do with a case of peanut butter? Read on for a chance to win one! It doesn’t matter how you like it-smooth, crunchy, unsweetened or no salt added-we’ve got you covered with our 365 Everyday Value® Organic Peanut Butter at $3.49 for 18oz. And guess what? Our March/April issue of The Whole Deal has a $1.00 off coupon. Print the online coupon or pick up the value guide with coupons in our stores. Now that’s a tasty deal.

Do you think that peanut butter is kind of all the same? We don’t. In our experience, the peanuts that go into that jar make a big, flavorful difference, and organic makes even more of a difference. That’s why we require the best-tasting organic peanuts for the peanut butter that wears our name. The organic Spanish peanuts used in our 365 Everyday Value Organic Peanut Butter are grown by several family farmers in West Texas, like the Bingham Family.

Cliff Bingham is a 4th generation farmer. His wife, five sons, six daughters, son-in-law and granddaughter – along with the grandparents – are involved in the family farming business. Bingham Family Vineyards and Farm not only grows peanuts, they grow wine grapes for Texas wineries and organic row crops like cotton, wheat, rye, black-eyed peas, blue corn, sesame and garbanzo beans. When they aren’t farming, the Bingham family is big into playing music – many of the kids play multiple instruments and perform with the Lubbock Youth Symphony Orchestra. The family enjoys playing a variety of music including classical, country, gospel, fiddle and wedding songs!

With all those active kids, I bet that family eats a lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. But aside from PB&J, there are many delicious, grown-up and fun, not-so-grown-up ways to eat peanut butter. Here are a few of our favorites:

Apple Sandwiches with Granola and Peanut Butter

Lettuce Wraps with Chile Peanut Noodles

Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Curry Coconut Peanut Sauce

Peanutty Udon Noodle and Tofu Salad

PB & J Pancakes

So, how do you enjoy peanut butter? Let us know in the comments by March 12th and you’ll be entered to win a case of 365 Everyday Value® Organic Peanut Butter! And, by the way, my brother is NOT eligible to win.

2010 is an exciting year for many reasons. It’s the beginning of a new decade, the end of 2009 (thank goodness!) and it is the year Whole Foods Market celebrates our 30th birthday! In September of 1980, John Mackey and Renee Lawson opened Whole Foods Market on Lamar Street in Austin, Texas with a staff of 19.

We asked some of our team members who have been with us from the beginning, or practically the beginning, to share their favorite stories about those early days.

Peggy Hayes, now a Team Member at our Southwest Distribution Center, started working at the original Whole Foods Market in 1981, right before the flood that almost ended the whole business. She remembers that day:

On my fourth day of work, I got on my bicycle and headed to Whole Foods Market. The closer I got to the store, the more devastating the landscape looked. The flood had come through overnight and had risen as high as the street lights. Homes and businesses were ruined, all up Lamar Street. The inside of the store had turned into one big whirlpool. I was told employees would not be able to continue to work or be paid, that the store may not survive. I decided to stay and I found the best group of people and the most considerate group of leaders I had ever worked for. The kindness, trust and equality shown to all made a tremendous impression on me. We faced hard work and those who choose to stay were paid and as you know the store not only survived but thrived. It was great fun working in the original Whole Foods Market.

While Team Member Nathan Perry didn’t start working for Whole Foods Market until 1996, he has memories from when his mother became a team member in 1981. (See if you can spot Nathan in the photo. Hint: he was 8 years old!) This is what he remembers about growing up with Whole Foods Market:

In 1981, my mom and I moved to Austin and she started working at the original Whole Foods on Lamar Street. I was eight years old. My favorite childhood memories of the store are the simple ones. I remember being excited about going to the store for an after-school snack at Martin Brothers Café (café inside the store); usually I’d have either a Strawberry Blonde smoothie or a turkey sandwich that came topped with bean sprouts and served with chips and salsa. I can picture myself sitting in the front of the store in the booths that lined the cafe, wearing socks to my knees, and watching customers and employees pass by the front end.

One person I remember seeing move through the front end of the store was Jimmie Turner. A smiling, dreadlocked man on roller skates in a grocery store communicating entirely in sign language can leave an impression on a young boy. Seeing Jimmie on skates interacting with others left me with a beautiful impression. This lovely man exuded an aura of love and happiness as he gracefully danced across the room engaging customers and Team Members alike. When Jimmie approached someone, he always looked them in the eye and greeted the person with a great big smile and a long hug. His spirit seemed to make the room shine.

Dave Hemphill, now a Team Leader on the Global Payroll Team, recalls his first meeting as a new team member when he joined the company in 1984.

Since I was a new employee, I decided to sit in the back where I could observe. There was one agenda item: a new policy that required store employees to wear a button with their name on it. One of the beautiful cashiers opened by saying, “I do not want everyone to know my name.” The discussion grew very heated and no one believed there could be a positive outcome if Whole Foods adopted this “big brother” policy and if it did, it would surely be “the end.”

Then I remember that a whisper started traveling through the crowd. It went “Renee is about to speak” or “Renee has something to say.” Wondering who Renee was, I asked someone sitting next to me. “She is the Lamar store leader,” they replied. The room grew quiet as people leaned forward to hear what Renee was going to say. I prepared myself for something profound.

Renee began to speak in a very quiet and faltering (and I mean really l-o-o-o-n-g pauses between certain words). As we all leaned forward and listened carefully Renee said “All this talk… … …(long pause)… … … makes me think… … … (long pause)… … … button… … … (long pause)… … … button… … … (long pause)… … … who’s got the… … …button.”

In a very extraordinary way, the button issue seemed totally diffused (or upstaged) and everyone in the room began laughing. The meeting was over. Going forward everyone at the store wore name buttons.

We’ll be sharing more stories as we celebrate our 30th year. Thanks for being here with us! What are your favorite memories?

While the New Year provides a framework for making life changes, any time is a good time to strive for positive growth. What’s nice is that simple changes can have big impacts. Here are some ideas that don’t ask a lot of you but really deliver.

And speaking of asking just a little of you, we’re asking you to take a simple action and declare your food-related mantra on our Facebook This is My Year to… app. By voting (daily through January), your support could earn the Non-GMO Project, The Organic Center’s Mission Organic 2010 or Growing Power an extra $10,000 donation above the $10k we are already donating to each. This is a simple thing to do that will make a huge impact!

Reduce Packaging to Reduce Cost – One of the easiest ways to save money, yet still enjoy high-quality, additive-free foods is to shop the bulk bins. You can select just as much or as little as you need and you’re paying for less packaging and its associated manufacturing and transportation costs.

Choose for the Future – When looking for convenience, look for better choices. Choose disposable plates, napkins and paper towels made from 100% recycled content paper, recycled plastic, or bamboo paper without chlorine bleaching. Future generations will thank you.

Clean Green – One of the easiest things you can do to help preserve our planet is to switch out all your household cleaning products and detergents with safer alternatives. These days there are effective choices in every category for a fresh, clean home with no guilt.

Get My Glow on with Natural Cosmetics - What you apply to your skin can get absorbed into your body. Natural makeup is made with significantly fewer synthetic ingredients and a higher percentage of active botanical ingredients and color from plants and minerals…and no testing on animals!

Share the Love - Whole Foods Market makes it easier than ever to shop for and prepare wholesome natural and organic foods for your family and friends. Our gift cards make it easy to share that quality even when family and friends are far away or need a healthy reminder.

Try Something New - The bulk bins are a great place for discovery! You can purchase small amounts of products so that everyone in the family can try something new. It’s also great for stocking up on granola, grains, beans and pasta, the staples of wholesome family meals.

Remember My Bags – While many supermarkets are just starting to “get it,” we’ve been offering re-usable shopping bags for decades. And, to reward you, we’ve always given you money back every time you re-use a bag at the register. Now it’s up to you to remember them!

FORTUNE magazine just ranked Whole Foods Market No. 18 on its 2010 list of the “100 Best Companies to Work For.” Thanks to our awesome Team Members (more than 50,000 now) we’ve made the list consecutively for 13 years and are one of only 13 companies to be named as an “All Star” for making the list every year since the list’s inception.

FORTUNE cited last year’s company store growth resulting in additional job creation, salary cap limits for top earners, and robust health care plan among the key factors considered for our climb to the 18th spot after ranking No. 22 in 2009. We also ranked among the top 13 most diverse of the 100 companies listed, with 45 percent of the workforce being minorities and 44 percent being women.

“We thank and congratulate our amazing Team Members for their commitment and dedication that has led to our continued success, and enabled us to once again be ranked on the ‘Best Companies to Work For’ list,” said our CEO and co-founder John Mackey. “We are very happy about this achievement, and pleased to have opened 14 stores in the last year, creating job opportunities for more than 3,300 new Team Members despite a challenging economy.”

In the ranking’s “unusual perks” and benefits section, we were cited as a company that goes “above and beyond,” due to our executive pay limit — top earners are capped at 19 times the average hourly wage of $16.98, with CEO Mackey opting to draw a salary of $1 a year since 2007.

Our Team Members play an important role in determining the FORTUNE ranking. Two-thirds of a company’s score is based on survey responses from at least 377 randomly selected employees.

“I love the idea that Whole Foods Market cares a lot about the happiness of their Team Members, because it is those happy Team Members who provide the best possible customer service,” said Team Member James McCaskill of West Hollywood, Calif. “Whole Foods Market always encourages Team Members to move up in the company.”

Benefits also contribute to Team Member satisfaction and job appreciation. Company benefits include a 20 percent Team Member store discount, health care coverage for domestic partners and a personal wellness account to help cover health-care expenses. Additionally, every three years Team Members select their benefits package through a company-wide vote.

“I love working for Whole Foods Market because you have a better chance of advancing and great benefits,” said Team Member Fatima Kone of New York. “I’ve worked for a lot of companies, and I have to say that this feels more like a family than a group of co-workers. Everyone gets credit for what they do, not just leadership.”

The “100 Best Companies to Work For” list and related stories will appear in the Feb. 8 issue of FORTUNE magazine, available on newsstands Monday, Jan. 25, and now at www.fortune.com/bestcompanies.

In the past 13 years, Whole Foods Market has earned the following rankings on the list:

• 2010 – No. 18
• 2009 – No. 22
• 2008 – No. 16
• 2007 – No. 5
• 2006 – No. 15
• 2005 – No. 30
• 2004 – No. 47
• 2003 – No.32
• 2002 – No. 48
• 2001 – No. 41
• 2000 – No. 72
• 1999 – No. 48
• 1998 – No. 34

The Green Dilemma: You’ve got company coming and you don’t have enough dishes to serve the crowd (not to mention the no-fun task of washing up afterwards). What’s the green host to do? Wow your guests with dinnerware made from fallen leaves by VerTerra. I saw these first used at a huge meeting at Whole Foods Market headquarters. I simply couldn’t believe these beautiful bowls and plates were made from fallen leaves, a “waste product,” and were fully compostable. I had a hard time putting them in the compost bin!

VerTerra was founded on the belief that it’s possible to combine high design with the highest standards of environmental responsibility. Using only fallen palm leaves and water to create this line of certified compostable single-use dinnerware, they’ve accomplished just that.

It all starts on farms of palm trees grown for food and medicinal purposes. The leaves shed year-round and are one of the Earth’s largest natural waste products. Seen as a hindrance to the nourishment of their trees, the farmers remove the leaves, pour gasoline on them and burn them. That’s where VerTerra comes in. The fallen leaves are collected, cleaned and pressed into a beautiful renewable plate, bowl or tray.

The entire steam, heat and pressure process uses just 10% of the energy that standard recycled paper plates require, and over 80% of the water is recaptured and reused. No leaves are ever thrown away in the production process, either. Scraps are powdered down to usable fertilizer and returned to the farmers who supply the leaves.

So that’s it. No trees are harvested or cut. No glues or dyes. Just leaves and water. VerTerra truly is an authentic eco-friendly line. And if the environmental benefits aren’t enough to convince you, VerTerra boasts unmatched durability and versatility – use the plates for microwave reheat or short bakes in the oven!

Here are a few other specifics from VerTerra you may find enticing:

• Low carbon footprint. Ships do use energy, but they are a surprisingly efficient means of transportation, especially since our products pack flat. In fact, the energy for us to ship a container from India to our warehouse is equal to a truck driving round trip from New York to Boston.
• VerTerra is free from chemicals, glues, lacquers, bonding agents, bleaches, dyes, plastics, etc. Nothing to leach into foods.
• ” Since our products are made from leaves, they’re compostable and will naturally return to the earth in two months. This process uses 90% less energy than recycling.
• Produced in India (where the leaves are). VerTerra owns the factory, where all of our workers receive fair wages in safe working conditions and are provided access to medical care.

Have you tried these fallen leaves plates and bowls yet? Let us know what you think about them and what your guests had to say!

We’re halfway through January. Have you set some aspirations for yourself yet? We know many of our customers ask questions about where their food comes from. Here are some ideas on how you can be more conscious about your food choices.

Tune in throughout the month of January for more ideas and don’t forget to declare your food-related mantra on our Facebook This is My Year to… app. By voting (daily through January), your support could earn the Non-GMO Project, The Organic Center’s Mission Organic 2010 or Growing Power an extra $10,000 donation above the $10k we are already donating to each.

Go Local - You’ll enjoy fresh picks, foster a connection with your food and help support the people who produce it. Our minimum standard for the local label on produce is that which has traveled seven or fewer hours from the farm to our facility.

Choose Organic – Organic agriculture meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. The National Organic Standards prohibit genetically engineered seeds or crops, sewage sludge, persistent pesticides, herbicides and fungicides.

Choose Certified Sustainable -The Marine Stewardship Council is an international, nonprofit organization that supports sustainable fisheries through strict standards and third-party certification. They are committed to healthy marine ecosystems and promoting a long-term supply of seafood.

Know Where My Farmed Seafood Comes From - Our Whole Foods Market Aquaculture Standards set strict requirements for raising and processing farm-raised fish. They prohibit substances such as antibiotics, added hormones and preservatives, and require certain practices to protect the environment.

Let Hens be Hens – Cage-free eggs are from hens that are allowed to move freely within a chicken house or outdoors where they get exercise and scratch about. At Whole Foods Market, all shell eggs and those used in our kitchens and bakeries are cage free.

Choose Organic Dairy - Organic dairy products come from the milk of animals with access to organic pasture in combination with organically grown feed. Synthetic growth hormones are prohibited by the National Organic Standards.

Shop Whole Trade - Choosing Whole Trade products supports a commitment to ethical trade, the environment and quality foods. Plus, 1% of sales goes to the Whole Planet Foundation, which offers direct microcredit loans to help eradicate poverty through entrepreneurship.

Are you ready for some more ideas on how you can upgrade your life in 2010? At Whole Foods Market we’re welcoming the new year with the belief that everyone should be able to afford healthy natural and organic foods, supplements and body care. So we’re here for you with our 365 Everyday Value line, The Whole Deal value guide, sales and competitive pricing on items produced to the strictest standards. You can have your values and eat them, too!

Here are some of our favorite value-focused tips. Tune in throughout the month of January for more ideas and don’t forget to declare your food-related mantra on our Facebook This is My Year to… app. By voting (daily through January), your support could earn the Non-GMO Project, The Organic Center’s Mission Organic 2010 or Growing Power an extra $10,000 donation above the $10k we are already donating to each. Cool!

Learn to Cook - Cooking fresh meals can be a cost saver, flavor enhancer and a nutrient boost from all those fresh ingredients. Focus on simple dishes offered with a variety of condiments. A dash of soy ginger sauce, balsamic vinegar or chili garlic sauce might be the magic someone needs to love vegetables!

Save without Compromise – Our 365 Everyday Value products help everyone afford natural and organic foods. These are daily essentials without artificial additives and hydrogenated fats at great prices 365 days a year.

Free Myself with Frozen - Frozen fruits and veggies are truly a busy person’s solution. They help avoid prep time and waste, while preserving nutrients that decrease daily in fresh produce. Keep several types on hand so you’ll never be without something to satisfy.

Raise My Standards for Convenience - While many conventional frozen foods are loaded with artificial additives and preservatives, you can choose with freedom at Whole Foods Market. We offer an incredible selection for a variety of tastes and dietary needs.

Watch My Portions and Know My Ingredients - When you choose food from our chef case it is weighed right in front of you so that you can buy as little or as much as you need for a healthy portion. You also know exactly what you’re eating because the ingredients are listed on the sign in order of volume.

Know the Shortcuts – Cooking at home is often fun and satisfying. Sometimes, though, the simple task of prepping veggies is too much at the end of a long day. Welcome to the salad bar and use it beyond salads! Precut veggies are the fastest way to a stirfry or side dish.

Get to Know My Butcher – Our full-service meat counter allows you to choose which exact cut you would like and to buy as much or as little as you need for a recipe or a healthy portion. We can also help you with recipe ideas and cooking information.

A Lot of Flavor for your Buck - Choose high-quality, strong-flavored ingredients. A little goes a long way when cooking with full-flavored blue cheeses, hard grating cheeses and really good olives.

In this first post, we’ll share some ideas for healthy eating choices. Tune in throughout the month of January for more ideas and don’t forget to declare your food-related mantra on our Facebook This is My Year to… app. By voting (daily through January), your support could earn the Non-GMO Project, The Organic Center’s Mission Organic 2010 or Growing Power an extra $10,000 donation above the $10k we are already donating to each of these three small organizations who are working to make big changes.

And now to those changes:

Avoid the Artificial Whole Foods Market Quality Standards prohibit artificial colors, flavors, preservatives and sweeteners. As you can tell from our fully stocked shelves and wide selection, these additives are unnecessary to the production of fantastic food!

Forget the Bad Fats You won’t find any hydrogenated fats at Whole Foods Market. Note that while there are small amounts of naturally occurring “trans fats” in some meat and dairy foods, these are different than the man-made hydrogenated fats that are linked to health problems.

Make a Colorful Plate Including a naturally colorful variety of foods in every meal, or at least throughout the day, helps you get much of what your body needs for optimal health-nutrients, fiber and antioxidants.

Switch to Whole Grains Whole grains help you to feel full (and not overeat) as well as keep your digestion moving smoothly. How do they do it? They are loaded with fiber and a wide variety of nutrients that can assist your body with weight management and general wellness.

Begin with Beans Beans are the most important plant-based source of protein. They’re also rich in fiber and virtually fat free. If you have trouble digesting them, add to your diet gradually and always cook thoroughly, even cooking canned beans beyond simply reheating them.

Eat My Greens Dark, leafy greens contain more nutrients per calorie than any other food. Nutrients include B vitamins, beta carotene, calcium, iron, vitamin C and more. Some even have omega-3s!

Mix it Up with Nuts and Seeds The high caloric count of nuts and seeds may have scared you away in the past, but the truth is, most contain a variety of nutrients that support digestion and metabolism, key to healthy weight. Enjoy in moderation, but do enjoy!

Say No to Sulfites Used to prevent discoloration and retain moisture in dried fruit, sulfites can also cause allergic reactions in many people. Fortunately, our standards do not permit sulfites in dried fruit and you’ll find them equally flavorful for snacking or cooking.

Give Soy a Chance Soybeans are a complete protein, and a healthy choice in moderation. The beans themselves, as well as the foods made from them-soymilk, tofu, tempeh, miso-also contain beneficial vitamins, minerals, polyunsaturated fats, phytonutrients and fiber.