Here’s the game-winning plan:

• Fill your roster with budget-friendly recipes like our Slow Cooker White Chili and Creamy Spinach Dip. Our Warm Broccoli Cheese Dip makes an irresistible dip with pita chips and crudités.
• Download coupons before you hit the store.
• Fill your basket with current Sure Deals like salsa, pita chips and wine.
• Look for 365 Everyday Value® products to stretch your dollar without sacrificing quality.
• Shop the bulk aisles to get your fill of nuts, dried fruits and other nibbles. Buy as much or as little as you need.

Game on! How will you celebrate without a big spend?

Beef. We require Global Animal Partnership 5-Step™ Animal Welfare Ratings, prohibit added hormones and demand no antibiotics, ever! Our butchers know the best deals and will wrap just the amount you need for recipes and sensible, affordable portions. Look for value packs and lesser-known cuts.

Salmon. All of our wild-caught salmon is from certified sustainable fisheries or ranks high on third-party assessment rankings. Our farm-raised salmon has been third-party verified as Responsibly Farmed. We cut to order and offer great prices on frozen salmon year-round.

Eggs. Every whole egg we sell is cage-free, and you don’t have to scramble all over town to find a good deal on eggs of this caliber. Our 365 Everyday Value® eggs are always competitively priced!

Shampoo & Conditioner. We’ve got high standards for all of those we offer and we’ve got even higher standards for our Premium Body Care® products. Our 365 Everyday Value® hair care products proudly wear the Premium seal so you get great prices on the highest quality every day.

Greens. We source as much organic and local produce as possible. Bunched greens and lettuces are a good bet for your budget and your health. We offer a wide variety; try what’s on sale!

Crackers. Our selection of crackers is the best in town if you’re looking for whole grain, organic, gluten free or gourmet. They’re often on sale and/or have coupons (clip or print them from The Whole Deal value guide). Ask about case discounts and check out our 30+ varieties of 365 Everyday Value® crackers, too.

Coffee & Chocolate. High quality and responsible choices are what set us apart for these. We don’t allow any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives; and you’ll see organic, Whole Trade® Guarantee and other environmental and social benefits on more beans and bars in our stores than at any other grocer. A few are always on sale and look for 365 Everyday Value®.

Yogurt & Cheese. All of our 365 Everyday Value® yogurts and cheeses, organic or not, are made from the milk of cows never given artificial growth hormones (rBGH/rBST). This is true for many of the other brands we offer, too. None contain artificial colors, flavors or preservatives; and sales and coupons abound!

Bulk grains. Buying from bulk bins lets you get just the amount you need without paying for excess packaging (and its shipping). We sell a lot of bulk foods, so you can trust they’ve not been sitting and going stale, and where else can you find so many whole-grain and organic choices?

Dinner & Dessert. It’s not easy to find a meal without wondering what went into it. From indulgent to healthy, our prepared foods and bakery goods follow the same strict Quality Standards as the rest of the foods in our store, including no artificial ingredients and no hydrogenated fats. Make wise selections in smart portions and compare the whole package to eating out at a restaurant.

Gift Cards. Giving gift cards gives them just what they want — practical groceries or something special — no waste!

Wine. We’ve got some real steals! Have you discovered our chuck-bucking Three Wishes in light-weight glass bottles yet? And check out the Sure Deals in The Whole Deal.

Cleaners. Our Eco-Scale™ Rating System lets you choose how “green” you wanna go, balancing value with values.

Flowers. We’ve got more choices for Whole Trade® flowers than you can shake a long-stem rose at. Keep your eyes open; flowers go on sale, too.

Don’t forget, no artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, sweeteners or hydrogenated fats are allowed in our stores, so you can always shop with peace of mind no matter what’s in your basket. Plus, with the current issue of The Whole Deal value guide in hand, you’ll have $46+ in coupons, more than a dozen Sure Deals, 9 new budget recipes and a dinner planner making it easier to buy what you want and save.

Your turn! What’s on your list of must-buys at our stores and why?

MONDAY: Veggie Monday

Warm up some Organic Miso Soup with sliced carrots, mushrooms and green onions added to the pot. Serve stir-fried tofu and broccoli with 365 Everyday Value® Organic Peanut Sauce over pasta on the side. Blend EARTH University frozen pineapple and banana chunks for dessert.

TUESDAY: A Valentine’s “Date” for Eight

Invite your BFFs over for decadent Grilled Goat Cheese, Prosciutto and Asparagus Sandwiches, tomato soup with oyster crackers and Sweet Strawberry Risotto. Pour Harthill Farms Pinot Grigio – a Sure Deal! in the winter issue of The Whole Deal.

WEDNESDAY: Cook’s Night Off

Pick up a rotisserie chicken and California Quinoa Salad from our Prepared Foods area. (Don’t forget to use our online coupon or clip it from the in-store value guide.) Serve with a lightly dressed baby green salad and have some Pink Lady apples for dessert.

THURSDAY: Take That, Takeout!

Cook up Sweet and Sour Chicken (or Tofu) with Vegetables. Serve with prepared 365 Everyday Value® organic rice (from the freezer!) and then clementines or wedges of navel oranges for dessert.

FRIDAY: Fish Friday

Serve Tequila Lime Salmon with 365 Everyday Value® Black Rice (for the rice, print the online coupon or clip it from the in-store value guide.) and sautéed Beans and Greens Blend. Treat yourself to a bowl 365 Everyday Value® Ice Cream with fresh strawberries for dessert. Unwind with Piccolo Fiore Rosso di Sicilia.

WEEKEND: Game-Day Grub

Steamed farm-raised shrimp and serve with cocktail sauce, Set out Warm Broccoli Cheese Dip and a layered dip of beans, salsa and homemade guacamole. Want more? Add our Slow Cooker White Chili.

If these meal ideas have you inspired to save, then turn to the The Whole Deal value guide. With $46+ in coupons, more than a dozen Sure Deals, new budget recipes and much more, you can easily prepare budget-friendly and family-friendly meals plus have tasty leftovers in your fridge and something left in your bank account too. Remember to download the coupons before you hit the store!

What are your ideas for cooking winter meals on a budget?

2012 is knocking on the door — are you primed for another year of great value at Whole Foods Market®? We are! Choices count and we’re here to help so you can choose good health and a healthy budget. Just follow these 10 tips for shopping in our stores and you can count on savings!

1. Shop the sales — Thousands of items are on sale in your store right now; when you walk in, just look for the sale signs and save! Like to plan in advance? Locate your local store and download their weekly sales flyer or sign up for the Whole Foods Market News email newsletter and get the specials delivered to your inbox a couple times a month.

2. Click for coupons — All of the coupons in The Whole Deal value guide are online, so you can print just what you need before every shopping trip. If you forget to click print before you split, no worries, you can always clip them from the printed value guide in all of our stores.

3. Go for 365 Everyday Value® — Our own brand helps you save every day; it’s the broadest selection of natural and organic products at the best prices. Interested in learning more? A few months ago the Senior Global Coordinator for our Exclusive and Store Brands wrote about their team’s commitment to quality and organics.

4. Get volume discounts — Did you know that discounted pricing on many items is available when you buy a full case or more? Get the details for your particular store at their customer service desk.

5. Plan before you shop — One of the tried and true ways to save is to “stick to your shopping list.” Sometimes that’s easier said than done, but we’ve tried to make it easier to do. You can set up and maintain your shopping lists right from our website, then print or share. Search our collection of thousands of recipes and automatically add the ingredients to your list with a click. Got an iPhone? Our recipe search and shopping lists are available on our free app. Plan your meals in advance with inspiration from our Whole Foods Market recipes email newsletter.

6. Choose “bang for your buck” foods — Get the most value from nutritious, whole foods: whole-grain foods, beans, lentils and fresh or frozen fruits and veggies. Eating whole, unprocessed foods is one of our four pillars of healthy eating, so you’ll be supporting your wellness and your wallet.

7. Bulk up — No, we’re not talking about buying huge amounts of stuff, like you do in some warehouse stores. In fact, it’s just the opposite. You buy only the amount you need at great prices from our bulk section. Choose from grains, cereals, beans and pasta along with nuts, dried fruits, snacks and dried herbs and spices. Take a look at our Bulk Basics guide for more on shopping in bulk!

8. Make big one-pot dishes — Cook these one-pot recipes on the weekend, then divide and freeze or store in your fridge for the week’s lunches and dinners. No need to visit the drive-thru when a healthier, home-cooked meal is waiting for you.

9. Love your leftovers — Beyond heat and eat, use leftover veggies, meats and cheeses in soups, pastas and rice dishes. Our free iPhone app lets you search for recipes according to the ingredients you have on hand or use the advanced recipe search feature on our website.

10. Get the inside scoop — Our team members know their departments inside and out so they can always point you to the best values.

There you have them — 10 simple ways to save when you shop in our stores. Now share your favorite money-saving shopping tip with us. We’d love to hear it!

Consider hosting a “small bites” soiree or simply get your gathering going with wallet-savvy appetizers.

For the third year in a row, The Whole Deal value guide pulled together “small bite” recipes. These 10 budget-friendly starters ring in at less than 50 cents per piece:

• Bacon Bread
• Bacon Jalapeño Stuffed Mushrooms
• Brie and Sour Cherry Toast Bites
• Butternut and White Chocolate Blondies
• Chickpea Deviled Eggs
• Cranberry-Orange Braised Beef on Ciabatta
• Curried Crab on Crackers
• Festive Garland Bars
• Mushroom, Radish and Hearts of Palm Skewers
• Spicy Chocolate-Dipped Pineapple with Sea Salt

Don’t forget to raise the bar! Why not cut down on costs further by serving a signature drink in place of an open bar? Thanks to the vibrant flavors of clementines, cranberries and fresh rosemary, you can make a pitcher full of sparkling wine-based cocktails primed for winter celebrations. We call this one Clementine Crush Sparkling Cocktail, but you can call it a delicious budget-conscious solution. Cheers to savings!

Clementine Crush Sparkling Cocktail

Ingredients

2 2/3 cups clementine juice, plus 1 TB finely chopped clementine zest, plus 1 clementine for garnish (from 12–14 fruits total)1/4 cup cane sugar

1 cup 365 Everyday Value® Organic 100% Cranberry Juice

3/4 cups fresh cranberries

8 (1-inch) sprigs fresh rosemary

1 (750ml) bottle sparkling wine, such as Pascual Toso Sparkling Brut, well chilled

1 (12-ounce) can 365 Everyday Value® Tonic Water or Ginger Ale

Method

In a wide, shallow dish, mix zest and sugar together with your fingers. Wet the rim of 8 cocktail glasses with a wet paper towel, and then dredge in clementine sugar to coat. In a large pitcher, use a wooden spoon to muddle cranberry juice, cranberries and rosemary sprigs thoroughly. Fill pitcher with ice cubes. Top off with clementine juice, wine and tonic water or ginger ale. Stir vigorously; pour into glasses; garnish with clementine twists and serve.

Tips

Use a vegetable peeler to remove the clementine zest in large pieces for the chopping and twists. Swap out satsumas for clementines if you prefer.

Serves 8. $2.68 per serving. We do our best to estimate recipe ingredient costs, but market variations do happen.

You’ll find more recipes and tips on our holiday pages for entertaining on a budget from years past too. Plus, turn to The Whole Deal value guide, online and in stores, for more even more tips on celebrating with savings.

Your turn! Got any great recipes that dazzle with fewer dollars? We’d love to hear them.

 

Gifts Under $10

These gifts are easy to give and fun to receive:  

• Rich and chocolaty, these addictive treats are made from an old family recipe by one of France’s leading chocolatiers. Share our creamy, dreamy truffles with any and all at a whim. An 8.8-oz box of Whole Foods Market™ Organic Chocolate Truffles is no more than $5.99.

• This year’s “Celebration” coffee is a sweet and spicy blend of beans from Guatemala, Costa Rica and Sumatra, carefully sourced, as always. Gift an 8-oz bag of Allegro® Celebration Caffè—Whole Bean or Ground, regular or decaf—for only $7.99.

• Stumped on a Secret Santa gift? Your only challenge will be choosing the right flavor of this incredible “cocoa for adults” for that lucky colleague. A 7.5-oz box of Allegro® Drinking Chocolate—Costa Rican, Indian Spice, Dominican White Chocolate, Dominican Republic, Peruvian or Mayan Spice—is $9.99.

• Organic lip balms in a special holiday 3-pack, available for a limited time in seasonal natural(!) flavors—Vanilla, Ginger Lemon and Wintermint. Pick up a Whole Foods Market^™ Organic Lip Balm Trio for only $3.99.

Gifts that Give Back

They say it’s better to give than receive, so giving these gifts must be twice as nice:

• Whole Planet Foundation® 2012 calendars cost only $3 each and include more than $20 in coupons.

• Whole Foods Market® gift cards give more! For each new card purchased online through December 31, we donate $1 to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry program.

• Whole Trade® flowers and Whole Trade® chocolates support worker communities and are committed to ethical trade and the environment.

Gifts from the Heart…of the Home

From Rosemary Olive Oil and Tangerine Sugar to Lemon-Ginger Streusel Bread and Sweet Potato Apple Dog Treats, find simple, impressive recipes with printable gift tags at wholefoodsmarket.com/holidays.

Turn to The Whole Deal, online and in stores, for more tips for holiday gift giving. While we can’t shorten your shopping list, we can stretch your dollar.

Got any great ideas for gift giving on a budget? We’d love to hear them.

For the holiday issue of The Whole Deal value guide, we challenged team members from these departments to send us their own best, budget-friendly, small-bites recipes. Here are the two winning recipes picked by our panel of judges and more about the team members who created them:

Bacon Jalapeño Stuffed Mushrooms created by Elizabeth Hernandez, Prepared Foods Team Member in our Willowbrook, Illinois store.

Elizabeth set out to create a holiday appetizer that incorporated all five taste sensations … sweet, sour, salty, spicy and savory. Plus, she wanted it to be wallet-friendly, simple to make, attractive on a serving platter and delicious. Voila! Bacon Jalapeño Stuffed Mushrooms were born.

Elizabeth gives a big shout out to her store in Willowbrook, especially her teammates in Prepared Foods, “We’re a group of down-to-earth, creative people who support and assist each other to make the shopping experience for our customers personal and a delight.”

Festive Garland Bars created by Elyse McGraw, Bakery Team Leader in our Pearl store in Boulder, Colorado.

Popcorn in a dessert? Yep! Elyse enjoys adding unexpected elements to a recipe and using the wide variety of affordable products in our exclusive 365 Everyday Value® line. “The 365 Everyday Value® chocolate chips, they are my favorite tasting chocolate chips,” proclaims Elyse. Combine fun and value in a dessert and you’ve got two dozen Festive Garland Bars for just 32¢ each. (We do our best to estimate the cost of ingredients used in each recipes, but slight market variations are entirely possible.)

Since starting as a Cake Decorator in 2005, Elyse is now the Bakery Team Leader in Boulder’s Pearl store. She loves baking the classics for the holidays — soft rolls, pies and sugar cookies — just like her mom made when she was a kid. Learn more about Elyse and see pictures of her decorative desserts in this interview on the Pearl store blog.

Here are more small-bite recipes that are tasty on the palate and easy on the wallet. These all ring in at less than 50¢ a piece, because throwing a shindig doesn’t mean throwing all “cents” out the window.

Got a big appetite for small bites? Our holiday pages have more favorites for holiday entertaining on a budget from years past. Plus, there are hundreds of recipes, how-to guides and videos, and much more.

Of course, The Whole Deal value guide helps you share the season with wallet-savvy panache and save over $34 with a chorus of online coupons.

What are your tricks for planning holiday parties without piling on the debt?

Beef Pot Roast is one of those basic recipes every home cook should know. It’s much easier to prepare than you might think and makes a fabulous one-dish dinner…and even better leftovers. After a few minutes of browning and sautéing, you can do other things while dinners roasts in the oven. Easy!

It’s simple to customize a pot roast by using different seasonings, liquid and vegetables. Here are a few suggestions:

• Go Classic with a beefy broth and hearty potatoes and carrots for about $3.22 per serving.
• For an Italian version, the roast and root veggies are simmered along with bell peppers in tomato and wine seasoned with oregano and basil for about $3.91 per serving.
• Add Indian flavor with the addition of cauliflower along with ginger and cumin to spice up the broth for about $3.40 per serving.
• For some German oomph, add a splash of apple cider along with some cabbage and apples for about $3.38 per serving.

The cost per serving is based on a recipe that serves 6. We do our best to estimate the cost of ingredients used in each recipe, but slight market variations are entirely possible.

Check out the Classic Beef Pot Roast recipe and then download recipe specifics for adding new flavors from the Fall issue of The Whole Deal.

How do you add flare to a basic pot roast or other traditional recipes?

1. Quick pickle veggies such as carrots, radishes, beets, peppers and onions in white vinegar to keep a few weeks in the fridge. Download a coupon for $1.00 off of a 64-oz jug 365 Everyday Value® Distilled White Vinegar and if you’ve never pickled veggies before, you can give it a try with our Pickled Cajun Green Beans and Carrots recipe.
2. Hang or oven dry peppers and store them crushed or whole in airtight jars.
3. Store root vegetables like carrots, beets, onions, potatoes and turnips for a few months longer in a cool, dry storage area like a root cellar or basement.
4. Dehydrate and concentrate flavor in fruits and vegetables by drying them in the oven (or in thin slices all day in the sun); try homemade Dried Apple Slices.
5. Stew a medley of fruits in a splash of water with warm spices and a few chopped dates or a little sweetener of your choice. Serve warm or cold. You can also make your own applesauce.
6. Quickly blanch and freeze greens to use for quick sides and easy meal prep with less fuss.
7. Freeze purees, pestos and soups for big fall flavor payoffs later in the winter. Use our advanced search to find recipes with your favorite flavors or that meet any special dietary needs.
8. Line-dry herbs like lavender, rosemary and thyme by hanging them up in airy open spaces and then transferring to airtight jars or the freezer for storage.
9. Brandy fruits such as plums, apricots, peaches and pears by soaking in brandy for a few days or weeks to serve alongside roasted meats or over ice cream or pound cake.
10. Make jams and fruit spreads for the fridge without special equipment or canning knowledge; check out our Spiced Apple-Pear Butter recipe.

Take a look at The Whole Deal value guide, available in stores and online for coupons, deals, budget recipes and much more.

What money-saving tips and cooking techniques were passed down in your family?

Even though we haven’t quite escaped the heat yet, we’re all itching to put aside the “no cook” recipes and fire up the burner to cook up a big pot of something.

If you’re looking forward to some cool-weather cooking too, make sure your pantry is well stocked so you’ll be ready to whip up something warm when the cold front comes in. You can start by picking up these Sure Deals from the fall issue of The Whole Deal value guide.

Frozen Responsibly Farmed Tilapia

• You won’t find tilapia like this just anywhere
• Raised and processed according to strict aquaculture standards
• No antibiotics or preservatives allowed!

$2.99, 6 oz

Rumiano Organic Monterey Jack

• The Rumiano family has been making cheese since 1921
• Made with organic milk
• Non-GMO Project verified

$4.99, 8 oz

Whole Foods Market™ Organic Sesame Oil

• Unrefined and expeller pressed
• Add a nutty accent to salads and cooked grains
• Great for stir-frying

$3.99, 8 oz

Whole Foods Market™ Organic Pasta

• Made in Italy with organic 100% durum wheat semolina
• Slowly dried for authentic texture and flavor
• Enjoy 15 different varieties

$1.99, 16 oz

365 Everyday Value® Organic Tea

• Ready-to-drink convenience
• Brewed with organic leaves from India and China
• Meets our Whole Trade® Guarantee
• Mint Green, Lemon Black, Peach Oolong or Mango Acai White

$1.39, 16 oz

365 Everyday Value® Organic Taco Shells

• Turn taco night into a fiesta with our shells
• Made from organic stone-ground corn masa
• Crispy with robust corn flavor
• Yellow or Blue Corn

$2.99, 12 ct

365 Everyday Value® Organic Tomato Juice

• Brimming with the antioxidant lycopene
• Enjoy it straight from the glass
• Great for recipes

$2.99, 46 oz

365 Everyday Value® Organic Popcorn

• A crunchy, satisfying snack
• From a family-owned popcorn maker
• Made in small batches
• White Cheddar Cheese or Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn

$1.99, 4-6 oz

365 Everyday Value® Organic Herbs and Spices

• Sourced from around the world
• Our standards prohibit irradiating
• Stock up for fall and the holidays
• Cinnamon, Oregano, Garlic Powder, Basil, Turmeric, Cumin, Parsley, Minced Onion

$3.39, .24-2.56 oz

365 Everyday Value® Organic Hot Cocoa Mix

• Irresistibly delicious organic cocoa
• No artificial ingredients
• Sourced to avoid GMOs
• Milk Chocolate or Rich Chocolate

$3.99, 10-12 oz

365 Everyday Value® Organic Fig Bars

• A classic treat gone organic
• Made with organic figs
• No artificial sweeteners

$3.49, 12 oz

Organic Chèvre Fleurie

• Soft-ripened goat cheese
• Sourced from family farms
• Great for sandwiches, salads, pasta and more

$5.99, 6 oz

Three Beans Coffee

• 100% Arabica whole bean coffee
• Cans are made from 50% recycled content
• Nitrogen-flushed packaging to preserve freshness
• Light, Medium or Dark Roast

$4.99, 13-14 oz

365 Everyday Value® Maximum Moisture Body Lotion

• Made with ultra-emollient shea butter
• Macadamia oil provides protection and hydration
• Meets our Premium Body Care™ standards

$5.99, 16 oz

365 Everyday Value® Chewable Kids Multi

• Provides the essential vitamins and minerals
• No artificial additives

$9.99, 120 ct

365 Everyday Value® Wax Paper

• Reduce waste with no metal or plastic cutter edge
• Stock up for seasonal baking
• Great for fall craft projects, too!

$1.99, 75 sq. ft.

Tenuta del Giaj Bianco Venice

• A dry White with a slight almond taste
• Made with organically grown grapes
• Blend of Italian Tokai and Chardonnay grapes

$9.99, 750ml

Tenuta del Giaj Rosso Venice

• A Red with a spicy bouquet
• Flavors hint of black cherry and plum
• Blend of organically grown Italian Cabernet and Merlot grapes

$9.99, 750ml

Paso A Paso Tempranillo

• A Spanish Red made with organic grapes
• Black cherry flavors
• Supple tannins

$9.99, 750ml

Paso A Paso Blanco

• A Spanish White made with organic grapes
• Light and refreshing
• Flavor notes of lemon gooseberry

$9.99, 750ml

Santa Julia Dulce Tinto

• A sweet Red from Argentina.
• Flavors of wild strawberry
• Made with organically grown grapes

$9.99, 750ml

We are prohibited by law from selling alcohol in some of our stores. Please see our list of stores that do sell alcohol or our list of stores that do not sell alcohol.

Now, what to do with these Sure Deals? How about these nine budget-friendly fall recipes from The Whole Deal? In addition to these Sure Deals and tasty meals, The Whole Deal is also full of savings with over $48 in coupons and value tips.

What’s your favorite fall meal?