We want to extend our appreciations to the hundreds of folks who responded to two of our holiday giveaways: Jim Brickman’s Bag of Goodies and Beautiful World.

In all of the holiday madness, we forgot to announce the winners who received Better Bags filled with grocery goodies and Jim Brickman merchandise!  So here’s a quick congratulations to Cathy Price and Robin O’Sullivan.  Keep an eye out for more contests, giveaways and fun promotions coming up throughout the year.

Need some last minute help in ringing in the New Year?  Check out our Champagne Primer to make sure you’re serving the perfect bubbly for your taste and budget.  Having guests over?  Take a look at our Entertaining with Wine and Cheese guide.  And remember, above all else – celebrate safely and responsibly!

This value-minded – and utterly delicious – French Sparkler holds a coveted spot on our Top Ten Wines for the holidays. Fine bubbles and a golden hue make this delicate but powerful pour quite refined. Whether you pair its apricot and buttery brioche notes with Bon Homme Brie from Normandy or Hervé Mons Camembert cheese, pour for a toast or sip after a long day, it always shines.

Looking for dishes to serve with it? Our recipe gurus say these pair well:

• Arugula Salad with Seared Scallops
• Thai Steamed Snapper
• Stuffed Cornish Game Hens
• Potato Latkes

Confused about the difference between Champagne and sparkling wines? You’re not alone! Here’s a quick overview. Just as some wines and cheeses are only produced in a specific geographic area, only sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France can be officially labeled “Champagne.” Other European countries use other names for the sparkling wine they produce: Cava in Spain, Prosecco, Asti or Spumante in Italy and Sekt in Germany. Bubblies from California, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the several wine-producing countries of South America are generally referred to as sparkling wine or sparklers.

So, should you serve Champagne or sparkling wine? There’s really no right or wrong answer here – it’s truly a personal choice. We offer a variety of Champagnes and sparklers – you’re sure to find some perfectly suited to your party budget. Many sparkling wines rival true Champagne in taste and complexity and, like the Blanc De Blancs Brut, provide a nice value too.

Learn more in our Champagne Primer and always, always, always feel free to chat with our store team members who will gladly help you make a selection perfectly suited to your tastes. Cheers!

We’ve talked about holiday cards, holiday lights, Christmas trees and wrapping already. If you have implemented some of these tips, you may not have a giant mess to clean up! But just in case, here are some suggestions.

• Compost your real tree and reuse your artificial tree.



• Recycle or reuse your holiday cards and gift wrap.
• Use rechargeable batteries instead of regular ones. I know that they can be problematic at times – if you don’t charge them right before using them, they can slowly lose their charge and not work when you need them. Plan ahead!
• For regular batteries, please recycle them instead of letting them end up in the landfill. You can find info on how and where to recycle at earth911.com.
• Did you get a new computer or other electronic equipment? Donate your old stuff! Our Central Texas Goodwill has a great program where they take all electronic equipment and try to reuse it first…if they can’t, they recycle it. Who does this in your city? This sounds like a really good resource: http://www.computerswithcauses.org/



• How many of you got new phones? I am soooo excited about a new cell phone recycling program called Turn Phones into Loans. This campaign is collecting one million cell phones to benefit the Chiapas project that will support 100,000 women by offering them microcredit loans. Simply visit their website, and they will send you a baggie that you drop your phone in and send it back to them at no cost to you! At our global headquarters, we’re partnering with them to put out collection bins. If you work for a large business, maybe you want to do it too!
• Did you get a gift card? After you use it, don’t throw it away. Bring it to any Whole Foods Market and we will recycle it for you! (Learn about our recycled gift cards.)

And one more thing… did you get something you don’t like? Why not donate it or re-gift it, instead of making that trip back to the store and spending more of your hard-earned cash?

Okay, I know you all have green ideas too. What other suggestions do you have to help us all clean up the after holiday mess?

Hope you and your loved ones are enjoying a joyous and healthy Christmas Day!

Need last minute help on your holiday meal prep? Check out our recipes and tips pages!

For those last minute “oh I forgot the…!” quick dashes to the market, find out what your store’s holiday hours are by checking your store’s webpage, twitter feed or facebook page.

Wishing you and yours a peaceful Christmas filled with hope.

Every year at Christmas my mother cooks an amazing feast. The main course rotates and the side dishes get tweaks according to what is fashionable in food that year, but we always, always, always have cranberry sauce. Not fancy cranberry sauce, mind you. Cranberry sauce from a can, spruced up with a few fresh berries. It might be served alongside horseradish encrusted prime rib with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and chestnut stuffing with rye bread and sausage, but there it is: the traditional Demase family cranberry sauce. Last year I tried to dress up the presentation a bit, but my mom wasn’t too excited about it (see picture).

Every family or group gathering during the holidays has their traditions, and Whole Foods Market is proud to be a part of our customers’ yearly celebrations. We are so happy to be a part of your traditions, and we want to make sure everything we do is contributing to your best holiday yet. Our Team Members welcome your questions about our cheeses, meats, fresh produce and baked goods to ensure that you are getting exactly what you need to satisfy and delight your family and holiday guests.

My team has been reminiscing about their favorite Whole Foods’ holiday memories from years past:

From George: Shift Leader

When I was working in the seafood department, Christmas Eve was always a very busy day, and one of our fun traditions was that each team member would talk about what dishes would be cooked at their own personal holiday dinner. I would talk about how my family would make several seafood dishes: linguine with clam sauce, mussels, baked stuffed shrimp, and haddock with a topping of shrimp, scallops & breadcrumbs. Not to mention the final course of lobster and king crab legs! The fun of working the holidays was talking about how your family celebrated, and hearing from our customers who also tell you their traditions. It is great to hear how people from cultures different from your own celebrate with their dishes, and to feel the excitement of everyone’s anticipation of creating new memories of another holiday.

From Matt: Accounting Team Member

My favorite holiday memory comes from last year during the two days prior to Christmas. The store was a buzzing with holiday vibes, everyone was festive and cheerful. I was helping customers get their catering orders and locate products. My favorite moment is not so much one incident, but the holiday season as a whole. Customers got exactly what they wanted: friendly service with a smile, the fresh products they know and love, and to be taken care of on every level. This is unlike some other stores I had been in during the holidays, where all you get is a big ball of coal: impersonal services, people who don’t seem to be enjoying their jobs, and inferior product quality. Remember where the holly jolly folks are…HO HO Whole Foods!

For me, my favorite holiday memory from Whole Foods comes from my first Christmas season with the company. I was a Team Member in a brand new store, working in the cheese department. The crowds were enormous and as the week before Christmas moved along my arms began to ache from building cheese platters and preparing garlic and lemon olives for antipasto trays. My team was getting tired, and to keep their spirits up, I purchased an assortment of Santa hats for everyone – just a little holiday cheer. I didn’t even know if our Store Team Leader would let us wear them, but he did! The hats reminded us all of the fun of the holidays and gave us the boost we needed to keep going. Now, every year, I buy Santa hats for my whole team. It’s one of my new favorite holiday traditions.

What are your favorite holiday traditions and what role has Whole Foods Market played in them? We’d love to know.

With stores all over the country (and in Canada and the U.K.), we have a lot of team members who travel… a lot. Alana’s post about eating well when traveling inspired me to check in with some of our enlightened travelers to find out about their healthy travel routines. Here are their secrets. What are yours?

From Jody:

I find that minimizing stress is a really simple way to enhance wellness during traveling. For me, this means getting to the airport early, being prepared (researching parking beforehand, having your boarding pass printed out, have your liquids in the baggie), not rushing during the travel, keeping a mellow and patient attitude when you encounter other potentially cranky travelers or during delays, and having calming music in my ipod for the plane. I also bring rescue remedy (I hate turbulence!) as well as some calming supplements or tea. If I remember, I bring a small spritzer of water with a couple drops of essential oil to freshen my skin during the plane ride, as the air can be dry and stuffy. And I always remember to pack my daily supplements: a multi, probiotics, fish oil and a mushroom (or immune enhancing) supplement.

As for food related tips, I always, always take food with me, more than what I need just in case there are any delays. I tend to emphasis fresh foods (veggies, fruits), since they travel well and since it is nearly impossible to find fruits and veggies at airports. Hard cheeses and quiche also travel well. I also always bring a reusable cup/mug so that I don’t have to take a disposable plastic cup on the airplane.

Another important aspect is the return home: as much as possible, I try to plan ahead and have my dishes cleaned, garbage taken out so that I can return to a clean and calm home. I also ask a friend or neighbor to check my home so that I won’t worry about it too much when I am away. Finally, I always make sure I have some good food ready for me when I return (you can freeze it if you will be away for a while). In fact, a ritual for me is to cook the night before I leave, which calms me down and ensures I will have fresh food when I return.

From Susannah:

I pack a toothbrush and small toothpaste to use when I land or if there are delays so I can try to continue to feel fresh. Sometimes I take an extra top in my carry-on, too, for delays. Nuts and dried fruits are great for sustained energy (vs. sugary snack bars). I almost always travel with a selection of individually wrapped herbal tea bags, too…both for the plane and for wherever I’m going. A guy from Aura Cacia (aromatherapy and bodycare company) once said he always carries lavender and peppermint essential oils because those can help almost anything that comes up, from a migraine to a pimple…plus they smell good, but won’t annoy fellow travelers with cloying artificial scents, such as perfume, in the closed space of the plane.

From Akua:

I am a single mom, and I try to be as organized as possible to make traveling with a 5-year old a relaxed and fun experience. Days before my trip I think about what we are going to wear and make sure laundry is done. I pack clothes that can easily be mixed and matched, and that match one (no more than two) pair of shoes. I allow my son to decide which toys, books, activities, and movies he wishes to pack, and make sure his portable DVD player is charged and ready to go. I pack my phone, computer and DVD player chargers in advance to make sure they do not get left behind. (If I have to use them prior to my departure, I try to use spare chargers or place them immediately back in the bag.) I always pack a carry-on with fun activities and movies for my son, and lots of food and snacks, which he helps pack. We travel with both perishables (for quick trips) and non-perishables (for longer trips and unexpected layovers). Foods I may pack include: guacamole and pita, mock tuna salad, hummus, nuts, seeds, dried fruit and fresh fruit. During summer months, we always pack cantaloupe and watermelon. When packing food, don’t forget your disposal utensils and paper napkins. Finally, I always grab a jacket (even during warm weather) in case the plane is exceptionally cold.

From Winnie:

Airplane food is never good, but it is especially treacherous territory for someone with special diet considerations. I usually make sure that I eat before leaving to catch my flight and pack a small snack for the plane. (Note: Be careful of what you bring on the plane as the TSA regulations do not allow many common food items such as peanut butter, salsa, soups, etc.) This means that I don’t feel trapped and hungry on long flights, which might force me into giving in to unhealthy prepackaged snack goods or monochromatic TV dinner-like entrees out of desperation.

What are your special tips for traveling? Let us know!

With Christmas and New Year’s just around the corner, many of us will be packing our bags and heading off to celebrate. Unfortunately, most airports, train stations and roadside stops offer the standard American junk-food fare. The good news is you can bring your own food!

While there are specific rules about what you can take through security onto a plane (no creamy, saucy foods allowed, for example), there are foods that you can pack to eat well, which will keep you feeling better on your trip.

Foods for Planes or Trains

Check the TSA website for food and liquid restrictions on planes. You can also purchase food and water after clearing security.

• If you have an early morning flight or train, you can’t beat packets of instant organic plain oatmeal along with a baggie filled with nuts and raisins! The attendants will have hot water and cups for mixing.
• Trail mix is perfect. Nuts, dried fruits, unsweetened coconut flakes and whole grain cereals make a filling, no-mess snack.
• Mini cracker sandwiches made from cream cheese or hummus and sliced tomatoes and bell peppers make a refreshing, crunchy snack.
• Fruit bars, nut bars, protein bars and other shelf-stable goodies are a must.
• Individual packages of yogurt, applesauce, fruit cups, organic corn chips and vegetarian bean dip are great. (Some of these aren’t allowed through airport security, but good for the train.) Add some sliced carrots, celery, cucumber, radish and bell peppers.
• For a meal, pack some sandwiches. Peanut or almond butter with fruit-sweetened jam or bananas; hummus or guacamole with veggies, cheese and tomato; or a turkey, tuna or egg salad sandwich that you know you can keep cold and eat within a couple of hours.
• Take or purchase a bottle of cold water and pack it in an insulated bag next to stuff you want to keep fresh and cold.
• Many airports have restaurants where you can order a sandwich on whole grain to take with you on your trip. Best bets: Turkey, grilled chicken, hummus (if they have it), and plenty of raw veggies even if only lettuce, onions, and tomatoes.
• Remember to stay well hydrated, especially while flying. Get water on the plane or carry some on.
• If eating a meal provided by the airline, call ahead and see what special diet options they have (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.). These meals may have more vegetables, fruits and whole grains than their standard fare.

Car and Cooler Foods

Your chances of finding healthy food along a highway are pretty slim. But with a little pre-planning, you can make the trip a whole lot tastier. Essential for the car: A large cooler! Here are some ideas:

• Pack sandwiches, yogurt, assorted cheese, cold drinks, fresh cut veggies, sliced deli meats, fresh fruits, and even special treats such as oatmeal cookies.
• Make ahead snacks are perfect: Whole grain dishes such as pasta, brown rice or quinoa salads, prepared with veggies, nuts, tofu, or tempeh are delicious at room temperature.
• All natural cup-o-soups made from legumes, grains and dehydrated veggies are easy to pack. They’re light-weight and don’t need refrigeration. Just add hot water and stir. A large insulated thermos keeps water piping hot for hours. This works for the soups as well as for a cup of tea … just don’t forget the teabags!
• Again, fruit bars, nut bars, protein bars and other shelf-stable goodies are perfect to have on hand.
• If you stop at a roadside restaurant, choose oatmeal or cream of wheat over pastry for breakfast. Another good option is a vegetable omelet. Choose a side of fresh fruit over hash browns and toast.
• At a convenience store, look for whole grain cereals, low fat milk, packaged nuts or any fresh fruit – they may even have a bran muffin or a protein bar. This is much better than pastry, donuts, sweet rolls or chips.

At Your Destination

I think we’ve all been there: staying with relatives or friends who aren’t as conscious about good food choices. Here are a few suggestions that may help:

• Bring along healthy foods as gifts.
• Offer to help in the preparation of meals or cook a meal for your hosts.
• Do a bit of the grocery shopping to help out. Scope it out in advance to locate the closest natural food store. (You can search for our stores here.)
• At a conventional grocery store, shop the perimeter of the store as much as possible. Look for whole wheat bread, fresh veggies and fruits, and whole grains such as brown rice.
• If faced with a less-than-optimal meal prepared by others, load up on raw salad, veggies, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins as much as possible.
• Remember those fruit bars, nut bars and protein bars? Pack an assortment and keep them handy in your room for a healthy snack/replacement meal.

Everybody wants (and deserves) a break over the holidays. For many, that means not worrying so much about what to eat. I offer these suggestions not to steer you away from enjoying yourself, but rather as a way for you to maintain your energy and to feel well while traveling.

What good food do you like to eat while traveling? I’d love to hear!

…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.

For anyone who joins me in the unfamiliar terrain of chestnut roasting, here’s how it’s done at home:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. With a very sharp knife, cut an X in the rounded side of each chestnut, making sure to cut all the way through the shell. This is an important step, because it will prevent the chestnuts from exploding.
3. Place the chestnuts on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for about 10 minutes. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of water over the chestnuts, shake the pan, and bake for another 10-15 minutes.
4. Wrap them in a towel, and let them sit for about 10 minutes. Crush them gently with the bottom of a heavy pan. Unwrap the towel, and place the chestnuts in a big bowl.
5. Take the bowl to a comfy spot (a roaring fire is good) with some friends and family (and maybe some glasses of port). Peel the skins off of the meat, while you have a pleasant chat.

You can also give them a try in this Brussels Sprouts with Roasted Chestnuts or pick up a jar of prepared chestnuts to use in this Madeira-Glazed Chestnuts.

How do you enjoy chestnuts?

Holiday time is the perfect time to enjoy a delicious port wine! Port wine is a “sipper” kind of wine – it slowly warms your spirit and soul while you mingle and enjoy time with family and friends.

We brought in this delightful port wine called “The Portly Gentleman” from Buller Wines, a fourth-generation Australian winery. Made in the style of a Tawny port, this wine comes from Grenache, Shiraz and Cabernet grapes. It is oak-cask aged for three to five years, which gives it a beautiful almost Burgundy pale red color. With a bouquet of liquored berry fruits and flavors of strawberry and cherry syrup, it is delicious as an after dinner drink on its own or as an accompaniment for dessert. We love port wine with chocolate and this wine pairs deliciously with bittersweet Belgian chocolate.

Another part of this port wine that we love is its price tag. You will warm someone’s heart (and palate) if you show up with a bottle of “The Portly Gentleman” at your next holiday party. And you may as well pick up a few bottles so you can keep at least one for yourself – who said gifting was only for others? The time seems just about right for a little gift from you to you!