I don’t know about you, but when I spend all morning in the kitchen preparing the Thanksgiving feast, I’m not that interested when the time comes to sit down and eat. My senses are completely overloaded from chopping, stirring and tasting and living in the wonderful aromas of the kitchen. I know, I know. I could make or purchase things ahead, or ask people to bring things or help-and I do to some extent-but my true enjoyment of that day is actually the cooking.

I also enjoy the day after Thanksgiving. I love eating the leftovers as I relax in front of a movie and recover from the day before. And I love that I love them, too, because I know that I’m not wasting any money by wasting food. And then, on Saturday, I transform the leftover turkey into one of my favorite dishes of all time, sopa de lima (lime soup). I have friends who’ve told me not to bother inviting them to Thanksgiving dinner, they’d rather come over for my sopa de lima on the weekend!

My tradition of making this soup began in the fall of 1991 when I was driving around the Yucatan peninsula with friends in a VW bug for three weeks, including Thanksgiving Day. We noticed sopa de lima-made with chicken-on almost every restaurant menu and made a point of trying each version we encountered. Most of those we tried were very brothy, with not much in the way of chicken, turkey or vegetable chunks. But that broth was incredibly delicious with its rich stock base, complex blend of herbs and spices and big lime presence. I’ve had similar “tortilla soup” in restaurants in the States that are also brothy, but less lime-heavy, and often have short chunks of corn on the cob and slices of avocado on top.

When we returned from our trip, I found myself craving that soup and just had to try recreating it. I wanted something heartier for the fall and winter, so my version ended up almost stew-like in consistency. And now I make it every year with the Thanksgiving turkey leftovers. (Sometimes I’ll make a quicker version using a rotisserie chicken and boxed broth. For years, my 9-year-old niece always requests it when I cook dinner for her family.)

In the photo is a similar recipe using chicken and while this Spicy Turkey Soup is also similar, here’s my way (no exact measurements, sorry-just go your own way!):

1. Remove all the meat from the turkey carcass, tearing into big shreds and reserve in the fridge.
2. Make stock from the carcass.
3. Sauté onion, garlic, carrots, celery, sometimes some bell pepper and always one or two minced jalapeño peppers, until onions are translucent.
4. Add chopped fresh tomatoes and sauté just 2 or 3 minutes more.
5. Add a good amount of chili powder, oregano and a pinch of ground clove. Stir to coat all ingredients thoroughly.
6. Add the turkey stock, bring to a boil, add the turkey, bring to a boil again, then reduce to a simmer and cook until carrots are just tender, only about the time it takes to squeeze all the limes and chop the cilantro in the next step.
7. Remove from heat and add a lot of fresh-squeezed lime juice-about 6-8 limes worth-and a bunch of cilantro, chopped.
8. Place a layer of tortilla chips in the bottom of each individual wide, shallow bowl, sprinkle on shredded Monterey Jack cheese and then ladle the soup over that so the hot soup melts the cheese onto the chips.

Well, now you know my guilty secret. My favorite parts of celebrating one of our country’s most popular holidays are hiding in the kitchen on THE day, eating leftovers in front of the TV the day after, and then the next day getting my taste buds outside the country! But, more importantly, you have another idea for how to use turkey leftovers. Why don’t you see if your favorite turkey leftovers recipe might convince my taste buds to stay Stateside…let’s hear it!

Make Décor do Double Duty. Decorate your table with winter squash, fresh herbs, citrus, apples, pears, pomegranates and nuts, and then use them in recipes.

It reminded me that the time and weather is right for my annual collection tromp. Every fall when the air gets as crisp and sweet as a new-crop apple, I grab my garden snips and a stiff bag or two and go out to essentially steal from Mother Nature.

The loot is dried plants, seed pods and flowers, as well as berries, colored leaves, vines, small evergreen branches… anything with interesting color or texture that looks like it will hold up for a while. Fortunately, I know my poison ivy and am able to steer clear of that!

When I get home, I cover the big dining table with newspaper and unload the fruits of my caper. Next, I gather the things I actually bought to add even more color and texture, many of which fall into the décor-now-eat-later category. I love pomegranates, apples and squashes, especially with the natural hues and rough textures I foraged outdoors.

I then put together a few different styles of arrangements, a tall one for the dining table when not in use and also one that is low-profile to use when we’re eating so we can see each other for conversation. I make one for the sideboard or a hall table, too. And then, either the same day or a few weeks later, I make simple mini arrangements of just a few items and tape them together to use instead of bows when I’m wrapping holiday gifts.

I love the naturally festive and seasonal look of the arrangements around the house every day for a month or two, but I also take a little time to punch them up when we’re having a party. I’ll buy a few Whole Trade™ flowers and depending on what type they are, either slip one or two into my existing arrangements dry or alter the arrangements a bit to incorporate something that will hold water for a blossom or two. It’s also fun for shorter periods to decorate with interesting bowls or small baskets filled with bright citrus or a colorful variety of pears.

The point is, decorating for the holiday season doesn’t have to rob your food budget…it can be part of it, and is just one way to steal ideas and materials from Mother Nature. Oh, and don’t forget to string popcorn and cranberries if you’re decorating a tree. When you take the tree down later, you can hang them outside for the birds to eat.

So, who’s got more ideas for edible or stolen-from-nature décor? I’m sure I’m not the only one who needs some crisp, sweet Fall ideas.

And without further ado, this week’s randomly selected* winner…

Denice H:

If I am in need of a quick meal, I turn to soup. It is healthy, tastful, and easy. However, all the chopping,washing,peeling of the vegetables can be a pain. Instead I just open a jar of good quality mild salsa and add it to chicken stock. It is a great, quick foundation for many soups. It already has the mirepoix plus a nice small amount of heat.

Denice will be receiving a $100 gift card! We hope you enjoyed “value contest month” on our blog during October. For more giveaways, check out our Facebook Fridays and Twitter Thursdays for more weekly contests throughout the holidays.

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* This comment was randomly chosen using random.org.

I truly enjoy cooking and I get a decent meal on the table pretty quickly most nights of the week, but I’m not too proud to take shortcuts when my time is especially valuable. And, while going the buy-some/make-some route usually-not always!-costs a bit more than completely homemade, it is still a money saver compared to dining out.

So, there are plenty of times when I pick up a rotisserie chicken or pre-cut veggies from the salad bar to help me save time in the kitchen by omitting a few steps in a recipe. What about you? Tell us your tip for using an item from our Prepared Foods department to cut your cooking time and get a meal on the table PDQ. You might win a $100 Whole Foods Market® gift card just in time to help make your holiday meals a little easier, whether you order a complete prepared feast or buy-some/make-some-perhaps starting with a cooked turkey. We’ll draw a winner at random from all the tips we receive by the deadline of November 3rd.

Remember, if you haven’t already, sign up for The Whole Deal e-newsletter. You’ll hear from us a few times each month about in-store specials and money-saving tips…and future contests, too.

Hope you enjoyed “value contest month” on our blog during October. Tune in to our Facebook and Twitter feeds for more weekly contests throughout the holidays.

Congratulations to our randomly selected* winner…

Docletic:

Pasta Pomodoro in San Francisco bay area has a simple butter sauted bay leaf butternut squash ravioli recipe that I have made at home using store bought Japanese noodle/dumpling dough wraps. I’d love a better recipe. Also, the pomogranate martinis at Longhorns steakhouse – to die for. The cactus pears are good to, but nothing like pomogranate.

Docletic will be receiving a $50 gift card and three of our favorite cookbooks! Keep an eye out tomorrow and all this month for more great value giveaways on The Whole Story!

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* This comment was randomly chosen using random.org.

Sometimes when I go out to eat, as I’m enjoying a favorite restaurant dish, I think about what went into that dish and how I might make it—or something similar—at home. It’s fun for me to try to identify the ingredients and the preparation steps. And, of course, it’s also a real money saver to cook and eat at home!

I’d love to hear which restaurant dish you’ve tried to replicate at home—or which one you wish you could! So share your desired dish for a chance to win a $50 Whole Foods Market® gift card plus three of our favorite cookbooks. The winner will be chosen at random from entries received by the deadline of October 26^th.

Remember, if you haven’t already, sign up for The Whole Deal e-newsletter. You’ll hear from us a few times each month about in-store specials and money-saving tips…and future contests, too.

Tune in to our Whole Story blog next Wednesday for another special value-focused weekly contest!

Congratulations to our randomly selected* winner…

CadesMom:

I love your 365 semi-sweet chocolate chips! I make the 30 mile trip to get them whenever it’s time to bake cookies and brownies. I also buy in bulk! They have the richest, chocolaty-est taste. Wonderful!

CadesMom will be receiving a $50 gift card and a Better Bag loaded with some of our 365 Everyday Value favorites (and her favorite 365 semi-sweet chocolate chips!). Keep an eye out tomorrow and all this month for more great value giveaways on The Whole Story!

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* This comment was randomly chosen using random.org.

It was definitely not news when I learned that 82% of those in a Harris Interactive survey said that the way they shop for groceries has changed in the past year or so, that they’re using more coupons, comparison shopping and buying more grocery store brands. Sales of our own branded 365 Everyday Value® products have indeed grown as shoppers discover their value…great pricing on natural and organic, without the artificial additives often found in value brands. Can you tell we’re proud?

We know you’re buying them-thanks!-so tell us which is your favorite 365 Everyday Value® brand product and how you use it. We’ll choose a winner at random from the responses we receive and that winner will receive a $50 Whole Foods Market® gift card plus A Better Bag filled with some of our favorite 365 Everyday Value® items. Get on it! The deadline for responding is October 19th.

And, if you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for The Whole Deal e-newsletter. You’ll hear from us a few times each month about in-store specials and money-saving tips…and future contests, too.

Tune in to our Whole Story blog each Wednesday in October for a special value-focused weekly contest!

Liana: I shop sales, buy store brands (Helllllloooo 365 Everyday Value products!), buy in bulk when possible, buy dried instead of canned (ex: dry beans are usually less expensive than canned beans), and in general shop at Whole Foods! Oh, and make a meal plan for the week & stick to it — that really helps, too!

Liana will be receiving a $50 gift card and a Better Bag loaded with some of our pantry favorites.  Keep an eye out tomorrow and all this month for more great value giveaways on The Whole Story!

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* This comment was randomly chosen using random.org.

In a recent Harris Interactive survey, 76% said they don’t want to compromise on the quality of the food they buy and 65% say they would like to find ways to be able to buy natural and/or organic foods on a budget.

I was thrilled to read these stats because not only have I known in my heart that the former was true, I also knew that the latter happens all the time, so it’s clearly possible…and maybe this Value Guru actually provides some help. Honestly, though, while I never seem to run out of ideas-and certainly not words-I don’t have all the answers for how to get the most value out of great-quality natural and organic products. That’s where you come in.

Share your best tip for how to get the good stuff for less and you could win a $50 Whole Foods Market gift card along with a Better Bag loaded with our pantry favorites. We’ll choose a winner at random, but get on it…the entry deadline is October 12th!

And, if you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for The Whole Deal e-newsletter. You’ll hear from us a few times each month about in-store specials and money-saving tips…and future contests, too.

Tune in to our Whole Story blog each Wednesday in October for a special value-focused weekly contest!