bountiful fresh produce at Sprouts Market

The transformation is complete. Sunflower Markets have merged with Sprouts Farmers Markets. Outside signage has changed to Sprouts.

I went into Sprouts the other day and definitely noticed the change. The interior seemed more crisp or perhaps better described as less cluttered. For instance, the produce department seemed much more organized and not as helter skelter.

The wine department looked as though someone gave it a good polishing. Wines were better designated and with far more choices.

I am hoping the prepared food is more on the caliber of Whole Foods/Wild Oats than Sunflower Market. Custom-made sandwiches start at $2.99. Does that means made to order?

There were more new products and brands throughout the store including apple bread from Apple Annie’s Orchard in Willcox and individually wrapped biscuits and chunks of cornbread in the bakery case.

In the dairy case, I saw different kinds of coconut milk. Since I am lactose intolerant I have been using more almond milk and coconut milk and look forward to trying different brands. Coconut seems to be everywhere — in oils, in beauty care, in milk, in water.

Their monthly circular has coupons for more deals. According to the circular, there are four essentials supplements for healthier living — probiotics, omega oils, super foods, and multivitamins. Here’s an intriguing product — Doctor’s Best Natural Brain Enhancers featuring GPC & PS. Anyone ever try it? My brain can use a bit of enhancing and mood elevating. (better price at Sprouts). There’s even an entire line of nutrient dense products for people who have had bariatric surgery. And gluten-free products are more prominently displayed near the front of the store instead of in the rear.

Double ad Wednesdays are still in effect. I like that. According to the in-store weekly circular, Sunflower Market and Sprouts are a lot alike. How so?  Both have headquarters in Phoenix. Both sell natural and organic foods. (I have a problem with the overuse of the word “natural” to describe foods but that’s another blog post entirely.) Both offer wide open floor plan with emphasis on fresh produce and great values. And both boast about their customer service.  Show me; don’t tell me.

I had a negative customer service experience in Sunflower a few months ago and didn’t return until it became Sprouts. When I go grocery shopping my brain has the uncanny ability to remember the price of every item that I put into the shopping cart. Once I drive out of the parking lot, it fades but while in the store I remember the prices. At the checkout counter the clerk ran up an item at a different price than I remembered. Now I don’t remember the item nor do I remember the price but it was somewhere around the meats and deli on the west side of the aisle. The price difference was 49 cents. I mentioned what I thought was the lower price and the clerk gave me a disgusting look and called someone to the checkout who checked out the price and said I was wrong. I was embarrassed. I mostly buy what’s on sale and only what I need.  I paid and left the store. Before driving away I went back in and when I was about 40 feet from the product display, I saw another employee messing with the prices. So the computer had one price but the display had the price that I claimed it was.  Human error! At that point, I guess I could’ve complained but did not. My uncanny ability to remember prices was still intact but the negative customer experience lingered until Sprouts sprouted.

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Super Bowl Sunday is like an unofficial holiday. With  so many parties, it is the second-biggest day for food consumption after Thanksgiving.

I never watch football and I’m always amazed that I even know who’s playing. Just for proof I do know that this year is the Green Bay Packers from Wisconsin and the Steelers from Pittsburgh. Go Steelers!

Oddly enough, I do remember recent Super Bowls when Janet Jackson had a wardrobe malfunction and when some local Tucson Comcast viewers had a “comcastic” few moments of X-rated-ness. Hopefully, this year, it will all be good clean fun.

If you’re having a party or asked to bring some food to a party, check out these local Tucson grocery store deals:

What’s a Super Bowl party without guacamole?

At Fry’s, organic or conventional avocados are $1 each and Roma tomatoes are $1/pound (with VIP card). Beware of some fresh cilantro as there is a recall going on for four brands purchased before January 28 — Nature’s Reward, Ocean Mist, Tanimura & Antle, and Queen Victoria. These brands have been removed from shelves but if you have old cilantro in your refrigerator, when in doubt, throw it out.

Fry’s also has party trays starting at $9.99 and foot sandwiches at $6 per foot.  Here you can even buy a Magnavox 32-inch LCD TV for $299 (with VIP card). Is that a good deal? I need a new TV. My current TV is 16 years old. Seniors 55 or older: You get a 10 percent discount on your grocery bill on Feb. 2 (1st Wednesday of the month).

At Albertsons everyone is a VIP (no card required). They also have party trays starting at $9.99 with 24 hour service to order your tray by calling 1-877-932-7948. Sub sandwiches also start at $5.99. If someone is up to grilling or broiling, pork baby back ribs can be had for $7.99/pound (buy one & get one free) or buy one shrimp ring for $9.99 and get one free with in store coupon. I’m making myself hungry. There seems to be lots of deals here.
Sunflower Markets blows the whistle on avocados for 49/cents each as well as ripe beefsteak tomatoes for 49/cents a pound. If you’re rooting for Wisconsin, think cheese, Colby cheese for only $2.99 pound. Stop by the Broadway/Pantano location on Saturday, Feb. 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Savor “Chili for a Cause” to benefit the American Heart Association.

If you just want to simply things, consider Grocery Outlet’s 94-oz frozen Stouffer’s meat lasagna for $6.99. (almost 6 pounds of meat lasagna for $7). That’s as good as it gets as well as 4 pounds of frozen chicken  wings for $5.99.

At Safeway, you need a Club Card to get the deals of $5 signature pizzas and 26-oz (serves 3 or 4) smokehouse ribs. Here, avocados are 2 for $1. Or try the meal day with a signature pizza, 25 chicken wings, and 2 liter bottle of Coke for $9.99.

Here are a few safety tips:  Refrigerate foods made with mayo, nobody wants to be sick the next day. Keep cold foods cold and refrigerate leftovers promptly. Use a food thermometer to cook ribs, wings, burgers, roasts and poultry. Wash your hands frequently. Have plenty of non-alcoholic beverages like iced tea and flavored waters for people who don’t drink or need to stop drinking and still stay hydrated.

Happy Super Bowl-ing

holy guacamole Super Bowl

One of the biggest grocery spending day which is only second to Thanksgiving happens this Sunday, Feb 7. Yep, there’s something magical about the Super Bowl, food, and football.

Avocado Wars

Sunflower Market has Hass avocados for 39 cents/each. Limes are 4 for $1 and roma tomatoes costs 39 cents a pound. What a deal! Stock up.

Safeway serves up avocados at 3 for 99 cents. You can also get 8 pieces of fried chicken or all natural roasted chicken (trans fat free) for $3.99. The Football Meal Deal is $9.99 for 16-inch take & bake pizza, 25 bone-in or boneless chicken wings, and 2 liter of Coke. Club Cards required for the deals.

Food City has avocados 2 for $1 and Herdez salsa 2 for $3. Food City also has mini sandwich trays and mini chimi trays.

Fry’s avocados cost $1/each, roma tomatoes are $1/pound and cilantro 2 for $1. You can get $5 off any party tray of $25 or more; 24 hours notice recommended. Lots of cakes are decorated to look like footballs or football fields including a Carvel Snickers football ice cream cake for $6.99. Today is the first Wednesday of the month and 55+ year olds get 10% off their total purchases. VIP cards required.

Albertsons has avocados for 99 cents/each and roma tomatoes for 99 cents/pound and cilantro 3 for $1. They have the same chicken deal as Safeway but fried only and buy 1, get 2 free of pork baby back ribs (in store coupon required).

Holy Guacamole
I once heard a rumor that the sale of avocados was over the top on Super Bowl Day. It’s only a rumor according to snopes.com. Sales do rise by 5 percent not 67 percent. The biggest selling holiday for avocados is Cinco de Mayo (May 5).
However, guacamole is a popular dip to serve for Super Bowl parties. It’s a perfect match for tortilla chips, chips of all kind, and crudites or raw vegetables. Avocados are usually on sale the week before the Super Bowl. Don’t wait until the last minute to buy the avocados because they will most likely need to ripen.
Avocado is a nutritious “fruit” filled with monosaturated oils otherwise known as good fats or healthy fats.