Almonds Are Good Food

We talk to a lot almond eaters. We meet them when we demo Barsy's Almonds, passing out samples, in the fifty-or-so Minnesota stores that carry them. We also demo frequently in Iowa, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, with occasional trips to Illinois, and plans for Michigan and East Coast tours.

Some of the folks we meet are kind enough to ask us the leading question, "Almonds are really good for you, aren't they?"

With a disclaimer for people who are allergic to nuts, yes, almonds are really good for you.

Almonds are a good source of protein, fiber, and energy. They're also full of B vitamins, Vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, selenium, and zinc.

The oil in almonds is useful in reducing LDL, the "bad cholesterol," and Harvard's Nurse's Health Study found that women who ate five ounces or more of nuts a week had significantly less heart disease. The Sixth Edition of the Nutrition Almanac says that "Patients with Parkinson's disease have been found to have a lack of nuts in the diet, prior to contracting the disease."

Almonds taste good, too, and Barsy's Almonds are a treat that's real food.

Sample Barsy's Almonds In St. Peter, MN Saturday

Come to the St. Peter Food Co-op on Saturday. Barsy's Almonds will be the featured vendor, with Barbara passing out samples between 11:00 and 2:00

St. Peter is one of our favorite places, on US 169, and the Minnesota River, about an hour west of the Twin Cities. It's a small farming and college town that supports the co-op. Mortar boards mingle with feed caps at the co-op. It's a full-line grocery store, run by people who love and understand food, with plenty of bulk foods and a great deli with great coffee.

And the co-op carries all five Barsy's flavors: Smokies, Sweeties, Naughties, Hotties, and Stuffies.

That makes it a great place to fill in any gaps in your Barsy's education.

Barsy's Healthy Treats At Mississippi Market

Jason and Barbara met a lot of nice people and turned them onto Barsy's Almonds Saturday. St. Paul's Mississippi Markets were getting ready for the Super Bowl, and Jason was at the Selby Avenue, and Barbara was at 7th Street.

The Selby Mississippi Market is at 622 Selby Avenue in St. Paul, at the intersection with Dale. The 7th Street Market is at 1500 West 7th Street. Both Markets are large and airy, with everything you expect from a supermarket, but more and better.

The Mississippi Market website describes the stores as "St. Paul's premier source for local & organic produce, sustainably raised meats, health and wellness products, and delicious healthful food.

"...we're consumer owned and controlled and have been since we opened in 1979."

Here's a link to the Mississippi Market website: http://msmarket.coop/

Mazopiya in Prior Lake

What is a Mazopiya anyway? In the Dakota language it means, basically, a store. But the Mazopiya in Prior Lake, Minnesota, is hardly basic. You get the sense of great care and thought and community the minute you walk in. As they put it:

"Our mission is to support a healthy, sustainable community; environmentally, economically, and socially. We will focus on products that are locally produced and sourced. We will provide the highest quality natural and organic foods and exemplary customer service."


 Even the design and construction of the building was done with great care. As much of the building material was sourced locally and a lot of attention was paid to keeping waste and energy consumption to a minimum. The result is a delightful place to shop for delicious, healthy food.


We'll be there Friday, August 5, from 11-2 to join in their Grand Opening Celebration. Join us to sample lots of great, local food, including Barsy's Almonds, of course!

Meet your local food producers at White Bear Lake Kowalski's Market

On Saturday, July 30, we'll be participating in a yearly event we always look forward. That's when Kowalski's Markets celebrate their commitment to local sourcing by inviting dozens of local vendors into their stores to meet the customers, talk about their products and, of course, offer free samples.

We can speak from experience when we say Kowalski's is totally committed to sourcing as much as they can locally. This local chain goes out of its way to attract and support the best local bakers, growers, cheese makers, candy makers and, it goes without saying, almond roasters!

Anyone who's ever been at one their nine stores is immediately struck by how clean, well-stocked and easy-to-navigate the store is. And it doesn't take long to also notice the attentive, cheerful staff. Maybe that's because Kowalski's is committed to running their organization with an emphasis on democratic process and fair treatment.

You can meet up with Barbara on 7/30 at the White Bear Lake Kowalski's at 4291 S. Lake Street, White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Come and say hi and much on some almonds, then be sure to browse the store to get a sense of just how varied and vital our local food scene really is.
White Bear Lake, MN

Saint Cloud's Good Earth

Friday, June 24, Barbara will be at The Good Earth in Saint Cloud, Minnesota for lunch, dispensing good vibes and samples of Barsy's Almonds. Good Earth carries quarter pounds of all five Barsy's flavors, as well as Naughties in bulk.

Every Friday through September 2, The Good Earth hosts its "Good-for-You Cookout" from 11:30 to 2:00, offering deli selections and healthy grilled food. Barbara will miss John Hooper's yak burgers by a week (he's at Good Earth on the first Friday of every month), but she'll probably take time out for a portabella burger. If you're looking for healthful tasty Friday lunch, the Good Earth is the place to be in St. Cloud. Cookout cost is seven bucks; six to members.

While you're there -- Centennial Plaza, 2010 8th Street North (Veteran's Drive) -- get to know this community-owned source for least-cost nutritious food.

Check progress on the deli seating expansion, due to open the second week of July. Good Earth is committed to healthy lifestyles and cooperation between producers and consumers, with respect for the ultimate source of health and wealth always in mind. In addition to a pleasant atmosphere in which to enjoy your food, the expansion will include space for classes in preparing and enjoying nutritious foods that are good for your family and the environment.

Grand Opening - St. Peter Co-op

Join us in St. Peter, Minnesota on Saturday, June 11, to celebrate the grand opening of the St. Peter Food Co-op's new store. St. Peter is located in the Minnesota River Valley, about seventy miles southwest of the Twin Cities  on US 169, and twenty minutes northwest of Mankato. The new store is on the right at the intersection of 169 (Minnesota Avenue) and Mulberry Street, across from the Nicollet County Courthouse.

The St. Peter Co-op has been supplying the scenic home of Gustavus Adolphus College with healthy and delicious food since a handful of residents organized to supply themselves with better nutrition in 1979. The spacious new store is the Co-op's third location, and can supply a food-conscious household with everything it needs. The staff prides itself on "personalized customer service," "product expertise," and "customer advocacy." Store personnel have shopped for housebound patrons, and will special-order the odd item you don't find on the shelves.  There are free in-store classes, and Brand Development Manager Jennifer Luhmann says that members and staff "are passionate about food, about its look, smell, and taste. They know where it comes from and the people who supply it."

In addition to groceries (and nutritional supplements and body-care products), the Co-op includes a delicatessen with hot bar, sandwich- salad- and build-your-own-burrito bars. On the day I'm writing this, the hot bar features Teriyaki Chicken, Ma’sMashed Potatoes, Baked Penne, Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Vegetarian Sloppy Joes, Pasta with Sun Dried Tomatoes, Veggie Pizza, and Brown Rice.  Today's soups are Tomato Basil Feta and Cream of Spinach. Seating is airy and inviting. The day I visited, it was full of people enjoying tasty lunches with friends.

St. Peter carries all five Barsy's flavors -- Smokies, Sweeties, Naughties, Hotties, and Stuffies -- in bulk. We will be at the Grand Opening on the tenth to tempt you with free samples. Other local food suppliers with be on hand, too, showing off their wares.