Andrea's Column

Keep Out of the Kitchen!

Summer is a perfect time for lighter, no-cook meals that give you an opportunity to keep out of the kitchen on hot summer days.

For easy, no-cook meal ideas:

• Enjoy main dish salads. Bagged salad greens are a no-fuss foundation. No-cook proteins include cooked shrimp, canned beans or tuna, sliced deli meats or cheese. Add any variety of cut-up vegetables and fruits. Nuts and seeds are delicious and crunchy additions. Dress with low fat dressings or simply toss with a sprinkle of olive oil, fresh lemon or lime juice and a touch of salt and pepper. Or pick up a salad bowl from our prepared foods area.
• Sandwiches are family favorites. Try a deli buffet of sliced turkey, corned beef and pastrami with sides of rye bread and rolls, pickled beets and coleslaw. Or make our delicious California Baja Turkey Sandwich!
• Pick up a rotisserie chicken and French baguette, and mix canned corn and black beans for a tasty summer salad to accompany the meal.

Enjoy your summer meals!

Hot Tips For Great Grilling

It's grilling season! Grilling can be a great way to gather the family together and enjoy the great outdoors. But remember these grilling tips guarantee great results at your next barbeque:

• Keep your barbeque clean and free of greasy buildup. Prepare the grill. Clean the grill grate with a metal brush before and after cooking. Using a soft cloth or brush, coat the grate lightly with vegetable oil just prior to placing the food on it.
• Wash your hands, utensils, and equipment before and after cooking.
• Choose thick-cut steaks and chops for grilling. As for fish, use steaks and or have the fillets cut from 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick.
• Trim visible fat from meat to reduce grease drippings and flare-ups.
• Marinate meat for added flavor. You can make your own or you can pick up a variety of marinades in the meat department or the grocery aisles.
• Marinate foods in the refrigerator, not on the counter. You can reserve a portion of the marinade, before raw meat is placed in it, for basting or to dip cooked food.
• Don't partially cook before grilling, unless food will go immediately onto the grill.
• Remember to baste your meat during the last 5 to 10 minutes of grilling to maximize flavor.
• Make sure your meats are safe without over-cooking by using an instant-read thermometer and cook to proper internal temperatures.
• When removing food from the grill, place items on a clean plate, not on a platter that contained raw meat.
• Serve hot, grilled foods immediately and promptly refrigerate leftovers.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill, even after it has been shut off. Grills remain hot long after being turned off.

For more information on food safety, click here.

Help! The Power's Out

Don't panic when storms hit this summer! You can keep refrigerated and frozen food safe to eat by being prepared. Follow the tips below and click here for a chart listing foods that are safe and those that need to be discarded if the temperature has gotten too warm. Print it out and post on your refrigerator so it is handy when the power goes out.

• Keep thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer so you can check the temperature when the power comes back on. Perishable foods kept above 40 degrees for more than 2 hours must be discarded.
• Have a cooler on hand.
• Keep your refrigerator door shut, so it will hold its temperature better.
• If the power is out longer than 2-4 hours, pack perishable foods such as milk, meats, fish, poultry and eggs items in a cooler surrounded by ice.
• In extended outages, transfer freezer foods to a cooler with ice also. A half -full freezer should keep foods below 40 degrees for as long as 24 hours and a well-packed freezer will hold food safely for 48 hours.

So, when the power is out, don't worry about your food, light a candle and enjoy some quiet time!

Breakfast for Dinner

Does your family love traditional breakfast foods but lacks time to have them for breakfast? Have a breakfast for dinner night! Kids love the novelty - you might even want to get them in their jammies early for breakfast at night!

And breakfast foods have other benefits too, such as being easy on your pocketbook, nutritious and easy to make. Here are some tips and ideas for your "breakfast for dinner" adventure:

• Make pancakes and waffles with whole grains, such as whole wheat flour and oatmeal for a nutty flavor and added fiber. Top them with frozen, canned or fresh fruit.
• Eggs are a nutritious, inexpensive protein food. Add chopped or grated veggies to scrambled eggs, omelets and frittatas.
• Choose Canadian bacon or turkey sausages for less total fat and saturated fat and more protein.
• Hot cereals are cozy and comforting after a busy day. Add chopped nuts, dried fruit and cinnamon. Yum!

Spring is in the Air!

With sunny days and spring breezes, we feel inspired to make a fresh start with spring-cleaning. This seasonal ritual can be a chore, but with the right approach, you can actually make it a fun event in your home.

Stock up while shopping. Tasks are easier with the right household cleaning products, so while grocery shopping, stock up on household cleaners and supplies.

Divide and conquer! Plan ahead and allow family members to choose tasks. Even young kids can pick up sticks in the yard, hose down screens, or wash the car.

One room at a time. Tackling multiple rooms can be overwhelming. Completing an entire room will provide a sense of accomplishment and motivate you to move on!

Move to the music! Stay energized with fun tunes and move to the beat as you clean.

Celebrate your accomplishments! Reward yourself and the family for contributing to a clean, fresh home with a fun, easy meal. Bake frozen pizzas and in anticipation of the warm weather ahead, enjoy ice cream cones for dessert!

Slow Down; Eat Well

Eating on the Run? As a busy mom, I know that eating is another activity that is often multi-tasked… eating in the car, at your desk or standing at the kitchen counter while reading the mail. However, according to the American Dietetic Association, eating slowly may be better for your health and your enjoyment of food.

Here's some tips for slowing down:

• Always eat from a plate
• Focus on your food
• Take 20 minutes to eat a meal

Slowing down helps you enjoy your food more, eat less and eat well!

Keep Love - and Your Flowers - Blooming!

Flowers for Valentine's Day are a tradition that speaks of love and affection. They also help lift the winter doldrums with their beautiful colors and fragrant scents. So, here are some hints to keep your flowers blooming a bit longer.

• Place flowers in a clean container, free from dirt and potential bacteria which can shorten the life of the flower.
• Remove any leaves that are below the water line.
• Trim stems under water and cut diagonally with a knife. Trimming stems help them to absorb water.
• Check your flowers daily. Flowers should be kept in water at all times. Roses are a thirsty flower, so be sure to add water with floral preservative daily.
• Add new water at room temperature mixed with fresh flower preservative every other day. Mix flower preservative according to package directions.
• If a rose wilts, submerge entire flower and stem in clean tub or tray of cool water. Cut 1" from end of stem under water. Allow rose 20 to 60 minutes before replacing them in clean vase with fresh water and preservative.
• Display flowers in a cool location, out of direct sunlight: avoid excessive heat or cold.

Enjoy!

Profiles in Excellence - A Celebration of Dance

In honor of Black History month, we are pleased to once again offer our annual free booklet, "Profiles in Excellence" which honors the cultural history of African Americans. This year celebrates the rich contribution of African Americans to the art of dance.

From early dance forms to current trends, dance has played an important role in African American history. Booklets will be available in stores in February, and can also be downloaded here.

More Matters in 2010

Have you made the commitment to eat more fruits and vegetables this year? Good for you!

Here are some easy ways to help you increase your choices throughout the day.

• Use bananas and frozen strawberries to make a delicious morning smoothie.
• Keep a bowl of fresh fruit handy on the kitchen counter or table.
• Keep dried fruit handy at the office for snacking, like boxes of raisins and dried apricots.
• Add garbanzo, kidney and/or black beans to salads.
• Thirsty? Drink a glass of 100% fruit juice.
• Make vegetables part of a quick dinner - microwave or steam them in only a few minutes.
• For dessert, try apple slices with peanut or soy butter.

All forms of fruits and vegetables - fresh, frozen, canned and dried count towards helping maintain your health. Enjoy!

New Year Party Planning

Are you hosting a New Year's party or potluck this year? Stop & Shop is your one stop destination for all your holiday party needs. Here are party planning ideas to help you celebrate the New Year:

• Choose recipes that can be prepared in advance or use prepared foods and party trays to give you more time to enjoy your guests.
• Serve food buffet-style. Great staples for holiday buffets include our wing platters, deli meat and cheese platters, meatball trays and wrap sandwiches.
• Place a variety of drinks in a tub with ice so guests can serve themselves.
• Have snack foods like pretzels, cheese and crackers, and nuts handy. Our veggie and fruit trays are great for healthy snacking too.
• Ask family or friends to make a food item for the buffet table or keep the party simple with snacks, dessert and drinks.
• Use one-stop shopping to pick up paper plates, condiments, food and drinks, party platters, balloons and other decorations.
• For a festive touch, visit our floral department for a beautiful centerpiece for your table.

Here's to a happy and healthy New Year!