The beginning of a New Year is a time for reflection, a time to make some changes.  One for the Co-op newsletter and us is a change in our Price Shopper article.  Instead of making a list, shopping at two different stores and comparing prices, we will be focusing on a "staple" item.  We will look at availability, prices, and find out why the Moscow Food Co-op decides to carry certain brands.  Our first task is to find out about organic milk.

We found that there are seven different brands of organic milk available in Moscow, at the Co-op and the three supermarkets in our community.  The brands are Organic Valley, Horizon, Strauss, Safeway Organic, Stremicksi Heritage, and Natural Direction. All of these brands are certified organic; however there are significant differences between them.  We found that how the cows are treated, what they are fed, and farm practices are all areas of consideration.   We thank Peg Kingery, the Co-op chilled foods manager for the following information about organic milk brands.

What do you think about the Co-op's Tasteful Thursdays program which features samples and live music at the Co-op on Thursdays from 5 – 7 p.m.?
Asked by Ashley Fiedler on November 10, 2011

"I really enjoyed the Deli's turkey cranberry pesto wraps. It is a great idea for leftovers during the holidays." –Susan Heustis, Moscow, housewife.

During Sept and Oct, children who joined the Co-op Banana Club chose a healthful snack (apple, banana, or carrot).  The snacks were provided by the Co-op for free.  Did you participate in the Banana Club and what did you think about it?
asked by Ashley Fiedler on October 18, 2011.

"Yes.  It is a good way to choose a healthy snack.  My daughter loves to eat when we shop so it's nice to not have to get her a muffin."- Dawn Libey, Moscow, RN

We saved $7.72 on our "Lithuanian Dinner" shopping trip to the Moscow Food Co-op and Rosauers this month.   With the  shortest day a month away, it is a time for sleeping a lot and putting on some winter insulation.  That is why this time of year we go through our "Traditional LIthuanian Recipes" cookbook and pick a few recipes for a pre-winter dinner.  Joe's mom and grandparents on his dad's side are from Lithuania, so he has some experience making these foods.  We chose to make Sildytas Alus (Hot Beer - a great holiday treat), Salatos (Salad), Alaus Sriuba (Beer Soup), Varskeciai (Cottage Cheese Squares), Zrazai. Vyniotiniai (Beef Birds), and for desert Eziukai (Porcupine Cake).  One of our favorites is Beer Soup which uses beer, cinnamon stick, slice of bread, 4 egg yolks, sugar, and thin cream, we use half and half (see what I mean?)   After this dinner we think we will put the $7.72 we saved toward a membership at the local fitness club!

Joe and Amy, Coop Price Shopper Writers who like to cook, and eat!