Gift Shopping at the Grocery Store

With so many holiday parties to attend, trips to plan, food to prepare and gifts to buy, who has time to run all over town to ten different stores? Native Sun has everything you need for a festive holiday dinner or party and fun, affordable gift ideas for the whole family!

Stocking Stuffers

Mix and match useful & delicious items when shopping for stockings. [Alba Deodorant, Shampoo, Conditioner & Lip Balm - $2.39 each; Super Nutrition Simply One Men's & Women's Vitamins - $11.39, 30 ct bottle; Organic Candy Canes - $2.99 box of 12; Chico Reusable Grocery Bags - $5.99-$8.99 each; Vega Whole Foods Bars - $2.69 each; Green & Black's Organic Chocolate - $1.49-$1.99 each]

Gifts Under $30

Klean Kanteen is the original bpa-free, food-grade stainless steel beverage bottle. Perfect for your eco-friendly girlfriend, your bike riding brother, and your wine loving mom. We have tons of different sizes and shapes available in-store. [$16.95-$27.95]

Give the relaxing gifts of Pacifica Soy Candles [$13.89 each] available in seven great scents and a mix & match bouquet of incense sticks [10 for $1.50; holder $2.39].

Gift sets & cards make holiday shopping easy! [Chimay Gift Box - $18.99, Zum Joy Whiff Sticks - $23.99] Native Sun Gift Cards are perfect for the UNF student, organic eater, health conscious shopper, raw foodie, business lunchers in Southside or Mandarin and more.

Holiday Cheers

Raise a glass to celebrate with friends and family! [Terra Suma White Blend - Reg. $11.49, ON SALE $8.79; Terra Suma Red Blend - Reg. $14.49, ON SALE $11.59; Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale - Everyday Low Price $6.99/6-pk; Stefany Prosecco - Reg. $17.59, ON SALE $12.99]

Gather the family and cozy up by the fireplace with a warm cup of tea or cocoa! [Celestial Teas: Assorted Flavors - Reg. $3.29, ON SALE $2.69 box of 20; Wonderslim Fat Free, 99.7% Caffeine Free WonderCocoa - $7.29]

For the Animals

Don’t forget gifts for the other “children” in your life. [Castor & Pollux Raw Hide - $2.19; Dog Toys - $6.59; Cat Treats - $2.99 & Catnip Mouse - $3.19. All items sold individually, basket not included.]

We also have recycled gift bags with tissue paper, holiday greeting cards and other affordable holiday gifts for the whole family. If you’re shopping for someone with particular tastes, needs or interests just ask us for help in selecting the perfect gift.

December Healthy Happy Hour is 12/17

Join us for our December Healthy Happy Hour THIS THURSDAY December 17 – and EVERY third Thursday of the Month – from 6-8pm at our Baymeadows location (11030 Baymeadows Road, adjacent to 9A on the Southside, 260-2791). Enjoy free samples of all-natural and organic beer and wine paired with delicious hors d’ oeuvres made fresh in the Native Sun Kitchen. Must be 21 or older to drink!

December’s sampling menu includes . . .

WINE

NEW Terra Summa Organic Premium Italian Red Blend
40% Organic Uva di Troia, 40% Organic Montepulciano, and 20% Organic Aglianico. Very full-bodied red. Dry, flavorful, and intense. Enjoy with red meat, chicken and your favorite Italian dishes.
 
NEW Terra Summa Organic Premium Italian Pinot Grigio
100% Organic Italian Pinot Grigio. Medium-bodied white, fruity, smooth & mild. Enjoy with grilled Salmon, mild white fish, chicken, cheese and fruit.
 
NEW Terra Summa Organic Premium Spanish Tempranillo Crianza
100% Spanish Tempranillo. Full-bodied red. Dry, flavorful and intense. Enjoy with chicken, lamb, red meat and bold cheese.

Pizzolato Organic Sparkling Stefany
100% Organic Prosecco. Delicate, soft & fruity with a well-orchestrated, slightly aromatic taste. Ideal with raw seafood, excellent with dessert.

BEER
 
Brooklyn Brewery Local 2
Belgian inspired Strong Dark Ale. European malt & hops, Belgian dark sugar, and raw wildflower honey from a New Yark family farm. Belgian yeast adds hints of spice to the dark fruit, caramel, and chocolate flavors. After 100% bottle refermentation, the beer reveals a marvelous dry complexity, enjoyable by itself or at the dinner table.
 
Terrapin Pumpkinfest
A traditional Octoberfest brewed with over 1 pound of pumpkin per barrel along with pumpkin spices. All of the malt of a German Fest beer and all the spice of Grandma’s pumpkin pie! Flavors of cinnamon, ginger, allspice and cloves.
 
Starr Hill Dark Starr Stout
This stout has won more national and international awards than any other Dry Irish Stout in the country. Brewed with roasted barley, and with hints of coffee and dark chocolate, it packs a robust taste into a surprisingly light body. This signature brew pours like velvet and drinks like a slice of grandma’s pumpernickel bread.

Click here to see pictures from past Healthy Happy Hours! See you Thursday!

Michael Pollan’s Top 20 Food Rules from Readers

In March 2009, Michael Pollan asked readers of the New York Times to submit their rules for eating well. Within days, over 2500 people responded. Pollan posted his Top 20 Favorite Rules last month. See the list below.

1.

2. Don’t eat anything that took more energy to ship than to grow.

3. If you are not hungry enough to eat an apple, then you’re not hungry.

4. Eat foods in inverse proportion to how much its lobby spends to push it.

5.

6. No second helpings, no matter how scrumptious.

7. It’s better to pay the grocer than the doctor.

8. You may not leave the table until you finish your fruit.

9. You don’t get fat on food you pray over. (Meals prepared at home, served at the table and given thanks for are more appreciated and more healthful than food eaten on the run.)

10. Breakfast you should eat alone. Lunch you should share with a friend. Dinner, give to your enemy.

11.

12. Don’t yuck someone’s yum. There is someone out there who likes deep-fried sheep eyeballs and, well, more power to them.

13. Make and take your own lunch to work.

14. Eat until you are seven-tenths full and save the other three-tenths for hunger.

15. I am living in Japan and following these simple rules in preparing each meal: GO HO – incorporate five different cooking methods, GO SHIKI – incorporate five colors, GO MI – incorporate five flavors.

16. One of my top rules for eating comes from economics. The law of diminishing marginal utility reminds me that each additional bite is generally less satisfying than the previous bite. This helps me slow down, savor the first bites, stop eating sooner.

17.

18. When drinking tea, just drink tea. I find this Zen teaching useful, given my inclination toward information absorption in the morning, when I’m also trying to eat breakfast, get the dog out, start the fire and organize my day.

19. When you’re eating, don’t talk about other past meals, whether better or worse. Focus on what’s in front of you.

20. After spending some time working with people with eating disorders, I came up with this rule: Don’t create arbitrary rules for eating if their only purpose is to help you feel in control.

Click here to see illustrations of all the Top 20 rules.

ABOUT MICHAEL POLLAN
Pollan is the author of In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto and The Omnivore’s Dilemma, which was named one of the ten best books of the year by both the New York Times and the Washington Post. Pollan appears in Food, Inc. a food industry documentary and The Botany of Desire, recently broadcast on PBS. Pollan is a contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine and the Knight Professor of Journalism at UC Berkeley.

December GreenApples Charity: Sulzbacher Center Toiletry Drive & Donations

Once again, we’ve chosen the Sulzbacher Center as our GreenApples Charity of the Month for December, but this time we’re focusing on their HOPE Teams or ”Homeless Outreach Project Expansion” Teams. These groups go out into the city and build relationships with people in need, particularly homeless men and women suffering from mental illness, and work to restore them mentally, physically and socially to the community. They are in desperate need of the following items:
 
Toiletries
Soap
Deoderant
Disposable Razors
Shampoo
Conditioner
Shaving Cream
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Body Lotion
Bug Repellant
Lip Balm
 
Ways to stay warm
New Underwear, Socks, Gloves & Hats
New or Used Warm Jackets & Blankets
 
For your convenience, pre-packaged toiletry bags will be available for a $3 donation at the registers. All other donations can be accepted at Customer Service.
 
About Sulzbacher Center
Located in Downtown Jacksonville, the Sulzbacher Center is Northeast Florida’s only provider of comprehensive services for homeless men, women and children. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year – the Sulzbacher Center offers nutritious meals, safe shelter, outstanding health care and high-quality programs to over 300 men, women and children each day.

FREE Seminar “What the Drug Companies Won’t Tell You & Your Doctor Doesn’t Know”

Dr. Michael Murray, N.D. is back by popular demand to talk about his latest book “What the Drug Companies Won’t Tell You & Your Doctor Doesn’t Know” on Wednesday, December 2. Lecture begins at 8pm at our Baymeadows location, book signing to follow.

Learn:
- The secret keys to true healing
- Real answers to serious health issues
- The real safety and efficacy of Rx drugs
- How to use natural medicines effectively
- How to live healthier, longer

**As of 11/20/09 this event is FULLY BOOKED. This post is to serve as a reminder for customers who have already RSVP’d. Call 904-260-2791 with any questions.**

Make Thanksgiving Effortless with Native Sun

Thanksgiving is a chance to enjoy time spent with the people who mean the most to you – not a time to stress over turkey and side dishes. That’s what we’re for! We have everything you need for a delicious, effortless Thanksgiving holiday. All you have to do is reheat and enjoy!

TURKEY
Sign up for our FREE Customer Card Program and receive up to 80 cents/lb OFF your turkey. That’s $16 OFF a 20lb turkey! Pricing below.

Grateful Harvest Organic Turkey $3.99/lb ($3.29/lb with a Customer Card!)
Grateful Harvest Natural Turkey $2.99/lb ($2.19/lb with a Customer Card!)

Upon request, our Baymeadows Meat Department can brine your turkey for just 30 cents/lb. Brined turkeys must be requested by 5pm on Tuesday, November 24 and can be picked up anytime on Wednesday, November 25.

If you already reserved your perfect bird with us you can pick it up any time before 8pm on Wednesday, November 25. No reservation? No worries! We still have tons of all-natural and organic turkeys available on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.

We also have spiral hams, chicken breasts and other specialty meats. Ask our Meat Department for today’s selections.

SIDE DISHES
The delicious side dishes served at our Free Fall Food Festival are now available in our Grab n Go cooler through Wednesday, November 25! All you have to do is reheat & enjoy. Perfect for a potluck thanksgiving or hosting a large party. Dishes are made with only the best all-natural and organic ingredients as always!

Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes w/ Rosemary:  Small $3.99, Large $9.99    
Sweet Potato Casserole w/ Pecans: Small $9.99, Large $18.99
Green Bean Casserole: Small $10.99, Large $19.99
Broccoli & Cauliflower Au Gratin: Small $10.99, Large $19.99
Native Sun Killer Cranberry Sauce: $5.99 each

Small feeds 4 – 5ppl, Large feeds 8 – 10ppl

VEGGIE OPTIONS
Tofurky & Quorn meatless products are on sale through November 30!

Tofurky Vegetarian Roast, 26 oz: $9.99 each (reg $14.09)
Tofurky Vegetarian Giblet Gravy, 14 oz: $3.99 each (reg $5.49)
Quorn Turkey Style Roast, 16 oz: $5.99 each (reg $7.79)

ALSO ON SALE THIS MONTH

Organic Hard Squash & Pumpkins: 99 cents/lb
Westbrae Canned Corn, Peas & Green Beans: 99 cents (reg $2.19)
Arrowhead Mills Organic Stuffing Mix: $3.49 (reg $5.39)
RW Knudsen Cider & Spice: $2.79 (reg $3.99)
Golden Farms Organic Crispy Onions: $2.99 (reg $4.39)
Organic Valley Stick Butter: $4.99 (reg $7.89)
Wholly Wholesome Organic Pie Shells: $2.99 (reg $4.49)
Organic Pumpkin Pie Spice: $12.99/lb (reg $17.29/lb)
And More!

**NATIVE SUN WILL BE CLOSED NOVEMBER 26 & 27, 2009**

Native Sun Mandarin Run 5K & 10K is 11/21

Ready, Set, Go! The 30th Annual Native Sun Mandarin Run is THIS Saturday, November 21 and we are proud to sponsor this local event for the seventh year in a row! New this year, the race will start at Mandarin Presbyterian Church (12001 Mandarin Road) instead of Mandarin Park, and a 5K option had been added.

The 5K will start at 7:50am, the 10K at 8:00am, and a one-mile fun run for kids at 9:30am. Post race there will be an awards ceremony, live music and a healthy brunch provided by Native Sun.

The new course is a flat, fast loop around Mandarin, through a nice residential neighborhood, and is USA Track and Field certified. Cash prizes will be given to the top three finishers in the male and female divisions, as well as top finishers within each age group. Native Sun will also draw race numbers at random to win great prizes including gift cards and merchandise!

Through THIS Friday, November 20, registration is $25 for all ages, and will jump to $30 day of the race. Entry fees include a race t-shirt and $1 donation to Memories of Love, a local non-profit providing Florida dream vacations for families with young children and a parent facing life threatening illness.

TODAY is the last day to register online at 1stplacesports.com, but printed registration forms can be picked up any time at 1st Place Sports stores or you can register on-site day of the race. Registration starts at 6:30am.

Click here for complete race details.

NEW! Free Customer Card Program & Savings

We are excited to now offer a FREE Native Sun Customer Card Program to give you super savings all year long! Sign up at a register or visit Customer Service for more details. Benefits of this FREE program include:

Monthly Department Deals
Look for special savings in a different department each month!

Custom Coupons
We can now offer you savings on the products you buy most.

Extended Sales
Receive up to 15% OFF overstock items days after a sale has ended.

Seasonal Promotions
Save big on items for the season!

No Hassle 30-Day Return Policy
Forgot your receipt? Don’t worry! We can look up your purchases online.

Special Birthday Offers
Receive additional savings during the month of your special day!

And Much More . . . 

PLUS! When you reserve your holiday turkey before THIS SATURDAY November 21, you’ll save 80 cents/lb OFF Natural Turkeys and 70 cents/lb OFF Organic Turkeys with your new customer card! That’s $16 OFF a 20lb bird!! See Customer Service or call 260-2791 today to reserve your turkey today. After November 21, all unreserved turkeys will be available on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.

November Healthy Happy Hour is Thursday 11/19

Join us for our November Healthy Happy Hour THIS THURSDAY November 19 – and EVERY third Thursday of the Month – from 6-8pm at our Baymeadows location (11030 Baymeadows Road, adjacent to 9A on the Southside, 260-2791). Enjoy free samples of all-natural and organic beer and wine paired with delicious hors d’ oeuvres made fresh in-store. Must be 21 or older to drink!

November’s sampling menu includes . . .

BEERS
Bold City Limited Edition “O” Pumpkin Spice Coffee Stout
Green’s Gluten-Free Discovery Amber Ale
Sierra Nevada Estate Ale

WINES
Organic Wine Works Notre Terre
L De Lagarde Organic White Bordeaux
L De Lagarde Organic Red Bordeaux

Click here to see pictures from past Healthy Happy Hours! See you Thursday!

FREE Fall Food Festival on Nov. 14! *Updated 11/13*

We are excited to host a FREE Fall Food Festival THIS Saturday, November 14! This event is similar to our popular Fall Open House from previous years, but instead of two hours of food, fun and entertainment there will be eight! 

12pm – 5pm: BOTH LOCATIONS – Free Fall Food Sampling + Kids Activities    

5pm – 8pm: BAYMEADOWS ONLY – Free Beer and Wine Tasting + Live Music

Native Sun Kids can enjoy face painting, caricatures & leaf rubbing at both stores! Mandarin will have caricatures from 12 – 2pm & face painting from 3 – 5pm; Baymeadows will have face painting from 12 – 2pm & caricatures from 3 – 5pm; and leaf rubbing will available all day!

You can also enter to win great prizes like a new bike, $50 Native Sun gift card and more by supporting our month-long food drive for City Rescue Mission as part of Native Sun’s GreenApples Charity of the Month program. For every non-perishable item donated before or on November 14, you’ll receive one ticket to enter in the Fall Festival raffle – so empty out your pantry before you come to the Festival! Donations are accepted at both stores. CRM needs canned fruit and vegetables, condiments, cooking oils, sugar, spices and more. Donation shopping lists are available instore. See raffle prizes below!

You will also have the chance to learn about our new Customer Card Program, sign up for free and earn special discounts, extended sales, birthday savings and more! Details at Customer Service. 

This event is free and open to the public. Had plans to shop? Both stores will be open for business during the event.

**UPDATE 11/11**

FALL FESTIVAL MENU (12pm – 5pm at BOTH LOCATIONS)

DINNER
Vegetarian Tofurky
Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole
Broccoli & Cauliflower Au Gratin
Sweet Potato Casserole
Cranberry Sauce
Butternut Squash Soup
Asparagus Truffle Soup

SNACKS
Turkey Canapes
Lentil Walnut Pate
Classic Hummus
Miso Sour Cream Dip
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Smoked Salmon Mousse

DRINKS
Native Sun Pumpkin Pie Smoothies
Apple Cider w/ Knudsen Mulling Spices
Silk Pumpkin Spice & Original Nog
Organic Valley Egg Nog

DESSERTS
Wholly Wholesome Pumpkin Pie 
Native Sun Apple Cake
Native Sun Banana Bread

PLUS! Raw Food Samples from Melissa with The Present Moment Cafe & Carrie with Shakti Life Kitchen!

BEER & WINE MENU (5pm – 8pm at BAYMEADOWS ONLY)

WINE
Santa Julia Organica Chardonnay Argentina
Santa Julia Organica Torrontes Argentina
Santa Julia Organica Malbec Argentina
Santa Julia Organica Tempranillo Argentina
Luzon Verde Organic Jumilla Spain
Terra Summa Organic Red Blend Spain
Terra Summa Organic White Blend Spain
Terra Summa Organic Chardonnay Italy
Terra Suma Organic Merlot French
Terra Suma Organic Cabernet Sauvingnon French

BEER
Bold City Limited Edition “O” Pumpkin Spice Coffee Stout
Bison Organic Chocolate Stout
Mendocino County Winter Ale
HeBrew Jewbelation 13 Bar Mitzvah
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale
Wolaver’s Pumpkin Ale
Terrapin Pumpkinfest
Bard’s Gold GF Sorghum Malt Beer

PLUS! Local Roasters Bold Bean Coffee and Assorted Cheese, Fruit & Nuts

RAFFLE PRIZES (Donations accepted at BOTH LOCATIONS)
Receive 1 raffle entry per 1 item donated to the CRM Food Drive now through November 14. Empty your pantry before you come or pick up items for donation at Native Sun (ie. 99cent canned veggies). You do not have to be present to win.

FREE Trek 7.1FX Bike ($440 Value! 2 available!)**
FREE Session with EFT Practitioner Sheri Baker ($125 Value!)
5 FREE Classes at M Body Yoga (6 available!)
$50 Native Sun Gift Card (4 available!)
$25 to The Present Moment Cafe?
$25 to Shakti Life Kitchen
Solgar Whey Protein Powder
Assorted VEGA Products
Assorted Alba Botanica Products
Herbs, Etc. Gift Basket
And More!

**Thank you to all the generous sponsors who pulled together to donate TWO Trek 7.1FX Bikes for our customers:  Main Street Marketing,  Eden Foods, Turtle Island makers of ToFurky, Greek Gods Yogurt Company, Organix South makers of TheraNeem & Theraveda, Iceland Springs Water, Miguels Organic Tortilla Chips and Kinnikinnick Wheat & Gluten Free Bakery!