Our New Project: Strong Sense of Place
My new project is taking all of my attention right now, and I'd love for you to join me for new adventures! It's called Strong...
Read More
Before I switched to dino-chow, food gifts consisted of deliciously non-nutritious things like See’s Candy and gourmet cookies. I still love food gifts, but now they’re usually delicious nutrient-dense things like grass-fed meat, organic fruits and veggies, and luscious, luscious nuts (and nut butters). You know, the kind of stuff you can find at Whole Foods.
McKinzey Crossland, one of the friendly folks at our local Whole Foods, sent me a holiday present: a gift card for me to use at Whole Foods and one to give away to a lucky reader. What was the reason behind this Christmas-y generosity? “We’d love to help you spread the word that a Paleo diet still leaves room for holiday cheer,” McKinzey told me. “Whole Foods Market can help healthy eaters find delicious, grain-free, and dairy-free options that are still full of the season’s most festive flavors.”
What’s not to love about that?
I used my Whole Foods gift card to buy goodies for our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day feasts:
Imagine what you could buy with a Whole Foods gift card… nibbles for a paleo New Year’s Eve party… ingredients for pork and sauerkraut for New Year’s Day to guarantee good luck in 2014… healthy foods to start a Whole30 on January 1… the possibilities are endless.
UPDATE: We have a winner! Thanks for playing!
One (1) lucky random winner will receive a $25 gift card for Whole Foods Market. Sorry, international friends! This giveaway is only open to people in the U.S.
To Enter: Leave a comment on this blog post letting us know one of the items you think you’ll buy with your Whole Foods gift card.
Deadline: Deadline to enter is midnight (Central) on Monday, December 23. I’ll choose a winner on December 24 and announce it here.
My new project is taking all of my attention right now, and I'd love for you to join me for new adventures! It's called Strong...
Read MoreWe could all use some happy distractions right about now, right? Here are some of the things I found online lately that made me happy....
Read More
SO many choices – I will likely buy larabars, medjool dates, and steak!
There are so many things I would buy, but I would probably stock up on larabars or spices
Pork & Sage breakfast sausage.
I’d use it to buy coconut aminos and coconut date rolls!
I’m guaranteed to buy milk for my son (milk, the shock the horror!)
Bacon, almond butter, coconut milk, the list is endless!
I would buy spices, olives and meats
I would use it to buy more gluten free options for our 18 month old who is almost one week gluten free. 🙂
Grass-fed beef and fresh veggies. Yummy!
If I were to win this gift card, I would use it to buy all of the items for the Well Fed recipes that I cant find anywhere else. Coconut aminos, arrowroot powder, and especially the sunflower seed butter for the Pad Thai!
I’d love to use it towards gifts for my Dad and his parents when we visit them later in the week.
Or if the timing doesn’t work out for the pastured meats they sell !
I would buy Snip Chips (parsnip-coconut snacks) and Farmhouse sauerkraut, along with wild salmon! Thanks!
I’d get probiotics!
To help my niece with gf options for her son.
I would use gift card to buy grass-fed beef and fresh produce.
Dark chocolate, fancy mushrooms, and satsumas!
Some veggies, freeze dried fruit and Applegate hotdogs for my son.
Heading for the produce aisle and the bulk bins!
I will buy all the things! Kidding, I’d probably get produce.
Chicken and some produce.
I think I would buy a pork butt roast to make carnitas from WF. Carnitas for New Year’s Eve sound really yummy.
Nut butters and kombucha!
our whole foods has a ton of yummy and “healthy” desert foods and some are paleo so i would stock up on those
I would fill my cart with organic fruits to share with guests – the organic persimmons are so perfect now, and the pomegranates, satsumas, raspberries, blackberries – whatever I could get!
I would buy fresh sushi
I would buy their natural peanut butter.
Tough but so many sweet potatoes, a couple kombuchas, guac, perhaps some wild caught salmon filets!
Hope to splurge on scallops from the fish counter or macadamia nuts.
I would buy chocolate and marshmellows. 🙂
Love Whole Foods. I would probably splurge on some cured meats or something similar that I don’t normally buy on our weekly grocery run.
Awesome! I would use it to buy a couple roasts for some crockpot meals, and maybe some dark chocolate. : )
late july chips or natural peanut butter!
Testament dressing and good meats.
I’d buy steaks from their awesome meat department!
I would buy so many pistachios! Also? Some delicious fresh shrimp and bacon or prosciutto…I love appetizers! Possibly some almond butter and coconut oil. This is pretty awesome…thanks!
I would use the gift card for BACON! I am currently 1/2 way through my 2nd Whole30 and no sugar bacon is hard to find but my Whole Foods has it and I can’t stop buying it.
Dark (very dark) chocolate.
So many choices! I would probably buy grass fed meat and stuff that is not available at our local HEB. 🙂
I really want to get a diffuser for my essential oils!
I would get 365 soy milk.
Grass-fed ribeye roast! MMmmmm…
I’ll hit the body shop section for GF, chemical-free shampoo and soaps, etc
so many good things at that store but I would choose coconut aminos and grass fed beef…yum!
I would use it to buy raw macadamia nuts, so delicous and nutritious!
I would probably end up buying meat — that meat counter is so hard to resist!
I don’t know, I never can afford to go there!
Coconut milk and kale!
Maybe some Hail Merrys o_O
the olives. sheepishly, I admit to not looking at the ingredient list on canned/jarred olives. Didnt think theyd have tons of additives. Silly me.
I am addicted to Whole Foods’ garlic and lemon olives. They present beautifully, too!
I’d buy some coffee!
They have a wonderful selection of honey, I would spend the money there!
I love to cook with duck fat and it’s the only place I’ve found it.
Smoked salmon!
I buy quite a lot of meat at WF because I can depend on it being raised sustainnably.
I need some almond flour for a recipe I want to try, and I also stock up on pastured eggs on every visit to Whole Foods.
The dried (nothing else added) mangos are fantastic.. And if your store makes it ‘in house’ their guacamole is amazing on EVERYTHING!!!! (Not sure if its all of them, but mine will grill/cook meat bought in the butcher section for you.. Top a bison burger with this guac.. To die for!!)
I was just in WF today taking advantage of their GF ground beef sale! I would probably stock up on whatever meats and seafood they had ready to go. Especially their prosciutto!
I can’t find uncured pepperoni at my local market and want to make a meatza. So I will travel to Whole Foods and stock up.
Fresh squeezed orange juice at Whole Foods is so good but I do not purchase very often and this would be a treat. I would also purchase some vitamins and the lemon dill tuna
I would buy sunflower butter and coconut milk. And then I would eat sunshine sauce by the bucketful.
Uncured salami, fosho.
Easy! Artisana’s Cacao Bliss. OMG it is so good and such a treat!
I’d stock up on some coconut aminos!
Justin’s Classic Almond Butter packets… because I cannot control any portion size with the jar. 🙂
I would spend it at the butcher counter. There’s nothing better than local, grass-fed beef!
Definitely buying the grass fed ghee from pure Indian foods. Best of all its a local item too! Maybe pastured chicken as well…
It’s not paleo, but: cheese. Our local Whole Foods has the BEST moldy blue cheese. It’s just… amazing.
And with any remainder, meats. Mmm. Meat.
Applegate Farms bacon!!
I would definitely buy Red Boat Fish Sauce…there are so many recipes I’ve been waiting to try because I don’t have it!
I would buy lots of tahihi! 😉
Oops tahini!! Did I spell that right?
Fresh sustainable seafood!
likely some too-rich-for-my-blood fish 🙂
definitely grass-fed beef!
Not really paleo, but last night I found caramel and chocolate coconut milk ice cream at my local Whole Foods — and I’d probably buy some more! =)
Anything from the butcher counter. So many options!!
I’d probably wind up buying a hunk of pork butt to make carnitas. Mmmmmm…carnitas.
A big hunk of grass-fed steak. Because… duh. Steak.
Lox for Christmas morning!
Coconut aminos and macadamia nuts!!
Ghee and kombucha!
Their preprepared beef ribs are DELICIOUS. LOVE THEM. That’s what I would get!
Walnuts and wild salmon 🙂
We just got a Whole Foods where I live last week. I keep hearing about their amazing salad bar!
Sunbutter and nuts!
I am grateful to be able to afford Whole Foods. If I were the recipient, i would give it away to someone less fortunate. I have been so into that lately and it feels SO good!
Merry Christmas Melissa, Dave and Smudge!
Grassfed Beef and Coconut Butter!
Have you tried the marcona almond butter? it tastes like heaven.
OMG. Whole Foods. I LOVE that place. I’d buy some of their amazing sausages, fancy cheeses, a latte and a flourless cake ball…which I would eat in my car, before leaving the parking lot.
I would love to get a gift card to Whole Foods. I would get some of their great fruits and vegetables, some meat and maybe even some organic chocolate.
Grass-fed beef!
coconut flour and coconut oil!
I will buy some imported cheese
I would use it to buy gluten free snacks or stock up on some uncured and nitrate free bacon.
Lots n lotsa frozen spinach for a cornucopia of spinach muffins!
I’d buy fruits and veggies!
Quality meat and blueberries for my 1-yr old 🙂
The salad bar. Always the salad bar.
My addiction at that store is their olive bar. Love those green olives! Maybe splurge on some good olive oil too.
ghee and maple syrup!
Coconut milk yogurt. also I love their prepared food section, and the little restaurants all over the store (the flagship in Austin).
I recently moved from Charlotte to Toledo, OH and am no longer near a Whole Foods – boooo! But I would love to send this gift card to my best friend in Charlotte to use on whole foods for the 28 to Life meal plan she’ll be startin gin Jan!
Easy–Broo Shampoo and Conditioner. At least my hair doesn’t have to miss beer as much as I do 🙂
Definitely some bacon! Probably some produce (theirs is generally better than the local grocery store), dark chocolate chips and coconut milk (for making the Paleo truffles in the MDA cookbook), and some meats.
Coconut butter, sweet potatoes, whole milk!
Fresh coffee, baked goods and chocolate 🙂
OLIVES! OLIVES! OLIVES! NUTS! NUTS! NUTS!
Red boat fish sauce, Kerrygold, coconut aminos, and some good cheeses.
Probably a mix of splurges (bacon!) and new foods to experiment with (coconut oil).
Bacon, sausage, and organic apples!
Meat! and some Xmas presents too 🙂
I would buy nuts (to make homemade nut butter)and bacon!
I will buy MEAT MEAT MEAT!
I’d most likely buy snacks/appetizers for my holiday party! =)
I’ll buy some of those Applegate sausages 🙂
GF Oregon Cracker Company Cheese Crackers (my absolute favorite indulgence), bacon, other meat, and probably some fun produce I’ve yet to try, since they always have a fun assortment.
I would get almond milk and grass fed bison
I don’t have a Whole Foods nearby, but am visiting somewhere close to one very soon, so, being WF deprived, I’d probably go crazy and buy every Paleo goodie I could find there (that isn’t carried here!), WAY past my $25!
Well, I would give it to my sister since there are no Whole Foods near me and I think she would buy some grass fed protein.
Kombucha Tea
nut butters and tahini
Grass-fed beef and bison all the way, baby!
The little smokies for sure and some bbq sauce!
Grass-fed meat!
I would buy some high-end canned tuna, fresh mango salsa, and coconut aminos!
mmm, calls for special occasion lamb chops!
Grass fed beef and free range, organic chicken thighs!
I would stock up on gfree baking supplies and Epic bars.
I will buy their cookies like the chocolate chip cookie sandwich for my holiday party!
I’d buy some nice wild-caught fish! And some organic wine to go with it! Mmmm!
I would buy some 365 coconut milk.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
I’d get a turkey — I thought I was going to have to spend Cheistmas alone, but I found out yesterday that I’ll get to spend a few hours with my dad. We’re very close, and it’s the best holiday gift I can imagine to be able to spend it with him. He asked me to make a turkey dinner, so the gift card would help!
All those uncured meats in the photo have me drooling. I would definitely buy some of them!
Grass-fed beef, dark chocolate, Kombucha, organic produce…ahhhhh.
I would use it to buy grass fed beef and bacon. Both things I usually don’t have money to buy. What a treat it would be.
I would buy some grass fed beef and some mushrooms to sauté for on top! Yum!
Love your books and giving some for Christmas gifts!
I would Buy Fresh Almond Butter!
I would give it to my sister for her shop with. Her husband lost his job 2 months ago and they could use the help with grocery money.
grass-fed meat and nuts!
I would buy either a nice big piece of salmon or load up on olives!
i will buy organic flour.
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
Everything that you have laid out on the table looks good!!
I have no idea what I’d buy! The Whole Foods a mile from my house was supposed to open last month, but construction was slow so I’m still waiting. I’ve visited a few while traveling and can’t wait to have one close by.
I would buy larabars, coconut water, and organic chicken 🙂
I would buy more coconut oil and more avocados if I won the gift card!
I will buy delicious meats and veggies for my January Whole30!
I would buy grassfed beef and wine!
Not sure what I’d buy, there are so many things I love!
Coconut aminos.. that stuff costs an arm and a leg 😉 I would also hit up the olive bar. Yum!
Mmm, a couple beautiful steaks, or a haul of Alter Eco chocolate bars would be awesome!
I’d splurge on some chocolates and spices!
Kimchi and coconut water
I’ll be traveling across the country this Spring. I stop at plenty of WFs. This gift card would be a blessing. Thanks!
I would buy grass fed beef, dark chocolate, nuts, nut butters, spices.
Gluten free lotion and makeup
SPICES!!!
Grass fed beef and BACON
I’d most likely head towards the butcher and seafood counters. Gorgeous selections to be had there.
fresh ground nut butter!!
The ingredients for the Moroccan Meatballs in Well Fed 2! I made that recipe for client this week and wow!! Delicious!!
I would buy the biggest jar of ghee I could find! 🙂
Great giveaway! I would buy Lara bars to get me through the day at the ski mountain (nothing but hot chocolate and fries up there!) and some dark chocolate for my mom.
Ground lamb ! Haven’t been able to buy it due to the price just yet.
I’d get some kimchi and lox!
I would splurge on some Hail Merry tarts or macaroons and then stock up on meat and veg.
I will buy coconut aminos so I can make more sunshine sauce!
I would stick up on goodies from Whole Foods’ great bulk aisle (nuts, dried fruit, etc.)
The uncured pepperoni for sure! We don’t have a Whole Foods on our side of the State (Michigan), so we stock up when we are able to get to the East side.
A roast! Love me some whole foods! 🙂
almond butter and coconut flour! went to buy some yesterday but was scared away by the price!
I would buy a few bags of Kale Krunch……yummy but very pricey!
I’d buy some lovely coconut milk!
grassfed beef, fish or tamari!
I saw some lovely raw organic cocoa on one of my frequent visits to the store. I would have $10 left to get all the yummy groceries I normally get. Meat, fish eggs produce, oh, and hair color! And I can walk there from my house!
I would probably purchase organic veggies as I am trying so hard to get more of them in my diet! 🙂 (btw – I love your blog, your recipes, your cookbooks! Thank you for sharing your journey (and your honesty about the struggles too!).
I would buy veggies and meat!
I would buy Honest Kids juices. Thanks for the chance! 🙂
I would get some grass fed meat and try some of that magic dough you mentioned above!! 🙂
No doubt, Chameleon Cold Brew!
Bacon, meat, and probably a macaroni just because they’re so darn pretty!
I like Whole Food’s pizza dough. I buy lots of fresh toppings from the produce department as well.
We Love the Pistachios too!
Merry Christmas.
One of my favs is Mara Natha Sun butter. Yummy!
Ill buy veggies and eggs!
I’ve been wanting to get some duck fat!
FRESH PRODUCE!!
Romanesco, figs, dark chocolate, maybe some duck legs.
I’d buy several imported cheeses.
grass-fed steaks. fancy spices. cacao powder!
Ho, ho, hoping I win! Happy Holidays to you and yours. 🙂
I would buy healthy meats with the card.
Probably Strauss butter for making ghee or some Numi tea. Maybe both!
Definitely cauliflower! I think I eat a head a day (that sounds funny) but it is so expensive where I live that I have stopped buying organic… thanks for the giveaway!
Our Whole Foods (Dallas) has started carrying sugar-free bacon, so I would get that!
I will be buying some wild salmon. Yum!
I would buy amino’s that several of your recipes call for and grass fed meat
Against The Grain baguettes!
I’d probably buy some bacon cuz you can never have too much bacon in my book. Plus the hubs loves the savory bacon they have sometimes at our local whole foods.
I would get cheese to make a really nice cheese tray with.
Bacon and coconut milk
almond butter
I would have a lunch or two from their hot bar, plus some goodies from their bakery section 🙂
Lamb Shanks! Yum!
My son has really bad eczema and as a full time
Student and mother, it’s hard to come up with $22 for a special lotion from whole foods for him! It’s gluten free like him 🙂
I think I’d buy some almond milk egg nog for a treat and a few pounds of meat or poultry!
I’d get fresh produce.
Grass-fed beef for dinner and coconut butter for a treat
I would buy Pederson’s sugar-free bacon, and Alter Eco’s Blackout 85% dark chocolate. Heaven! 🙂
I’d buy coconut aminos, essential oils, & vitamins and anything else that I can’t find in my town.
I confess I would probably blow the whole thing on Hail Merry macaroons! Or maybe a nice grass-fed steak to eat on New Year’s Eve.
Coconut butter and almond butter!
i’d put it towards my holiday tenderloin roast for my family. The meat there just can’t be beat…
Coconut milk and eggs. We go through them like many families go through milk and bread.
Grass fed meat for certain! Thanks for the opportunity!
i love their grass fed met!
gluten free items, organic veggies!
I would stock up on items I can use to make your wonderful recipes…lots of veggies and organic sunflower seed butter!
Veggies, they have the best.
Veggies, they have the best-
I would use my gift card to get back on the clean-eating/paleo wagon after overindulging this holiday season!
Almond flour and xylitol
I will buy a bunch of fresh produce to make salads. Thank you for having this giveaway!
lola_violets_2010{at}yahoo{dot}com
I have tried to find a place to give a gift card to Whole Foods for my darlings (children), but I don’t see one! I will have to check again. How we would love to have a Whole Foods in our community! I have to drive an hour to stock up!
My recent obsession is Prosciutto wrapped asparagus, so that is what I would buy. I have to feed the dragon 😉
I would hit up the salad bar and load it up with yummy yumminess!
I love to shop Whole Foods’ tantalizing meat and fish counters, so that’s probably where I’d spend it!
All types chili peppers!
I would buy Paleo staples for my pantry…probably almond flour.
I’d buy some grass-fed butter and meats.
I’d buy grassfed beef or some fresh fish for a lovely weekend dinner
I LOVE their grassfed meat. Definitely a must buy!
I would buy their delicious seafood – there was a sale on crab legs and I wanted them so much, I had a taste at the samples – very good!!! But also I could do a shrimp platter, or buy scallops I love they are “dry” and not “wet” with chemicals!!!
I would buy meat 🙂
I’m not going to lie. Carrot cake. Whole Foods has the greatest carrot cake I’ve ever tasted. I swear I’ll be good all the other times.
Grass fed ribeyes and garnet sweets!
Medjool dates, walnuts, coconut milk (for a paleo date pudding); root veggies (for soup, and mash). If any $ is left, some smoked salmon.
I’d buy a cut of meat I’ve never tried before!
I would stock up om muir glen fire roasted tomatoes for my….’our’ choco chile!! I always double the recipe at least so the big cans are the best. I love surplus in my pantry and ready at the moment!!
Their fresh ahi at the seafood counter would make its way into my basket, too. Never know what kind of canned tuna to buy so I’d like to splurge for my weekly cookup.
That’s at least 25.00 right here!
Thx for asking, Mel
I would buy coconut flour, coconut aminos and almond butter.
I always buy coconut milk at Whole Foods, olives from the olive bar, kale and Swiss chard, as well as other organic veggies, and when they have a good seafood special I’ll buy that as well. I sure wish I had a Whole Foods in my town, but I make a road trip to go there.
Meat and cheese, definitely!
Diapers…ha! Thank you for the giveaway!
Spices and organic veggies and meat.
I would buy some things I’ve never tried before… like different brands of frozen pizza!
I’d be torn between the produce and going straight for the wine section 😉
I would go splurge on that olive bar again. We love it! If there’s any left, get more meat. Because you can never have enough.
I’ll explore and decide then! I’ve never yet shopped a Whole Foods. 🙂
Oh man, nuts and all kinds of yumminess!
I love Whole Foods, so many awesome choices! I would probably buy kombucha, grind-your-own almond butter, and get lunch from the hot bar.
I would buy some fresh veggies!
I love their olives and nuts!
I would buy raw almonds and almond butter. I have been on the AIP Paleo diet for 69 days now for my Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and almonds/almond butter are my first reintroduction. I planned to reintroduce Christmas day as a present to myself, and I would use this gift card to buy both!
Fantastic giveaway! Love your blog 🙂
Organic blackberries, some fancy salts, and maybe a little splurge in the beauty section!
A new pony. Maybe come coconut aminos and grass fed meat too.
Some coconut oil or flour mrsrodjac@hotmaildotcom
I would stock up on those wonderful grass-fed meats!
I would love to get coffee and hit up their awesome pasta section!
I would purchase some homemade bread
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Harmless Harvest coconut water…..love whole foods
We have a new Whole Foods near us. I’m making my shopping list from your readers’ lists.
Kelp noodles, almond flour, and bacon. We only make the forty minute drive to whole foods on occasion, so I try to get stuff that is super hard to find near our base when we do go!
My husband and I are starting our first ever whole30 the day after Christmas! I would use the gift card to grab some newbie paleo essentials like coconut milk, coconut oil, and pastured meats.
Coconut milk & cashews!
As much uncured bacon as a can!
I would probably by larabars or other “snack” food to curb my midafternoon munchies!
Spices. Spices. Spices It will be hard to make it past the bulk bins…and the fresh ground almond butter.
I don’t know what I’d get! I’ve never been there but have wanting to go! I would get some Hearts of Palm, nuts and maybe meats. 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win!
purposedrivenlife4you at gmail dot com
I have a list of recipes and ing. I need for this week.bi would use it for tempeh, apples, coconut sugar, and bananas. Love whole foods!
If I had a 25.00 gift card I would buy some woodblock chocolate as well as some duck fat.
Grassfed ground beef!!
Goat cheese and coffee, for sure!
Grassfed beef
I love everything in that store, especially all the “fun” stuff that’s not at my local grocery store.
Grass Fed Beef and Japanese Sweet Potatoes!
If Whole Foods sold See’s Candies I’d get that! Those are my favorite chocolates and I ask for them every year for Valentines Day! I don’t care that they aren’t nutritious, they’re delicious!
As for what’d I’d get at Whole Foods, I’d get a steak :).
I’m new to the whole foods lifestyle and honestly never used to shop at Whole Foods very often. After learning the importance of organic and grass fed meats, I’ve recently found it difficult to find such products at my local grocery store. And in comes whole foods to the rescue! I’d buy some grass fed beef for sure.
Guh, so many things! I’m due for another restock of grass fed ground beef, and I’ve been wanting to pick up a whole chicken for crockpotting. Mmm.
I would buy some grass-fed meat to start the new year off right!
I love Whole Foods! I would pick up some fruits and veggies. Possibly some meat.
I would love to buy some of the Tessamae’s dressing and almond milk creamer. (Not strict or whole30 by any means but have been wanting to try both products for awhile!)
I’m starting my first Whole 30 on 01/01, so I would buy some approved items to stock my pantry!
I’d buy $25 worth of soy jerky. It’s sooooo good!
Coconut aminos for sure! I always stock up on a bottle or two when I’m there!
Kombucha and food from the hot bar buffet for lunch!
Definitely pork belly. I love your pork belly recipe!
I’d stock up on meat: a couple of steaks, a roast or two and some delicious nitrate-free bacon. And with any leftover money, I’d get produce.
Grass-fed butter and meats. Ingredients to make your mayo and deli tuna salad from Well fed 2.
I would buy a variety of cheeses!