{"id":2552,"date":"2016-12-14T12:17:04","date_gmt":"2016-12-14T16:17:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/?p=2552"},"modified":"2016-12-14T12:17:04","modified_gmt":"2016-12-14T16:17:04","slug":"christmas-2016-at-whole-foods-market-on-the-central-coast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/?p=2552","title":{"rendered":"Christmas 2016 at Whole Foods Market on the Central Coast"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Assorted

Assorted cheese from Whole Foods Market
Credit: Whole Foods Market<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Whether you need to shop for a holiday feast or check some folks off your gift list, Whole Foods Market locations in Capitola, Santa Cruz and Monterey have lots to choose from\u2014including the always-dependable gift card idea (ones for the market itself or for other retailers).<\/p>\n

Customers need to place orders for holiday dinners two days ahead of their desired pick up date. Food is available for pickup Dec. 18-24, and then again on Dec. 26 (WFM is closed on Christmas Day). Order in person or online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For gifts, WFM has several selections where part of your purchase goes to a worthy cause. For example, they partnered with PBS Kids to carry the company\u2019s toys and help raise money. I\u2019ve seen some of the Aurora Plush Animals in the store (pandas, penguins, foxes and more) and they definitely look cuddle-able! Some of the animals are endangered species. There are also some colorful and fun PBS Kids toys made with a composite featuring rubber wood from mature trees that no longer produce latex. All net proceeds benefit PBS Kids\u2019 mission of \u201cbuilding knowledge, critical thinking, imagination and curiosity to empower children for success.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other \u201cgifts with a cause\u201d include ones where part of proceeds goes to Whole Planet Foundation to help alleviate poverty worldwide. These include Alaffia trios (coconut oil triple-milled bar soap or whipped body butter); one percent benefits WPF. Or if you buy west elm kitchen products made from upcycled denim\u2014such as potholders\u2014a dollar from each purchase goes to WPF. In addition, they have gift cards for sale where one percent benefits the Whole Kids Foundation (which aims to support schools and inspire families to improve children\u2019s nutrition and wellness). These include Chipotle and Best Buy physical gift cards, and Starbucks digital cards.<\/p>\n

There are room sprays and handmade soy wax candles from Thistle Farms; scents include lavender & lemon (Gratitude) and Geranium & Citrus (Hope). Thistle Farms is a community, sanctuary and social enterprise led by women survivors of trafficking, addiction and prostitution. It provides housing, recovery support and education. Each spray or candle purchase directly benefits the women who made it.<\/p>\n

WFM wine experts have compiled a list of \u201c10 favorite wines for the holiday season.\u201d Available online<\/a>, each wine has several suggested food pairings plus a recipe for an additional food pairing. Two examples: Andover Estate Pinot Noir goes well with items like Sartori Herbs des Provence BellaVitano cheese or roasted winter vegetables, or with the dish \u201cEasy Porchetta Pork Tenderloin\u201d (recipe included). Autoritas Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with Vermont Creamery\u00a0Coupole cheese, poached white-fleshed fish, or \u201cBay Scallop Linguine with White Wine and Parsley\u201d (recipe included).<\/p>\n

There are lots of other enticing articles on the WFM blog, including ones with recipes like \u201choliday cakes worth celebrating<\/a>\u201d (includes mini chocolate ricotta cakes and cinnamon-almond olive oil cake) and \u201choliday appetizers<\/a>\u201d (how about sweet potato bacon bites, spinach bites with honey mustard, or pigs in a blanket with cranberry-mustard dipping sauce? Ok now I\u2019m hungry!).<\/p>\n

For holiday appetizers, if you\u2019re a cheese fan, WFM just announced a big \u201c12 Days of Cheese\u201d sale. From Dec. 13-24, a different artisan cheese is on sale for FIFTY PERCENT OFF<\/strong> each day! Some highlights with notes from the market\u2019s cheese experts:<\/p>\n

Vermont Creamery, Bonne Bouche (Dec. 15)<\/strong><\/p>\n