What an interesting year 2011 has been for me: new friendships made, my eldest child graduated high school, a personal journey to find “myself” again and a new job. The last may have been one of the biggest changes, since I left a job of 15 years to make the leap to Earth Fare!

I was looking for the next great adventure in my life. When Earth Fare came to Cleveland, Ohio, I knew that adventure had arrived!

From opening day, through the holidays, working at Earth Fare has foreshadowed at great 2012. I’m going to be one of those people that enjoy going to work every day. I’m going to continue to be the social butterfly that I am. I’m going to eat healthy and be healthy and feel healthy!

So, goodbye 2011! You were a great year, full of changes and the beginning of my adventure. Now it’s time to say “Hello 2012! It’s so nice to meet you…”

_______________________________________________________________________

Stacy’s life went through a lot of great changes in 2011.
What are your 2011 highlights?

One of the comments below will receive a $50 Earth Fare gift card for a healthy start in the New Year! Submit your comment on this blog from today until 11:59pm EST on Sunday, January 1, 2012.

From Dennis W. (Chattanooga, TN)

From Jessica V. (Asheville, NC)

From the Malcolm Family (Johnson City, TN)

From Lizette T. (Huntersville, NC)

From Catherine S. (Charlotte, NC)

Thanks again to everyone who shared their holiday card with us!

___________________________________________________________________

There will be more chances to win in 2012… What contest would you like to see from Earth Fare in the new year?

Flying cats. A cat in the box. A Christmas squirrel. Goofy hats. A crying baby. Oh…and we can’t forget to mention Alec Baldwin flying a sleigh! We literally could not stop laughing over this card.

Thank you to everyone for sharing their holiday cards with us. Check out Facebook for the other entries, and let us know your favorite. 

Tomorrow we’ll share a few of the other entries that gave us a good chuckle!

Last year, we serenaded you with our version of “The 12 Days of Christmas.” This year, we bring you “Did You Get What I Got?” inspired by the Christmas classic “Do you hear what I hear?” The Earth Fairy is back again!

The Earth Fairy will be delivering these holiday freebies to your email and each are valid for two days. Click to sign up for the Earth Fare emails, so she can make that delivery!

If you want to know what freebies to expect this week from the Earth Fairy, she gives you some hints (and some answers) in the video!

Which freebie are you looking forward to the most?
Tell us in the comments section below!

You should know what YOU did. You should know how YOUR donation supported 2,400 families over Thanksgiving.

Here are YOUR communities’ stories:

“As the recipients came to pick up their turkeys, I had more than one woman in tears, hugging and thanking me for their turkey.”
- Amanda, Athens, GA

“Our community donated to ACCESS shelter. The turkeys went to families celebrating their first Thanksgiving in their new home after graduation from the shelter.”
- Kathy, Akron, OH

“My 11 year old daughter and I received one of those turkeys from Greene Street,
and we are very THANKFUL.
Without it we would not have had a Thanksgiving meal. Thank you so much.”
- Anne, Boone, NC (posted on Earth Fare Boone’s Facebook page)

“Our store’s turkeys went to people who had been long-term unemployed and actively looking for work. In many cases, the thing that meant the most to these families was not the free bird, but being acknowledged, and having something unexpected and good happen to them.”
- Jennifer , Charlotte (South Park), NC

We may have delivered the turkeys, but YOU made these moments happen. Thank you.

Whether you want a simple side-dish or a quick seasonal lunch, Annie’s Homegrown has done half the work for you here. Combine this Annie’s classic with a couple holiday staples and you have the ultimate seasonal treat!

Serves 2

Ingredients:

1 box Annie’s Homegrown Peace Pasta & Parmesan

2 tbsp. Organic Valley butter

1 tbsp. fresh sage, chopped

¾ cup of canned 100% pure pumpkin

1/3 cup Organic Valley low-fat milk

Salt and pepper to taste

Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Directions:

1. Boil the pasta according to the directions on the box and drain. Leave the pasta in the colander to drain and return the saucepan to the stove.
2. Add the butter and cook on high heat until it browns, about one minute.
3. Turn the heat to low. Carefully, stir in the sage and cook for 15 seconds. Turn off the heat.
4. Add the pumpkin, milk and cheese packet to the butter and sage mixture. Whisk to combine.
5. Add the pasta back to the pan and stir until everything is evenly coated with the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle the top with grated parmesan cheese and garnish with any remaining sage. Enjoy!

For more great holiday recipes from our family of vendors, get your copy of Earth Fare’s holiday flyer in our stores or online by clicking here.

Starting tonight, we’re taking it back to the Good Olde Days. Join us each Tuesday from 4:30 – 7:30pm for good food and good times at GREAT prices! Our special meals will be $7.99 with your favorite add-ons for just 50¢ apiece!

Click the image below to check out our menu, and be sure to add us to your calendar! We can’t wait to see YOU at the Good Olde Days!

Click here for a printable B&W copy.

Merry Christmas from Earth Fare! We’ll be updating our 12 Days of Christmas coupon every day, so be sure to stay tuned on facebook, twitter, and our web site to get the newest deal each day!

Click here for a printable B&W copy.

Merry Christmas from Earth Fare! We’ll be updating our 12 Days of Christmas coupon every day, so be sure to stay tuned on facebook, twitter, and our web site to get the newest deal each day!

Click here for a printable B&W copy.

Merry Christmas from Earth Fare! We’ll be updating our 12 Days of Christmas coupon every day, so be sure to stay tuned on facebook, twitter, and our web site to get the newest deal each day!