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Clean Air

We at Royal River Natural Foods would like you to know that a healthy environment is one of our highest priorities. We care a lot about the health of our employees and strive to provide a safe space for everyone that enters our building. Our next best step in this endeavor was to install the iWave Series which will keep the air we breathe as clean as possible.
Cold/flu season is here and with this filtration system installed, it will cut down on sick days with our staff so we can continue to provide our services to you as well as to our community. It will also allow our customers to shop in a space that is safer and less compromised to allergens, colds/flu/viruses.
A big thank you to the crew at W.H. Demmons for coming in earlier this week and installing the iWave Series at our location. “The iWave Series uses bi-polar ionization technology to clean the air. Two emitters create positive and negative ions and inject them into the air stream of an existing HVAC duct system. The ions break down pollutants and gases into harmless, odorless compounds such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. Ions also remove the hydrogen molecules from airborne pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and mold, causing them to die.” (WHDemmons.com)
Wishing everyone a healthy fall and winter season!

Latest store update

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign.

You will see lots of signs inside and outside the store to remind you of all the new changes and things we are asking from our customers to shop at RRNF in order to comply with Governor Mills Executive Order. As of today, and until further notice, these are some of the things we need to ensure everyone gets a chance to shop in a timely manner.

  • We need to limit the number of customers in the store at the same time. Please have one person per family do the shopping and remember kids are people too. Two or more people shopping for the same household means someone is waiting outside. Please practice social distancing with other customers and staff.
  • Please shop for as many days in advance as possible, like Mom & Grandma used to do.
  • Please shop with a list and purpose so you can move through the store as quickly as possible.
  • For now, this is how check out will be: Approach the floor sign marking 6 feet from the cashier. Another staff member will take your cart, unload and bag your groceries. The cashier will instruct you when to approach the register for payment. This is the best way for us to maintain social distancing and also speed up the process.
  • All customers use a cart when shopping, no more baskets. This helps us to keep a count of customers in the store.
  • We have floor stickers coming today so you can easily see the 6 foot spacing at the register area and outside on the ramp. In the meantime, look for masking tape on the floor.
  • If we are at capacity, the line to get in the store will queue on the ramp.
  • We are transitioning to offering only pre-packaged bulk items and bottles of spices to minimize consumer handling and speed up shopping. Sorry, but we will not re-package any bulk items already bagged. Hopefully, this will only need to be in effect for April.
  • We are planning on offering online shopping sometime next week, more details & instructions to follow.
  • The hours of 10:00 am to 11:00 am are reserved for high risk, immune compromised individuals and their caregivers. Please do not shop at that time if you are not in that category.

Thank you for all your patience and understanding. Be well.

Dear Customers

March 21, 2020

Dear Customers,

Hello again. I didn’t think I would be writing another letter so soon but a lot can happen in five days. We are having to change and adjust by the minute. We are adding some new policies and hour changes effective immediately. I am looking out for the health and well-being of my co-workers and hope you will understand. We can not keep up at our current pace without all of us being mentally & physically exhausted, and if you shop in a health food store, you know what stress does to the immune system.  I am happy to say we were able to get some additional help from people affected by the shut down of restaurants, a win-win. And, we have been able to bag all of the produce, the case doesn’t look very pretty but the produce won’t be touched by many hands.

Here are the new policies until further notice and hopefully, the last rendition for a while. For the most up to date changes, visit us here on facebook or under the “News” tab of our website (you might need to tell Gramma & Grampa for us.)

Things to know when you shop at RRNF:

  • We are no longer taking special orders, except for herbal/vitamin supplements.
  • We are no longer able to accept returns, all sales are final.
  • We are not accepting any bottle/glass jar returns. I believe you can still return bottles to CLYNK.
  • Please do not shop with reusable canvas totes. We will bag your groceries in paper bags, the Freeport bag fee will be waived.
  • We are reserving 9:00 am to 10:00 am Monday-Saturday for high risk, immune compromised customers only please.
  • New Hours of Operation: Monday -Saturday we are open 9:00 am – 7 pm. Sundays are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Here are some things we are asking from you to ensure our health and allow us to continue to serve our community:

  • Please do not come into the store if you are sick or have been in close contact with a sick person.
  • If you are sick, please have someone shop for you or take advantage of our online grocery shopping, see rules above.
  • We have disinfecting towelettes at our entrance, please use them before shopping.
  • We are not able to provide gloves to our customers as we need them to do our job safely but a produce bag slipped over your hand works quite nicely.
  • Please respect staff members personal space, especially if you need to cough or sneeze.
  • Please leave space between you and the person in front of you at the register.
  • Please help to bag your own groceries when able to help us move people through more quickly.
  • And, last but not least, please do not congregate with friends in the store or have long conversations with staff. We love silly cat videos as much as the next person but we are stretched thin and are trying to limit contact as much as possible. Please shop, ask for help if you need to find something and proceed to the register.

     I know this is a lot of new rules and changes but I am trying to ease the burdens on my co-workers as much as I possibly can. On another note, if you know someone who is living alone, please call them. Those people who are alone are REALLY alone right now and we can’t even give them a darn hug. Be kind, be thoughtful and be well.

 

Sincerely,

 

Tina Wilcoxson, President/Owner

Thai Lentil Soup

A tasty and hearty soup with a little kick, enjoy.

1 T. Olive Oil

1 Lg. onion, chopped

2 tsp. garlic, minced

2 tsp. paprika

2 tsp. coriander

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. red chili paste

1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes

1 135 oz can coconut milk

4 1/2 cups water

2 1/2 cups red lentils (rinsed)

2 tsp. lime juice

2 or 3 scallions, thinly sliced for garnish

salt to taste

  1. In large pot, saute onions in olive oil until translucent. Add garlic, paprika, coriander, red chili paste, chili flakes, and salt. Saute for 10-15 minutes.
  2. Add coconut milk and water. Bring to a boil.
  3. Add lentils. Simmer 20-25 min.,stirring frequently or the lentils will stick to the pan. Simmer until lentils are soft and soup has thickened.
  4. Add the lime juice and garnish with scallions.

 

Magic Turmeric Tea

With the nasty bug going around, this is a must do. If you don’t like garlic it may be hard to swallow but otherwise, it is quite tasty and will help to keep the cold at bay. This recipe is from The Endless Meal.

Ingredients:

Juice from 1 lemon

11/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger root

1 tsp grated fresh turmeric root

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 small garlic clove, grated with microplane

1 bag of green tea (optional)

1 tsp honey

Place all the ingredients into a mug and fill with nearly boiling water. Let the tea steep for 2-3 minutes then remover the bag and sip away. Keep your spoon handy and stir before each sip to mix up the ingredients.

A great trick is to keep both the ginger and turmeric root in your freezer until needed. It will keep it from going limp and also make it easier to grate.

Here’s to your health!

The spirits of Thanksgiving

Here are some fantastic wine & beer recommendations for Thanksgiving and beyond! This particular selection has great versatility with all types of food pairing.

2016 Foris “Dry” Gewürztraminer: “Gewurz” means herb and spice. This wine is produced in Rouge Valley, Oregon. It’s delicate in weight, bone dry with flavors of peach, white nectarine, and lychee nut.  Pairs well with; turkey, fish, and all vegetarian options.

2015 Big Fire Pinot Gris: Another gem from Oregon. This wine is produced in stainless steel and see no oak at all. It shows ample texture on the palate. Flavors burst of peach, Anjou pear, and honeydew. Pairs well with; turkey, pork, and gamier poultry.

2015 Primarius Pinot Noir: This Pinot Noir is a show stopper. It blindly drinks twice the price! Big Notes of bing cherries accented by subtle undertones of clove and cinnamon. Pairs well with; turkey, beef, fish, and mild cheeses.

2016 Cirelli Montepulciano D’ Abruzzo “organic”: This is a bright youthful wine that is medium bodied to full bodied. Fresh strawberries, ripe raspberries and refreshing acidity exude from this wine. Pairs well with; turkey, beef, pork, and all vegetarian options.

Boothbay  Craft Brewery Thirsty Botanist IPA: This is a true styled New England IPA. The hops lead the flavor from start to finish. Notes consist of grapefruit, peach, guava, and tangerine. The weight and texture gives the ale bread crust and honey accents. Pairs well with; Turkey!

Portersfield “Dry” Ciders: a gluten-free libation from our neighbor in Pownal. Both ciders consist of American heirloom apples. These ciders are both dry. The original is the traditional flavor, and the Aronia is berried flavor that has elderberry and Aronia juice. Pairs well with; turkey and great conversation!

Wheatgrass Pineapple Smoothie with Turmeric

makes 2 servings

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c. raw coconut water                             1 tsp. wheatgrass powder

1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest                       1/4 tsp. spirulina powder

1/4 c. fresh lemon juice                                  1/4 tsp. ground turmeric (or fresh)

1 c. baby spinach                                            pinch of black pepper

1/2 c. fresh mint leaves                                   3 c. frozen pineapple

1 Tbs. kale powder

To make:

In blender, combine all ingredients and run on high for 30-60 seconds, until well blended.

Spring Haiku

last month’s snow

finally reaches the ground

dripping from the roof