Planet Foods News

Honey Stinger Joins Ironman

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 19:14:00 +0000

This exciting announcement came from Lisa Bentley, an 11 time Ironman Champion:

"Ironman is so pleased to have Honey Stinger on our team! The partnership will raise Honey Stinger from the healthy speciality niche sport product to the main stream athlete choice. Honey Stinger is entering the "NHL" of triathlon and will fuel 6000 Ironman athletes to the finish line at Ironman Mont-Tremblant (2700 athletes), Ironman 70.3 Mont-Tremblant (2100) and Subaru Ironman 70.3 Muskoka (1200 athletes). This summer, the spotlight will be on these new Ironman events and Honey Stinger will share in that national and international reach. As our athletes prepare for their respective endurance events, they will reach for Honey Stinger to fuel those 6 hour bike rides and 3 hours run in training for race day. The reach of this partnership goes well beyond race day! It starts now!"

Mrs. Crimble's is Here!

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Mon, 28 May 2012 20:50:00 +0000

Award winning snacks, Mrs. Crimble's are the world's best selling gluten free cookies and crackers. They are also amazingly delicious! Planet Foods will be carrying the Cheese Crackers line (Original, Rosemary & Onion, Tomato & Pesto), and the scrumptious Macaroons (Original, and Chocolate).

Mrs. Crimble's was founded over 25 years ago, and they are dedicated to making treats as yummy as possible - and the receipes just so happen to be gluten free!

Their commitment to the Earth and sustainability can be seen in the packaging of Mrs. Crimble's. You won't find extra foil or individual wrappings, so you can feel good about what's left after you've finished off a case (trust us, you'll go through them quick!).

Look for Mrs. Crimble's Crackers and Macaroons in a store near you!

Congratulations to Ryder Hesjedal!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenn) — Mon, 28 May 2012 15:18:00 +0000

Canada has a new cycling star! Ryder Hesjedal from Victoria BC won the Giro d’Italia this past Sunday, becoming the first Canadian to win this prestigious event. He is also the first Canadian to win one of the three grand tours of cycling. This victory is a major accomplishment for Ryder who beat the second place finisher by only 16 seconds. He won the race on the final day, making up a deficit of 31 seconds and becoming only the second racer in the history of the race to win The Giro on the final day.

The Giro d'Italia is a grueling, three week race that covers nearly 3500km! Ryder Hesjedal should be proud of his victory and Planet Foods congratulates him on this incredible achievement. For more information on Ryder, go to http://ryderhesjedal.ca/

(image from) http://m.ctv.ca/edmonton/20120527/canada-hesjedal-giro-d-italia-120527.html

Plants Keep You "Strong & Healthy™!"

noreply@blogger.com (Cristy) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:28:00 +0000

Planet Foods Garden! (about half of the plants we have in the office)

We knew there was a reason we started getting a plant crush half-way through our Calgary winter! Canadian Gardening tells us "How houseplants keep you healthy" ...

"Plants are more than just a pretty decoration for the home or office: science has long since proven the benefits of bringing plants into indoor living spaces... Sick building syndrome is the result of energy efficiency; while great for the wallet, newer buildings and homes are often so tightly sealed to avoid energy loss that they are virtually cut off from the outside world, meaning all the potential pollutants off-gassed from synthetic building materials are trapped indoors, in the air we breath... [which] can result in poor health, respiratory problems and chronic illness. (emphasis added)

"...keeping plants in your working and living spaces can do more than just help your physical health; it can improve your mental well-being, too.

"'By putting plants in the work environment, people are healthier, they're happier, they're more engaged with people around them...people are up to 17 percent (emphasis added) more productive just by having plants there.'"

For more information check out the Canadian Gardening article or website.

Breakfast "YUM!"

noreply@blogger.com (Cristy) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:36:00 +0000

We though we'd put a Planet Foods twist on Kathy Patalsky's recipe! You can check out Kathy's blog for the original recipe and more great tips on a healthy morning!

Planet Foods Superfood Toast:

1 Slice Quality Bakery Bread (pick your favourite!)

1 Tablespoon almond butter

3/4 Banana, very thinly sliced

Dash cinnamon

Sprinkle of Decacer Maple Flakes

Sprinkle of chia seeds

Sprinkle of raw cocao nibs

Why not enjoy a redespresso® with your breakfast? You can make it in your drip coffee machine or for a stronger taste try making redespresso® in an espresso machine, French Press, or stove-top espresso maker. For something a little different try making a fresh red®!

1. Make a redespresso® shot

2. Fill a glass to the top with ice

3. Fill glass with white cranberry juice

4. Gently pour redespresso® over fruit juice and ice

For this and more amazing red espresso recipes, check out the redespresso® website.

Enjoy your breakfast treat!

Krisda - Stevia Sweetened Soda - Better for You

noreply@blogger.com (Planet Foods) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:35:00 +0000

Why should you switch your soda habit to sodas that are sweetened without sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Drinking regular soda, or pop depending on your word of choice, causes weight gain. No shock there, but the areas of the fat build up should give you pause.

But I drink the diet stuff and just the occasional regular stuff (at least when I am being good). I should be fine - Right? Nope!

Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center monitored 475 adults for 10 years, and found that those who drank diet soda had a 70 percent increase in waist circumference over the 10-year study, compared with those who didn’t drink any soda. Those who drank more than two diet sodas per day saw a 500 percent waist expansion! A separate study the same researchers conducted on mice suggested that it was the aspartame, which raised blood glucose levels, that caused the weight gain; when your liver encounters too much glucose, the excess is converted to body fat.

Do you have the diet soda belly?

10 Reasons to Drink more Water

noreply@blogger.com (Planet Foods) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:42:00 +0000

Top 10 Benefits of Drinking Water: Don't Medicate, Hydrate!

1. Increases Energy & Relieves Fatigue – Since your brain is mostly water, drinking it helps you think, focus and concentrate better and be more alert. As an added bonus, your energy levels are also boosted!

2. Promotes Weight Loss – Removes by-products of fat, reduces eating intake (by filling up your tummy if consumed prior to meals), reduces hunger (hello natural appetite suppressant!), raises your metabolism and has zero calories!

3. Flushes Out Toxins – Gets rid of waste through sweat and urination which reduces the risk of kidney stones and UTI’s (urinary tract infections).

4. Improves Skin Complexion – Moisturizes your skin, keeps it fresh, soft, glowing and smooth. Gets rid of wrinkles. It’s the best anti-aging treatment around!

5. Maintains Regularity – Aids in digestion as water is essential to digest your food and prevents constipation.

6. Boosts Immune System – A water guzzler is less likely to get sick. And who wouldn’t rather feel healthy the majority of the time? Drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu, cancer and other ailments like heart attacks.

7. Natural Headache Remedy – Helps relieve and prevent headaches (migraines & back pains too!) which are commonly caused by dehydration.

8. Prevents Cramps & Sprains - Proper hydration helps keep joints lubricated and muscles more elastic so joint pain is less likely.

9. Puts You in a Good Mood – When the body is functioning at its best, you will feel great and be happy!

10. Save Money! - Water is FREE! Even if you choose bottled/filtered water, it’s STILL cheaper than that high sugar and fat-filled latte!

The Localize Project Celebrates Local Foods

noreply@blogger.com (Mike - Plant Foods) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:59:00 +0000

Sobeys / IGA and Planet foods ate going Local! Alberta Agriculture & Sobeys are in the process of conducting a test project in 10 Sobeys / IGA Stores in Central Alberta. Several products, including Quality Bakery Bread, Kicking Horse Coffee, Canoe Rice & Highwood Crossing.

For the month of February the test stores will feature these local products by giving them a ‘local rating’ out of 10 indicating how local each product is. This is an exciting test for farmers & producers of local food as it highlights the brands in store that support the local economy.

For more information check out the Localize Project web site at http://www.localizeyourfood.com/

Look at what Saveur is saying about Simply 7

noreply@blogger.com (bkent) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:34:00 +0000

Simply 7 Chips

By Karen Shimizu

This past week, I've eaten an unseemly number of Simply 7's crunchy, chickpea flour-based Hummus Chips. They break on your teeth like a hefty corn chip (think Fritos), while their pasta-shell shape and robust spicing make dip superfluous (think Bugles). There's also a line of lentil-based chips that are light, puffy, and dangerously noshable — the ones seasoned simply with sea salt have a broad, lentil-y flavor that's extremely addictive.

Look what the "Laziest Vegan" is saying about our Eco-Planet cookies

noreply@blogger.com (bkent) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:18:00 +0000

Eco Planet Vanilla Organic Cookies

If you haven't noticed by now, I'm a sucker for cookies. Be it my Mom's, Isa's, ABC's, Liz Lovely's ....whatever, I just love them. Writing this post reminded me how much I loved those animal cookies with the pink frosting. Holy crap were those ever good! Or the grasshopper cookies with green frosting. I vividly remembering bringing those to Kindergarten to share with the other kids. MMMM! Ok, all I guess I'm trying to say is that cookies are the best and you just need to realize that.

So that brings us to the Eco Planet Vanilla Organic Cookies. These have to be some of the most adorable cookies I've ever seen. Aimed at kids (or adults like me), the cookies are shaped in eco-friendly symbols. And the best part is that they taste awesome. Yummy vanilla wafers of goodness!

Aren't these cute or what! So you have the sun, I assume representing solar power. Next is the wind turbine representing wind power. Anytime I see one of those for real, I'm so amazed. I'd love to see more of our energy produced by the wind. There are a ton of those things in Iowa, not so much in Nebraska. Kind of a bummer. Anyway...cute cookie #3 is the electric car. Hopefully we'll all be driving one of these soon. Or walking. Or riding a bike. Whatever you prerogative is. And last but not least is Mother Earth. So not only are these wonderful tasting cookies, they are a great lesson about the environment.

KIWA Facebook contest!!

noreply@blogger.com (Cristy) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 21:05:00 +0000

To our Canadian Facebook followers: IT'S CONTEST TIME!!

The picture features some of the vegetables that are in KIWA's Vegetable Mix. The first person to correctly identify all of them wins a full case of KIWA Vegetable Mix chips! That's 10 bags!! Head to Facebook, "like" Planet Foods, and comment on the picture with your guess. Then check Facebook for the announcement of the winner. If your guess is wrong we'll let you know and you can try again!

HINT: There are 5 different vegetables in the picture and one of them is not in the Vegetable Mix.

TransRockies & Kicking Horse coffee

noreply@blogger.com (Planet Foods) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:37:00 +0000

What do you get when you spend days riding as hard as you can through the Rockies?

How about a bag of KICK ASS COFFEE!

PF Sponsored Event

noreply@blogger.com (Planet Foods) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:16:00 +0000

This beautiful pic came from Judy Bishop. This is a classic PF table at one of the hundreds of events we sponsor each year.

CHEW ON THIS - Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews Wins Best Chew

noreply@blogger.com (Planet Foods) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:19:00 +0000

CHEW ON THIS. Triathlete editors put four chews to the test and only one came out on top. That's right, Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews won BEST ENERGY CHEW in Triathlete Magazine this month!

What they said about Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews:
"Honey Stinger recently debuted its pink lemonade flavour, which tastes just as you'd expect - delicious. in 10 chews; 80 mg of sodium, 40mg of potatssium, 27grams of sugar, a gram of fiber and Vitamin c. They're easy to chew.... Read More Here.

Did you know Honey Stingers Limeade chew is their first chew to have caffeine?

Job Posting - Brand Manager

noreply@blogger.com (Planet Foods) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:14:00 +0000

Brand Manager

Calgary Head Office Position

Planet Foods Inc. is looking for a highly motivated individual to join our marketing team.

This Brand Manager will take the lead in managing vendor (brand) partners and all aspects of their projects including brand vision, brand position and brand architecture. They engage, inspire and galvanize the organization around the brand vision, position and strategies so they are clear in bringing them to life in their areas of functional expertise. The brand manager participates in brand strategy discussions and in setting a bulls-eye consumer target and sales team target.

Interested individuals should have a minimum 4 years experience in C.P.G. management role.

Required Skills:

Superior negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Brand Management experience

Advanced knowledge of excel

Advanced knowledge of Consumer Packaged Goods Industry

An understanding of Canadian packaging standards and governing bodies.

This individual must also show high levels of organization, the ability to multi-task, work with deadlines, and have excellent communication skills.

Experience in GS1/ECCnet, Natural Foods, and procurement would be an asset.

Interested applicants, apply via email to shelly@planetfoods.ca

No phone calls please. Interviews will commence November 1^st.

noreply@blogger.com (Planet Foods) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:58:00 +0000

The Autumn Equinox is today. This means that we are at a perfect balance of night and day but will soon be moving into the darker months of winter. Striving to maintain a balance in life when the days get shorter and it gets colder outside is difficult for some. Hiding in the warm house eating heavy comfort foods becomes all too easy when the temperatures begin to plummet.

In October you will find Eco-Planet 7 whole Grain instant hot cereal on feature at many of your local grocers. Starting off your day with a hot whole grain breakfast low in sodium and sugar will give you a bit more energy to get you through that dark ride to work.

Great mid-morning snacks like apples, will top off your hunger and keep you satisfied until noon. Apples are in season now, have you tried some of the new varieties from your local farmers market. Lemon/Lime apples are sweet and tart. A personal favorite is the tried and true Mac. There is a holiday coming up on September 26^th. Johnny Appleseed day. Make sure to pack an apple and after your snack toss your seeds outside.

For lunch a hearty bread as an open faced sandwich sporting goat cheese and shavings of cucumbers and slices of tomatoes. Quality Bakery Bread is truly local bread. Milled in Vulcan, baked in Invermere this traditionally fermented sourdough is made with out added yeasts and sugars. It is what your grandma’s grandma’s grandma used to eat. Quality Bakery Bread is twice baked for a longer life than we are used to seeing in bread. It is hearty, and those with wheat intolerances will appreciate that 3 of the 4 varieties are wheat free. Quality Bakery Bread will be on feature throughout October at your local market.

Women’s Health & Fitness day falls on September 30^th. Before you run off to that mid-morning yoga class, be sure to take King Island Coconut water with you to replenish all those electrolytes and give you the energy to make it through the class and truly enjoy that Savasana. King Island Coconut is also on feature in October at your local grocer or natural food store.

Take the time to make your meals at home. Even if they are simple mid-week meals, eating something you prepare yourself eliminates the worries about what is hiding in the food, and lets you control your intake of salt, sugar, and fat. For a quick boost of flavour without using salt, try some flavored olive oils and a splash of something acidic like citrus juice over your steamed veggies. Twisted Pit Infused Olive Oils are 100% natural and full of flavour and healthy fats. A little over some steamed or oven roasted veggies gives a great flavour of herbs and citrus. Twisted Pit Olive Oils are also on feature at your local markets in October. Ask your local grocer to introduce you to his Favorite.

For those dark nights when all you want to do is cuddle up under a big blanket and watch a movie think light snacks - low in fat and no sugar. Popchips are an oil-less chip with all the crunch and flavour you need. Steaz Zero Iced Teaz are a sweet drink but don’t’ flood your system with sugars.

Enjoy your Autumn, and stay healthy and happy. It is the best time of the year!

NEW Strawberry Waffle

noreply@blogger.com (Cristy) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 20:46:00 +0000

Check out Honey Stingers newest addition!

Strawberries and the Honey Stinger Waffle combine to create the perfect snack. It's a wonderful delight for your taste buds! Look for it in stores today.

First day of class!

noreply@blogger.com (Cristy) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:25:00 +0000

Planet Foods wishes you a fun and successful school year!

Honey Stinger - VeloNews

noreply@blogger.com (Planet Foods) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:17:00 +0000

Honey Stinger is looking mighty fine on the Velo News site. The yellow really stands out.

www.velonews.com

Back To School - Healthy Breakfasts

noreply@blogger.com (Planet Foods) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 17:28:00 +0000

It is time to start thinking about schedules, school supplies and healthy lunches that will fuel your children and facilitate in their learning.

Flax Oil is full of the sorts of fats that your child needs for a healthy immune system and it nourishes your nerves and your brain. Here is a great way to hide a teaspoon of flax oil into your breakfasts everyday.

Highwood Crossing Organic Cold Press Flax Oil and Hearty Granola

Add 1 teaspoon of Highwood Crossing cold pressed flax oil to yogurt and granola to give your children a great start to their day.

Highwood Crossing Flax Oil and Eco-Planet Gluten Free 7 Grain Instant Hot Cereal

Add a teaspoon of Highwood Crossing cold pressed flax oil to this Eco-Planet 7 whole grain instant hot cereal on mornings when you are pressed for time. This option is great for celiac diets.

Sunny Boy Organic Hot Cereal

Add 1 teaspoon of Highwood Crossing cold pressed flax oil to your Sunny Boy Organic cereal.

When you have some extra time, blend some softened butter with a couple tablespoons of flax oil and let set in the fridge. Use this to spread onto your Muffins or Pancakes.

Sunny Boy

Sunny boy has a wide range of pancake mixes including buttermilk.

Highwood Crossing

Highwood Crossing makes a fantastic Pancake and Muffin Mix. Add some natural sweeteners like Honey or Maple Syrup (see below) and you've got snacks and grab and go muffin breakfasts for your hungry rug rats.

Decacer Maple Syrup from Quebec

Natural sweeteners like Decacer Maple Syrup give your growing kids added minerals instead of leaching them like refined sugars do. Try making Waffles out of Canadian Wild Rice and smothering them in Flax oil butter and maple syrup.

Oh Canada Wild Rice Pancake mix from Manitoba is made with whole wheat and wild Rice. This is a great new twist on your traditional pancake and waffle mix.

These quick easy breakfasts are great for everyone not just kids. I hope this gets you and your family off to a great start each day this fall.

Cheers!
Shelly

Top Reasons to Eat Oatmeal

noreply@blogger.com (Planet Foods) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:36:00 +0000

Healthy Directions Magazine featured an article on the humble oats. These are a powerhouse of nutrition and a great way to add whole grains and fiber to your diet. This great Canadian Magazine featured tips on getting your minimum servings of 3 whole grains a day.

Oatmeal for breakfast:

Eco-Planet 7 Whole Grain Instant Hot Cereal makes morning oatmeal a very easy dish for busy families. The oat in Eco-Planet Instant Hot Cereal are uncontaminated oats that are batch tested for Gluten. This Cereal works well for anyone with wheat and gluten intolerance.

"Cook up a large batch of steel-cut version, which is highest in beta-glucan. Steel Cut oats take much longer to cook but is well worth it for the superior taste, texture, and health benefits," says Janet Bond Brille, Ph.D., R.D., LDN. Beta-glucans are an effective LDL-lowering substance.

Highwood Crossings Steel cut oats are hitting shelves across health food stores and at your local Safeway this month. Or try their traditional "Old Fashioned Rolled Oats". Much superior in texture and quality to regular grocery store instant varieties.

Oats are filled with soluble fiber which is perfect to maintain digestive health. It is much more soothing on your GI track than scratchy brans from other grains like wheat.

Here is an Oatmeal Raisin Muffin Recipe that can be made using Alberta's own Highwood Crossing flours, oils, and oats. Don't forget Fair Trade Arayuma True Cinnamon Spice. This is the real cinnamon that has all the health benefits, it is not the cassia substitute you would find at your local grocery store.

Happy Baking Canada!

The Healthy Directions Magazine article is available here... http://healthydirections.dgtlpub.com/

Better Breakfasts - Carrot Raisin Muffins

noreply@blogger.com (Planet Foods) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:53:00 +0000

Found a delicious recipe from Healthy Directions Magazine August 2010 issue we had to share! Turn this recipe local with Highwood Crossing Canola oil, and organic all purpose flour.

The August issue is available for download here... http://healthydirections.dgtlpub.com/

XTERRA Canmore 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Planet Foods) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:43:00 +0000

XTERRA Canmore was rocking & rolling this weekend and Planet Foods was all in. Check out the Honey Stinger spread to see what these choice athletes were fueling themselves with.

Front and back photos of the finish line show Planet Foods, Kicking Horse Coffee & Ultima Replenisher as official sponsors of this top quality event!

A big thank you to everyone at XTERRA Canmore!

Look what's coming to Planet Foods

noreply@blogger.com (bkent) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:09:00 +0000

Introducing PUR Excitemint Gum

Fused with Winterfresh and Spearmint flavours, this unique power combo is sure to excite your taste buds while providing the added health benefits of PUR Gum. Sweetened with xylitol, Excitemint provides a minty low-calorie sugar-free alternative that freshens your breath and is a safe choice for folks on restricted diets.

Try it. You're gonna love it!

KICK OFF COFFEE!

noreply@blogger.com (Planet Foods) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:46:00 +0000

Saskatchewan Roughrider Fans can now start the day off with Kick Off Coffee. The Roughrider Tin is filled with Kicking Horse Coffee's #1 selling roast, Kick Ass. Exactly what the Roughriders will be doing this year!

Available at all Federated & Calgary Co-op locations. Not only is this a Fair Trade Certified gourmet organic coffee roasted in beautiful British Columbia, but a portion of the sales will be going to the Children's Hospital Foundation.