Grains are a large part of many diets and are present in meals all throughout the nation. We all know and generally consume grains, but what are they? The edible dry seeds are either considered cereals or legumes. You’re likely to consume grains in several foods you enjoy, like in crackers, pasta, tortillas, and more. You probably know about the likes of wheat and oats, which are used to make other foods. But have you ever prepared millet, buckwheat, or barley? There is a whole world of grains to explore and enjoy in your diet!

All About Grains

Grains are a part of many diets for their nutrients and health benefits. Protein and fiber are especially a couple big reasons to eat them. Whole grains specifically provide these nutrients, which help maintain digestion and keep you full. While it’s recommended to consume multiple servings daily, it’s not always easy to make that happen. Check out this guide by the USDA and Dietary Guidelines for Americans to better understand how much grains you should eat everyday.

Grains at Tacoma Boys

Tacoma Boys offers a wide selection of different grains in addition to all of the other vital ingredients for a healthy and complete meal. Next time you’re grocery shopping, consider picking up one of these to incorporate into your diet:

• RiceSelect CousCous 
• Ancient Harvest Traditional Quinoa
• Lundberg White Arborio Rice or Wild Rice
• Lotus Foods Basmati Rice
• Albers Enriched Hominy Quick Grits
• Bob’s Red Mill Whole Grain Rolled Oats

Bob’s Red Mill is an Oregon producer of grains, seeds, flours, and more: Tacoma Boys carries a wide variety of Bob’s Red Mill whole grains and other products to meet your needs. This includes Bob’s Red Mill Red Bulgur, Sorghum, Pearl Barley, Organic Farro, and much more.

What are Gluten Free Grains?

It’s not hard to enjoy gluten free grains because most whole grains are naturally without gluten. This means quinoa, brown rice, buckwheat, sorghum, oats, corn, and more are all okay to eat if you’re avoiding gluten. These grains are easy to cook and naturally gluten free. Wheat, including wheat berries, spelt, bulgur, and farro do contain gluten as they all come from the wheat species. While many people avoid gluten because of celiacs disease or other reasons, there are still many gluten free grains to enjoy! 

For example, try Pow! Red Lentil Linguine in this recipe for pasta primavera by the Modern Proper. Tacoma Boys also offers Annie’s Quinoa Rice Pasta & White Cheddar and Ancient Harvest Quinoa Supergrain gluten free mac and cheese mixes. These boxed mac and cheese mixes are produced with a gluten free pasta that’s used as an alternative to traditional pasta that is made with wheat, and therefore gluten. 

Whole Grain Recipes

You probably often prepare and eat whole grain recipes: They’re quick to make, easy to digest, and versatile as ever. From rice, to bread, to pasta, oats, and more, there are so many different ways to enjoy whole grains! And you’ve quite likely heard all the talk surrounding whole grains. They’re good for you because they’re full of nutrients, protein, and fiber. For a well-rounded diet, most people should consume whole grains alongside protein and plenty of fruits and vegetables. When making whole grain recipes, you’ll want to make sure you have these elements within the dish. It can be simple and easy when starting with your grain base and working from there! Read on for a few examples of delicious and filling whole grain recipes. 

• Oatmeal is simple to make and widely customizable. Try adding in a mix of dried cranberries, nuts, seeds, yogurt, fresh fruit, or Field Day Organics Peanut Butter. 
• Whip up a big batch of hearty soup fit with vegetables, beans like Farmer Direct Organic Split Green Peas, and whole grains like quinoa. Then, enjoy the prepared meal as lunch throughout the week. For a guide on all the ins and outs of making soup with Tacoma Boys, check out our blog here.
• For a quick and easy recipe, grab a pack of Seeds of Change Organic Quinoa & Brown Rice. Heat it up alongside some Eden Organic Black Beans, steamed vegetables, and Las Palmas Enchilada Sauce for a complete meal packed with flavor and protein.
• Pasta night can be made simple with Delallo Organic Whole Wheat Elbow Pasta, a large head of roasted broccoli, and Monte Bene Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce, or for a white sauce, Newman’s Own Alfredo.
• Dave’s Killer Bread is a prime base to any sandwich: Try this Greek Avocado Sandwich by Cookie and Kate for a filling summer lunch.

Swing By Tacoma Boys

Come over to Tacoma Boys to get your hands on some grains and to get cookin.’ Whether you’re looking for gluten free grains, whole grains, or more, Tacoma Boys is stocked with a large selection. This is in addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and seafood, and specialty food products to make your meals delicious. To stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!

Since different colored fruits and vegetables provide a variety of nutrients, you should aim to eat the rainbow everyday! You should always aim to eat a variety of colorful produce that provide various nutrients for the whole family. Plus it can be fun to plan what different colored produce you will cook throughout the week! When you get creative with it, half of your plate can be a beautiful bright rainbow. These fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients and ready to boost your immune system.

Eat The Rainbow

Eat the rainbow by making sure you eat a variety of fruits and vegetables and in different colors. Think dark leafy greens, purple cabbage, blueberries, and an assortment of bell peppers. These different colored vegetables and fruits contain different vitamins and minerals. The colors also provide phytonutrients, which means extra antioxidants and immunity, too! Get the kids involved with the beautiful colors and they will be happy to eat the rainbow: One way is to give them a plate of colorful vegetables and have them build an edible rainbow. For more tips on how to get your kids to eat more vegetables, check out this blog by Crystal Karges.

When shopping to eat the rainbow, fresh or frozen produce is fine. The nutrients are there either way! Same goes for canned fruits or vegetables (just watch out for additives like sugary syrup or extra salt). Most of your grocery basket should be fruits and vegetables, so go for local, seasonal produce when you can. Learn more about how and why to eat local and seasonal on our blog here.

An Array of Colorful Produce

Step out of your comfort zone and try a variety of colorful produce to reap a variety of benefits! Enjoying multiple servings (5-10 servings daily is often recommended) of colorful produce every day is the foundation of healthy eating for many. They’re low in calories and can be cooked and eaten in so many different ways. The vitamins and minerals of multicolored produce are vast: Continue on to read about the nutritious benefits found in each color.

Red

Foods that are red in color are known for properties that may reduce cancer risk. They’re also associated with cardiovascular health and maintaining blood pressure. Look for red bell peppers, red berries, tomatoes, and beets.

Orange and Yellow

Eating carrots just might make you see better! Orange and yellow toned fruits and vegetables provide nutrients that support eye health. They’re also rich in vitamin C. Look for carrots, sweet potato, orange and yellow bell pepper, squash, oranges, and stone fruits like peaches and apricots.

Green

Greens are well known as being healthy and loaded with various nutrients. The phytonutrients in green produce support cell function and brain health. Look for broccoli, brussels sprouts, asparagus, avocado, kiwi, peas, and leafy greens like kale and spinach (rather than lighter colored greens like iceberg lettuce, which has much less nutritional value).

Blue and Purple

Antioxidants in dark blue and purple fruits and vegetables help prevent blood clots and build immunity. The acai berry comes to mind as one of these purple fruits that is rich in antioxidants: Also look for blueberries, blackberries, plums, eggplant, red cabbage, and more. Blue and purple produce also comes rich with nutrients that support heart health and reduce inflammation. 

White and Brown

White and brown fruits and vegetables might not look as exciting as other brightly colored produce. But they’re still full of wholesome nutrients and part of a well-rounded diet. Some of these nutrients are anti-inflammatory and overall important to human health. Look for onions, garlic, mushrooms, cauliflower, parsnips, and potatoes.

Colorful Meals are Delicious and Doable 

It’s easy to eat an abundance of colorful meals when you incorporate various fruits and vegetables into your diet. Even if you’re not used to eating colorful meals, it’s as simple as shopping for produce in every color. Nature makes it easy for us to get various nutrients in this way. Planning nutritious, colorful meals makes healthy eating enjoyable. Get creative with different colors and cooking methods! 

One way to ensure you’re eating the rainbow is to eat plenty of raw cut fruits and vegetables. Cut up a bunch of carrots, celery, cucumber, bell peppers, and cauliflower: Serve with your favorite dipping sauce like Gnarly Garlic Dip or Tessemae’s Avocado Ranch and you’ve got every color of the rainbow covered! Same goes for snacking on raw fruits like apples, bananas, and berries. Keep it on hand for whenever you need a quick bite to eat. 

Try building a loaded salad with fresh spinach, red cabbage, cucumbers or other vegetables, Mezzetta Sun Dried Tomatoes, and your favorite Tacoma Boys salad dressing for a colorful, healthy meal. Salads are a quick route to eating the rainbow because you can customize it with whatever produce you have on hand. Same goes for a Simple Greek Pasta Salad: This recipe is loaded with colorful ingredients!

Shop the Rainbow at Tacoma Boys

Next time you’re looking for a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, stop on by Tacoma Boys. The specialty grocery store offers an assortment of fresh produce for nutritious meals. And an array of dressings, dips, seasonings, and ingredients available at Tacoma Boys ensures your meal will be tasty and complete. To stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!

The Pacific Northwest is ripe with produce all year round, but there’s something special to be said about spring produce. Think of all the bright fruits, earthy herbs, and hearty vegetables. Plus, the anticipation of more sweet fruits coming in the summertime. It’s easy and delicious to make simple healthy meals and snacks using fresh spring produce. And it’s a good idea to think about shopping locally and seasonally year round!

The Best Spring Produce

Spring produce in the Pacific Northwest includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and legumes (like peas). Apricots, rhubarb, asparagus, and mixed greens are well on their way. Green peas, radishes, and watercress are also growing and ready for a spring produce harvest. The variety makes it that much easier to get creative when you cook all year long. 

This spring produce can be used in so many different ways and perfectly seasoned with tasty herbs. Chives, oregano, and thyme grow strong in the spring. Mint, rosemary, and sage are solid herbs that keep on growing all year round. Look forward to nectarines, berries, squash, and tomatoes coming next in the summertime!

Pacific Northwest Produce Tastes Delicious

This is a time of year when many home gardeners will start to spend more time growing and harvesting more Pacific Northwest produce. Spring gardening is a hobby that pays off in a tasty way. If you’re interested in growing your own spring produce, try starting with herbs! It’s a small and simple way to reap the benefits of gardening in the Pacific Northwest: Take a peek at Tacoma Boys guide to herb gardening here. 

How to Cook With Pacific Northwest Produce

Now that you’ve got your Pacific Northwest produce in hand, you may be wondering what to do with it all. When cooking at any time of year, think about how to use what’s in season: Take advantage of the freshness of the Pacific Northwest produce. Here are a few ways to cook with Pacific Northwest spring produce:

• Make a salad using mixed greens, sliced radishes, watercress, and tomatoes. Top it off with your favorite Terrapin Ridge Farms Salad Dressing and Fresh Gourmet Garden Herb Croutons for a refreshing appetizer. 
• Sauté vegetables in a stir fry with legumes and Westbrae Natural Organic Mellow Miso in a flavorful sauce. Stop by the Tacoma Boys deli counter for an already prepared cheese stuffed chicken breast and you’re on your way to a satisfying dinner in almost no time!
• Get grilling with those vegetables and herbs. The weather is warming and it’s the perfect time to have an outdoor barbecue dinner! Throw some asparagus on a hot grill next to one of Tacoma Boys Angus Tri-Tip Steaks. Then leave a sprig of rosemary on the grill for a minute to bring out some smoky flavors and make it into an herb butter for the steak.
• Cook a soup with fresh herbs to season and legumes and vegetables at the base. Though we love soup to warm in the winter, it’s delicious and nutritious any time of the year!

However you decide to enjoy your favorite Pacific Northwest produce, Tacoma Boys has everything you need to get cooking. Try your favorite go-to meals with a swap for spring produce this week! And even if you’re not one to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, you’ll surely appreciate the freshness of it all. 

Shop Local for Spring Produce

You may have heard that it’s important to shop local. But why? First, it stimulates and supports your local economy! This means your neighbors and your friends’ businesses. When you shop local, you support local farms and help them keep the crops coming for next season. There’s something new and tasty to look forward to every few months!

It’s also sustainable to shop local and eat what’s in season near you: Products don’t have to travel long distances over time to get to you. And when local seasonal produce doesn’t have to sit around for a long time, it’s fresh and bright in color when you get it.

When you shop local and enjoy food products that are in season and nearby, you’ll consume a variety of nutrients. The Pacific Northwest is ripe with so many different kinds of fruits and vegetables! Produce is constantly being harvested from farms across the state and nearby regions. What are you looking forward to cooking next? Get creative!

Shop Seasonal at Tacoma Boys

Although enjoying local spring produce is a good idea, Tacoma Boys is able to provide fresh produce from all seasons. Whatever fresh fruit or vegetable you have in mind, just come on by and ask if you don’t see it. We’re happy to help! To stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!

Stuck at home and trying your best to keep social distancing? Don’t worry, you don’t need to stick to canned vegetables and frozen foods.  Avoiding a daily trip to the grocery store doesn’t mean you can’t eat great foods still!  Preparing for extended time at home doesn’t mean you have to deny yourself fresh, delicious, and healthy foods.

There are plenty of high-quality foods you can stock up on that will last for weeks. Here’s our advice on how to choose some of the best quality items for stocking up.

Fruit and Vegetables

While it’s a good idea to stock up on some frozen fruit and vegetables, there are lots of fresh grocery staples that will last too!  Save the essentials for your once a week trip, and grab some items that chill or freeze well and can be enjoyed at any time!

For example, apples are rich in fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. The good news? They’ll be ready to eat for about three weeks when fresh and kept in the fridge.  And baking them into an apple crisp or apple pie just sounds amazing right?

While bananas don’t last particularly long, this fruit is great for freezing. Buy a bunch, slice them up, and freeze the pieces. They’ll make a delicious smoothie whizzed up or a tasty treat dipped in chocolate.

Citrus fruits like oranges, limes and lemons are bursting with vitamin C and help keep your immune system whirring. Plus, they can last in the fridge for up to two weeks. Use the zest and the juice to help improve the flavor of a selection of marinades and recipes.

When it comes to choosing vegetables, a bag of unpeeled carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes and onions can be eaten for at least two weeks when kept in the fridge. As we all know, carrots are great for our skin and health. Just a one-cup serving offers nearly four grams of fiber.

Meat and Fish

Sure, meat and fish can go off easily. But don’t miss it off the food shopping list, as many items freeze well. These include chicken breast, ground beef, ground turkey, and many types of fish.  Our meat depatment is stocked full of great options that can be easily frozen for delicious meals next week or the following!

Our meat can be defrosted and used as the centerpiece of a meal, or they can be whizzed into soups and chilis to bulk them up for great tastes with yummy veggies.

Cheese

You can breathe a sigh of relief as there are lots of types of cheeses that can last in the fridge for weeks.

Both block and shredded cheeses will last around two weeks if you seal the packages efficiently after using them. Softer cheese such as gouda and brie will last you around two weeks and harder cheeses like cheddar and pecorino can last up to a month.

And the great thing about cheese is that you can use it on so many different things.  Cheese and wine pairings are fun any time of the week!

Stocking up for an Extended Home Stay

Remember, some perishable foods last a lot longer than others. Before you choose items like eggs, bread, and butter, have a peek at the packages’ expiration date to ensure you’re not cutting it too close.  And know that if you’ve forgotten something, we’re open 24/7 with low traffic numbers in store in the late evenings and mornings.

Keep this list handy when you’re stocking up for an extended homestay and you can still enjoy high-quality foods.

Ready to stock up on some high-quality and delicious produce? Here at Tacoma Boys we’re open 24/7 with plenty of fresh food ready to buy in-store.

Come and do your essential shopping with us and you’ll find everything you need for stocking up—frozen chicken breast is just $10 for a 5lb bag.

Check out our weekly specials and offers here.

In a world that usually hurtles through color-coded family calendars at breakneck speeds, we find ourselves with the sudden unexpected sweet and salty gift of a hard halt. No club volleyball. Virtual business meetings. No coffee dates. Just you at home with the people you care most about with nowhere to go and nothing to do. This time comes with the challenge of navigating complicated emotions—from the grief of things lost to the relief of social pressures taken away and everything in between. It also comes with a bright side–an opportunity to form habits for which we’re usually too busy. If you’re one of the many people who wants more time around the table with your kids, we’ve compiled a list to help you have great family dinners together!

Like it or not, extra time at home is the reality for most of us, and the good news is we get to choose what to do with it. Many days will likely be filled with tablets and Netflix and boredom, and that’s ok. Other days will be filled with board games and science experiments and newly invented family activities, and that’s ok too! On every day, you and your family will need to eat. And if you’re like most parents (roughly 62%) with children under 18, you probably wish your family ate more meals together. The benefits of family meals together are numerous and well documented—including lower obesity rates in children and decreased high risk behaviors in teens. 

What Happened to Family Dinners?

With all of these positive results, why aren’t we eating family dinners? Simple. We’re busy. The majority of parents who say they’d like to have more family dinners cite conflicting schedules within the family as the main reason they don’t. Maybe that reason resonates all too well with you. If so, the saying holds true—there’s no time like the present! Here at Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce, we value your family’s health and well being, and we have everything you need to make family dinners a success! Here are some tips to help you establish and keep a family dinner routine.

5 Tips for Successful Family Dinners 

1. Keep It Simple

The most important thing about family dinners is the time spent together! So don’t get bogged down by the pressure of creating a masterpiece every night. Some days dinner might be chicken piccata and other days it will be chicken nuggets. At the end of the day, if your family is together and fed, put it in the win column. Don’t forget sandwiches count! Come by our deli for deliciously fresh sliced roast beef or honey baked ham to give your homemade sandwiches a gourmet flare. To make things a bit easier, try keeping a few pre-made sides in the freezer. Swing by one of our locations and grab a bag of frozen cauliflower rice or sweet potato fries in our frozen food section. That way, all you have to worry about is the main course, and family dinner still feels complete!

2. Plan Ahead

Nothing will torpedo your efforts quicker than failure to plan. One of the best ways to set yourself up for a successful family dinner routine is to set aside an hour one day to think about what’s for dinner the rest of the week. You don’t have to have all the details ironed out, but a general idea and a shopping list will keep you from panicking and ordering pizza by Wednesday. Try to reward yourself by planning one or two extra easy meals for yourself, like cordon-bleu chicken bakes from our deli. Minimum work for you, but a meal your whole family will rave about.

3. Find Your Rhythm 

Finding your rhythm goes together with planning ahead. It can be daunting to answer the question “what’s for dinner?” week after week, and it can seem like you’re reinventing the wheel. With all the options and recipes out there, it’s easy to feel like you have to try something new and different every night. You don’t! Chances are, you have 10-14 meals your family loves and you’ve mastered. It’s ok to put them on a rotation. Or write a simple schedule out as a template for your weekly dinner rhythm. It might look something like this: 

Monday—Salad

Tuesday—Crockpot meal

Wednesday—Italian/pasta

Thursday—Mexican

Friday—Seafood 

Saturday—Leftovers

Sunday—Frozen Pizza

Having a list like this in the back of your mind gives you inspiration for meal ideas your family will love. It also gives you the flexibility to change it up within categories and peruse weekly specials for great deals. Consider putting our fresh steelhead fillets from Norway on this week’s rotation…you won’t regret it!

4. Loosen Up

This tip may seem contrary to the previous two, but they actually go hand in hand. Think of your meal plan and rhythm as guidelines—inspiration to make your dinner decisions easier. But pressure to stick to the plan perfectly adds an unnecessary level of difficulty to family dinners that can make them feel like more trouble than they’re worth. Your dinners should work for your life. And flexibility can make sure they do. If you were saving tacos for Tuesday, but everybody is craving them Monday, make Taco Monday a thing! If frozen pizza was for Sunday, but you’re short on time tonight, tonight’s the perfect night for pizza.

Try leaving one day of the week open for whatever suits your mood. This works especially well on grocery shopping days when you can buy whatever looks good at the store. Keeping it loose will ensure dinner is a stress free experience for everyone, especially you.

5. Don’t Forget Your Veggies

One of the great benefits to family dinner—besides time together—is health. Family dinners at home are the best way to model healthy eating habits for your kids. It’s easy to incorporate a vegetable into dinner, and including at least one can help determine a side every night. You don’t have to force vegetables, but including them in your daily routine helps your family understand that they’re part of a healthy lifestyle. At Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce, you’ll always find the most quality local produce and knowledgeable employees to point you in the right direction. 

Where to Shop for Great Family Dinners?

In order to set yourself up for a successful family dinner habit, you need to arm yourself with excellent ingredients. When you choose Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce, you can rest assured your family dinners will be full of quality main courses and produce you can feel great about. Whether you have a shopping list and a plan or need some inspiration, we’re here for you. Stop by one of our locations and get what you need for your family dinners today!

It’s an unfortunate truth that big chain stores just don’t have the kind of specialty ingredients that food-lovers need to make the best-tasting recipes.  They carry the basic items for the average meal.

If you’re looking for gourmet specialty foods or that hard to find fresh and unique ingredients you’ve been looking for, then you’ll need to stop by Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce specialty food store and find ingredients that you can’t get anywhere else.

Keep reading to find out how to shop for all of your grocery needs and specialty food items at Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce.

1. Find the Nearest Location

For your convenience, Tacoma Boys has three locations in wonderful Pierce County, Washington.

Our location closest to the densest urban core, of course, can be found in Tacoma, Washington, but we also have locations in Puyallup and Lakewood.

Whether you’re taking a car, a bus, or a stroll, Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce has 3 convenient locations near you.

2. Don’t Always Stick to Your List

At Tacoma Boys, you could easily happen upon something you’ve never seen or heard of before.  Especially if you allow yourself to consider taking a few extra seconds to browse the aisles.

Consider dozens of options for unique honey or pepper jelly.  Or pork crown roast and fresh local pears.  Or even gluten free donuts and edemame pasta.  Thousands and thousands of amazing items!

The hunt for something new and the mystery could very well lead to something that can become the secret ingredient in your soon-to-be-famous dish.

There are so many wonderful specialty items waiting to be discovered and tasted at Tacoma boys that you should always be ready for something new and exciting.

3. Bring Reusable Bags

Did you know that Americans go through around 100 billion plastic bags every year?  And they are now against the law in Tacoma.

If you want to know how to buy groceries the sustainable way, you should invest in one or more reusable bags, depending on the number of groceries you usually buy.

It’s always great to do what we can for the environment. Instead of coming home with a bunch of plastic bags, you can use several high-quality bags again and again.  And Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce not only have fabric bags, but fabric bags with a liner to keep all of your chilled items at proper temperature all the way home.  Plus, our bags are just cool looking and show your support for local small business!

4. Check Out Our Weekly Specials

If you want to save on artisan specialty foods and more, then you should also keep track of the weekly specials that Tacoma Boys has.  Sign up for our email newsletter to be notified each week!

From Wednesday to Wednesday, you can expect to find some amazing deals that can save you money, but more importantly, maybe even give you some ideas about what to eat during the week.

For example, you might be able to find delicious and crunchy Gala apples for only 79 cents per pound. If you’re a seafood fanatic, you might find wild lobster tails for less than 10 dollars each. Plus, any meat-lover will do a little dance if they find out that Angus New York steaks are less than 9 dollars per pound (season depending of course).

In order to complement the beautiful and delicious meals that you’ll put on your table, you can also get attractive flowers from Tacoma Boys to make a gorgeous centerpiece. For example, we currently have locally grown cut flowers in hand made bundles starting at only $10.

When it comes to our weekly specials, you can expect to always be pleasantly surprised.

Are You Ready to Go Shopping for Groceries?

Now that you know how to go shopping for groceries and specialty food items at Tacoma Boys, you can get ready to make one of the most delicious meals you and your loved ones have ever tasted.

If you have any questions about our world-class products, feel free to contact us. We’re always happy to help.