Staff Picks: Emily's Co-op Favorites

Emily Kaster is now in her second career at Linden Hills Co-op (some long-time shoppers will remember her from her cashiering days, before she moved to Vermont). Besides energetically stocking groceries, building displays, and offering incredible customer service, Emily is our resident workout expert and unofficial spokesmodel for cooperatives and the work they do in communities across the country. Here’s a short list of some of Emily’s favorite co-op products.

Lacinato kale: Also known as “dinosaur kale,” this is the most vitamin-rich green veggie—and the most bang for your buck! It’s delicious washed, sliced crosswise and sautéed in olive oil with a little salt and pepper and garlic or red pepper flakes.

Sprouted almonds: Once you try these (in the bulk aisle), it’s hard to eat any other almonds. They’re easier to digest, too.

NuNaturals Stevia: Stevia is a non-caloric all-natural sweetener made from the stevia plant. The NuNaturals is by far the best I’ve ever tasted. Unlike others, it has no bitter aftertaste. I use it in EVERYTHING that I want sweetened.

Garden of Life Perfect Food: This amazing green powder is a great way to bump up the nutrition in your smoothies! Look for it in the Wellness aisle, by the protein powders.

Wildwood Soy Yogurt: I eat this every morning (with a little stevia, Perfect Food, flaxseed oil and vegan protein powder mixed in). It’s a great probiotic option for people who are lactose intolerant or prefer not to eat dairy products.

Vegan Rella: The best non-dairy cheese alternative. I recommend grating it so it melts better.

Macro Bars: Locally made (in Viola, Wisconsin) and very filling—not your typical energy bar. Both the gluten-free and the regular version are amazing. They’re made with brown rice syrup, so no sugar buzz.

Tinkyada Pasta: This is by far the best gluten-free pasta on the market.

Earthfire Seitan: Seitan is a meat substitute made from wheat gluten—if you’ve ever had mock duck, that’s what seitan is. The Earthfire seitan is made in Gays Mills, Wisconsin from organic wheat flour and the texture is great. Look for this in the freezer section!

Angelica’s Garden: Her fermented foods are incredible—and they’re made from ingredients grown in Angelica’s very own garden in Wisconsin. Fermented foods are helpful for digestion (and taste delicious, too).