Medications expire because chemical changes to the drug over time may affect the stability or decrease the strength of the drug. An expiration date estimates when the potency of the drug falls below an acceptable limit set by the FDA. The expiration date may also be an estimate of when certain ingredients in the drug change and may be harmful to consume.
There is evidence that some medications may be safe to consume after the expiration date. Even though these may be safe to consume after the expiration date, the drugs may not be as effective due to decreased potency. Also, certain medications have very strict storage requirements and their expiration dates should be strictly followed. Medications that are liquid, like many children’s medications, should not be used past their expiration dates. Other medications that should not be used past their expiration dates include insulin, nitroglycerin, and antibiotics.
So, should I take expired medications?
Although there is evidence that some expired medications are safe to take, the FDA states that “once the expiration date has passed there is no guarantee that the medicine will be safe and effective.”
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
February 22nd is National Supermarket Employee Day! In any business, displaying exceptional customer service is the key to success. At Price Chopper and Market 32, we have a lot to be proud of with our hardworking, dedicated teammates whose customer service goes above and beyond. They are the engine that drives our company day in and day out!
Today and everyday, we want to honor our fantastic teammates whose customer service does not go unnoticed. We thank them for all they do!
Read below about some teammates who have shown exemplary customer service in our Price Chopper and Market 32 locations!
Market 32, O’Neill Highway (Dunmore, PA) #135
Charmaigne E. Santiago, Front-End Teammate
Charmaigne started her career with Price Chopper/Market in December 2021. There was an instant connection and we knew we had a winner bringing Charmaigne onboard. If you look up the definition of customer service, you will find a picture of Charmaigne Santiago!
There isn’t a day that passes that Charmaigne doesn’t receive a compliment. One of our customers wrote in, “Charmaigne makes every person smile. She is a kind, hardworking, lovely woman. I always try to get in her line.” Her bubbly spirit is contagious, and she instantly puts customers and teammates in a good mood. She is dependable, charismatic, earnest, and a true asset to our company. Charmaigne is always engaged and challenges her teammates to do the same. We are proud to have Charmaigne on our team!
Price Chopper, Erie Boulevard (Syracuse, NY) #172
Tyler Burgess, Customer Service Assistant Team Leader
Tyler has been with the company for almost seven years. Tyler started with us as a Part Time Maintenance Teammate at store 199 in Cicero. During Tyler’s time at Cicero, he worked very hard and learned anything he could. He went from Maintenance to the Cash Register and then to Supervising the Front End in a high volume store. Last year, Tyler was selected for our Associate Development Program (ADP) where Tyler went on to further his skill set by leaving Cicero to train in other stores. Tyler trained with us at Erie Boulevard, store 172 and then went to Clay, store 182 to train in the Cash Office. Tyler successfully graduated the ADP program and returned to us at Erie Boulevard where he is currently acting as our Customer Service Assistant Team Leader.
In Tyler’s short time back to the store he has already exhibited his exceptional service by being mentioned as a “Wow Teammate” on our Helpful Experience Shops not just once, but twice!
In Tyler’s spare time he is an avid bowler. Tyler is not just passionate about Customer Service, Tyler and his girlfriend are also very driven to help animals in need, as they foster cats that need homes as well.
Price Chopper, Cortland NY #178
Morgan McDonald, PAC Teammate
Morgan is a great asset to our store and to our customers. She is there whenever a customer or teammate needs her and will answer questions for any department. Morgan often receives compliments from customers when working in the aisles as she helps them find item locations. She will often come up to assist the Front-End by running the register, helping customers with a carry out, or assisting with an Instacart order. Morgan is very artistic and created a customized sign for Cortland’s participation in Trunk or Treat this last fall. We appreciate Morgan’s dedication and willingness to go above and beyond!
Market 32, Sutton MA #244
Richard Laflash, Bakery Teammate
Here at Market 32 in Sutton, MA, we have an exceptional teammate in our bakery department. His name is Richard Laflash. Rich never fails to be punctual on a daily basis with a smile on his face. He has been with our store since we opened in 2015.
For YEARS, the bakery team in Sutton has been receiving scores of 100% on mystery shops because of Rich and his excellent customer service skills. It is no secret that Rich goes above and beyond for any guest in need anywhere, anytime. He is known for going out of his way to escort guests to specific products they may be looking for. If Rich doesn’t know the answer, you can be sure he’ll do anything in his power to find out!
Rich is not only great with customers, but an asset to his team as well. He is well known for keeping a pristine donut and bagel case, knowing that it is the first thing the customers see when they walk in the front doors. Rich gives so much of his time and effort to the company. He comes in early or stays late if needed. He will even periodically come in on days off to help.
Expressing how Richard Laflash is exceptional is an understatement.
Interested in joining our team? Check out career opportunities at careers.pricechopper.com!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
There is a lot of controversy over which parts of New York sell the best bagels. We may be a bit biased, but our bagels are truly the winners. At Price Chopper and Market 32, we have a wide variety of bagels that are made fresh daily! Additionally, our cream cheese selection is out of this world, with flavors such as strawberry, honey walnut, herb & onion, and more!
Our bagel selection:
When you enter our Bakery Department, you will notice that we have bagels sold individually, in 3-packs or six-packs. Our delicious flavors include:
•Plain • Cinnamon Raisin • Everything • Garlic • Asiago Cheese • Cheddar Cheese • Honey & Wheat • Blueberry • Poppy Seed • Sesame Seed • Onion • Salt • Cinnamon Sugar
What can I put on my bagel?
Wondering about what goes well on a bagel? Take a look at the lists below!
Spreads:
Cream Cheese
Hummus
Butter
Peanut Butter
Nutella
Jelly
Fruit/Vegetable:
Banana
Strawberries
Avocado
Meats/Cheeses:
Smoked Salmon
Bacon
Eggs
Turkey
Ham
Egg/Tuna/Chicken Salad
Any cheese of choice
Different Ways to Use a Bar of Soap
Different Ways to Use a Bar of Soap
How do you use a bar soap? Probably for washing your hands or taking a shower. Well, there’s many uses for a bar of soap that extend beyond your daily hygiene and bathroom routine. Let’s explore those options in our latest blog. You’ll never look at a bar of soap the same way again.
- Keeping Critters out of the Garden: If you’re an avid gardener, the most frustrating thing is the little critters and pests that munch your hard work away. Luckily, a bar of soap can defend your crops in a way that is not harmful to the animals. Keep the bar of soap in its wrapper, open one of side of the wrapper or box, then place it at the base of the plant you’re attempting to protect.
- Keep Shoes Smelling Fresh: Keeping shoes by your front door? You can keep the odors away with a bar of soap! Place a bar of soap in a mesh bag, and stick it in your smelly shoe, make sure it’s stuffed in nicely and not just hanging out by the heel. Let it sit overnight and you’ll be surprised by how much more pleasant the smell is in the morning! This trick also works inside your car, gym bag, or closet.
- Prevent Sticky Zippers: Zippers constantly getting caught can cause quite the frustration. But if you have a bar of soap, it can help with this issue. Rub a bar of soap along the zipper as an easy way to keep the tracks well-oiled and easier to deal with.
- Homemade Laundry Detergent: Not feeling the laundry detergent at the stores? You can make your own with a bar of soap.
- Fixing Damaged Drawers: If you have a drawer that doesn’t come in and out so easily anymore, a bar of soap may offer the solution. Rubbing the soap on the tracks of the damaged drawers will allow it to slide and glide more easily.
- Cover a Mistake: If you have a mistake in your wall from poor thumbtack placement, use a bar of soap to fix it. Gently rub a bar of soap, the same color as your paint, over the hole until it’s filled in. It’ll do the trick until it’s time to repaint.
- Find the Leak: If you have a leaking tire, rubbing a damp bar of soap over the areas in question will create an air bubble when the air escapes. Allowing you to locate the leak.
These are just a few of the ways a bar of soap can help outside of the shower. Hopefully they help you down the road. The power of a simple bar of soap!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
Did you know that approximately 2.7 billion boxes of cereal are consumed in America each year? Now that is a lot of cereal! Cereal is a big staple in many households, and our PICS Cereal is Fair to Compare to national brand favorites! At Price Chopper and Market 32, we have a wide variety of PICS cereal and PICS oatmeal that are perfect for breakfast time or a snack throughout the day. Be sure to check out all of our own brand cereals at the bottom of this article.
PICS Honey Nut Toasted Oats: This crunchy, whole grain cereal has a hint of sweetness that makes for a delicious bowl of cereal.
PICS Cocoa Crunchies: A spoonful of chocolate crunchy cereal to start your day? Oh yes! This is sure to be a favorite in your household.
PICS Frosted Shredded Wheat: Our PICS Frosted Shredded Wheat Cereal is sweet and delicious to power you through your morning!
PICS Maple & Sugar Instant Oatmeal: Start your morning with a warm bowl of PICS oatmeal! Try adding in berries, raisins, or PICS peanut butter.
PICS Active Start: Give yourself a boost in the morning by having a bowl of PICS Active Start Cereal with PICS milk. Another alternative is to sprinkle this cereal in PICS Vanilla or Plain yogurt.
PICS Extra Raisin Bran: If you enjoy raisins in your cereal, then this is the option for you! Our PICS Extra Raisin Bran cereal contains 40% raisins!
When it comes to quality and value, our line of PICS cereals shine bright against the national brands.
Make our cereal a staple at your house today!
New Year, New Recipes
We’re on a mission to keep expanding our library of recipes and our at-home menus. The new year is a wonderful time to add some new options to our repertoire. Whether it’s foods we haven’t tried before or new variations of old favorites, new dishes keep life fresh and exciting! We’ve put together a list of recipes for you to try in 2023. Check it out and enjoy!
Chicken Banh Mi Bowl: In Vietnamese cuisine, Banh Mi is a short baguette with thin, crisp and soft crust. Typically served as a sandwich, where chicken is a popular variety. This recipe turns that popular sandwich into a bowl, with all the common features of a delicious Banh Mi.
Chicken & Roasted Beet Harvest Salad: If you’re looking for a fresh, new salad recipe this Chicken and Roasted Beet Harvest Salad is the answer. Roasted beet adds a delicious flavor to the dish and compliments chicken beautifully.
Slow Cooker Farro & Garbanzo Mujadara: Mujadara is a staple dish in Arabic culture. Consisting of lentils cooked together with sauteed onions and grains, in this case farro. Try it for a tasty twist to your normal routine.
Moroccan Turkey Meatballs with Barley & Lentils: Experience meatballs like never before, featuring Moroccan flavors that will make your mouth water. Meatballs offer a variety of options when it comes to flavoring and this may be one you have yet to try.
Chili Lime Portobello Fajitas: These Chili Lime Portobello Mushroom Fajitas make for an epic taste adventure. Plus, they’re a lovely alternative if you’re looking to fill your fajitas with something other than chicken or steak.
Baked Zucchini Fries: Need a good appetizer to add to your skillset? Try these Baked Zucchini Fries. They’re so good and they add a unique variation into the fried foods game.
Garlic Shrimp Over Parmesan Grits with Bacon & Pepitas: Elevate your shrimp & grits with this superstar recipe! Parmesan, bacon, and pepitas blend beautifully and take this already delicious dish to a whole new level.
Grilled Swordfish Kabobs with Peanut Chili Sambal: Need some new seafood recipes? We’ve got you covered. Try these Swordfish Kabobs with Peanut Chili Sambal. Yum!
Indian-Spiced Cauliflower with Garbanzo Beans and Tomatoes: Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that often doesn’t get taken to its full potential. Try this Indian-Spiced Cauliflower for an example of the wonder’s cauliflower can do for your taste buds.
Pepper-Crusted Steak with Red Wine-Shallot Sauce: Last but not least, give this Pepper-Crusted Steak a try! Complimented with a delicious Red Wine-Shallot Sauce this one is sure to please for a lovely evening at home.
Life is Short - Eat the Spaghetti!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
Pasta makes the world go round! Let’s face it – pasta can be paired with almost any meal, or be a meal of its own. At Price Chopper and Market 32, our focus today is specifically on spaghetti, because January 4th is National Spaghetti Day. Be sure to join us in celebrating today by trying some of our delicious recipes below. You can find a variety of pasta recipes on our Price Chopper Website and our Price Chopper Ready Website.
Did you know?
- The average Italian consumes about 62 pounds of pasta per year. That is the same weight as a female Golden Retriever!
- Sicilians created the first modern spaghetti noodles in the 12th century.
- Spaghetti today is about 10-12 inches long, but it was much longer when it was first invented.
- Spaghetti and meatballs are an American dish, not Italian.
- Spaghetti has evolved over the years. Today, you can find different varieties including gluten free, whole grain, protein, and veggie spaghetti.
Try some new recipes!
Anchovy Cacio e Pepe Spaghetti with Fried Capers: While this dish is drastically different from your traditional pasta and meatballs, you will not be disappointed. The fresh taste of olive oil, parmesan cheese, lemon, and crushed red peppers are sure to be nothing short of delicious!
Chicken Teriyaki Noodles: Quick, easy, filling, and tastes like a Hibachi restaurant!
Slow Cooker Spaghetti with Italian Sausage: Dinner ready in 16 minutes? Say less! Pair this meal with some fresh bread from our bakery.
Happy National Spaghetti Day!
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN Manager, Lifestyles and Wellness
January rings in the New Year and inspires us to evaluate targets and goals that will bring positive results to our lives. There is one change that would bring more wellbeing benefit to more people than almost any other – eating more fruits and vegetables! Only one in ten Americans eats enough to meet daily guidelines for health. We also see shoppers are seeking more organic items for many reasons, particularly because they know that since 2002, organic items meet strict USDA certification standards.
The USDA certification offers production insights and confidence to shoppers. As quoted in Food Insight’s “What is Organic” article, USDA notes that “organic products must be produced using agricultural production practices that foster resource cycling, promote ecological balance, maintain and improve soil and water quality, minimize the use of synthetic materials, and conserve biodiversity.” This is right in line with shopper aspirations to eat more mindfully, consider production impact and sustainability along with taste and health value.
You can always find high quality produce, proteins, and grocery items in our stores, including a huge selection of organic items. To help you enjoy more, now through January 28th, earn 3X AdvantEdge Rewards points on organic purchases that can help families bring more benefits to your table.
Organic product tags on our website can help you select organic items for pickup or delivery and explore products across our site that fuel your wellness routine. Check out our weekly flyer each week this month and look for our special organic shelf tags to find out which simple, seasonal organic items are ready for you to enjoy!
Happy New Year!
Source:
Introducing Barilla Al Bronzo: Pasta With Extraordinary Sauce Grip
New from Barilla is Al Bronzo pasta, a line of premium pasta made with a reserve batch of non-GMO durum wheat and expertly crafted using innovative micro-engraved bronze dies for a robust texture and extraordinary sauce grip. You can find Al Bronzo in the pasta aisle in 6 delicious shapes: Spaghetti, Bucatini, Linguine, Mezzi Rigatoni, Penne, and Fusilli.
Try Al Bronzo in these two delicious recipes. Al Bronzo Mezzi Rigatoni with Tuscan Ragout is a hearty recipe made with three kinds of meat that will leave you and your family craving more. The homemade pasta sauce features beef, pork and lamb simmered with fresh plum tomatoes, garlic, rosemary and sage. The wide opening of the Al Bronzo Mezzi Rigatoni is the ideal shape for capturing the meat sauce. Al Bronzo Bucatini with Lemon, Ginger, Parmigiano & Thai Basil features an amazing combination of ingredients where the fresh lemon and ginger are balanced by the Parmigiano cheese and the Thai Basil leaves. Served over Al Bronzo Bucatini, this recipe is the perfect weeknight meal.
Al Bronzo Mezzi Rigatoni with Tuscan Ragout
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Total Time: 40 Minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 box Barilla®
- Al Bronzo Mezzi Rigatoni pasta 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- 1 white onion chopped
- 2 leaves fresh sage
- 1 sprig
- fresh rosemary
- 1 clove garlic gently pressed
- ¼ pound ground beef
- ¼ pound ground pork
- ¼ pound ground lamb
- ¼ cup red wine
- 2 fresh plum tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken stock
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Romano cheese to taste grated
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet; add onion, sage, rosemary and garlic; allow the onion to sweat for 10 minutes over low heat.
- Add beef, pork and lamb; cook until the meat begins to stick to the bottom of the pan; deglaze with red wine and continue cooking until the liquid is reduced well; discard the rosemary, sage and garlic.
- Meanwhile, blanch and peel tomatoes, remove the seeds and cut the pulp in dices; add to the meat sauce along with chicken stock; simmer until the liquid is evaporated; season with salt and pepper.
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and toss with the sauce.
- Finish with cheese and remaining olive oil.
Al Bronzo Bucatini with Lemon, Ginger, Parmigiano & Thai Basil
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Total Time: 30 Minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 box Barilla® Al Bronzo™ Bucatini pasta
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- ½ lemon, zested
- 1 lemon, juiced
- ½ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
- ½ cup Thai basil leaves, julienne
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Cook pasta three minutes less than package directions.
- Meanwhile, in a skillet sauté garlic and ginger in 2 tablespoons olive oil for a minute, add lemon juice and 1 cup pasta cooking water, bring to a simmer.
- Drain pasta and toss with lemon juice mixture over high heat, add pasta and more pasta cooking water as needed.
- Turn off heat, finish with remaining olive oil, cheese, lemon zests and black pepper. Top with basil before serving.
For more recipe inspiration, please visit https://www.barilla.com/en-us/al-bronzo.
Chocolate Now, Dinner Later!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
Everywhere we look, we are surrounded by chocolate, chocolate, and once again…chocolate! It is the best time of the year to be creative and festive. Speaking of creativity, have you ever wondered how to make your own chocolate? We found a fun and easy chocolate recipe that would be a great activity for the family, or for you to try on your own!
Five main ingredients are needed to make your own chocolate:
- 1/4 cup Unsweetened Cacao Powder or Cocoa Powder
- 1/8 cup Dry Milk Powder
- 2 ¾ tablespoons Cacao Butter
- 1/8 teaspoon Salt
- Chocolate mold
- Sweetener (optional)
- Candy Pieces (optional)
Step 1: Add 1-2 inches of water to a medium saucepan. Next, insert a heat-proof bowl on top of the saucepan. Bring water to a simmer (not boil) and add tiny, proportional pieces of cacao butter into the heatproof bowl. The cacao butter should not be touching the water. Whisk the cacao butter frequently.
Step 2: Once the cacao butter is melted, add cacao or cocoa powder, a pinch of salt, dry milk powder, and any other add-ins to the heat-proof bowl. Stir these remaining ingredients until completely blended.
Step 3: Pour the chocolate mixture into the molding of your choice. Transfer to the freezer for 20-30 minutes.
Step 4: Try not to eat all the chocolate at once!
Not feeling up to making your own chocolate. We understand! At Price Chopper and Market 32, not only do we have fantastic chocolate dessert recipes, but we also have a wonderful Bakery Department that strives to go above and beyond for our customers. We have so many options to make your holiday season extra special!
Other digital sites where you can locate our chocolate-filled recipes:
Some holiday must-tries!
Chocolate Cinnamon Scones: Chocolatey, cinnamony, and festive! You cannot go wrong with these Chocolate Cinnamon Scones. Try pairing with your favorite PICS coffee blend or PICS hot chocolate.
Double-Chocolate Peppermint Bark: With only four key ingredients, these are easy to make and do not have to look any specific way. No pressure when making this delicious dessert!
Minty Hot Chocolate: Exactly how it sounds – This mint hot chocolate is everything and more! Be sure to give it a try.
Homemade Chocolate Source: