Our completely unique Vegetable Crisps are a perfect blend of twelve vegetables. We add a dash of bold seasoning to truly make these a perfect snack for every occasion. It’s an exceptional snacking experience that is crispy, full of flavor and a a good source of fiber.

Our completely unique Vegetable Crisps are a perfect blend of twelve vegetables. we add a dash of bold seasoning to truly make these a perfect snack for every occasion. It’s an exceptional snacking experience that is crispy, full of flavor and a a good source of fiber.

Our completely unique Vegetable Crisps are a perfect blend of twelve vegetables. we add a dash of bold seasoning to truly make these a perfect snack for every occasion. It’s an exceptional snacking experience that is crispy, full of flavor and a a good source of fiber.

Each month Every Day with Rachael Ray puts on a “taste test” that features the staff’s top food picks from grocery store items. For October they put the audience to test and asked them to vote for their favorite, with an overwhelming majority of the vote, 54%, Boulder Canyon Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper won by a landslide. Check the TV segment and pick up the October issue to see what all the hype is about! Thank you for the support Rachael Ray and staff!

http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/segments/view/what-americas-best-chip/

Boulder Canyon's Chip Tent, aka The Place to Be

What could be better than bread, butter and cheese? Well, perhaps bread, butter, cheese, habanero salsa, sweet jam and bacon. At least that’s what our Product Manager, Tanner, decided as Executive Judge at the Grilled Cheese Invitational last weekend.

On Saturday morning Tanner drove the Boulder Canyon van to downtown LA to taste 30-40 grilled cheese sandwiches and hand out 10,000 bags of Boulder Canyon chips. How did he get so lucky? For the second year, Boulder Canyon was the official potato chip sponsor of the event – and boy, is it a fun event to sponsor!

Started by Tim Walker in 2003 as a competition between friends, the Grilled Cheese Invitational has grown into an annual event with 200 competitors this year and 30,000 grilled cheese sandwiches. As you can see, these guys have quite the sense of humor from the entertaining opening ceremony to the grilled cheese category names (including Missionary, Kama Sutra and Honey Pot).

As soon as Tanner arrived back at the office it was question time. We needed the scoop.

Best Plain Grilled Cheese (aka “Love, American Style”): “It had lots of cheese, melted perfectly. The bread wasn’t burnt, and it had the perfect amount of gooeyness.”

Could’ve-Lived-Without Grilled Cheese: “The one with stinky cheese, rabbit and onions.” Props to him for even trying it.

Tanner with the two winners who received trophies, a case of Boulder Canyon chips, t-shirts and chip clips

Most Delicious Grilled Cheese: “I gave out an award to my favorite sandwich named ‘Spicy Love Making.’ It was on a roll with a special kind of cheese – I think Gouda – with bacon, habanero salsa and sweet jelly. It was the perfect combination of sweet and spicy.” Y-U-M

Tanner’s Takeaway: “I didn’t know there were so many different grilled cheese sandwiches! I’ve always been more of a cheese, butter and bread kind of guy but now that I see how people have branched out I’m ready to get more creative in the kitchen.”

Maybe it will inspire some new chips flavors?! Habanero…Sweet onion…Spicy bacon? What do you think?

Audrey Larson
Donna Bakke
Jill Spackman
John Lee
Kimberly Riffle

Andrew Vangrimbergen
Christina Bandy
Jim Edwards
Kimberley Walker
Laurie Smith
Linda Edwards
Loretta Johnson
Maura Crock
Patricia Conary
Scott Blackburn

April Law
Art Pennington
Bernadette Confer
Bryan Wessing
Christine Zickel
Cliff Asher
Jozette Cooper
Kimberly Ciesla
Kittiwan Vathanavarin
Kyle A. Burgess
Linda Bostic
Melinda Zingelewicz
Patricia B. Peters
Seth Foster
Tina Lee

Akilah McDaniel
Alea Shinn
Alison Whitney
Amity Norton
Amy Ragland
Andra Williams
Arvonne Newton
Austin Lange
Beth Buechler
Bridgette M Weiss
Christina O
Debra McLean
Dianna Graveline
Elizabeth Walton
Gillian Piner
Gregory Hegykozi
Heather Gayler
Jen Hinderman
Julie King
Kathi Watson
Kelli Barry
Kristin Rademacher
Laura Stewart
Loretta Davis
Mitzi Soward
Ralph Saxe
Robert Eldridge
Rosemary Carlson
Sarah Davis
Sarah Lockhart

2011 Grilled Cheese Invitational Tix On Sale: New Category, More Pro Chefs

Scenes from the 2010 Grilled Cheese Invitational

Here at the Boulder Canyon office we’re thankful for another successful year of chip making, all of our delicious new flavors and the exciting opportunities that next year will bring. More than that we’re each grateful for our wonderful friends and family who make the holiday season so special. However, aside from a fulfilling job and cherished loved ones, we’re also thankful for life’s fun little gifts such as…

My apple cutter. It never lets me down. And pumpkin pie… actually make that pumpkin everything! And Zumba class. -Annie

My iPad (It could be yours: Click Here) and the little bird throwing game, Angry Birds, that keeps me entertained for hours. I’m also thankful for my yard.  I never knew how important grass was in my life until I moved here from Phoenix.  -Tanner

Health is #1, a roof over my head and football.  -Michelle

The crispy edges on anything fried, that first lung full of crisp autumn air, GPS on my phone, meeting new friends, and sharing recipes on the internet.  -Shawn

Sunday morning mountain runs, P90X and hummus.  -Ryan

Muenster cheese, swiss cheese, cheddar cheese, any cheese.  -Greg

So what are you thankful for? Fill out the form below, and we will select one random entry to receive a FREE CASE OF CHIPS by Thanksgiving. Please provide the flavor you wish to receive. Deadline to submit is 4 p.m. MST on Monday, November 22nd.

Eligibility and Limitations. Participants and winner(s) must be at least 18 years old as determined by the Company. Participants are allowed only one entry through name and email form, two additional entries through sharing on Facebook, and one entry through sharing on Twitter. Participants who “Like” Boulder Canyon Natural Foods on Facebook will also be entered to win an assorted case of Boulder Canyon chips. Employees of the Company and members of the immediate family of any such persons are not eligible to participate and win. The term “immediate family” includes spouses, siblings, parents, children, grandparents, and grandchildren, whether as “in-laws,” or by current or past marriage(s), remarriage(s), adoption, co-habitation or other family extension, and any other persons residing at the same household whether or not related.
Delivery Disclaimer. The Company disclaims all liability for any delays, misdelivery, loss, or failure in the delivery of any item sent by mail, email, courier, express, electronic transmission, or other delivery method.

Publicity. By participating, all participants and winner(s) grant the Company permission to use their names, email address, and location in connection with promotion of this and other contests and company emails and waive any claims to royalty, right, or remuneration for such use.

Release. By participating, each participant and winner waives any and all claims of liability against the Company, its employees and agents, for any personal injury or loss which may occur from the conduct of, or participation in, the contest, or from the use of any prize.

Taxes. Each winner is solely responsible for reporting and paying any and all applicable taxes. Prizes are not transferrable or redeemable for cash.

Decisions. The Company reserves the right to disqualify any participant or winner and may refuse to award any prize to a person who is ineligible or has violated any rule, gained unfair advantage in participating in the contest, or obtained winner status using fraudulent means. Further, the Company will resolve any disputes, conflicting claims or ambiguities concerning the rules and the Company’s decisions concerning such disputes shall be final. All decisions will be made by the Company and are final. The Company may waive any of these rules in its sole discretion.

Miscellaneous. Odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. The Company may substitute prizes of equivalent value, amend the rules or discontinue the contest at any time. The Company disclaims any responsibility to notify participants of any aspect related to the conduct of this contest. The Grand Prize, a NatureMill automatic composter with six Boulder Canyon compostable bags of chips, is valued at $325.00.

Compliance with Law. The conduct of this contest is governed by the applicable laws of the United States of America, which take precedence over any rule to the contrary herein.

Testing Compostable Packaging Claims: Week 4
By: Heidi Tolliver-Nigro

Oh, the things I do for The Inspired Economist. This is the fourth week of my unscientific test on the compostability claims of Boulder Canyon and SunChips 100% compostable chip bags.

The decaying grass in my compost pile is getting heavier, the pile of eggshells and other kitchen scraps on top is getting heavier, and the mass is getting stinkier. Underneath are Boulder Canyon and SunChips chip bags, both of which claim to be 100% compostable.

The Boulder Canyon bag is soft, quiet, and made of wood fiber. The SunChips bag is loud and crackly and made of “vegetable-based” material.  Both are deteriorating at clearly different rates.

Judging from the look of things, however, I might not have to continue the experiment much longer. There is absolutely no indication of decay on the SunChips bag. It looks as crisp and intact as the Doritos bag below it. The wood fiber-based Boulder Canyon bag, however, is barely recognizable as a chip bag at all. Not only has it lots most of its ink, but not visible in the picture is that it’s lost all of its structure. It’s thin, with no body whatsoever, and appears ready to fall completely apart.

This is after only four weeks in an unattended, unturned compost heap.

SunChips claims that its bag will decompose fully in a “hot, active compost pile” in 14 weeks. Granted, it’s only been four weeks and my compost pile isn’t exactly turned on a regular basis, but with the rapid decay of the Boulder Canyon bag, the SunChips bag better get crackin’. It’s falling way behind.

To view the full article click here.

When looking for smoothies, flavor is definitely important, and I also like ones with plenty of protein to keep me full until lunch. As a fan of livestrong.com, I knew it would have some great smoothie options, and I was right! Julie’s Protein Smoothie was it. The recipe is as follows:

It doesn’t get much simpler than that! Instead of Splenda, I substituted a packet of Stevia, and for frozen berries I used the delicious Rader Farms berries I found in the frozen food aisle at Albertson’s. Not only does the smoothie taste good, it’s nutritious, only 187 calories, and with almost 20 grams of protein it definitely kept me full! Now I’ve been busy spreading the word around the office.

At the Boulder Canyon office it’s definitely easy to satisfy our salt cravings. However, we have a sweet tooth too which is often neglected and the reason why I was determined to cook up a healthier, more natural candy this past weekend for Halloween.

Disclaimer: Before I go any further, let me assure you that I am not at all involved in the actual making of our delicious chips – I just tell you about them.

Strawberries are one of my favorite foods so I decided to try concocting jelly strawberry candies. My Google search led me to a recipe on About.com for Double Fruit Jellies that looked easy enough.

Ingredients:

• 12 tbsp sugar, separated
• 2/3 cup strawberry juice (see note)
• 2/3 cup pineapple juice
• 8 tbsp corn syrup, separated
• 8 tbsp unflavored gelatin, separated
• Food coloring, optional

I decided to start with the strawberry candies and try the pineapple only if the strawberry jellies proved successful. However, after going through the process of martyring my beautiful rosy red strawberries to obtain their juice, I wished that I had started with the pineapple.

In an effort to make the recipe healthier, I decided to substitute Stevia for sugar, coconut syrup for corn syrup in Round 1 and honey in Round 2, and xanthan gum for gelatin. If you’re an avid cook or baker, you’re probably wincing and/or laughing at these substitutions because, needless to say, things didn’t really work out.

Round 1: I mixed together strawberry juice, Stevia, and coconut syrup and put it on medium heat on the stove. I then added gelatin to this batch just to see how it would taste with the right consistency. Unfortunately, I don’t think anything could have helped the taste of this mix. The Stevia tasted artificial and the coconut was overpowering.

On to Round 2: Instead of coconut syrup, I used honey and instead of gelatin, I used xanthan gum. While the honey slightly improved the taste, the xanthan gum left me with a pasty pink salad dressing that would likely suffocate and destroy even the best tasting salad. Perhaps I should have searched harder for a gelatin substitute, such as agar?

At this point, I decided to give up for the evening as I didn’t think I could taste another sugary treat gone bad. (It also really made me appreciate our Boulder Canyon chip taste tests.)

Do you have any advice or ideas on better ingredients, tastier recipes or healthier sweets that our office would enjoy?

Good to see people wanting Boulder Canyon products and willing to enter a photo to win them! We also want to share some of our favorite promotion suggestions:

“Instant win games or picture contests where customers take a picture of themselves with a boulder product and fans vote on their favorite”

“Win a Boulder Canyon Party: You could pick 4 different kinds of chips, dips, etc…Even win a t-shirt from Boulder Canyon to wear at your party.”

“Dude Ranch trip; rock climbing adventure; rafting in Grand Canyon”

“Recipes for salads, main entrees, cookies or crackers using chips, accompanients for chips (dips, blends)”

“Free bag once month for a year”

“How do you eat them?”

“Pair Bounder Canyon with a local event, like Ignite Boulder, to give the brand some lively presence. Tell the story of the brand. Maybe you could team up with other local brands (Oogave, for example) and produce local care packages that could be given away to people flying into town for the Mountain.”

Check back soon to find out which ideas we picked and which ones we’ve been thinking up on our own!

• All Natural
• Gluten Free
• Zero Trans Fat
• Zero Cholesterol
• 27% chickpea base

Hummus Chips are a one-of-a-kind custom artisan taste experience. Infuse it with the perfect blend of hummus and spices. This unique combination makes these snacks one of a kind!

• All Natural
• Gluten Free
• Zero Trans Fat
• Zero Cholesterol

Our Hummus Chips are infused with the perfect blend of chickpeas and spices. This unique combination makes these snacks one one of a kind!

• All Natural
• Gluten Free
• Zero Trans Fat
• Zero Cholesterol

We may have outdone ourselves on this one! Our gourmet Red Wine Vinegar chip delivers the perfect blend of semi-sweet, yet bold vinegar and a touch of sea salt. Red Wine Vinegar is a first in natural kettle chips. The unique appealing flavor is sure to be a favorite.

• All Natural
• Gluten Free
• Zero Trans Fat
• Zero Cholesterol

The rich, aromatic taste of olive oil has been a time-tested favorite for thousands of years, so it only seemed right to create Totally Natural with Olive Oil. Using imported olive oil creates a bold rich flavor that is higher in beneficial monounsaturated fats than traditional potato chips.

• All Natural
• No Trans Fat
• No Cholesterol

Boulder Canyon MultiGrain Puffs are a new take on an old favorite. We carefully blend several rich and hearty grains together to craft these light and crispy puffs. Finally, we season them with real White Cheddar Cheese to make the perfect anytime snack.

• All Natural
• Gluten Free
• Zero Trans Fat
• Zero Cholesterol

Didn’t think having less sodium without losing the classic salty taste of potato chips was possible? Well, we found a way. We have replaced our salt with a proprietary natural sea salt with 60% less sodium. Now with Totally Natural 60% Reduced Sodium, we have reduced the sodium without compromising the great taste!

]]> http://www.bouldercanyonfoods.com/products/boulder-canyon%e2%84%a2-malt-vinegar-sea-salt-kettle-chips/feed 0 http://www.bouldercanyonfoods.com/products/boulder-canyon%e2%84%a2-totally-natural-kettle-chips http://www.bouldercanyonfoods.com/products/boulder-canyon%e2%84%a2-totally-natural-kettle-chips#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 04:45:04 +0000 Boulder Canyon http://bouldercanyonfoods.com/?p=188

When you simply want the rich, natural flavor of a hearty potato, grab a bag of Boulder Canyon™ Totally Natural Potato Chips. Enjoy thick potato slices, a light sprinkling of salt, and a bold potato chip as rich and golden as the sunshine it was grown under.

Boulder Canyon™ Hickory Barbeque Potato Chips deliver a sweet, smoked flavor that takes you back to your favorite outdoor barbeque.  These rugged, rich and tangy chips feature a robust combination of hickory flavor, garlic and onion in an all natural snack.

Whether you are backpacking through the northern Italian countryside famous for Parmesan cheese or through the wilderness of the Rockies, Boulder Canyon™ Parmesan & Garlic Potato Chips are your snack! With sharp Parmesan cheese and zesty garlic, these chips pack tons of flavor and a treat for any outdoor adventure.

The same great-tasting kettle chips now available in compostable packaging!

Boulder Canyon™ Malt Vinegar & Sea Salt Potato Chips have proven to be a true consumer favorite due to their intense flavor, vinegar bite and fine balance of salt.  The malt vinegar makes them stand out among other salt and vinegar chips, providing a mildly tart, slightly sweet flavor that keeps you coming back for more.

• All Natural
• Zero Trans Fat
• Zero Cholesterol
• Available in 7.5 oz compostable packaging

Voted America’s #1 Potato Chip by Rachel Ray

This is a taste you know but made better by our crunchy, golden kettle chips. Boulder Canyon™ Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper Potato Chips have a zesty pinch of salt combined with a kick of pepper. Think you will like these? Correction: You will love them.

The same great kettle chips now available in compostable packaging!

When you simply want the rich, natural flavor of a hearty potato, grab a bag of Boulder Canyon™ Totally Natural Potato Chips. Enjoy thick potato slices, a light sprinkling of salt, and a bold potato chip as rich and golden as the sunshine it was grown under.

• All Natural
• Gluten Free
• Zero Trans Fat
• Zero Cholesterol
• Available in 7.5 oz compostable bags

If you enjoy a little heat when you eat then you will really enjoy Boulder Canyon™ Jalapeño Cheddar Potato Chips.  A perfect blend of Jalapeño peppers combine with the tastiest cheddar cheese for a spicy jolt to your taste buds. These chips deliver just the right amount of sweet, spicy and crunch.

The same great-tasting kettle chips now available in compostable packaging!

Boulder Canyon™ Hickory Barbeque Potato Chips deliver a sweet, smoked flavor that takes you back to your favorite outdoor barbeque.  These rugged, rich and tangy chips feature a robust combination of hickory flavor, garlic and onion in an all natural snack.

• All Natural
• Gluten Free
• Zero Trans Fat
• Zero Cholesterol
• Available in 7.5 oz compostable bags

Boulder Canyon™ Spinach and Artichoke Kettle Chips are a snack that features fresh-from-the-garden spinach and artichokes perfectly blended with an assortment of rich seasonings for optimum flavor. If you frequently crave the creaminess of a warm spinach and artichoke dip, you’re going to love these chips.

The same great-tasting kettle chips now available in compostable packaging!

Whether you are backpacking through the northern Italian countryside famous for Parmesan cheese or through the wilderness of the Rockies, Boulder Canyon™ Parmesan & Garlic Potato Chips are your snack! With sharp Parmesan cheese and zesty garlic, these chips pack tons of flavor and a treat for any outdoor adventure.

• All Natural
• Gluten Free
• Zero Trans Fat
• Zero Cholesterol
• Available in 7.5 oz compostable bags

For a unique flavor combination that provides maximum taste – and a little adventure –with each bite, look no further than Boulder Canyon™ Balsamic Vinegar & Rosemary Potato Chips. These thickly sliced, kettle-cooked chips are infused with just the right amount of aged balsamic vinegar and sprinkled with garden-fresh rosemary to create a balanced flavor that is light and refreshing.

The same great-tasting kettle chips now available in compostable packaging!

This is a taste you know but made better by our crunchy, golden kettle chips. Boulder Canyon™ Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper Potato Chips have a zesty pinch of salt combined with a kick of pepper. Think you will like these? Correction: You will love them.

• All Natural
• Gluten Free
• Zero Trans Fat
• Zero Cholesterol
• Available 7.5 oz compostable bags

By combining a distinctive taste of the Southwest with the all-natural flavors of the Far East, we created Boulder Canyon™ Rice & Adzuki Bean Natural Salt Artisan Snacks.  The light crispiness of these snacks feature the sweet taste of adzuki beans made even more delectable by an added dash of salt. It is the first mainstream consumer product in the U.S. to feature the nutritious adzuki bean.

Aged cheddar cheese and just the right amount of spicy seasonings create a flavor that is highlighted by the adzuki beans’ subtle sweetness. Together with its light and crispy texture, this artisan snack is the perfect better-for-you snack chip because of the adzuki bean’s natural healing and health properties.

]]> http://www.bouldercanyonfoods.com/products/boulder-canyon%e2%84%a2-rice-adzuki-bean-snack-chipotle-cheese/feed 0 http://www.bouldercanyonfoods.com/products/boulder-canyon%e2%84%a2-canyon-cut%e2%84%a2-canyon-cut-honey-bbq-chips http://www.bouldercanyonfoods.com/products/boulder-canyon%e2%84%a2-canyon-cut%e2%84%a2-canyon-cut-honey-bbq-chips#comments Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:30:51 +0000 Boulder Canyon http://www.bouldercanyonfoods.com/?p=654

Smoky barbeque flavor and the sweet taste of honey unite to create the ultimate snacking experience in each bag of Boulder Canyon™ Canyon Cut™ Honey BBQ Chips. Made with all natural ingredients, thickly sliced, ridged chips and cooked to perfection, these will satisfy even the most serious snack-time cravings.

• All Natural
• Gluten Free
• Zero Trans Fat
• Zero Cholesterol

Sweet Lemon & Cracked Pepper Rice & Bean artisan chips are sure to satisfy any sweet and salty craving. The zesty lemon flavor, highlighted by the subtle sweetness of the adzuki bean and bold taste of black pepper, make for a delicious addition to Boulder Canyon’s all natural snack offering.

Win a case of Boulder Canyon Sweet Lemon & Cracked Pepper Rice & Bean Chips
Enter Here
First Name *
Last Name *
Email *
Zip Code *
Check all that apply:	Yes, I would like to receive e-newsletters from Boulder Canyon Natural Foods
*Winners will be picked at random from all Boulder Canyon Natural Foods’ fans Facebook fans that complete the entry form. You must complete the form each week to be entered into that week’s drawing. One free case will be given per week. Only one eligible entry per person each week. Weekly winners will be selected and notified by the following Monday at 5 p.m. MST. Entries from all eight weeks are eligible to win the $100 American Express gift card. Gift card winner will be selected and notified by September 15 at 5 p.m. MST. All personal information will be kept 100% private and not entered into our database unless you sign up for the newsletter. No purchase necessary. Must be 18 years or older to enter. U.S. residents only.

• All Natural
• No Trans Fat
• No Cholesterol

Boulder Canyon MultiGrain Puffs are a new take on an old favorite. We carefully blend several rich and hearty grains together to craft these light and crispy puffs. Finally, we season them with real White Cheddar Cheese to make the perfect anytime snack.

Win a case of Boulder Canyon White Cheddar MultiGrain Puffs
Enter Here
First Name *
Last Name *
Email *
Zip Code *
Check all that apply:	Yes, I would like to receive e-newsletters from Boulder Canyon Natural Foods
*Winners will be picked at random from all Boulder Canyon Natural Foods? fans Facebook fans that complete the entry form. You must complete the form each week to be entered into that week?s drawing. One free case will be given per week. Only one eligible entry per person each week. Weekly winners will be selected and notified by the following Monday at 5 p.m. MST. Entries from all eight weeks are eligible to win the $100 Whole Foods Market gift card. Gift card winner will be selected and notified by September 15 at 5 p.m. MST. All personal information will be kept 100% private and not entered into our database unless you sign up for the newsletter. No purchase necessary. Must be 18 years or older to enter. U.S. residents only.

• All Natural
• Gluten Free
• Zero Trans Fat
• Zero Cholesterol
• 27% chickpea base

Hummus Chips are a one-of-a-kind custom artisan taste experience. Infuse it with the perfect blend of hummus and spices. This unique combination makes these snacks one of a kind!

• All Natural
• Gluten Free
• Zero Trans Fat
• Zero Cholesterol

Tortilla chips with a twist!

How do you improve the tortilla chip? It’s simple! Infuse it with the perfect blend of hummus and spices. This unique combinaiton makes these snacks one of a kind!

Real Simple

1)    Cut it up. Many people keep a small kitchen compost keeper under the sink to avoid frequent trips to the compost pile. However, if it happens to be near your kitchen, keep a bowl on the counter for leftover food scraps, and cut them up into smaller pieces to speed up the composting process.

2)    Worms are the way. If you’re limited on space, an indoor compost bin using worms offers a great solution called vermicomposting. Don’t worry though, there’s still no mess or unwanted household odors.

3)    Helps to have a pet. After brushing your pet, save the leftover hair and add it to your compost. Also, dog food makes a great compost ingredient since its rich in protein.

4)    Add a hint of lint. Instead of throwing away all that dryer lint, put it to good use by turning it into nutrient-rich soil along with the rest of your compost.

5)    Moisture is a must. It’s important to water your compost, or if it’s uncovered, make sure it gets enough rain. However, if your compost starts to smell bad, it’s probably too wet. A rule of thumb from University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture is that compost should be “about as wet as a wrung out sponge.”

6)    Talk to your local coffee shop. Coffee grounds and tea bags make great additions to any composting bin or pile so talk to your local coffee shop and ask if you can have any of their leftovers.

7)    Raid the office kitchen. Keep a ziplock bag in the kitchen at work to collect coffee grounds, fruit peels, expired refrigerated items, etc. to take home to compost.

8)    There’s always automatic. If you want to be eco-friendly, but you don’t have much time or space, these automatic composters are a great alternative to do-it-yourself! With NatureMill composters, all you have to do is add waste items, and within two weeks it will compost the material for you. Plus, it’s still great for the environment with energy use at just 5 kwh / month, or about $0.50/month!

Fill out the form below with something great about your Monday and enter to win a free case of Boulder canyon chips. We will randomly select a winner by the end of the 28th. Thanks for entering, and Happy Monday!

“My official fave Potato Chip on & for Planet Earth.”

Why can’t all chip companies follow Boulder Canyon’s lead and put their yummies in a compostable bag?

The only way they could be greener, more eco-responsible, healthier, would be to be 100% organic, and gmo-free.

Here’s the first thing I loooooove about Boulder Canyon Potato Chips: the bags are compostable. That represents a sea change in natural products. As a “conscious consumer,” I hate being responsible for trash that goes to landfills and rots, or rather doesn’t rot—it just sits there breeding methane and fouling our fine earth for the rest of my days, and on.

Therefore, my kitchen trash can is the size of my head (pretty big, as far as heads go; pretty small, as far as trash cans go). I hate buying plastic, or anything non-compostable (translation: plastic is toxic, and forever).

As for taste, mmmm mmmm good. The chips are baked, not fried, so they’re healthier. But don’t worry, they taste like chips should: addictive.

One minor complaint: I don’t know if I’ve become wimpy in my old age, but the chips are kind of hard, and sharp, and hurt my mouth sometimes.

All in all, I’ll give these chips an A. Not organic, but natural (which means something, but not a lot). Compostable bags FTW. Yummy, but a bit hard and sharp. I’ll be buying them myself from now on, and I recommend you all do, too.

View Article at www.elephantjournal.com

January 21, 2010

Phil Lempert reviews Rice and Adzuki Bean snack chips on abc News.

Boulder Canyon Natural Foods

This product is a HIT! I bet you this is one chip that you have never tried it is Rice & Adzuki Bean. The adzuki bean is a nutty and sweet red bean and it is made with rice flour and is gluten free – but here is what I do not understand – the product says Adzuki bean and they even have this logo that says it is made with “Premium Adzuki Beans”, but in the ingredients it says “adzuki beans and or black beans” – huh? This company does everything right when it comes to sustainability and their recipes… don’t use black beans instead maybe because they are cheaper?! Retails for $2.49 – $2.99.

Boulder Natural Foods
800 279 2250
http://www.bouldercanyonnaturalfoods.com

Scoring Breakdown:

Taste-28
Value-18
Health-14
Ingredients-14
Preparation-5
Appearance-4
Packaging-4
Sustainability-2
Total-89

January 19, 2010

I like the spicy flavor  Boulder Canyon’s Rice & Adzuki Bean Chipotle Cheese Chips and the fact that they’re made with nutritious adzuki beans. Those adzuki beans are naturally rich in fiber, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc copper, manganese and vitamin B3. Those nutrients, though, are not seen in the chips — as the Rice & Adzuki Bean chips don’t contain enough of those nutrients to be mentioned on the Nutrition Facts panel.These tasty chips have a similar nutritional profile to other non-bean chips, that is 150 calories, 7 grams total fat, 200 milligrams sodium and 1 gram fiber per 1-ounce (20-chip) serving.  These chips also contain 2 percent of the daily value of calcium and vitamins A and C, and 4 percent iron.

Boulder Canyon also makes adzuki bean chips in Natural Salt and Sun Dried Tomato with Basil flavors. Chipotle Cheese are the tastiest.

If these chips had more fiber (which I had expected because of the adzuki beans), more listable nutrients and less fat, Boulder Canyon’s Rice & Adzuki Bean chips could have been a FeaturedBite — an outstanding product we tried and recommend — instead of a TidBite — a decent product that we recommend.

- bonnie

Below are some pictures of the cleanup (click on the picture to enlarge).

For more information or to participate in a clean up please visit http://www.americanrivers.org/our-work/restoring-rivers/national-river-cleanup/about.html

Compostable is defined by three criteria:  biodegradable, ability to disintegrate, and toxin-free. For a material to be biodegradable, it must be able to break down into carbon dioxide, water, biomass within 90 – 180 days. Not only will these materials break down, they are able to disintegrate into the compost without any distinguishable traces left behind. In compostable materials this biodegradation does not produce toxins so that it is able to support plant life.

So what’s the difference between compostable and biodegradable then? Put simply: All compostable materials are biodegradable but not all biodegradable materials are compostable. Both processes need to be in an environment which includes moisture, heat and microorganisms. However, there is no time requirement for biodegradable – it might break down in 90 days or 5 years. Additionally, biodegradable materials may include toxins and heavy metals.

Compostable packaging, when composted correctly, is very beneficial in reducing landfill waste and producing nutrient rich soil. However, there are different types of compostable packaging. Here’s how Boulder Canyon’s stands out:

Our bags are made from cellulose which is mainly from wood pulp from managed plantations. Unlike corn and starch-based compostable bags, the wood pulp mitigates any potential negative impact on existing food supplies.

They are sourced from plantations that have Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) or similar certification.

Additionally, our bags are made from materials that are certified to meet the “Specification for Compostable Plastics” standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials.

Best of all, they can be composted in home or industrial composters, recycled through approved organic recycling programs, or incinerated at modern incineration plants.

For more information on our new compostable bags click here.

We figured what better day than Earth Day to introduce the First Compostable Packaging for All Natural Snacks?

To celebrate, we stuffed our office shopping cart with ALL Boulder Canyon Compostable Chip Bags.

We will randomly select one person who correctly guesses how many chip bags are in the cart to receive a full case of the new compostable chip bags!

Guess away… and Happy Earth Day!

Contest ends on April 22, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. MST.

Use the form below to submit your entry:

Remember: Always check food labels for the words “gluten-free” and for wheat-related ingredients, such as dextrin, malt flavoring or extract, wheat starch, etc.

Celiac and gluten intolerance awareness are on the rise meaning there’s lots of resources available to the public. Check out gluten-free web forums and blog posts to stay updated on new gluten-free news, tips, and recipes. Social media sites, such as Twitter and Facebook, are also full of gluten-free related content concerning holiday meals, the latest research, and support for all of those who still crave gluten-packed goodies.

Boulder Canyon Natural Foods has been producing great-tasting, all natural snacks for over 15 years and is taking the leap with our first blog. The Boulder Canyon blog will be both informative and fun with some inside looks into the life of a natural food producer. Therefore, it seems only fitting to begin with our answer to one of our most frequently asked questions: “What does All Natural mean?” Seems like a simple question, but for most people the answer doesn’t come so naturally.

According to FDA policy, “natural” means the product is free from synthetic or artificial ingredients. The USDA agrees that food can only be labeled “natural” if it contains no artificial flavor or flavorings, coloring ingredients, or chemical preservatives. They also state that the product should be minimally processed. Instead of using artificial flavors, the food is made with only natural ingredients derived from natural resources. You might be thinking, “Well, doesn’t everything have to essentially come from natural resources?” Not exactly. Some ingredients are made in a lab while others come directly from the earth. For example, soybeans and corn provide lecithin to maintain consistency, and beets provide beet powder, used as food coloring.

To fully appreciate natural ingredients, you have to gain a better understanding of their arch nemesis: artificial ingredients. Processed foods are full of them. Artificial color additives are used to make processed foods appear fresh and appealing. According to Eric Schlosser in Fast Food Nation II, the food coloring Titanium dioxide can be found in processed candies, frostings, and icings to make them appear bright white. It is also used in women’s cosmetics, as well as white oil paints and house paints. Not exactly the ingredients I am looking to put into my body. Schlosser also points out that certain chemicals can make processed food taste like just about anything. For example, methyl-2-pyridyl ketone can make something taste like popcorn, and ethyl-3-hydroxy butanoate can make it taste like marshmallow! Well, I’ll let you in on a fact that Boulder Canyon customers have know for years: Our potato chips are from …… potatoes and our oil is from sunflowers and our salt is from the sea. And if you’re eating Rice and Adzuki Bean Chips, they’re made with rice and adzuki beans – not some chemical called mycardboard-4-real.

One of artificial ingredients’ greatest villains is MSG, monosodium glutamate. MSG has been known to cause extreme headaches, reproductive disorders, endocrine system imbalances, appetite control problems, and nervous system disorders. If you’re not careful, MSG will take over your diet, whether you’re eating healthy or not. It disrupts your appetite control system so that even when you’re physically full from eating, your brain tells you you’re still hungry. Don’t let MSG take over your body and make you overeat. Show MSG who’s boss by eating natural foods to help your endocrine system return to its natural, healthy state. Furthermore, processed foods in general do not help build healthy bodies or brains.

We know it’s hard to decipher what is truly natural or healthy, but products like Boulder Canyon and along with natural food retailers are working hard to make it easier. In addition to being a catchy phrase, “You are what you eat” does offer a high degree of truth. Read nutrition labels and scan down past calories and grams of fat to the ingredient list. Look out for monosodium glutamate, high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated soybean oil and other scary artificial ingredients. The less artificial foods you eat, the healthier you’ll be and “naturally” you will feel better.

Creamy sour cream and garden-fresh chives unite to create the ultimate palate-pleasing experience in each bag of Boulder Canyon™ Canyon Cut™ Sour Cream & Chive Potato Chips. Made with all natural ingredients, thickly sliced, ridged chips and cooked to perfection, these will satisfy even the most serious snack-time cravings.

So simple, yet so delicious. The natural flavor of hearty potatoes thickly sliced and cooked to perfection is what you’ll find in every bag of Boulder Canyon™ Canyon Cut Totally Natural Potato Chips. Each chip is ridged and lightly dusted with salt, making them perfect for dunking in your favorite dip.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100422/DE91391)

The Boulder Canyon compostable packaging is made from materials that are certified to meet the “Specification for Compostable Plastics” standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials. The bags can be composted in home or industrial composters, recycled through approved organic recycling programs, or incinerated at modern incineration plants.

In contrast to the corn and starch-based compostable bag recently introduced by a leading traditional snack manufacturer, the Boulder Canyon bags are made from wood pulp to mitigate any potential negative impact on existing food supplies.

Consumers interested in the greening of their snacking won’t be forced to pay a big premium for supporting Mother Earth either; the cost per-ounce is similar to that of Boulder Canyon chips in standard five-ounce bags.

“At the core of the Boulder Canyon Natural Foods brand is a desire to eat naturally, free of additives and artificial ingredients, while also being good to the planet,” said Steve Sklar, senior vice president of marketing for Boulder Canyon. “Our new compostable packaging should make a positive impact on landfill waste, so we’re excited to see this day come.”

Boulder Canyon is a national sponsor of American Rivers, the leading river conservation organization in the United States. In addition, Boulder Canyon purchases enough Renewable Energy Credits to offset 100 percent of its operating emissions annually. This effort prevents nearly 3.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere each year.

Boulder Canyon retail sales have grown 31% and outpaced the natural potato chip category from 2007-2009 according to SPINS™ Natural Channel Data.

Our purchase will prevent as many as 3,421,989 pounds of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere annually. This had the equivalent to one of the following environmental benefits:

- Removing 284 cars from the road for a year
- Converting 205 average U.S. households to renewable energy for a year
- The amount of CO2 absorbed annually be protecting 352 acres of forest

*Compared to regular potato chips

Washington, DC - American Rivers, the nation’s leading river conservation organization, today announced the kickoff of its 2009 National River Cleanup season. Since 1992, hundreds of thousands of volunteers across the country have participated to clean up thousands of tons of trash on America’s rivers and streams.

Last year American Rivers sponsored the most successful National River Cleanup yet with more than 300,000 volunteers removing more than 2,400 tons of trash from our rivers. This year, through a revamped web site, new sponsorships and increased local outreach, American Rivers plans to make the 2009 National River Cleanups the most successful to date.

Volunteers can find their closest river cleanup, information on how to organize a new river cleanup and frequently asked questions and answers at www.AmericanRivers.org/Cleanup.

“People of all ages can volunteer for a cleanup for an hour or a day to help clean the river they live on or care about,” said Rebecca Wodder, president of American Rivers. “At a time when more and more Americans are looking for opportunities to volunteer and serve their communities, this is a great way to make an impact,” continued Wodder.

With corporate partners like Tom’s of Maine, Boulder Canyon Natural Foods, Subaru and Green Mountain Coffee, even more people across the country are aware of this great opportunity to make a difference for their local rivers.

American Rivers is the leading national organization standing up for healthy rivers so communities can thrive. American Rivers protects and restores America’s rivers for the benefit of people, wildlife and nature. Founded in 1973, American Rivers has more than 65,000 members and supporters nationwide, with offices in Washington, DC and the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, California and Northwest regions. Visit www.AmericanRivers.org

Contacts:
Heather Hamilton, American Rivers, 202.347.7550 X 3056
Caitlin Jennings, American Rivers, 202.347.7550 X 3100