Hey, eagle-eyed Whole Foods Market shoppers in Northern California and Reno: Have you noticed a familiar face peeping at you from the aisles? Don’t worry, it’s not a creepy stalker lurking behind the olive bar—it’s Cartoon Me!
No, you’re not hallucinating: Right now, at all 40 Whole Foods Market stores across Northern California and Reno, my goofy mug is everywhere. Pretty crazy, right?
Over the years, plenty of folks have asked me how to stock their pantries, fridges, and freezers with Paleo-friendly supermarket purchases. I’ve pointed ’em in the direction of my blog, my iPad app, and my cookbook, but I know that shoppers would prefer to just see my recommendations right there while they’re shopping in the store.
And now, it’s actually happening.
Not long ago, the team at Whole Foods Market Northern California reached out to pitch a summertime partnership with Nom Nom Paleo—and how could I say no? Aside from my local farmer’s markets (and Good Eggs), Whole Foods is where I spend much of my hard-earned moolah in an effort to feed my family right. Unlike shopping at other supermarkets, I don’t have to wade through a bunch of hyper-processed Frankenfoods to locate my preferred kitchen essentials. (Also, I have to admit that the prospect of seeing my cartoon logo plastered all over Northern California Whole Foods Market locations was irresistible.)
So I got cookin’.
I compiled a list of my “Hand-Picked Favorites” in a bunch of categories: Produce, Meat, Frozen, Grocery, Seafood, Cooking Essentials, and Treats & Snacks. Every Whole Foods Market store in the state from Monterey up to the California-Oregon border should have printed shopping lists available, but if you don’t spot ’em, you can download your own printable list here.
No shenanigans here: I selected each item on the list because I actually purchase and enjoy it on a regular basis. (Yes, even the frozen broccoli.)
I did my best to fill my shopping list with budget-friendly items that offer the most bang for the buck. I also tried to highlight foods that are loved by Paleos, vegans, and omnivores alike—including coconut oil, vegetables, coconut aminos, and glorious, glorious kombucha.
Although the selection will vary at each Whole Foods location, you should be able to find (or request) the bulk of the items on my list at your local store.
Using my list, Whole Foods created cute “shouter” tags to make it easier for you to spot Nom Nom Paleo Picks as you stroll around the store.
So keep your eyes peeled as you stroll through your friendly neighborhood NorCal Whole Foods Market stores through the end of August, ’cause you’ll find little Nom Nom Paleo signs pointing you to my tips and picks. It’s like I’m right there shopping with you, only I’m not distracting you with my squeaky voice spouting random celebrity gossip.
Follow the red tags, and you’ll discover everything from Red Boat Fish Sauce to Tessemae’s dressings—all the wonderful things I’ve yammered about over the years.
Of course, that includes dark chocolate…
…and Hail Merry Miracle Tarts, too. (Hey, I never said that these are all Whole30-approved selections!)
You and your pally-pals and/or bored children can play “Where’s Nom Nom?” while you wander the aisles and stock up on Paleo-friendly goodness. It’s just like a game of Where’s Waldo, only less taxing on the eyes and more satisfying to the stomach.
Pssst: Don’t forget to pick up some eggs!
Bonus: If your store happens to have a Paleo Bar, you may also discover a recipe (or three!) of mine, selected and prepared by the in-house culinary team.
In the mood for some bacon-y Asian Cauliflower Fried “Rice” or summery Tomato & Basil Salad? Get thee to the Paleo Bar!
Once you load up a couple of takeout containers, amble over to the butcher counter, where you can grab some Nom Nom Paleo-approved cuts o’ meat…
…along with printed recipe cards for my Slow Cooker Korean Short Ribs and Cracklin’ Chicken. (Not in Northern California or Reno? No worries: Download the printable recipe cards here!)
Plus, all the Northern California and Reno stores have stocked up on copies of our cookbook, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans.
You know it’s a special occasion when Cartoon Me actually decides to PUT ON A DRESS.*
*At the Blithedale Mill Valley store! (Honestly, whoever created these little signs kicks major butt.)
Honestly, seeing Nom Nom Paleo logos all over the Whole Foods Market locations in my neck of the woods has me floored. I’m incredibly grateful for all the work that the Whole Foods team put into this effort, and I really want to do my darnedest to make this partnership a success. My mission is to hit as many of the stores as possible to personally sign each cookbook I see before the end of the summer. Heck, I may even sign cookbooks written by other authors just for fun. (Wait…that’s vandalism, right?)
Sadly, as much as I wish I could, I won’t be able to hit every single store on the list. (California’s a big state, y’all. Even half of it.) So if you spy some cool Nom Nom Paleo displays at your local Whole Foods Market in NorCal or Reno, please post pics and tag me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook so I can take a peek at all the awesomeness before it all goes away!
Now go forth and shop, Nomsters!
[UPDATED: Here’s a small selection of photos from readers taken at NorCal Whole Foods Markets! Woo hoo!]
Looking for more recipes? Head on over to my Recipe Index! You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPad® app, and in my New York Times bestselling cookbook, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel 2013).