Vol. 2 Issue 7                                                                    april 29, 2020

Stay Strong Portland

Oregon has been fortunate with a limited number of COVID-19 cases at the time of writing. This is partly due to the state’s early adoption of social distancing, the governor’s stay at home order, and closing of non-essential businesses. However, for infection rates to continue being low, health experts are impressing on us the importance of continuing safety protocols. Spring is here and with it comes an abundance of local produce starting with super fresh local asparagus and rhubarb. Read on to find out more.

While we still partner with Instacart.com to offer you home delivery, we are also offering curbside pickup at the store for orders in any amount or home delivery for just $10 for orders over $50. Orders over $100 will be delivered for free. Visit our website to find out more.
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We want to also take this opportunity to thank all our hardworking employees for all their efforts in helping to keep the store running. A big shout out goes out to local artisans who have helped us by producing face cloth coverings for us to distribute to our staff. Their assistance in making sure that we have equipment to provide to everyone at the store has helped us out so much. Our employees would like to thank faithful customers who have donated homemade face cloth coverings. We also want to thank our customers for your continued support. We are filled with gratitude.

Practice COVID-19 Safety Protocols & Help Slow the Spread

While the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Oregon remains relatively low, we must continue to practice safety protocols so we can flatten the curve and eventually halt the spread of this novel coronavirus. Here are some safety measures health experts recommend when you shop here at Sheridan:

Cloth Face Coverings—On April 3, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued an advisory for individuals to wear cloth face coverings (masks) in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Cloth face coverings can slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2 or anyone who has health issues that prevent them from safely wearing a face covering. The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. These are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance. Click here for the complete guide from the CDC including instructions on how to make them.

Disposable Gloves— Research has shown the virus can survive for several hours to several days depending on the surface it lands on. In order to get infected, the virus will have to find their way into your body, such as through your mouth, nose or eyes. The CDC is adamant about frequent hand washing and instructs us to avoid touching our faces.  For it to be effective, you should carry multiple pairs with you when you venture out in public. Put on a new pair as you enter Sheridan. At the entrance, we have sanitizing solution and paper towels. Please sanitize your hands and use the solution and towels to wipe down your shopping basket or cart. When driving, we recommend taking the gloves off and disposing of them before you enter your vehicle. With your right gloved hand, peel the glove off your left hand so it comes off inside out. With your left hand, pinch the inside of the glove on your right hand and pull it off so it is inside out. Dispose used gloves in the trash. If you are taking public transportation or walking home, take off your gloves before enter your home and dispose of it in the trash. Once inside, wash your hands according to health guidelines.

Do Your Part, Stay Six Feet Apart—The most effective way to avoid catching or transmitting the virus is to maintain your distance from other individuals and practice social distancing. The wider the distance, the safer it is since smaller, microscopic droplets can travel further and stick on surfaces. This is also why we recommend wearing cloth face covers and disposable gloves when you are shopping in the store. We recognize we are a small store, but please do your best and be aware of your surroundings and try not to crowd any aisles and limit the aisle capacity to three people at any one time.

Go Solo—Grocery shopping is an integral part of a family’s routine. Many households like to grocery shop together so they can plan and buy together as a unit. However, in extreme times like this, we recommend designating one or at most two people from each household to shop for the whole family. This will help reduce foot traffic and crowding in our small store. Making a list beforehand as a family will help make sure you plan ahead and get everything you need quickly and efficiently.

Time To Check Out—The safety of both our employees and customers is our priority during this pandemic. You’ll notice we have temporarily installed acrylic shields at all cash registers as an added layer of protection for our customers and employees. To avoid crowding, there is currently only one checkout line that is clearly marked on the floor and it starts 6 feet away from the entrance to Register 3. Please stand single file and at least six feet away from each other. If all cashiers are busy, please wait until you are called up by a cashier. Be mindful and practice social distancing and please do not crowd the cashiers. If you bring your own reusable bags, we kindly ask that you bag your own groceries at the far end of the register where a ledge is set up for your convenience. If you need special assistance, let a staff member know ahead of time and we will do our best to accommodate you. While we still accept cash, for sanitary reasons we recommend using contactless payments such as debit or credit cards, Android Pay or Apple Pay.

​Some of these measures are a little inconvenient but they are designed to keep you and our employees safe during these difficult times and we really appreciate all of your help in keeping everyone safe.

Savor the flavor
of spring with
​rhubarb

Rhubarb is a polarizing plant. Is it a vegetable or is it a fruit? Some people either love it or they hate it.  And to further add to the furor over rhubarb, do not eat the leaves of the rhubarb plant. They contain high levels of oxalic acid and anthrone glycosides, which are poisonous to humans when ingested. The stalks, however, are safe to eat as they do not contain high levels of these compounds. For the record, rhubarb is technically a vegetable although it is classified as a fruit by the USDA. See, we told you rhubarb was polarizing.

Available typically from April through June, rhubarb has come to epitomize the flavors of spring with its irresistible freshness and tart, tannic and vegetal flavors. In its raw form, rhubarb is extremely tart and tannic. The texture is akin to celery, crispy and watery. To make rhubarb more palatable, sugar and other sweet fruits such as strawberry are added to temper the sourness. Although cumbersome, rhubarb is worth the work as it is a “fruit” packed with nutrients and has many health benefits.

Rhubarb is known for being a low calorie, high fiber ingredient. The high amount of fiber is thought to aid in lowering cholesterol levels. Rhubarb is also rich in vitamin K1, with a 3.5 oz. serving providing 26% of the DV. Astonishingly high in antioxidants, one study suggests rhubarb has more polyphenols than kale. The antioxidants in rhubarb include anthocyanins, which are responsible for its red color and thought to provide health benefits. Rhubarb is also high in proanthocyanidins, also known as condensed tannins, the compound that causes the astringent and slightly bitter notes.

While rhubarb is often used in sweet, dessert applications, they make a surprisingly delicious addition to savory dishes. Plus adding a bunch of sugar kind of negates the nutritional and health value of eating rhubarb.

There are many wonderful recipes that utilize the unique flavor of rhubarb including pies and even cooking it with pork.

Local Asparagus
​Lean & Mean Superfood Machine

Here in the great NW, we are gifted with readily accessible farm fresh produce. Fresh asparagus is already a delicious springtime treat but you haven’t tasted asparagus until you’ve tried locally grown asparagus, picked fresh daily and harvested minutes away from the store.

Asparagus is a spring vegetable that's packed with nutrition. The most common variety of asparagus is green but purple and white varieties are also available. Of the three, white asparagus are the most tender because the stalks are never exposed to the sun. These are harder to grow and come by.
It is best to eat asparagus on the same day you purchase it. One cup of cooked asparagus has only 40 calories, four grams of protein, four grams of fiber and 404 milligrams of potassium. Potassium is good for blood pressure and asparagus also contains a compound called asparaptine, which helps improve blood flow and in turn helps lower blood pressure. Apart from the already mentioned nutrients, asparagus also contains folate, vitamins A, C, E and K, as well as chromium, a trace mineral that enhances the ability of insulin to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells.

Asparagus is one of the top ranked fruits and vegetables for its ability to neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. This may help slow the aging process and reduce inflammation. All asparagus contain high levels of antioxidants, compound which help decrease the amount of free radicals in our body and boost our immune system. Purple asparagus contains powerful pigments called anthocyanins, which give the vegetable its vibrant color and have antioxidant effects in the body.

The folate in asparagus is truly brain food. Folate works together with vitamin B 12 to help fight cognitive impairment. With high levels of the amino acid asparagine, a natural diuretic, eating asparagus can help you release excess fluids and help rid the body of excess salts. This is especially beneficial for people who suffer from edema and those who have high blood pressure or other heart-related diseases.

It is best to cook asparagus quickly using as little water or liquid as possible so you retain all of the nutrients in the vegetable. This is why stir frying is a great option. Here is a simple and quick teriyaki asparagus and shrimp stir fry recipe:

Ingredients: 6 oz. raw peeled and deveined shrimp ~ 1 large bunch of asparagus, about 2 lb. total ~ 1/4 cup or to taste Paradigm Polynesian Teriyaki Sauce (available in the Asian section) ~ 1 garlic clove and 1/2 inch ginger knob, minced (optional) ~ Toasted sesame seeds for garnishing (optional) ~ 2 tbsp canola or neutral tasting vegetable oil
 
Cut about 2 inches of the bottom of the asparagus. To avoid tough, fibrous stalks, you can peel the bottom half of the asparagus with a vegetable peeler till the white, tender meat is exposed. Cut asparagus into pieces of about 2-1/2” in length. Heat pan or wok till hot on medium high and add vegetable oil. Add ginger and garlic if using. Stir till fragrant, about 1-2 mins. Add shrimp and toss till they start to turn pink. Add asparagus and stir fry to blend all the ingredients, about 2 mins. Add teriyaki sauce and stir fry till shrimp are pink and cooked through. If you like your asparagus a little crunchy, you can remove it from the heat at this time. If you like your asparagus a little more cooked through, turn the heat down to medium and cover the pan and let the vegetable steam for a few minutes. Sprinkle the dish with sesame seeds (if using) and serve with steamed white or brown rice.

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