NOOSA? What's A NOOSA?

Bridal Veil Falls - Rocky Mountain National Park

June 9, 2011

I am about to do something that I have never done in a post during the life of this blog.  I am going to  talk about a specific food item that I recently discovered.  And I guess I should say this upfront!  Although I have been in communication with the folks at NOOSA Yoghurt, it was at MY instigation and MY determination to hound them until I was able to figure out how to get this product at home.  Turns out they are some really cool Australian folks, but until I send them a link to this post, they have no idea that I write a blog, am endorsing their product on my blog and they certainly haven't asked me to do anything.  I did document NOOSA's trip from Boulder, Colorado to Tennessee in pictures and have sent those to NOOSA, but again, not for anything in return.  Just because it was fun!!  Hope that covers everything I'm supposed to say!

The Boulder County Farmer's Market in Boulder, Colorado is without a doubt, the best farmer's market I've ever found.  We fell in love with this market when we were in Colorado two years ago and could not wait to return this year.  It is an incredible mixture of fresh fruits and veggies with all sorts of other locally produced or grown items.  It is HUGE and obviously a well loved activity in Boulder.  Once thing most vendors do that has not yet caught on here in our local market, is provide samples.  So being the yogurt lover that I am, I headed directly over to the booth for NOOSA Yoghurt.  I mean, really, how could you not be intrigued by a name like NOOSA and folks who don't even know how to spell yogurt?  LOL! 

And the other thing I love about the Boulder Market is that the folks on BOTH sides of the vendor booths are having a REALLY GOOD TIME!!  There's no rush, take your time, enjoy the product and sure, they are happy if you buy, but if you don't, they send you off with a cheery good-bye.  So, Mr B & I sauntered up to the NOOSA booth and I said, "what's a NOOSA?"  The dude handed me a cup of honey flavored YOGHURT (spelling intended!!), I took the first bite and nearly swooned!  That was some of the best stuff I've ever put in my mouth.  It was so thick it tasted like pudding.  But here's the real endorsement.   Mr. B, who generally turns up his nose at yogurt, looked at me and said, "we gotta get some of this!"  Turns out, NOOSA is a "shire" located on the sunshine coast of Australia and "yoghurt" is the way it's spelled there. 

Unfortunately, we were on our bicycles having parked a few miles away to avoid the traffic associated with the market, so we were unable to purchase any NOOSA.  However, I had noted a sign on the booth stating that NOOSA could be found at Whole Foods or King Sooper's (a Colorado Kroger affiliate for you easterners!!).  So we stopped at King Sooper's on the way back to Estes Park and guess what?  No NOOSA!    That is when my email friendship with these cool Australians began.  To make this story a bit shorter, they guided me to the Whole Foods in Boulder where I was certain to find all varieties and our last stop as we left Estes Park on June 19 was at Whole Foods in Boulder to buy as much NOOSA as our cooler would hold!  

Check our their website, enjoy their story and find some NOOSA!  I guarantee you will LOVE it!   I was thrilled to learn that Fresh Market grocery stores carry NOOSA, but I held little hope that either of the Fresh Market stores in my community would actually have it.  Let's just say I embarrassed myself and mortified Mr. B when we walked in our local Fresh Market last Saturday afternoon and there smiling happily at me were several different varieties of NOOSA!  I can get it whenever I want it!  I don't have to make monthly trips to Boulder (although that wouldn't be so bad except I'd go bankrupt!).  

Now that I've gushed disgustingly about something I love, let's get down to the facts.  Things are still going so well here.  I am somewhat surprised, but thrilled.  All seven of the Colorado to Tennessee travel pounds are gone.  It has been a week of healthy, on-plan eating and I am happy to say it has been effortless. I've been within my 1200 calorie range and exceeded my 12000 steps per day goal. We have a couple of social events this holiday weekend that will be challenging, but without being overly confident, I believe I'm o.k. to face the them.  

I have not yet returned to my beloved Great Smoky Mountains National Park since we've been home.  No one is willing to hike with me in this heat and quite frankly, I'm not sure I'd want to go even if I could find a partner.  My best hiking "bud" nearly stepped on a timber rattlesnake while I was gone and everyone say that the bears seem to be extra hungry and aggressive this year.  I've been out walking early in the mornings and we've been walking in the mall (ugh!), so I've gotten my exercise, but oh man, my hiking boots are calling out to me!

Today is a new month and it's my birthday month, so I'm really excited!  Have been searching for my word for July and I think it's going to be JumpStart July.  But more on that Monday!  

Have you ever heard of or seen NOOSA Yoghurt?  If not, go find some and let me know if you like it as much as I do.  My favorite flavors are Mango & Honey.  BTW, nutrition data for all flavors can be found on their website along with a store locator and cool information about their company.  And don't worry, you'll have NO problem with any of the ingredients.  It's all natural and all local! 

Well, what do you know?  It's LUNCH time.  Think I'll have me some Strawberry Rhubarb NOOSA with fresh strawberries.   YUM!

Have a GREAT and safe Fourth of July weekend.   G'day Mates!