Friday, July 1, 2011

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!


12 comments:

  1. I LOVE it when I find a great find. Noosa sounds so yummy, I'll have to look for it around here! Hey, it's my birthday month too! How cool is that? Have an awesome week!

    ~Margene

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  2. I am definitely going to have to check out the yoghurt!

    Congratulations on the loss for the week. I'm happy for you.
    Lori

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  3. I'm not a big yogurt fan. I like some now and then with cereal mixed in for crunch but can't even remember the last time I had any. Now that farmer's market - LOVE!

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  4. I love all sorts of yogurt!

    I'm confused, though. (We're surprised, right?) Are the ingredients local to Australia or local to somewhere in the US or what?

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  5. Noosa. Is it a Greek yogurt? It sounds like it from your description. I know that i love Fage and Orkos. Both have that thick pudding consistency.

    Deb

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  6. I will be looking for that Noosa. I'm not a great big fan of yogurt, but if Sharon says it's good, I will try it. Have a great weekend, and keep up the tracking!

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  7. Hey Sharon, I checked out the Noosa. Pretty hefty calorie count, but I'll bet its delicious. I usually make my own yogurt with whole milk, but no sugar. Of course I use splenda to sweeten it, which some people don't like.

    To answer Cammy's question, the secret recipe is from Australia, but apparently the yogurt is made from happy cows in Colorado LOL.

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  8. I've never seen this, but I don't usually meet a thick yogurt I don't like... Eros from WF is the exception.

    If I ever see it, I'll jump like an Aussie kangaroo at the chance to get some.

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  9. I'm going to Google the yogurt and see if htey carry it in Canada. Somehow I doubt it, but I have been cross border shopping almost every week to save money! I'd hike with you if I could...

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  10. Look how absolutely adorable you are with your ear to ear grin and your NOOSA!! You have me completely intrigued. Like your husband, I've never been a yogurt fan, either. The fact that HE likes it makes me want to try it! I'll have to see if Indiana has any of this Australian goodness (how can you not like something that's made in a SHIRE??) lol

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  11. That yoghurt sounds yummy. I love the honey sweetening, too. I use honey for a lot of things . We have/had hives at the farm, so it is even our own! They make great yogurt, too, in the Netherlands. Thin and tasty. Not sweetened. I love it with fruit. I bet you are aching for a hike. Hope it cools down in your neck of the woods soon!

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  12. I'll be looking for Noosa. I can't believe I haven't seen it -- and I scour the yogurt aisles -- in all the hip places in New York. Maybe I missed it because there are so many brands? It's Jumpstart July for me, too. Lots of walking and lots of fruit and water in my eating plan.

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