Blue Water Natural Foods in Alpine has long been a favorite shopping destination of mine. If you live in the Trans-Pecos region or have driven down Highway 118 from Alpine to South County and have not checked out Blue Water, you are missing out on a wonderful resource out here in far West Texas.

John and Elaine Schwerdtfeger, the terrific folks behind Blue Water, opened their doors in February of 2008. The building was once a bowling alley, and they have transformed it into a wonderful natural grocery store and deli.

But it’s not just about food… you can often find Yoga, CPR and other fitness classes held in the Big Room adjacent to the deli. The Big Room is provided for free to anyone that wishes to teach a health-related-class. Contact the store for more details.

Aside from providing specialty groceries both fresh and frozen, beautiful produce, vitamins, minerals, supplements, and just about anything could possibly need for health and beauty needs on any given day, they also have a newly remodeled deli with ready-to-go sandwiches, salads, wraps and more. There’s usually coleslaw, broccoli salad, hummus and tabbouleh packaged and ready to go in the self-serve cooler.

Marinated mushrooms, potato salad, assorted delicious wraps and beautiful salads are some of the fresh deli items available.

Soon, they will have hot soup options… just in time for cooler weather.

Whether you need to shop for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free or other dietary needs, they’ll likely have what you are looking for.

The organic bulk foods department (back near the deli) is one of my favorites as you can purchase natural and organic beans, rice, quinoa, popcorn, nuts and dozens of other items in the amount you want.

Organic bulk items… dry goods above, spices below.

The beer and wine selection is top-notch and appears to be growing each time we visit.

With a wonderful assortment of frozen wild caught seafood and other meats to peruse, the nitrate-free bacon is always on my shopping list.

They have a fantastic selection of essential oils and natural health and beauty products.

It’s a little tough to see, but the essential oil department is fantastic! They also have Himalayan salt lamps.

They now sell fresh pet food – look for the Freshpet Pet Food cooler when you walk in.

We stopped in the other day to pick up a couple of wraps for lunch while we were out running errands. He chose the Oven Roasted Chicken Cucumber Hummus Wrap and I chose the Moroccan Roast Beef Wrap – both were wrapped in the soft lavash (soft, unleavened flatbread) and loaded with meat, veggies and flavor.

My Moroccan Roast Beef wrap was deeeelish! 

Fresh wheat grass. Those who know, know. I won’t explain.

We had a chance to visit with Elaine and the sweet Schwerdtfeger girls. It’s always a pleasure to catch up with them.

I always buy at least four of the Tandoori Chef Naan Pizzas. Excellent frozen goods at Blue Water!

The remodeled deli, located back and to the left when you enter the store, is a comfortable space to sit and enjoy your meal and read for a while, or to pick out your tasty meal and hit the road.

All U.S. Veterans receive a 10% discount on all purchases, in addition to any other discounts and coupons.

Blue Water’s mission is to provide the community with a top rate natural foods store with the best selection possible. I think they accomplish that mission every day, quite well.

Be sure and pick up one of their new, super-soft Blue Water Natural Foods t-shirts that read, “Food is Medicine” and sport the stylish new company logo.

Located just one mile south of Alpine on Highway 118 and open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, you can also visit their new website at www.bluewaternf.com for more.

 

Easy and Delicious Hummus

4 cloves garlic

2 cups canned chickpeas, drained, with the liquid reserved

1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/3 cup tahini (sesame paste)

6 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)

8-10 dashes of your favorite hot sauce

Using a blender, process the garlic until it’s minced. Add the rest of the ingredients and process until it is coarse but pureed. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Or, smear it on your favorite lavash before adding your meat and veggies when making a wrap.

 

Printed with the permission of the Alpine Avalanche 😊