Kroger Uses Infrared Cameras To Cut Customer Wait Times

Kroger turned to high-tech infrared cameras to improve its customers’ wait times.

As described by the Wall Street Journal, these cameras are constantly monitoring and tracking the customers waiting to check out, then determining the optimal number of registers that need to be running in 30-minute increments. The software displays the suggested cashier usage on a monitor, allowing supervisors to deploy staff accordingly.
And the supermarket chain says it’s worked, with average wait times down to only 26 seconds from four minutes in 2010. The company also says data from the camera tests found that “express” lanes were clogging up in the morning and at lunch, when customers were buying only a few items at a time. Using this info, the chain opened up an additional 2,000 express lanes in its stores.
“The technology enabled us to execute at the front of the store without that additional (labor) expense,” explains Kroger’s Sr. VP of retail operations to the Journal.”It’s remarkable that we’ve been able to improve execution as much as we have without a big price tag.”
The system is being used in about 95% of Kroger stores in the U.S.

From Eating Well: Our Top 50 Recipes for Summer

From the Eating Well web site it's their Top 50 Recipes for Summer. I left the link at the bottom of the page, check it out!

Full of the season's best produce, our top 50 recipes for summer are perfect for picnics and potlucks.
Whether you’re making a side dish to share at a summer picnic or a no-fuss, easy dinner for a hot summer’s night, our top 50 recipes for summer are perfect recipes to make throughout the summer months. Our best recipes for summer feature lots of healthy fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, corn, zucchini, blueberries, peaches and more. Try our Baked Parmesan Tomatoes for an easy side dish or Zucchini Rice Casserole for a crowd-pleasing dish to share. Download a Free Cookbook with Our Best Summer Recipes!





Baked Parmesan Tomatoes
A sprinkle of Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil transform tomatoes into the perfect side dish. Or try sandwiching them between slices of your favorite whole-wheat country bread...





Zucchini Rice Casserole
We pack extra vegetables into this cheesy baked rice casserole. Plus we substitute brown rice for white, reduce the cheese by half and swap turkey sausage for pork sausage. If you're bringing it to a potluck, plan to reheat it before serving.....



Get these and many more light recipes by clicking the link below.


http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/our_top_50_recipes_for_summer?sssdmh=dm17.675463&utm_source=EWTWNL&esrc=nwewtw061813_Blinktop

Kitchen Hint of the Day!

To keep your cooler fresh and odor free, throw in 10-15 charcoal briquettes, close the top, and leave it overnight. In the morning, clean the cooler with soapy water, and it will smell like new.

Tacos, Turkey Tacos!

Dinner Tonight: Turkey Tacos

Beautiful day out, a little humidity but not bad. My Mom is doing a lot better and getting around fine. For dinner it was Turkey Tacos. I used Honeysuckle White Ground Turkey (97/3). I seasoned it a bit with Cilantro, Sea Salt, and Smoked Ground Cumin and I used Old El Paso Taco Seasoning.




For the Taco fillers I had Green Giant Summer Crisp White and Yellow Kernel Corn, sliced Black Olives, shredded Lettuce, Arugula, Sargento Mexican 4 Cheese, and Old El Paso Medium Taco Sauce. To assemble my Taco I first layered the bottom with shredded Lettuce, the Lettuce helps soak up any moisture so the bottom of your Taco doesn’t get soggy. After the Lettuce I layered in my ground Turkey, then Black Olives, Corn, Arugula, Taco Sauce   topped with the Shredded Cheese! I love a Taco when it all comes together! For dessert/snack later this evening a 100 Calorie Mini Bag of Jolly time Pop Corn.




Honeysuckle White 97% Fat Free Ground White Turkey

Product Description
Now we're talking lean. This is one of the healthiest ways to get your family eating better. Substitute it in any ground beef recipe, and your family's diet takes a turn for the better. It contains only 2 grams of fat per serving.



Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 4 oz (112g)

Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 35Calories 140

% Daily Values*
Total Fat 3g 5%
  Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 65mg 22%
Sodium 65mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 0g 0%
  Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
  Sugars 0g
Protein 26g

Turkey Burgers with Mango Salsa

Turkey Burgers with Mango Salsa


Ingredients:


1/2 cup Progresso Italian Style Bread Crumbs
1/3 cup Laughing Cow Light Garlic-Herb Spreadable Cheese
2 Green Onions, chopped
2-1/2 teaspoons Lemon Juice
1-1/2 teaspoons grated Lemon peel
 1/4 teaspoon dried Thyme
1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
1/2 teaspoon Ground Pepper
1-1/2 pounds Jennie - O Extra Lean Ground Turkey
6 Aunt Millie's Light Whole Grain Hamburger Buns
3/4 cup Mango Salsa


Directions
In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Crumble turkey over mixture and mix well. Shape into six patties.
Moisten a paper towel with cooking oil; using long-handled tongs, lightly coat the grill rack. Grill burgers, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 4-6 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 165° and juices run clear.
Grill buns, uncovered, for 1-2 minutes or until toasted. Place burgers on bun bottoms. Top with salsa. Replace bun tops. Yield: 6 servings.

Wild Idea Buffalo Recipe of the Week - B.B.Q Buffalo Burgers with Firecracker Coleslaw

It's B.B.Q Buffalo Burgers with Firecracker Coleslaw for this weeks Wild Idea Buffalo Recipe of the Week! BBQ, Grilling, and Buffalo I love it! Just click the link at the bottom of the page to get this and many more recipes and also you can purchase your Buffalo right on line.



B.B.Q Buffalo Burgers with Firecracker Coleslaw

By: Jill O'Brien



Serves 6 to 8

2 lbs. Wild Idea Ground Buffalo
2 Tb. olive oil
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. black pepper


Directions

* Mix above ingredients all together, and form into 6 to 8 burgers.

* Set gas grill to high heat. 500+ degrees.

* Place burgers on grill and cook for 2.5 minutes each side, closing grill during cooking.

* Brush with B.B.Q. sauce and grill for an additional 30 seconds each side.

* Place burger on grilled French bread and top with Firecracker coleslaw.


Jill’s BBQ Sauce

* In heavy Sauce pan over medium high heat, mix the following:

1 Tbl. Olive Oil
¼  Cup finely chopped Onion
2 tsp. chopped Garlic
1 tsp. Black Pepper
¼  tsp. Cayenne + to taste
½  tsp. each: Chili Powder, Cumin & Coriander
dash Cinnamon


Deglaze with:

1/4 cup Bourbon (Buffalo Trace)

Add:

1.5 lbs. Ketchup
1 Tbl. Dijon Mustard
1 Tbl. Worcestershire
Dash of Liquid Smoke
Stir until well incorporated. Bring to a boil.

*Left over B.B.Q. Sauce can be refrigerated and used at a later time.



Firecracker Coleslaw

Toss together:

1 head Green Cabbage, halved and sliced thin
1 Red Onion, halved and sliced thin
2 grated Carrots
1 cup Pepperoncini de-stemmed and flash processed


Dressing:

½ cup Mayonnaise
¼ cup Rice Vinegar
1 small tube Wasabi
1 Tb. Black Pepper
1 tsp. Salt


* Mix in blender and pour over cabbage, toss to coat and season to taste.

* Best if made the day before.

* Fresh with a clean spicy kick, great alone or served on the BBQ sandwich!


http://wildideabuffalo.com/2012/b-b-q-buffalo-burgers-with-firecracker-coleslaw/

Kitchen Hint of the Day!

Though they may be more work than a gas grill, charcoal grills impart an amazing smoky flavor to meats and veggies. Here are a few tips to get the most out of your charcoal grill.



* To add flavor to barbecued foods, place dried herbs on the hot coals. Some of our favorites are savory, rosemary, and basil.



* If the coals become too hot or flare up, squirt them with water from a mister or bulb baster.



* Store charcoal briquettes in airtight plastic bags - they absorb moisture very easily and won't be as easy to light if exposed to air.