Fall Bucket List

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The long-awaited fall season brings a variety of fun and exciting things to try! Make the most of the short days by creating a bucket list with seasonal activities like decorating unique pumpkins, or stay home and bake up some sweet goodness. We’ve compiled a few things to get your list started, but feel free to add your own along the way, so you don’t miss any of your fall favorites.

Vegan Snickerdoodle Cookies

Vegan Snickerdoodles

The combination of maple syrup and cinnamon creates the ultimate fall-flavored treat! These vegan snickerdoodles are soft, fluffy and chewy on the inside, with just the right amount of cinnamon crunch on the outside.

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Pumpkin filled with fresh flowers

Create a gourd floral arrangement

Switch it up and use a unique pumpkin for a beautiful floral arrangement! Once the center is carved out, a pumpkin becomes a great vessel to hold flowers as an eye-catchng centerpiece on your fall tablescape.

How to:
  • Pick your favorite round gourd (the more colorful, the better!)
  • Cut the top of the gourd off, with at least a six-inch opening
  • Remove the seeds and clean out the inside (save the seeds to use in a recipe below!)
  • Place a small, water-filled vase or jar inside
  • Cut your flower stems down accordingly and arrange as desired


    • Cup of apple cider

    Make homemade apple cider

    Nothing says fall quite like a slow cooker, cinnamon and crisp apples … so why not combine them all! This simple apple cider will fill your home with all the warm and cozy scents of the season.

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    Pizza with cauliflower crust

    Decorate the outside of a pumpkin

    We’ve all been there … you meticulously pick out your perfect pumpkin and carve it into a masterpiece right away, but it doesn’t last as long as you’d hoped! This year, decorate the outside using things like ribbon, paint, decorative pins or glitter to help it last longer. Learn about all the different pumpkin varieties that will be available to decorate this fall!

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    Roasted pumpkin seeds in mason jarst

    Roast pumpkin seeds

    You saved those pumpkin seeds from your floral arrangement, right? Put all those pumpkin-carving goods to use by tossing the seeds in a variety of your favorite spices and roasting them in the oven! These tiny seeds are full of essential nutrients like magnesium, zinc and fiber—a perfect snack for a fall adventure!

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    gluten free pumpkin bars

    Bake a pumpkin treat

    Baking with pumpkin is always a fall staple. The creamy texture and subtle pumpkin flavor elevates a variety of recipes. Whether you use fresh pumpkin carved straight from the gourd, or our Sprouts Organic Canned Pumpkin, it’s at the top of our list for a tasty reason. Check this one off of yours with these delicious gluten-free pumpkin bars!

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    DIY Vanilla Citrus Sugar Scrub

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    Body Scrub in a jar

    Pamper yourself (and your loved ones!) with a scrub that will leave hands and feet feeling soft, while smelling sweet and fresh. Thanks to the lemon zest and sweet almond oil, each jar smells good enough to eat! Pour each serving into Mason jars to easily gift and store. DIY provided by our blogger friend, Tabitha, at Fresh Mommy Blog.

    Ingredients:

    • Zest of one lemon
    • 1 cup Vanilla Coconut Sugar (this smells amazing!)
    • 1/2 cup Sweet Almond Oil or softened coconut oil
    • 5-10 drops Essential oils (Tabitha used wild orange and lavender)

    Directions

    1. In a medium bowl, add in sugar, almond oil and essential oils. Stir to combine.
    2. Using your fingers, rub the lemon zest into the sugar  to release the oil.
    3. Store in an airtight container, like a Mason jar.

    DIY Gift Bundles for Mother’s Day

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    Need a last minute Mother’s Day gift? Look no further than these DIY gift baskets your mom will love! Mother’s Day is just around the corner and you may be rushing to find the perfect gift for mom. A gift basket made by you is a thoughtful, practical and personalized gift that any mother in your life will cherish. Check out these easy, DIY gift basket ideas created by our friends at Fresh Mommy Blog; Food, Pleasure & Health; and One Lovely Life!

    The Ultimate Pampering Gift Bundle by Fresh Mommy Blog

    If anyone needs a little pampering in their lives, it’s the mamas of the world! Give her the gift she may not give herself – everything she needs for an evening of relaxation and pampering.

    Supplies:Basket filled with assortment of gifts.

    • Body Wash – Nubian Heritage Patchouli & Buriti
    • Body Lotion – Nubian Heritage Patchouli & Buriti
    • Body Scrub – Nubian Heritage Patchouli & Buriti
    • Pretty Soap – Sappohill Oatmeal Soap Bar
    • Candle – Tru Mélange Harmony Vanilla & Peppermint
    • Bath Bomb
    • Body brush or natural sponge
    • Wine – Gérard Bertrand Coté des Roses
    • Chocolates
    • Flowers
    • Basket
    • Hand towels

    Instructions:

    1. Start with a color theme! While browsing the bath and beauty aisles of Sprouts, I landed on the theme of blush and vanilla. The Nubian Heritage bottles were pretty, and the perfect start to our themed basket. The product also smelled fantastic!
    2. Gather any items that would make bath-time a pampering and relaxing experience. In keeping with the vanilla theme, the Tru Mélange candle fit right in. The pumice stone and brush combo matched, and so did the oatmeal soap.
    3. Next, it was time to add a few extra treats. Chocolates are definitely part of a pampering experience, and I picked up a couple containers of various chocolates to put in mason jars to add to the look and feel of the gift basket. You could use goodie bags, add ribbon, tags, etc.
    4. Don’t forget something to drink! Mom’s favorite tea, coffee or wine makes a great pairing for a night of pampering. Rosé is not only a top choice, it’s also a beautiful one! This bottle of Gérard Bertrand Coté des Roses was stunning and I knew the bottle could even be reused later.
    5. Grab a beautiful bouquet to top off the basket, and you’re ready to go!
    6. Using towels, wash cloths or even a robe, begin to build the ultimate pampering basket by layering the items so each is visible and compliments the others.

    Loves to Cook Bundle by Food, Pleasure & Health

    Each item in this basket is hand-picked for moms who are adventurous cooks and are ready for more finesse in the kitchen.

    Supplies:

    Supplies:

    1. Gather all of the supplies from your favorite craft store and ingredients from Sprouts.
    2. Lay the basket flat on the floor and put empty cardboard box or riser inside for height.
    3. Cover the riser/cardboard box with tissue paper or fabric.
    4. Arrange the ingredients; think about color combination and height to make it visually appealing.
    5. Cover with cellphone bag, bows or other decorations as desired.

    Natural Beauty Bundle by One Lovely Life

    This gorgeous basket is full of natural beauty favorites—from makeup to self-care and more. This is the perfect gift for the beauty lover in your life.

    Ingredients:Assortment of gifts in a basket.

    Instructions:

    1. Assemble all items in your favorite basket or bag.
    2. Give along with fresh flowers.

    Dye Your Eggs Naturally

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    Easter’s right around the corner, so skip the egg dye kits this year and go natural! Save time and money by making your own all-natural egg dye using ingredients like fresh berries and spinach straight from your very own kitchen! Egg-cellence is guaranteed.

    Ingredients:

    • Eggs
    • 1 tsp. Salt
    • 2 Tbsp. White vinegar
    For Yellow/Green Dye:
  • 1 cup spinach, chopped

    • For Blue Dye:
  • 1 cup cabbage, chopped

    • For Dark Blue Dye:
  • 1 cup blueberries

    • For Red Dye:
  • 2 cups Beets, chopped

    • For Purple Dye:
  • 1 cup blackberries

    • How to:

    1. Boil eggs and let cool.
    2. Gather the different produce items you’d like to try as a colorant (example: spinach, etc.).
    3. Measure out at least 1 cup of each produce item.
    4. Add 2 cups of water to a pot, and add at least one cup of produce. You will need a separate pot or pan for each colorant.
    5. Bring mixture to a boil and then turn heat down to a simmer for 15 minutes.
    6. Pour through a sieve into a container.
    7. Add 1 Tbsp. of vinegar and stir. If you’re working with kids, let cool before use.
    8. Rub egg with a bit of vinegar with a cloth or paper towel. Place the egg into the container. The longer you leave the egg in, the deeper the color.
    9. Take eggs out of dye and let dry for several hours or overnight before handling.
    Dyed eggs next to produce of the same color
    For extra vibrancy, create a more concentrated dye with more produce and less liquid.
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    Gift Giving Made Easy

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    Get ready for the holidays with these quick and easy gifts-in-a-jar. These are perfect to give to friends, neighbors, party hosts, co-workers or anyone who needs a little cheer. All of these items can be found in our bulk or produce department, making it easy to grab as much or as little as you need! TIP: Add a notecard with instructions for each jar so your recipients know exactly what to do.

    Chocolate Almond Cookies

    Jar Prep Time: 5 minutes, Total Time for Cookies: 20 minutes, Serves: 12

    Jar Ingredients

    • 1 1/2 cup All-purpose flour
    • 1/2 tsp. Baking soda
    • 1/4 tsp. Salt
    • 1/2 cup White sugar
    • 1/4 cup Light brown sugar
    • 1/4 cup Slivered almonds
    • 1 cup Chocolate chunks

    Add for Baking:

    • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, softened
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
    Chocolate Almond Cookie Mix

    For Gift Jar:

    1. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in the bottom of the mason jar.
    2. Top with the white sugar, followed by the brown sugar.
    3. Add in the chocolate chunks, then the almonds. Seal the mason jar.
    4. Decorate with holiday ribbon.

    For Baking:

    1. Preheat oven to 350F.
    2. Beat butter, egg and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl until combined.
    3. Add in the gift jar mix and stir well.
    4. Drop tablespoon-sized cookie dough balls onto a parment lined baking sheet.
    5. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
    6. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool.

    Holiday Spiced Simmer Pot

    Simmer pots will wow everyone on your list! They’re a great alternative to candles and fill your home with the scents of the season while using fresh, natural ingredients. Just add water and your favorite holiday citrus!

    Jar Ingredients:

    • 5 whole Cinnamon sticks
    • 1 Tbsp. Nutmeg, ground
    • 1 Tbsp. Cardamom pods
    • 3 Star anise
    • 3 Dried Orange peels
    • 3 Dried ginger slices
    Simmer pot with spices and produce

    For Gift Jar:

    1. Layer dry ingredients in a tall Mason jar in order: nutmeg, cardamom pods, star anise, cinnamon sticks, orange peels and ginger slices.
    2. Seal the jar and decorate as desired.

    To Use:

    1. In a large simmer pot, add 5 cups of water.
    2. Bring to a boil, then add in the jar ingredients.
    3. Optional: Add in fresh apples or navel oranges.
    4. Reduce heat to low and simmer until water is evaporated or continue adding water for extra time.

    Cinnamon Sugar Roasted Almonds

    Give the gift of cinnamon, spice and everything nice with these homemade roasted almonds. They will make your home smell amazing and make a tasty gift for anyone on your list.

    Total time: 60 minutes. Makes four gift jars.

    Ingredients:

    • 1 Egg white
    • 1/2 cup White sugar
    • 4 cups Whole, raw almonds
    • 1/2 Tbsp. Cinnamon, ground
    • 1/4 tsp. Salt
    • 1 tsp. Water
    Cinnamon Sugar Almonds>

    Directions:

    1. Preheat the oven to 300F.
    2. In a large bowl, beat the egg white and water to create a froth.
    3. Add in the almonds, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Stir to coat the almonds evenly.
    4. Lightly coat a baking sheet with non-stick spray and evenly spread the almonds on the pan.
    5. Bake for 50 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow to cool.
    6. Scoop 1 cup of almonds into a decorated Mason jar.

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    Self-Care in the New Year

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    Getting a Good Night's Sleep with natural remediesThe New Year is full of big goals and new routines, but you can’t achieve great things if you aren’t taking care of your body and mind. Next time you’re feeling a bit stressed, take a step back and implement some of these self-care tips so you can be your best year-round!

    Physical Self-Care

    Physical self-care includes all the things that allow your body to function properly. From getting enough sleep to supplementing nutrient deficiencies with vitamins, these all can make a huge impact on your overall well-being. Make sure you’re staying active, fueling your body with proper fruits and veggies, and staying on top of your physical health.

    Meditation

    Once you have taken care of yourself physically, meditation becomes a great tool to quiet the mind and relax. Often times we have a long to-do list and don’t take the time we need to recharge. Meditation allows you to put the phone away, sit quietly with your thoughts and focus on the moment. Challenge yourself to spend 5 minutes a day with no distractions and focus on your thoughts and taking meaningful, deep breaths.

    Establish a Morning Routine

    Often times the mornings are chaotic with getting kids dressed and off to school, grabbing coffee and burnt toast and off to work we go! This results in a rush of cortisol to start the day which can leave you feeling sluggish and fatigued later on. Establishing a solid morning routine allows you to set the tone for the day and remain in control of your energy. Start with something as simple as making your bed, then add in a morning stretch or anything else that will help you have a more peaceful day.

    Start a Journal

    If you haven’t journaled before it can seem overwhelming to put all your thoughts onto paper, but have no fear! By allowing yourself to express and feel your emotions through writing, you won’t bottle up daily stressors that can lead to bigger issues down the road. Start by taking 20 minutes, in the morning or at night, to write anything that comes to mind! If it helps, start by writing about your day and let the pen do the rest. Don’t worry about spelling- just get it all out!

    Essential Oils

    Aromatherapy is a type of alternative medicine that relies on your powerful sense of smell. When inhaled, essential oils stimulate the olfactory senses and also interact with the respiratory system and brain, especially that part of the brain called the limbic system. Certain essential oils help to promote rest and relaxation, making them a great addition to your self-care tool kit. Get started with these great oils below:
    • Sleep by Everyone Essential Oils
    • Peaceful Sleep from Now® Essential Oils
    • Pillow Potion by Aura Cacia

    Pamper Yourself

    You deserve it! When life gets stressful, it’s important to take some time for yourself. A great way to do this is by taking a long bath with Epsom salt or a bath bomb, try a DIY Vanilla sugar Scrub, or indulge in your favorite treat like a glass of wine or chocolatey dessert. While these seem so simple, your body and mind will thank you.

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    Spooky Halloween Pizzas

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    Whether you’re creating a spooky slice before trick-or-treating or a fun and festive Halloween spread, make these decorative pizzas your go-to:   Pizza with ghost shapes

    Ghostly Pizza

    Ingredients:

    • Plain, or limited-topping frozen pizza (we recommend Caulipower pizza for extra veggies!)
    • Sliced mozzarella cheese
    • Black olives
    • Pizza sauce (optional)
     

    Directions:

    1. Bake pizza according to package directions.
    2. Remove pizza from oven.
    3. Spread extra pizza sauce on frozen pizza (optional, to create a spooky, red tone).
    4. Using a ghost-shaped cookie cutter, cut out shapes from cheese.
    5. Slice half of the olives in halves and the rest into small strips, use any leftover to make small dots for ghost eyes and mouth.
    6. Place ghost shapes with olive dots on the pizza.
    7. Place olive halves and strips to give it a spider look.
    8. VPut pizza back in oven for 5 minutes.
     

    Vegan Spider Web PizzaPizza with a spider web shape on it

    Ingredients:

    • Daiya Cheeze Lover’s Pizza
    • Black olives
    • Miyoko’s Vegan Mozz Ball, cut into small, rectangular strips
    • Pizza sauce (optional)

    Directions:

    1. Bake pizza according to package directions.
    2. Remove pizza from oven.
    3. Spread extra pizza sauce on pizza (optional, to create a spooky, red tone).
    4. Slice half of the olives into halves and the rest into small strips.
    5. Place strips of cheese in a spider web design.
    6. Put pizza back in oven for 5 minutes.

    Thanksgiving Turkey Snack Sacks

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    It’s no secret Southerners love good food and giving thanks. Mix it all together for a healthy and fun holiday food craft.
    Thanksgiving snack trail mix

    For the Snack Mix

    Gobble up a seasonal snack mix from Sprouts bulk bins. Toss together:
    • 1 scoop Dark chocolate-covered pretzels
    • 2 scoops Apple cinnamon granola
    • 3 scoops Cranberry trail mix.
    Portion in brown sacks from the paper goods aisle and adorn with handcrafted turkeys.
    Snack sack with a cutout paper turkey

    Let’s Talk Turkey

    Cut heart shapes from craft paper in your school colors. Overlap the hearts a smidgen and secure with tape on the back. Cut 1 1/2-inch rounds from brown paper using a craft punch. Doodle a sweet little turkey mug using a marker. Finish with a holiday saying and attach to the sacks for heart-warming smiles.
    Rebecca of Buttermilk Lipstick

    About Buttermilk Lipstick

    Quite Simply the “Bee’s Knees” of Everyday Living

    Rebecca Gordon is a Southern lifestyle expert specializing in food and entertaining. She designed, directed and launched the lifestyle brand, Buttermilk Lipstick which celebrates everyday living from home-cooked recipes, style round-ups and crafts that tie back to her food background and her passion for Southern football and tailgating. Prior to launching Buttermilk Lipstick, Gordon served as Test Kitchen Director for Southern Living magazine and traveled the South as an on-stage presenter with the Southern Living Cooking School, as a Foods and Entertaining Specialist. Rebecca graduated summa cum laude from Johnson and Wales University in Charleston, South Carolina, specializing in Baking and Pastry Arts. She received her undergraduate degree in Restaurant Management from the University of Alabama and gained extensive experience as a pastry chef for many restaurants throughout the South including Frank Stitt’s Highlands Bar and Grill and Bottega restaurants. When she’s not cooking and entertaining friends, you’ll find her gardening or rearranging furniture around her work-in-progress bungalow and, in the fall, cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide.

    No-carve Pumpkins

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    Sometimes pumpkin carving can be a messy, not to mention risky, activity. Rather than skipping out on the Halloween fun, why not try adorning your pumpkin with seeds or adding a splash of color to your festive group of gourds? We’ve rounded up some spook-tacular ways to decorate your pumpkins this season—no knife required!

    Marbled PumpkinsMarbled Pumpkin

    What you’ll need:

    • Small pumpkin, any color
    • Bowl of room-temperature water
    • Variety of nail polish
    • Toothpicks
       

    Directions:

    1. After choosing your colors, pour the nail polish into bowl as close to the water as possible to avoid the polish sinking down to the bottom of the bowl.
    2. Swirl the nail polish colors together slightly using a toothpick.
    3. Stick the pumpkin on a fork and dip the top of it into the bowl.
    4. Slowly remove and set on paper to dry (about 20 minutes).
     

    Pushpin PumpkinPushpin Pumpkin

    What you’ll need:

    • Pushpins/thumb tacks
    • Pumpkin of any size
         

    Directions:

    1. Using a pencil, lightly draw your design onto your pumpkin.
    2. Push in pins along the lines of the design.
    3. Optional: adorn with a bow.
     

    Embellished PumpkinEmbellished Pumpkin

    What you’ll need:

    • Assortment of seeds, jewels, or other decorative items
    • Craft glue or hot glue gun
    • Pumpkin, any size
         

    Directions:

    1. Using your decorative items, plan out your design on a flat surface.
    2. Begin gluing your design onto your pumpkin and let dry.

    Weekly Meal Prep Made Easy

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    Weekly Meal Prep There are a lot of benefits to meal prepping in order to create multiple meals or snacks for the upcoming week. It can reduce stress, save time and money, and help you and your loved ones eat a little healthier, too.

    Where to Start: How to Meal Prep

    Start small so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Picking something easier like snacks or breakfasts as a place to start your meal prep practice means you’re more apt to continue the new routine. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be ready to take your meal prep to the next level adding lunches and dinners. Two super-easy make-ahead breakfasts you can try are overnight oats or chia pudding—both are packed with protein and nutrients.

    Prepping Your Meals

    The beauty of prepping is all the time you will save. In most cases, you can make multiple meals in about the same amount of time it takes to make just one. And, while you’re planning meals, think of those that can be frozen and reheated later. Making more than usual will leave you with dinners you can freeze and use when you’re in a pinch. Cooking a big batch of rice, portioning into freezer bags and freezing it is a great way to shave cooking time off weeknight meals for a fast stir-fry, fried rice or simple side dish. You’ll thank yourself later for thinking ahead now! 

    Planned Overs

    This practice is another way to ease your way into meal prep. When you’re making the evening meal, simply make extra. You can pack up the leftovers in reusable containers to save for the next day or freeze for later. Try making extra taco toppings for dinner and turn them into taco salads for the next day’s lunch. A few corn chips in a resealable baggie can be crumbled on top just before eating to create a satisfying crunch.

    Put a Lid on It

    If you don’t already have a big stash of various-sized reusable containers, you’ll want to stock up. Having both glass and plastic containers, as well as resealable bags means you’ll have just the right-sized container for everything from full dinners to individual-sized meals—that too will save you time!

    Remember …

    There is no right way to meal prep. Whether you opt to prepare and freeze multiple slow-cooker meals in resealable bags to use later in the month, make lunches for several days at a time or anything in between, any meal prep you do before your week begins will save you time and stress later. Have fun with it! Once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner.