Veganism: Where to Start

If you’re new to veganism, avoiding animal-based products might seem fairly straightforward. However, there are a few things you’ll want to pay special attention to. We’ll help you navigate through these ingredient lists so you can steer clear of some potential hidden animal products that may surprise you.

Whey

Often used in baked goods, whey is one of those words you may or may not be familiar with—it’s the watery part of milk that is leftover after curds are formed in the cheese-making process. Because whey contains much of the lactose and about 20% of the protein in milk, it has become a valued byproduct. (It used to be something that got thrown away!) Whey powder is a mainstay in many non-vegan protein powders. Combined with other ingredients in processed foods, whey conveys a host of desirable properties—for this reason, you might find it listed in the ingredients for baked goods, beverages, dressings and a myriad of other products.

Casein

Another milk-based protein is casein. One of the two primary proteins in milk, it accounts for 80% of the protein in cow’s milk. You may also see casein in the ingredient list as caseinate or lactic acid which sometimes contains casein. Some foods where you might also see casein listed are margarine, non-dairy coffee creamer, cheese-flavored chips and snack crackers, as well as baked goods.

Vegan Marshmallows View RecipeGelatin

Created from the skin, bones and connective tissues of (typically) cows and pigs, gelatin can be found in things like candy (think gummy bears), gum, capsules used for supplements and marshmallows. A vegan substitute for gelatin is agar-agar. A flavorless gelling agent, agar-agar is derived from cooked and pressed seaweed. Whether you want to gather ‘round a campfire and roast marshmallows, or just sneak a few from the pantry (we won’t tell) you can try this Vegan Marshmallow recipe—you’re friends and family will love them!

Natural and Artificial Flavorings

You might want to err on the side of caution with this phrase when you encounter it in an ingredient list as it can be either animal- or vegetable-sourced. Listed in the FDA’s Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, natural and artificial flavors are both described as able to include “meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof”—a pretty wide window!

Vitamins and Supplements

Vitamins and supplements are a part of many people’s healthy living journey. As a vegan, you’ll want to pay a little more attention to the labeling. Found in many multivitamins, vitamins A, D and B12 can be derived from animal products. Additionally, many supplements come in capsule format, which may be made of gelatin. When shopping for vitamins and supplements, it’s best to check the label and look for those that are labeled as vegan. 

Vegan Worcestershire Sauce View RecipeWorcestershire Sauce

Worcestershire sauce seems to show up in loads of recipes that you may want to convert to your new plant-based diet. The ingredient that will kick this condiment from your fridge, however, is anchovies. But fret not—here is a vegan version you can whip up in no time!

Beer and Wine

It might come as a surprise that some wines and beers may not be vegan. After all, wine is made from grapes, and beer from hops and barley—all plants! Yet, some beers and wines might be made with non-vegan-friendly ingredients like dairy or honey. There is also the question of process: Animal products are often used in the filtering and fining, or clarification process of both wine and beer making. These include things like isinglass (from fish), sea shells, albumen (egg whites) and gelatin. Luckily, this website contains a comprehensive list of well over 35,000 beer, wine and spirits, showing whether they’re vegan-friendly or not.

Carmine

A naturally sourced red dye used in food and drink, the most surprising thing about carmine is its source—a bug! For centuries, red dye has been created from the cochineal bug that lives on the pads of prickly pear cacti. Rich in history, this bug-centric colorant eventually made its way into modern-day food production. Some other names you might also see carmine listed as include cochineal, carmine lake or natural red 4.   Did you know? Broccoli, bok choy, chinese cabbage, collards and kale are all great, non-dairy sources of calcium.

Meatless Recipes w/ PlantBasedonaBudget

Each summer is filled with picnics, parties and barbecues. Whether you eat plant based regularly, take part in Meatless Mondays or simply want to know how to incorporate more veggies into your diet, Toni from Plant Based on a Budget has two easy and delicious summer recipes to share. Gardein is 100% plant based. Their products offer great texture and taste to every dish. Chick'n Pesto Salad Overhead

Chick’n Pesto Salad

Ingredients:
  • Gardein Chick’n Strips
  • 1 head romaine lettuce
  • 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cucumber, sliced
  • 3 Tbsp. Sprouts Vegan Basil Pesto
Instructions:
  1. Pan dry the Gardein Chick’n Strips according to package instructions.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the romaine lettuce, red onion slices, cherry tomato halves and cucumber slices together.
  3. Add pesto and chick’n strips to lettuce mixture. Toss until evenly coated.
Beefless Tips Kabobs Layout  

Beefless Tips Kabobs

Ingredients:
  • Gardein Beefless Tips
  • 6 pre-soaked wooden skewers
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 medium red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 12 cremini mushrooms, stems removed
  • 1 cup Sprouts BBQ sauce
Instructions:
  1. Thaw Gardein Beefless Tips for ten minutes.
  2. Preheat the broiler.
  3. Thread the skewers, alternating between tips, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, red onion and mushrooms.
  4. Create a single layer of kabobs on a baking sheet and drizzle with BBQ sauce.
  5. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
 

Plant Based on a BudgetAbout the blogger, @plantbasedonabudget:

Toni Okamoto is a purveyor of the plant-based lifestyle. She aims to spread awareness through her blog and has over 100,000 followers total. Toni has a plethora of recipes that can be found on her website and even more in her book, The Super Easy Vegan Slow Cooker Cookbook. You can find her on YouTube as well, showing What I Eat in a Day videos and grocery hauls. Check her out!

Instagram Logo @PlantBasedonaBudget on Instagram                      YouTube Icon Toni Okamoto Facebook_icon @PlantBasedonaBudget on Facebook                       Twitter Icon @toniokamoto  

World Fair Trade Day

As a consumer, every purchase you make is a vote within the market place. You have the ability to influence not only which products you see on shelves, but also where those products come from and how they’re made. When you choose fair trade products and ingredients, you help improve the lives of farmers, farm-workers, producers and their families. World Fair Trade Day is May 12th this year. A global celebration of fair trade, it brings together thousands of people who are committed to building healthy and sustainable communities worldwide. Vote for positive change this May and every day when you purchase dedicated fair trade brands. World Trade Day

10 Principles of Fair Trade*

 
  1. Opportunities for disadvantaged producers
  2. Transparency & accountability
  3. Fair trade practices
  4. Fair payment
  5. No child labor, no forced labor
  6. No discrimination, gender equity, freedom of association
  7. Good working conditions
  8. Capacity building
  9. Promote fair trade
  10.  Respect for the environment
*Courtesy of the World Fair Trade Organization website

Did you know?

The Fair Trade movement started in the United States in 1946. You can read more about the history of the Fair Trade movement on the World Fair Trade Organization website.  

Rosé All May

If you’re looking for an easy-drinking summer wine, rosé is a crisp, lean, delicious and refreshing option that is easy to shop. Made all around the world, rosé is produced from a variety of red grapes with minimal contact from their grape skins, which results in the soft color.

Shades of Pink

Darker rosé may be slightly richer and can sometimes be a bit fruitier than the paler options, which may suggest floral notes.

Looking for something sweet?

Find one from the U.S., South America or Australia. They’re fruitier, sweeter and usually have a lower alcohol content. Italy, Spain and France will typically provide a crisp and tart wine with an ABV above 11%.

What’s Your Rosé Style?

A wine’s style is represented by its flavor, body and overall taste experience. For Rosé, there are three styles to choose from:

Soft & Off-dry

Offering flavors of berries, cherry, apple and peach. Pairs perfectly with Mexican dishes and spicy curry.

Easy-going & Fruity

Light and refreshing, these styles feature flavors of summer berries and are perfect paired with appetizers, bbq and pizza.

Medium-bodied & Dry

Full flavored with notes of cherry, vanilla, strawberry and even a bit of pepper. Grilled meats, salmon and fresh veggies will make the complete experience for this style.

Spiked Lavender Pink Lemonade

For the Lavender Syrup:
  • Ingredients:
    • 1 cup Water
    • 1 cup Sugar
    • 2 Tbsp. Dried lavender
  • Instructions:
    1. In a small saucepan, bring water and lavender to a boil.
    2. Stir in sugar until completely dissolved.
    3. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    4. Let cool and steep for about 15 minutes.
    5. Pour mixture through a strainer, pressing on lavender to get all the syrup out.
For the Lemonade:
  • Ingredients:
    • Lavender simple syrup
    • 1 bottle Sprouts Pink Sparkling Lemonade
    • 1 bottle Rosé
    • Lemons, thinly sliced (for garnish)
    • Lavender springs (for garnish, optional)
  • Instructions:
    1. Fill a large pitcher with ice.
    2. Pour in lavender syrup, lemonade and rosé.
    3. Add lemon slices in to the pitcher and stir.
    4. Pour into ice-filled glasses and garnish with lavender sprigs.

Organic Certified Food Labels

Organic certified food labels: agricultural field with tractor and barn in background Whether you regularly shop organic, or looking to learn more, this article will shed some light on a variety of common and not-so-common logos you see on products you purchase at Sprouts. A product is deemed organic if it is free of synthetic additives including pesticides, chemical fertilizers and dyes. The USDA Organic logo has been in use for nearly two decades, but other logos are new and emerging. It’s an exciting time in the organic field!  

USDA Organic label/logoWhat is USDA Organic?

When you purchase a product with the USDA Organic label on it, you can be assured it’s made with at least 95% organic ingredients and is non-GMO (does not contain genetically modified organisms). The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 established the National Organic Program, but the use of the logo was not implemented until the early 2000s. You can find thousands of organic products at Sprouts!

Visit the USDA Organic website.

 

transitional certified by QAI logoTransitional Organic Certified by QAI

You might not have seen or noticed the QAI certification logo before—that’s because it’s relatively new. In 2016, this program, certifying at least 51% of the contents are transitional organic, was rolled out. It allows small- and medium-sized farms to transition to organic over a three-year period. The benefits of the QAI certification are three-fold: for those smaller farms, it helps to off-set the cost of transitioning their farm to organic. For you, it means more better-for-you choices are available. And for the world at large, this certification is helpful to the organic movement.

Visit the Transitional Organic Certified website.

 

Regenerative Organic Certified logoROC Regenerative Organic Certification

The newest label to the organic family, this certification builds upon the existing USDA Organic seal you’re likely familiar with. In addition to meeting the USDA Organic standards, farmers must also work to increase soil health, animal welfare and worker fairness. Three levels of certification—Bronze, Silver and Gold—ensure progressively more rigorous organic standards. Learn more: Check out our article about regenerative agriculture and visit the Regenerative Organic Certified website.

Did you know?

Farmers are struggling to keep up with the growing demand for organic products—less than one percent of U.S. farmland is certified organic. Interested to learn more? Check out this history of organic farming!

Coconut Aminos

Coconuts are one of our favorite island-fresh, nutty fruits because they’re packed full of flavor and brimming with good-for-you nutrients. But what are coconut aminos? And why would you want to add them to your shopping basket, let alone food? Are they paleo-friendly? Let’s find out!

Mystery Sauce

Packaged in a bottle, coconut aminos contain just two ingredients, coconut sap and sea salt. Yep, that’s it! Not only is it paleo-friendly, it’s also gluten- and soy-free making it a great addition to your pantry. Coconut sap is extracted from cut stems and the resulting material is full of potassium, vitamin C, B vitamins and 17 amino acids. Add that to the fact that coconut aminos have a similar and slightly sweeter taste than soy sauce with about one-third less sodium—and that’s tasty news indeed.

Say what?

Oh! And by the way, coconut aminos don’t taste like coconuts! But what can you use this savory-sweet sauce for? It’s a terrific substitute for soy sauce—a non-paleo-friendly condiment since it’s made from a legume. So feel free to use it in any recipe you’re converting to your paleo lifestyle. Or, try these easy recipes below for an amino boost that can’t be beat!

Paleo Salmon Cakes

Salmon cakes over green lettuce with lemon slices on a white plate  

Thai Beef and Broccoli Soup

green curry soup with broccoli and vegetables in a textured green bowl  

Slow-Cooker Tangy Pineapple Shredded Beef

glazed shredded beef in a dark-colored bowl

Homemade Natural Cleaning Products

Get your home squeaky-clean with all natural homemade cleaners! Not only will your home look amazing,
but with scents from fresh fruits and herbs it will smell amazing too!

Multi-Surface Cleaner

With a microfiber cloth or paper towels, use this cleaner on kitchen counters, bathroom counters and stove tops!

Ingredients:

  • 1 Navel orange, peeled
  • 1 cup Distilled white vinegar
  • 1 cup Distilled water

Method:

  1. In a large jar or sealable container, combine orange peels and vinegar.
  2. Allow to infuse for 1-2 weeks, or until vinegar has turned orange in color.
  3. Using a fine mesh sieve, strain peels from vinegar.
  4. Pour infused vinegar into a spray bottle.
  5. Fill bottle with distilled water.
multi surface cleaner in a jar


glass cleaner being prepared

Glass Cleaner

We like our glass streak-free so grab a reusable cloth or yesterday’s newspaper and use this cleaner on windows and glass surfaces.

Ingredients:

For infused vinegar:
  • 1 bunch Fresh rosemary, thyme or mint
  • 1/2 cup Distilled white vinegar
For cleaner:
  • 1/2 cup Rubbing alcohol
  • 1/2 cup Distilled white vinegar
  • 4 cups Distilled Water

Method:

For infused vinegar:
  1. In a large jar or sealable container, combine rosemary or other herbs and vinegar.
  2. Allow to infuse for 1-2 weeks, or until vinegar has turned yellow in color.
  3. Using a fine mesh sieve, strain peels from vinegar.
For cleaner:
  1. Combine rubbing alcohol, infused vinegar and water.
  2. Allow to infuse for 1-2 weeks, or until vinegar has turned orange in color.
  3. Funnel cleaner into two 20-ounce reusable spray bottles.


Floor Cleaner

Grab your sponge, mop or a rag and combine this cleaner with water to use on tile, wood or laminate flooring.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups Hot water
  • 1/4 cup Pure baking soda
  • 1 Pink grapefruit, juiced

Method:

  1. In a mop bucket, stir to combine hot water, vinegar, baking soda and grapefruit juice.
floor cleaner in a container

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Brunch in a Breeze: Easy Brunch Recipes

by Emily at One Lovely Life food blog Make brunch a breeze and impress guests with a beautiful brunch spread by incorporating frozen fruits and veggies into your meal. Not only are frozen fruits and veggies incredibly versatile, but they also pack as much nutritional value as the fresh varieties. Whether you’re looking to whip up something sweet or savory, you’ll want to give these easy brunch recipes a try:

Video Description: Facebook Live with Emily from One Lovely Life

 

Healthy Yogurt Parfait Recipe

Whether you use them for meal prep, a brunch party, or a fresh weekend breakfast, these parfaits with frozen fruit purée are a major crowd pleaser! Try them with all different combinations of frozen fruit for even more variety!

Ingredients:

Yogurt Parfait Recipe
For the Fruit Sauce:
  • 2 cups Frozen fruit or berries (like Cascadian Farm strawberries, blueberries or cherry berry blend), partially thawed
  • 3/4 cup Water
  • 1 Tbsp. Orange or lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp. Honey
For the Parfaits:
  • Your favorite mixed nuts or granola (like Cascadian Farm Cherry, Quinoa & Almond Granola)
  • Yogurt (dairy-free, if needed)
  • Fruit purée (see above)
  • Fresh fruit—like berries, bananas, kiwi, mango, etc.

Instructions:

  1. To make the fruit purée, place partially thawed frozen fruit or berries in a blender or food processor. Add water, juice and honey. Pulse or purée until smooth, leaving a few larger pieces, as desired. (If you want it completely smooth, you can strain it through a fine-mesh sieve).
  2. To assemble parfaits, fill small jars or glasses. Layer yogurt, fruit purée, fresh fruit, and nuts or granola in any order you like. Mix and match different fresh fruits and fruit purées to create new flavor combinations!

Frittata RecipeGreen Chile Frittata Recipe

Say hello to big-time flavor without a lot of effort! This frittata is packed with veggie goodness, hash browns and bacon. It’s an all-in-one breakfast dish that’ll make any morning better.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 Tbsp. Olive oil
  • 1 sm. Onion, diced
  • 1 cup Bell peppers (any color), diced
  • 1 4 oz.-can Sprouts Green Chiles (don’t drain)
  • 1–2 cups Fresh spinach
  • 1/2 tsp. Salt
  • 1/2 tsp. Pepper
  • 8 oz. Cascadian Farm Organic Frozen Hash Browns (about 1/2 a package)
  • 4 oz. Bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 7 Eggs
  • 1/4 cup Milk (dairy or unsweetened non-dairy)
  • Additional salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9-inch pie dish with nonstick spray, or a little olive oil or butter.
  2. In a medium sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper and sauté over medium heat 8–10 minutes, or until very tender and onion is translucent.
  3. Add green chiles, spinach, salt and pepper, and stir until spinach is wilted.
  4. Add hash browns to the bottom of your prepared pie dish.
  5. Pour cooked veggie mixture over the hash browns and pack down well.
  6. Sprinkle bacon over veggie mixture.
  7. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and milk with a little salt and pepper. Whisk until very well blended.
  8. Pour egg mixture over the potato/egg/bacon and allow to settle.
  9. Bake at 375°F for 30–35 minutes, or until center is just set. If the edges are browning faster than you like, you can cover the pan with foil to protect it from browning any more.
  10.  Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Emily of One Lovely Life

Meet Our Food Blogger

Emily lives, loves and cooks at One Lovely Life, where she shares healthy recipes and inspiration for living a happy, full life. When her daughter developed an intolerance to gluten and dairy, her blog shifted to accommodate their new eating style, and these days you’ll find fresh, vibrant, colorful recipes that don’t feel like they’re missing anything. In addition to enjoying healthy meal choices on her blog, you’ll find made-over sweet treats, book recommendations and tips for living a life you love. One Lovely Life Logo

Matcha Ombre Pudding

  What better way to celebrate the arrival of Spring than with this Green Matcha Ombre Chia Pudding?! No need for artificial food coloring or dyes. Superfood matcha not only offers antioxidants, but also makes for a fun festive, and green, breakfast option!

Matcha Ombre PuddingGreen Matcha Ombre Pudding:

By Milk & Honey Nutrition

Ingredients:

      • 1 cup Chia seeds
      • 3 cups unsweetened almond milk
      • 1 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
      • 1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla extract
      • 1/4 cup Maple syrup
      • 2 Tbsp., plus 2 1/2 tsp. Matcha Love Culinary Matcha

Instructions:

  1. Using three 12oz. mason jars, add the following to each jar: 1/3 cup chia seeds, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract, and 1 Tbsp. maple syrup (add 2 Tbsp. to the last jar).
  2. Add 1/2 tsp. matcha powder to the first mason jar, 2 tsp. to the second, and 2 Tbsp. to the third. Secure the lids, and shake each well until fully combined.
  3. Refrigerate the jars for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  4. Using two clear glasses, layer the chia pudding from darkest to lightest as shown. Top with a layer of plain yogurt. Enjoy as is, or pair with your favorite frozen fruit, or nuts!

Heart Healthy Recipes with Walnuts

Crunchy, hearty and oh-so-versatile, walnuts make it an easy choice when it comes to heart-healthy options. We’ve teamed up with Marisa Moore, RDN, and California Walnuts to share a few heart-healthy recipes featuring this wholesome nut.

Roasted Walnut & Cauliflower TacosRoasted Walnut & Cauliflower Tacos

Recipe By: California Walnuts Seasoned cauliflower acts as a convincing meat substitute in these tacos, appealing to both vegetarians and meat-lovers alike.

Ingredients:

For the Filling:
  • 1 sm. head Cauliflower, chopped
  • 1 cup California walnut pieces, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. Olive oil, divided
  • 3/4 cup Onion, minced
  • 2 tsp. Garlic, minced
  • 1 med. Jalapeño, seeded and minced
  • 1/2 cup Water
  • 1/4 cup Tomato paste
  • 2 tsp. Chili powder
  • 1 tsp. Cumin, ground
  • 1 tsp. Oregano, dried
  • 1/2 tsp. Salt, or to taste
For the Tacos:
  • 12 sm. Corn tortillas, warmed
  • 1 1/2 cups Green cabbage, shredded
  • 3/4 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
  • 1/2 cup California walnuts, chopped, toasted
  • Fresh cilantro leaves
  • Lime wedges

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 475°F. Coat cauliflower with 1 tablespoon olive oil; place on a baking sheet and roast for 25–30 minutes or until lightly browned.
  2. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and toast walnuts for 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add to pan with cauliflower.
  3. Heat remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add garlic and jalapeño cook for 2 minutes more. Stir in water, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, oregano and salt; cook until mixture is thick and excess water has cooked off. Stir in cauliflower mixture.
  4. Spoon mixture into warmed tortillas and top with cabbage, cheese, walnuts and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.
  5. Optional: Cauliflower mixture may be ground in a food processor so that it resembles the texture of ground meat.

Walnut Butter- 4 WaysWalnut Butter – 4 Ways

By Marisa Moore, RDN Packed with good-for-you fats, walnut butter is a creamy canvas to add different flavors. Here’s a simple walnut butter recipe with four ways to flavor up your blend.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups toasted California walnuts
  • Salt to taste, optional

Instructions:

  1. Add the toasted walnuts to a blender or food processor. Let the blender run on high until the walnut butter is smooth and creamy. This can take up to 5 minutes. Add the walnut butter to a jar and seal with a lid. Store it in the refrigerator.Once the walnut butter is blended and before adding to jars, add 1 of these:
Dates:
  1. Grind 4 pitted Medjool dates (bulk bins) in a small food processor or blender until a smooth paste forms. Add the paste to the blended walnut butter. Blend until the dates are incorporated and smooth.
Honey:
  1. Add 2–3 tablespoons of Sprouts Organic Raw Honey.
Maple Syrup:
  1. Add 2–3 tablespoons of Sprouts Organic Maple Syrup.
    Cinnamon:
    1. Add 1 teaspoon Sprouts Organic Ground Cinnamon and 1 tablespoon Sprouts Organic Raw Honey.