DIY Natural Spring Cleaners

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Need spring cleaning inspiration?

Many products we use to clean our homes have harsh chemicals that can be harmful to our children and pets. Revamp your spring cleaning routine with these natural, DIY cleaning products from our friends at Fresh Mommy Blog, Recipes to Nourish and Root + Revel! These homemade natural cleaners are created with ingredients from Sprouts that are natural and chemical-free. And the best part is, you may already have some of the items in your home.

Chemical-free Stainless-steel Cleaner by Fresh Mommy Blog

This DIY glass and stainless steel cleaner is streak-free with the addition of a simple surprise ingredient. It’s natural, chemical-free and easy to make with items you probably already have around the house!

Ingredients:DIY Natural Cleaners: Stainless-steel cleaner with at-home ingredients

  • Glass bottle in a 16 oz. size at least (stainless steel is also safe.)
  • Spray top
  • 1 cup of Distilled water
  • ½ cup Alcohol
  • ½ cup Sprouts White Vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. Corn starch
  • 6 drops Pure orange essential oil (optional)
  • 6 drops Pure lemon essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Using a funnel, add ½ cup of vinegar to the glass bottle.
  2. Add ½ cup rubbing alcohol. (Optional: remove from recipe or replace with vodka.)
  3. Pour 1 tablespoon cornstarch in through the funnel.
  4. Top with 1 cup distilled water. This will also help to get the rest of the cornstarch out of the funnel.
  5. Optional: add 10–12 drops of essential oil for extra disinfecting power and scent.
  6. Assemble spray top on the bottle and shake well before each use.

Non-toxic Toilet Bowl Cleaner by Root + Revel

Looking for a safe and non-toxic way to clean your bathroom? This DIY Toilet Cleaner recipe is a natural and effective way to clean and deodorize your toilet. To make fizzy homemade toilet bombs, pods or tablets, all you need is five natural ingredients for a deep cleaning you won’t believe (no scrubbing required)!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Sprouts Baking Soda
  • 1/4 cup Citric acid
  • 1 Tbsp. Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds
  • 1 tsp. Hydrogen peroxide
  • 25 drops Essential oils (I recommend peppermint)

diy toilet cleanerInstructions:

  1. In a large glass bowl, whisk baking soda and citric acid together until blended.
  2. Very slowly, add Sal Suds, hydrogen peroxide and essential oils, mixing slowly as you go to ensure you don’t activate the dry ingredients. The mixture should be dry enough that you can mold it into balls, but wet enough that it doesn’t fall apart.
  3. Fill a silicone mold with cleaning mixture, or you can form small balls (about the size of golf balls) with your hands and place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
  4. Allow the toilet bombs to air dry about 6–8 hours or overnight.
  5. Transfer to a glass jar and store in the bathroom.
Notes: I place these in the bowl of my toilet every 5–10 flushes to keep the toilet bowl clean and smelling great!  

Refrigerator Cleaner with At-home Ingredients by Recipes to Nourish

It’s so easy to make your own DIY refrigerator cleaner with three common ingredients. This lemon-herb vinegar mixture is money-saving, chemical-free and very effective for cleaning.

Ingredients:Natural fridge cleaner

To Make the Lemon-Herb Vinegar
  • 4 cups Sprouts Organic Distilled White Vinegar
  • 5 Lemon peels – yellow rind and white pith only, not the inside flesh
  • 1 lg. sprig Fresh rosemary or thyme
  • 1 quart or ½ gallon Mason jar with lid
To Make the Refrigerator Cleaner
  • 1 cup Lemon-herb vinegar
  • 1 cup Water, very hot
  • 1 Dish sponge or cloth rag
  • 1 Spray bottle – preferably glass OR large glass bowl

Instructions:

To Make the Lemon-Herb Vinegar
  1. Add the lemon peels and rosemary or thyme to a ½ gallon (8-cup) Mason jar.
  2. Pour 4 cups of vinegar over the lemon peels and herbs, making sure they are covered and submerged.
  3. Cover with a lid and let sit on the counter, out of direct sunlight, for 1 week or up to 2 weeks.
  4. Strain the lemon-herb vinegar through a fine-mesh strainer into a quart (4-cup) Mason jar.
To Clean the Refrigerator
  1. Add the lemon-herb vinegar and hot water to a spray bottle or a large glass bowl.
  2. If using a spray bottle, spray the mixture onto all refrigerator surfaces like the walls, drawers and shelves and use a dish sponge or cloth rag to wipe down and clean the surfaces.
  3. If using a glass bowl, soak and ring out a dish sponge or cloth rag in the lemon-herb vinegar water solution and wipe down and clean all of the refrigerator surfaces.
  4. Repeat steps as needed until the inside of the refrigerator is clean.
Notes:
  • Advance preparation is required.
  • Yield: 1-quart lemon-herb vinegar
  • Storage: Can be stored in a covered glass container for up to a year.
  • Uses: Save leftover mixture for weekly refrigerator spot-treatment maintenance or for monthly deep-cleaning. Alternatively, you can add the remaining lemon-herb vinegar to a spray bottle with filtered water using a 1:1 ratio and use as an all-purpose natural cleaner for cleaning most surfaces. [Note: Vinegar is known to kill up to 80 percent of bacteria, mold and most germs.]
  • Tip: If you have some stubborn spills in your refrigerator you can sprinkle a little baking soda over the stubborn spill and do a light spray of the cleaning mixture, then put a little elbow grease into it. Baking soda is one of the best natural cleaners when you need something a bit more abrasive.

How to Clean Your Makeup Brush without Harsh Chemicals by Root + Revel

Say goodbye to toxic chemicals and expensive store-bought products. For this DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner, you only need three ingredients to create an easy and effective homemade solution.

women's hand cleaning makeup brushesIngredients:

  • 1 oz. Sprouts Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/2 oz. Lavender castile soap
  • 6 drops Organic tea tree oil

Instructions:

  1. In a large glass bowl, combine all 3 ingredients and stir to combine.
  2. Swirl your makeup brushes in the cleaning solution until thoroughly coated.
  3. In a second glass or bowl filled with clean water, swirl the coated brush until rinsed through. (You can go back and forth between the cleaning solution and the water as many times as you need to until the brush is completely clean and all color is gone. Sometimes it helps to rinse under the faucet, as well.)
  4. When you’re done, simply pat the brush on a clean microfiber cloth and lay flat to dry. (I like to let my brushes dry overnight, but it usually takes about 6–8 hours to dry naturally.)

SHOP CLEANING ESSENTIALS

Build A Better-For-You Easter Basket

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Create an Easter Basket Every-Bunny Will Love!

Make a beautiful and better-for-you Easter basket at home this year full of unique and thoughtful items! Whether you’re going for delicious baked goods, or classic sweet treats, you can craft a delightful basket sure to make anyone hoppy this Easter.
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Step 1: Grab a basket to fill with all your goodies

Step 2:
Grab your favorite treats and eats!

Want to try something unique and new? Explore our better-for-you picks like muffins, gummies, chocolate eggs and more!

Tip: For an earth-friendly twist on traditional plastic eggs, take a brown paper bag to create little bunny bags to hold all your
better-for-you treats!

easter sweets in bowls around paper bag bunnies
easter basket filled with healthy treats

Step 3:
Fill your basket

Start with a base of shredded paper or tissue paper to create a fun and colorful pop! From there add in bigger items followed by smaller items and arrange to make different layers.

Tip: For a fresh spin, grab some beautiful spring florals to place throughout your basket.


Check Out More Eggs-Celent Easter Inspiration

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All-Natural Egg Dye

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Traditional Ham With a Twist

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hard boiled eggs on a plate

Recipes for Leftover Hard-Boiled Eggs

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Destress with Ashwagandha

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2018 1031 Destress with Ashwaganda Looking for a natural way to handle stress? Ashwagandha is your herb! It has been used for centuries to promote mental and physical health. With holidays right around the corner, look to this energy-restoring herb to help support both mental and physical health.

Its Latin name is Withania somnifera, but ashwagandha is also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry, and is part of the nightshade family. Taken from the root, ashwagandha has been used for centuries in the traditional Indian medical practice known as Ayurveda.

Combating Stress

An adaptogen, ashwagandha acts as a stress reliever and balancer. Adaptogens are known to increase the body’s resistance to stress and exert a positive effect on the various systems, including immune, nervous and cardiovascular function.

Immune & Adrenal Support

The holiday season is known for increasing stress levels and time spent with large groups of people, both contributors that can lead to the unfortunate side effect of sickness. That’s why it’s important that your immune system be at its best!

Ashwagandha is particularly helpful in lowering your stress levels and helping balance your immune system by supporting the body’s ability to fight off stress and sickness. When your body is in balance, your adrenals can respond more effectively to create a healthier stress response to a hectic holiday season.

Did you know?

The Sanskrit word ashwagandha is a combination of ashva, meaning horse, and gandha, meaning smell, and refers to the strong smell of the plant’s root.

Winter Citrus Creations

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Winter citrus lovers, unite! If you enjoy the bright, zesty flavor of Sumo Mandarins, Cara Caras, Meyer Lemons and more–these recipes are for you! Explore the season’s most flavorful fruits, but only for a limited time. You’ll be living your zest life with these colorful citrus recipes.

https://www.sprouts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/WP-Citrus-Salad.jpg

Salted Honey Citrus Salad

Complement any dish with this fresh and vibrant citrus salad.

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Meyer Lemon Energy Balls from Sprouts Farmers Market

Meyer Lemon Energy Bites

Brighten up your day with these zesty, nutritious Meyer lemon energy bites.

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Tilapia Fish Tacos with Orange Salsa from Sprouts Farmers Market

Fish Tacos with Cara Cara Orange Salsa

Enjoy flavorful fish tacos topped with a vibrant Cara Cara orange salsa.

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Meyer Lemon Roasted Salmon with Kale from Sprouts Farmers Market

Garlic Meyer Lemon Butter Salmon and Kale

Enjoy this quick and simple weeknight dinner featuring salmon and kale.

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Coconut lime cheesecake in a jar from Sprouts Farmers Market

Coconut Lime Cheesecake Mousse

Sweet and tangy lime cheesecake mousse is complemented with coconut for a tropical combo!

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Maple Citrus Roasted Pecans from Sprouts Farmers Market

Maple Orange Roasted Pecans

Flavorful and full of good-for-you fats, these roasted pecans are perfect for your afternoon snack or a quick dessert.

View Recipe

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Easy Meatless Meals

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Going meatless for the next month? Check out these tasty meals that are packed with protein and full of flavor.
So good and satisfying, you’ll never feel like you’re missing out!

Meatless Breakfast

Vegan Sausage Tofu Scramble

Switch up your ordinary breakfast with this simple tofu scramble. Add all the veggies you like to brighten up your morning.
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vegan sausage tofu scramble on a plate

Hearty Breakfast Bowls

Fresh veggies, chickpeas, avocado and an egg? YUM! This high-fiber, protein bowl will leave you feeling full.
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egg breakfast bowl in a serving bowl

Meatless Lunch

Lentil Tacos

Fun and easy-to-eat, these lentil tacos will be your new go-to meal!
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Garlic Soy Tofu Bites

Perfectly savory, these tofu bites make the best salad topper! Or, you can enjoy them on steamed rice for a hearty meal.
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Meatless Dinner

Plant-based Stuffed Peppers

Enjoy this creative twist on traditional chile rellenos. Full of black beans, quinoa and spices, you’ll crave this dish every week!
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plant-based stuffed peppers on a plate

4-Bean Meatless Chili

This tasty vegan chili will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Easy enough for meal prep … so dinner’s done!
View Recipe
4-bean meatless chili in a pot

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DIY Valentine’s Day Gift Baskets

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Movie Night Gift Basket

Surprise the kids with this exciting movie night basket! This kid-friendly basket contains everything that you need to make an at-home movie night super fun and extra delicious. Basket provided by Andrea, at Little Eats and Things.

Fill it with:

  • Sprouts Cherry Twists Candy
  • Sprouts 5 Flavor Gummi Bears
  • Sprouts Strawberry Covered Pretzels
  • Sprouts Organic Lightly Buttered Popcorn
  • Zevia Kidz Orange Cream Soda
  • Annie’s Homegrown Organic Cheddar Bunnies
  • Valentine’s Day cards

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Valentines Movie Date Basket

Self-care Valentines Day Basket

Pampered-at-Home Gift Basket

Give that special someone a bit of R & R this Valentine’s Day with a beautiful basket full of all the self-care goodies they need. Basket provided by Danielle, from Kids and Cabernet.

Fill it with:

  • Siete Grain Free Cinnamon Chips
  • Hu Chocolate Gems
  • Hint Water
  • Ecotools Dry Brush and Foot Brush
  • Aura Cacia Lavender Bubble Bath
  • Sprouts Essentials Bath Bombs
  • Mineral Fusion Nail Polish
  • Pür Bubble Gum
  • Pacifica Hawaiian Ruby Guava Spray
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Fitness Essentials Gift Basket

Enjoy all of your pre- and post-workout essentials (plus a few well-deserved treats), all in one covenient gift basket! Basket provided by Allie, at The Health Mason.

Fill it with:

  • Sprouts Essentials Epsom Salt
  • Strawberry Lemon Vital Proteins Collagen Water
  • Watermelon Mint Vital Proteins Beauty Collagen
  • Amazing Grass Green Superfood Mixes
  • Four Sigmatic Mushroom Elixir Mix
  • Acure Micellar Water Cleansing Towelettes
  • Dr. Bronner’s Rose Castile Bar Soap
  • Unreal Snacks Milk Chocolates
  • Bob’s Red Mill Peanut Butter, Jelly & Oats Bob’s Bar
  • Go Macro Bar in Protein Pleasure
  • Barrylicious Lark Ellen Farm Grain Free Granola Bites
  • Mexican Shortbread Siete Foods Grain Free Cookies
  • Grapefruit & Elderflower Flow Water
  • Coconut & Vanilla Crystal Deodorant
  • Watermelon Ultima Replenisher
  • Dr. Bronner’s Organic Lavender Hand Sanitizer

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Fitness Valentines Day Basket

Galentine's Day Gift Basket

Galentine’s Day Charcuterie Gift Basket

Surprise your favorite group of gals with this festively colored basket! Charcuterie board ingredients make for a perfect gift that can be enjoyed outdoors or a quiet night by the fire. Basket provided by Laurel, at A Bubbly Life.

Fill it with:

  • Pink carnations
  • Prophecy Rosé
  • Madēcasse Dark Chocolate
  • Fundelina Hazelnut Strawberry Spread
  • Milton’s Organic Crackers
  • Kaukauna Rose White Cheddar
  • Saint Rocco Brie
  • Strawberries
  • Red grapes
  • Del Duca Prosciutto
  • Dr. Bruno Crostini Crackers
  • Applegate Natural Uncured Genoa Salami
  • Red apples
  • Pepperazi Peppers
  • Provolini Antipasto
  • Variety of cheese

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Valentine’s Dinner For Two

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Valentines dinner spread

Celebrate Love with a Meal to Remember!


Delight in a wholesome dinner for two this Valentine’s Day with a variety of uniquely delicious ingredients! Treat that special someone to a homemade, three-course meal with their favorites like a tender, juicy steak aside buttery lobster tails. End the night with decadent and swoon-worthy chocolate treats like chocolate-covered strawberries for a romantic dessert.

Appetizers made from the heart

heart-shaped salami with crackers

Start your night with a simple plate of finger foods for an easy-to-make appetizer. Lovely items like heart-shaped crackers and salami, creamy hummus and fresh veggies make an eye-catching dish perfect for sharing.

Try these unique pairings:

  • Heart-shaped salami
  • Heart-shaped crackers
  • French onion dip
  • Lemon garlic hummus
  • Variety of fresh veggies

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steak and lobster tail dinner

Buttery steak and lobster tails

Bring that five-star dinner treatment home this Valentine’s Day! A flavorful 100% grass-fed ribeye steak paired with succulent lobster tails make a great meal for two that feels extra fancy without the extra-fancy price tag.

Try these unique pairings:

  • 100% grass-fed NY strip steak
  • Poached lobster tail with butter
  • Sautèed organic asparagus

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chocolate covered strawberries

Decadent desserts

There’s always room for dessert! Chocolate-covered strawberries are a Valentine’s Day classic that you can make together as a romantic activity, or pickup a pre-made batch from Sprouts for a ready-to-eat treat. Pair them with a handful of other shareable treats from the Bulk Department like chocolate-covered cherries, dark chocolate almonds and milk chocolate gummi bears.

Try these unique pairings:

  • Chocolate-covered strawberries
  • Chocolate-covered cherries
  • Dark chocolate almonds
  • Fresh berries
  • Mixed nuts

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Cook a lovely meal for that special someone!


Whole30 Approved® Valentine’s Day Dinner

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Celebrate love … The Whole30® way!

If you’re mid-way through your Whole30 reset, then this Valentine’s Day won’t include the traditional chocolate, pasta and wine—but you can still enjoy it! Treat yourself, friends or a loved one to this Whole30 Valentine’s Day meal, with recipes from The Whole30 Friends & Family cookbook.

Whole30 Approved® Sprouts Shopping List

The Whole30® is easy and affordable at Sprouts Farmers Market! Check out this article with more inspiring, Whole30 compliant recipes, tips and tricks to stay on track, and download the Sprouts Whole30 Approved shopping list to make your grocery planning a breeze.


VIEW ARTICLE & SHOPPING LIST

Help Shorten Cold & Flu Symptoms

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Colorful, tasty and beneficial for the body, the European elder tree is native to Europe and parts of Asia and Africa. The flowers are white with green berries that turn red, then black when fully ripe. Both berries and flowers have been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat digestive disorders, influenza, colds, sinusitis and other allergy symptoms. Bunches of elderberries on light wood

A Concentrated Antioxidant

Elderberries are a concentrated source of two antioxidants: quercetin and anthocyanin. These powerful antioxidants enhance the body’s immune response by increasing the production of cytokines. Cytokines are the immune system’s messengers, helping to regulate the body’s response to disease, inflammation and infection. The high antioxidant capacity in elderberries neutralizes harmful free radicals and protects the body against illness and disease.

Excellent Source of Vitamins A and C

Elderberries are also an excellent source of vitamins A and C. Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant, which is part of what makes it a great addition to your wellness routine. Vitamin A helps with the formation of white blood cells essential to your body’s defense against illness. Together, they make an outstanding one-two punch to assist in warding off those pesky bugs that make the rounds this season.

Enhancing Immunity Quickens Recovery

Elderberry’s high antioxidants, as well as its high content of vitamins A and C are compelling reasons to try elderberry next time you feel you might be fighting a bug.

Did you know?

Elderberry significantly more antioxidant capacity than either blueberries or cranberries.


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i Eur Cytokine Netw. 2001 Apr-Jun;12 (2):290-6.

Eat Your Greens

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by Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD, founder of love & zest

There are so many fun and colorful ways to jazz up meal time with food! Eating the rainbow is easy with an endless amount of produce options—there’s a fruit and veggie for every color of the rainbow. Sprouts has all the green fruits and vegetables you need for a happy and healthy new year.

A plate full of green vegetables and fruitLet’s Chat Green Fruits

Avocados contain twice the potassium of a banana (gram for gram). Potassium is important for blood pressure and nerve function. Avocados also boast gamma-tocopherol, a defender against disease-provoking compounds in the body. If you’re craving avocado, check out this recipe for Avocado Chicken Caesar Salad, featuring creamy avocado dressing. Granny Smith apples are an excellent source of vitamin C and dietary fiber. The polyphenolic compounds found in apples are phytonutrients that help protect against free radicals in the body. Apples can be enjoyed many different ways like in this recipe for Caramel Apple Oatmeal. Kiwi may look foreign on the outside with its fuzzy skin, but there’s nothing weird about its health benefits! Did you know you can even eat the skin? Packed with vitamin C, dietary fiber, vitamin K and vitamin E, kiwi makes a great addition to smoothies and a tangy salad topping. Try it in this Summer Superfood Smoothie Bowl. Limes are a good source of vitamin C and a tart, flavorful addition to many dishes. Squeeze limes on baked chicken, use in a marinade or enjoy in a refreshing glass of Tart Cherry Limeade bursting with lime flavor!

Remember Green Veggies

Arugula is a nutrient-dense veggie with great sources of dietary fiber, vitamins A, C and K, as well as folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium! You can’t go wrong with this leafy green. Use it as a salad base, avocado toast topper or tossed with pasta like this Lemon Arugula Pasta Salad. Broccoli contains very good sources of dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium. You can immerse broccoli in cold water after roasting to preserve the many nutrients it offers. Green bell peppers are just one of the many bell pepper options. Green bell peppers in particular are slightly sweet and high in dietary fiber, vitamin A and vitamin C. They’re great diced in an omelette, chopped in a salad or stuffed like these Vegetarian Quinoa Stuffed Peppers. Kale is incredibly nutritious. A one-cup serving provides 133% of the daily value of vitamin A and 134% of the daily value of vitamin C. Plus, there are endless ways to enjoy kale—toss with avocado oil and lemon juice for a nutritious side dish, add to a smoothie, or cook and stuff in a sweet potato for a hearty dish!

Remember to eat the rainbow every day. Check out the red Eat the Rainbow article for more inspiration!


 
Kristina portrait from Love and Zest

About Kristina

Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD, is the owner of popular food and nutrition website, Love & Zest, where she shares (mostly) healthy recipes to fuel the whole family and real-life stories of modern motherhood. Kristina is a former NBA team dietitian, collegiate sports RD and cookbook author. She’s the mama to two active and hungry boys and lives in Orlando with her middle-school sweetheart. Follow Love & Zest on love & zest’s Instagram, love & zest’s Pinterest and love & zest’s Facebook, and get her new family-friendly weeknight dinner guide for stress-free meal planning.

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