12 Days of Holiday Treats

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Get inspired and gift tasty treats everyone will love this season!

Gift Giving Made Easy

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Holiday Cookie Mix in a JarShop Gifts in Bulk this Holiday!

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

    FOR GIFT JAR:

  • Combine flour, baking soda and salt in the bottom of the mason jar. .
  • Top with the white sugar, followed by the brown sugar.
  • Add in the chocolate chunks, then the almonds. Seal the mason jar.
  • Decorate with holiday ribbon.
  • FOR BAKING:

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


  • Cinnamon Apples and Citrus Simmering PotHoliday 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
  • FOR GIFT JAR:

  • Layer dry ingredients in a tall Mason jar in order: nutmeg, cardamom pods, star anise, cinnamon sticks, orange peels and ginger slices.
  • 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 in Holiday JarCinnamon Sugar Roasted Almonds

    Give the gift of cinnamon, spice and everything nice with these homeade 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

    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.

    Shop Bulk Baking & Spices

    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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    Holiday Hosting

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    Holiday Recipes

    Tis the season to celebrate! Whether you’re planning a cozy get-together with close friends, hosting the family or going all out, Sprouts has you covered. Share some of these inspired appetizers at your next holiday gathering. And if you’re feeling pinched for time, make shopping easy and have it delivered!

    Thanksgiving Recipes in a Hurry

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    https://www.facebook.com/SproutsFarmersMarket/videos/934716263385623/

    Thanksgiving Recipes in a Hurry

    Whether you’re surprised with extra Thanksgiving guests, or simply want to shorten your time in the kitchen to enjoy it with family, here are three quick and easy recipes that are so flavorful no-one would ever guess they came with shortcuts! Bowl of cranberry relish with spices and peppers

    Spicy Cranberry Relish

    Spicy Cranberry Relish is a great alternative to traditional cranberry sauce. Tart and citrusy, this cranberry dish packs heat from a combination of Fresno and jalapeño peppers as well as ginger and cayenne.

    Ingredients:

    Directions:

    1. In a medium saucepan on medium-high heat, add the sugar, lemon juice, orange juice, peppers, ginger, cayenne and water. Stir with a wooden spoon. Bring to a simmer to dissolve the sugar.
    2. Add the cranberries and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking and stirring occasionally for approximately 10 minutes. The relish should be void of water and look thick and chunky.
    3. Let the relish cool and then serve. It can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.

    French Onion and Chive Mashed Potatoes

    Make instant mashed potatoes special by adding flavors of French onion and chives. Then, top it with charred red onions for taste and visual appeal that will have your holiday guests going back for seconds.

    Ingredients:

    Bowl of French Onion Mashed Potatoes

    Directions:

    1. In a medium saucepan, bring the milk, water and butter to a boil. Alternatively, add the ingredients to a microwave-safe dish to heat until the butter is melted.
    2. Meanwhile, on high heat, char the red onions in a pan. Set aside.
    3. Add the mashed potato flakes and French onion dip mix to the milk mixture and stir. Once combined, fold in the chives.
    4. Serve the potatoes topped with the charred red onions and chopped parsley.
     

    Salted Caramel Pumpkin Macchiato

    Stay lively after your Thanksgiving feast with this Salted Caramel Pumpkin Macchiato. The espresso becomes a decadent treat with steamed milk infused with salted caramel and pumpkin spice.

    Ingredients:

    Directions:

    1. Create flavored milk by adding the milk, salted caramel syrup and pumpkin spice to a milk frother. Turn on to steam and infuse the milk.
    2. To a mug, add the vanilla syrup and top with the steamed milk. Include the froth.
    3. Slowly pour the espresso into the center of the mug. A thinner and more consistent stream creates a more defined layer between the espresso, steamed milk and froth.
    4. Garnish with a drizzle of salted caramel syrup, sprinkle of pumpkin spice and turbinado sugar.
    Mug of Pumpkin Spice Macchiato
    Joanna Meyer portrait

    About Joanna

    Joanna is a commercial food stylist based in Phoenix, Arizona. Her work and recipes have been seen around the world. When she is not styling for her favorite brands, she enjoys publishing recipes and sharing her love of everything food on her self-titled blog many remember as Baked by Joanna. Her other interests include spending time with her family and staying healthy and fit. Joanna Meyer logo

    Alternative Thanksgiving Dishes

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    Appetizers

    Vegan Cheese Plate with Snacks

    Vegan Holiday Cheese Platter

    This vegan holiday cheese ball platter with cranberry fig jam is the easiest way to please your plant-based, and non-plant based, friends at Thanksgiving.

    Recipe provided by Haley at BrewingHappiness.com

    View Recipe
    No Bake Pumpkin Cheese Ball

    No-Bake Sweet and Savory Pumpkin Dip

    Save time in the kitchen and make this simple, no-bake appetizer. This dish is gluten-free, keto-friendly and easily modified to be vegan, too.

    Recipe provided by Kate at RootandRevel.com

    View Recipe

    Side Dishes


    Desserts


    Need More Inspiration?

    Check out this article with more vegan, gluten-free, Paleo and all-organic recipes to satisfy everyone at the table!

    Let’s Get Cookin’

    Power Up with Probiotics

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    Bowl of kimchiGut health is one of the hot topics in nutrition research right now. It turns out, the bacteria that take up residence in your belly may play a significant role in wellness. Indeed, studies have found a healthy gut can support your immune system and shows promise in decreasing risk for colon cancer, food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease and obesity. Although research is still in the works, one thing is certain: when it comes to good bacteria, strength comes in numbers. With that in mind, here are three types of food you can add to your diet to boost beneficial bacteria.

    Load Up on Fiber

    Good bacteria feast on fiber and need it for survival. Aim for a diet of fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans and legumes. The Bulk Department and Produce Department at Sprouts are great places to start.

    Minimize Processed Food

    This is just one more reason to eat a real-food diet. Some research has shown that certain additives, such as artificial sweeteners, can alter gut bacteria. Plus, a diet of processed food probably means you’re not getting enough fiber to help those healthy bacteria thrive.

    Include Probiotic Foods

    Seek out foods that are naturally rich in good bacteria, otherwise known as probiotics. These include:
    • Fermented Vegetables – Products such as Farmhouse Culture Kimchi or Wild Brine Kraut add flavor to the plate along with good-for-you bacteria.
    • Yogurt – Yogurt is inoculated with two primary strains of bacteria, which is what gives it that pleasingly tangy flavor.
    • Kefir – Another probiotic-rich option in the dairy aisle that’s similar in consistency to drinkable yogurt.
    • Miso & Tempeh – These two ingredients are derived from fermented soy and one more way to work good bacteria into your diet.
    • Probiotic Supplements – In addition to food sources, a probiotic supplement is another option for upping your intake.

    Ready to try some of these delicious, good-for-you foods? SHOP NOW


    Katie Morford of Mom's Kitchen Handbook

    About Katie Morford

    Katie Morford is a writer, cookbook author, registered dietitian and mother of three. She has published two cookbooks, Rise & Shine (Roost Books, 2016) and Best Lunch Box Ever (Chronicle Books, 2013). Her work has been featured in Cooking Light, Oprah, Real Simple, Bon Appetit, Parents, Redbook, the New York Times and the San Francisco Chronicle. She is the voice behind the award-nominated blog Mom’s Kitchen Handbook: Raising Fresh-Food Kids in a French-Fried World and blogs regularly on the Huffington Post. She lives with her husband and three daughters in San Francisco. Mom's Kitchen Handbook logo