Hearty & Healthy Thanksgiving Flavors

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Turkey Brine

By Southern Bite With Thanksgiving upon us, the quest to produce the most beautiful, perfectly browned, yet still juicy, turkey is back on our minds. If you’re like me, it’s easy to get so caught up in all the other things that go along with the holiday, you often forget to give that turkey the attention is needs. The truth is, one easy step will help make that turkey the showstopping centerpiece it should be! Olive oil bottle filled with rosemary, garlic and pepper to make the perfect brine A brine is the perfect way to impart some amazing flavor in your turkey and keep it from drying out too much—which will help if it gets a little overcooked, too. It’s a basic solution of salt and sugar that helps to lock in moisture and add flavor. To add that flavor, I add soy sauce, garlic and fresh herbs. Don’t worry, it doesn’t end up tasting like soy sauce. It just gives it a great umami flavor. You can also add lemon peel, orange peel, peppercorns and other aromatics. Just be cautious not to add anything acidic. There are a few things you should keep in mind, however. Make sure you use a fresh turkey when brining. Often times, frozen turkeys have been frozen in a sodium solution and brining would most likely add too much salt. I also recommend not stuffing a brined bird. The seasonings in the turkey can often leaching into the stuffing and cause it to be too salty. I recommend cooking your stuffing (or dressing) in a separate casserole dish just to be safe. On the same note, it’s best to be cautious when making gravy with the drippings from a brined turkey. It too can become too salty for the same reasons. Be sure to taste your gravy before adding any seasonings if you do use the drippings. Y’all enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • 2 gallons water
  • 1 cup Salt
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 1 head Garlic, sliced crosswise
  • 1 cup Soy sauce
  • 6 sprigs Fresh thyme
  • 4 springs Fresh rosemary
  • 1 Turkey

Directions:

  1. Make sure the turkey has been well rinsed, with the giblets removed.
  2. In an extra-large stock pot, combine the water, salt, sugar, garlic, soy sauce and herbs. Stir until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Submerge the turkey in the brine, and refrigerate for 18–24 hours.
  3. Prior to cooking, remove the turkey from brine and discard the brine. Rinse the turkey well with cool water to remove the excess salt, and pat it dry with paper towels. Cook the turkey as you normally would.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries & Pecans

By Southern Bite Brussels sprouts make the perfect side dish to accompany any Thanksgiving feast. This recipe is so simple, it will allow you to create a show-stopper side without a lot of work. It’s so tasty, no one will know how easy it was. Plus, roasting is the perfect way to prevent that bitter taste that Brussels sprouts get when they are over-cooked. The sweet cranberries and balsamic vinegar are the perfect complement. I bet even those in your family who don’t like Brussels sprouts might like these. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries and Pecans

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 lbs. Brussels sprouts
  • 3 Tbsp. Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 1 cup Pecan halves, toasted
  • 1/2 cup Dried cranberries
  • 1 Tbsp. Balsamic vinegar

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
  2. ash and trim the ends from the Brussels sprouts. Remove any dark outer leaves and slice them in half from top to bottom.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the trimmed Brussels sprouts with the olive oil and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Toss to coat the sprouts in the oil and arrange on the baking sheet. Roast for 20–30 minutes or until the sprouts are tender, with crispy, dark roasted outer leaves. Remove from the oven. Toss with the pecans and dried cranberries and drizzle with the balsamic vinegar. Serve immediately.
Stacey Little of Southern Bite

About Southern Bite

Supper Made Simple

Blogger and Wall Street Journal best-selling author Stacey Little is committed to getting folks back to the table for dinner. His quick and easy recipes are allowing families to get a home-cooked meal on the table without a lot of hassle or expense. Southern Living Magazine named Stacey one of the top 30 bloggers to be following in 2015. He has appeared on The Today Show and Fox and Friends, and has lent his talents to national brands like Betty Crocker, GE, White Lily, Martha White, Kraft, and Queen Latifah—just to name a few. Today, his easy, delicious recipes and heartfelt stories have brought millions to his blog, SouthernBite.com, since he created it in 2008. Stacey’s cookbook, The Southern Bite Cookbook (Thomas Nelson: March 2014), is available at book retailers across the country and online. Stacey’s deep Southern roots have him firmly planted in central Alabama where he lives with his wife, little boy, two dogs, and his collection of cast iron skillets.

Top 10 Vegan Products at Sprouts

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Top 10 Vegan Products at Sprouts headerSprouts is a vegan’s paradise! There are TONS of options to stock up your fridge and pantry to make eating vegan a breeze. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Fruit & Veggies

Sprouts has the best, freshest produce at a great price. Double Ad Wednesdays make saving money on a variety of produce even easier!

2. Bulk Nuts, Seeds, Granola & More

The bulk section of sprouts is a lifesaver! There are endless options here. You can find any nut or seed you can think of, tons of delicious granola mixes, oats, flours, beans and more—all at an affordable price.

3. Vegan Protein Powder

I like to add protein powder to my smoothies and baking for an extra nutritional boost! Sprouts has all different kinds of vegan protein powders – from soy protein, to pea protein, to rice protein—you can find the perfect vegan protein powder to fit your taste buds and preferences.

4. Vegan Chocolate

My personal favorite is Lily’s sugar-free chocolate (chocolate bars AND chocolate chips), but there are a few other vegan chocolate and chocolate chip options at Sprouts. They are all delicious (and you will never be able to tell that they are vegan!)

5. Plant-Based Milks & Coffee Creamers

Sprouts has a huge selection of plant-based milks—almond milk, rice milk, hemp milk, soy milk and more. Plant-based milks are the perfect dairy-free alternative to regular milk in smoothies, cereal, oatmeal, and any other recipe that calls for milk. They also have a great selection of coffee creamers that turn your cup of joe into a delicious, decadent treat.

6. Vegan Cheese

You can find tons of vegan cheeses at Sprouts—sliced, blocks, and shredded. They have vegan mozzarella, Gouda, cream cheese and more!

7. Tofu & Tofu Products

Tofu is a staple of mine, and I use it in tons of recipes. Sprouts has many different varieties of tofu in the dairy section.

8. Meat Alternatives

Veggie burgers, vegan chicken patties, vegan sausages, vegan bacon—Sprouts has it all! These make whipping up a hearty, comfort-food meal simple and delicious.

9. Vegan Marshmallows

When I learned that I could still have marshmallows as a vegan, I was ecstatic! Dandies marshmallows can be found in the Sprouts baking aisle and are the perfect, vegan marshmallow alternative that are exactly like regular marshmallows. Great for baking, making vegan hot chocolate, and just snacking on straight from the bag!

10. Crackers & Chips

Sprouts has the BEST selection of crackers and chips! I like the Sprouts Brand Golden Round crackers to pair with hummus and their Blue Corn Tortilla Chips are my absolute favorite! Perfect for snacking with salsa or guacamole.  
Portrait of Veg Annie

Annie Markowitz is the blogger behind VegAnnie.com

Annie is a weight-loss expert, wellness coach and cookbook author with a PhD in Nutrition from the University of Texas at Austin. She is also the creator and founder of the popular plant-based recipe website, www.VegAnnie.com. Annie has lost over 75 pounds in a balanced, self-loving kind of way, and helps her clients break free from the cycle of overeating and chronic dieting to help them achieve their health and wellness goals! She believes that true health and happiness begins with what is on your plate, and she is passionate about showing others how eating clean, wholesome foods can be delicious, fun and exciting! Her recipes are simple to prepare, budget-friendly and always free of artificial ingredients. VegAnnie Logo

Reduce Food Waste: At-home Food Rescue

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There are lots of ways waste less food. Composting is perfect for inedible food scraps like potato peels, or for those things that are beyond reviving. Both meal planning and meal prep can help you make sure you use the groceries you’ve purchased. Here are some more tidbits to tuck under your chef’s hat to help you maximize food use and minimize food waste.

Leftover Bread Recipes

No problem! Over a shallow pan, break your leftover bread into crumbs and allow to dry further. Mix in savory herbs and use in fish or crab cakes, or on top of baked mac and cheese. You can easily make homemade croutons too. Cut bread into chunks, mix melted butter with garlic (fresh or dried), parmesan, salt and pepper (or whatever your favorite spices are), pour over the bread, and bake at 350°F until they’re golden and crunchy. Allow to cool and freeze or store in an airtight container. A French toast bake is another great way to use leftover bread.

Culinary Crisis: Easy Tricks to Save Food

Before you relegate some of those kitchen mishaps into the trash, try some of these handy tips. Burned the dinner? Remove the beans or stew from the heat, scoop the uncharred part of the meal into a new container and cover with a damp cloth for 10 minutes. This will help remove most of the burnt flavor. Over salted the soup? Try plopping a whole, raw, peeled potato in the pot of soup to absorb some of the salt. (Remove the potato before serving the soup.) Overcooked the veggies? Try puréeing the overdone veggies, adding some broth and turning the disappointment into delightful soup! Reduce Food Waste: Woman rinsing greens under a kitchen sink faucet.

How to Save Vegetables

Floppy carrots, bendy broccoli or limp celery? You can revive many vegetables by soaking them in ice water for 5–10 minutes. Still lifeless? Go ahead and use them in a cooked dish—they’re still delish! Wrinkly tomatoes can be roughly chopped, sautéed in olive oil with salt, pepper and garlic, then served on pasta for a great meal in minutes!

Preserve Food in the Freezer

Your freezer is the perfect time machine for food, especially when you freeze in portions. Just remember to leave room for expansion on the more liquid foods like soups. Keep in mind too, that less air in the container or bag means less oxidation which will help you avoid freezer burn. Heading out of town? Try freezing anything you can and give what you can’t freeze to a neighbor or friend. And here is a really surprising tip, you can freeze eggs (though not in the shell)! Check out our Waste Less Tips for eight more great ways to rescue food in your own kitchen.

Did you know?

Food rescue is the practice of taking edible food, that might otherwise go to waste, from places like grocery stores and distributing it to local hunger relief agencies. We do this at all our stores and have donated more than 43 million pounds of food to local agencies since 2013. What can’t go to our food rescue partners gets diverted to feed cattle—25 million pounds of it! And, we’ve composted 5 million pounds of food scraps to help enrich the soil.

Beyond Pie Filling

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Whether you make your own or use a can, it seems you’re almost guaranteed to always have just a little bit left over. And, nobody likes to waste precious pumpkin purée. A little pumpkin goes a long way in making your favorite dishes tastier and more nutritious. Here are some easy recipes that go well beyond pie filling.Bowl of pumpkin soup

Pumpkin Soup

The main ingredients in vegetarian pumpkin soup are pumpkin purée and vegetable broth. Variations are endless, but some of our favorites include the addition of caramelized onions, low-fat milk, cinnamon and nutmeg. Another option is to create a traditional potato soup using canned pumpkin instead; season with cumin and a pinch of curry. Pumpkin soup makes a great first course for a holiday dinner.

Pumpkin Hummus

Pumpkin adds a touch of color and light earthiness to the flavor of hummus. Stir 1/4 cup of pumpkin purée into 1 cup (about 7 oz. container) of your favorite hummus. You can find a variety of brands and flavors in the Deli Department.

Pumpkin Chili

Adding a can of pumpkin to your pot of chili provides a good dose of fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. Whether your favorite chili recipe involves beans, tofu or ground beef, the addition of pumpkin purée gives the chili a nice substance, flavor and texture.

Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

Give your favorite tomato sauce a little extra body and festive flavor. Simply stir 1 cup of pumpkin purée into 3 cups (about 26 oz.) of your favorite jarred or homemade pasta sauce. You can also sweeten up your favorite lasagna recipe by spreading pumpkin purée between the layers.

Pumpkin Buttercream Frosting

Cream two sticks of unsalted butter at room temperature, 1/2 cup of pumpkin purée, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ginger and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Slowly add two pounds of confectioner’s sugar (more or less) until the buttercream is no longer separated by the pumpkin.

Need more pumpkin inspiration? Try these recipes below!

Pumpkin Cider Donuts

A stack of Pumpkin Cider Donuts

Pumpkin Breakfast Bread

Slow-Cooked Baked Pumpkin Ziti

Slow cooker with pumpkin ziti

Pumpkin Macaroni & Cheese

Baked pumpkin Mac and cheese

Vegan Pumpkin Pie Bars

Vegan pumpkin pie bars with coco whip

Pumpkin Horchata

Two glasses of pumpkin horchata

New Ways to Enjoy Yerba Mate

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Whether you want to need an afternoon pick-me-up or simply want to sip on something flavorful and nutritious, Jason Sani, from Active Mind & Body, is showing us fun new ways to enjoy yerba mate.

Mate Bolt Upgrade

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Mix ingredients together with an option of using a muddle for the blueberries. The blended option with ice is highly recommended! * Try Lemon Elation and EnlightenMint with fresh mint as another alternative

Golden Mate Latte

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz. Brewed yerba mate
  • 1/2 tsp. Ground turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp. Ground ginger
  • 1 Tbsp. Honey
  • 1 Tbsp. Coconut butter
  • 1/2 tsp. Cardamom
  • 1 squirt Vanilla Stevia

Directions:

  1. Prepare mate in french press and pour together in small blender to mix. If you prefer a creamy consistency, use more concentrated liquid and add extra coconut butter. Extra add-ins: collagen, lions mane, chaga, cordyceps, maca

Superfood Mate Smoothie

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz. Brewed yerba mate (chilled)
  • 1 Tbsp. Greens powder (with a spirulina base)
  • 1 serving Collagen powder
  • 1 cup Frozen blueberries
  • 1 squirt Vanilla Stevia, or monk fruit
  • 1 Tbsp. Avocado or coconut butter to thicken
  • 1 cup Ice

Directions:

  1. Prepare mate in french press and set aside in ice or fridge to chill. Pour together in small blender to mix.

Video Description: Yerba Mate with Guayakí

Mindful Consumption: Organizations Supporting Sustainability

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Wind Turbines for Sustainable Agriculture Thinking about the environment and sustainability? Here are a couple of logos to look out for if you’re looking to up your green-consumer game.
B Corp logos

About B Corp Certified Companies

The B in B Corp stands for B the Change, inspired by Gandhi’s call to be the change we seek in the world. Taking the next step in the evolution of capitalism, B Corps work towards using their companies as a force for good in the world. The idea behind this is that business cannot prosper unless the world as a whole prospers. It sounds idyllic, and yet that’s just what B Corps are doing. Created with a Declaration of Interdependence on July 5, 2006, the B Corp movement has been gaining momentum ever since. There are 2,500 corporations in 50 countries across the globe in 130 different industries. By creating a way to measure social and environmental performance, a B Corp Certified company’s overall positive impact is assessed. When you buy a B Corp Certified product, you’re supporting a company that uses its profits to create a richer climate for all involved. Employees, communities and the environment are treated with respect, and the company holds itself accountable to a higher standard—one that’s Best for the worldTM.

Did you know?

Americans comprise 5% of the world’s population and consume 30% of the resources. You can reduce your impact by being a responsible steward! Turning off the water while brushing your teeth can save up to 200 gallons a month!

FSC logo

Forest Stewardship Council & Deforestation Solutions

After the 1992 Earth Summit failed to create an agreement to stop deforestation, a group of businesses, environmentalists and community leaders got together to set standards for responsible forest management and create the gold standard. This was the beginning of the Forest Stewardship Council. Now there are over 35 million acres of FSC-certified forests in the U.S. with 3,954 Chain-of-Custody-certified companies. Through a series of ten principles and 57 criteria, the FSC is able to promote environmentally sound, socially beneficial and economically prosperous management of the world’s forests. Their vision is to meet the current need for forest products without compromising the health of the world’s woodlands for future generations. You become a part of an ecologically minded global movement for healthy tree farming when you buy products with this logo on it.

Fun Forest Facts:

Forests cover 30% of global land area with 70% of terrestrial animals and plants living in them. And, the world’s forests store 283 billion tons of carbon in their biomass.

The Science of Serenity

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Relaxing and restorative, did you know a bath can have many health benefits? From brain chemistry to blood vessels, a soothing soak can be time well-spent for your heart, mind and body. Serenity spa features

What Your Heart Hearts

Taking a warm bath can make your heart beat faster, helping to give it a healthy work out. Even though taking a bath is not the same as taking a walk, activities that raise your heartrate help maintain your heart’s health. Give your entire body a boost with this simple soak for a relaxing addition to your healthy routine.

Breathe Easier

One of the benefits of increasing your heart rate is its ability to potentially improve your oxygen intake. All that steam can also help to clear your sinuses. And, the gentle pressure the water places on your chest and lungs requires you to take deeper breaths—which may help improve the strength and capacity of your lungs. Those are some great reasons to breathe easier!

Way to Flow!

High blood pressure is linked to many serious health threats, but a bath may help lower your blood pressure. The increase in your body temperature from a warm soak can raise your body’s levels of nitric oxide, a molecule that dilates blood vessels, and can help to lower blood pressure. That’s more good news for your heart and your circulatory system as a whole!

Your Goodnight Just Got Better

A bath before bed could help you to sleep better. At nighttime, a drop in your body’s temperature triggers melatonin, the brain chemical that induces sleep. This happens naturally, but a bath about two hours before bedtime can help to jumpstart this process. It’s as simple as this: the bath warms you up, getting out cools you off, and your body and brain do the rest to create melatonin—potentially giving you a head start to a night of peaceful slumber.

Curating Contentment

That relaxing feeling you get when you’re soaking in the tub is not necessarily your imagination. It turns out, the body associates lying down with relaxation and vulnerability, two things that may improve your mood. Here’s another happy thought: Warm-water baths can also increase our level of serotonin—the brain chemical that’s associated with feelings of contentment and well-being.

Tip on Temp

Bath water should be hot but not too hot—somewhere between 98°F and 112°F. As a point of reference, most hot tubs are kept around 104°F. Whatever you choose, it should be comfortable for you. Keep in mind, even if the bath isn’t too hot, it can raise your body’s temperature enough that it will do what comes naturally—sweat. So remember to stay hydrated before, during and after your soak.
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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.

Essential Oils: A Beginner’s Guide

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Essential oil bottles with lavender

What is an essential oil?

Love the smell of roses, lavender or even a freshly peeled orange? Then you’ve experienced one of the great qualities of essential oils, their aromatic compounds. These olfactory wonders come from various parts of the plant, including the seed, flower, fruit, leaves, bark, branch, resin stalk and even the roots. The use of essential oils goes back thousands of years including for skin care and perfume.

Not Just Another Pretty Scent

Very concentrated, essential oils are generally created through a process of distillation. When inhaled, they stimulate the olfactory senses and also interact with the respiratory system and brain, especially that part of the brain called the limbic system. Made up of several parts, the limbic system is in charge of emotions and memory. This is why smelling certain essential oils, or aromatherapy, may help improve your mood and heighten your sense of wellbeing. They can be used as simply as putting a drop or two of the oil on a cotton ball and setting it on your desk!

Smooth on to Sooth

Your skin is somewhat permeable, allowing essential oils to be absorbed into your system. When applied topically in a carrier oil or lotion, the benefits of essential oils can cover a wider area and the effects will be localized. Always mix the essential oil with a carrier oil like coconut or sweet-almond oil. It is best to exercise caution by starting with one drop of essential oil to two teaspoons of a carrier oil and test it on a small area like your forearm.

Not Just for You

Essential oils can be used to create cleaning and beauty products, as well as homemade bug spray. You can also use them in a diffuser for a natural air cleanser. Check out these diffuser blends and our DIY cleaning products for a fresh and easy place to begin using essential oils in your world.

Did you know?

The term aromatherapy was coined by French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse in 1928.

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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.