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Fall Filled One-Pot Wonders

Fall is the season for warm and hearty meals packed full of fall flavors. While some love to cook, nobody enjoys cleaning up a mountain of dirty dishes after dinner. From soups and stews to tasty rice dishes, we’ve curated a list of one-pot meals that allow less time cleaning up the kitchen and more time enjoying fall with the family.

shrimp recipe great for fall filled one-pot wonders

Try these one-pot recipes: Vegan Succotash Tex-Mex Shakshuka Shrimp and White Bean Provencal Tomato Pumpkin Stew Curried Squash Soup One Pot Tomato Collard and White Bean Stew Vegetarian Chili Creamy Corn and Broccoli Chowder One Pot Organic Tomato Basil Pasta

Apricots: The Time Is Ripe

There are some fruits that never disappear from store shelves. Year-round you can find apples, oranges, strawberries and bananas. However, the same can’t be said for apricots, which are available only for a limited time during the summer months. At their prime now, and ranging in color and size, the apricots at Sprouts will not disappoint when it comes to flavor. The sun has kissed their cheeks, giving them a rosy blush on their light orange skin. Once you bite into the flesh, you’ll officially experience the essence of summer. To the naked eye, the plain green budding flowers look unremarkable and spare. But our farmers’ discerning eyes can see palate-pleasing treasure hiding just beneath the surface. Sure enough, the flowers blossom and produce summer’s fragrant, juicy fruits several weeks later. They’re picked, packed, and shipped quickly to Sprouts—proving our commitment to farm-fresh produce, once again. Just in case you’re new to apricots, here’s how to pick, prepare, preserve and polish off summer’s precious fruit.

What to Look for:

Like apples, apricots are available in many varieties. The Helena, Tri Gem, Honeyrich and Patterson varietals are usually firm with good flavor, while Robada and Goldbar apricots have higher sugar contents as indicated by their red blush skins. When choosing apricots, look for fruit with a vibrant orange color. They should be plump and fairly firm. Fresh apricots are fully ripe when they are soft to the touch.

How to Prepare Them:

Because apricots are delicate in nature, they do not need to be peeled when eaten. After washing well, simply cut a fresh apricot along the seam and remove the seed (you’ll be able to separate it easily using your fingers).

Dish Them Up:

Fresh apricots are a flavorful and nutritious snack on their own. They are also an excellent complement to sweet, soft cheeses and tasty additions to baked goods such as pies, cakes, muffins, breads and ice creams. As far as entrées go, apricots pair especially well with poultry and pork dishes. View the Seared Tempeh with Grilled Watermelon and Apricots.

Make Them Last:

To keep apricots from over-ripening, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. On the flip side, apricots that are slightly hard can be ripened in a paper bag for a couple of days. Fresh apricots can be frozen by halving and then placing them on a baking sheet until frozen. They can then be packed in plastic freezer bags.

Why Does It Matter to Eat Organic?

As the editor of a national green-lifestyle magazine, I get a lot of questions from readers. But without a doubt, the number one question I’m asked is, “Why does it matter to eat organic?” It can be a tough question to answer. And the reality is, even I don’t eat organic 100% of the time, because of one simple fact—it’s not always easy. But eating organic does matter and it is important to incorporate it into your and your family’s life whenever possible. So, when does it really matter to make the organic choice?

Starting Children with Organics

We’ve all seen it, new parents franticly attempting to feed only organics to their little ones. And it makes sense. Pesticides and herbicides can harm the developing brain and nervous system of babies and toddlers. But once children start running and talking, the thought becomes bye-bye Plum Organics fruit and veggie pouches and hello conventional apple sauce. The reality is, organic still matters. For instance, conventional apples have the highest pesticide residue of all commercially grown fruit according to the Environmental Working Group. And the risk of harm to children is higher than adults since they eat more fruits and vegetables, relative to their body weight.

Make Your Switch Easy

List the foods you buy on a regular basis when shopping at Sprouts, and slowly start to transition these items to organic. This list probably contains items like milk, cereal, eggs, and salad mixes. Going organic on these items means they’re not only free of pesticides, but for items like milk, meat and poultry it means they have no hormones or antibiotics added.

Keeping Your Options Open

In the US, there are no standards for certified organic seafood. So, I look for sustainably caught canned tuna from brands like Wild Planet. These brands use pole and line fishing methods (so no turtles are harmed) to catch smaller and younger fish. Smaller fish accumulate less mercury than larger fish, making it a winner in my book.

Buy in Season

Buy in Season. When your favorite fruits and vegetables are in season, buy in large quantities. Sprouts has weekly deals, making it easy for you to stock up. Save time and money by freezing your fruits and veggies. I like to freeze berries on a parchment lined baking sheet and then store them in containers. This way I always have fruit on hand and can make smoothies in a snap by tossing in a handful of berries and enjoying a burst of summer (even if it’s cold and dreary outside).

You Can Trust the Certified Organic Seal

When you see the USDA Certified Organic seal on packaging, you can be assured it’s the real deal. The seal is regulated by the U.S. Government and every brand, grower, manufacturer from certified organic skin care to certified organic juices follow the same standards and practices to earn (and use!) the seal.

About Danny Seo, Editor in Chief

Naturally, Danny Seo

Through his best-selling books, television programs, products, and syndicated column, environmental-lifestyle expert Danny Seo shares the creative ideas that have made him America’s leading authority on modern, eco-friendly living. His magazine “Naturally, Danny Seo”, looks at living the healthy, natural and good-for-you life with a fresh, authoritative voice that covers everything from food, beauty, travel, home, and entertaining all through Danny’s unique point-of-view as America’s leading guru of green living. Naturally, Danny Seo is where style and sustainability meet.

Surf Sweets

Whether you are filling Easter baskets, lunch boxes or packing a picnic, there is always room for a sweet snack. And Surf Sweets candy is the best kind! Packed with delicious fruity flavors, Surf Sweets gummy candies and organic jelly beans have clean ingredients and are allergen friendly. Here are just a few reasons to love Surf Sweets:

Made with organic fruit juice and organic sweeteners.
Each candy serving has 100% daily value of vitamin C.
Made without corn syrup.
No artificial colors or flavors.
Free of the top 10 food allergens.
(Most importantly) Surf Sweets taste great!

Bring them to a school party, sweeten your movie nights or treat somebody for a job well done. However you like to snack, you can enjoy the sweet satisfaction of having delicious treats everyone can enjoy. Try one in every flavor! Follow us on social media for new items and giveaways: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SurfSweets/ Twitter: @surfsweets Instagram: @surfsweets Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/surfsweets/

Stonyfield Organics

When cows are 100% grassfed, they eat all grass (no grain, no corn), all the time, all year long! Because of this, the milk has a rich, unique taste. It’s simple, and it’s simply delicious. As a matter of fact, it is certified 100% Grassfed by the PCO*. There are four delicious flavors in the six-ounce singles. Plain and vanilla flavors are available in a convenient 24-ounce size. So whether you are snacking, cooking or adding your own fresh fruits, there is an option for you. Stonyfield Organics takes the time to support family farms and strives to be good citizens of the planet by taking environmental concerns seriously. That’s what makes Stonyfield products more than just delicious. *The PCO 100% Grassfed certification program establishes an optional additional certification scope for operations that are certified organic under the USDA National Organic Program regulations. To learn more about PCO’s 100% Grassfed standards, visit www.paorganic.org/grassfed. Learn more about them @Stonyfield on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest, or visit Stonyfield.com to find out more.

R.W. Knudsen Family

R.W. Knudsen Family^® Vegetable Beverages include flavors such as Tomato Sriracha, Tomato Red Bell Pepper, Carrot Ginger Turmeric, Beet and Carrot. And they’re not just for drinking … use these veggie beverages to add extra flavor to your favorite recipes as well. Regardless of how you use them, rest assured that each variety is Certified USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project^® Verified.

R.W. Knudsen Family Spicy Salsa Sipper

Ingredients:

3 cups W. Knudsen Family^® Organic Tomato Sriracha Juice, chilled
2 tsp. Santa Cruz Organic^® Pure Lime Juice, chilled
1/4 tsp. Garlic powder
1/2 tsp. Salt, or to taste
2 Tbsp. Cilantro, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. Green onion, finely chopped
Lime wedges, for garnish

Instructions:

Combine juice blend, lime juice, garlic powder, salt, cilantro and onion in 2-quart pitcher. Chill until ready to serve. Garnish drinks with lime wedges.

For more recipes and information about R.W. Knudsen Family products, please visit RWKnudsenFamily.com. The Non-GMO Project Verified Mark is a registered trademark of The Non-GMO Project.

Organics — Where to Start

Certified organic foods are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, and are strictly regulated by the USDA. They must be made from at least 95% organic ingredients in order to be considered “organic.” Similarly, organically raised animals meet animal welfare standards and are given organic feed without any growth hormones and antibiotics. And, GMOs are never allowed in certified organic products.

Where Can I Find More Information on Organic Foods?

The USDA National Organic Program The Organic Trade Association

Bee-Friendly Brands

Explore and Support Bee-Friendly Brands

We’re proud to support a variety of sustainable brands doing more to preserve a friendly, habitable home for bees and pollinators.

What’s all the buzz about saving the bees?

For starters, bees are un-bee-lievably important for farming and our environment. In fact, three out of four crops across the globe producing food for humans depend, at least in part, on pollinators. Pollinated crops include vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts and oils. That means that every time you sip your favorite coffee, bite into a juicy strawberry or use a little sugar in your baked goods, you have bees to thank.

The Power of Pollinators

Pollinator animals, like bees and wasps, fertilize plants by moving pollen from one flower to another, causing the plants to make fruits or seeds. These little powerhouses provide many benefits, including producing higher crop yields, larger, more uniform and flavorful fruits and supporting biodiversity.

Now that you know how important it is to bee kind to bees, discover how you can shop and support bee-friendly brands to improve the health of bees and support native pollinators.

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Whole Earth & Sea

As a member of the International Bee Research Association since 1997, Whole Earth & Sea has conducted years of in-depth studies to better understand propolis, a compound bees use to build hives, pollen, royal jelly and active compounds in the honey. They’ve also studied the development of non-toxic herb-based miticides (used to kill mites), to combat the Varroa mite decimating bee colonies worldwide.

Herb Pharm

As a Regenerative Organic Certified farm, Herb Pharm supports bee and pollinator-friendly practices by growing over 90% of plants from their own seeds, making their own compost material and growing over 75 herbs on site.

Gaia Herbs

On their 350-acre Certified Organic farm, Gaia Herbs relies on a variety of pollinators, like bees, bats, beetles, birds, moths and wasps. To help these animals prosper, they keep over 200 beehives on site and maintain a Monarch Waystation to ensure migrating butterflies have enough food and a safe place to lay their eggs.

How Can You Help Protect Pollinators?

There are so many ways to help keep your local bee and pollinator community healthy and thriving, including:

Using sustainable farming practices without herbicides and pesticides
Creating a water feature in your yard
Removing invasive species and planting native species
Adding diversity to your garden with many different types of plants
Leaving piles of twigs, branches, or logs in your yard so bees can build nesting places

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Ground-Based Nutrition

Fuel for Life

When Charles Weller was looking for a clean protein to build muscle and help keep him healthy, he struggled to find something that was natural and tasted good. His old whey protein caused too much inflammation in his body so he knew he had to go plant-based. He started making Superfood Protein in his kitchen, mixing all the ingredients that were vital to building muscle and keeping the body healthy, including organic plant-based protein, a full serving of greens and superfoods. He wanted something that wasn’t chalky or gritty, but mixed well and tasted great. People in San Diego kept trying to buy his Superfood Protein for themselves after tasting it. After all, shouldn’t your protein smoothies taste as amazing as you are?? That’s how Ground-Based Nutrition was born.

Always Organic … Always Ground-Based!

Ground-Based Nutrition’s Superfood Protein is made with natural whole-food organic ingredients. It is certified organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, certified vegan and gluten-free. There’s no soy, dairy or whey and zero sugar. Superfood Protein is packed with 20 grams of muscle-building plant protein and superfoods to enhance your life. It tastes like an amazing treat, while being the perfect fuel to energize your body and keep you healthy. Try the delicious Pure Vanilla or Rich Chocolate flavors and see why Superfood Protein is voted #1 best-tasting plant-based protein! ENERGIZE! For more information, visit www.Ground-Based.com or follow Ground-Based Nutrition on Ground-Based Nutrition’s Facebook, Ground-Based Nutrition’s Twitter, Ground-Based Nutrition’s Instagram or Ground-Based Nutrition’s Pinterest.

CLIF® Nut Butter Filled Energy Bar

CLIF^® Nut Butter Filled Energy Bar brings together two great energy foods—a delicious, creamy nut butter inside an organic energy bar—to deliver sustained energy. About CLIF^® Nut Butter Filled Energy Bar

Made with delicious, creamy peanut, hazelnut or almond butters.
Certified USDA organic, non-GMO.
7 grams (9% DV) of plant-based protein from nut butter, brown rice protein and pea protein.
Low glycemic.*
Does not contain partially hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors.

*low glycemic-index foods digest slowly for prolonged levels of energy

Video description: CLIF Bar meets nut butter.