DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts

Share article DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts on:
FacebookTwitterPinterestPrint
Go ahead, wear your heart on your sleeve and embrace the sentimental feelings in the air. Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to share a bit of your heart with others. The best news? You don’t have to stick with the standard gifts that may come to mind. With these easy-to-make and thoughtful DIY ideas, you can brighten the day of a special someone, friend, family member or colleague. Hot Cocoa

Peppermint Infusion Hearts

What You’ll Need:

  • Crushed peppermint
  • Coffee filters
  • Baker’s thread
  • Construction paper
  • Hot chocolate

Directions:

Using a folded coffee filter, cut out a heart shape. After you have two heart shapes, stitch together around the edges until only a small opening remains. Place peppermint candies in a plastic bag and crush until the pieces are broken down. Put about a spoonful of crushed peppermint inside the small opening of the coffee filter and finish stitching until it’s closed. Attach a medium-length piece of baker’s thread to your peppermint-filled heart. Cut a small heart out of paper and add it at the other end of the thread to make a little “tag” like the ones that tea bags have. Present the gift with hot cocoa for a refreshing peppermint twist on a classic chocolatey treat.    

Homemade Lotion Bars

What You’ll Need:

  • 1 cup Beeswax
  • 1 cup Coconut Oil
  • 1/2 cup Shea butter
  • Silicon heart-shaped mold
  • 25 drops Lavender essential oil
  • At least 2 hours for refrigeration

Directions:

Start by warming beeswax in a double boiler until it becomes smooth. Add coconut oil and melt the two ingredients. Stir until smooth and add lavender essential oils. Let cool and place in silicon molds and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.              

“Simply Nuts for You” Mason Jar“

What You’ll Need:

  • Chalkboard spray paint
  • Painter’s tape
  • Chalk
  • Trail mix
  • Gift tag
  • Twine or ribbon

Directions:

Create a heart shape on the mason jar with painter’s tape. Using an open area, cover the mason jar with the chalkboard spray paint. Once it’s dry, carefully peel off the tape. Add a personalized touch by making a design with white chalk. Cut out a gift tag and create a small hole at the top. Thread twine through and loop around twice at the top of the mason jar. Pour in your special someone’s favorite trail mix.

Dry Rub Recipes

Share article Dry Rub Recipes on:
FacebookTwitterPinterestPrint
All the grill masters in your life will love these flavorful DIY dry rub recipes and you’ll love how easy they are to make! Paired with a new set of grilling tools, these create a great gift. Dry rub recipes

All-Purpose Spice Rub Recipe

  • 2 Tbsp. Coffee beans, finely ground
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. Kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. Granulated garlic
  • 1 tsp. Black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. Cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. Ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container.

Caribbean Rub

  • 3 Tbsp. Brown sugar
  • 3 Tbsp. Paprika
  • 1 Tbsp. Cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp. Coarse salt
  • 2 tsp. Ground ginger
  • 1 tsp. Allspice
  • 1 tsp. Cayenne pepper
  • 3/4 tsp. Nutmeg
  • 3/4 tsp. Freshly ground black pepper
Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container.

Buffalo Spice Rub

  • 1/2 cup Brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. Chile powder
  • 1 Tbsp. Smoked paprika
  • 1 Tbsp. Cumin
  • 1 tsp. Cayenne, plus more for taste
  • 2 Tbsp. Garlic powder
  • 1 Tbsp. Ground mustard
  • 2 Tbsp. Kosher salt
  • 1 Tbsp. Freshly ground black pepper
Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container.

DIY Father’s Day Gifts

Share article DIY Father’s Day Gifts on:
FacebookTwitterPinterestPrint
Father's Day Gift Basket Say thank you to all the doting dads and handsome heroes this Father’s day. After all, where would we be without dad jokes, practical advice and bear hugs?If the standard gifts are feeling a little tired, we have a few ideas to “tie” this Father’s Day together. Check out these fun gifts that he’s sure to love, including one by blogger, Julie, from Fort Worth Moms Blog! Julie shares her process in creating a one-of-a-kind gift for Dad. Keep reading to learn how to make your own unforgettable gift: I considered a basket of grilling items. After all, it is summer, and summer is grilling season. Sprouts has a huge selection of fresh produce, meats, spices for DIY dry rubs and craft beers, microbrews, etc. But goodness, y’all! I am weeks away from delivering our second baby. Everyone here needs to stay ready-to-jump-behind-the-wheel-at-any-moment sober (so no alcohol), and I refuse to step outside into the heat for any reason (so no outside cooking for us). I had to rethink my plan. Because a trip to Labor & Delivery is in our near future, I decided he needed a “We’re Having a Baby, Baby” basket. Read more of Julie’s full story!    
Rosemary Shaving Cream

Rosemary and Peppermint Shaving Balm

Your dad will feel pampered and refreshed after using this rosemary mint shaving balm—and will love knowing that it was made with love, by yours truly!

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup Shea butter • 1/4 cup Virgin coconut oil • 1/4 cup Jojoba or sweet almond oil • 10 drops Rosemary essential oil • 3-5 drops Peppermint essential oil

Instructions:

1. Place a small saucepan over low heat and mix shea butter and coconut oil, stirring until melted. Transfer mixture to a heat-resistant bowl and add in jojoba oil (or almond oil), then the essential oils and stir. 2. Chill mixture in the refrigerator until solid. Once solid, remove from refrigerator and whip mixture using a beater. Mix until light and fluffy. Store in an airtight container for up to one month. Note: This shaving lotion is soap-free and will not create a lather, but rather, a protective barrier between the razor and skin. Swish razor in water between strokes and enjoy!
Dads Dry Rub

Dad’s Day BBQ Rub

Here’s a super easy and thoughtful gift that you can gather from our Bulk Department! Let your inner artist out by layering spices to create a colorful complement to your summer barbecues.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 Tbsp. Chile powder • 1 tsp. Black pepper • 1 1/2 tsp. Onion powder • 1 Tbsp. Thyme • 2 Tbsp. Sea salt • 1 tsp. Garlic salt

Instructions:

Layer spices multiple times into a small mason jar and seal. Decorate with a ribbon or twine.

DIY Bloody Mary Bar

Share article DIY Bloody Mary Bar on:
FacebookTwitterPinterestPrint
Four glasses of Bloody Mary Drinks Next time brunch is at your place, try this fun and unexpected DIY Bloody Mary Bar! Mimosas are the classic brunch cocktail, but breaking out the veggies instead and mixing up a hearty Bloody Mary is another great way to start the day. Not only will this build-your-own-drink bar impress your guests with its stunning display, they’ll also have a blast making their own Bloody Marys and experimenting with unique flavor combinations. Better yet, for a non-alcoholic or “mocktail” version, simply replace vodka with sparkling water!Bacon, tomato juice, vegetables, celery in a glass With vibrant, fresh citrus and colorful veggies, the only thing you’ll need is R.W. Knudsen’s savory tomato juice. R.W. Knudsen’s Organic Tomato Juice features flavors like Sriracha and red bell pepper, so you and your guests can skip adding the heat—it’s all the spice you need in one bottle!

 You’ll need:

  • Vodka or sparkling water
  • R.W. Knudsen’s Organic Tomato Sriracha Juice and/or Organic Tomato Red Bell Pepper Juice
  • R.W.Knudsen’s Organic Chopped fruits and veggies for garnish—these could be cherry tomatoes, lemon, lime, celery, bell peppers or olives
  • Optional garnish: bacon
  • Cayenne pepper salt for a salted rim
  • Glasses

Set up:

  • Lay out glasses
  • Arrange juices and garnishes
  • Lay out skewer sticks for an easy garnish kabob
  • Let guests enjoy and experiment with the Bloody Mary fun!

Preparing Food and Avoiding Cross Contamination

Share article Preparing Food and Avoiding Cross Contamination on:
FacebookTwitterPinterestPrint
Food Preparation Raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs can spread illness-causing bacteria to ready-to-eat foods if you don’t keep them separate. Remember these helpful tips to avoid cross contamination:
  • Use one cutting board for fresh produce and a different one for raw meat, poultry or seafood.
  • Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry, seafood or eggs.
  • When storing in your refrigerator, place raw meat, poultry and seafood in sealed bags or containers to prevent their liquids from contaminatingotherfood and surfaces.
  • If you are not planning to use these foods within a few days, they should be kept frozen.
Visit fsis.usda.gov to learn more tips on why cross contamination matters.