Thanksgiving Turkey Snack Sacks

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It’s no secret Southerners love good food and giving thanks. Mix it all together for a healthy and fun holiday food craft.
Thanksgiving snack trail mix

For the Snack Mix

Gobble up a seasonal snack mix from Sprouts bulk bins. Toss together:
  • 1 scoop Dark chocolate-covered pretzels
  • 2 scoops Apple cinnamon granola
  • 3 scoops Cranberry trail mix.
Portion in brown sacks from the paper goods aisle and adorn with handcrafted turkeys.
Snack sack with a cutout paper turkey

Let’s Talk Turkey

Cut heart shapes from craft paper in your school colors. Overlap the hearts a smidgen and secure with tape on the back. Cut 1 1/2-inch rounds from brown paper using a craft punch. Doodle a sweet little turkey mug using a marker. Finish with a holiday saying and attach to the sacks for heart-warming smiles.

Rebecca of Buttermilk Lipstick

About Buttermilk Lipstick

Quite Simply the “Bee’s Knees” of Everyday Living

Rebecca Gordon is a Southern lifestyle expert specializing in food and entertaining. She designed, directed and launched the lifestyle brand, Buttermilk Lipstick which celebrates everyday living from home-cooked recipes, style round-ups and crafts that tie back to her food background and her passion for Southern football and tailgating. Prior to launching Buttermilk Lipstick, Gordon served as Test Kitchen Director for Southern Living magazine and traveled the South as an on-stage presenter with the Southern Living Cooking School, as a Foods and Entertaining Specialist. Rebecca graduated summa cum laude from Johnson and Wales University in Charleston, South Carolina, specializing in Baking and Pastry Arts. She received her undergraduate degree in Restaurant Management from the University of Alabama and gained extensive experience as a pastry chef for many restaurants throughout the South including Frank Stitt’s Highlands Bar and Grill and Bottega restaurants. When she’s not cooking and entertaining friends, you’ll find her gardening or rearranging furniture around her work-in-progress bungalow and, in the fall, cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Superfood Holiday Drinks

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CRANBERRY LIME SPRITZER GOLDEN MILK NOG AND Superfood WassailWhat are your holiday plans this year? We’re keeping things fairly low-key—no fancy dress-up parties to attend, and no traveling. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t celebrating! We’re home for the holidays this year, so we’re doing everything we can to make them special. Click the button below to learn how to make three of Emily’s favorite holiday drinks.

Cranberry Lime Spritzer

First up is this Cranberry Lime Spritzer. It’s a sparkly little mocktail that’s naturally sweetened (no added sugar!) and tastes amazing. It’s the perfect blend of tart, sweet and sparkle. We do a dinner of appetizers and finger foods Christmas Eve, and I’m already planning to serve this with it. It’d also be fabulous for New Year’s Eve to toast in the New Year with little ones, or for any of the many holiday parties throughout the season.

Golden Milk Nog

This is a healthier take on holiday eggnog. This one is completely vegan, lower in calories, naturally sweetened and comes with an extra nutrient boost! I’ve combined it with another favorite drink—golden milk. I’ve taken the best of both drinks and blended them into something really delicious. You can enjoy this warm or cold, and it’s the perfect little something to sip this season.

Superfood Wassail

Wassail is one of the most popular holiday drinks out there. This mulled cider is dressed up with festive spices and a little secret boost from greens. Keep it warm on the stove (or pop it in your slow cooker!) to greet you after playing in the snow, for sipping while wrapping presents or cuddling up in front of a fire.

Holiday Drink Recipes


Emily of One Lovely Life

About Emily

Emily lives, loves and cooks at One Lovely Life, where she shares healthy recipes and inspiration for living a happy, full life. When her daughter developed an intolerance to gluten and dairy, her blog shifted to accommodate their new eating style, and these days you’ll find fresh, vibrant, colorful recipes that don’t feel like they’re missing anything. In addition to enjoying healthy meal choices on her blog, you’ll find made-over sweet treats, book recommendations and tips for living a life you love. One Lovely Life Logo

Your Wellness Season

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Reclaim the winter season as your wellness season with these herbal remedies! Here are a few tips to help strengthen your system for the season as well as fight back when a cold or flu strikes. Astragalus flowers

Prepare Your Immune System

There’s nothing like the sudden arrival of cold symptoms that sends us on a focused mission to boost our immune system. It is all too easy to forget the importance of strengthening the body’s defenses before sickness strikes. While tending to your immune system at any time never hurts, you will thank yourself for doing it sooner rather than later. Echinacea is a great way to start. Studies show it can support your immune function by helping to stimulate white blood cells. Find out more about this immune-strengthening herb!

Support Your Immune System

Using adaptogens during the hectic cold and flu season is a great way to help your immune system. Adaptogens are part of a special group of healing plants that help to balance, protect and restore the body. From a member of the pea family, the adaptogen astragalus is taken from the root of the plant. It can boost your immunity as well as potentially buffer the effects of stress—making it a great addition to your holiday health routine!

Not All Bugs Are the Same

Ever thought you’ve caught your cold for the season, only to be hit with a new one? Different colds lend themselves to different symptoms. Some bugs leave you with a dry, scratchy throat while others leave you with a wet, runny nose. Along with echinacea and astragalus, try out these beneficial herbs to help support the respiratory system:

“Wet” Bugs (Cough with mucus):

  • Black cherry bark
  • Osha
  • Lobelia

“Dry” Bugs (Scratchy, irritated cough):

  • Marshmallow root
  • Slippery elm
  • Mullein
Remember too, one of the easiest preventative steps you can take this season is simply to wash your hands often and keep them away from your eyes, nose and mouth. Sprouts wants you to feel well this fall, winter and all year-round!

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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!

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.