Blog | Page 34 of 53 | Sprouts Farmers Market

Beyond Pie Filling

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.

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

Pumpkin Breakfast Bread

Slow-Cooked Baked Pumpkin Ziti

Pumpkin Macaroni & Cheese

Vegan Pumpkin Pie Bars

Pumpkin Horchata

New Ways to Enjoy Yerba Mate

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:

1/2 can of Guayakí Bluephoria
1/2 can Guayakí Lemon Elation
Juice from 1/2 lemon
1/2 cup Frozen blueberries
1/2 cup Ice

Directions:

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:

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:

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

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.

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 world^TM.

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!

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

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.

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.

SHOP All SPROUTS ESSENTIALS

No-carve Pumpkins

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 Pumpkin

What you’ll need:

Small pumpkin, any color
Bowl of room-temperature water
Variety of nail polish
Toothpicks

Directions:

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.
Swirl the nail polish colors together slightly using a toothpick.
Stick the pumpkin on a fork and dip the top of it into the bowl.
Slowly remove and set on paper to dry (about 20 minutes).

Pushpin Pumpkin

What you’ll need:

Pushpins/thumb tacks
Pumpkin of any size

Directions:

Using a pencil, lightly draw your design onto your pumpkin.
Push in pins along the lines of the design.
Optional: adorn with a bow.

Embellished Pumpkin

What you’ll need:

Assortment of seeds, jewels, or other decorative items
Craft glue or hot glue gun
Pumpkin, any size

Directions:

Using your decorative items, plan out your design on a flat surface.
Begin gluing your design onto your pumpkin and let dry.

Essential Oils: A Beginner’s Guide

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.

SHOP ESSENTIAL OILS NOW HAVE ESSENTIAL OILS DELIVERED

Weekly Meal Prep Made Easy

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.

Easy Weeknight Dinners

Sometimes, even when we do our best to meal plan, prep and juggle life’s hectic schedule, the occasional scramble to plan dinner on the fly can still happen. We’ve pulled together a few of our favorite easy weeknight dinners for when you find yourself in a pinch.

Quick Dinner Ideas with Chicken

Chicken to the rescue! Buying a whole roasted chicken can save time and money during a hectic school night. When combined with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, olives and feta you’ll have a hearty Greek salad in minutes. Or shred the chicken over cooked rice, black beans, queso fresco, sour cream and salsa for hassle-free burrito bowls!

Frozen in a Flash

Next time you’re in the frozen food department, stock up on your favorite veggies. Always ready to prepare, frozen vegetables have just as much nutritional value as their fresh friends in our produce department. Sautéed with savory spices and served over rice or noodles—you’ll have a fantastic stir-fry the whole family can enjoy. Add leftover protein if you have it, or cashews make a nice meatless protein addition as well.

Easy Options

A quick stop at Sprouts’ on your way home can give you loads of inspiring dinner ideas. Paired with fresh, steamed broccoli, our Market Corner Signature Mac & Cheese will become a family favorite. Create your own Cobb-style salad by topping fresh field greens with hard-boiled eggs, meat and cheese from our Deli. Try our chef-inspired One Pan Meals like Citrus Herb Chicken, Shrimp Scampi, Thai Chicken Sauté and more for a savory, nutritious dinner that’s ready in less time it takes to order and pick up!

Healthy Snacks for Kids

Refresh your afternoon snacks with these simple recipes, created by registered dietitians, that you and the kids are sure to love.

Banana Sushi

Recipe by Karman Meyer, RDN, with The Nutrition Adventure Kids will love helping create this easy recipe. Have ingredients pre-chopped and ready to use so they can get creative with their Banana Sushi!

Ingredients:

2 lg. Ripe bananas
2–3 Tbsp. Sprouts Cashew Butter
4–5 Strawberries, stem removed and sliced thin
2 Tbsp. Pistachios, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. Unsalted sunflower seed kernels
1 tsp. Chia seeds
Greek yogurt for dipping (optional)

Instructions:

Peel the bananas and place on a cutting board or plate.
Spread the nut butter evenly across the top of both bananas.
Place strawberry slices on top of peanut butter, slightly overlapping them.
Sprinkle the pistachios, sunflower seed kernels and chia seeds over each banana.
Using a sharp knife, cut the bananas into 1-inch thick slices.
Serve with flavored Greek yogurt as a dipping sauce if desired.

Chocolate Date No-bake Energy Bites

Recipe by Dixya Bhattarai, RD, with Food, Pleasure and Health Chocolate Date Bites are an indulgent, yet healthy snack that requires a bowl and only 10 minutes of your time. They provide a great source of potassium, magnesium, iron and fiber for your hungry tykes.

Ingredients:

20 Dates, pitted
1 cup Old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup Almond meal
1/4 + 2 Tbsp. Sprouts Cocoa Powder, plus more for rolling
Splash of Sprouts Vanilla Extract
1–2 Tbsp. Water or milk, if needed to reach the right consistency
1 pinch Salt

Instructions:

Soften dates if they are hard by soaking them in hot water or microwaving them with little water for 2–3 minutes.
Pour all ingredients in a food processor and pulse everything until dates are incorporated in the mix. Add water or milk if needed.
Form the mixture into balls packing them tightly.
Roll them in cocoa powder and arrange them neatly in mini-muffin liners.
Store them in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to eat!

Fruit Pizza Recipe

Recipe by Andrea Mathis, RD, with Beautiful Eats and Things This Super-Duper Fruity Pizza is bursting with delicious, wholesome goodness! The vanilla Greek yogurt and fruit toppings make it hearty enough for the toughest snacker by providing a great source of protein, fiber, potassium and antioxidants!

Ingredients:

6 Multigrain Oroweat Sandwich Thins, tops only
2 Tbsp. Sprouts Butter, melted
1 Tbsp. Sprouts Cinnamon
1 ½ Tbsp. Sugar
6 Tbsp. Vanilla Greek yogurt
4 Kiwis, peeled and sliced
1 cup Strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup Blueberries

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a small bowl, combine melted butter, cinnamon and sugar.
Spread evenly over each sandwich thin top.
Bake for about 5 minutes then set aside to cool.
When tops are cool, top each one with 1 tablespoon of vanilla Greek yogurt.
Use strawberries, kiwi and blueberries to create a fun design.
Serve and enjoy!

Edamame Guacamole

Recipe by Jessica Spiro, RD, with JessicaSpiroRD.com Edamame guacamole—guacamame—is a delicious snack that packs lots of plant-based protein! Easy to make, it can be served with sliced veggies or Sprouts Tortilla Chips!

Ingredients:

2 sm. Avocados
1/2 cup Frozen Sprouts Shelled Edamame
1/4 cup Red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup Cilantro, chopped
1/2 Lime, juiced
1/2 tsp. Sprouts Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp. Salt

Instructions:

Prepare 3/4 cup shelled edamame according to package directions.
Blend edamame in food processor.
In a medium bowl, combine the processed edamame with the remaining ingredients.
Serve with veggies or Sprouts chips!

Tasty Recipes for Your Thanksgiving Leftovers

After days of planning and hours of prepping, you finally shared the long-anticipated Thanksgiving meal with all your holiday guests. Now, don’t let all that hard work go to waste! Rather than using your leftovers to make your typical turkey sandwich, you can take a creative approach with these updated recipes. Making a one-of-a-kind breakfast or cozying up with a warm bowl of turkey chili will continue to impress any weekend guests and you’ll feel good knowing your leftovers were put to good use.

Thanksgiving in a Jar

The Thanksgiving feast doesn’t have to end! Layer your yummy leftovers in mason jars to give guests as they leave or treat yourself to an on-the-go meal that’s hearty and convenient.

Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin Hummus

Pumpkin Chili

Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

Pumpkin Buttercream Frosting

Need more pumpkin inspiration? Try these recipes below!

Mate Bolt Upgrade

Ingredients:

Directions:

Golden Mate Latte

Ingredients:

Directions:

Superfood Mate Smoothie

Ingredients:

Directions:

About B Corp Certified Companies

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!

Forest Stewardship Council & Deforestation Solutions

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.

What Your Heart Hearts

Breathe Easier

Way to Flow!

Your Goodnight Just Got Better

Curating Contentment

Tip on Temp

Marbled Pumpkin

What you’ll need:

Directions:

Pushpin Pumpkin

What you’ll need:

Directions:

Embellished Pumpkin

What you’ll need:

Directions:

What is an essential oil?

Not Just Another Pretty Scent

Smooth on to Sooth

Not Just for You

Did you know?

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

Where to Start: How to Meal Prep

Prepping Your Meals

Planned Overs

Put a Lid on It

Remember …

Easy Weeknight Dinners

Quick Dinner Ideas with Chicken

Frozen in a Flash

Easy Options

Give These Simple Recipes a Try!

Keto Cauliflower Rice Taco Bowls

Sheet Pan Salmon Primavera

Green Goddess Tortellini Soup

Banana Sushi

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Chocolate Date No-bake Energy Bites

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Fruit Pizza Recipe

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Edamame Guacamole

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Thanksgiving in a Jar

Communication Preferences

Keto Cauliflower Rice
Taco Bowls

Sheet Pan
Salmon Primavera

Green Goddess
Tortellini Soup