Author: Content Specialist (Page 13)

The air is warming, the flowers are blooming, and it’s just about time for a spring picnic. Springtime brings with it the chance to pack up some food, find a cozy patch of grass and roll out the blanket. Whatever else you like to do outdoors is up to you —Anyone up for a round of croquet?!— But tasty food, good company, and a nice space in the grass are timeless tenants of a spring picnic.

It’s easy to put together a spring picnic for you and your friends, significant other, or even  solo! And it’s a great way to take advantage of the nice weather while we have the chance. You’re going to eat anyway— Might as well do it in a fun, different setting! But some people may not know where to start and how to plan for a fun afternoon picnicking. It doesn’t have to be complicated: However, Tacoma Boys has a few tips to get you ready for a season full of spring picnics.

Spring Picnic Tips

As lovely as a spring picnic sounds, some small details can trip you up and make for a less-than-ideal experience. Try to plan ahead and be prepared with sunscreen, water, utensils, plates, and of course, several snacks. And never forget the napkins, lest your adorable picnic blanket be subject to greasy fingers or small spills. Coolers are a good idea, too, if you plan to spend more than a couple hours enjoying the sunshine.

To make it an extra special spring picnic, place one of Tacoma Boys’ fresh flower bouquets in the center of your picnic blanket! 

Another suggestion to avoid bugs involves something you usually don’t bring outside: Light scented candles, specifically citrus-scented, to help ward away bees, gnats, flies, etc.

Location, Location, Location

The local public park is good. Your own backyard is fine. But this is a time to get creative! Think of your favorite nearby viewpoint, sandy beach, or grassy lake. The space doesn’t need to be fit with benches and waist-high picnic tables to host a lovely afternoon spring picnic. However, outdoor areas with picnic tables can be convenient. Whatever gets you to enjoy your spring picnic outdoors will work great! 

Tacoma Boys’ Favorite Picnic Recipes 

Before you go flocking to local parks or migrating to the backyard, you’ll want to have some picnic recipes ready to go. These are just a few light snacks and foods that can be picnic-perfect.

• This is a great time to take advantage of Tacoma Boys’ deli grab-and-go foods, like packaged Baked Potato Salad, Macaroni Salad, or Sicilian Pasta Salad. These salads are easy to nibble on all afternoon and so delicious! 
• Picnic recipes can be as simple as filling cut raw celery full of Sabra Roasted Garlic Hummus or Tillamook Cream Cheese. Just top with your favorite nuts and seeds!
• Other finger foods like chopped raw vegetables with Litehouse Homestyle Ranch Dip and Crescent Meats Spicy Sticks are great for picnicking. 
• Everyone loves chips and salsa! Tacoma Boys offers several varieties of jarred and fresh packaged salsas like Gourmet Pico de Gallo and Hatch Tomatillo Salsa. Plus, Tacoma Boys Blue Corn Tortilla Chips will add a fun burst of color to your spring picnic spread.
• Charcuterie boards are one of the easiest customizable picnic recipes. Tacoma Boys’ wide selection of snackable and specialty meat and cheese, like Boar’s Head Rolled Mozzarella & Prosciutto, and Creminelli Uncured Italian Salami are a simple base to your charcuterie board. 

Eating Outside & The Benefits of Being in Nature

What better way to reap the benefits of nature in such sunny weather than with a spring picnic? There’s solid evidence that spending time outdoors, while eating or not, can reduce stress. Especially when the weather begins to warm, being around nature in the fresh open air is a great mood-booster. 

Dining al fresco has been a fun, casual way to spend time and make memories with your loved ones for centuries. The natural setting is laid-back and allows for more focus on food and friends. When you take your lunch or afternoon snacks outside, it’s easier to take time to appreciate the food you’re enjoying and soak in the benefits of nature! 

Celebrate Earth Day While You’re At It

If you happen to be out and about on April 22, make the effort to appreciate and sustain our planet’s resources. Earth Day on April 22 is all about taking time to respect and care for the environment. Opt for reusable utensils made with the likes of metal or bamboo, and glass mason jars rather than disposable to-go containers. Also consider:

• Cloth napkins, which are eco-friendly and aesthetic.
• Finger foods are your friend! This reduces the need for plates and utensils.
• A small garbage bag for the waste you will have to dispose of.
• A nature walk after your picnic. Reap the benefits of nature by simply taking in the scene.

Get Prepped at Tacoma Boys

It’s quite easy to throw together a basket full of food and get out to enjoy the springtime in nature. When you’re ready for a spring picnic, Tacoma Boys can help you get prepared. Stop by for grab-and-go foods, snacks, and any other ingredients you need to create your perfect picnic. For more tips on an enjoyable afternoon picnicking, check out our summer picnic guide from last year. And to stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!

Reusing your vegetable scraps is just one way to make an effort to be more environmentally conscious. By making use of those vegetable scraps in other cooking, you can reduce food waste and maybe even save a little money while you’re at it. One main way to use vegetable scraps is to make a broth or stock out of it. Read on further to learn more about how to help reduce food waste by using those leftover vegetable scraps.

A home herb garden is a beautiful way to add aroma and flavor to your kitchen. It’s easy for any beginner or advanced gardener to get started growing a variety of herbs. Herb gardens are simply a group of live herbs growing in a container of soil. Usually, an herb garden is grown indoors so the freshest seasonings are right at your fingertips. Then you can grab some garnish for a ‘Gram-worthy plating or whip up homemade sauces quickly! 

Herb Gardens

An indoor herb garden is easy to care for because you can keep a close eye on it. It requires just a small amount of maintenance for a big, tasty payoff. Use whatever herbs you want! Common herbs to start your herb garden include basil, rosemary, oregano, thyme, parsley, dill, and sage. These are used often to cook dishes in cuisines all over the world.

Herb gardens are a great way to save money and waste less, too. Purchasing packs of herbs in plastic packaging is a thing of the past! You can simply pick them fresh from your herb garden whenever you need a little extra something for your meal. A pretty kitchen and tasty food has never been so simple.

Starting an Herb Garden

Starting an herb garden is one of the easiest ways to add extra pizazz to your meals. It’s as easy as picking a sunny spot (like the kitchen windowsill) and selecting your favorite herbs. Avoid invasive herbs like mint, which grows abundantly like a weed. Pre-made kits make starting an herb garden quick, but it’s easy to put your own together with fresh starts or cuttings of plants. You can use herbs already planted in soil and just transplant them to your container of choice. Tacoma Boys offers a wide range of potting soil for your fresh herbs to grow in a raised bed or container.

If you’d rather take it outside or take things on the go, Tacoma Boys’ various ceramic pots are a beautiful option. Our guide on planting herbs in ceramic pots offers some great tips on choosing just the right pot.

How To Care For Herb Gardens

One reason starting an herb garden is so simple is because of the low maintenance required. It’s quite easy to care for your herb garden and doesn’t require extra materials. Some people may opt for plant food or fertilizer, but it’s not necessary. 

• Water the herbs once or twice a week, depending on what herbs are planted. To see if your herbs are thirsty, touch the first inch or so of the soil of the plant. If it feels dry, go ahead and gently water the roots.
• Harvest the herbs regularly as you cook and eat. Frequent harvesting is good! It encourages further growth of the plant. Go ahead and dry or freeze the fresh herbs if you won’t use them immediately. 
• Sun is important for your herb garden. Some herbs like more or less sunlight, but most will do well with an average of a few hours per day.
• Prune flowers when they pop up. It’s not necessary, but some herbs such as oregano and thyme will sprout flower blooms in the spring and summer. To keep your plant bushy and encourage growth of leaves (the part you harvest), snip the buds.

Cooking with Fresh Herbs

Cooking with fresh herbs is an easy way to elevate many dishes. It’s also super rewarding to reap the benefits of your gardening skills (fork, meet mouth)! Some meals and dishes can be based entirely on an herb, or simply use it as an extra ingredient or garnish. 

Breakfast

Persian Herb Frittata by The Kitchn makes great use of fresh dill and other herbs. Just start with Smith Brothers Farms Premium Eggs.

Lunch

Pesto pasta is made with fresh basil or parsley, lemon, pine nuts, and quality olive oil and grated parmesan cheese. Our favorite ingredients for a pasta pesto include Tacoma Boys Olio Dorato Lemon Garlic Olive Oil and Delallo Organic Farfalle Pasta.

Dinner

Strip Steak with Chimichurri Sauce by Jessica Gavin with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes by Rachel Cooks. Fresh oregano, cilantro, and parsley come into play in the chimichurri while rosemary perfectly seasons Baby Red Potatoes. We like Prime Grade Top Sirloin for this meal. 

Snack

Pull-Apart Sour Cream and Chive Rolls by Bon Appetit. Cooking with fresh herbs makes these buttery tolls tasty enough to enjoy as a snack any time of the day. Bob’s Red Mill Bread Flour makes them soft and flaky.

Cocktail

Basil alongside mint or lime is one of the tastiest ways to use fresh herbs in a drink. This recipe uses fresh basil alongside cocktail basics like simple syrup and club soda. 

Basil Mojito 

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 10 fresh basil leaves
• Juice of two limes (2 ounces)
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• 4 ounces white rum
• Club soda to top
• 2 lime wedges and basil leaves to garnish

Directions

1. Lightly muddle the basil and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add the lime juice and white rum and shake with ice for 30 seconds.
3. Strain into two glasses and fill with club soda to preference.
4. Garnish with lime wedges and basil leaves and enjoy!

Get Creative In the Kitchen

Swing by your local Tacoma Boys to get prepped for those fresh and flavorful meals made with your herb garden. No matter what you have planned for the menu, fresh herbs are almost always a thoughtful addition. To stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!

The last frost is melting, flowers are blooming, and it’s just about time to start eating some healthy spring snacks! Spring is a great time of the year to get creative in the kitchen and enjoy light and bright refreshments. And it’s always a good time to look forward to eating healthy. Tacoma Boys is always sure to have a variety of ingredients and seasonal foods for your favorite healthy spring snacks.

Healthy Spring Snacks

Enjoying healthy spring snacks can be as simple as pairing some of Tacoma Boys fresh local seasonal produce with another bite of protein or healthy fats. Something like Tillamook’s Smoked Black Pepper White Cheddar, Wild Friends’ Classic Creamy Peanut Butter, or a handful of Tacoma Boys’ Mixed Nuts will round out the snack. It’s a great time to get the kids involved and teach them about healthy eating. For quick packaged (but not processed) bites that the kids can grab themselves, try:

• Delreal Organic Coconut Date Rolls
• Karen’s Freeze Dried Fruit like strawberries and bananas, apples, raspberries, pomegranate, mango, and more.
• Northwest Delights Veggie Crisps
• Field Day Organic Apple Sauce 

Local Seasonal Produce

What better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than by enjoying some of the Pacific Northwest’s best fresh seasonal produce? Washington has abundantly great produce all year-round. But when the sun starts shining and spring harvest rolls around, this is especially true. 

Cooking with local seasonal produce is a sustainable and helpful way to support your local economy. That’s why Tacoma Boys has all the classic seasonal produce for your healthy spring snacks! Just be sure to browse our weekly specials and stop by regularly to enjoy rotating options. And if you need a guide to the basics of eating local seasonal food, check out our blog all about the topic. 

Each spring, the Pacific Northwest and South Sound is ripe with these fruits and vegetables that are great for snacking.

Mushrooms

While mushrooms grow abundantly year-round, spring is one of the best times of the year to forage. This means it’s also a great time for mushroom farmers with the likes of cremini, baby bella, chanterelle mushrooms, and more.

Watercress

Watercress is a leafy green that is in the same family as kale and broccoli. The vegetable is often used as a garnish. But since it’s packed with all the good nutrients of a dark leafy green, it’s become even more popular as a simple salad foundation.

Apricots

The pitted fruit is not as juicy and more tart than others, making it perfect for snacking on the go. They tend to last a little while too, compared to sensitive soft fruit that’s more prone to bruising and rapid rot. 

Cherries

Cherries usually come into play for Washingtonians near the tail end of spring and beginning of summer. Rainier and Bing cherries are popular varieties that grow in Washington state. Small and sweet, cherries make for easy snacking at home.

Grapefruits 

The winter citrus fruit stays flavorful and juicy throughout the beginning of spring, too. It’s a great option as a healthy snack because all you need is a spoon and maybe a sprinkling of sweetener if you’d like.

Healthy Snack Recipes

A few of our favorite healthy snack recipes are simple to make and always tasty. Get creative or start here for some ideas for healthy snack recipes.

• Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits by A Cup Full of Sass. We like Ellenos Yogurt and the freshest local seasonal produce. Fruit & overnight oats is another great option.

• Black Bean and Corn Salad by Two Spoons. This recipe can be a snack all on its own or served as a side to sandwiches or tacos.  
• Beet and Watercress Salad by My Darling Lemon Thyme. For an extra dose of the spring season, sprinkle in some of Tacoma Boys’ Humble Honey Co. Bee Pollen!
• Homemade Trail Mix recipes by Fresh Off The Grid. This is a great way to customize your snack to exactly what you want. All you need to start is Tacoma Boys Nuts, Seeds, and Dried Fruit.
• Hummus and Raw Vegetables is a simple healthy snack recipe that’s quick to assemble together. Tacoma Boys likes Nomad Food Co. Garlic and Lemon Hummus with fresh snap peas and sliced bell pepper.

Shop For Spring Snacks

Enjoying healthy snack recipes is easy when shopping at Tacoma Boys for local spring produce. You can get all the ingredients you’ll need for a week’s worth of healthy snacking. It’s the perfect time of year to refresh your eating routine and try new fun food! To stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!

Dreaming of warmer days, chirping birds, and spring flowers? The morning dew is slowly melting and spring is almost here! Here in the Pacific Northwest, we’re lucky to live among bountiful greenery all year round. But there’s just something special about the beautiful bright colors of blooming tulips, primroses and other flowers in the springtime.

As the earth wakes from a cold winter and the ground warms, small bits of color light up a dreary environment. You might start to see some pink, yellow, and purple bits pop up from the green. Spring flowers are ready to be harvested and gathered in groups to enjoy and appreciate!

Spring Flowers – It’s That Time of Year! 

Despite the chill in the air, it’s getting to be that time of year when spring flowers are blooming. Just about anyone appreciates the pop of color, fragrance, and character that spring flowers will add to any space. Tacoma Boys’ selection of locally grown and cut flowers like primroses and tulips showcase only the brightest and freshest floras, hand-sorted to ensure each petal and stem is pristine.

How to Stylize Spring Flowers

Primroses

1. Start your spring early and spruce up your home decor with a pot of hanging primroses on the porch.
2. If you prefer primroses, you’ll need to pick out a pot and a bag of potting soil. While you can pick the blooms from the primrose plant and place them in water, we recommend leaving the flower, from petal to root, in the soil it comes in. That way you can enjoy the aesthetic of a living plant for longer than flowers with cut stems, potentially for years to come!
3. Select your favorite color pot to match your desired primrose (or visa versa). Whether you prefer a ceramic or concrete pot, you’ll find many colors and designs to choose from at Tacoma Boys.

Tulips

1. Tulips have long stems and do well in tall vases. Fill the vase with water and be sure to submerge the stems as soon as you get home.
2. Refresh the water every other day or as needed to keep the silky tulips fresh for as long as possible. For more tips on how to style spring flowers, check out this guide on 5 Ways to Style Spring Flowers by Cottage Style.

Tulips and Primroses: Tacoma Boys’ Favorites

Tulips and primroses have long been known for their beautiful blooms in various colors. Primroses are early bloomers— You won’t have to wait until after the last frost to add the flower to your garden or front steps. And it does well here in Washington not despite the lack of sunlight, but because of it! Primroses prefer partial shade and indirect light, which is one reason it does so well in the late winter and early spring. 

Tulips are easy to grow because the bulbs are planted in the fall and blossom a few months later in the spring. The long-stemmed flowers pair nicely with slightly shorter flowers like daffodils or primroses for a beautiful assorted arrangement that adds an extra element of color to any room or yard.

Go for the bold and the bright or stay subtle with a simple white. Locally grown tulips and primroses are available at Tacoma Boys in a partial rainbow of colors from white and yellow to pinks, purples, and reds. 

Flowers as Gifts

Locally grown and stylized in the functional art of plant pots, giving flowers as gifts is a timeless tradition for good reason. A big bouquet of flowers is a great gift for just about anyone at any time of the year. Some of our favorite ways to gift flowers are:

• Birthdays
• Valentine’s Day
• Anniversaries
• Mother’s Day

Though associated with romance, there’s nothing stopping you from treating your best friend or family member with a fresh bouquet of different flowers or a planted pot. And since they are locally grown and cut, they can appreciate the flowers as gifts for days or even weeks! For insider tips on how to keep plants and flowers fresh and longer lasting, download Tacoma Boy’s how-to guide here. Then, stay up to date on insider deals and specials when you sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!

Beer has long been connected to St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a tradition that goes well with cooking traditional Irish foods and celebrating the culture. St. Patrick’s Day is a religious and cultural holiday, so it’s a time to toast to Saint Patrick and honor one’s Irish heritage. Drinking beer on St. Patrick’s Day is familiar to most people. Overall, it’s celebrated in America and many other countries by wearing your best green gear and drinking lots of Irish beer. 

St. Patrick’s Day & Beer

St. Patrick’s Day is all about beer, right?! Modern St. Patrick’s Day celebrations emphasize drinking and honoring Irish heritage and cuisine. And Ireland is rich with beer and pub culture! In Dublin especially, breweries and beer have long been a standard part of Irish lifestyle and tourism. Thus, St. Patrick’s Day is a perfect time to celebrate the culture, and drink beer.

Why Drink on St. Patrick’s Day?

St. Patrick’s Day is associated with drinking because of the religious celebration of the holiday. Historically, Lenten restrictions were put aside for Christians to honor Saint Patrick on the anniversary of his death, March 17. Drinking and eating would commence, and has since become a traditional way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Irish beer is undoubtedly a special favorite for drinkers on St. Patrick’s Day!

Tacoma Boys’ Favorite Popular Irish Beer

Why not take the chance to enjoy a tall, crisp pint of popular Irish beer on St. Patrick’s Day? No, it doesn’t have to be Irish if dark ales and lagers aren’t your thing! But Irish beer is a tasty classic for a reason. Guinness is so legendary that it’s likely the first (and maybe only) Irish beer that comes to mind. But there is so much more on the Irish beer market worth tasting. Tacoma Boys provides a wide selection of imported and domestic beer to get you started. However, there are certainly a few stand-out Irish beers worth noting.

Smithwick’s Red Ale

Refreshingly balanced, this Irish ale is light and slightly bitter with (you guessed it) a red hue. It’s hoppy, but not as thick as traditional dark Irish beers. Its namesake founder started the business quite some time ago, in the 1700s. 

Harp Lager

This Irish brew (spoiler alert: it’s a lager) tastes of barley and yeast and is somewhere right between light and full bodied. This means it’s bound to refresh you, rather than feeling thick and weighing you down.

Guinness Draught Stout

The famous dark Irish stout is a solid option that most beer drinkers may tend to enjoy. It’s said to have been produced as far back as 1759 and is now crafted in several different light and dark kinds. Smooth and dry, the draught stout is full bodied and distinctively dark.

Kaliber

This one clocks in at 0.05% ABV. From the same makers as Guinness, Kaliber is a non-alcoholic smooth and bitter Irish beer. Golden amber in color, you’ll taste slight sweetness and full lager flavor.

And Much More!

Most dark stouts and beers will do well as a stand in for one of these classic Irish beers, too. If you want to keep things local, try Black Raven Imperial Stout or Silver City Brewing Ridgetop Red Ale. Tacoma Boys’ boasts a myriad of both light and dark beers to choose from!

The Infamous Green Beer Recipe

Part of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is of course concocting the perfect green beer recipe. Simply put, green beer is beer dyed green (generally on St. Patrick’s Day). It’s part of a traditional western custom of dyeing things green on St. Patrick’s Day. The milk in the fridge, your outfit of the day, the Chicago River? Green beer is a classic too!

It’s quick and easy to make a green beer recipe at home using one of Tacoma Boys’ Irish beers. Specifically, it works best with a light-colored beer like Kaliber or a pilsner. You can simply add in a few drops of green food coloring into your pint glass. However, Tacoma Boys knows a couple other more natural ways to get it done.

• Tacoma Boys Fresh Wheatgrass: Blend the wheat grass into a liquid and add to the bottom of a cold pint glass. Pour in your light-colored brew and give it a stir!
• Fresh Spinach: If you don’t mind a slight earthy taste, use fresh spinach in the same way as wheatgrass. 
• Matcha: Powdered matcha adds just a touch of that green tea flavor. Add a 1/4 teaspoon at a time to a pint glass filled with Irish beer and stir.
• Spirulina: The powdered green algae is a bit darker than matcha. Stir in a bit at a time until you get that dark green hue.
• Get creative! If you have another fruit or vegetable juice or powder in mind, now’s your chance to give it a shot.

Shop Our Selection

Next time you stop in to Tacoma Boys, be sure to browse our wide selection of domestic and imported brews. And if you ever have a question or need help finding something special, don’t ever hesitate to ask! While you’re in, you can stock up on all the ingredients and supplies you need for a St. Patrick’s Day feast. Whether corned beef and cabbage or meat and potatoes is the plan, Tacoma Boys has plenty to enjoy. 

To stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!

St. Patrick’s Day is a fun holiday to celebrate with kids. Themed crafts, green treats, and adventures with the family can get everyone in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit! The cultural holiday is celebrated by the Irish and others in part by feasting on traditional food. It’s a celebration of Irish heritage, as well as an opportunity to have fun cooking and sporting shamrocks! But to get the kids a bit more involved, there’s a few more things you can do to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with Family

Many people have traditions with their families and friends for St. Patrick’s Day. Some communities will often hold St. Patrick’s Day parades to celebrate. And it’s certainly always a good time to dress in your best green gear. But this year, you may be looking for a few things to do at home with your family. Whether you are swapping out old traditions or adding to your plans, try these ways to celebrate at home with family.

• Get crafty: Put a spin on your kids’ favorite art activity with St. Patrick’s Day themes. Cut shamrocks out of construction paper, paint a pot of gold under a rainbow, or build a leprechaun with colored clay or blocks.
• Stage a treasure hunt: Let the kids loose in the backyard in search of clovers, something silver, and maybe even a hidden treat or two. Or, hide clues that lead to a nice big pot of gold.
• Sneak in some education: Learn and teach about Irish culture and the island of Ireland. If you celebrate more of the holiday, teach your kids about Saint Patrick and the history of St. Patrick’s Day.
• Cooking with kids: Cooking and eating together is a favorite St. Patrick’s Day activity for many families.

Cooking with Kids

Any day is a good day to start cooking with kids. Of course, it’s always a great opportunity for bonding and spending quality time together. But cooking with kids on St. Patrick’s Day can be extra special for a few reasons. You can introduce the family to new kinds of foods like Irish corned beef, cabbage, and apple tarts or other desserts. Tacoma Boys’ favorite way to make a quick and easy apple dessert is as simple as adding fresh green apples and butter to Concord Foods Apple Crisp Mix. Have some fun with green colored foods. Any chance to sneak some extra greens into your kids diet is definitely a win!

Start the day with Tacoma Boys’ McCann’s Irish Oatmeal topped with Northwest Delights Pepitas and Tacoma Boys’ Kiwi Slices. Or, blend up a smoothie with Tacoma Boys’ Frozen Berries, and Fresh Baby Spinach, and Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almond Milk for some green goodness.

Cooking with kids allows for great teaching moments: Make a math game out of measuring ingredients and practice counting. Or if your kids are a little older, allow them to learn by doing most of the cooking. Use art and science when baking and decorating cookies. It definitely won’t feel like learning! Chances are they’ll want to go green with frosting, sprinkles, and more.

Kid Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

Elevate your St. Patrick’s Day recipes with an array of green-colored foods to get your kids involved. It’s a great way to get them to eat some healthy food! And a fun time when they come up with their own ideas, too. These St. Patrick’s Day recipes are just a couple ways to have fun with cooking to celebrate. For dozens more kid-friendly St. Patrick’s Day recipe ideas, check out this list from Taste of Home.

• Clover shaped anything! With a clover-shaped cookie cutter or some smooth knife skills, you can cut your kids’ sandwich, cookies, sliced fruit, and more into the shamrock shape. Tacoma Boys’ has a wide selection of gluten-free bread, too, so no one will be left out of the fun-shaped sandwiches.
• Boil some of Mrs Miller’s Homemade Spinach Noodles and toss with Santini Pesto Genovese for an extra green kick. Serve with Tacoma Boys’ Panko-Breaded Chicken Cordon Bleu for a complete and satisfying meal.

• Throw together a green-themed charcuterie board with Tacoma Boys’ fresh sliced Deli Meats, Creminelli Italian Salami, Boars Head Havarti with Dill, Divina Green Olives, and crackers like Tacoma Boys’ French Baguette Chips. For a comprehensive guide on building the perfect charcuterie board, check out Tacoma Boys’ blog on charcuterie boards here.

Get Ready To Celebrate

Here at Tacoma Boys, we are excited to help you plan and execute your perfect St. Patrick’s Day with recipes that your kids can get involved in. Swing on by any location to gain even more inspiration for a fun holiday that the kids and family will love. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you’re looking for that one special ingredient! 

To stay up-to-date on the latest insider deals and specials, including seasonal produce, sign up for Tacoma Boys text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!

Who doesn’t love oranges? The juicy citrus fruit is refreshing, easy to eat, and often in season, not to mention tremendously tasty. Few other fruits can boast such benefits, like how it’s already pre sliced on the inside and grows in compostable packaging for your convenience! Oranges have a strong aroma that makes them good for adding flavor to foods and desserts using orange essence, zest, juice, or chunks of the succulent fruit for even more texture. 

Fan-Favorite Winter Oranges

Winter oranges  are often enjoyed raw and fresh, as well as juiced or even dried for a sweet snack. Everyone knows they are chock full of vitamins— Oranges are the poster child for a solid serving of vitamin C. But did you know that the most popular citrus fruit in the world also contains needed fiber and potassium? Eating oranges is a great way to get a quick, filling bite and a burst of nutrients.

Cara Cara Navel Oranges

Tacoma Boys offers a selection of a few different varieties of navel oranges. Cara Cara Navel Oranges are unique to the orange family because of its surprising inner flesh. Cut a Cara Cara in half and you’ll see bright pink fruit. It’s known for its nice sweet taste, thanks to a low level of acidity, and ease to peel because of a small amount of pith (that’s the white stringy membrane between the peel and the fruit).

Heirloom Navel Oranges

The humble Heirloom Orange is a type of navel orange that was bred over several years and decades to produce prime fruit for cultivation that didn’t compromise on the classic navel orange taste. The word heirloom means original: It still has the same authentic taste as those original navel oranges that were first introduced to America in the 1800s. Heirloom oranges are simple but flavorful in taste, balancing between not-too-sweet nor sour or bitter. After mandarins, heirlooms are the easiest orange to peel.  

Daisy Mandarins

Daisy Mandarins are the result of a cross between two other mandarin orange varieties. Super sweet and seedless, daisy mandarin oranges are one of the best snacking oranges. They have a dark, smooth, shiny peel that is thin enough to easily pierce and peel. Enjoy a daisy mandarin with a few cubes of White Cheddar Cheese and Northwest Delight Almonds for a quick and surprisingly filling bite to eat. 

Sumo Mandarins

This oversize Japanese mandarin, also known as Dekopon, is super easy to peel: You’ll see a plump top knot (where it’s been picked from the tree) that looks like the peel is already separating from the fruit. Sumo Mandarins come from orange parents pomelo, navel, and mandarin and taste sweeter than all three. And doesn’t that distinctive top knot look familiar? It should resemble the same topknot sported by sumo wrestlers, hence the label.

Blood Oranges

Antioxidants called anthocyanin are responsible for the name and appearance of Blood Oranges, giving the fruit its namesake deep crimson color on the inside. This yields a different pigmentation than the comparable Cara Cara navel oranges with a similarly sweet taste. When juiced, the sweeter liquid will ferment quicker than regular orange juice, meaning it should be enjoyed the same day.

Recipes with Oranges

There are several recipes with oranges to make at any time of day for many different dishes, snacks, desserts, and drinks. These are just a few of Tacoma Boys favorite ways to enjoy the winter citrus fruit.

Breakfast

It’s easy to squeeze oranges for their juice and enjoy it as part of your breakfast. Same goes for blending up a Beet Smoothie with two whole oranges.

Lunch

Sweet and savory pairs together perfectly with the use of Daisy Mandarins in this Mandarin Orange Salad with an orange poppyseed dressing by Chelsea’s Messy Apron.

Dinner

Recreate a popular classic Chinese takeout meal with this Easy Orange Chicken recipe by the Modern Proper, using both juice and zest from a fresh orange. 

Dessert 

Create an easy sweet treat with just two ingredients. Melt your favorite milk or dark chocolate and place slices of Sumo Mandarins right onto the plate. Drizzle desired melted chocolate over the top of the oranges, then leave the plate in the freezer for about 15 minutes. These chocolate covered orange slices are just as addicting as they sound. Enjoy immediately! 

Stock Up On Winter Fruits

A wide variety of winter fruits are available alongside several types of oranges at Tacoma Boys. Some of our favorites include pomegranate, pears, and other citrus fruits like grapefruit. These winter fruits can be snacks all on their own or incorporated into something bigger, like this Fruit Tart to Make Now (Winter) recipe by She Who Eats using pomegranate, pear, grapefruit, apple, and cranberry. 

Come on by to see our selection of fresh winter fruits and oranges. If you need any help, our guides are happy to lead you to whatever else you need for a healthy and satisfying meal. Then, stay up to date on insider deals and specials when you sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list! 

Anyone who follows a vegan diet knows how important it is to have those go-to vegan staples stocked in the kitchen. Here at Tacoma Boys, we recognize various dietary needs and the importance of vegan staples. From fresh produce to dairy free milks, nuts and seeds, legumes, grains, and other necessities and specialities such as tofu. For those who don’t know, a vegan diet refrains from consumption of animal products. This includes meat, dairy, eggs, and any foods containing these ingredients.

Tacoma Boys’ Favorite Vegan Staples

Tacoma Boys has a wide variety of essentials to a vegan diet, but a few stick out as go-to favorites. Whether you’re looking for fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes or grains, you’ll find what you need for a well-rounded vegan diet. Even those that do not follow a vegan diet will be tempted to mix up their shopping list with a spread of these plant-based foods!

Fruits And Vegetables

Though necessary for any diet, the vegan diet relies heavily on fruits and vegetables for fiber and protein, which generally make up the bulk of a day’s eating. Vegetables like broccoli and spinach contain more protein than most people realize! Also, mushrooms tend to be included more in plant-based diets because of their rich, umami, almost “meaty” taste and texture. Mushrooms are great meat substitutes for meals that typically use beef! 

Mushrooms

• Ponderosa Dried Mushrooms including Chanterelle, Morel, Oyster, Portabella, and a few more varieties.
• White Mushrooms, Brown Crimini Mushrooms, and Shiitake Mushrooms

Other Go To Produce

• Squash
• Leafy Greens like Kale
• Broccoli
• Brussels Sprouts
• Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Bananas
• Apples

When possible, buy locally grown produce.

Dairy Free Milks

Tacoma Boys is proud to offer a vast selection of dairy free “milks” made from nuts but also from many other foods like coconut and oats.

Find a couple different kinds in the refrigerated section, like Califia Farms Oatmilk and Mooala Plant-Based Creamer for coffee. A few more are shelf-stable like Almond Breeze Vanilla Almond Milk, So Delicious Coconut Milk, Milkadamia Macadamia Milk, Pacific Foods Hemp, Hazelnut, Almond, Soy, and Coconut Milk, and much more to choose from.

Nuts And Seeds

Nuts and seeds are another essential vegan staple and source of protein and fiber.

Along with Northwest Delights Roasted Cashews and Almonds, vegans can enjoy dozens of nut and seed butters, from the traditional Field Day Organic Natural Peanut Butter, to SunButter Sunflower Butter, or Justin’s Almond Butter.

Legumes And Grains

The duo is often a backbone of a vegan diet because of the complete proteins. Whole grains with legumes deliver necessary amino acids that come together to create “complete protein,” which the body then uses for energy. In a vegan diet, this is important because complete proteins are mainly found in animal products like meat, eggs, and dairy. Read up more on plant-based and complete proteins here.

• Bob’s Red Mill is a popular brand among vegans because of its wide variety of whole grains and legumes, including Rolled Oats, Quinoa, Lentils, Cannellini Beans, Cracked Freekeh, and much more
• Farmer Direct Organics Black Beans, Lentils, Chickpeas or Split Green Peas

Other Vegan Staples

Everyone has a few go-to ingredients they like to use in their day-to-day cooking, vegans included! Here are some of our favorite specialty ingredients made from plants:

• Mori-Nu Silken and Extra Firm Tofu
• Kite Hill Almond Milk Yogurt Tzatziki Dip
• Follow Your Heart has a long line of vegan salad dressings and dips in variations like Caesar, Vegan Mayonnaise, and Thousand Island
• Good Planet Foods Plant-Based Cheese comes in flavors like Garlic & Herb, Cheddar, and Smoked Provolone

Vegan Recipes

All you need is a few vegan staples and a bit of creativity to create delicious vegan recipes and meals. These vegan recipe ideas can get you started.

• This list of vegan recipes utilizing mushrooms is far from comprehensive, but a good look at how versatile the “meaty” vegetable is
• Blend So Delicious Coconut Milk with Frozen Berries found in the freezer section for a refreshing smoothie.
• Northwest Delights Cashews can be incorporated into several vegan recipes because they are super smooth and creamy when blended. You can easily make sweet or savory cream, use them in an alfredo sauce, or thicken up soups with blended cashews. The Vegan Alfredo Sauce by Nora Cooks is a delicious example on how you can transform cashews. 
• This Lentil Rice Soup by Veggie Inspired is a great way to enjoy legumes and grains.
• Pan-fry pressed firm tofu with spices for a crispy source of protein.

Shopping for Plant Based Alternatives

It doesn’t have to be difficult to find vegan staples and plant based alternatives to common foods at Tacoma Boys. You can even get a hold of pre made Vegan Desserts, many of which are locally produced! If you need help finding your favorite vegan staple or plant based alternatives, just ask and we will be happy to point you in the right direction. And to stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list! 

Meal prepping is a great way to save time during busy workdays and get a head start on healthy eating. By planning a bit ahead of time and even cooking ahead of time, you can enjoy healthy, satisfying meals without the exhausting effort each and every night. Because of meal prepping, you can simplify your cooking and eating habits and spend less time cooking and cleaning up every night. Plus this helps with saving money by avoiding eating out.

What is Meal Prepping?

Meal prepping simply means to plan, prepare, and sometimes cook what you’re going to eat ahead of time. This can be a week ahead of time or even the night before. Although it’s considered a trendy idea, it’s quite a basic process that people have been doing for decades and centuries. There are many different ways you can meal prep – some more simple than others! 

Purchasing prepared foods to eat later for low effort meals

A popular favorite is Rill Foods’ prepared soup mixes like Tacoma Tortilla, Columbia River Corn Chowder, or Miners Minestrone. These products are already set to go with pre-measured ingredients and instructions.

Preparing an entire week’s worth of meals for quick and easy dinners

Simply cook and prepare your meals on a Sunday and store in tupperware! This allows you to reheat accordingly during the week, saving you time and cleanup. Make sure to label the tupperware with the date it was made and enjoy the meal before it goes bad. Check out this guide for a reference on how to safely store and reheat “leftovers” by the USDA.

Many people who practice meal prepping choose to do most of the planning, grocery shopping, and prepping or cooking on the weekends so they have a week’s worth of food ready to go when they’re busy on workdays. At Tacoma Boys, a wide selection of kitchen staples and speciality foods will keep you stocked with whatever you need every day of the week.

How to Meal Prep

Learn how to meal prep with a few simple steps.

1. You’ll need basic healthy ingredients like fruits, vegetables, seasonings, proteins, and whole grains to get started
2. Once you’re home with your ingredients, get to prepping!
3. Pre cut your vegetables and store them in an airtight container, mix seasonings, and trim and marinade meat, until you’re ready to use it all

Optional:

• Prepare the entire meal and cook all of the meal’s components. Protein, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains like Ancient Harvest Quinoa or a starch like Baby Red and Gold Potatoes, can all be cooked at once. Just store it in a tupperware and reheat it when you’re ready for a satisfying meal. 

Variety is Key

Some people learn how to meal prep by cooking a large batch of something that is good for multiple meals (like a big pot of hearty soup) and dividing that into several containers. This leaves you with several servings ready to go for meals throughout the week. But if you’re one to get tired of the same old thing every day, mix it up a bit. Try preparing two or three meals and alternating throughout the week. To get you started, try one of Tacoma Boys’ various organic dried pastas like Scialateilli’s Gentile or Montebello’s Farfalle paired simply with jarred tomato sauce and fresh Portobello, Crimini, or Shitake Mushrooms. Then, consider something with different flavors like this simple Vegetable Stir Fry recipe by Once Upon a Chef.

Meal Prep Ideas

Breakfast

• Overnight oats in a jar, breakfast burritos, breakfast sandwiches, scrambles

Lunch

• Salad in a jar, classic protein & veggies, sandwiches, turkey roll ups, stir fry

Dinner

• Marinated protein, burrito bowls, meatballs, enchiladas, pasta sauces

Snacks

• Protein or bliss balls, pre-cut veggies and hummus, pre-cut fruit, chia seed pudding

Local Seasonal Produce for Meal Prep

Grocery shopping is the first step after deciding what you’d like to eat during the week. Tacoma Boys’ variety of local fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season for the winter include fresh Fuji and Honeycrisp Apples, Roma Tomatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Parsnips, and much more! Local, in-season produce stays fresh for longer and tends to be a notch or two less expensive than foods that have had to travel to get here. But no matter what you crave this week, Tacoma Boys is sure to quickly stock the freshest nonlocal produce from regions where it is fresh and seasonal. Learn more about shopping and eating local, seasonal produce at Tacoma Boys here. 

Grocery Shopping for the Week at Tacoma Boys

Meal prepping is an easy way to get ahead of the game and prepare yourself for a successful week with healthy meals and time saved. With just a little bit of planning and a lot of cooking at once, you can eat your favorite healthy recipes without the last-minute stress. Cooking and eating should be enjoyable and rewarding, so have fun with it! Keep the momentum going with regular grocery shopping and get creative with new recipes. To stay up-to-date on the latest insider deals and specials, including seasonal produce, sign up for Tacoma Boys text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!