The delicate flavor of shrimp pairs nicely with fresh herbs and sweet mango. Rolling your own rolls may be tricky tricky at first, but you’ll impress your friends and have complete control of the ingredients. Don’t like cilantro? Leave it out! Want to go big on veggies? Try adding shredded carrot or thinly sliced bell peppers. The trickiest bit is dialing in just how long-or should we say short-to leave the rice paper round in water. They should still feel firm and tacky when you first pull them from the water. As you construct your spring roll masterpiece, the water is absorbed to give you the perfect, pliable, rollable wrapper.

 

MAKES: 12 GLUTEN-FREE DAIRY-FREE TIME: 30 MINS

INGREDIENTS

 

5 ounces rice vermicelli noodles

1 pound cooked extra-large (16-20) peeled and deveined shrimp, thawed if frozen

12-9 1/2 inch rice paper rounds

1 large head romaine lettuce, leaves quartered

1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, and julienned

1 large mango, peeled, pitted, and sliced

1/2 bunch cilantro

1 ounce fresh mint, stemmed

1 1/2 – 2 cups hoisin or sweet chili sauce

 

Shrimp sizing: Shrimp is measured by the number of shrimps in one pound. For example, 16-20 would indicate that there are 16 to 20 shrimp per pound. The higher the number, the smaller the shrimp are and vice versa.

 

DIRECTIONS

 

  1. Cook vermicelli noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.

  2. Cut shrimp in half.

  3. In a large shallow bowl, place a couple of inches of water.

  4. To assemble spring rolls, submerge one rice paper round in the water for a few seconds and place on a flat surface. The rice paper will still be firm but will soften quickly.

  5. Place the ingredients in the center of the rice paper starting with some romaine followed by cucumber and mango. Place three shrimp halves above the romaine and a small bundle of noodles below the romaine. Top with a sprinkle of herbs.

  6. Close the spring roll by folding in the sides covering the filling then rolling upwards until sealed. Repeat with remaining ingredients and serve with your dipping sauce of choice.

Common and popular bug sprays can often have synthetic chemicals and pesticides, which while can be effective, but also uncomfortable to use on yourself and your family members. It’s a good thing natural bug repellents are easy to make, while being eco-friendly and simple. Here are a few recipes to help keep those pests away!

 

Plus, all of these products can be found right here in Pomegranate Market!

 

Mosquitoes

 

Lemon Eucalyptus Oil

Lemon eucalyptus oil is one of the more well-known natural repellents, with the CDC even approving eucalyptus oils as an effective ingredient in repelling mosquitoes.

 

Create a mixture that is 1 part lemon eucalyptus to 10 parts sunflower oil or witch hazel. It is cautioned to avoid using on children under the ages of 3.

 

Source: Healthline

 

Lavender

Crushed lavender and lavender oil can produce a fragrance that naturally repels mosquitoes. It also has analgesic, antifungal and antiseptic qualities, meaning it can calm and soothe the skin.

 

Add 2 tablespoons of carrier oil, such as almond or avocado, to a small bottle or jar. Then add 10 to 20 drops of lavender oil. Shake well and apply to skin.

 

Source: Appalachian Botanical 

 

Ants

 

Peppermint

Peppermint has been found to help repel against invasive ants. To make the deterrent simply mix 10 to 20 drops of peppermint oil with two cups of water. Spray the mix around the baseboards and windows of your home. Let dry and repeat as needed.

 

Its important to note that you should keep the peppermint out of reach from pets, especially cats, as they can become very ill if exposed.

 

Cinnamon Leaf

Compounds found in cinnamon leaf oils found to be effective at killing and repelling ants. This method is straightforward. Simply saturate cotton balls with undiluted cinnamon leaf essential oil. Place the balls in areas which you typically see ants. Replace the cotton balls weekly. Its also import to keep these out of reach from pets as well.

 

Source: Healthline

 

gnats

 

Vinegar + Baking Soda

The tried and true method. Simply combine a cup of water with a tablespoon each of vinegar and baking soda. Spray where gnats seem to be gathering in your house. This is a safe solution to use sparingly around houseplants.

 

Source: Tree Hugger

 

Ticks

 

Essential Oil Blend

Essential oils are a great natural tick repellent, as ticks hate the scent of many of the common oils (scents like lemon, orange, cinnamon, lavender, rose geranium), and avoid latching onto anything that smells like those items. Here is a straightforward recipe to apply to your skin whenever you go out for a hike.

 

Combine 9 drops of citronella oil, 6 drops of tea tree oil, 6 drops of peppermint oil, and 1 tablespoon of almond or jojoba oil.

 

Always dilute the solution when applying to your dog. Essential oils are not recommended for use on cats.

 

Source: Farmers Almanac

This gluten-free roasted salmon and white bean salad is full of fresh mediterranean flavors and makes the perfect weekend dinner. Light a candle and make it special.

MAKES: 4 TIME: 30 MINS GLUTEN-FRE

 

Ingredients

Salmon

2 pounds salmon fillet

1/4 cup smoked paprika

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 cup olive oil

 
SALAD

1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, quarted

2 cucumbers, diced

1/2 cup crumbled feta

1 15 oz can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 small red onion, julienned

 
Dressing

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon tahini

1 tablespoon lemon juice

l large garlic clove, minced

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

 
Garnish

2 cups pea shoots

1 cup prepared tzatziki

 

Directions

 

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place salmon skin side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Combine paprika, salt, and cumin. Rub salmon with spice mix then drizzle on oil. Bake for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees.

  2. Meanwhile, prepare the salad by tossing together tomatoe, cucumbers, feta, beans, and red onion in a serving bowl. Whisk together dressing ingredients until well blended, then toss with salad. Adjust seasoning to taste.

  3. Place salmon on a platter and spoon dress salad over salmon. Garnish with pea shoots and serve with tzatziki sauce.

Spring is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to declutter and clean your space. A good spring deep clean is a tradition that promotes your wellness and helps you to keep your space looking good.

 

Unfortunately, traditional cleaning products can be filled with toxic chemicals. When starting your spring cleaning, it is important to find products that are natural, and better for you and the environment. We have compiled some of our favorite natural Pomegranate Market cleaning products that will have your home in tip-top shape…

 

1. One of our favorite cleaning products is the Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner. This product is a concentrated formula you can use on your floors, laundry, dishes and even your car. Non-toxic and biodegradable, this product is made with purely organic ingredients, most of which are also fair trade.

 

2. Natural distilled white vinegar makes a fantastic natural cleaner, and it can be multi-purposeful. If you mix half vinegar and half water in a glass bottle, and drop a generous amount of tea tree essential oil, you have a great all-natural cleaner. One of favorite and affordable brands is, Spectrum Organic Stilled White Vinegar.

 
 
 

3. We love our natural dish soaps, some of our favorite brands are Seventh Generation and ECOS. Incorporating natural dish soaps in your spring cleaning and everyday use helps the environment and can be gentler on your skin.

 
 
 

4. One of our favorite alternatives to a high-chemical product is the Seventh Generation chlorine-free bleach. Instead of chlorine, Seventh Generation bleach uses peroxide to remove stains from white clothes.

 
 

5. Last but not least we have the Better Life cleaning wipes, these are the perfect quick cleaning product. We know that it is important to have convenient cleaning products that are filled with natural ingredients!