Don Larson's path to founding Sunshine Nut Company was marked by a deep sense of purpose and a desire to make a tangible difference in the world. With a successful 25-year career in the corporate food industry, including a stint as Director of Cocoa Operations at Hershey, Don had ample experience navigating the complexities of the food business. However, it was his encounters with extreme poverty during his travels to developing nations that stirred something profound within him. Driven by a calling to address the root causes of poverty and empower vulnerable communities, Don embarked on a spiritual journey in 2007 to seek clarity on his life's purpose. It was during this period of introspection that he received a clear directive: "Go and build food factories in developing nations to bring lasting economic transformation." Inspired by this revelation, Don developed the Sunshine Approach business model, centered on holistic community development and economic empowerment. In 2011, Don and his family made a bold move, relocating to Mozambique to establish Sunshine Nut Co. Their mission was twofold: to produce premium cashew nuts and to uplift the local community. Mozambique, with its abundant cashew resources and resilient spirit, provided the ideal backdrop for their endeavors.

Bodyceuticals started over 20 years ago on a beautiful Snoqualmie Valley farm owned by the Saffle family. This region of Western Washington is part of the Cascade mountain range, and it is a remnant of an oceanic plate volcano. The resulting mineral rich, fertile soil made it an ideal place for the Saffles to farm their beloved nutrient-dense calendula flowers. Bodyceuticals is now proudly owned and operated by the Herrera family in Santa Maria, California. The family carries on the tradition of high-quality Calendula skincare, still sourcing from only USDA Certified Organic Farms and certified Bee Friendly gardens. The Herreras also proudly work alongside the original founder and uphold high standards for their family, their community and the greater environment.

It is time to dig into hearty spring salads that truly satisfy and nourish! Salad doesn't have to be a boring, endless sea of greens. From protein-packed bowls adorned with fresh vegetables and grains, to vibrant fruits balanced with savory flavors, each recipe is a celebration of abundance. Whether you're seeking a delicious meal or a rejuvenating side dish, these fantastic salads are sure to delight your senses. Grab a fork and dive into these satisfying and nutritious combinations!

Usually when people track their macronutrients, they focus on fats, carbohydrates, and protein, but another macro that factors into a healthy diet is fiber. Fiber plays a major role in digestive health. It fuels the intestinal cells, helps digestion keep moving to prevent diarrhea and constipation, feeds the microbiome of the gut, and also helps with excretion. Soluble fiber, the type that turns to a gel when mixed with water, can bind cholesterol, hormones, and toxins in the intestines and keeps them moving through the tract until they are excreted in the stool. Soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a gel which slows digestion leading to more stable blood sugar. This type of fiber also binds unwanted fats and cholesterol to help move them through until excretion. Additionally, your gut bacteria use soluble fiber as a food source in the large intestine. Insoluble fiber draws water into your digestive tract and adds bulk to stool, allowing it to pass more easily through the intestine, helping to prevent constipation. The national fiber recommendation for men is 30g and for women is 25g. Most people think salad is enough fiber, but did you know 1 cup of shredded lettuce only has 1/2 gram of fiber? On the other hand, 1 cup of broccoli has 5g of fiber, and 1 cup of beans has an amazing 30g of fiber! If you are aiming for 30g per day and eat three meals per day, a good rule of thumb would be 10g per meal. Whole foods are full of naturally occurring fiber, which is basically just structures that are resistant to our digestive enzymes. The term ‘whole foods’ applies to fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains with minimal processing, and animal products with minimal processing. Whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables are all close to the state they were harvested in, which means they still contain all of the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and essential nutrients our bodies can utilize. Prebiotics are compounds that, when fermented in the gut, produce specific changes in bacterial composition or activity, and support the growth of our normal commensal bacteria. These compounds are mostly carbohydrates that we cannot digest due to a lack of the proper enzymes, aka fiber! In general, fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains like wheat, oats, and barley are all good sources of prebiotic fibers. One of my favorite recipes that helps fulfill the daily recommended fiber goal is the following skillet. This dish is a savory blend of white beans, garlic, sun dried tomatoes, and kale, sautéed in avocado oil. One serving has 16.5g of fiber, 21g of protein, and tastes delicious! Adrienne Wilen is a Naturopathic Physician practicing at Federal Way Naturopathy and the creator of Biomi, a 10-week program helping people resolve common digestive complaints. Learn more at MyBiomi.com.