Benefits of Organic Produce

Organic produce has come into the spotlight in recent years with a growing awareness to the hazards of the commercial food system and a desire for a healthier life. With cancer, heart disease, and diabetes taking their toll on Americans every year, people have recognized their diets as a main cause of the problems.

In the 1950’s, convenience foods took off marketing to people based on their ease and quickness to prepare. These food were created after WWII, when America created new techniques for food and rations to be preserved. When the war ended, these producers began creating food for the general public. Many modern industrial food practices were born in this time period, such as bleaching flour and using many chemical preservatives.

Now, with American’s having a shocking rate of obesity, we have begun to take a closer look at the food system. Even though there will always be fad diets, pills, shakes, bars, and other “magic” health foods, there is no substitute for real, wholesome food. Quality food is making a comeback, and the organic movement is helping it along. People have begun looking back to farmers to supply food instead of going to the grocery store.

There are other options as well, such as grocery delivery and organic food delivery. Nature’s Garden combines the best food available with the convenience of home delivery. You can find everything from local and organic produce, dairy, and meats, to locally produced snacks and other items. Nature’s Garden is a convenient and easy way to get healthy food brought right to your home. Sign up and see how you too can experience the organic difference with Nature’s Garden.

Nature's Garden Greek Hummus Dip

This recipe is great for entertaining! Use Roots Food Hummus and Atlanta Fresh Cream Cheese to make the base for this tasty dip. Top with fresh veggies and feta cheese then serve with Accidental Baker Garlic Chive Flats for a simple and satisfying appetizer that your guests are sure to love!

Nature’s Garden Greek Hummus Dip

1 8-oz package Roots Food Original Hummus

1 8-oz package Atlanta Fresh Perfectly Plain Cream Cheese

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon fresh oregano, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 cup cucumber, chopped

1 cup tomato, chopped

½ cup Sunfood Pitted Kalamata Olives, chopped

¼ cup red onion, diced
1 cup Capra Gia Feta Cheese, crumbled

salt and pepper

Accidental Baker Garlic Chive Flats for serving

In a mixing bowl, combine the hummus, cream cheese, lemon juice, oregano, and garlic until smooth. Next, prepare the vegetables and layer on top of the hummus mixture. Season with salt and pepper, then top with feta cheese. Serve with Accidental Baker Garlic Chive Flats or Way Better Snacks Multi Grain Tortilla Chips. Enjoy!

Nature's Garden Loaded Veggie Nachos

This week, we have another fun and healthy recipe that is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or your next game day party!

Use Way Better Snacks tortilla chips as a base for your favorite produce items, cheese, and salsa to make deliciously guilt free nachos that are loaded with flavor and nutrition!

Nature’s Garden Loaded Veggie Nachos

2 cups Way Better Snacks Tortilla Chips
1 ear fresh corn, cut away from the cob
2 tomatoes, cut into bite sized chunks
⅛ cup red onions, thinly sliced
1 avocado, pitted and sliced
¼ cup cilantro, chopped
4 oz Sweet Grass Dairy Thomasville Tomme, shredded
¼ to ½ cup milk
dash of your favorite hot sauce

Prepare all the vegetables as directed above. Meanwhile, gently heat 1/4 cup of milk over a low heat. Add the shredded cheese, stirring to melt. Add more milk as needed to adjust to the desired consistency and continue stirring constantly. Add a dash of hot sauce to the cheese and remove from heat. When ready to serve, place the chips onto a plate and pour on the melted cheese. Next, layer up the veggies, and top with fresh cilantro to garnish. Enjoy!

Nature's Garden Baked Wings Recipe

Football season is here so we are kicking off this week with an easy recipe that's perfect for your next game day!

These chicken wings are seasoned and baked, not fried, making them lighter and healthier than your typical wings. Toss them in your favorite flavor of Causey's Barbecue Sauce when they come out of the oven and enjoy the game!

Nature's Garden Baked BBQ Chicken Wings

1 package Darby Farms Chicken Wings

2 tablespoons olive oil

salt and pepper, to taste

Causey's Barbecue Sauce, to taste

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Rinse and dry the chicken wings, then remove the wingtips and cut in 2 pieces, separating the drum and the split. Toss the chicken pieces in olive oil, salt, and pepper then arrange them on a parchment lined sheet tray in a single layer making sure they are not crowded. Place the wings in the oven and cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees (about 25 minutes). Place the wings into a bowl and toss in your favorite Causey's Barbecue Sauce to coat. Serve immediately.

Save Money With Nature's Garden!

Nature's Garden has an awesome referral program where everyone wins! Share your custom invite code with others and for each person who signs up, you earn $10 towards your next purchase and your friend gets $10 off their first box. It's a win win! Check out naturesgardenexpress.com!

Nature's Garden Carolina Creamed Rice Recipe

Carolina Gold Rice is considered to be the grandfather of all long grain rices in the Americas and became a staple grain in the Carolina Territory by 1685. After almost becoming extinct following the Great Depression, this heirloom rice was revived in the 1980’s and is still prized by chefs and foodies who enjoy it’s superior taste and texture.

Check out Anson Mills Carolina Gold Rice from Nature’s Garden and don’t forget to add some to your next order!

Carolina Creamed Rice with Green Beans and Mushrooms

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup Anson Mills Carolina Gold Rice

½ cup white wine

1 ½ - 2 cups boiled water or stock

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 ½ cups green beans, rough chopped

1 ½ cups crimini mushrooms, sliced

½ cup parmesan cheese, grated

¼ cup Southern Swiss Dairy Heavy Cream

2 tablespoons butter

salt to taste

In a sauce pot, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute for several minutes, until soft and translucent. Next, add the rice and stir to coat. Saute the rice for a few minutes more until lightly toasted but not browned. Add the wine to deglaze the pan and reduce. Next, Add one cup of the boiled water or stock and stir the rice constantly until the liquid has mostly evaporated. Add more liquid one ladle at a time and continue to stir between each addition. Continue this process until the rice is cooked tender and creamy. Meanwhile, in a separate skillet, heat the other 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the green beans and mushrooms with a little salt and saute for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked and tender. When ready to serve, add the green beans, mushrooms, parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and butter to the rice and stir well to combine. Add salt if desired and adjust seasonings to your taste. Enjoy!

Reasons to Not Eat GMO's

Check out this great article discussing why this medical doctor does not eat GMO foods! Thanks to eatlocalgrown.com for this great read!

http://eatlocalgrown.com/article/13265-3-reasons-i-don-t-eat-gmo-food-an-md-explains.html

Nature's Garden Mason Jar Salad Recipe

These Mason Jar Salads are a simple and fun way to pack a healthy and flavorful lunch! Use a mix of fresh produce, grains, fruits, and proteins to make your own favorite combination. Our featured recipe this week will get you started!

Nature’s Garden Mason Jar Salads

½ cup beets, peeled and cut into bite sized chunks

½ cup zucchini, cut into half moons

½ cup baby carrots, quartered lengthwise

½ cup Woodstock Foods green peas, thawed

½ cup Anson Mills Carolina Gold Rice, cooked and cooled

¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup corn, cut away from cob

large handful of fresh spinach

Basic White Balsamic Vinaigrette, to taste (recipe follows)

Prepare the ingredients as directed. When ready to assemble, place the desired amount of salad dressing into your jars. Next, begin layering your ingredients, choosing heavy and non absorbent foods first. Alternate ingredients and finish with your greens on top. When ready to eat, shake up your jar to mix the dressing with the other ingredients and enjoy!

Basic White Balsamic Vinaigrette

¼ cup white balsamic vinegar

¾ cup extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp dijon mustard

½ tbl Hometown Honey

½ tsp each salt and pepper (plus more to taste)

Whisk together the vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Slowly add oil in a steady stream, mixing it into the vinegar mixture constantly. Use immediately or pour into a container and cover. Will keep refrigerated for 7 days.

Organic Roasted Summer Vegetables Recipe

Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or entertaining, this is a great way to utilize your favorite Nature’s Garden produce! 

This simple and healthy; showcasing fresh organic summer vegetables roasted with thyme. Enhance the earthy flavors with some local Georgia olive oil and add your favorite vegetables or herbs to make it your own! 



Summer Herb Roasted Vegetables

2 ears corn, kernels cut away from cob
1 zucchini, cut into half moon slices
2 yellow squash, cut into half moon slices
1 green bell pepper, cut into bite sized chunks
2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1 cup red onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Meanwhile, prepare all of the vegetables as directed and place into a mixing bowl. Toss the vegetables in the olive oil, then add the thyme, salt, and pepper, mixing well to combine. Place the vegetables on a lined sheet tray and roast for about 15 minutes or until desired tenderness is reached. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!

Nature's Garden Recipe: Wine Poached Peaches and Cherries

This recipe showcases a simple and elegant dessert using fresh summer peaches and cherries poached in white wine and topped with homemade, local whipped cream. This dessert is not overly sweet, making it a great dish to end any meal. You can substitute other seasonal fruit such as pears, blueberries, figs, grapes, and blackberries with delicious results as well. Give this recipe a try with your favorite Nature’s Garden Express fruit and don’t forget the Southern Swiss Cream!
White Wine Poached Peaches And Cherries

4 peaches, pitted and sliced

1 cup cherries, pitted

2 cups dry white wine

½ cup to 1 cup water

1 vanilla bean, split with pods removed

¼ cup raw honey

1 cup Southern Swiss Dairy heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Combine the peaches, cherries, wine, vanilla bean, and water in a pot and bring to a boil. Cook until fruit is tender, then remove with a slotted spoon. Add the honey to the pot, and continue to reduce until the liquid has thickened. Add the fruit back to the pot and toss to coat. Meanwhile, in a stand mixer, whip the cream and powdered sugar together until thickened and fluffy. To serve, scoop the fruit into serving dishes with a slotted spoon and top with the whipped cream. Enjoy!

Organic Food Is Healthy Food

Organic food delivery in Atlanta is offered by Nature’s Garden, a local company with a lot to love. Nature’s Garden is an organic produce delivery company and much more. By offering a range of organic, local, and sustainable items, they are able to bring customers the highest quality products available right to the front door.

It’s so convenient to manage your account online, you’ll never want to go to the grocery store again! You can browse for items, add, delete, and make substitutions and preferences all from home. This separates Nature’s Garden from traditional CSA’s and co-ops and gives you the ability to personalize your order. Check out Nature's Garden Express and experience the organic difference! Use promo code 43762 to save $10 off of your first order!

Nature's Garden Express Lima Bean Salad Recipe

Looking for a fun and different way to enjoy your veggies? Check out recipes from Nature's Garden Express for ideas on how to make tasty and unique dishes, like this Lima Bean Salad!

Make this recipe ahead of time and allow to chill before serving for a refreshing and satisfying dish!
Lima Bean Salad

1 package Sunny Creek Farms Lima Beans
1 ½ cups tomatoes, cut into bite sized chunks
¼ cup red onion, diced
½ cup Capra Gia feta cheese
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
½ cup Basic White Balsamic Dressing, recipe below
salt and pepper

Place Lima beans in a sauce pot, cover with water, season with salt, and heat to a boil. Cook the beans for 10-15 minutes until al dente. Drain the beans and plunge into an ice bath to cool. Drain the beans and reserve. Meanwhile, prepare the tomatoes and onions and place into a mixing bowl. Add the Lima beans and toss in the dressing. If serving immediately, toss in the parsley and feta and mix well. Adjust the amount of dressing to taste and season with salt and pepper. If serving later, mix in the cold cheese and parsley right before you eat. Enjoy!

Basic White Balsamic Vinaigrette
¼ cup white balsamic vinegar
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp Dijon mustard
½ tbl Hometown Honey
½ tsp each salt and pepper (plus more to taste)

Whisk together the vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Slowly add oil in a steady stream, mixing it into the vinegar mixture constantly. Use immediately or pour into a container and cover. Will keep refrigerated for 7 days.
1 package Sunny Creek Farms Lima Beans1 ½ cups tomatoes, cut into bite sized chunks¼ cup red onion, diced½ cup Capra Gia feta cheese¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped½ cup Basic White Balsamic Dressing, recipe belowsalt and pepper
Place Lima beans in a sauce pot, cover with water, season with salt, and heat to a boil. Cook the beans for 10-15 minutes until al dente. Drain the beans and plunge into an ice bath to cool. Drain the beans and reserve. Meanwhile, prepare the tomatoes and onions and place into a mixing bowl. Add the Lima beans and toss in the dressing. If serving immediately, toss in the parsley and feta and mix well. Adjust the amount of dressing to taste and season with salt and pepper. If serving later, mix in the cold cheese and parsley right before you eat. Enjoy!
Basic White Balsamic Vinaigrette¼ cup white balsamic vinegar¾ cup extra virgin olive oil1 tsp Dijon mustard½ tbl Hometown Honey ½ tsp each salt and pepper (plus more to taste)
Whisk together the vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Slowly add oil in a steady stream, mixing it into the vinegar mixture constantly. Use immediately or pour into a container and cover. Will keep refrigerated for 7 days.

Atlanta Organic Produce Delivery

Atlanta has developed a vibrant food culture, championing award winning restaurants, markets, and festivals celebrating the culinary arts. Foodies who love to be adventurous on their own are always looking for new places to source high quality, organic, and local foods. Some great places that come to mind are the Dekalb Farmers Market, Buford Highway Farmers Market, and Whole Foods.

In addition to these brick and mortar locations, there are other places to source local foods around Atlanta such as farmers markets in surrounding cities and towns and local farms. These provide an experience that is closer to the source and a more sustainable buying approach. The only problem with these options is that farmers markets are open for limited hours and farms may not always be easily accessible. But what if there was a way to bring the farmer's market or farm right to you?

That is where Nature's Garden Express comes into play. Nature's Garden is an Atlanta organic produce delivery company specializing in local, organic, and sustainable foods. They eliminate the leg work for their members, seeking out local farms and producers who use sustainable farming techniques. Members can view where each individual item has been sourced from. Aside from produce, Nature's Garden also offers a range of grocery items like dairy, meats and seafood, bread and baked goods, sauces, and more.

Nature's Garden sweetens the deal by bringing all of their amazing products right to your door. Members have the ability to set the frequency of their delivery, allowing for weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly orders. Delivery day is determined by zip code and remains the same each week, allowing members to plan accordingly and maintain a consistent schedule.

There is much to love about Nature's Garden express including hard to find products, local and sustainable foods, and the convenience of home delivery. What are you waiting for? Sign up today and receive $10 off your first order by using the invite code 43762!

Organic Produce Delivery Atlanta

Americans are more conscious than ever about eating organic foods. Produce gives us vitamins and minerals which can boost energy and mood. Replacing snacks with raw produce can allow you to cut your calorie count, but still become satisfied. You won’t have to worry about feeling bad due to artificial ingredients and chemical preservatives.

Organic benefits don’t stop with produce. Organic groceries like eggs, dairy, meats, even sauces and dry goods are better for you than their conventional counterparts. The benefits increase when you choose local organic grocery items. By choosing local items, you can support your local economy and local producers while enjoying the healthy benefits of organic.

Atlanta organic delivery from Nature’s Garden is your one stop shop for many of the food items you eat each week. From organic produce to local grocery items, Nature’s Garden makes it easy for you to eat better each week.

Nature's Garden Loaded BLT Recipe

For this recipe, we take the classic BLT up to a new level and give it the Nature’s Garden treatment!

The flavors of this sandwich pop thanks to delicious organic produce, crispy nitrate free bacon, local cheese, and fresh bread. We've got everything you need to make this dish so check the ingredients listed below, add items to your next order, and give this recipe a try!

Nature’s Garden Loaded BLT

2 slices The Real Bread Company Crunchy Seed Bread
1 tablespoon Southern Swiss Dairy Butter
3 slices Happy Hog Nitrate Free Bacon
1 tomato, sliced
½ avocado, sliced
2-3 slices red onion
½ cup Organic Girl Baby Spinach and Arugula Blend
1-2 tablespoons Sir Kensington’s Mayonnaise
4 oz Sweet Grass Dairy Thomasville Tomme, sliced
salt and pepper

In a skillet, heat the butter until bubbling, then toast the bread on both sides until golden brown. Meanwhile, cook the bacon in another skillet until crispy, then let rest and drain on paper towels. Prepare the vegetables, then get ready to assemble! Spread some mayonnaise on each slice of toasted bread, then pile on the lettuce, tomato, bacon, avocado, onion, and cheese. Adjust the toppings to suit your taste, season with salt and pepper and enjoy!

Cucumber Corn Salsa Recipe

This recipe is healthy, delicious, and can be served in a variety of ways! Loaded with organic vegetables and bursting with fresh summer flavors, this salsa can be enjoyed over a bed of greens, on top of fish or chicken, or eaten simply with your favorite tortilla chips. Get creative and enjoy this summer dish with local and organic produce from Nature's Garden Express!



Cucumber and Corn Salsa

2 ears corn cut away from the cob
1 cucumber cut into bite sized chunks
3 tomatoes, cut into bite sized chunks
2 avocados, peeled, pitted, and diced
1/2 cup Vidalia sweet onion, diced
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced (Optional)
1-2 cup to 1 cup of Italian salad dressing, to taste
salt and pepper

Prepare all of the vegetables and place into a mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper, then mix in 1/2 cup of the Italian dressing and the cilantro. Adjust the amount of dressing and seasonings to taste. Garnish with additional cilantro if desired. Enjoy!

Nature's Garden Potato Salad Recipe

With summer in full swing, there is no better time for cool dishes! . The bold flavors from this dish are courtesy of fresh organic vegetables, Lauri Jo’s sweet pickles, and responsibly produced condiments from Sir Kensington’s. Give this recipe a try!
1 ½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, diced

sea salt to taste
½ cup Sir Kensington’s mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Sir Kensington’s grain mustard
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon olive oil

¼ cup Lauri Jo’s Southern Sweet Cucumber Pickles, diced

¼ cup celery, tiny diced

¼ cup diced Vidalia sweet onion
¼ cup finely chopped parsley

salt and pepper to taste

Place the potatoes and salt into a pot of water and bring to a boil, cooking for about 15 minutes or until tender. Drain the potatoes and reserve. Meanwhile, mix together the mayo, mustard, vinegar, and olive oil in a small bowl. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked potatoes, pickles, celery, onion, parsley, and ½ of the dressing, then mix to combine. Adjust the amount of dressing, salt, and pepper to your taste, then cover and refrigerate to chill. Enjoy!

Tomato Peach and Basil Salad

Anyone from the South knows that two of our favorite summer foods are tomatoes and peaches! This recipe brings them together for a unique salad that is simple and impressive.

With fresh peaches arriving from Watsonia Farms in South Carolina, along with Magic Mountain Tomatoes and fresh basil from Georgia, this recipe celebrates the season’s finest local flavors in a refreshing and memorable dish. Add some local produce to your box and give this seasonal dish a try!


1 pound Magic Mountain Tomatoes

4 peaches, pit removed

1 Sweetwater Growers live basil plant
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon brown sugar, optional

1 teaspoon of dijon mustard

1 cloves chopped garlic

1/2 cup olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

In a small mixing bowl, add the vinegar, and whisk in the sugar and mustard to dissolve. Next, add the garlic, then whisk in the olive oil. Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste. Cut the tomatoes and peaches into bite sized chunks. Next, remove leaves from the basil plant and chop. Combine the tomatoes, peaches, basil, and dressing to taste, then toss well to coat. Adjust the amount of dressing, salt, and pepper as needed. Serve immediately.

Veggie Burgers From No Bull Burgers Now at Nature's Garden

Nature's Garden now offers veggie burgers from No Bull Burgers! 

These are unlike any veggie burger you’ve tried before with excellent flavor and texture. They use organic lentils and barley as the base, then add other organic vegetables to the mix like onions, spinach, roasted garlic, and mushrooms.

Nature's Garden offers all four NoBull varieties, including Original Veggie, Savory Mushroom and Roasted Garlic, Sun-dried Tomato and Spinach, and Mama Mia Spicy Italian. These burgers are already prepared, making them perfect for a quick weeknight meal- simply heat and eat.

Here is a recipe from Nature's Garden :

Nature’s Garden Veggie Burgers

1 package NoBull Burgers

1 tbl olive oil

4 oz Flat Creek Lodge Thomasville Tomme, sliced

2 cups Organic Girl SuperGreens

2 tomatoes, sliced

8 slices Lauri Jo’s Southern Sweet Cucumber Pickles

4 Real Bread Company Hamburger Buns

Sir Kensington's ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise to taste

Heat a skillet with the olive oil over medium heat until almost smoking. Add the veggie burgers and cook on both sides until heated through, about 6-8 minutes. Next, simply slice your burger buns, then assemble the burgers by evenly distributing the toppings over all four burgers. Enjoy!

Organic Food IS Better For You

Well this comes as no surprise to us, but a new study shows that organic food is better for you than conventional produce. Check out the study here.

Nature's Garden Recipe Mixed Grilled Summer Vegetables

These marinated grilled veggies are simple and tasty, making them a perfect accompaniment to any meal. Enhance the smoky flavors by adding hickory or apple wood chips to your coals or gas grill while cooking. These are quite versatile and great leftover; mix them into scrambled eggs or top a bed of lettuce for a quick salad!

Marinated Grilled Mixed Vegetables

2 zucchinis, cut in half lengthwise

1 yellow squash, cut in half lengthwise

1 sweet onion, peeled and cut across into thick wedges

2 large tomatoes, cut into thick wedges

3 tbl olive oil

¼ cup white balsamic vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

Rinse and prep the vegetables, and place them into a large, flat container. Toss the vegetables in the olive oil and vinegar, then in salt and pepper. Allow the vegetables to marinade for at least an hour, or go longer for deeper flavor. When ready to cook, heat your charcoal or gas grill for high, direct heat cooking. Place vegetables over the flames and grill, starting with the onion, then adding the zucchini and squash, then the tomatoes. Grill until the vegetables are charred and tender, turning once. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before serving. Refrigerate any leftovers and save for later use.