With the cold homebound days of December behind us, we’d say it’s time for some sunshine! And how! Now’s the perfect time to relax and let your imagination grab the hot sun from the sky and transform it into a zillion bright disks of Tangy Apricot deliciousness. As we all welcome longer, brighter days it’s a good time to remind ourselves of the good things in life, like those Tangy Apricots. And how perfect that Apricots are symbolically linked to joy, which we can all appreciate these days!  At Bella Viva Orchards, we proudly grow our Apricots on property that’s been in our family

Warm, sweet and comforting sunshine is in every bite of these fried Apricot Hand Pies, featuring Bella Viva Orchards’ Dried Apricots. Break out a mug of your favorite hot beverage, breathe in the aromas of summertime and dive in to these easy-to-make treats! Great for breakfast, tea time or dessert, this recipe is easy to double when you want to share them with friends and family. Yields: 4 hand pies Prep time: 50 minutesCook time: 10 minutesTotal Time: 1 hour Ingredients: Filling: 8 ounces (about 2 cups) Bella Viva Orchards Dried Apricots (see note)½ cup granulated sugar½ cup water1 teaspoon pure almond extract½ teaspoon

These gluten-free cookies, featuring Bella Viva Orchards Almond Flour, Organic Thompson Seedless Raisins, Walnut Pieces, Organic Flaxseed Meal and our Orange or Clover Honey, are among our year-round favorites. We’re sure that once you make a batch, you’ll be whipping out your cookie sheets before long for a healthier repeat performance! Please be sure to read our notes below about the virtues of Almond Flour and Honey! Yields: about 1 ½ dozen cookies Prep time: 15 minutesCook time: 12 minutesTotal Time: 27 minutes Ingredients: ¼ cup Bella Viva Orchards Orange or Clover Honey1 large egg (room temperature)2 tablespoons melted coconut oil2 teaspoons pure vanilla

This simple and fragrant garland shows off Bella Viva Orchards Certified Organic Orange Chips and Dried Lemon Slices. Don’t just stop at one! You’ll want to adorn your entire house with this holiday favorite. Makes one 6-foot garland Supplies: 48 Bella Viva Orchards Certified Organic Orange Chips24 Bella Viva Orchards Dried Lemon Slices96 dried bay leaves12 cinnamon sticksSoft jute twine (from craft store or hardware store)Large upholsterer’s needle (large enough to fit the twine through the eye)Scissors Instructions: 1. Cut jute twine into a 10-foot length. Thread one end of twine through the needle. 2. Thread two bay leaves, one Certified Organic Orange Chip,

These easy, moist and flavorful scones, featuring Bella Viva Orchards’ Dried Cranberries and Orange Powder, are a snap to assemble. While they’re perfect on the holiday breakfast table, we love ‘em year-round!  Yields: 6 scones Prep time: 25 minutesCook time: 20-25 minutesTotal Time: 45-50 minutes Ingredients: ¼ cup Bella Viva Orchards Orange Powder¾ cup sour cream1 large egg, lightly beaten1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour¾ cup Bella Viva Orchards Dried Cranberries¼ cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar1 ½ teaspoons baking powder½ teaspoon baking soda¼ teaspoon fine sea salt¼ cup cold butter, cut into small cubes Topping: About 1 tablespoon whipping creamSprinkling

This wreath can be used indoors or out with a store-bought wreath and just a few supplies! The wreath we picked up had some pine cones already attached, which is a plus!  Makes one wreath Supplies: 1 store-bought fresh evergreen wreath3 pine cones6 Bella Viva Orchards Certified Organic Orange Chips6 Bella Viva Orchards Dried Lemon Slices9 cinnamon sticks6 faux red berry stems (available at your local craft store)1 ¾ yards of 2 ½-inch wide wire-edge ribbon3 natural-themed Christmas ornaments (we used felt reindeer)Soft jute twine (from craft store or hardware store)Florist’s wireWire snippersScissors Instructions: 1. Using wire snippers, cut florist’s wire into nine 6-inch

Grab the kids and get ready for some quality holiday time together! Make extras and gift your family, friends and your kids’ teachers! Of course, when it comes to getting creative with the kids, flexibility is the key! You can use these guidelines or forget about it and make up your own design. Set the kiddos imaginations free and have plenty of extra Bella Viva Orchards Dried Fruits on hand for snacking while creating. Makes 12 ornaments Supplies: Soft jute twine (from craft store or hardware store)9 Bella Viva Orchards Certified Organic Orange Chips9 Bella Viva Orchards Dried Lemon Slices9 Bella Viva Orchards Dried

You’ll find sweet, warm comfort in each bite of these fried Apple hand pies, featuring Bella Viva Orchards’ Dried Tart Apple Rings or Organic Dried Tart Apple Rings. We think the Apple skins add interest to these pies, but feel free to experiment with our other varieties. It’s your kitchen, after all. You’ll come out an all-star winner with your family and friends when you assemble a batch of these tasty treats! Yields: 4 hand pies Prep time: 50 minutesCook time: 10 minutesTotal Time: 1 hour Ingredients: 2 cups Bella Viva Orchards Organic Dried Tart Apple Rings½ cup Bella Viva Orchards Raisins, any variety

This savory and easy hummus, featuring Bella Viva Orchards’ Organic Brazil Nuts, will make itself at home on your football party buffet or in your gym bag as a post workout protein boost with veggies or pita chips. Smooth-textured Organic Brazil Nuts are the secret ingredient in this nutritious and filling alternative to other high-fat dips and spreads. Throw on your favorite team jersey, tune in to that game and give yourself extra cheers to yourself for feeding your friends and family well! Yields: about 2 ½  cups of hummus, serves 8-12 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 0 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes

Whether you just made a new year’s resolution to eat better – or if you’re already a health-conscious eater, you can boost your diet starting right now with some of our favorite nutrition-dense superstars! In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a study (1) identifying “powerhouse” fruits and vegetables – those that are low in calories and high in dense nutrients – and we’re excited that these Bella Viva Orchards dried fruits made that list! You can get all of these superfruits into your hands – then into your mouth – by doing some healthy shopping with us! Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy! 1.