Cranberries have that unforgettable tart flavor that can wake up the sleepiest taste buds. They are a beautiful color and packed with great nutrition, too. With holidays on the horizon, here are 6 new ideas for adding cranberries to your mix of healthy and totally-enjoyable foods: In Muffins: Add 1 cup of chopped up, raw cranberries to a recipe for 12 standard-sized muffins. Or, add 1/2 cup of chopped up, raw cranberries along with 1/2 cup of blueberries for 12 standard-sized muffins. In Whole Grain Pilaf: Add 1/2 cup of dried cranberries to a brown rice pilaf just before adding … [Read more...] about 6 Ways to Enjoy Eating Cranberries
A Healthier Picnic from the Grocery Store
Do you struggle to plan and pack a healthier picnic basket? A quick grocery store trip could be your new, best solution. A picnic in the fresh air is fun in the summer. Or, if it rains, an indoor picnic is fun, too. No matter if you picnic in a park, at the beach, in the mountains, in your backyard, or in your kitchen on a rainy day... there's help for packing up your picnic basket with healthier nutrition. For a more elaborate picnic feast, head over to the deli department with sides from the fruit & veggie department. For a simpler picnic, stroll through the aisles of your … [Read more...] about A Healthier Picnic from the Grocery Store
Eat Well and Stay Well Hydrated to Avoid the Flu this Winter
It's flu season! Everyone knows to wash their hands and cover a cough - right? But, did you know that eating well and staying well-hydrated are just as important to avoiding the flu virus? Try these good nutrition strategies to feel better this winter. How to Eat Well When you choose foods with nutrients that boost your body’s immune system, like vitamins A, C, and folic acid, good things happen in your body to avoid the flu. By simply eating more fruits and vegetables - fresh, canned, frozen - you will benefit. Here are some delicious options: Fresh … [Read more...] about Eat Well and Stay Well Hydrated to Avoid the Flu this Winter
Winter Vegetables Brighten Up Meals
Do you look forward to the vegetables that are in season in winter? It was a nice surprise when I walked into my local produce market in the last week of January. My expectations were low as this is not really the growing season of the year. As I looked at my choices, instead of feeling frustrated and limited, I easily found fresh ingredients that work in my winter, comfort food kitchen. My lesson was this: Embrace each season of the year and buy mostly what's in-season. Left to right in my picture, I bought these vegetables: Parsnips Purple cabbage Golden Beets Red Beets … [Read more...] about Winter Vegetables Brighten Up Meals
Green Salad Tips for Better Nutrition
I know a lot of people who eat a lot of green salads. In fact, several years ago I had a client who loved salad and I was trying to help her improve its nutrition quality. After a fun discussion of options for her salad, she realized that the salad greens are good nutrition and when you add the toppings, you get even better nutrition. That just about sums it up if you ask me. There are many creative directions your salad can take for better nutrition. Green Salad Tips for Better Nutrition Buy the freshest salad greens - Each time you stock up on greens, check the freshness because … [Read more...] about Green Salad Tips for Better Nutrition
5 Meals to Cook on the Grill for a Healthier Lifestyle
Grilling Makes Good Nutrition Easy As a registered dietitian, I'm into healthier ways to cook. So, the grilling season opens lots of possibilities for me. The great thing is that most everyone I know likes to grill out, so the outdoor cooking season broadens their repertoire of healthy meals, too. Think about it -- with grilling, the fat drips away from center-plate favorites like steak, salmon, or chicken. This means fewer calories and less potentially harmful fat. The grill offers tons of variety of side options, too, like asparagus, skewered mushrooms, a sweet potato, or colorful Bell … [Read more...] about 5 Meals to Cook on the Grill for a Healthier Lifestyle