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
Corn is a Tasty, High Quality Carb!
There are many tasty carbs out there. Corn, sweet potato, white potato, pasta, bread, butternut squash, lima beans and more are in the high carb category. They also contain essential nutrients for good health. So, what to do? Enjoy them every day in a sensible portion. Why and How to Choose & Cook Tasty Carbs The essential nutrients in high carb foods are, yes, carbohydrates plus fiber plus vitamins and/or minerals. Since we're talking plant-based foods here, there are also the super important phytochemicals which are helpful in reducing the risk for chronic diseases, boosting the … [Read more...] about Corn is a Tasty, High Quality Carb!
Sweet Red Peppers and 3 Ways to Enjoy Them
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the sweet red peppers of Spain! Then I started seeing these beauties in every vegetable market and grocery store I visited around Salamanca, where I'm living this fall. Sweet red peppers are called 'Pimientos' in Spanish and I'm learning that they are a very important ingredient in every Spanish kitchen, restaurant, and tapas bar. How to Use Sweet Red Peppers - 3 Ways The natural sweetness of Spanish pimientos - sweet red peppers - brings bright flavors to all kinds of things. Here are a few examples: Wash, cut into strips and dip into … [Read more...] about Sweet Red Peppers and 3 Ways to Enjoy Them
Fall Foods are Delicious and Packed Full of Nutrition
When the season changes, there's a new feel to the air and a new look on your meal plate. Hello fall! There's something special about the nutrient-rich foods of a new season and fall is a perfect example. Fall fruits like apples and pears are coming out of orchards and fall vegetables like squash, sweet potatoes, and cabbage are at their peak of harvest. Grain foods like rice, oats, and barley are making their way into soups and stews. Healthy fats like pumpkin seeds and extra virgin olive oil are making their way into a hearty breakfast or savory stew. Fall Foods & Easy Ways to Enjoy … [Read more...] about Fall Foods are Delicious and Packed Full of Nutrition
Colorful Nutrition is Normal in Spain and It Inspires All of Us
In December, I needed to stock up on fruits and vegetables and was totally surprised at how much I got for less than 15 Euros (about $16!) In Salamanca, Spain, where I've been living for a few months, it's really fun to shop for fruits and vegetables because they are affordable, plentiful, and everyone - vendors and customers - puts an emphasis on fresh. I can shop at a very small street market, a regular grocery store, or the large Central Market, over 100 years old, which is adjacent to beautiful Plaza Major. Whatever is in season like tomatoes, sweet red peppers, and melon in the summer, … [Read more...] about Colorful Nutrition is Normal in Spain and It Inspires All of Us
Seasonal Eating is the Best!
There are many pleasures of eating and one of my favorites is eating with the seasons. So, when my husband came home from work with a large baggie of fresh, local asparagus last week, I got super excited. I prepped and roasted the asparagus with extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and oregano. When I ate it, my taste buds did a happy dance! Grocery stores sell a huge assortment of fruits and vegetables all year round with good flavors. And, to be fair, sometimes these fresh items are remarkably tasty considering that they traveled thousands of miles from far away lands. Yes, I encourage … [Read more...] about Seasonal Eating is the Best!