NC Strawberries are Here! In NC, strawberry season arrives in May. Just think of all the opportunities to include a sweet treat like fresh, local strawberries in your meals and snacks - it is definitely a long list. Adding strawberries is truly a smart idea, for flavor and great nutrition. Nutrition Features of Strawberries The simple truth is that strawberries 'rock' for good nutrition. One cup of berries cut into halves provides 3 times the daily requirement for vitamin C + 3 grams of fiber + health-enhancing antioxidants + only 50 calories. By anyone's standards, this is one very … [Read more...] about Seasonal Pick – Strawberries!
Grocery Shopping 101: Fruits
Why Fruit? Good nutrition is all about enjoyment and variety. Fruit is a crowd pleaser as it offers variety, healthy carbs, fiber, vitamins, minerals and water. A big bonus in fruit is the natural sweetness as well as an abundance of antioxidants. These natural plant elements can strengthen all your health and help guard against heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and inflammation-- a sweet deal! Grocery Store Tips 1. Enter the store with a list of at least 3-5 fruits for your shopping cart. Choose 2 fruits that are in-season and then add 1-3 more colors to the mix. Remember, … [Read more...] about Grocery Shopping 101: Fruits
Grocery Shopping 101: Vegetables
Why Vegetables? Good nutrition is all about variety. Vegetables are a 'must-have' for variety, providing carbs, fiber, vitamins, minerals and water. The bonus in vegetables is an assortment of health-enhancing phytochemicals. These natural plant elements can strengthen your immune system or help prevent chronic diseases -- very important! Grocery Store Tips 1. At the very least, fill the top-front section of your shopping cart with vegetables. Include several colors, and mix-n-match the fresh, canned and frozen. They all count. 2. Try a new vegetable every shopping trip. Perhaps it … [Read more...] about Grocery Shopping 101: Vegetables
Seasonal Vegetables = Smart Choices
What's in season now? Fields of vegetables are growing strong in Monterey County's Salinas Valley of California right now. It is a sight to see -- spinach, lettuces, fennel, artichokes, carrots and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower stretch for miles on end. Why is seasonal a smart choice? Seasonal produce is a great choice for satisfying flavors and top-notch nutrition. Shop for the abundance from California as well as the local region of North Carolina. It's a wonderful way to appreciate what America's agricultural areas are doing for us every single day. … [Read more...] about Seasonal Vegetables = Smart Choices
Need a Nutritional Goal? Vary Your Food Colors!
Looking for a Nutritional Goal? A fun, visual goal is to add more colors to your meal plate. This just happens to be the theme of this month's National Nutrition Month ~ Eat Right With Color ~ and, handy tools can help. If you have already mastered the colorful food goal, then try this online Rate Your Plate challenge to target a different, positive nutrition goal. Even for those who eat well, there are usually areas for improvement. Perhaps you need more fiber, more vitamin D, less salt or less saturated fat. It's always best to choose and work on one goal at a time for realistic and … [Read more...] about Need a Nutritional Goal? Vary Your Food Colors!
Eat Right ~ It’s Nutrition Month!
A Challenge... It is a challenge for most of us to choose nutritious foods day-after-day. Time gets in the way ~ planning, or lack of it, gets in the way ~ life gets in the way. A Goal... There are excellent reasons to make nutrition a top priority for you and your busy family. Good health depends on it ~ feeling great depends on it ~ enjoying life depends on it. A Call to Action... It's Nutrition Month and everyone can benefit from making healthy choices in the grocery store and on their meal plate. Make it a family project to write a menu plan, organize that shopping list, … [Read more...] about Eat Right ~ It’s Nutrition Month!