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
Need a Healthier Kitchen? Start with Olive Oil.
Creating a Healthier Kitchen Thomas Jefferson once said, "The olive tree is surely the richest gift of Heaven..." I couldn't agree with him more. There are some very basic foods that can help you create a healthier kitchen, one of which is olive oil. Its superior flavor and health benefits make olive oil a vital part of my every day kitchen and, perhaps, it belongs in your healthy kitchen, too. The Flavor of Olive Oil The process of making virgin olive oil is fascinating. The flavor of olive oil invigorates cooked veggies when you add a drizzle just before serving . The flavor of … [Read more...] about Need a Healthier Kitchen? Start with Olive Oil.
Herbs Make Home Cooking Taste Even Better
Growing Herbs is Easy An easy and tasty way to jazz-up your simple, home recipes may be as close as your own backyard, or a sunny window sill. These are ideal places to start an herb garden either from seed or from inexpensive plants you buy at the local garden center. With a little care and a half-day or more dose of sunshine, everyone can grow herbs. 3 Ways to Use Herbs (see photo) Thyme, front left, adds flavor to soup, lean meat or a cold bean salad. Pull its tiny leaves off the stem and mince them. Dill, rear left, adds freshness to cold shrimp salad, an omelet or vinaigrette-dressed … [Read more...] about Herbs Make Home Cooking Taste Even Better
Breakfast: Creative Flavors & Power Choices
Breakfast Stats Can you believe that 1/3 of all Americans skip breakfast? Are you one of them? Are your kids? If breakfast is a hard meal to 'muster' in your household then listen up for some nutritious and delicious options. Because...breakfast is a most important meal of the day! Breakfast Options Thinking out of the (cereal) box is a good starting point for breakfast. There are many, many options and no rules about what to put on your plate. Maybe traditional morning foods don't excite your taste buds and that's OK. Choose what's appealing with good nutrition to power … [Read more...] about Breakfast: Creative Flavors & Power Choices
Trying Something New: Easy Black Bean Recipe
Black Beans & Good Nutrition Have you every tried black beans? If not, I recommend you do. You can eat black beans as part of breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can combine them with rice, couscous or quinoa, 3 healthy and tasty grains. The nutrition of black beans is excellent and, due to their very high fiber and protein contents, they keep you feeling full for hours. Easy Black Bean & Sweet Pepper Salad Recipe Ingredients to gather: 1 can black beans (15-16 oz); 2 cloves garlic; 1/2 sweet Bell pepper or other sweet pepper (red or green); 1/2 onion; 1 stalk celery; 2 … [Read more...] about Trying Something New: Easy Black Bean Recipe
It’s Pumpkin Time!
Fall, Pumpkins & Kids! There's nothing more fun than carving a beautiful, orange pumpkin into a fun jack-o-lantern. Kids love the funny faces while watchful parents guard the sharp knife. Everyone enjoys pumpkin season ~ picking one out ~carving it ~ cooking with it in the kitchen! Pumpkins Offer Great Nutrition! If you're looking for a vegetable that's low in calories and high in health-promoting antioxidants like vitamin A, then pumpkin is the answer. Pumpkins are a hard, Fall squash that offers powerful nutrition with tasty flavor. In seasons of the year when fresh pumpkins are … [Read more...] about It’s Pumpkin Time!