Planning a tasty and nutritious dinner takes a bit of thinking as well as a grocery list, trip to the store, and cooking session. These 5 steps will keep you organized as it all comes together. 1. Plan your menu. Think about good balance, color and flavor. Simple is best. For example: Chicken Baked in the Oven, or Grilled Outside Brown Rice Steamed Green Beans or Broccoli Orange or Apple 1% or Nonfat milk 2. Look in your pantry, fridge and freezer. See what’s already there and buy only what you need. For example: Buy a package of fresh skinless chicken since … [Read more...] about 5 Easy Steps to a Tasty & Nutritious Dinner
Tomatoes Check All the Boxes of Fresh, Delicious, and Convenient
Imagining meals without tomatoes is hard for me to do. Sometimes I add them to my breakfast with a sliced cucumber and dollop of hummus. Other times I add them to my lunch sandwich -- to make a tasty ELT. At dinner, tomatoes pop up in a side salad, sauce, soup, or just on my plate and ready-to-eat. I don't think I'm alone in counting on tomatoes to be there for me. Maybe you can relate. I've had quite a few grocery store checkout line chats and/or farmer's market chats with total strangers who share their 'tomato love stories' with me. See how many varieties you know here. Fresh and Delicious … [Read more...] about Tomatoes Check All the Boxes of Fresh, Delicious, and Convenient
ELT is a Sandwich Big on Flavor and Nutrition
Sandwiches are a trend that never seem to go out of style. There's ham & cheese, roast beef, tuna salad, veggie wrap, and oodles of others. Have you ever wondered, like me, why a BLT is such a favorite? Is it the bacon? Is it a fresh sliced tomato? In my efforts to inspire healthier eating, a BLT just doesn't do it. Instead, here's a new sandwich that you could say is inspired by a BLT, is very big on flavor, and is a nutrition superstar - the ELT! Say hello to the Egg, Lettuce, and Tomato Sandwich. If you need more ideas about sandwiches then read about Ways to Make a Healthier … [Read more...] about ELT is a Sandwich Big on Flavor and Nutrition
Baked Meatballs are the Best
Everyone Loves Meatballs I'm not sure I've ever met anyone who dislikes meatballs. Even my friends who are vegetarians usually like - yes - vegetarian meatballs. Sounds a bit unusual, maybe, but you can actually make them from lentils, chickpeas, soybeans, oatmeal, quinoa and brown rice. The list of interesting, plant-based ingredients goes on and on. For this blog, I'm going to stick to meatballs made from meat and I hope to expand your horizons on all the possibilities. Have you Tried Baked Meatballs? Instead of frying, I have a really easy recipe that I use to make baked meatballs. … [Read more...] about Baked Meatballs are the Best
Meatless Monday & 7 Easy Tips to Get Started
Background of Meatless Monday For 15 years, there has been a public health marketing effort underway called Meatless Monday. The big goal is to promote one day per week of eating plant-based foods which cuts down on saturated fat intake for better health. If you are not familiar then here are a few fun facts: Begun in 2003 by Johns Hopkins School of Public Health - read more here Underway in 44 countries globally - see which countries participate here Many free resources are available - including this one for K-12 cafeterias 7 Easy Ideas for Meatless Monday Meals Just about … [Read more...] about Meatless Monday & 7 Easy Tips to Get Started
5 Nutrition Lessons I Learned in Spain and Portugal
I took a vacation to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine and culture! Every once in a long while, my husband and I take a fancy vacation during Spring Break. He's a college professor and since I work for myself, we can make it happen. A few weeks ago, we had the amazing good fortune to visit northwest Spain and north Portugal. In Spain, we stayed in a lovely and very historical city called Salamanca. In Portugal, we spent a long weekend in beautiful Porto. The Foods of Spain and Portugal are Mediterranean Cuisines You may already realize that Mediterranean style nutrition is my thing and so I … [Read more...] about 5 Nutrition Lessons I Learned in Spain and Portugal