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
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
Butternut Squash in 5 Tasty Ways
Butternut Squash is a Nutrition Hero In case you're wondering, butternut and all fall-winter squash are 'up there' on the nutritious vegetables chart. Here is a quick peek at the nutrition facts for those of you who want to see the numbers. Really good news is that these super hard squash are not only healthy to eat, but they are also delicious and versatile in your kitchen. Butternut Squash in 5 Tasty Ways #1 Roasted Halves. My picture at the left shows how to go from cut to cooked. First - very carefully - I cut 3 squash in half and removed the seeds. Then I spritzed the … [Read more...] about Butternut Squash in 5 Tasty Ways
How to Cook a Healthy Summer Meal on the Grill
First, Get Organized Make a menu such as the one pictured at the left: Grilled Mustard-Maple-Ginger Chicken Thighs Grilled Mixed Vegetables Chilled Watermelon Second, Prep the Food Try boneless and skinless chicken thighs for more flavor and less mess. Carefully cut the fat off chicken thighs and marinate them for an hour or so in a mustard+maple syrup+ginger marinade. Always marinate chicken in the fridge. While the chicken is marinating, wash and cut up potatoes, Bell peppers and onions into bite-size pieces and then mix them up in a bowl. Lay the mixed … [Read more...] about How to Cook a Healthy Summer Meal on the Grill
Quick Snacks
Quick Snacks are Easy Just about everyone I know likes a quick snack sometime during the day or evening. We like quick and we like easy in our busy lives. Grab and go can be nutritious and delicious, in case you are wondering, and here's how... Start with a Fruit or Vegetable When you grab a fruit or vegetable as part or all of your quick snack, amazing things happen. You enjoy the crunch, you adore the sweet flavor, and you guarantee your body is receiving good nutrition. Fruits and vegetables are super-heroes for all their vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and high quality … [Read more...] about Quick Snacks
Fresh Vegetables & How to Store Them
Fresh Vegetables - How to Buy Them It's smart to buy a nice variety of fresh vegetables for good nutrition and colorful meals and snacks, right? Right. And, it's even smarter to use up your fresh vegetables before they rot, right. Right. Well, did you ever look into your vegetable crisper drawer and think...how will I use that Bell pepper, corn-on-the-cob, asparagus, fresh herb, or kale? My thinking was along those lines the other day when I took a look. But, worry no more, because there are sneaky ways to waste less and enjoy more as you store your fresh vegetables. And, to avoid plastic … [Read more...] about Fresh Vegetables & How to Store Them