As the temperature rises this summer why not stay cool with a healthy and homemade popsicle? Traditionally popsicles aren’t known as the healthiest of snacks. Many frozen popsicles have large amounts of added sugar, and not a lot of vitamins and minerals. Some do add some vitamin C, but not much else. An easy way... Continue Reading →
Fresh fruits, especially berries, are one of the best things about the spring and summer months. Read more!
You don’t need a huge yard to experience the benefits of gardening. Container gardens are great for small spaces, and are perfect for balconies, patios, or places where you can't plant in the ground. You will be amazed by how much food you can grow in just a couple of pots! Starting a garden of your... Continue Reading →
March is a great time to start planning to plant your own garden. Even if you do not have a patch of ground, you can plant in containers for a patio or porch garden. All you need is containers, soil, sunlight, water, and seeds. Now is the time to start making your plan and deciding... Continue Reading →
Getting together to have a family meal may seem like a challenge with differing schedules and the all-important question, of what to have for dinner. These barriers may seem impossible to overcome on some nights when you are tired from a long day at work or being with the kids. But the benefits of having... Continue Reading →
Baking sparks creativity, teaches how to follow instructions, involves math & counting, improves kitchen skills and safety, and always brings smiles. Enjoy these 5 Tips for Baking with Kids 1. Accept the Mess and Take your Time: Baking with kids can be messy, but that’s part of the fun. Messy doesn’t mean dirty though, so... Continue Reading →
Ever wonder what to add to your meals to make them more nutritious and colorful in the winter months? If you can't find affordable fresh fruits or vegetables, look for canned, frozen, or dried fruits and vegetables. These are all great choices and provide health benefits just like fresh fruits and vegetables. Don't over think... Continue Reading →
Many people have heard the saying “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day”. Research has found this statement to be true because eating breakfast can help jump start our brains and metabolism. Our metabolism increases after we eat, so the sooner we eat in the morning, the sooner our body will start metabolizing... Continue Reading →
It may come as no surprise to parents that their kids enjoy sweet treats or beverages. Many of the products with lots of added sugar are marketed specifically to kids, from breakfast cereals and sweetened drinks to candies and cookies. While these sweet treats may look “fun”, they are not-so-fun for our family’s health, with... Continue Reading →
As the weather starts to change from spring to summer, we want to spend more time outside with our families while it is warm and sunny. Salads can be a great addition to any family picnic or outdoor barbeque. When we think of salads, a plain green lettuce salad with a boring dressing may come... Continue Reading →
Did you know that you can use EBT to buy food-producing seeds & plants? Imagine how far your SNAP benefits can go when you plant a garden. Here is a handy chart to learn what and when to plant in Idaho. For questions about gardening in Idaho, contact your local University of Idaho County Extension... Continue Reading →
April is National Garden Month Planting a garden is a great way to spend time as a family. Spring is a perfect time to plan and plant your crops. Planning ahead will lead you to the most success in growing fruits and vegetables. Planting a garden will provide a fun outdoor activity loaded with lots... Continue Reading →
It may sound daunting to include 2 cups of fruit and 2-1/2 cups of vegetables in to your meals daily, but some simple tips and tricks will make it seem effortless. A "taco themed" baked potato is a delicious way to work in several vegetables. Top with taco meat, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, and salsa... Continue Reading →
Valentine’s Day is near, so let’s make this day special by preparing a heart healthy dinner. Think about that special someone (family, friends, significant other, etc.) and their favorite meals to get an idea of what you want to make. Once you have decided on your meal of choice, create a list of main ingredients,... Continue Reading →
Any time you get up and move, you’re improving your chances for better health. But did you know that being sedentary- sitting a lot- can have the opposite effect. If you find yourself sitting too much, here is a simple way to start small: Set a timer every hour. On your phone or even a... Continue Reading →
If you’re going to be at work or school all day, pack a snack to take with you. Convenience foods cost more and have empty calories. Choose healthy and tasty snacks that boost your energy between meals. Making your own trail mix can save you money and help you eat healthier. Here’s a recipe your... Continue Reading →
Most people think their hand-washing habits have been changed forever but, these careful behaviors can be forgotten when distracted by a new environment. We all know that washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds may reduce your chances of getting sick and spreading germs. Singing “Happy Birthday” twice while scrubbing... Continue Reading →
A return to school, in one form or another, has started once again for your children. This year may not seem “normal” in the midst of a pandemic, but there are some basic healthy habits that will help you and your kids enjoy the school days to come. So… grab your kids and start planning... Continue Reading →
Eating a healthy breakfast is a great way to kick start your day. Not only does it “break the fast” from not eating since dinner the night before, but studies show eating breakfast increases overall diet quality, can help maintain a healthy weight, and improves behavior and learning with children. However, not just any breakfast... Continue Reading →
Water is just fine, thanks: Serve water or milk instead of soda. Print or create a water tracking chart for your family. Pick out a cup or water bottle that you enjoy using and determine the number of cups or ounces that it holds. Draw a row of cups/bottles to represent 8 ounces (1 cup)... Continue Reading →
Whether you are new to cooking or have a lifetime of experience in the kitchen, there are always new tricks you can learn to take your cooking skills to the next level. Here are some of our favorite tricks: Toast nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, and cashews, before adding them to your favorite dishes. Save... Continue Reading →
Many of our schedules and routines have been disrupted during this time, which can make it difficult to make sure we are getting enough water. Approximately 60 percent of our body consists of water, so it is essential to make our bodies function. Water is vital to the life of every cell in our body,... Continue Reading →
By Siew Guan Lee, MS, RD – University of Idaho Extension As many of us continue to stay home, you may wonder how to maintain healthy eating habits. The good news is that it’s still possible to consume a balanced, healthy diet during this restrictive time. Having a variety of healthful foods on hand and... Continue Reading →
Spring is in the air and although we are still practicing social distancing, there are many outdoor opportunities for physical activity. In fact, during this season of Covid-19, it is even more important to be as active as possible, whether indoors or outdoors. Physical activity benefits both the body and mind. On top of having... Continue Reading →
Lately, we are all hearing about the importance of hand washing and for good reason. Hand washing is one of the best ways to remove germs and prevent the spread to others, and it just takes 5 simple steps! Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold). To save water, turn the tap... Continue Reading →
Grocery shopping has become one of the most exciting adventures. As you enter the grocery store you try to navigate the signs on the floor directing traffic and hunt for those staple items that seem to have disappeared a few weeks ago. The announcer reminds you once more to stay 6 feet away from one... Continue Reading →
By Siew Guan Lee, MS, RD - University of Idaho Extension Fruits and vegetables provide many nutrients that are essential to our health. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and some cancers. During a pandemic like COVID-19, it is especially... Continue Reading →
The University of Idaho College of Agricultural & Life Sciences has created a resource for parents who are are struggling to provide the right balance of learning and other activities, like that extra video game time, for their children. Here's what they have to say: "....Parents who are juggling work and children should be reminded... Continue Reading →
By Siew Guan Lee, MS, RD – University of Idaho Extension We seem to have heard it a million times: Stay Home. Staying home sounds easy, but the fear and anxiety of being cooped up at home may lead to more stress and intense emotions. As the stay-home order continues, here are some tips to... Continue Reading →
By Siew Guan Lee, MS, RD – University of Idaho Extension The taste of sweet, juicy fresh veggies with vibrant textures cannot be beat, especially if you grow them yourself. As Spring is here and you are maintaining social distancing, you may consider growing your own veggies, fruits, and herbs. Gardening adds nutrition to your... Continue Reading →
The idea of finding our family's next meal can be scary. Luckily, there are several resources for free meals and food boxes provided in the community. Just make sure to call ahead to ask for their schedule. Idaho Health & Welfare Food Assistance Program Resources: Statewide Food Programs You can find a local feeding site... Continue Reading →
In following the precautions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Eat Smart Idaho is practicing social distancing to help protect our community and slow the spread of COVID-19. We will suspend face-to-face sessions until April 20th or until further notice as we continue to monitor the situation. Although we are temporarily suspending... Continue Reading →
Turn off TVs, computers, phones, tablets, and other screens. Substitute 1 hour of physical activity for 1 hour of screen time a day. Take family screen time breaks throughout the day to release energy and promote physical and emotional wellbeing. Design a hopscotch pattern using masking tape, build an obstacle course with furniture and pillows,... Continue Reading →
We are right in the middle of the coldest part of winter. It is so easy during this time of year to curl up under a blanket and attempt to hibernate all winter. Unfortunately, our bodies are not made to hibernate, and even during the cold we need exercise. We are supposed to get 150... Continue Reading →
