Oatmeal is one of the most versatile and inexpensive foods around. It is packed with nutrients to keep you full and help fight many health issues. This amazing whole grain meal is loaded with fiber and proteins that help keep you full longer. They are also full of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for... Continue Reading →
A few easy ingredient changes can make meals less stressful and a lot healthier Canned Fruits & Veggies: Try low or no sodium and low or no sugar when choosing canned veggies & fruitsMayonnaise, Buttermilk, or Sour Cream: Try using plain yogurt instead of mayonnaise, buttermilk, or sour cream.White Flour: To get more whole grains,... Continue Reading →
Thanksgiving weekend is hands down, all about the leftovers. From Turkey Soup made with leftover turkey, to Senate Soup made with leftover ham, to a classic Turkey, Stuffing and Cranberry Sandwich, Thanksgiving leftover foods can be even more exciting than the Thanksgiving Day food itself. Following some simple guidelines for your leftovers will ensure safe... Continue Reading →
Let's get ready to roast a turkey. Use our handy chart to find the right times to thaw and roast. Then get some pointers to enjoy a safe and tasty Thanksgiving turkey dinner . NEVER DEFROST AT ROOM TEMPERATURE- Keep the turkey in its original wrapper. Place it on a tray or in a pan... Continue Reading →
Everyone seems to have at least one holiday meal that will never be forgotten…for the wrong reason. The neck and giblet bag cooked in the bird, forgotten eggs in the pumpkin pies, or our furry four-legged family member being the first to sample the holiday feast. These are just a few of the mishaps that... Continue Reading →
Holidays may look a little different this year but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy some of our favorite holiday meals! To keep ourselves and loved ones safe this Thanksgiving it is important to keep food safety in mind. As you are buying food for your holiday feast, it is important to be aware of... Continue Reading →
Halloween is a great opportunity to practice the habit of eating better and together for Eat Better, Eat Together Month. Whether you are going out trick-or-treating or staying indoors, the children are excited and there is bound to be candy involved. Whatever event you have going on, filling the kids up with a healthy, filling... Continue Reading →
A slow cooker is the easiest way to cook a whole winter squash! Easy Slow-Cooker Winter Squash A slow cooker is the easiest way to roast a whole squash! You don’t have to cut the squash at all! Slow Cooker 1 winter squash (medium ) Wash hands with soap and warm water.Wash squash well.Place... Continue Reading →
Though the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults eat at least three to five servings of whole grains a day and children two to three, most Americans consume one or less. And a whopping 40% of Americans don’t eat whole grains at all! If you are feeling discouraged at the thought of switching... 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 →
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 →
Garlic can either enhance or overwhelm a recipe. Here are some tips to ensure you get the best qualities this little gem has to offer. When shopping, choose firm, whole heads of garlic with no mold nor sprouting.Store whole heads of garlic bulbs in a cool, dark place with good air circulation. Replace when it... Continue Reading →
Play time, not screen time: Cut screen time to 2 hours or less a day. Are you new to meal planning? Start small. Which meal would be easiest to plan for in advance? Breakfast may be a busy time, or difficult to plan for if household members awake at different times. Dinner tends to be... Continue Reading →
By Siew Guan Lee – University of Idaho Extension According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness that is unlikely to be transmitted through food. However, it is important to practice hand hygiene and follow safe food handling steps to keep you and your family safe. Foodborne... 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 →
“Wait, you’re trusting students with real, sharp knives?” That was one of the questions teachers heard most often at the Edible Schoolyard Project kitchen classroom in Berkley, CA. Since schools closed, their Edible Education for the Home Classroom is a huge hit, with lessons on topics such as “Growing Food From Your Food Scraps”, and... Continue Reading →
Learning how to use a knife can decrease the time you spend preparing meals and can save you money by chopping your own ingredients instead of buying costly, pre-chopped ingredients. However, working with sharp tools can be a little intimidating. With knife skills, a little practice goes a long way. To start, choosing the right... Continue Reading →
Raise your hand if you have ever burned a batch of beans… or just dinner. *Raises hand slowly* You leave a pot on the stove, get distracted, and suddenly dinner is a bit more charred than you would like. You might ask yourself, “What can I do?” An easy solution is to pull out that... Continue Reading →
By Siew Guan Lee – University of Idaho Extension As the meat supply in the nation is possibly disrupted due to COVID-19, you might find some stores that have placed limits on purchase amounts and have smaller selections of meat. With meat prices expected to rise, this could be a good time to consider expanding... Continue Reading →
Feed Your Kids a Rainbow Serve 5 fruits and vegetables a day. Did you know that ½ cup of dried fruit counts as one serving? This is because the loss of water during the drying process concentrates the calories and nutrients. Check the nutrition facts label for added sugar when buying dried fruit, as it... Continue Reading →
We open the fridge to find our spinach has wilted to a slimy mess and the zucchini we had planned to eat before the stay-at-home had been placed is shriveled to almost nothing. We know it is important to eat vegetables and fruits, but how do we purchase enough to get us through until our... 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 →
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 →
Yes! It IS possible to raise children who like to eat a wide variety of vegetables. Follow these fun tips to develop your healthy eater and remember to always talk about vegetables in a fun and inviting way to encourage even more positivity! Enjoy a variety of vegetables yourself. The most important thing that adults can... Continue Reading →
Idaho is known for super sweet and tasty watermelons. They are available from July through early October. Find a local farm to pick your own or get a bargain at the store. Spot the Field Spot- This yellow/gold spot on the bottom means the melon basked in the sun on the farm and was ripe... Continue Reading →
Don’t forget the MOST important BBQ tool - a FOOD THERMOMETER! Download a FREE "Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart" The Main 4 Practices for Food Safety: CLEAN, SEPARATE, COOK, and CHILL Cantaloupe Gazpacho Try this COOL summer recipe with your Summer or Fall BBQ Blender 1 cantaloupe, medium (washed, peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks)1... Continue Reading →
It’s Egg Week at Eat Smart Idaho! We're bringing you egg cooking, egg safety and egg-citing recipes. 5 Egg-spert Questions About Easter Eggs How can I safely color and decorate hard-cooked eggs? Wash your hands between all the steps of cooking, cooling, dyeing and decorating.Can I use anything to decorate the eggs, such as pens... Continue Reading →
Today is your last day to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers unless you are freezing them. Here are a few safety tips to remember when using up your Thanksgiving (and any other) leftovers: Leftovers should be used within 4 days if they are stored in the fridge This means that for Thanksgiving leftovers, if your... Continue Reading →
BEFORE YOU BUY THE TURKEY- Make space in the refrigerator KEEP IT SEPARATE- In the shopping cart, bags, and the refrigerator,separate raw turkey from other foods. NEVER DEFROST AT ROOM TEMPERATURE-Thaw in a refrigerator, 40 °f or below. Allow about 1 day for every 4 to 5 pounds. Keep the turkey in its original wrapper. Place... Continue Reading →
Tips for Making Soup Soups are a great way to fill you up without having to spend hours in the kitchen. In fact, most soups can be made in 30 minutes or less. Always read through your recipe before beginning.Pre-chop veggies and measure ingredients ahead of time.Still short on time? Buy rotisserie chicken at your... Continue Reading →
Barley is too amazing to be overlooked. Try it out for dinner this week!
Perfect your potatoes like a real Idahoan.
Whole wheat pasta is a good way to get great grains.
This super food is so yummy and so convenien to make and store!
Oats are really easy and versatile. They are great for more than just breakfast!
Delightfully fluffy rice, every time!
Six Eggs, Three Ways. Simple & delicious.
