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 →
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 →
Serve 5 fruits and vegetables a day. A variety of fruits and vegetables provide vitamins and minerals important for growth, development, and a healthy immune system. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may lower rates of diseases like high blood pressure, stroke heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer. Fruits and vegetables may... 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 →
Water is just fine, thanks: Serve water or milk instead of soda. By tracking water intake throughout the day, you can determine whether or not you are getting enough to drink. It’s easy to make adjustments in order to meet your healthy hydration goals! Try these simple tips to improve your water intake: Use a... 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 →
Keep the TV off during mealtimes. Instead, focus on eating together as a family. Screen media entertains, informs, and educates; however, studies have shown that too much time in front of the TV, tablet, and smartphone can negatively impact health. It is important to find a healthy balance between taking advantage of the many benefits... Continue Reading →
How do you get your kids to eat 5 fruits and veggies a day? We've got a couple of ideas and we would love to hear your ideas. Let Kids Choose a New Fruit or Veggie Kids are more likely to try a food that they have a hand in choosing. Plan a trip to... 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 →
During this cold season we are all ready to curl up with a blanket, and not step outside. But staying active, even in the cold, is important. And these cold months brings with it something for all of us to enjoy - snow. Playing in the snow as a family is a great bonding activity... Continue Reading →
Citrus is known for its high vitamin C content- just one orange supplies a full day’s requirement. Oranges, lemons, grapefruit, etc., are great tasting, low-calorie foods which are good sources of fiber, and are low in sodium, cholesterol, and fat. Add Zest to Just About Any Dish! Lemon, orange, lime, or grapefruit zest! Citrus zest–... Continue Reading →
Idaho is known for great skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and other great winter activities. This includes trudging through the snow to create, or at least enjoy, magnificent snow and ice sculptures. Every year, towns put on Winter festivals that highlight outdoor art that can only be seen in the Winter. If you want to experience the... Continue Reading →
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/11/how-a-christmas-story-became-an-american-tradition The key to all Fall activities is layers! Worried about being too cold? Then put on jacket! Worried about being too hot once you get moving? Then wear a t-shirt underneath! Sometimes our biggest excuse for not going outside is the fact that we don’t know what to wear when being active. A simple... Continue Reading →
This week, our 3 recipes have two things in common... 1. They feature pears from the Pacific Northwest. 2. Each recipe is available for families OR for K-12 schools. Read more...
No More Excuses: Overcoming Barriers to Exercise
August is Kids Eat Right Month and a great time for families to learn how to cook healthy together! A clever way to encourage children to try new foods is to get kids in the kitchen. This week, we're featuring recipes to help kids start young and learn simple cooking tasks before moving on to... Continue Reading →
Idaho is known for its potatoes, but what about the other vegetables and fruits that grow in abundance? There are over 40 different types of vegetables and fruits grown in the summer months alone. Listed below are a few examples of the produce that are in season in August. Apples, Apricots, Beans, Beets, Berries (various),... 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 →
This week, Eat Smart Idaho shares 3 of our fave recipes for Idaho Summer produce: beets, sweet corn, and watermelon. We also take the guesswork out of picking a great watermelon!
Have you been camping yet this year? Did you know that camping not only gives you time to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but also provides health benefits? Camping offers Fresh natural air, Bright natural sunlight, Exercise & Healthy eating, and Family bonding just to name a few. When camping... Continue Reading →
Let’s talk dairy! Dairy is an important component to our daily diets. It’s one of the five food groups that is recommended by the USDA. You might be familiar with MyPlate, if not, below is a graphic that’ll help you get familiar with what a healthy balance of food looks like. The USDA recommends that... 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 →
Whether you’re an adventure seeker or just looking for some leisure time outdoors Idaho state parks has something for everyone. Idaho has thirty state parks that you can take a day trip, weekend trip, or even a full family vacation at and make great memories. From camping to water sports, sand surfing and even historical... Continue Reading →
Eat Smart Idaho is celebrating National Physical Fitness & Sports Month During May! #MoveInMay Tell us what YOU do for fitness. #MoveinMay Regular physical activity increases your chances of living a longer, healthier life. It reduces your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and some types of cancer. Yet in Idaho, more than 24%... Continue Reading →
As the weather starts warming up we start getting outside more. Some of these outside activities includes sports for us and our children. This is a wonderful way to get our daily exercise. But, we often wonder, what should I or my kids be drinking to stay hydrated? The short answer is: your go to... 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 →
Spring Fever? Nature is a major distraction from the stresses of life and important for the health of children and adults. People who spend time outside… have more energy.are calmer.feel less stress.focus better.feel happier.sleep better. Start close to home with 30 minutes of activity. If you don’t have 30 minutes, try 10 minutes three times... Continue Reading →
There is a constant struggle with choosing the right foods for our bodies. "Is this salad really healthy or am I just telling myself that?" "My coffee doesn't have THAT much sugar. Right?" Lucky for us, ChooseMyPlate.Gov has an abundance of tips and tricks on healthy eating for all ages. Some general tips include varying... Continue Reading →
Instead of cursing the winter, find ways to enjoy it! Instead of talking about the things we CAN'T do, bundle up, get outside, and be active with these activities: SNOWBALL FIGHT: what better way to run around (and exercise) without even realizing that you are exercising? Put on your gloves, gather your kids, and start... Continue Reading →
FEBRUARY IS HEART HEALTH MONTH #AmericanHeartMonth #IdahoHasHeart #OurHearts #LongLiveIdaho #EatSmartIdaho Click on the links below for tips from the American Heart Association: Eat Smart Follow these tips when you go food shopping. Add Color Sneaking more vegetables into meals. Move More Ways to get yourself moving and enjoy being physically active. Be Well How to... Continue Reading →
February 14th, a day filled with candy, flowers, hearts, gifts, and Valentine cards. These gifts are fun ways to remind your friends and family how much you love and care them. Valentine’s Day is filled with candy and more candy, but what if you are looking for non-candy related teats for Valentine’s Day? What if... 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 →
When it is cold in Idaho, warmer parts of the country are picking ripe, fresh oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and other sweet or tangy citrus fruits. This is the time of year when these fruits taste wonderful and prices are lower! So, when the weather gets chilly, break out the citrus recipes! Carrot, Jicama, and Orange... Continue Reading →
How is it already the second week of January?! Like many of us, the beginning of the new year also means a chance to start over. This means resolutions for the new year. But like many of us, we quickly fall back into our old habits. So how can this year be different? By setting... Continue Reading →
Between Christmas and New Years we tend to go to so many parties, get so many sweets, and generally have many opportunities to not be healthy. So here are a few tips to help you stay healthier this week. Have healthy snacks: make sure you have some healthy foods on hand so you can snack... Continue Reading →
Plan Ahead- Here are some holiday menus and recipes on a budget.Don’t Overspend- Stretch your food dollars and still eat well.Make it a Potluck- Here are some budget party &potluck tips.Chop & Chill- Wash and chop vegetables in advance or prep dishes that can be heated later. No-Stress Snacks- Stress can trigger mindless eating. Keep... Continue Reading →
Eating healthy does not have to be boring! Try these fun, holiday treats that the whole family will love! They are simple, delicious, and healthy! Peanut butter is not only delicious, but it is full of protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep you full for hours. While peanut butter may be higher in calories,... 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 →
Many of us want to avoid weight gain during the holiday season. Yet we don’t want to miss out on the fun or traditional holiday foods! Set yourself up for success this holiday season by establishing healthful habits now. Eat a breakfast of whole grains and fruit. This will help you stay full throughout the... Continue Reading →
Fall activities are even more pleasant when it’s cooler outside and the scenery is changing. Grab a jacket, comfortable shoes, and try some of these activities: Take a walk through your neighborhood or local park to see the changing colors of FallGet the whole family involved - Turn leaf-raking and other Autumn yard work into fun... Continue Reading →
