Summer Quinoa Salad

Summer Quinoa Salad Full of flavor and nutrients Knifecutting boardPotMixing bowlMixing Spoon 1 cup quinoa2 cup water2 cup frozen corn1 cup cherry tomato (cut in half)1/4 cup red onion (sliced)1 red bell pepper (sliced)1/2 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)3 tbsp lime juice1 Avocado (pitted, peeled, and cut into chunks) Wash hands with soap and water.Combine quinoa... Continue Reading →

July is National Berry Month

What better way to celebrate July than with berries! So many berries are in season this month making them more affordable and available.  Why should I eat more berries? Berries have a lot of vitamin C, folic acid, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. These nutrients help increase our immune function and are protective against cancer and... Continue Reading →

Farmers Market Shopping Tips

Shopping at a farmers’ market can be good for you and your community. You can find a variety of locally grown crops picked at the peak of quality and freshness. Follow these tips to make the most of your farmers market shopping experience: Shop early – The best selection is often available closer to the... Continue Reading →

Is Fresh Best?

  Fresh fruits and vegetables are delicious and nutritious! But especially during the winter, fresh fruit is not always in season and can be expensive. So what are the differences between fresh versus frozen or canned?    Frozen  Frozen fruits and vegetables are an excellent replacement for fresh. They are just as nutritious so long... Continue Reading →

Sweet Cranberry Sauce

  Sweet Cranberry Sauce A tasty side dish. ColanderSaucepanMixing SpoonMeasuring cupsMeasuring spoons 1 cup Cranberries1/4 cup Orange juice1/4 cup Water3 tbsp Sugar1/4 cup Apricots (Dried)1/4 cup Golden raisins3/4 tsp Orange zest (grated) Wash your fresh cranberries in a colander and remove any stems or leaves. If you are using frozen cranberries let them defrost beforehand.In... Continue Reading →

November is National Cranberry Month

It is getting close to Thanksgiving and no Thanksgiving feast is complete without cranberry sauce. Cranberries are good for you and can be more than just cranberry sauce. Did you know: Cranberries are nutrient dense providing vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and fiber. One cup of raw cranberries have about 50 calories and are naturally fat free.... Continue Reading →

Cucumber Crazy

Cucumbers are in season from June until September, meaning there is just about a month left to get these nutrient packed veggies at a very affordable price and while they are plentiful from the garden, farmer’s market or grocery store! What are some of the health benefits of cucumbers? Cucumbers help keep us hydrated. Cucumbers... Continue Reading →

Grilled Peaches

This recipe is great for the summer because it is so easy and refreshing. Grilled Peaches This recipe is great for the summer because it is so easy and refreshing 4 whole peaches wash handswash and cut peaches in half and remove the pitspray cut side with nonstick cooking spray if desiredgrill for approximately 1-2... Continue Reading →

Camp Cooking Safety

While you’re packing the sunscreen, bug spray and camping gear, don’t forget basic food safety. Here are some camp-specific tips. Plan Ahead! To avoid leftovers, plan menus and portion sizes ahead of time. Plan meals that require one pot to lighten your load. If possible, bring shelf stable foods. Keep Cold Foods Cold! Pack foods... Continue Reading →

Popsicles: Healthy & Homemade

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 →

June is National Dairy Month

It is recommended that we consume 3 servings of dairy like low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese each day. However, most Americans fall below that recommendation, getting only an average of 1.8 servings per day.      Why dairy? Dairy products provide calcium, potassium and vitamin D.Dairy foods have health benefits.  They have been shown to help... Continue Reading →

Watermelon – A Summer Treat

With the peak of summer coming many fruits are coming into season, including watermelon. Watermelon is available year-round, but during the summer months they are in season, so become more affordable. Watermelon is nutrient packed and fun to eat!  What are some of the health benefits of watermelon?  Watermelon helps with hydration. As the name... Continue Reading →

Why Plant a Garden?

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 →

April- What’s in Season?

What is seasonal eating? Eating foods that are at their peak ripeness and nutritional value during a specific time of the year. Often times, these foods are less expensive, more flavorful, support local famers, and provide health benefits. Planning meals around seasonal fruits and vegetables is an easy way to save on groceries. Just look... Continue Reading →

February-What’s in Season?

What is seasonal eating? Eating foods that are at their peak ripeness and nutritional value during a specific time of the year. Often times, these foods are less expensive, more flavorful, support local famers, and provide health benefits. Planning meals around seasonal fruits and vegetables is an easy way to save on groceries. Fruits and... Continue Reading →

Inexpensive Holiday Activities for the Whole Family

Holidays are a great opportunity to spend time doing family activities! There are plenty of low-cost activities to do, especially during the holidays. Planning ahead will help you find enjoyable activities for the entire family that won’t break the bank. Searching the internet, local newspapers, and school events are a great way to find information... Continue Reading →

Holiday Light Displays in Idaho

There aren’t many things more magical during the Holiday season than seeing thousands of colorful, twinkling lights brightening the night sky. Whether you live in Northern Idaho, Southeastern Idaho, or anywhere in between, there’s a holiday light display for everyone. Listed are some of the Best Holiday light displays in Idaho. 1: Winter Garden aGlow,... Continue Reading →

Healthy Holiday Food Tips

This time of year can be a challenge with so many treats and special foods readily available. By being more mindful, you can stay focused on health while still enjoying the season. Take advantage of these ideas for healthier versions of popular holiday foods: · Make mashed potatoes with skim milk and low-fat and low-sodium broth.... Continue Reading →

Healthy Holiday Desserts

The holidays are a wonderful time to bring friends and family together. Making a fresh batch of holiday desserts is a perfect way to make connections and memories during the holiday season. Think of your favorite family dessert, then think about how it makes you feel. Warm, nostalgic, happy, connected? Does it ever feel too... Continue Reading →

Holiday Meal Preparation

Getting yourself prepared for the holiday’s can be a challenge, so it is important to start planning ahead of time. Planning your menu in advance allows you to Shop smarter by being aware of upcoming salesBe sure you have everythingFind and organize recipesItemize cooking utensils By being aware of shopping sales, you can stretch your... Continue Reading →

A Healthier Halloween

Halloween can be a challenge for parents who try to feed their children healthy, nutritious meals and snacks. Below are some tips to help your family to have a healthier Halloween while still enjoying the holiday without overdoing it on the candy. Eat a healthy and hearty meal before heading out to trick-or-treat. A slow... Continue Reading →

Physical Activity and Dehydration

As the summer temperatures increase, it becomes harder to stay cool while being physically active.  Exercise and warmer temperatures can increase the temperature of our bodies and increases our heart rate.  Sweating is the way our bodies cool themselves and if we do not actively drink fluids, we can become dehydrated quickly.  Drinking, especially water,... Continue Reading →

Back to School Lunches

August is Back to School Month which means it is time to make the decision if you want to pack your child’s lunch or feed them what the school provides. Each option has many considerations and health benefits. Packing a lunch provides an opportunity to be selective and creative with your child while packing a... Continue Reading →

Summer Squash

Summer squash can be prepared and served in several different ways. SteamedGrilledSautéedFried Summer squash can also be included in stir fry recipes and can be used interchangeably with most recipes. They mix well with tomatoes, onions, and okra in vegetable medleys. Baby squash can be used as an appetizer or sautéed with other vegetables. Summer... Continue Reading →

Grilling with Kids

Summer is in full swing, so there is no better time to bring friends and family together for some yummy grilled food that everyone can help prepare and enjoy. July is the national month for grilling, and it is also anti-boredom month. One way to combat boredom for kids is to include them in tasks... Continue Reading →

Forming Connections Through Food

July is the month of farmers markets, in which you can find fresh fruits and vegetables. Farmers markets have many perks, in addition to stocking up on nutrient dense foods you can also form connections. Local artisans, farmers, community members provide a healthy experience for the whole family. It’s a chance to enjoy being in... Continue Reading →

Fire Up the Grill!

You can grill just about anything! Do you know that there are food safety steps to follow no matter what you’re cooking? Keep reading to learn about safe grilling of all foods. Clean: HANDS: No matter what you’re grilling, always start with clean hands especially before and after touching raw meat, poultry, and seafood items... Continue Reading →

Trails of Idaho

As we enter the summer months you may want to take your walking from indoors on a treadmill to walking in Idaho’s beautiful outdoors. All throughout Idaho there are walking trails that suit all needs. If you are just starting out or if you’re an avid hiker, you can find your perfect trail in any... Continue Reading →

Summer Fun with Dairy Products

National Dairy Month was originally created in 1937 as National Milk Month as a way to promote drinking milk when there was an extra supply of milk during the warmer months of summer. Then in 1939, June became the National Dairy Month because of research that supported the positive contributions dairy products make to our... Continue Reading →

Keep the Fun in Summer Meals

Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer events like barbeques, picnics, and camping.  The warmer weather and eating outdoors can bring food safety challenges.  Food left at room or warmer outside temperatures can increase the chance of bacterial growth in food that can cause food poisoning.  To keep the fun in your special events, follow... Continue Reading →

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