Colorful Quesadilla

  Colorful Quesadilla This recipe can be customized by adding your favorite vegetables. Sharp knifecutting boardSmall bowlButter knifeSkilletSpatula/Turner 8 whole wheat tortillas1 cup low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded1 cup spinach, fresh1 cup red bell pepper (diced)8 ounces Cream Cheese, low-fat1/4 tsp garlic powder Wash hands.Wash spinach and chop, if desired. Wash bell pepper before dicing.In a... 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 →

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 →

How to Add Dark Green Vegetables to Your Family Meals

Spring is a time for new beginnings and clearing out winter stillness with bitter, astringent foods like dark green leafy greens. Intentionally adding in more dark green vegetables to your family meals is a great way to embrace new spring beginnings and slowly incorporate healthy habits.  What are your family's favorite dark green vegetables? Some... 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 →

Citrus Vitamin Water

Citrus Vitamin Water Refreshing and nutritious! PitcherKnifecutting board 4 cups coconut water2 cups water (or unsweetened sparkling water)1 orange (juiced)1 lemon (juiced)1 lime (juiced)pinch of salt In a pitcher add all ingredients and stir until fully combined.Serve at room temperature or over ice. Cut down on sugar-sweetened beverages, this citrus vitamin water is a great... Continue Reading →

All About Citrus

Craving a bright, juicy, and nutritious food during these cold, dark winter days? Citrus fruits are at their peak ripeness and highest nutritional value during winter time. It would then make sense that citrus fruits provide health benefits that counteract many winter side effects, like dryness, low immunity, and depression. Health benefits of citrus fruits... 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 →

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 →

An Apple a Day

Fall is in the air which means that apples are in season. We have all heard the saying, “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.” An apple a day may not actually keep the doctor away, but apples do offer a number of health benefits. Apples are: Very inexpensive.Low in calories (about 80 calories per tennis ball... Continue Reading →

Choosing a Better Breakfast

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 →

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 →

Rainbow Water Quencher

Kids need to drink more water. Adding fruit and lemon zest might help kids drink more. Eat Smart Idaho's 'Rainbow Water Quencher' has been a favorite at USDA Summer Feeding sites. Make your own at home. https://videopress.com/v/6ItPMRd2?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata Rainbow Water Quencher Most of us need to drink more water! Adding flavorful fruit and lemon zest adds... Continue Reading →

How Much Water Do Kids Need?

Water affects all body functions. It helps keep body temperature constant, it carries nutrients and oxygen to cells, and carries waste away. Water helps maintain blood volume and helps lubricate joints and body tissues such as those in the mouth, eyes, and nose. The amount of water that a child needs each day may seem... 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 →

Storing Fresh Produce

Fresh fruits and vegetables are healthy and delicious, but they are also an investment that could end up in the garbage if not stored properly.  Below are a few tips to help keep you produce at their best.  Remember not all produce needs or should be stored in the refrigerator.   Ripen the following on the... Continue Reading →

Grow Together

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 →

New Year, New You

The start of a new year commonly marks the start of new goals or lifestyle changes for many individuals and families. In some cases, the new year marks a new diet or exercise plan. Unfortunately, many people get burned out quickly because these diets or exercise plans are too rigid and focus on taking away... Continue Reading →

Cut Down on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

Water is just fine, thanks: Serve water or milk instead of soda. Sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, and sweetened waters are associated with a range of health conditions, including weight gain/obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. When you substitute water for a single 20-ounce sugar sweetened soda, you can reduce... Continue Reading →

Make Movement Fun!

Kids grow best in motion: Encourage 1 hour of physical activity a day. Workout videos are a great way to get moving at home with family members. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends Fit Kids, a website with a range of home workouts for children. Videos are divided into four groups: warmups,... Continue Reading →

Take Active Breaks

Kids grow best in motion: Encourage 1 hour of physical activity a day. If your family is primarily at home, set a timer for walking or movement breaks. At the beginning of the day, plan where you will walk or what exercise your will do each time the timer goes off. Even if you just... Continue Reading →

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