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 →
Idaho Cherry Season- Just the Beginning of Idaho Stone Fruit Season
We chose a few orchards where you can pick your own fruit, but we would like to hear from you: Where do YOU pick fresh fruits during summer in Idaho? Read more...
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 →
Wilting Fresh Berries? Don’t let them go to waste!
Fresh fruits, especially berries, are one of the best things about the spring and summer months. Read more!
Canned Tomatoes
This week we talk about types of canned tomatoes and ways to use them. Read more.
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 →
5 Reasons to Grow Your Own Food
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 →
Giving Kids Choice-Developing Healthy Eating Habits
Giving your kids a choice of the foods they eat will help to develop healthy eating habits. A path where kids have control in their food choice promotes an open mind towards food. Kids will become curious about the foods presented to them and begin to have conversations about why certain foods affect their bodies... 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 →
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 →
IDAHO WATERMELONS- IN SEASON AND RIPE!
Late Summer in Idaho means watermelons are at their sweetest and juiciest. Here's an FAQ! HOW TO WASH: Scrub watermelon using a clean produce brush then, dry with paper towels. Use clean knives and cutting surfaces. Watch how to wash a watermelon: https://youtu.be/JUfGp6IWe1w HOW TO CUT: Make sure you wash your hands with soap and... Continue Reading →
How to Select, Store, and Eat Strawberries!
Note: Do not wash strawberries until ready to eat. Rinse strawberries gently but thoroughly under cool running water, drain in a clean strainer, and pat dry with a clean paper towel. Picking from a garden: Strawberries do not ripen after they’re picked, so it’s important to pick when the berry is fully red, without green... Continue Reading →
The Benefits and Bounty of Farmer’s Markets
Warmer weather is in the air and the early season’s produce is becoming available. Where can you find the freshest fruits and vegetables possible? Chances are, they may be closer than you think. Check out the farmer’s markets in your area to see what is in store for you. You can find: Fresh-picked fruits and... 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 →
Fruits and Vegetables: Focus on Variety
You probably know that eating lots of fruits and vegetables can be important for a healthy lifestyle, but did you know that focusing on VARIETY is also important? Different colors and groups of fruits and vegetables provide us with many different vitamins and minerals. By eating a variety, we make sure we get all the... Continue Reading →
Ideas for Including More Fruits and Vegetables in to Your Day
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 →
Creating Healthy, Happy Meals Together
Fall is here, and along with its arrival, we begin to think of having warm and comforting meals with our family. The reality is… some evenings can be chaotic, with limited time, busy work, and different family schedules. We may end up eating on the go or having convenience meals in front of the TV.... Continue Reading →
Kick Start Your Day with Breakfast
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 →
Family Meal Planning
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 →
Dried Fruit
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 →
Stretch Your Veggies and Fruits
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 →
Feed Your Kids a Rainbow
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 →
First let them choose, then taste together
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 →
Raise Children Who Eat Their Vegetables
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 →
Kids Eat Right Month
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 →