Green Fruit Salad Add some green fruit to your day with tasty fruit salad. Knifecutting boardlarge mixing bowl 1 cup Green grapes1 Green Apple2 Kiwi1 Lime Wash hands.Wash all fruit under running water.Slice green grapes in half the lengthwise. Add to the mixing bowl.Dice the green apple. Add to the mixing bowl.Slice the kiwi and... Continue Reading →
Cracker Crusted Chicken Nuggets Enjoy this healthier twist on chicken nuggets. Medium BowlKnifeForkBaking sheetSpatula/Turner 1 pound chicken breasts2 eggs2 cups crackers (whole grain, crushed)1/8 tsp black pepperNon-stick cooking spray Wash hands before preparing food.Preheat oven to 400ºF. Whisk eggs in a medium bowl, set aside. Crush whole grain crackers and place in a separate bowl,... Continue Reading →
Peanut Butter & Jelly Overnight Oats A tasty and nutrient packed choice for people on the go. Mason Jar or other container with a covermeasuring spoons and cups 1/3 cup Old Fashioned Oats1/3 cup low-fat milk1/4 cup low-fat Greek yogurt (vanilla)1 tbsp Chia seeds1/4 cup raspberries1 tbsp Peanut butter Wash hands.Mix the oats, milk, yogurt... Continue Reading →
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 →
Banana Sushi A kid friendly recipe that is a great one to get your kids involved in the kitchen. Butter knife 1 Banana (peeled)1 Whole wheat tortilla2 tbsp Peanut butter (or other nut butter) Wash hands.Spread peanut butter or nut butter of your choice evenly on tortilla.Place banana on center of tortilla.Tightly roll up... Continue Reading →
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 →
This easy marinara sauce is a tasty topping for spaghetti squash but there are lots of other toppings that go well with this or any other type of winter squash! Try sautéed mushrooms, onions or other veggies. Add a sprinkling of cheese. Include beans, cooked chicken, or another cooked meat. Spaghetti Squash with Easy Marinara... Continue Reading →
Overnight Apple Oatmeal A delicious breakfast. bowlKnife 1/2 cup oats1/2 cup low-fat milk1/4 cup Unsweetened applesauce1/4 cup Apple (washed and chopped) Always wash hands before preparing food.Combine oats, milk, and applesauce or mashed banana in bowl or jar. Cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, top with washed and chopped apple and optional other... Continue Reading →
Apple Donuts A tasty healthy recipe that kids love to help make. KnifeSpoon 1 Apple2 tbsp low-fat Greek yogurt (vanilla )1/4 cup blueberries1/4 cup Granola Core and slice one apple into rounds.Spread 2 Tbsp vanilla low fat Greek Yogurt evenly among the apple slices.Place ¼ cup blueberries evenly among apple slices.Sprinkle ¼ cup granola... Continue Reading →
Cucumber Salad with Tomatoes A great source of vegetables and whole grains. Knifecutting boardMeasuring cupsMixing Spoon 2 cups cucumber (diced)1 cup tomatoes (seeded, diced)1/4 cup sweet onion (chopped)2 cups whole grain cous cous or brown rice (cooked)2 tsp Dried dill1/2 cup light Italian dressing Wash hands with soap and water.In a large bowl combine... Continue Reading →
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 →
At the end of Summer in Idaho, gardens, markets, and stores are bursting with ripe produce. This recipe is a great way to enjoy Summer's veggies. Check out this seasonal produce calendar from Idaho Preferred to explore what's in season any time of the year. Summer Veggie Skillet At the end of Summer in Idaho,... Continue Reading →
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Baked Tomatoes with Cheese A seasonal summer recipe. KnifeBaking DishSmall bowl 2 Tomatoes (large)1/3 cup low-fat cheese (parmesan, Swiss, or cheddar)1 tsp dried oregano1/4 tsp ground black pepper1/4 tsp garlic powder (or 1 clove garlic, minced) Wash hands with soap and water.Preheat oven to 400°F. Wash tomatoes and cut into 1 inch thick slices.Place tomato... Continue Reading →
Before trying these recipes, see our previous blog post, Camp Cooking Safety. Foil Packet Camping Dinners Great for camping! Choose a protein: (Ground beef or turkey sausage, cubed chicken or steak, fish. Smaller pieces of meat cook more quickly. )Add lots of veggies: (For ease, wash and cut veggies ahead of time. Onions, potatoes, carrots,... Continue Reading →
Fermenting vegetables at home can reduce food waste, save money, and can promote a healthy gut. Sauerkraut, pickles, and kimchi are a few fermented vegetables that provide a variety of health benefits. Why make fermented vegetables? Fermented vegetables can be healthy for your gut and improve your digestion.The fermentation process increases the vegetables’ naturally occurring... Continue Reading →
Watermelon Pizza Customize with your favorite berries. KnifeSpoon 1 Watermelon (sliced 1" thick and cut into 8 wedges)2 cups low-fat Greek yogurt (vanilla flavored)2 cups mixed berries Wash hands with soap and water.Wash and slice watermelon into 1 inch slices. Cut the rounds into triangular wedges.Spread 1/4 cup yogurt on top of each slice.Sprinkle mixed... Continue Reading →
Scrambled Egg Muffins Customize these with your favorite veggies. Muffin TinKnifeMixing bowlGrater Non-stick cooking spray6 Eggs1/2 cup Onion (washed and diced)1/2 cup Broccoli (washed and diced)1/2 cup Red bell pepper (washed and diced)1/2 cup Green bell pepper (washed and diced)1/4 tsp Ground black pepper1/4 tsp Garlic powder1/2 cup Low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded Wash hands. Preheat... Continue Reading →
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 →
A new year means another New Year's resolution! But how successful are your New Year's resolutions and how often are they focused on diet and body weight? Try something new this year and set a non-diet New Year's resolution that works towards creating a lasting, healthy lifestyle. Check out these low-budget ideas to start your... Continue Reading →
Stuffed Acorn Squash A balanced meal for the whole family! Use MyPlate to identify the food groups. SpoonBaking sheetMixing bowlKnifecutting boardSpatulaSkillet 2 acorn squash1 lb ground turkey (or lean ground beef)1 onion (sliced)2 cloves garlic (minced)1 bunch kale (stems removed and ripped into bite size pieces)1 tbsp rosemary (fresh or dried)salt and pepper (to taste)... Continue Reading →
Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Pretzels Try out this high fiber and protein, sweet whole grain dessert! Kids will have a fun time helping with this simple recipe. They can measure, mix, shape, and dip! Mixing bowlSpoonBaking sheetBlender or Food ProcessorMicrowave safe bowl 2/3 cup peanut butter (or other nut/seed butter)6 tbsp oat flour24 twisted pretzels... Continue Reading →
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 →
Slow Cooker Hamburger Stew This delicious stew can be started in the morning for a ready-to-eat hot dinner. Slow Cooker 1 pound ground beef (90/10 lean)½ onion (chopped)2 potatoes (washed and cut into cubes)2 cans mixed vegetables (14.5 ounce, drained)1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounce, keep juice)4 cups water1 teaspoon oregano (or another herb (optional))1... Continue Reading →
Salad full of color and vitamins to keep the whole family happy and healthy this spring! Citrus Salad A bright and colorful dish the whole family can enjoy! 1 grapefruit (peeled)1 orange (peeled)10 C fresh lettuce greens1 small red onion2 tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 tbsp lime juice1 tbsp vegetable oil1 tbsp water1/4 tsp black... Continue Reading →
Healthy, budget friendly family meal that will keep you full and cozy! Enchilada Casserole Affordable, easy recipe to try at home with the family! 28 oz canned green enchilada sauce 2 cups cooked or canned beans, drained (pinto,black,kidney)3 cups cooked brown rice15 oz drained canned corn or 1 1/2 cups of frozen corn 12 corn... Continue Reading →
Quick and easy dinners can be nutritious and fun. Add these spinach turkey meatballs into your dinner rotation! Turkey Spinach Meatballs Quick and healthy protein for families in a time crunch! 1 lb. ground turkey1 egg1 small onion (grated)2 cloves garlic (minced)1 C spinach (finely chopped)1/2 C parsley (finely chopped)1/2 tsp dried oregano1/2 tsp black... Continue Reading →
Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels A quick and easy recipe that the whole family will enjoy! 1 8 oz. package cream cheese6 8-inch flour tortillas6 slices turkey breast1 14 oz. can cranberry sauce3 cups fresh baby spinach leaves Wash spinach and strain in a colander. Chop roughly.Place the tortillas on a microwave safe plate and microwave uncovered... Continue Reading →
Sheet Pan Sweet Potato Nachos A quick and easy weeknight meal that your family will love! 3 medium sweet potatoes1 can low-sodium black beans, drained and rinsed1 medium red bell pepper, diced1 small red onion, diced1 cup low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded1 cup low-fat Greek yogurthot sauce to taste1/2 cup cilantro, chopped1 medium lime, zest and... Continue Reading →
This soup comes together quickly- a perfect Halloween meal! Seven Can Chicken Tortilla Soup 1 15 oz can whole kernel corn, drained1 14.5 oz can chicken broth2 14.5 oz cans cream of chicken soup1 10 oz can chunk chicken1 15 oz can black beans1 10 oz can diced tomatoes, drainedSpices of choice such as cumin... Continue Reading →
Adding more whole grains to your day doesn't mean that you have to compromise flavor. Try this whole grain recipe as part of your "baby steps" to eating more whole grains! Quick, easy and full of flavor! Chili Mac and Cheese This Chili Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, while still being healthy... Continue Reading →
Peanut Butter Banana Pockets are a great snack that your kids can help prepare. Getting your kids involved in the kitchen will teach them skills they will use throughout their lives. While helping prepare recipes kids will be building their math, science, reading, communication, and decision making skills. Another bonus is kids are more likely... Continue Reading →
Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade Quench your thirst with this refreshing Summer beverage. 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries (chopped)2 tbsp Honey or sweetener of choice2 lemons (juiced)3.5 cups sparkling water Puree strawberries and honey in blender or food processor.Pour sparkling water into a pitcher, then stir in strawberry puree and lemon juice.Serve at room temperature or... 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 →
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 →
A starchy vegetable full of vitamins A, C, fiber, potassium, and FLAVOR! Sweet Potato Apple Casserole A new twist on sweet potatoes! 4 Sweet potatoes (scrubbed with a vegetable brush under running water, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes)2 Apples (washed under cold running water, sliced)½ cup Orange juice1 tablespoon Butter1 teaspoon Cinnamon½ cup raisins... Continue Reading →
While we are able to get apples all year round, this time of year they are particularly tasty. This is apple season. Apples are a great snack, that are also very healthy. You can grab one on the go, cut it up and enjoy it as an after-school snack, or mix it into dishes to... 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...
We are now nestled into the Fall season here in Idaho, which means crisp air, crunchy leaves, and a bounty of winter squashes! The most common varieties that can be found in stores are pumpkins, acorn squash, butternut squash and spaghetti squash. Winter squashes are a great source of vitamin A for promoting vision health,... Continue Reading →
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but many of us don’t have time every morning for a sit-down meal. Convenience is part of our lives, but that doesn’t mean you have to buy prepackaged breakfast foods or hit the drive thru. Try this simple recipe and in less than 30 minutes you’ll... Continue Reading →
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 →
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!
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 →
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 →
