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 →

A fun twist on pizza for the whole family to enjoy. Pick your toppings from spinach to olives to broccoli to customize dinner for each person! Bell Pepper Pizza A fun and simple recipe for the whole family! 1 bell pepper1/4 cup pizza sauce (low-sodium)1/4 cup reduced-fat mozzarella cheese (grated)pinch dried oreganopinch dried basil1/4 cup... Continue Reading →

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 →

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 →

African Peanut Stew This is a delicious, warming soup packed with nutrition. It's also an easy way to get all of the MyPlate categories into one yummy bowl. Enjoy! 1 tbsp oil (olive or vegetable)1 medium onion (diced)1 jalapeno pepper (seeded and diced)1 1/2 tsp chili powder3 garlic cloves (minced, or 1 tsp. garlic powder)1/4... Continue Reading →

MyPlate is a visual way to help us eat a balanced diet from all of the food groups. The goal is to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, protein sources, grains, and dairy or soy fortified alternatives to fit your culture and lifestyle. Choose nutrient dense options to make every bite count! Nutrient dense means... Continue Reading →

This weekend is the "First Day of Spring" but, in Idaho, Spring can be chilly. This Split Pea & Potato Soup recipe is low in sodium and high in fiber & protein. It's just the thing to keep you going when Spring still feels a little like Winter. Split Pea & Potato Soup 3 tablespoons... Continue Reading →

What does it do for us? We all need protein. It provides nutrients and energy and builds, maintains, and repairs the tissues in our body. Most Americans eat enough - but it is important to eat a variety of protein foods each week to improve nutrient intake and health benefits. What should I choose? Protein foods... Continue Reading →

When people decide to eat healthier, they can be tempted to drastically reduce or even cut out certain food groups completely, such as grains and dairy. This can make it difficult to get all the nutrients we need to maintain our health. A safer and much healthier choice would be to watch our serving sizes... Continue Reading →