Winter Fruit Crisp A tasty and nutrient packed winter treat. Knife8x8 inch baking panmeasuring spoons and cups 3 cups apples (diced)1 cup Cranberries2/3 cup brown sugar (packed)1/2 cup Whole wheat flour1/2 cup Old Fashioned Oats1/3 cup unsalted butter1 tbsp unsalted butter1 tsp cinnamon Wash apples before chopping. Wash cranberries. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease an... Continue Reading →
Involving your children in food preparation has many benefits! Cooking builds self-esteem. Children develop confidence, responsibility and independence when they can help you prepare a snack or meal. When they get more practice and as they get older, they will be able to prepare more foods on their own. Cooking teaches! When kids begin to... Continue Reading →
Roasted Rosemary Sweet Potatoes Ditch the added sugar and saturated fat of traditional thanksgiving sweet potato casserole and try this delicious and healthier alternative! 6 cups sweet potatoes (peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 3 lbs = 6 cups))1/4 cup olive oil4 sprigs rosemary chopped3 cloves garlic minced1 red onion sliced Wash your... Continue Reading →
Thanksgiving is amazing, but it can be tempting to overindulge. However, it is easy to have a healthy and balanced plate when you sit down to your Thanksgiving feast. Using the MyPlate model is a helpful tool to keep your Thanksgiving meal well-balanced. Half your Plate- There are plenty of delicious holiday sides to... Continue Reading →
In addition to planning your Turkey, the Thanksgiving holiday is known for lots of side dishes so, start planning what you might make. For the last few years, we've been collecting some healthy recipes that are great for any Fall meal including Thanksgiving. We like them and hope you'll try them too. Get all the... Continue Reading →
While the four steps to food safety — clean, separate, cook and chill — are important every day and at every meal, they are particularly important on Thanksgiving. After reading these quick tips, use our helpful chart to find the correct thawing and roasting times for your turkey. NEVER DEFROST AT ROOM TEMPERATURE- Keep the... Continue Reading →
Cinnamon Apple Chips Try some scrappy cooking with this simple recipe! Baking sheetKnifecutting board 2 apples1 tbsp cinnamon Preheat oven to 200°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.Wash apples under clean water and pat dry with a clean towel.Thinly slice apples into rounds. You do not need to core the apple, but do remove... Continue Reading →
Have you heard of scrappy cooking? Scrappy cooking refers to using food scraps, like carrot tops, in your daily cooking rather than throwing them away in the trash. It is actually the trendy thing to do! Using food scraps cuts down on food waste, saves money, helps you to eat more vegetables and increase your... 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 →
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 →
Peanut Butter Pumpkin Dip Yummy fall dip for fruits, vegetables and crackers 3/4 cup peanut butter3/4 cup pureed pumpkin1-2 tablespoons brown sugar, to taste1 teaspoon vanilla Wash handsMix peanut butter and brown sugarAdd vanilla and stirAdd pumpkin and stir until well blendedServe with celery sticks and apple wedges or other fruits and vegetablesRefrigerate any... Continue Reading →
Halloween is a fun holiday known for dressing up in costumes and eating a lot of candy. With a few steps to help your kids eat in moderation, Halloween can be a great holiday without eating too much candy. The empty candy calories add up fast! Four bite size chocolate bars contain approximately 320 calories.... 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 →
The first winter squash begin arriving in stores in the Fall and stay in steady supply throughout winter. We love the taste as well as the array of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. Types: In addition to pumpkins, you’ll find butternut, turban, buttercup, carnival, Hubbard, acorn, kabocha, and spaghetti squash, and more! The choices are... Continue Reading →
Carrot Cake Oatmeal Bake Try your hand at an orange themed fall meal with this whole grain breakfast recipe! 8x8 inch baking panmixing bowlsSpatula 3/4 cup shredded carrots1/4 cup peanut butter (or other nut/seed butter)2 cups milk (or unsweetened non-dairy milk)1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce (or pumpkin puree)1 egg2 1/4 cups rolled oats1 tsp cinnamon1... Continue Reading →
Get spooky AND nutritious this October by choosing orange fruits and vegetables for your family's meals. Orange fruits and vegetables: carrot, sweet potato, pumpkin, winter squash, orange bell pepper, orange, mango, apricot, cantaloupe, peach, papaya Health Benefits: Orange fruits and vegetables contain a compound called carotenoids, which give these foods their deep orange... 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 →
Fall is a great time to enjoy the changing of the seasons while getting your family out and about as the weather cools a bit. Staying physically active is important for maintaining good health. Try these fun and active family ideas: Take a walk around the neighborhood. Check out the fall decorations people are putting... Continue Reading →
According to foodsafety.gov, an estimated 1 in 6 Americans will get sick from food poisoning each year. You can help protect yourself and your family from food borne illnesses by following these 4 steps for food safety: clean, separate, cook and chill. CLEAN Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and... Continue Reading →
Add some sweetness and crunch to your usual tuna sandwich with this recipe. You can easily substitute canned chicken for the tuna! Yum! Apple Tuna Sandwich Add some sweetness and crunch to your usual tuna sandwich with this recipe. You can easily substitute canned chicken instead of tuna. Can openerSharp knifecutting boardSpatula or spoonMedium BowlMeasuring... Continue Reading →
The National School Lunch Program provides nutritionally balanced lunches to children each school day. Contact your school district directly to see if it offers free or reduced price school meals based on household income and family size. If you’d like to pack lunches at home, here are some tips to keep your kid’s lunches simple, healthy,... Continue Reading →
Get started with on your healthy snacking journey with our snacking guide! Apricot Date Bars This is an easy and nutrient dense recipe that the whole family will love. Put your creative hats on and customize the ingredients based on the season, your taste preference, or what you have in your pantry! food processorbowlbaking panparchment... Continue Reading →
Healthy, quick, easy, and affordable snacks can be a lifesaver during a busy day of work, picking up the kids from school, or during a weekend where you just want to relax. But sometimes you don’t have those snacks on hand when you need them most. Maybe the preparation is hard, maybe you just need... 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 →
Following some basic guidelines can help you encourage your kids to eat healthy. Here are some rules to live by: Parents control the supply lines. Keep the foods you want your children to choose on hand. Kids won't go hungry. They'll eat what's available. Kids get to choose what they eat from what is available... 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 →
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 →
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 →
Summer is a great time to stay active outside. Physical activity is anything that gets you moving. Gardening, cleaning, playing, dancing, and walking are great ways to move your body during the summer. The CDC suggests 30 minutes of exercise daily. Walking is one of the best ways to exercise because it is inexpensive and... 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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Use this “What’s in Season” calendar from Idaho Preferred to enjoy the ripest, tastiest Idaho grown produce.
Have you received a Health and Wellness item from our Eat Smart Idaho team or another community member? The Long Live Idaho campaign is distributing health and wellness items throughout Fall of 2022. Each item has an attached postcard with a QR code that leads to a quick survey to tell us how you plan... Continue Reading →
Including more legumes in your meals can be great for your overall health, help you save money, and be a fun and delicious way to try new recipes! Chickpea Blondies These nutrient dense blondies are great for breakfast, a snack or dessert! blender/food processorMixing bowl8 x 8 baking panMixing Spoon 3-4 ripe bananas1/2 cup oats1... Continue Reading →
As children, many of us may have heard songs and stories about beans. While these songs and stories tried to encourage more bean consumption, it seems that legumes aren’t eaten quite as often as they could be. Legumes include beans like black, pinto, navy, and kidney beans as well as chickpeas, split peas, and lentils.... Continue Reading →
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 →
Tomatoes are plentiful and affordable in the summer because they are in season. There are many varieties of tomatoes to choose from. Whether it be bite sized cherry tomatoes or larger Heirloom tomatoes, they are a great way to add flavor and nutrition to your meals. Tomatoes can be eaten raw, cooked, or made into... Continue Reading →
Hummus is another tasty way to add plant protein to your day! Hummus can be spread on sandwiches, served with crackers, or used as a dip for veggies.
Every person needs protein in their diet to build and repair their body. This article talks about a few plant foods to keep your body fueled with the protein it needs!
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 →
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 →
Fermenting your own vegetables can help save money, especially if you eat them regularly. By fermenting sauerkraut at home, you can make a jar for a fraction of the price that you would pay in the supermarket. Beet Sauerkraut An easy at home fermentation recipe for the whole family! kitchen scalebowlmason jar/glass jarSpoonkifecutting boardGrater 500... 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 →
Berry Banana Popsicles A refreshing frozen snack. Mixing bowlKnifePaper cupsPlastic spoons 1 cup Strawberries (diced)1 Banana (medium sized, diced)2 cups Vanilla Yogurt (non-fat) Wash hands.Dice strawberries and bananas with a knife. Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl. Pour mixture into paper cups. Place in freezer until starts to solidify.Place plastic spoons in mixture... Continue Reading →
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 →
Fruit Leather is nutritious, delicious, easy to prepare, lightweight, and simple to make. Fruit leather 3 cups strawberries Wash hands and wash fruitBlend 3 cups strawberries or other fruit in a blenderSpread evenly on a silicone baking mat on a cookie sheetBake at lowest setting for 3-4 hoursCheck often as each batch will vary depending... Continue Reading →
There is nothing quite like eating fresh fruit and vegetables when they are at their peak of freshness, but in order to enjoy them throughout the year they must be preserved. There are many ways of preservation such as canning, freezing and drying. When canning, the food is boiled in a can or jar to... Continue Reading →
This sweet and spicy salsa tastes great on tacos, with grilled with meats, with cheese & whole grain crackers baked tortilla chips. Try our Pork Tacos with Cherry Salsa.
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...
Tangy Summer Crunch Salad cutting boardKnifeMixing bowlSpoon 1 large cucumber (about 2 cups (or summer squash))1 large tomato1 small onion (or 3 large green onions)1 handful fresh herbs (ex: dill, cilantro, mint, etc. )2 Tablespoons lemon juice (about half a lemon (or vinegar))black pepper (to taste) Wash all vegetables under clean water, prepare vegetables as... Continue Reading →
