Blog
Nut milk, rice milk – Really?
I grew up on a farm and from what I know, milk comes from a cow. It is that white liquid farmers “milk” for us humans before the baby calves get to it. Cow’s milk is a good source of protein calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D (since all cow’s milk is fortified).
Fruitastic Summer Smoothie Blast
Fruit smoothies and drinks have joined the menu at many coffee shops and quick serve restaurants. Manufacturers have also joined the bandwagon with many bottled or frozen mixes on grocery store shelves. It is no wonder they are so popular, they are a great way to get fruits into your and children’s diet.
Ramen Noodle Skillet
Ramen Noodle Skillet was a hit with my kids when they were in school and it still is one of my favorite recipes. I think the noodles were the attraction for them. I like it because you can use just about any vegetable that you have in your garden or vegetable drawer, only one pan gets dirty, and you can have the meal on the table in 15 minutes.
Mediterranean Diet
The last couple of weeks I have been studying the Mediterranean diet in Crete. This diet, which is named for the traditional cooking style of countries bordering the Mediterranean sea, is associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease, and higher life expectancy. The locals brag that almost everyone in Crete has a relative that is over 100 years old (it seems like the older I get, the more important life expectancy is to me!).
Storing Fruits and Vegetables
Most of us are buying more fruits and vegetables. That is a good first step. But should you wash them before you put them away or just before you serve them? Should you store them in the refrigerator or on the counter? Will they continue ripening at home? The answer to these questions is…it depends!
Pass the Word: Free Lunches for Kids
Free and reduced price lunches at school are very important for the growing number of low-income kids. But what do the 150,000 Iowa kids who get free and reduced price lunches do in the summer when school is out? The fortunate kids (about 9,000 in Iowa last year) get lunch through summer feeding sites.
Fruit Pizza
You have to try this Fruit Pizza! It really is one of the biggest recipe hits we have created for our Healthy and Homemade Calendar. It is quick, easy, and uses common ingredients including whole grains (oatmeal). Plus it tastes and looks fabulous.
Why pay for something that is free?
Everyone knows staying hydrated is important, especially during periods of physical activity and in warmer weather. Most people agree that drinking water is better than buying soft drinks.
The Secret Behind Supplements
After being diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia, I started to take an Iron + Vitamin C supplement every day. I also started to eat foods with a higher iron content more often. So, this makes me wonder: how much do people spend on supplements compared to their grocery bill? According to the National Institutes of Health, $33.9 billion was spent on alternative medicine in the year 2008. That is more than what the National Football League (NFL) is worth! Also, more than half of Americans are popping multivitamin pills daily and about one-third are using some sort of alternative medicine (vitamins or herbs in a pill form).
How to “Preserve the Taste of Summer”
The heat and drought are hard on fruits and vegetables, so production at home and at farmers markets is down. But, you might still be able to find some great tasting fruits and/or vegetables to can, freeze, pickle, dry or make into jam. Using current tested recipes and procedures is very important, both to make sure your food is safe and to get the best tasting results.
Want to Make Salsa?
This morning I got an email from my sister:
Cheesy Pasta with Summer Veggies
Our yummy Cheesy Pasta with Summer Veggies recipe is filled with vegetables, whole grain, and is low in calories. Plus it is very versatile, so you can use any vegetable that you have on hand. In the summer I make it with garden vegetables such as broccoli, zucchini, peppers, carrots and fresh tomatoes. In the winter I use a frozen vegetable mix and drained, canned tomatoes. If I have some leftover meat or beans in the refrigerator, I add that along with the vegetables.
