Grilling can be a healthy way to cook in the #summertime and throughout the year, says Mountain Pacific Healthcare. It requires less oil than frying and allows excess fats to drip off of meats; it also encourages the use of fresh ingredients. “Build a menu that includes lean proteins such as chicken breast, turkey burgers, fish, shrimp or tofu [and] colorful vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, asparagus and onions.” Watch portion sizes and experiment with citrus marinades and spice rubs to avoid the added sugars of store-bought barbecue sauces. Grilling offers “an opportunity to build healthier habits.” #NoSweatSummerCookout
Tag: healthy eating
Get Creative With Leftover Turkey
A memorable #Thanksgiving should offer not only the #holiday feast, but leftovers, too! One easy and satisfying meal you can make with the extra turkey is a classic pot pie. If you have the time and energy, make a pie crust from only five basic ingredients (flour, butter, sugar, water and salt), or use a ready-made one from the refrigerator case (no judgement here). Shred the turkey and add your favorite vegetables — onions, carrots, peas, green beans, mushrooms, celery and corn are fair game. Add a splash of heavy cream and spices, and the filling is ready! Put the top crust on and pop it in the oven. #NoFailFallCooking
Soup Is Good Food for Fall
“Soup is good food,” the ads used to say. And really, is anything more satisfying in the #fall and #winter than a big pot of hot soup on the stovetop? The regular rotation at The Organizing Blog’s kitchen includes split pea, black bean, chili, white-bean chicken chili, curried butternut squash, tomato bisque, shrimp and corn chowder, lentil sausage and gumbo, but there are dozens of recipes that can satisfy a crowd with seasonal ingredients. Long story short: If it’s edible, you can make soup out of it, so brainstorm the ingredients you like and go to the search engine for ideas! #NoFailFallCooking
Don’t Stress About Summer’s Bounty
Home #gardeners can easily be overwhelmed by the sheer bounty of #summer and #fall #produce, especially if a particular crop succeeds. “There is an odd combination of being thrilled that you found the right plant and variety to produce like crazy, while also being stressed about what you are going to do with it all,” says The Homestead Garden. Visit the #garden daily to keep tabs on growth. Make a to-do list of tasks that will maximize your #harvest and still give you time to cook or store everything. Give excess fruits and vegetables to your neighbors if you can’t use them all. And look at gardening as a rewarding hobby, not a chore. #FreshProduce
Eating Seasonal Offers Multiple Benefits
Using fresh produce in season has a variety of benefits, says the Home & Garden Information Center at Clemson University. First, freshly harvested produce is at its peak nutritional value and is unlikely to have needed extensive storage or artificial ripening. Produce sold in season is also more cost-effective for the end user, since seasonal abundance typically lowers prices. Finally, eating fruits and vegetables in season helps support local farmers and the community, while reducing the environmental impacts associated with soil degradation and long-distance transportation. #FreshProduce