October 26, 2017
By Dr. Carolyn Dunn
Fall is in the air, and that means it’s time to cozy up with a warm pumpkin spice latte! Instead of using up your calories for the day on a sugar-heavy Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, try this one instead and save on cash too. Here is a recipe for homemade pumpkin spice latte from Natalie Hodson (she also has a how-to video)… enjoy!
Fall is one of our favorite seasons. The air is cooler, the days feel shorter, and there’s pumpkin everywhere! Pumpkins are loaded with Vitamin A, fiber, and low in calories. Whether fresh or canned pumpkin puree, it’s versatility makes it a great addition to any recipe. Check out one of our favorite recipes from our friends at foodhero.org!
September 28, 2017
By Lareissa Stumm
Close your eyes and imagine with me for a minute. Are you ready? Eyes closed? Okay, good.
Now, imagine waking up on Monday morning refreshed and ready for a new week. (Remember, you’re imagining– so this is completely realistic!)
You have all the ambition in the world and you look at your peacefully sleeping kids and make a resolve to do everything you can for their health and happiness. (Yes, in your imagination, your kids are still asleep and they are the perfect, angelic little children that you always knew you would have. Wink wink)!
With this new ambition, what would you do to encourage your child down the road of healthy living?
This month we’ve been focusing one MED instead of MEDS. We started the month with a webinar where Faithful Families facilitators learned how to adapt and modify Faithful Families recipes for different tastes and audiences. In addition to adapting and modifying recipes, facilitators also learned about new resources and recipes from the Mediterranean-style of eating. We decided to give that a try with one of the delicious recipes – here is our Cucumber Apple Slaw!
June 1, 2017
It’s officially National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month! To celebrate, we have been testing different versions of corn salsa in search of that delicious bite of fresh, sweet, and tart. Y’know, the flavors that remind you of summer BBQs and bright, sunny days spent outdoors. This version of Summer Corn Salsa has even more sweetness, with fresh strawberries tossed into the mix to round out the “fruit” in National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month. We won’t say it’s the best version there is, but it is pretty darn good!
April 8, 2016
by Hannah Field
Today is National Empanada Day! Empanadas are widely found in Central and South America. They are pockets of dough stuffed with meats, veggies, beans, cheeses, and sometimes eggs and raisins! You can even make dessert empanadas with a variety of fillings. The name comes from the Spanish verb “empanar,” meaning “to wrap or coat in bread.”
I never thought I liked beets as a kid, but when I got a bit older I tried them again and they became a favorite vegetable. Beets do take about an hour to roast, so consider making them on the weekend for meal prep ahead, or on a weeknight you have a bit more time. You could buy them at the farmer’s market or grocery store, roast them, chop them up, and use them in recipes all week long! I absolutely love using one ingredient multiple times, especially when it is something as filling and delicious as beets.
This recipe would make an excellent side to a variety of main dishes. Enjoy!
December 2, 2015
by Hannah Field
Going meatless can be a great option for you and your family. However frequently you choose to do it – all the time or just occasionally, and for whatever reason – religious, budgetary, or otherwise, there are many benefits. At the family level, a meatless meal is often cost-effective and can help you eat more veggies and legumes. On a larger scale, it can save energy because of the land and feed required to raise animals.
November 24, 2015
by Hannah Field
Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday of the year. It’s a day to be intentional about practicing thankfulness AND to cook and share a meal with the people I love the most. When it comes to the meal, my family appreciates tradition, and there are dishes we make sure to have every year. But I have come to love it when family members bring new dishes to Thanksgiving, too. It has helped me try new foods and learn various cooking techniques.
August 12, 2015
Note: This was originally posted by the North Carolina Expanded Food and Nutrition Program here.
Sandwiches are a common staple food on a lunchbox menu for children, but I’ve noticed sandwiches have gotten a reputation as being boring or bland because children get tired of eating the same old sandwich for lunch every day. Sure, spreading some peanut butter and jelly on bread or just slapping on a few cold cuts makes for a tasty and easy meal, but eating that every day can make sandwiches less appealing. Get creative with new sandwich recipes and combinations to make lunch a meal that your child (and you) will look forward to!