Monday, June 25, 2012

Monday Message - Recipe of the Week

Collard Chips

Recipe By: Dawn Blatner, RD

Craving a crispy, savory snack? Try some collard chips at the next family get-together.

Ingredients

1 Bunch collard green leaves (about 10-11 leaves)
Cooking spray
Sea salt, to taste

 

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375ºF.
  2. Wash collards, remove center stem and rip leaves into chip-size pieces.
  3. In bowl, coat each piece with cooking spray (or toss with olive oil if preferred).
  4. Mist baking sheet with cooking spray and arrange collard pieces in single layer.
  5. Sprinkle salt.
  6. Bake for 8-9 minutes, until slightly brown and crisp.


Recipe Nutrition Facts

Monday Message - It's Getting Hot In Here!

Summer brings hot days, outdoor gatherings...and potential for food poisoning. Learn how to be safe.




Monday, June 11, 2012

Monday Message - Recipe of the Week

BBQ Pork Sandwiches

 

Ingredients

1 pound cooked pork loin roast
1 cup barbecue sauce (homemade or your favorite low-sodium brand)
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
6 whole wheat hamburger buns

 

Directions

  1. Slice the port roast into sandwich-size slices. Place pork slices in a microwave-safe bowl; pour barbecue sauce over the pork. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, and microwave on a high setting for 3 minutes.
  2. Saute the onion and pepper in the olive oil for 2 minutes or until tender.
  3. Place the vegetables and pork slices on a bun and serve.

Time-Saving Tip

Pick up a precooked pork loin roast from your supermarket deli counter - check the sodium first!

Nutrition Facts: Click here.

Monday Message - Take Back the Remote!

What occupies your kids for more than six hours per day? TV, computer and video screens. Children spend on average almost 45 hours per week with media.That's more time than they spend with their parents! Even kids under age 2 watch one to two hours of television per day.  Even if it is considered "educational" media programming, the time spent in front of media is way more than it should be.  Kids need to get outside or just get moving!

It's time to unplug your kids from the TV, computer or video screen! Take back the remote and get active. Read the Full Article from Kids Eat Right.



Not sure where to start? Sign your family up for the President's Challenge Physical Fitness Test!
Click on the Link for more information:  Physical Fitness Test

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

National Running Day

Celebrate  National Running Day on June 6, 2012!

While any increase in walking will help promote good health, the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports recommends 30 minutes a day, on five or more days a week, or 10,000 steps daily, to produce the best, long-term health benefits for most individuals.  In a hurry?  Get in your 10,000 steps a little quicker by running today!

My Story: I started running as a Senior in High School.  Although I occasionally joined my dad for a hot run on the dirt road I grew up on and I even dabbled in Middle School Track for nearly a full season, I did not develop a passion for running until I set a goal to run a 5K before graduating high school.  Not just any 5K, the Old Kent Riverbank Run.  3.1 miles?  Sure! With training of course (mostly on that dirt road...ugh).  My first race just happened to be the year that the Old Kent River Bank Run was held at the Old Kent Ball Park rather than Downtown.  The course almost resembled that dirt road....so I actually ran surprisingly well considering about 3/4 of the way through I thought that I was going to die because it was so hard to breathe and my legs were running on empty!  As it turned out, 3/4 of the way through the race should have been the finish line!  They changed the location of the course that year....and failed to mark it correctly....only to find out in the newspaper the following day that I actually ran 4 miles.  So much for training right?!  I was scarred.  No desire to do anymore 5K races for awhile....who knew how long 5K might actually turn into! I did not face the Riverbank run again until taking on the 25K, I figured if the race was longer than I had anticipated years ago then 15.5 miles should not be too bad! Aside from the fact that the race endured the quintessential cold drizzle, it actually was not too bad and I was proud to call  myself a runner that day!

12 years later and 6 months pregnant, I decided not to run today. However, I did choose to walk back to my hotel from a conference instead of taking the street car. It was well worth it! I managed to get in 13,000+ Steps today and my baby was lulled to sleep on a nice long walk.

Why do you Run? Make a bold statement and tell the world our reason for running!


Monday, June 4, 2012

Monday Message - Recipe of the Week

Breakfast Parfaits and Smoothies - View these quick recipe demos to ensure that your Breakfast Smoothies and Parfaits are packed with Nutrition!



Parfaits for breakfast? Yes, if you choose the right ingredients! Plus make your own granola in a skillet. Parfait and Granola Video

Want a great recipe to help your kids learn measuring skills while they have fun in the kitchen? Try this Fuel You Up Smoothie, loaded with nutrition powerhouses such as milk, bananas, blueberries, kiwi and yes, spinach! Nutrition Powerhouse Smoothie

Kids love smoothies! This Blue Banana Smoothie has a surprise ingredient that adds more nutrition while still being delicious! Blueberry Surprise Smoothie

Want to give your kids a tasty, creamy snack that hits the spot on hot days? Try Mom's Mango Smoothie

Monday Message - More Breakfast Tips

Still Struggling with Breakfast Time?

Take breakfast off the back burner! Follow these Kids Eat Right Tips to fuel your kids with a healthy breakfast, no matter how rushed they are.

Get your kids to enjoy veggies for breakfast. How about spinach in an omelet or sweet potato hash?
View the ideas below and be sure to check out the "Kid Friendly" tips from kidseatright.org

  • Add fresh or frozen chopped spinach, mushrooms, or diced tomatoes to scrambled eggs or omelets. Make scrambled eggs with leftover veggies in the microwave for an even faster healthy breakfast.
  • Add grated carrots or zucchini to pancake, quick bread or muffin batter.
  • Bake muffins ahead of time and freeze; toast and spread with peanut butter for a satisfying breakfast.
  • Whirl carrots and fresh orange juice in a blender for a refreshing breakfast beverage. Or blend kale and spinach with apples, oranges, melon or pears. Add a scoop of yogurt if desired.
  • Make a breakfast burrito by wrapping low-fat cheddar cheese, scrambled eggs and diced bell peppers in a whole-wheat tortilla.
  • Try an egg sandwich on whole grain toast with fresh tomato slice, sauteed mild banana or anaheim peppers & arugula.
  • Saute sliced potatoes with onion & peppers for a side dish.
  • Add fresh basil or cilantro to omelets, egg sandwiches, etc.