Recipe of the Week - Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

I simply cannot resist sharing this Winter Squash recipe. Seeing as how my 2 year old LOVES squash, I have been eagerly anticipating the fall squash harvest to introduce our 8 month old to a new favorite food.  Although the baby is not quite ready for this recipe, adding butternut squash to mac and cheese makes it better and more nutritious than the standard preparation! Check out the video and let me know if you try it. :) Recipe Video

Monday Message - Fall Grilling

Wait!! Do not put away that grill yet.  We have plenty of fall nights for grilling before the snow falls.  Even better - hearty fall vegetables are ready to harvest which are perfect for grilling well into the winter season.  Visit your local farm market to pick up local, fresh veggies and get grilling.  Never grilled vegetables before? Oh my! Please do not wait any longer. You will not be disappointed. Plus, your tailgating friends will be impressed. Check out Kids Eat Right for tips on Grilling Fruits & Vegetables and then fire up your grill.  Tell us which vegetable was your favorite...

Recipe of the Week - High Five Salad

Kids Eat Right: High Five Salad

 RD's LOVE Chickpeas. Costco. Enough said.

Monday Message - Did you know?

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reports the Quick Facts on School Lunch News.  Now, we just need to get the kiddos to eat the nutritious food offered in the lunch line rather than toss it away.  Any tips you mom and dads have to getting your kids to take time to eat lunch rather than run out to recess?  Please comment!

Recipe of the Week: Chili Popcorn

Kids Eat Right: Chili Popcorn Recipe

Monday Message - Yogurt

Kids Eat Right - Monday Message

 

Yogurt, also referred to as "Yogi" in our house....is served breakfast, lunch and dinner some days.  My two year old LOVES "yogi" any time of day. The yogurt section in the grocery store is very overwhelming...so many choices...so many labels to read. For a kid, eyes light up like they are in a candy store but for an adult attempting to make an educated choice on which type of bacteria is best for our "guts" we could easily stand there for hours.  I have very good news, the work has been done for you! 

Top Nutrition Picks: Stoneyfield Farms - Greek Plain (23g protein per cup!) or Smooth and Creamy Plain Whole Milk.  French vanilla is great too. All organic. Tasty. Nutritious. Cannot hold a candle to "go-gurt" (gag). 



Now the questions that remain....fat free or whole milk? sweetened or unsweetened? what is the difference between greek yogurt and regular?  Get all of your answers from Kids Eat Right.  Just click here.

Any questions left unanswered?  Please ask!

Monday Message - Back to School Nutrition

My "littles" are not old enough for school yet, but we have increased from one day per week at daycare to three days a week...that was enough change in routine for me! Luckily, my daycare provider offers great food choices for the girls so I do not have to worry about a thing...which is a great relief for a registered-dietitian-mom aka the "food police."  Check out the article below for back to school tips as your kids start a new year.
 

Monday Message: Nutrition Tips

Kids Eat Right Fourth of July

Fire up the barbecue and enjoy the Fourth of July with kids and family, but make sure to follow some precautions before you put that burger on the grill. Read the Kids Eat Right Article here.

Why not pack a picnic cooler ahead of time for that 4th of July family outing? Keep it simple, safe, and savory. Check out these Hot Tips.

Liven up your 4th of July festivities with a nice cold fruit snow cone! Any berry or fruit will do! Recipe Link

Don’t spend hours over a hot stove this 4th of July! Use your pressure cooker to make this Pulled Mexican Pork dish and enjoy it as a taco or burrito filling; or serve on a whole grain bun. Recipe Video

Monday Message - Chicken Soup

In spite of all your efforts to stay healthy, your child has caught the bug – a mild cold, but nonetheless a nagging one. Chicken soup can help!


Read the entire Kids Eat Right Article for tips on getting your little one back to running around and laughing in no time. Click Here.

Monday Message - Recipe of the Week

Quinoa StirFry

Recipe By:  Stacy Antine, MS RD

Our favorite whole grain is quinoa because it smells so good when it's cooking. It's a complete protein (contains lysine, an amino acid missing in most grains), and is a good source of riboflavin, vitamin E, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper and fiber (which we all don't get enough of!). Quinoa is so fun and versatile to cook with as you creatively mix and match seasonal vegetables and taste preferences with this nutrient-packed base that the whole family will enjoy. Move over rice, we're all about quinoa — try it, you'll love it! Serve this yummy recipe warm or cold.

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cups water (or use low sodium vegetable or chicken broth)
6 ounces fresh baby spinach
1 cup grape tomatoes
½ cup walnut pieces, raw
½ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, freshly grated
Torn fresh basil leaves (optional garnish)

Directions

1. Place quinoa in a small bowl, add water to cover, and swish to rinse. Pour into a fine mesh strainer and drain well (it's important to rinse quinoa).
2. Heat oil in medium skillet. Add quinoa. Toast, stirring, over medium heat until golden, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook, constantly stirring for 1 minute. Add water and heat to a boil. Cover over medium heat and let cook until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
3. When quinoa is cooked, add spinach and tomatoes directly to skillet. Stir-fry over medium heat until spinach is almost wilted and tomatoes are warmed, about 1 minute. Stir in walnuts and cheese. Garnish with basil leaves. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts:  Recipe Link