Eat Well

Win the March Madness of Nutrition

March 21, 2019 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

With March Madness starting this week – up your nutrition game by using Libby’s® Canned Fruit and Vegetables! It just may be the secret ingredient to a winning dish!

Whether you are a basketball player or fan, you need to be energized to get you through this month of madness! Fill up your plate with nutritious fruits and vegetables that will keep you fueled.

Libby’s® Fruit and Vegetables helps you incorporate tasty nutrition into your diet without the fuss! Looking after your body begins with the food you eat and making smart decisions is important to your overall health and wellbeing. Enjoy a balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, grains and protein that all work together to support a strong immune system, healthy digestion, and all day energy.

Libby’s® is a perfect way to enjoy fruits and vegetables. They offer the same nutrition as fresh or frozen produce, delicious flavor, and help save time as they’re already peeled, sliced and ready to be enjoy. If you’re cooking with Libby’s®, you’ll always win the meal or snack time game.

Here are some simple tips to help manage your prep time before the countdown clock hits zero.

Healthy Pantry

Make sure to keep your pantry stocked with nutritious foods. Libby’s® Canned Vegetables are the perfect staple to always have on hand to ensure you’ll have healthy food in a flash.

Prepare in Batches

Cook in bulk and freeze leftovers to ensure you have a balanced meal even when you don’t have time to cook. Plus, it will help you save time and money.

Keep it Simple

The less ingredients, the better. All you need is a protein, carbohydrate and Libby’s®!

Here are some of Libby’s® easy to make, nutritious recipes that provide you with the perfect amount of energy and nutrients to keep you fueled.

Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Pasta made with Libby’s® Mixed Vegetables

This is the perfect meal to have for lunch or dinner – full of veggies to keep you energized.

Peanut Chicken and Veggie Quinoa Stir-Fry made with Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn, Sweet Peas and Sliced Carrots

This stir fry comes together in under 30 minutes and is a great source of carbohydrates, protein and other nutrients to keep you fit and healthy.

Lean Green Warm Barley Salad made with Libby’s® Cut Green Beans and Sweet Peas

This salad is rich in fiber and protein to provide you with steady energy.

For more recipe ideas and inspiration, check out Libby’s® Recipe Box and Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

Heart Healthy February with Libby’s®

February 21, 2019 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

February is all about celebrating your heart, including both Valentine’s Day and the American Heart Association’s American Heart Month, making it the perfect time of the year to make sure your heart health is in check!

The best way to keep your heart healthy is through your dietary habits and the best place to start is at home. Eating out means less control over how your food is prepared, with meals often including extra additives like butter which is high in saturated fats. Cooking at home allows you to have control over what ingredients go into your meal, giving you the opportunity to add beneficial heart health components, such as unsaturated fats and fiber.

A great way to ensure you have a wide range of vitamins and minerals is by adding color to your diet. Libby’s® is here to help! Libby’s® Canned Fruit and Vegetables are an easy and nutritious additive to your everyday meals. Sometimes, the preparation of vegetables can be time consuming and if you are in a rush it is easy to leave them out, but Libby’s® makes meal prep easier than ever! All of Libby’s® Fruits & Vegetables are perfectly prepared and tender, all you have to do is open the can and warm them (if you choose) to have a full serving of fruits or vegetables.

Canned vegetables are healthy for you, containing all the vitamins and minerals as fresh vegetables to make for a balanced diet. Libby’s® has a wide variety of choices that can be incorporated into your diet in a variety of ways, such as a beet hummus, vegetable soup, or salad. Whichever you choose, Libby’s® helps make it easy, simple, and tasty.

By adding an extra serving of vegetables to your meal, you will be filling yourself up with nutrient dense foods – ultimately contributing to a healthier heart and slimming the chances of heart issues in the future.

Here are some extra tips to keep in mind for when you are cooking at home:

Lightly sauté Libby’s® vegetables with olive oil for a heart healthy boost of omega-3s and to bring out even more flavor. For example, Libby’s® Sliced Carrots are already peeled and sliced – just turn on the heat, pop open the can, lightly sauté, and you are ready to go!
Avoid cooking with butter which is a saturated fat and can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Try cooking with an alternative such as olive oil which is an unsaturated fat. For fats, think anything solid at room temperature is a saturated fat.
Include more heart healthy fats in your diet, like salmon, nuts, avocado, and oils. Salmon is high in omega-3s and can reduce risk of CVD. Nuts are a healthy fat that you can add to salads, pasta and so many other meals – you can even eat them as a snack on their own!

Here are some of Libby’s® easy to cook, and heart healthy recipes to try this month!

Pea Pesto Salmon made with Libby’s® Sweet Peas

Fact: Peas are a great source of protein, pair with salmon for increased protein and heart healthy fats.

Roasted Beet Salsa made with Libby’s® Sliced Beets

Fact: High blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors for heart diseases. Studies have shown that beets can significantly lower blood pressure, therefore lowering the risk of heart issues.

Maple Roasted Beets and Carrots made using Libby’s® Sliced Beets and Sliced Carrots

Fact: Carrots are packed with carotenoids, fiber and vitamins to help your heart.

For more recipe ideas and inspiration, check out Libby’s® Recipe Box and Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

New Year, Same You

January 10, 2019 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

Every January many of us start off the new year with resolutions, proclaiming your personal new year, new me mantras. However, here at Libby’s® Fruit and Vegetables we don’t believe you need to reinvent yourself because you’re already great!

For 2019, let’s focus on the same you with goals to achieve along the way. Find the motivation to become the best possible version of yourself that you can be – New Year, Same You!

And, what better way to start than from the inside out. A well-balanced diet can provide you with greater energy throughout the day, more brain power, stronger immune system, better sleep, the list goes on!

Below are a few recipes to try out this new year, featuring nutritional benefits and delicious flavor thanks to Libby’s® Fruit and Vegetables.

Light & Filling

Breakfast made easy! Make these Mini Cheese Quiches with Corn and Chives using Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn during the weekend, then simply reheat in the morning before heading out the door for a quick and nutritious start to the day.

Simple & Veggies Packed

Full of Libby’s® Sliced Carrots and Sweet Peas, this Herbed Chicken and Veggies prepared in your slow cooker is a delicious and nutritious dinner the entire family will enjoy. Plus, it’s so easy to make avoiding takeout will be easy peasy.

Hearty & Healthy

Try this delicious combination of Salmon and Dill Green Bean Salad using Libby’s® Cut Green Beans for a protein-packed lunch or dinner that’s full of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Serve with your favorite whole grain, like brown rice or pumpernickel bread.

New Year, New Veggies

December 27, 2018 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

As we prepare to kick of 2019 with new goals and aspirations, one of the most common resolutions is to improve your diet and nutrition. There are countless recipes that are packed with veggies, beans and whole grains that are perfect to enjoy on a Meatless Monday or any day of the week!

Try a few of Libby’s favorite vegetarian recipes to jump start your new year and indulge in a bit of clean eating.

Barley Bliss

Wondering what to serve with barley? Try this Lean Green Warm Barley Salad to heat up your winter night and satisfy your taste buds. Mix in Libby’s® Cut Green Beans and Sweet Peas to add delicious flavor and nutrition.

Veggie Fix

Who said vegetarian meals aren’t filling? Obviously, they haven’t tried this delicious and simple Vegetarian Lasagna prepared with Libby’s® Mixed Vegetables. Taking only 15 minutes to prepare, this lasagna recipe offers all the flavor of a traditional lasagna with nutritious whole wheat pasta, three decadent cheeses, and lots of veggies.

Fried Medley

For a lighter take on a takeout favorite, try this Mixed Veggie Fried Rice prepared with Libby’s® Mixed Vegetables. Prepare in a wok with sesame oil and brown rice for a flavorful and colorful dish. Add some spice too to start the new year with a kick.

Thanksgiving Food Safety Tips

November 15, 2018 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

By Dylan Bailey, MS

Tis’ the season to give thanks for many things in our life – including family, friends and our health. We’re also thankful for the sweet and savory foods we’ve come to love this time of year, which give us that warm, fuzzy, and comforting feeling. You know what we’re talking about.

Before we can even dig in, we need to think about how our favorite Thanksgiving food is prepared. It may seem pretty obvious, but the way foods were sourced, made and served at the first Thanksgiving in 1621, is totally different from what we might experience at the table today. In the spirit of the holidays, we are appreciative of one of these distinct mealtime differences that separates us from the pilgrims: the knowledge and use of proper food safety practices.

At Libby’s®, we want you and your guests to experience food to its fullest and most importantly, safest potential. One in six Americans will get a foodborne illness this year, and we want to be on the front lines with you to help ensure a safe, healthy and delicious holiday. To do this, we’ve curated tips that you can use in your everyday life, no matter if you’re cooking for 20 people or just bringing the pumpkin pie, sourced from expert organizations like the Centers for Disease Control, United States Department of Agriculture and the Partnership for Food Safety Education. Join us in being food safe this Thanksgiving!

Let’s start with the following four food safety tips:

Handling and preparing food properly are critical to prevent a food-related illness from impacting you, your family and friends this holiday season. Use these four food safety tips when purchasing, handling, storing, preparing and serving foods.

1. Clean: Wash hands and surfaces often.
Wash your hands with soap and clean running water, and rub them together for at least 20 seconds. Do this before, during and after preparing food and before eating. Wash your utensils, cutting boards, and countertops with hot, soapy water between each food preparation step.

2. Separate: Avoid cross-contamination
Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs (including their juices) away from ready-to-eat foods and eating surfaces. This includes when grocery shopping. Use separate cutting boards and plates for raw meat, poultry, and seafood. Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate from all other foods in the fridge. Eating turkey? Use these tips to ensuring a delicious and safe bird makes it to the table.

3. Cook: Cook foods to the proper temperature
Food is safely cooked when the internal temperature gets high enough to kill germs that can make you sick. The only way to tell if food is safely cooked is to use a food thermometer. You can’t tell if food is safely cooked by checking its color and texture. See here for a helpful list of proper holiday food temperatures.

4. Chill: Refrigerate promptly
Keep your refrigerator below 40°F. Refrigerate perishable food within 2 hours (If outdoor temperature is above 90°F, refrigerate within 1 hour). Thaw frozen food safely in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave. Never thaw foods on the counter, because bacteria multiply quickly in the parts of the food that reach room temperature.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/keep-food-safe.html

Let’s talk about leftovers:

Place food into shallow containers and immediately put in the refrigerator or freezer for rapid cooling.
Throw away all perishable foods, such as meat, poultry, eggs and casseroles, left at room temperature longer than two hours; one hour in air temperatures above 90°F.
Reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Eat cooked leftovers within 4 days.
Most importantly, when in doubt, throw it out!

What about canned foods?

Canned foods offer convenient access to nutrient-dense foods, including fruits and vegetables, all year long and are safe indefinitely as long as they are not exposed to freezing temperatures, or temperatures above 90°F.
If the cans look ok, they are safe to use. Discard cans that are dented, rusted, or swollen.
High-acid canned food (tomatoes, fruits) will keep their best quality for 12 to 18 months; low-acid canned food (meats, vegetables) for 2 to 5 years.

We hope this refresher on food safety will ensure a healthy and delicious Thanksgiving for you and your loved ones. Apply your newfound knowledge when preparing these seasonal side dishes using Libby’s® Canned Vegetables listed below!

Gluten-Free Corn and Zucchini Pie

Crock Pot Sweet Corn Spoon Bread

Bacon Corn Sourdough Stuffing

For more recipe ideas, check out Libby’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for delicious holiday dishes.

Your Guide to Soup

October 11, 2018 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

By Dylan Bailey, MS

As we enter into the fall and winter months, there’s nothing better than a simple, nourishing and family-friendly soup recipe that warms us up.

Soups have evolved since researchers think they were first made some 25,000 years ago. A common soup back then would have been a combination of water and a hunk of meat or some other ingredient, boiled to create a broth. But, access to ingredients and preparation methods have changed, making soup a luxurious dish in disguise. Because soups use simple cooking techniques, anyone can master them. Let’s explore the types of soups we can create today, one spoonful at a time!

Types of Soups to Know

Stocks and Broths

Stocks and broths are somewhat similar being that ingredients (like meat, fish, vegetables, herbs) are simmered in water. Bones can be included too, mainly in stocks, to add flavors and texture. Broths are cooked for shorter amounts of time than stocks and can be served on their own. Stocks are thick when chilled and can be used in sauces. Broths form the base for many types of soups, including those we’ll talk about below. Other ingredients are typically added and cooked directly in broths, like minestrone soup. Stocks can be concentrated and sold as Bouillon cubes, which need to be dissolved before using.

Puréed

Puréed soups use a stock or broth base and are accompanied by starchy vegetables or legumes, including carrots, potatoes or peas. The entire nutrient-dense mixture is then puréed, also known as blended, to form a smooth and creamy consistency.

Chowder

Think “New England Clam Chowder.” Chowders are cream or milk based hearty soups with large chunks of ingredients. Typically, chowders will feature some type of seafood, but variations can also be made with corn, potato or chicken. Perhaps you’ve also hear of “Manhattan Clam Chowder” – a tomato-based version? There’s some historic debate around if this dish is even “chowder” at all.

Bisque

Bisques are rich but smooth soups that usually feature shellfish, most famously, lobster. Cream can be added to help thicken the soup. Bisques without shellfish are commonly known as squash, pea or mushroom bisques.

Consommé

The consommé is a staple of French cooking. It starts with stock and involves a process known as clarifying. This technique clears the soup, using protein-based additions like egg white to attract fat and other particles in the soup. The soup is served alone or with a simple herb or vegetable garnish.

With the help of Libby’s^®, you can put your soup knowledge into practice! We’ve provided three soup recipes below so you can try making them yourself using high-quality, nutrient-rich and premium ingredients the whole family will enjoy.

Puréed Example: Carrot Coconut Soup

Libby’s® Sliced Carrots and coconut milk are puréed in a vegetable broth base for this delicious soup. Carrots contain a high amount of fiber and vitamin A, making this a nutrient-dense meal perfect for any occasion.

Bisque Example: Spicy Sweet Pea Bisque

Courtesy of registered dietitian Deanna Segrave-Daly, RD, LDN, this bisque features a vegetable base instead of the commonly used shellfish base. To thicken the bisque, buttermilk is added. The sweet peas used in this recipe contain high amounts of vitamin C and fiber, and are low in fat.

Chowder Example: Ham and Corn Chowder

Thick chunks of potatoes and carrots, along with a milk base, form the recipe for this chowder. Instead of seafood, ham and corn are the main ingredient additions. Because there are a few steps to getting this chowder just right, it’s a great opportunity to ask friends and family to cook with you. If you feel the soup is too thick, feel free to add in a bit more milk or stock.

Eat Well

Crock Pot Sweet Corn Spoon Bread

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