Eat Well

Welcoming a New Season: 3 Tips to Make Summer Salad Friendly

June 21, 2017 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

By Dylan Bailey, MS

Today marks the longest day of the year, aka an event called “summer solstice”. Many of us also know this day as the official start to summer! During summer solstice, some places may experience up to 24 hours of sunlight (we’re looking at you northern tip of Alaska). Although bittersweet as each day will become shorter and shorter with less sunlight, we can still celebrate summer for all it is worth. What better way to do this than kicking off the new season with refreshing your salad knowledge?

Salads are excellent means to deliver nutrients packed in a flavor-friendly way, but they can be known to be quite boring. These tips below can help you step-up your salad game this summer as you enjoy the sunshine!

Fresh Herbs for the Win (FTW)

Herbs make for an excellent addition to any salad with their bursting flavor, and really change the entire dimension of anything they’re added to. Not to mention, they also contain vitamins and minerals like potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K and vitamin A. Fresh herbs can even be grown in your kitchen, perfect for a summer project with the kids. For an easy summer salad recipe using fresh herbs, check out this Summer Garbanzo Bean Salad, made with Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn and Cut Green Beans.

Get Slaw’d

Re-think the traditional salad by going the “slaw” route. Normal salads can be vehicles for greens like iceberg and romaine lettuce, which can be overused, boring and don’t lend tremendous flavor or texture profile. Using cabbage slaw in salads can add a unique mouthfeel and “pop” – perfect for summertime. Cabbage is also high in fiber, low in glycemic load, rich in vitamins C and K, and folate (also known as folic acid or vitamin B9). This Summery Slaw is easy to make and a perfect introductory dish for slaw beginners!

Add Some Crunch with Seeds and Nuts

Seeds and nuts have significant health benefits and including them in salads is the perfect way to enjoy their splendor. If you can name it, nuts and seeds have it. Protein – yup. Fiber – yup. Healthy fats – yup. Antioxidants – yup. Elevate their use beyond just a snack, as these items can provide a nice texture gradient and wonderful taste (try roasted varieties for an additional level of flavor). This Warm Baby Green Salad with Peas, Pistachios and Pecorino uses pistachios to lend a rich, nutty and earthy taste element.

We here at Libby’s hope that this summer is your best one yet. We also hope that you can use these tips to continue elevating how you think about salads, all summer long!

Go Green for National Nutrition Month®

February 15, 2017 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

By Dylan Bailey, MS Candidate

With Saint Patrick’s Day right around the corner on March 17th, it’s time to start getting all things “green” on your radar. March may be known as the month of leprechauns and the beginning of a new season, but it is also National Nutrition Month® (NNM) – a yearly tradition hosted by The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that spotlights the importance of making healthier food choices and physical activity. Now you can wear your greens and eat them too all month long!

Put Your Best Fork Forward

This year’s National Nutrition Month theme is to “Put Your Best Fork Forward,” as a reminder that each bite counts and to motivate us to implement small changes that can add up over time. As you’re cooking up a delicious meal for the table, be sure to Put Your Best Fork Forward on your journey to a healthier lifestyle.

Get Home-Inspired

Planning to cook and eat more meals together at home as a family is a perfect way to begin making healthier strides forward. In fact, doing the opposite by eating meals away from home, whether at a restaurant or friend’s house, can be associated with higher fat and caloric intake as well as lower micronutrient intake (such as Vitamin C and iron). That’s more reason than ever to share the joys of cooking and eating as a family at home this NNM.

Celebrate all month long with a nutrient-packed home cooked meal that is simple to make, like this Pea and Green Bean Rice Medley made with Libby’s® Sweet Peas Cups and Libby’s® Cut Green Beans Vegetable Cups. Peas and green beans are packed with ingredients for a healthier you, like fiber, protein and several essential vitamins and minerals.

Luck of the Green

Even on St. Patrick’s Day, you can participate in NNM by “being green” the healthy way. Prepare this festive Shepherd’s Pie with Lemony Green Beans, filled with delectable flavors and a variety of Libby’s® vegetables. This recipe serves 8 so you may want to invite your friends over to spread the love and enjoy this Irish-themed feast together. Too much green is never a bad thing!

For more ideas on how you can participate in NNM, check out these 36 great ideas by the Academy to get involved! You can also learn more about National Nutrition Month and how to Put Your Best Fork Forward by visiting http://www.eatright.org/resources/national-nutrition-month.

Get Pumping: Keep Your Heart Healthy During American Heart Month

January 18, 2017 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

By Samantha Bailey, Registered Dietitian

Heart shaped candies, bouquets of vibrant red roses, fluffy teddy bears, and X’s and O’s are beginning to filling the store aisles, which means Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. But February isn’t just about the “be mine” cards, it’s also recognized as American Heart Month by The American Heart Association to spread awareness about cardiac diseases and prevention. Show your heart some love by following a healthy cardiac lifestyle, especially with all the decadent chocolaty desserts and sweets that will be consumed in the coming weeks!

Vamp Up Your Fruit and Vegetable Routine

Fruits and vegetables have it all from taste to nutrition. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber and they’re also low in calories, making for the quintessential guilty-free snack. Take charge of your health by including a variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the week and you’re on your way to getting the nutrients you need for a healthy heart. Try these Avocado Sweet Pea Frozen Pops for a new spin on eating fruits and vegetables.

Get Moving!

Have a heart-pumping date this Valentine’s Day with some physical activity at the gym, park or at the convenience of your own home. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity each week to keep your heart healthy. Afterward, stay strong and pump on by rewarding yourself with a Sweet Corn & Tomato Pesto Bruschetta snack made with Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn. The combination of fruit, vegetables, and whole wheat baguette are all part of and key to a heart healthy diet.

Put a Cap on Eating Nutrient-Poor Food

With all the chocolate hearts and lollipops, you’re likely not getting the nutrients you need, so it’s recommended to limit your sugary treats. When you and your loved one are settling down for Valentine’s Day dinner, aim for nutrient-rich foods (think: skinless poultry or fish, legumes, and fruits and vegetables). Make it even more romantic by having a candle light dinner at home. Try whipping up this Maple Glazed Turkey Breast with Sesame Green Beans & Carrots to impress your Valentine and keep your heart going.

Surviving Winter: Warm Recipes to Get Cozy With

December 29, 2016 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

Baby, it’s cold outside – and we’re not just talking about the classic Christmas jingle! It’s that time of year again when even the heaviest layers of your warmest clothing can’t protect you from the bone-chilling winds. We all know that nothing makes a cold winter night more tolerable than digging into a warm, hearty meal to satisfy you to the very tips of your toes – preferably by the fireplace! If you’re in search for warm and comforting fare for the whole family, you’re in luck with these recipes that will make you happy to stay inside and away from what may seem like the arctic tundra.

Getting Hot, Hot, Hot!

Before you leave the house, start your day warmly with these Hot-Off-The-Griddle Corn Cakes, made with Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn. This filling and flavorful breakfast item will have your belly thanking you – especially when paired with a warm cup of fresh brewed coffee or tea.

Chilly Evenings Filled with Chili

With the temperature outside dropping – your motivation to cook for more than 30 minutes most likely is too. Why spend your whole night in the kitchen when you can whip up this Quick Chicken Chili in 20 minutes, giving you and the family ample time to get cozy and spend time together after dinner!

Dust off the Slow Cooker

This Herbed Chicken and Veggies (Slow Cooker) recipe brings heat to a whole new meaning – and not just temperature wise! Combined with chicken seasoned to perfection and succulent, nutritious Libby’s® vegetables, this recipe will be sure to warm up everyone’s heart and soul. Just throw the ingredients into your slow-cooker, let it go to work, and come home and enjoy. Bonus points if it’s eaten on the couch while covered in blankets.

Let’s Get Sensible: How to Enjoy a Holiday Classic Reasonably

December 20, 2016 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

By Dylan Bailey, MS Candidate

The following 3 words may describe one of the holiday season’s most iconic culinary traditions: Green, Bean, and Casserole. The Green Bean Casserole is a staple in many households for the holidays – and no surprise – the dish was first developed in 1955, meaning this recipe turns 61 this year. Move over mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts, because we have way too much history with this side dish!

Green Bean Casserole is a welcome addition to any holiday table, and is traditionally served in a large casserole dish, family style. For those trying to enjoy food sensibly this holiday season while also indulging, this “free for all” approach can make it difficult to know what a recommended portion size is, or even stick to it. This can lead to consuming more calories, sodium and fat than you had intended to. In fact, research suggests larger portion sizes might play a role in how much food you’re really eating at meals.

To allow yourself to enjoy this classic comfort food, try changing how the recipe is served before it even hits the table – this way you’ll have more awareness and control of your servings, and won’t be as tempted to go for seconds, or even thirds.

Green Bean Casserole Tartlets

These Green Bean Casserole Tartlets are the perfect solution for keeping portion control in mind. Servings are pre-made and baked into an edible crust! The best part? You’ll still get all the vitamins, minerals and fiber that this dish packs, while keeping portion size under control. Not to mention – these will impress even the pickiest dinner guests.

Individual Herbed Vegetable Pot Pies

If the Green Bean Casserole Tartlets don’t make it to your table this holiday season, these Individual Herbed Vegetable Pot Pies are also packed with pre-portioned goodness, nourishing vegetables, and take just about 10 minutes to make – giving you more time to get back to the table this holiday season!

Survive the Holidays With Simple Weeknight Dinners

November 30, 2016 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, holiday season is in full swing. With more holidays just around the corner, your schedule will most likely start to fill up with office, school, and family festivities, making it hard to stay focused on your everyday standards – like getting a nourishing dinner on the table. It can be easy to prioritize your holiday to-do list, such as getting the cookie cutter collection ready, and of course, the so it seems endless shopping trips to guarantee the perfect gifts for everyone, over all other duties.

We know that staying motivated and on track to be healthy during this chaotic time of year can be proven difficult. But, that doesn’t mean your weeknight dinners have to suffer just because your plate may already be full. Follow these simple and delicious meals to get you through the holiday madness that are effortless, nutritious, and delicious all at the same time.

Pea Perfection

We absolutely love these Mini Pea Soup Bread Bowls from Lisa at Snappy Gourmet. The bread bowls are versatile – you can serve them as a fun, quick appetizer or as an entrée, and are packed with Libby’s® Sweet Peas. The best part? Total time to create this tasty recipe is only 20 minutes! If you’re looking to save the carbs for your next Holiday meal – serve the soup in your bowl of choice.

Getting the Most out of a Salad

What if we told you that we had the secret to not only a fresh, simple salad – but also one that will awaken your taste buds and come full of vegetables? This Easy Three Bean Salad can be whipped together as a simple solution for a weeknight meal. Try serving as a salad, or get creative and pair with chips and dip right in.

Healthy Wraps, Please!

Looking for a fun way to incorporate protein and veggies to make dinner preparation more enjoyable? These Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps combine all the wholesome and delectable ingredients that will have everyone at the table asking for more. Gather the kids together to help fold the ingredients together for these crispy healthful wraps – a great trick for more family time in the kitchen!

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