Produce for Kids

June 18, 2012 By Anne

Pur family loves Publix and I love hearing about great things Publix does to help the community!

Produce for Kids^� is launching its annual Get Healthy, Give Hope campaign with 16 major supermarket chains across the country, including your local Publix stores, to help raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Now through June 28^th, shoppers like you can support local children’s cancer research programs and get healthy at the same time. Thanks to the annual Get Healthy, Give Hope campaign hosted by Publix and Produce for Kids, the more produce shoppers add to their shopping lists the more hope they can give to local children.

Celebrating a milestone 10^th birthday in 2012, Produce for Kids is excited to kick off this year’s campaign with a new partnership with Sprout^� and LazyTown^TM. During the campaign, Produce for Kids will offer shoppers collectible Ideal Meals^TM– quick and easy healthy meal ideas, which are free and can be found in displays featuring LazyTown characters from the popular, health-focused, children’s series airing exclusively in the U.S. on 24-hour preschool television channel, Sprout.

Ideal Meals offer shoppers chef-created/nutritionist-approved easy solutions for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. Featuring fresh fruits and vegetables as the main ingredients, Ideal Meals are great for busy families who crave fast meal options that don’t require stopping at the local drive-thru.

I am always looking for family friendly recipes. Have you ever tried the foods Publix cooks right there in front of you? They always have a ton of recipes to choose from!

Below are some delicious and healthful summer-inspired Ideal Meals perfect for any upcoming picnics or BBQs you may be attending and nutritious summer lunch recipe ideas for you and your kids:

Perfectly Petite Pizzas

Serves 4

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

2 whole wheat English muffins
4 Tbsp. tomato sauce
¼ lb. deli roast beef
¼ lb. mozzarella cheese, sliced
4 Tbsp. guacamole
1 medium tomato, sliced
2 mini cucumbers, sliced

Directions:

1. Toast English muffins. 2. Spread 1 Tbsp. tomato sauce on each English muffin. Add roast beef, cheese, 1 Tbsp. guacamole, tomato and cucumber.

Nutrition Information:

Perfectly Petite Pizzas Calories 256, Fat 9.1g, Protein 18.7g, Carbohydrate 24.9g, Fiber 5.1g, Cholesterol 43mg, Sodium 391mg, Calcium 257mg, Vitamin A 861 IU, Vitamin C 26mg, Iron 2.2mg

Turkey Burgers & Rainbow Salad

Serves 4

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground turkey
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 egg
1 Tbsp. fresh basil, (or ⅓ Tbsp. dried) chopped fine
1 cup mushrooms, washed/dried, sliced
½ medium sweet onion, sliced
2 Tbsp. butter
4 slices, deli style mozzarella cheese (¾ oz. each)
1 large tomato, sliced
4 whole grain burger buns

Directions:

1. In large bowl, mix breadcrumbs, egg, basil, and salt. Once mixed, add ground turkey and mix well. Make patties about the size of the bun. 2. In frying pan, on medium/high heat add butter, mushrooms and onions and cook about 10 minutes until tender and brown. Turn heat to low and keep warm. 3. Pan-fry or grill, on medium heat, burgers until firm (about 4-5 minutes a side). 4. Assemble bun with burger, cheese, tomato and onion/mushroom mixture.

Serves 4

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

1 apple, cored, sliced
4 rainbow peppers, seeded, sliced
½ mango, skinned, diced
½ fresh lemon, juiced
2 Tbsp. olive oil

Directions:

1. Thoroughly toss apples, peppers, mango, lemon juice and olive oil in a bowl. 2. Season with salt and pepper, as desired.

Nutrition Information:

Turkey Burgers & Rainbow Salad Calories 689; Fat ; Protein ; Carbohydrate ; Fiber 14g; Cholesterol 154mg; Sodium 606mg; Calcium 34%DV; Vitamin A 41%DV; Vitamin C 160%DV; Iron 25%DV

Tasty Hummus Sandwich

Serves 4

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

8 slices whole wheat bread
4 Tbsp. hummus
4 Tbsp. guacamole
4 romaine lettuce leaves
4 Tbsp. goat cheese
2 mini cucumbers, sliced
1 medium tomato, sliced

Directions:

1. Toast bread. Spread 1 Tbsp. hummus and guacamole on 1 slice of bread, add 1 romaine lettuce leaf, spread 1 Tbsp. goat cheese, then add cucumber and tomato slices. 2. Top with second slice of bread.

Nutrition Information:

Tasty Hummus Sandwich Calories 381, Fat 9.7g, Protein 15.1g, Carbohydrate 59.3g, Fiber 9.8g, Cholesterol 6mg, Sodium 452mg, Calcium 122mg, Vitamin A 3187 IU, Vitamin C 15.6mg, Iron 4.3mg

Info and pictures from Produce for Kids.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert Pizza

May 25, 2012 By Anne

Ingredients:

Auntie Anne’s Baking Kit

2- 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened

2 large eggs

½ cup sugar

¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 tablespoons butter

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup strawberries, sliced

1-13.5 oz. container strawberry glaze

Recipe Instructions:

Prepare pretzel dough according to package directions (Dough Preparation). For the filling, blend softened cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Preheat oven to 325°F. Roll out the dough into a 16” round and lay over round pan. Cut the extra dough that hangs over the pan and roll into a rope form. Dissolve baking soda (from the kit) in 4 cups very hot tap water and stir. Dip the ropes into baking soda bath and then place around the edge of the dessert pizza as a crust. Sprinkle with pretzel salt (from the kit). Add filling onto pizza. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Baste crust with melted butter. Let cool for 10 minutes then place sliced strawberries around the pizza starting along the crust and work inward. Spread strawberry glaze over top. For the chocolate drizzle, melt chocolate chips. Dip a basting brush in the melted chocolate and fan over the cooled pizza. Chill for 1 hour before slicing and serving.

Preparation Time: 65 minutes, plus 1 hour chilling

Servings: 8

I have not tried this but it’s looks fantastic for the holiday weekend!! Recipe came from A PR company. No compensation received, just sharing!

Anne

Diabetes – Fit2Fight Campaign with Better’n Eggs #betterneggs

November 10, 2011 By Anne

Diabetes is very prominent in my family. I knew it ran in my family since I was a little girl. My mother was diagnosed with in the past 10 years. My brother was diagnosed about a year ago. My mothers parents, two brothers and three sisters all had type 2 diabetes. Type two diabetes usually comes on when a person is an adult. I was borderline gestational diabetic when I was pregnant with my first child, but ate better and exercised more with the second and was fine. I expect to get it one day as well, but I will try my hardest to prevent it.

My mom is 72 years old and finally started to exercise regularly. She moved in April to an adult community and joined the water aerobics. Now that the weather is cooler, they have been exercising inside the clubhouse. My mom has stopped smoking which is great too! I know she buys healthier foods but she still keeps plenty of junk food laying around. I am writing this for her and any one else interested in ways to eat healthier.

Have you heard about the Fit2Fight campaign? November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and Better ‘n Eggs can help you make a difference. They offer ideas and recipes that are healthier for you. Check out their website www.allwhiteseggwhites.com. Some of their recipes look so darn good! I picked one that I would love to try. I hope my mom and my aunt check it out!

Into Twitter? There will be a #betterneggs twitter party with Bob Greene on 11/16 from 8-10pm EST. Check out more info here. Bob Greene is Oprah’s personal trainer and he will share fitness and nutrition tips for those affected by Type II diabetes.

Better’n Eggs?

I never really read or looked into anything other than regular eggs. I found out that Crystal Farms Better’n Eggs and All Whites are much healthier for you. They are fat free and cholesterol free. They’re made from real eggs, but only the white part is used. I’ve read recipes that ask for egg whites, it always seemed so hard to separate them, now I don’t have too!

When visiting my mother, I noticed she has eggs every morning. But she should be using All Whites. Maybe I’ll get her some for Christmas!! LOL

Plus they come in these cute cartons for no mess! Eggs are very good for you too! They give you lots of protein to help keep you active throughout the day. Check out the recipes below and check out the ones on their website!

___________________________________________

Does anyone in your family have Type 2 Diabetes?

Wonton Wrappers:

Preparation: 25 minutes
Time-To-Table: 40 minutes
Serves: 12

Ingredients:
•24 wonton wrappers*
•nonstick cooking spray
•2 strips bacon
•1/2 cup grape tomatoes, chopped
•1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil**
•1 cup AllWhites®
•1/2 cup fat-free half and half

•1/4 teaspoon salt
•1/2 cup Crystal Farms® Finely Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Instructions:
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray one side of each wonton wrapper with nonstick cooking spray. Press each wrapper in to cups of miniature muffin pan, spray side down. Once all wrappers are in place; spray inside of each wrapper with additional nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In small nonstick skillet cook bacon until crisp. Drain grease; finely chop bacon. In small bowl stir together cooked bacon, tomatoes and basil. Divide mixture evenly into each wonton cup.

In small bowl stir together AllWhites, fat-free half and half and salt. Carefully pour into each wonton cup. Sprinkle with cheese.

Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until eggs are almost set. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips:

*Wonton wrappers are usually found in the refrigerated produce section of the grocery store. Wrappers are typically 3 1/4 inches square.

**Substitute 1/2 teaspoon dried basil

Customize this appetizer by adding 1/2 cup finely chopped mushrooms to each mini cup. Any variety will work. Also, Better’n Eggs can be used as a substitute for AllWhites.

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Anne

Recipe from Aunt Barb

June 3, 2009 By Anne

I haven’t tried this but it looks good, let me know if you try it.

Asparagus- Potato Soup

1 3/4 cups chicken broth.
3 or 4 potatoes peeled & cubed
1/2 lb.asparagus trimmed & cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1/3 cup chopped onion
1teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup Velveeta or Colby cheese (cubed or sliced)

Combine the broth,potatoes,asparagus, onion & salt (I don’t use salt)
in a saucepan.
Cook over medium heat until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.
Whisk the milk & flour together in a bowl then whisk into the broth mixture.
Stir in the cheese until melted & serve.

I use a reg. size can of broth & a medium sized can of asparagus (drained)