by admin | Oct 26, 2017 | Educator, Healthy Food, Kids, Nutrition
Let’s do an Apple Taste Test for National Apple Month! Apples are also an OrganWise Guys Foods of the Month for October, and the perfect food for the fall season. Apples are such a versatile food that can be used in anything from salads to desserts and they come in so many delicious varieties!
Chew on this interesting apple trivia:
- Americans eat approximately 120 apples apiece each year!
- Apples are nutritious because they contain lots of fiber, vitamins C, B6, and A, and potassium, as well as antioxidants.
- 2500 known varieties are grown in the United States.
- 36 states grow them with Washington, New York, Michigan, California, Pennsylvania, and Virginia being the top production states.
- Apples are available all year round and are a perfect take-along snack anytime!
- Apples don’t require peeling so eat the skin because it contains healthy nutrients.
A taste test is a really fun way to encourage kids to try a small sample of a new food where they may typically be more close-minded about trying new things. This interactive apple taste testing worksheet will help you introduce several different apple varieties and let’s them provide feedback.
We would love to hear about your at-home taste tests! Share with us how it went and include any pictures of the finished worksheets on our Facebook page!
by admin | Sep 30, 2017 | Educator, Healthy Food, Nutrition, Recipes
Did you know that you can substitute whole wheat flour for white flour when baking? What better time that September, when whole grains are a Foods of the Month, to try this out?!
ICYMI, whole wheat is a subset of whole grain that strictly applies to wheat products. So when a product is labeled whole grain, it means that it includes the entire kernel of the grain – including the outer bran layer, the germ (the part that can sprout into a new plant), and the inner, starchy endosperm. Refined grains, on the other hand, only include the endosperm; that’s why whole grains generally take longer to cook.
One of our favorite ways to get more whole grains (organic is best) is by swapping out white flour for whole wheat flour in pizza dough. The great thing about making your own pizza dough is that you can make a big batch and store it in the fridge, to create various healthy dinners throughout the week. To make whole wheat pizza dough, we recommend using half whole wheat flour and half white flour in your favorite pizza dough recipe. By leaving some white flour, the dough is not too dense, but you still get the fiber benefits of whole wheat flour. Combine your flour with yeast, hot water, a little salt and sugar, some extra virgin olive oil and mix thoroughly.
Now, what to do with your healthy homemade pizza dough? Get a little more creative than a regular pizza and try making a calzone or Stromboli! To make these traditionally fatty dishes healthier, spread a thin layer of tomato sauce on the dough, add organic cheese, and then top with tons of veggies like tomatoes, peppers, onions and spinach. Carefully roll it up, and put in the oven at 375 degrees for 35 minutes. Enjoy!
by admin | Aug 11, 2017 | Uncategorized
Try a healthy take on an old Friday favorite …
If you’re looking for a low-carb, high-fiber alternative to the old fan-favorite, pizza, try mini zucchini pizzas! The summer squash, zucchini, is an August Foods of the Month because it is in-season and ripe for the picking (so it’s at peak flavor)! Zucchini contains so many fantastic nutrients such as vitamin A, magnesium, folate, potassium, copper, and phosphorus as well as a high content of omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, niacin, and protein. Click here for more incredible benefits!
To make this simple recipe, slice zucchini into rounds (or if you prefer, lengthwise), place on a baking sheet and then grill or broil for several minutes until the zucchini begins to soften. Remove from the oven and top with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and any other topping you’d like. Try nitrite-free turkey pepperoni, olives or your favorite spices to make each ‘slice’ unique! Continue to broil until the cheese begins to bubble and serve hot.
Mini Zucchini Pizzas are a fun way to get your pizza fix and your veggies all in one!
by admin | Jul 25, 2017 | Grown Up, Healthy Food
Corn side dishes make any meal more delicious!
Corn is a July Foods of the Month! Health benefits of corn include fiber and antioxidants, which our OrganWise Guys love. Also, corn is tastiest in the summer because it is fresh. Be sure to pick up some fresh (non-GMO) corn, which is the best value, from your local grocery store this summer to make these tasty corn side dishes for your next get together: (more…)
by admin | Jul 13, 2017 | Recipes
Tasty, refreshing and, and oh so tropical!
Cool off this summer with refreshing, 100% tropical fruit Popsicles! The fruits found in this recipe provide replenishing vitamins (like Vitamin A, C and K) and minerals (like potassium) for all your outdoor activities … and that’s why tropical fruits are a July Foods of the Month! Enjoy the tropics in your own backyard with this guilt-free hot weather treat!
Ingredients
2 cups coconut water
1 medium banana, sliced thin
1 kiwi, chopped into little pieces
1/2 pineapple, chopped into small chunks
(Optional – Squeeze a little grapefruit or orange into each mold.)
Directions
- Fill your Popsicle molds* with coconut water to about 3/4 of the mold, leaving extra space for the fruit. If you do not have molds, use a small paper cup and Popsicle sticks.
- Carefully drop the fruits into the molds so the coconut water doesn’t spill. Fill the molds with more coconut water, if needed.
- Freeze overnight, or at least 4 hours.
- Remove Popsicles from their molds (you may need to run them under hot water to loosen them) and enjoy!
*To make these Popsicles as fancy as they are tasty, check out this fun list of molds from realsimple.com!
