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A Happy, Healthy Halloween

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Boo! Here’s a frightening fact: the average American consumes 3.4 pounds of candy over Halloween. Not pieces—pounds! While it’s of course appropriate to celebrate special occasions with a sweet treat (or two), serious sugar binges spell scary health consequences (think: metabolic dysfunction, weight gain and liver damage—eek!). To avoid overconsuming confectionaries, fuel up on nutritious chow before canvasing for candy. Here are three recipes that will transform your Halloween from a dentist’s nightmare to a dietitian’s dream.

Stew On This

Soup is a low-calorie, high-flavor solution to pre-trick-or-treating hunger. This recipe for classic Minestrone Soup features a colorful collection of hearty veggies, including Libby’s® Sliced Carrots, Sweet Peas, Cut Green Beans and Whole Kernel Sweet Corn. Warning: the flavors may give goosebumps…in a good way. 🙂 

Lettuce Get Healthy

This Halloween, don’t forget to dress up…your salad, that is! The three P’s—peas, pistachios and pecorino—add a fresh, savory and non-spooky flavor to this Warm Baby Green Salad.

Beet ‘Em & Eat ‘Em

Swap your bowl of candy corn for a bowl of this Roasted Beet Salsa. The recipe pairs Libby’s® Sliced Beets with an array of spices (i.e. jalapeño peppers, cilantro, lime juice, orange zest and more). Serve it with your favorite crackers and a slab of goat cheese for a frightfully filling appetizer.

 

Unplug, Relax & Unwind: Tips for Mindful Eating

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A wholesome meal enjoyed in the company of loved ones can nourish our soul and sustain our spirits long after we digest the needed nutrients. In today’s fast-paced world, we often think of food as a means to an end: food = calories = energy needed to power through the day. To reconnect with the wholly satiating power of food, we invite you to practice mindful eating. Here are a few tips and recipes that will show you how.

1)     Digital Detox: Designate mealtime a device-free zone. By setting aside your technological distractions, you will focus your attention on the food you are putting in your mouth and fully appreciate the various tastes and textures at play. This Tortilla Chip Macaroni & Bean Soup—fortified with Libby’s® Organic Black Beans, fired up with chili powder and topped with crunchy tortilla chips—is a complex collection of flavors that deserves your undivided devotion.

 

2)     Bite by Bite: Instead of chowing at lightning pace, set down your fork after each bite and completely chew everything before going back for more. This will allow you to truly savor every bite and better recognize when you are full. In the spirit of taking things slow, try out this Slow Cooker Herbed Chicken and Veggies, a tender and melodic medley of bite-size chicken, Libby’s® Sliced Carrots, Sweet Peas and more. 

 

3)     Meaningful Chatter: The best complement to any meal is quality conversation. This means looking your dining mates in the eye, asking thoughtful questions and sharing important moments from your day. Get the conversation going with this El Paso Polenta Pie, a stick-to-your-ribs combo of polenta, Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn, Organic Black Beans and a decadent three-cheese blend.  

 

 

 

Foodie Fixations: Today’s Top Culinary Trends

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One of the most wonderful things about the culinary world (and there are many!) is that it is constantly in flux. New recipes, cooking methods, presentation styles and even ingredients seem to appear every day, keeping our palates forever enticed and entertained. Here are three top foodie movements of the moment. Try them out today before tomorrow’s trends arrive.

 

 1.     Bento-Style Lunches: When it comes to packed lunches, simple brown-bagging no longer makes the cut. Instead, bento lunches—compact, balanced, and visually appealing meals packed in a box—are becoming a staple in school cafeterias. These Pinterest-perfect arrangements encourage well-rounded eating and make mealtime more fun for picky eaters. Libby’s® 4 oz. Vegetable Cups fit particularly well inside these lunchboxes.  

 2.     Plant-Based Proteins: Move aside, meat. Plant-based sources of protein (think: lentils, chickpeas, nuts and other beans) are stealing the mealtime spotlight. Hop on the bandwagon with these Sweet & Smoky Peas, starring Libby’s® Sweet Peas and Libby’s® Organic Garbanzo Beans. This protein-filled combo also packs serious flavor, thanks to cinnamon, sugar and smoked paprika.

 3.     Portable Soups: On-the-go soup offers both health and convenience, two increasingly valued qualities in food. Try out the trend with this Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup with Maple Roasted Garbanzo Beans. It’s a creamy, complex mixture of autumn’s finest flavors, including maple, cinnamon and nutmeg. Prep work is minimal, but the recipe requires about six hours of simmering in the crock pot, so it’s ideal as a weekend project. Once ready, the soup can be stored in the fridge and then transferred to a thermos for easy eating anywhere.

 

Serving up Nutrition: The Simple Process of Canning Food

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Canned foods have been a longtime staple on American shelves, but did you know that the canning process originated in 18th century France? That’s where Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, concerned about properly nourishing his armies, announced a generous reward for whomever could develop a valid system for food preservation.

Nicholas Appert secured the prize with his idea of preserving food in bottles, like wine. Fifteen years and many experiments later, he realized that if food is properly heated and sealed in an airtight container, it will remain edible. The idea spread throughout Europe and the first commercial canning factory opened in England in 1813.

Today—nearly two and a half centuries later—the process is as safe, sustainable and nutritious as ever. Check out the below infographic from our friends at the Canned Food Alliance for more behind-the-scenes information on this method. Then, visit our Digital Recipe Box for appetizer, entrée and dessert ideas using your favorite canned fruits and veggies.

Freshened Up Old-Fashioned Eats

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This Sunday is Grandparents Day, a dedicated moment to recognize your most special loved ones. Convey your affection by preparing a home-cooked meal with love. In tribute to grandparents—and in celebration of both the past and the present—we compiled the following timeless recipes made anew with a modern twist.  

 

 

A Cheesy Classic

Nothing incites mouth-watering nostalgia quite like a classic casserole. But we often think of the dish as a dinner-only entrée. This Cheesy Brunch Casserole proves that’s just not so. Made with Libby’s® Mixed Vegetables, lean ham and your favorite French bread, it’s a savory delight, no matter what time you chow it.

Beyond Basic Mac

True, there’s nothing wrong with your standard Mac & Cheese, but have just one taste of this Kicked Up Mac & Cheese and you’ll never look back. Libby’s® Sweet Peas and Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn lend texture and sweetness, panko bread crumbs provide a crunchy topper and diced pimentos tie it all together with a touch of heat.

Cuisine Collision

  

A classic Italian dish lends inspiration from south of the border in this hearty, finger-licking Mexican Lasagna. Tortillas stand in for pasta noodles and Libby’s® Organic Black Beans, chili beans, salsa, olives and hamburger unite for a flavorful filling.  

How to Prep for the Worst: Storm Preparedness

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Just in time for peak Atlantic hurricane season (and in light of recent predictions that winter 2016 will be particularly harsh), we pulled together simple tips for storm preparedness. Whether you’re at risk for extreme rain, snow, wind or something in between, take these precautions today and ensure your peace of mind tomorrow.      

 

 

Safety Comes First

 

Fully stock a First Aid kit that’s easily accessible. While you’re at it, set aside a seven-day supply of any prescription medications as well as medical items (i.e. contact lenses, hearing aids, glasses, etc.). Also good to stow away: a flashlight (with extra batteries), a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, a cell phone (with charger) and warm blankets and clothing for all family members.

Squirrel Away Sustenance


 

Section off a corner of your pantry with a three-day emergency supply of food and water. Allocate one gallon of water per person per day. On the food front, non-perishable, low-sodium snacks, like canned fruits and vegetables (Libby’s® has a wide selection) are ideal, as well as canned juice, canned meat, peanut butter, jelly, unsalted crackers, energy/protein bars, trail mix, nuts, cereal and cookies.

Protect Valuables

Store important documents—passports, Social Security cards, birth certificates, insurance policies etc.—in a waterproof container. It’s also a good idea to make several copies of each and stash them in a separate, secure location, like a family member’s house or a locked cabinet at work.

There are plenty more prep tips for all types of emergency situations available through the American Red Cross. Visit the http://www.redcross.org/prepare for more.