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Get Back to School, Get Back to the Table

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The start of a new school year is often synonymous with stressful schedules. Between hectic mornings and jam-packed afternoons, it can be tricky to find time for a wholesome sit-down meal, let alone a healthy snack. But proper nutrition is a key ingredient to success both in and out of the classroom. The good news? Well-balanced, kid-friendly meals can be as easy as A-B-C. The following three recipes—created especially for Libby’s fans by Iron Chef America judge, restauranteur and mom Donatella Arpaia—will teach you how it’s done.

Breakfast of Mini Champs

Lesson #1: veggies aren’t just for lunch and dinner. Try these Scrambled Eggs with Peppers & Peas (made with a Libby’s® Sweet Peas Vegetable Cup), and sneak in two whole servings of vegetables before the first school bell even rings. They’re also packed with protein, which will help sustain stamina until lunchtime.

Give Greens the Green Light

Lesson #2: kids can learn to like salads! All you need is one ingredient they already love (e.g. grilled chicken) and a generous sprinkling of cheese (opt for a low-fat version like parmesan or part-skim mozzarella). Start their lesson plan with this Mexican Chicken and Corn Salad, featuring a Libby’s® Sweet Corn Vegetable Cup and Organic Black Beans.

Variety is the Spice of Dinner

 

Lesson #3: if they’re picky, let them pick. When it comes to food, empowering your kids with choices—even small ones—can increase their likelihood of eating (and actually enjoying) the meal. This flavorful and hearty Turkey Bolognese with Peas and Carrots (made with a Libby’s® Peas & Carrots Vegetable Cup) can be served in three fun ways: sloppy joe style, over “little ears” pasta or as mini sliders. Let your eater decide, and rest easy knowing they’ll consume a full serving of veggies no matter what.

Quick, Easy & Flavor-Saving Tips for a Reduced-Sodium Diet

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By Kristin Kessler, RD

The old adage “too much of a good thing can be a bad thing” rings true for the nutrients we eat! Take sodium, for example: our bodies need this mineral to function, but too much salt can lead to high blood pressure and potentially other chronic diseases. There are varying recommendations out there for how much we should consume daily (the USDA says no more than 2300mg while the American Heart Association suggests less than 1500mg), but no matter your target amount, it’s important to realize that reduced sodium doesn’t need to mean reduced flavor. Check out the following tips to help you scale back the salt without sacrificing flavor and fun!

Season with Herbs

One of the most nutritious and delicious ways to cut back on sodium is to ditch the table salt and season instead with fresh and dried herbs. Not only are herbs sodium-free and low in calories, but they offer truly exceptional flavors. Taste them for yourself in this Vegetable Sausage Soup seasoned with basil, oregano, and marjoram and made hearty with Libby’s® Cut Green Beans, Sliced Carrots and Whole White Potatoes. To cut the sodium even further, swap regular chicken broth for a reduced-sodium option. We promise you won’t even notice the difference!

Cook Restaurant-Worthy Meals at Home

We all love a meal out every once and a while, but did you know that restaurant fare is often chock-full of sodium? In lieu of dining out, try whipping up your favorite dishes at home. By playing chef, you have total control over how much salt goes into the recipe. Craving a burger? Try this easy at-home recipe for Mexican Salsa Veggie Burgers made with Libby’s® Organic Pinto Beans and Whole Kernel Sweet Corn. Toss together a quick salad for the side, and you’ve got yourself a healthy restaurant-worthy meal!

Swap Instant for Wholesome

Beware! Packaged foods (think: frozen meals, instant noodles and ramen) are sneaky sources of sodium. Instead of turning to a bag of instant Lo Mein, why not try a more nutritious and home-cooked version? This Sweet Pea & Ginger Garlic Shrimp Lo Mein (made with reduced-sodium soy sauce as well as Libby’s® Organic Sweet Peas) will give you those Asian flavors you crave without the extra sodium. Now that’s a meal worth celebrating!

 

Perfect the Picnic: Recipes for Al Fresco Feasting

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Is it just us or is summer whizzing by? Before we know it, we’ll be back in back-to-school mode. Until then, soak up the last of these lazy days with the kids. One particularly fun and no-fuss way to do so is with a picnic. The following recipes are quick, healthy and ideal for open-air dining. Plus, they’re all finger-friendly, so you can ditch your cutlery and dig in!

 

Dip Into This

 

Start things off on a healthy high note with this Sweet Pea Dip, a light, creamy and easy peas-y concoction starring Libby’s® Sweet Peas. It’s a dipping delight with pita bread, raw veggies and multi-grain crackers, and you can also spread any leftovers on the next day’s sandwiches (although we’re betting it will be devoured on-site!).

Whimsical Meets Wholesome

Research has shown that giving nutritious food a fun name increases a child’s likelihood of eating it. Test out the theory yourself with these Green Wheels and Ham Sandwiches, made with Libby’s® Cut Green Beans, whole-wheat tortillas, ham and spreadable cheese. They’re tasty, quick to pull together and easily portable—a prime pick for a picnic.

Mini Morsels

 

The only thing better than cake is cake you can eat with your hands. Complete your feast with these gooey, guilt-free Carrot Cake Bites. They’re full of whole wheat flour and Libby’s® Sliced Carrots and low in sugar and fat. Go ahead – have another…it’ll be one less thing to pack up!

Hungry Minds: The Best Brain Foods

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By Kristin Kessler, RD

Food can feed your belly, food can feed your soul, but did you also know that food can feed your brain? While an overall healthy diet is important to keep your brain functioning at top speed, certain foods can boost brain function. Try some of our favorite brainy foods to make sure you’re getting all of the nutrients your hungry mind needs.

 

Opt for Omega-3 Fatty Acids

 

With all of the positive press, it should come as no surprise that foods containing a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids are number one on this list! Feed your brain with this light and refreshing Salmon & Dill Green Bean Salad, perfect for warm summer nights. If you’re not a salmon fan, substitute another fatty fish such as mackerel or tuna. If you’re a vegetarian or don’t like fish, pick up flaxseed oil or walnuts during your next trip to the grocery store.

Eat Probiotic-Rich Foods

 

Have you ever heard of the gut-brain connection? It may sound like something from a science fiction movie, but recent research has taught us that our gastrointestinal system and brain are much more connected than we thought. Keep your intestines happy and healthy with gut-friendly bacteria called probiotics, which can be found in fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut and miso. For your next dinner, try out this Chickpea and Kraut Pasta Toss. To maximize intake of probiotics, avoid heating the sauerkraut too much or serve it on the side at room temperature. Your gut and brain will thank you!

Whole Grains for the Brain

You can literally feed your hungry mind by opting for whole grains throughout the day. The brain’s favorite supply of energy comes in the form of glucose. Whole wheat bread or pasta, brown rice and oatmeal are rich in whole grains and release glucose slowly into the bloodstream, helping you to keep you feeling happy and mentally alert throughout the day. The brown rice in this Creamy Coconut & Veggie Brown Rice Pilaf with Honey Roasted Pecans will help keep you sharp as a tack.

Summer Sides That Brighten Up Dinner

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It’s official: summer is in full swing! And while we welcome the warmer weather, steamy temperatures can sometimes wilt your inspiration in the kitchen. Luckily, a superb, summery side dish can salvage any meal. Here are a few tasty and simple-to-prepare recipes that will elevate your dinner from mediocre to mouth-watering. Bonus: all three are prepared sans-oven, so you can stay cool while your taste buds heat up.

 
Better Your BBQ

Summertime is practically synonymous with BBQs and no BBQ is complete without a proper slaw. For a tasty twist on traditional coleslaw, try Summery Slaw, made with Libby’s® French Style Green Beans and Whole Kernel Sweet Corn. Colorful, crunchy and full of flavor, it’s a sunny complement to any meaty main course.

Freshen Up With Veggies

Fluffy couscous and zesty veggies join forces in this Cilantro-Lime Corn Couscous, featuring Libby’s® Sweet Corn, cherry tomatoes and baby spinach. The dish is harmoniously tied together with a light, flavor-packed dressing made with fresh lime and olive oil. Add it to tonight’s spread and freshen up mealtime in no time.

Add Pep with Pepper

Sometimes, all your food needs is a little kick of flavor. Jazz up any entrée with a generous side serving of Lemon Pepper Parmesan Peas. Made with just three ingredients (Libby’s® Sweet Peas, lemon pepper and parmesan), this sweet-yet-spicy combination will put that pep back in your dinnertime step.    

Super Summer Salads

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Nothing beats a refreshing, satisfying salad at the end of a long, hot summer day. Let the official one-dish meal of the season help you shift into a summer state of mind. Salads are one of the few dishes that can be customized for every taste preference. Quick, easy and delicious, here are some summer salad recipes for every member of your family.   

 

The Adventurer For those salad lovers who like to venture outside of their comfort zones, there are plenty of ways to mix up your menu this summer. Need inspiration? Take this Pea, Ricotta and Bacon Salad for a spin this summer. 

The TraditionalistWhen you’re looking for a dish that is guaranteed to please the masses, lean on the family favorite recipes. Check out our recipe for Taco Salad, livened up with Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn and Libby’s® Organic Black Beans. 

The MinimalistWe all know that person who finds flavor and taste in the simplest ingredients. Adding Libby’s vegetables to salads contributes the perfect amount of flavor. Try this recipe for Green Bean & Tomato Salad this summer or kick it up a notch with Easy Three Bean Salad.