libbysvegdev

Get Back to the Table with Libby’s: National Family Meals Month

September 7, 2017 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

As the days of summer come to an end with Labor Day behind us, there remains a few more weeks of sunny days to spend time outside in the evenings and weekends. Why not enjoy the last moments of warm weather in September by celebrating National Family meals Month™ – the perfect time to get the family together to enjoy wholesome meals.

Here at Libby’s® Fruits and Vegetables, we know how important and cherished time spent together as a family around the dinner table is. We are proud to support this movement for the second year, and encourage your family to do the same.

So, now that a new school year has started, football season is among us, and the temperatures outside are perfect to dine al fresco, it’s time to get back to the table! We’ve rounded up some tips and recipes to help get you started.

Southern Style Green Beans

Did you know that numerous studies have shown that home-cooked meals nourish the spirit, brain and health of all family members? There’s no better reason to fire up your grill one last time this season and cook up some delicious BBQ with a side of Southern Style Green Beans made with Libby’s® Cut Green Beans. Talk about a juicy, nutritious meal.

Family Meals Month

Interesting enough, according to The Hartman Group, 70% of families say they usually or always eat the same things when they’re together! To cherish meals spent together, try getting creative and whipping up new recipes for everyone to enjoy. Libby’s Recipe Box has several delicious, simple, and nutritious meals – including appetizers, side pairings, entrees, desserts, and more.

Pea Pesto Salmon

Throughout the month of September, you can get involved by making a commitment to have at least one dinner spent together as a family a week. Get the table set outside, candles lit, and music playing for the ultimate dining experience. We can’t forget about the most important part – food, of course! The kids will love these Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps as an appetizer, and for the main course try this light Pea Pesto Salmon to get your taste buds going.

Pledge to Raise Your Mitt to Commit™ and share your experience on social by using #familymealsmonth. Remember to follow us on Facebook @LibbysTable and Twitter @LibbysTable for more family meal inspiration this month and throughout the year.

Haylie Duff Shares Her Secrets For a Successful Back to School Season

August 24, 2017 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

A Q&A Discussion with the Actress, TV Host and Mother

It’s that time of year again–time to send the kiddos back to school! While a new school year brings promise and excitement surrounding what’s ahead, it also can be a time of uneasy transition and stress. Between getting your kids ready in the morning to running around for afterschool activities, how do you ensure they’re still eating healthy? How can they–and you–ease in to their new schedule? What’s the best way to ensure you’re still squeezing in as much quality family time as you can? Haylie Duff of Real Girl’s Kitchen sat down with Libby’s recently to share her favorite tricks and helpful tips for making the back to school transition as seamless, healthy and fun as possible!

We can’t believe it’s already time for another school year! The transition from the beach to classroom can be a bit bittersweet as we say farewell to summer break. What are your tips for lessening the stress of back-to-school and making the transition smoother?

Well, since this is my first time “getting ready for back to school,” I’m getting lots of tips from other moms! One thing I have cracked down on is nap/bedtime routine. During the summer, we love to have long, leisurely meals outdoors. Since the sunlight lingers in the summer, Ryan’s bedtime has become later and later. I really believe that a scheduled kid is a happy kid so I am trying to stick with our normal hours in prep of the extra energy needed for school!

My other tip for getting rid of school prep stress is to pack everything the night before. I make most of Ryan’s lunch the night before so we can run out the door in the morning!

Planning ahead is key to smooth mornings, especially as you’re getting back into the swing of things. What’s your go-to make-ahead lunch?

I actually just made a cold pasta salad with Rotini pasta and Libby’s® Peas & Carrots Vegetable Cups. It was very simple and delicious and it holds up perfectly in the refrigerator. It is a perfect make-ahead lunch for kids!

Having tasty, fun and nutritious recipes can help us break free from lunchbox boredom. What are some ways to get creative and spice up lunch for the next day?

I have been seeing lots of creative lunches now that Ryan has started preschool…even pizza!

I really feel inspired by the colorful lunches. A classic and fun way to spice up lunch can mean a bunch of different things: cookie cutters for sandwiches, a surprise pop of color like purple carrots, or even their favorite little cookie tucked away somewhere.

After-school snacking = key to curing crankiness. What are your go-to snack recipes that will satisfy, but also leave room for dinner?

We love seaweed snacks in our family! Fruit is also always a good idea, or something a bit creative like my Hatch Chili & Cheddar Corn Muffins! Sometimes they play so hard at school that their snack needs to be amped up a bit!

When entering a new school year, weekends are often cherished with quality family time, whether it be a short getaway, or lounging around in pajamas all day. What are some of your favorite weekend activities for the new season?

Ryan has been in her little baby pool NONSTOP! I think swimming is always a great idea because it really wears them out so that they are ready for bedtime! Even if the sun is still shining bright!

Between extracurricular activities, studying and homework, it can be a bit challenging and hectic to balance the never-ending to-do list. How do you manage everything, while also fitting in nutritious meals for the family?

A well-stocked pantry is my best friend when things get hectic over here! If you keep things like Libby’s® Vegetable Cups or Libby’s® Vegetable Pouches, good broths, pasta, rice, lentils, tomatoes, etc. in stock at all times, you can usually pull just about anything together!

Veggies are key to ensuring kids have a nutritious, balanced diet – but it can be tricky to get the youngsters to eat them. What are some tricks to sneak in vegetables?

I think smoothies are a great way to sneak in greens! Sadly, Ryan won’t drink a smoothie. My Lentil Shepherd’s Pie with Libby’s® Vegetable Cups is a veeeery popular dish in my house! Ryan has loved lentils ever since she was a baby and I always sneak in as many more veggies as I can! I usually get away with it…unless I add broccoli, then that’s a no-go!

Food Waste Survival Guide for Back to School

August 10, 2017 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

By Dylan Bailey, MS

With the new school year comes new excitement and opportunity, as well as new challenges. Saving time and creating valuable family memories may be at the forefront of your mind especially with summer vacation in the rear-view mirror and backpacks filled with homework replacing beach bags filled with sunscreen.

With the little available time you have this back-to-school season, Libby’s challenges you to do something easy and great for your family, with a strong educational lesson at its heart. We’re talking about minimizing food waste.

Currently, it is estimated that 31% to 40% of food is thrown away after it has been harvested, which equates to more than 1,200 calories per person per day – those are some alarming numbers! We have some simple solutions, recipes and tips that you and your family can start to implement this new school year to reduce food waste.

Never Waste a Dilla

southwestern chicken quesadillas

Finish the first day of school with this quick, easy, and inexpensive meal that is sure to get the whole family running to the dinner table. These Southwestern Chicken Quesadillas use full cans of Libby’s® Mixed Vegetables. Pop leftovers into an air-tight storage container and place into the fridge so you and your family can enjoy this tasty creation for lunch the next day.

Meet your Meatloaf

mediterranean meatloaf

As summer moves to fall, you may want to think about a hearty meal to fuel all those after school activities. This flavorful Mediterranean Meatloaf made with Libby’s® Peas and Carrots is sure to provide everyone with a boost of energy and protein to keep muscles strong (including your brain!). Plan this meal a week in advance of shopping so you buy only the ingredients needed.

Dish Some Casserole

cornbread chicken casserole

Casserole dishes are a great way to limit food waste and use leftovers. This Cornbread Chicken Casserole uses full cans of sweet corn, black beans, and tomato sauce to provide a bold, satisfying recipe the whole family will love. To use any leftovers of this recipe, try serving with Brown Butter Green Beans With Garlic Almond Bread Crumbs the next day.

Some other tips we have to reduce food waste include:

Plan your meals for the week before you go shopping and buy only the things needed for those meals.
Consider your food packaging. Cans are 100% recyclable, which can limit waste to landfills and be re-used to make new products.
Find out how to store fruits and vegetables so they stay fresh longer inside or outside your refrigerator.
Prepare and cook perishable items, then freeze them for use throughout the month.
Learn the difference between “sell-by,” “use-by,” “best-by,” and expiration dates.
Casseroles, stir-fries, frittatas, soups, and smoothies are great ways to use leftovers too.

Source: Reducing Wasted Food At Home. (2017, April 17). Retrieved August 09, 2017, from https://www.epa.gov/recycle/reducing-wasted-food-home

Pack Up Your Basket for National Picnic Month

July 12, 2017 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

By Samantha Bailey, Registered Dietitian

July is mostly know for fireworks, memorable days spent at the beach, and warm summer nights. But did you know it’s also National Picnic Month? That’s right! So let’s pack up that wicker basket, break out the checkered red blanket, and have a tasty meal with loved ones, all while enjoying a beautiful summer day.

Lighten It Up

Your basket doesn’t have to be filled with only traditional picnic foods, such as potato salad and baked beans to name a couple. Try changing it up with a lighter dish, like this Creamy Potato Carrot Mash – a healthier twist on the classic mashed potatoes that will help you get closer to reaching the recommended 4-5 cups of vegetables a day.

Picnic with Peas

Move over pasta salad, there’s a new dish in town. Whip up this Pea, Ricotta and Bacon Salad made with Libby’s® Sweet Peas at your next picnic for a burst of flavor. The salad has three of the five key food groups: protein, vegetables, and dairy, offering a filling and nutritious meal to add to your relaxing day.

Finish off with a Pop

No picnic is complete without dessert. After enjoying the warm sun, cool off with these Sweet Corn Frozen Pops. They’re made with Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn Cups and Greek yogurt to top off your fun-filled day with nutritious vegetables and protein.

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!

Haylie Duff Talks Summer Entertaining, Grilling and the Key to a Perfect Outdoor Party

June 14, 2017 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

A Q&A Discussion with the Actress, TV Host and Mother

Summer is (finally) here! What do you enjoy most about summer entertaining compared to entertaining other times of the year?

I am all about summer entertaining! I love to grill and cook outside, so I always love when the weather warms up and we get to bring it outdoors! There are so many ways to get creative cooking outdoors and a lot less cleanup! During an episode of Haylie’s America (in Louisiana) I fell in love with cooking in cast iron over an open flame. I think it reminded me of my Texas roots. Now, my favorite summer recipe is paella cooked outside. Libby’s Sweet Peas Pouch are a perfect addition!

When temperatures climb, the last place many of us want to be is the kitchen. What tips do you have for keeping things cool while cooking?

Well, one great way is to sip on something cool…like agua fresca! I also tend to eat lighter during the summer. My Pea Pesto Salmon is a great summer recipe because it is nutritious and has a bright flavor to lighten up your taste buds!

What would you say are the two most important components for a hosting a successful summer dinner party?

I always say that a relaxed vibe is the #1 component for ANY successful dinner party! No one wants a stressed out hostess. The 2nd most important would be to consider the warm temperatures! Don’t serve dinner outdoors if it is too warm outside without providing shade and cold drinks! No matter how good the food might be, no one will enjoy baking in the sun. Umbrellas are always a good idea!

Much of summer entertaining revolves around the BBQ. What are some of your go-to sides to serve alongside grilled entrees?

I LOVE veggies on a grill. Kabobs are always a win. Layering chicken, shrimp, etc. with whole mushrooms is my go to. The mushrooms tend to absorb flavors well and I love keeping them whole. I also really love kabobs with halved sweet onions. For those of you that ready my blog, you know I don’t dig raw onions! I do however love caramelized and BBQ ones…

Editor’s note: Haylie created a special side dish recipe just for Libby’s® fans – Southern Style Green Beans! Check it out here.

What’s your favorite summer beverage to serve with a warm weather feast?

Agua frescas, white wine sangrias, or cucumber infused water! Anything nice and chilled!

libbysvegdev

Log In