Live Well

Chicken Brings the Family Together

September 6, 2018 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

September is National Chicken Month. With the number of quick and easy chicken recipes you probably make for dinner on a regular basis, it could feel like every month is National Chicken Month. Make this month extra special with some fun and flavorful chicken recipes beyond the ordinary with Libby’s® Vegetables.

One Skillet Creation

For the busy after-school evenings, try this Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Pasta. Cook the pasta and chicken separately and then combine ingredients into one skillet with Libby’s® Mixed Vegetable Pouches for a delicious meal in under an hour.

Aroma of Fall

Casseroles are the perfect transition into fall. As the weather cools off, prepare this hearty Cornbread Chicken Casserole using Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn. Indulge with the family while sharing heart-warming conversations about the day.

Fiesta on a Plate

Add some spice to your life with this fun and tasty Lime and Cumin Chicken Tenders with Fiesta Rice recipe using Libby’s® Canned Mixed Vegetables. This savory dish includes a variety of spices with bold flavor to round off National Chicken Month with a bang.

Back-to-School Recipes with a Twist

August 23, 2018 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

Back-to-school season means early mornings, staying alert in class, and after-school sports.

Libby’s^®understands that some parents have picky-eaters and need to have a variety of nutritious recipes within reach. Stock up on Libby’s^® Vegetable Cups this school year and try out a few of the below quick and fun recipes that will fuel the little scholar in your life throughout the busy back-to-school season!

Pot Pie for Lunch

Chicken Pot Pies aren’t just for dinner anymore. Put a spin on the norm and prepare these delicious Mini Chicken Pot Pies for a nice hearty meal. Even though they are mini, these pot pies are packed with Libby’s^® Sweet Peas and Diced Carrots, as well as chopped rotisserie chicken.

Roll-up and Go

Laura Fuentes shares how she packs easy bento school lunches for her kids, like Ham & Cheese Rollups. Plus, kids love all things hand-held. In addition, Libby’s^® Vegetable Cups are a quick and easy fix to incorporate more veggies into your kids lunch while they are away at school.

Fun Shapes

Kids still want to have fun with their food. Try these Gluten-free Cornbread Lunchbox Muffins that are the perfect blend of sweet and savory while providing nutrients kids need to fuel their day. You can even get everyone involved while preparing this delicious meal in muffin pans or fun corncob molds.

For more delicious recipes, visit Libby’s® Recipe Box.

Create the Ultimate Picnic with Perfectly Packable Meals

July 25, 2018 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

With bright sunny days and warm summer nights, it’s no surprise July is National Picnic Month. August may be right around the corner, but that’s no reason to let the outdoor festivities end. Now’s the time to plan your own family (or friends) picnic.

The key to having a successful picnic is to plan ahead! Pack your picnic bag with reusable plastic or metal plates & utensils, a blanket or tablecloth, and some hand wipes for easy cleanup before and after eating. And of course, don’t forget the food and drinks! Libby’s® Canned Fruits and Vegetables can help create a yummy, easy-to-pack meal you can bring to your local park, pool or even your own backyard!

Pack the Chips & Crackers

For a picnic that is anything but boring, try this Sunshine Salsa for a unique (and colorful) twist on classic salsa. Use a can of Libby’s® Peach Slices and a can of Whole Kernel Sweet Corn for an appetizer bursting with flavor. Don’t forget to pack the tortilla chips or flatbread!

Keep it Fresh

Hot summer days call for light, fresh foods like this Summer Garbanzo Bean Salad. Bonus: By mixing all the ingredients the night before, the dish is ready to pack for your picnic, plus it will be super tangy and delicious after the flavors have marinated all night!

Portable Protein

Just because your food will be easily packable doesn’t mean they need to skimp on nutrients! Use a can of Libby’s® Mixed Vegetables to prepare and bake these Turkey and Vegetable Empanadas ahead of time for a portable source of protein your family will love. These empanadas can be served cold or at room temperature, making them a perfect handheld picnic snack!

Enjoy a Summer Staycation with International-Inspired Recipes

July 12, 2018 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

Long nights, warm days and the fact that the kids are out of school makes July the perfect month for a summer vacation. But we all know travel isn’t always in the cards, especially for busy families with lots of existing summer plans. So, this summer, plan a staycation in the comfort of your home instead to experience the delights of a new destination without leaving home!

Take your taste buds on an international trip with exotic dishes that are sure to lend some excitement to your summer dinner table. Even if you don’t make it past your local swimming pool this summer, your family can still experience some adventure with recipes from around the world.

Leave your passport at home and stock up on Libby’s^® Fruits and Vegetables to prepare delicious international dishes. Experience various cultures from around the world this summer through the taste of local culinary dishes.

¡Bienvenidos a Mexico!

Throw a fiesta with Mexican Salsa Veggie Burgers to kick-off your family’s culinary adventure. P.S. They’re so flavorful the kids won’t even notice the hidden source of protein and vegetables tucked inside!

Grab the Chopsticks

Prepare the family a bowl of this delicious Vegetable Fried Rice. Several versions of this recipe are found in many East, Southeast and certain South Asian cuisines.

Next Stop: Thailand

Cool down on a hot summer day with fresh coconut Thai chicken noodles. Sweet coconut, zingy lime and a hint of curry powder makes this dish anything but boring!

Deep Sea Supper

Even if the beach isn’t calling your name this summer, you can still enjoy the flavor of the sea with these roasted diver scallops over pea puree.

German Goulash

End your international flavor adventure with this hearty Bavarian kraut and pork goulash that will fill up the entire family. Bonus: Fermented foods like sauerkraut contain probiotics that are great for the digestive system!

Spread-Style Dining with Libby’s®

May 23, 2018 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

By Dylan Bailey, MS

As the summer months hit, formal entertaining may begin to take a back seat to more impromptu meetings among friends and family. What do you do when a few early morning texts in your group chat with friends about “getting together” suddenly become a 6:00 p.m. reality, and you’re hosting?

Luckily, there’s a new way to dine and entertain that takes almost no time to prepare and can even serve as the main course in some settings: Food boards! This more casual and communal way of dining is all the rage this year.

Known by some as spread-style dining, this movement offers you and your guests the opportunity to mix and match flavors from pre-arranged but thoughtfully curated goodies. Food boards look and taste the part too, combining various textures, colors and food groups for unique pairings that are sure to please any guest.

When designing your board, think about savory, sweet, salty and tangy flavor profiles. A wide array of food categories can be used, like spreads (e.g. hummus), pre-made topped toasts (e.g. crostini) and cured goods, including vegetables, meats and artisanal cheeses. It also helps to pick a theme to center your board around before you build it. For example, you could go Mediterranean with hummus [read on for a Carrot and Turmeric Hummus recipe!], olives, toasted pita bread, raw almonds, fig jam and 2-3 goat’s milk cheeses.

Let’s explore these food board flavor profiles a bit more. For stress-free food board additions that are perfect family and friends, look for inspiration from Libby’s® Recipe Box

Here’s how to get started:

Select some of our favorites and brainstorm which flavors and textures may play well together.
If you want to design with health in mind, here are some food board hacks:
- Savory – Items Included: Cheese, bread, dips and spreads, crostini
  - To keep serving sizes of cheeses in check, think dominoes and dice. Visualize 2 domino pieces for about 100 calories of soft cheese, and 4 dice for a little over 100 calories of hard cheese. Include cheese labels that let guests know what cheese is which, and put serving size recommendations there, too.
- Sweet – Items Included: Fruits, jams, jellies
  - Go with whole fruits when possible, canned included! Apricots, peaches and pears are common cheese pairings and using canned versions can help cut down on prep time.
- Salty & Tangy – Items Included: Nuts, olives, pickled vegetables, cured meats, crackers
  - Pick lower-sodium roasted nuts and swap cured meats for “hint of salt” whole-grain crackers with a savory dip if you’re watching sodium. You can also try making your own pickled vegetables (see below for recipe)!

Consider adding a little extra flavor and vegetables to your board with these delicious recipes:

Carrot and Turmeric Hummus using Libby’s® Sliced Carrots

Carrot and Turmeric Hummus

Did you know: The biggest carrot statue in the world is 30 feet high? And, it’s located in New Zealand.

Peas and Ricotta Crostini using Libby’s® Sweet Peas Pouch

Peas & Ricotta Crostini

Did you know: The Father of Modern Genetics, Gregor Mendel, conducted his experiments and research studies using peas.

Easy Pickled Beets using Libby’s® Sliced Beets

Easy Pickled Beets

Did you know: Thanks to betalain, a compound naturally found in beets, beets have been shown to support your body’s natural detoxification process.

Thinking Ahead: National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

April 19, 2018 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

By Dylan Bailey, MS

The end of April is approaching and the start of May means warmer temperatures and that we’re one month closer to the official start of summer!

May also marks National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, a time when we have the opportunity to raise awareness about the health benefits of physical activity and let others know about fun and enjoyable ways to get moving.

Just about everyone can benefit from regular physical activity in their lives^1,2:

Children and Adolescents – Physical activity can improve muscular fitness, bone health, and heart health. It’s recommended that children and adolescents should do 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of physical activity daily.

Adults and Older Adults – Physical activity can lower the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. For older adults, it can also lower the risk of falls and improve cognitive functioning (like learning and judgment skills). It’s recommended to get 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) a week of moderate-intensity activity and to do muscle-strengthening activities that are moderate- or high-intensity, which involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week.

While it can be tricky to fit in the recommended amount of physical activity, you might start by trying things you can do with others, like taking a walk after dinner or going for a bike ride. For more tips on increasing physical activity, check out resources from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services³.

Nutrition and Physical Activity

What’s really important to keep in mind about being active, is that nutrition is just as important and helps with an overall healthy lifestyle. The food you eat is truly the fuel for your success!

To get the most out of your fitness or sports activities, try sticking to an eating pattern with healthy carbohydrates (like whole grain breads and pastas and low-fat or fat-free yogurt/milk, fruits and vegetables), plenty of water for hydration and lean sources of protein. You’ll also want to make sure you pack healthy snacks ahead of your activities for energy and/or recovery. Fruits are a great option!

After physical activity, you’ll want to refuel your body with plenty of fluids. Try diluting fruit juice with water for a simple post-activity drink. Generally, you’ll also want to stick to getting some carbohydrates and protein to kick-start the recovery process. Let’s take a look at a few before and after exercise meals.

Green Machine

If in the morning is when you’re active, try this Secret-Ingredient Green Smoothie. Why? It’s got healthy carbohydrates, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, to power you in the pre-dawn hours. It’s portable too, so you can bring it wherever you go!

Simple Stir-Fry

A perfect meal-prep option, Vegetable Fried Rice can be made in advance and easily pre-portioned for post-exercise nutrition. Replace the leftover rice in this recipe with brown rice to get more whole grains and try adding an extra egg for additional protein, especially if you’re going to be eating this after exercise.

Fiesta on a Plate

Lean protein, veggies and international seasonings make for a simple, yet flavorful weeknight meal. Try these Lime and Cumin Chicken Tenders with Fiesta Rice before you head out on your evening walk or bike ride! Make sure to stick to the recommended serving size to avoid overeating before walking.

Try the recipes above and for more ideas visit Libby’s® Recipe Box.

¹May: National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Retrieved April 18, 2018, from https://healthfinder.gov/NHO/MayToolkit.aspx

²Current Physical Activity Guidelines. Retrieved April 18, 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/prevention/policies_practices/physical_activity/guidelines.htm

³ Help a Loved One Get More Active: Quick tips. Retrieved April 18, 2018, from https://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/health-conditions-and-diseases/diabetes/help-a-loved-one-get-more-active-quick-tips