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Smart starts for a healthy heart

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Improve hydration, skip added sugars with better-for-you beverages

(Family Features) How you start your morning can impact the rest of your day. If you’re looking to incorporate healthier choices into your morning routine, try a concept known as “habit stacking.” Building tiny, healthier habits into routines you already have, like enjoying a morning beverage or breakfast before you check your email instead of jumping right into the day’s tasks, can make it easier to stick to a new habit when it’s built into an existing routine.

If you already enjoy the routine of breakfast to start the day, consider swapping sugary drinks for beverages without added sugars like unsweetened green or black tea. When incorporated as part of an overall healthy diet, unsweetened tea can help support heart health.

If you need help getting started, Lipton, a proud national sponsor of the American Heart Association’s Life is Why campaign, created these easy-to-make, better-for-you tea recipes.

A small handful of ingredients makes a big splash in Green Tea Berry Banana Smoothies, ideal for an on-the-go breakfast. For a little refreshment any time of day, simple Sparkling Green Tea Cranberry Spritzers offer a solution with 0 grams of added sugars while non-alcoholic Green Tea Mojito Mocktails provide natural sweetness with 100% fruit juice.

Choosing beverages with no added sugars can contribute to a healthy heart, according to the American Heart Association, making these recipes perfect for daily habit stacking. Water is needed to keep your body running at its best, and because unsweetened tea is 99.5 % water, it provides a delicious way to help hydrate.

Discover more ways to improve daily routines at Heart.org/eatsmart.

Green Tea Berry Banana Smoothies

Recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association
Servings: 4 (1 1/2 cups per serving)

  • 3 cups water
  • 8 single-serving green tea bags
  • 16 ounces frozen mixed berries (about 3 cups)
  • 2 medium bananas, peeled, cut in half and frozen
  • 1 cup fat-free plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 teaspoons fresh-grated peeled gingerroot (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons chia or flax seeds (optional)
  1. In small saucepan over high heat, bring water to boil. Remove pan from heat. Submerge tea bags. Steep 4 minutes. Discard tea bags. Let tea mixture cool 30 minutes. Pour into pitcher. Refrigerate 2 hours, or until chilled.
  2. In food processor or blender, process tea, berries, bananas and yogurt until smooth. Add gingerroot and vanilla, if desired, and process until smooth. Pour into four glasses. Sprinkle with chia seeds, if desired.

Nutritional information per serving (without optional ingredients): 136 calories; 1 g total fat (0 g saturated fat, trans fat, polyunsaturated fat and monounsaturated fat); 3 mg cholesterol; 23 mg sodium; 29 g carbohydrates; 5 g fiber; 18 g total sugars (0 g added sugars); 8 g protein.

Green Tea Mojito Mocktails

Recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association
Servings: 4 (1 1/2 cups per serving)

  • 4 cups water
  • 4 single-serving green tea bags
  • 32-40 sprigs fresh mint, plus additional for garnish, divided
  • 2 cups ice cubes
  • 1 cup 100% white grape juice
  • 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (about 4 medium limes)
  • 1 medium lime, cut into four wedges or lime zest twists (optional)
  1. In small saucepan over high heat, bring water to boil. Remove pan from heat. Submerge tea bags. Steep 4 minutes. Discard tea bags. Let tea mixture cool 30 minutes. Pour into pitcher. Refrigerate 2 hours, or until chilled.
  2. At serving time, add mint leaves to four glasses. Using muddler or wooden spoon, mash mint leaves several times to release juices. Don’t mash into pulp. Add ice.
  3. Stir white grape juice and lime juice into tea mixture. Pour into glasses. Garnish each with lime wedge and mint leaf.

Tip: To get more juice from citrus, before slicing, microwave fruit on high 30 seconds, or until warm. When cool enough to handle, use citrus reamer or handheld juice press to juice citrus.

Nutritional information per serving: 45 calories; 0 g total fat (0 g saturated fat, trans fat, polyunsaturated fat and monounsaturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 7 mg sodium; 13 g carbohydrates; 0 g fiber; 10 g total sugars (0 g added sugars); 1 g protein.

Sparkling Green Tea Cranberry Spritzers

Recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association
Servings: 4 (1 1/2 cups per serving)

  • 4 cups water
  • 4 single-serving green tea bags
  • 1 cup 100% cranberry juice or 100% cranberry-pomegranate juice
  • 2 cups ice cubes
  • 1/2 cup seltzer (flavored or plain) or low-sodium club soda, chilled
  • 4 orange slices or lime wedges (optional)
  1. In small saucepan over high heat, bring water to boil. Remove pan from heat. Submerge tea bags. Steep 4 minutes. Discard tea bags. Let tea mixture cool 30 minutes. Pour into pitcher. Stir in cranberry juice. Refrigerate 2 hours, or until chilled.
  2. At serving time, put ice cubes in four glasses. Pour tea mixture into glasses. Top each serving with seltzer. Garnish with orange slices.

Tip: To create cranberry-flavored ice cubes, fill ice cube tray with 100% cranberry juice and freeze.

Nutritional information per serving: 32 calories: 0 g total fat (0 g saturated fat, trans fat, polyunsaturated fat and monounsaturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 4 mg sodium; 8 mg carbohydrates; 0 g fiber; 8 g total sugars (0 g added sugars); 1 g protein.


SOURCE:
American Heart Association

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A grownup twist on a childhood favorite

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(Family Features) When you’re looking for recipe inspiration, don’t be afraid to take things back to your childhood with a little home cooking. Even better, now you can enjoy those kid favorites as the main course (with an adult touch, to boot) in this Baked Broccoli Mac.

It’s a warm, cozy solution that pairs with bread and a salad for dinner or can be halved and served as a side.

Visit Culinary.net for more ways to turn childhood classics into family dinners.

Baked Broccoli Mac

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6

  • 1 box (1 pound) pasta noodles, such as cellentani, elbow or penne
  • 2 cups chopped broccoli
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream or half-and-half
  • 2 cups mozzarella
  • 1/2 block pasteurized cheese product, cubed
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste

Topping:

  • 2 cups breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 stick butter
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  1. In large pot, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain well then add broccoli, chicken broth, cream, mozzarella, pasteurized cheese product, garlic powder and onion powder. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Mix well.
  2. To make topping: In bowl, mix breadcrumbs, butter and Parmesan cheese.
  3. Pour macaroni mixture into large baking dish then sprinkle with breadcrumb mixture. Bake 30 minutes.


SOURCE:
Culinary.net

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Manage hectic mornings with quick, healthy breakfasts

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(Family Features) Getting kids up and out the door is a challenge all on its own, and on those busy school mornings when nothing seems to run smoothly, healthy breakfasts can go by the wayside. While it’s widely recognized as the most important meal of the day, that doesn’t always mean you have time to sit down and enjoy it.

Solving your morning rush with grab-and-go breakfasts you can make ahead of time accomplishes both goals at once: staying on schedule and fueling your kiddos (and yourself) for the day ahead. These delicious and nutritious recipes come from Healthy Family Project’s 2024 Back to School Campaign, which is raising $12,000 for the Foundation for Fresh Produce to support children’s accessibility to fresh fruits and vegetables.

These Mixed Berry Whole-Wheat Muffins are a perfect solution when you need to hustle out the door. As a healthy, delicious treat kids can take with them to school or eat during the commute, they’re quick and easy to make. Loaded with blueberries – a bona fide superfood that’s high in fiber, low in calories and high in vitamin C, potassium and vitamin K – you may even need to make a double batch so you have plenty for breakfasts and after-school snacks.

With a simple graham cracker crust and creamy Greek yogurt filling, Mandarin Orange No-Bake Tarts offer another refreshing, kid-friendly morning meal. They can help you start your day on the right foot whether you’re short on time or able to eat a quick bite together as a family.

Discover more ways to manage school-day schedules with easy, nutritious recipes at healthyfamilyproject.com.

Mixed Berry Whole-Wheat Muffins

Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 12

  • 1 1/4 cups white whole-wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease muffin pan and set aside.
  2. In medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In separate large bowl, mix egg, maple syrup, vanilla, yogurt and applesauce.
  3. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in strawberries and blueberries.
  4. Pour batter into prepared muffin tin, filling cups about 3/4 full.
  5. Bake 15 minutes, or until tops are golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  6. Remove from oven and let cool in muffin tin 5 minutes before removing.

Mandarin Orange No-Bake Tarts

Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project
Prep time: 10 minutes
Freeze time: 1 hour

  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 4 mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented
  1. In bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter.
  2. Press mixture into bottom of individual mini tart pans or mini muffin tin. Refrigerate crusts to set while preparing filling.
  3. In bowl, combine Greek yogurt, vanilla and honey or maple syrup. Mix well.
  4. Spoon yogurt mixture into chilled crusts.
  5. Freeze tarts at least 1 hour. Top with mandarin segments.


SOURCE:
Healthy Family Project

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Tasty recipes to combat the hustle and bustle

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(Family Features) Jam-packed calendars and little spare time at home can make heads spin. When those hectic weeknights are giving your family fits, turn to delicious recipes you can have ready in 30 minutes or less.

Start with kitchen staples like chicken and rice – they’re easy to prepare and versatile enough to let you cook a variety of meals without feeling like you’re stuck in a dinner rut. For example, these Air-Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Tenders with Rice offer a kid-friendly take on bang bang chicken that’s both sweet and spicy.

This air-fryer favorite requires just half an hour in the kitchen and calls on the quality and convenience of Success Boil-in-Bag Jasmine Rice to make busy weeknights a breeze. In just 10 minutes, the aromatic rice cooks up soft and fluffy with a uniquely delicious flavor that’s naturally gluten free, Non-GMO Project Verified and free of MSG and preservatives.

For a real escape from the everyday hustle and bustle, invite island flavors to dinner with this simple yet satisfying Grilled Hawaiian Chicken and Coconut Rice. Remember, high quality doesn’t have to be high maintenance.

Ready in 10 minutes, Success Boil-in-Bag Basmati Rice is a quick, easy and mess-free option that is guaranteed to always cook right. It’s an appetizing addition to this tropic-inspired meal that can help you tackle hectic schedules without sacrificing flavor.

Find more ways to solve dinnertime dilemmas at SuccessRice.com.

Air-Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Tenders with Rice

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

  • 1 pound chicken tenders
  • 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce, divided
  • 1/4 cup sriracha hot sauce, divided
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 bag Success Jasmine Rice
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 bag (12 ounces) coleslaw mix
  • 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced
  • toasted sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
  • green onions, for garnish (optional)
  1. Toss chicken tenders with 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce and 1 tablespoon sriracha. Drizzle with sesame oil.
  2. Preheat air-fryer to 400 F. In two batches, without overfilling basket, air fry chicken tenders, turning basket halfway during cook time, 10-12 minutes, or until chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
  3. Prepare rice according to package directions. Stir mayonnaise with remaining sweet chili sauce and sriracha until blended. In large bowl, toss coleslaw mix with 1/4 cup bang bang mayo sauce.
  4. Divide rice among four bowls. Top with chicken, coleslaw mix and cucumber. Drizzle with remaining bang bang mayo sauce.
  5. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and green onions, if desired.

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken and Coconut Rice

Prep time: 5 minutes, plus 4 hours for marinating
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

  • 4 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 cup white onion, chopped
  • 1 bag Success Basmati Rice
  • 2 cups coconut milk
  • 4 pineapple rings
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut, shredded
  1. In 1-gallon bag, combine chicken with soy sauce, water, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic and onion. Marinate in refrigerator about 4 hours.
  2. Heat grill to medium heat.
  3. Prepare rice according to package directions, replacing 2 cups water with coconut milk.
  4. Once finished marinating, remove chicken and pat dry. Grill about 7 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165 F.
  5. Pat pineapple rings dry and grill about 1 minute per side.
  6. Mix shredded coconut with rice. Place pineapples on top of chicken and serve with rice.


SOURCE:
Success Rice

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