May
May is National Barbecue Month--try one (or more) of our marinade recipes to celebrate. Mix up the marinade, add it to your favorite meats or vegetables, turn on your grill and go.
All of these marinades are olive oil based but feel free to substitute an oil of your choice. Combine the marinade with your preferred meat or vegetables and let sit either overnight or for a minimum of 20 minutes before grilling.
Herb Marinade
Garlic salt
Basil
Parsley
Pepper (or red pepper for an extra kick)
Cilantro Lime
Try a 2:1 ratio of lime juice to cilantro. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Lemon Fresh Marinade
Mix together garlic salt, pepper and rosemary. Combine into lemon juice. Whisk in oil.
Bold Basalmic
Salt and Pepper
Balsamic Vinegar
Thyme
Garlic
Ginger
Mix together grated or minced ginger and soy sauce. Add in salt and pepper as well as a little bit of garlic. Combine with olive oil.
April
Eggs are not just for breakfast anymore. This month, we offer three ways to incorporate an inexpensive protein-packed ingredient into meals beyond the morning hours.
For a quick, three-ingredient lunch, start with zoodles. Add salsa, pesto or other seasoning depending on your mood. Top with a fried egg.
Combine sliced avocado and sliced hard-boiled eggs with Greek yogurt. Season according to your preferences. Serve on toast brushed with olive oil for an afternoon snack.
Serve over a bowl of lentils and brown rice, seasoned. Add sweet potatoes, onions, tomatoes or other vegetables for a quick and easy dinner.
March
You wear green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, so why not eat green during the month of March to celebrate? We selected a few green foods for you to try as well as a few different ways to prepare them.
-Roast in the oven with oil of your choice, lemon juice and garlic; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving.
-Toss in olive oil. Drizzle with a 1:2 ratio of balsamic vinegar and maple syrup and roast in oven. Add cranberries and feta cheese before serving.
-Try an asparagus soup recipe like this one.
-Roast with bacon, a diced apple and some fresh rosemary.
-For a sweeter taste, roast with butternut squash, cranberries and maple syrup.
-For a new twist on salad, caramelize the Brussels sprouts and add them to a salad of spinach, arugula, cranberries, feta and shallots. Drizzle with a lemon vinaigrette.
-Sauté with a little bit of garlic, salt and pepper and serve with a fried egg.
-Include in a smoothie for an extra nutritional boost.
-Combine with quinoa, chickpeas, blueberries, almonds and an avocado for a quick, easy lunch. Add a light vinaigrette before serving.
February
The foods listed below contain vitamins and minerals that might help you fight insomnia or sleep longer. Try these combinations to see if they help you get a better night’s sleep.
Salmon and Green Salad with Cherries and Pistachios
Salmon is rich in Omega 3s and cherries are a natural source of melatonin. Pistachios are high in B6, which could also help you sleep better. Prepare salmon to your liking. Serve with a green salad that includes cherries, pistachios and feta or goat cheese. Drizzle with a lemon vinaigrette.
Eat a banana paired with a tablespoon of almond butter before bed. Bananas are high in magnesium and almonds are high in tryptophan, both crucial for better sleep.
Kiwis also contain serotonin, which which helps regulate your sleep cycle.
Try a cup of chamomile tea and a small piece of dark chocolate. The tea has antioxidants that promote sleepiness and dark chocolate contains serotonin. Or, if you’re not in the mood for something sweet, serve with veggies and some hummus. Chickpeas are high in tryptophan.
January
Boost your immunity by using these ingredients as you cook in January to help fight off sickness.
Immunity Boosting Smoothies
Combine your choice of ingredients into a blender and blend. Fruit: banana, orange, mango, pear, strawberries | Nutrition-Boost: add baby spinach or kale | Liquids: Water, milk or almond milk
Morning Oatmeal
Oatmeal can help your body fight off infection and contains zinc. Add berries, cinnamon, ground flaxseed, ginger or even pumpkin to include even more immune-boosting foods.
Chicken-Noodle Soup
Combine 8 cups chicken broth, 2 cups cooked chicken, Noodles of your choice, cooked and veggies such as carrots, celery, onions, mushrooms. Add spices including turmeric and garlic
Other Foods to Try
Yogurt
Dark Chocolate
Tea
Brussels Sprouts
Sweet Potatoes
Peppers
Broccoli
Eggs