Blog Posts

After a long day of learning and playing, kids can get pretty hungry (or, dare we say hangry?) when they get home. After-school snacks give them energy for after-school activities, sports, and homework before dinner’s ready.Planning what’s for snack time is as important as planning meals. Think of it as an added chance to add more servings from MyPlate to your kid’s day or week!

When you think about MyPlate, food might be the first thing that comes to mind. But it’s important to pay attention to what you drink, too. The main thing to watch for is added sugars in the drinks you choose. There are tons of drinks out there—soda, juice, sports drinks, and more. But water is still the best choice when it comes to keeping your body happy and hydrated. Going for water instead of sweetened drinks helps save money because it’s inexpensive (or free!).

When it’s so hot outside, the last thing you want to do is cook in a warm kitchen. That’s why it’s a good idea to have some easy dinner ideas ready for those super-hot days. The best part? These meals use great-tasting foods from all the MyPlate food groups!No-Cook Dinners:

Health and nutrition information is everywhere. From social media posts and news headlines to TV commercials and pop-up ads – there are all kinds of claims telling you what you should and shouldn’t eat. Sadly, there is a high chance the information could be misleading or even flat out wrong. Knowing how to spot when advice is harmful or helpful is a very powerful tool! When you see or hear nutrition information, use these questions to decide if it’s good advice:

Right now, it’s more important than ever to stretch your food dollar. If you’re looking for a way to make more portions per pound of ground meat, try blending in some veggies! You can make blended burgers, meatballs, meatloaf, sauces, and fillings by mixing ground meat with vegetables before cooking them.

Life can be busy, but taking a little time to plan ahead makes mealtime easier and faster. Plus, planning to eat most meals at home saves money. When you plan ahead, you’re more likely to stick to your grocery list and buy only what you need. You don’t even have to think about “What’s for dinner?” because your meals are already planned out for the week. Making a weekly meal plan is easier than you might think. It just takes a few easy steps:  

“Screen Free Week” is the first week of May each year. Screens can be very useful. (Afterall, where else can you find all the amazing Eat. Move. Save. Resources?) But like all things in life, it’s good to find a balance. Spending too much time on screens can take away from other things that are important for your health and wellbeing, like spending time and talking together, moving your body, and even getting a good night’s sleep.

Have you ever heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Well, we think all meals are important and breakfast is definitely one of them. Unfortunately, lots of people skip breakfast. It’s usually because they don’t have time or they’re not hungry. Here are some reasons and tips to start every day with breakfast. 

Add Flavors from Around the World in the Comfort of Your KitchenHave you ever wanted to taste certain flavors from around the world? Well, you can from the comfort of your own home! Herbs and spices are an easy and affordable way to add different flavors to your foods. You can turn ordinary dishes into something extra yummy and flavorful. The secret is to make homemade seasoning blends. No fancy equipment, cooking skills, or plane ticket needed! 

There are lots of things to love about spring. Warmer weather, sunnier days, blooming flowers. And one of our favorite things – it means farmers markets will soon be in full swing! Shopping at farmers markets allows you to meet the people who grow your food, buy produce when it’s in-season, and maybe find a new favorite fruit or vegetable. Here are some helpful tips for shopping at farmers markets: