Eat Orange!

It’s October (finally!). I must admit that fall is my favorite season. With so many seasonal, delicious fruits and vegetables in the super market, it just feels easier to eat healthfully. It just so happens that many of my favorite veggies are the staple color of the fall season--- orange!. While the color palate is fitting for the season, the orange hues actually have health benefits.

Deep orange vegetables like squash, sweet potatoes and yams are packed with vitamins A and C. They’re also great sources of fiber. Vitamin A helps keep our eyes and skin healthy, vitamin C has antioxidant powers, and the fiber helps our bodies reduce our cholesterol levels while reducing risk of heart disease. Let’s take advantage of these orange veggies! Here are some cooking tips for the fall season.

-          Sweet Potato Salad- potato salad is always a staple in my house during football season. Jazz up the norm and use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes.

-          Butternut Squash Pastas- butternut squash blends in perfectly in pasta dishes. Cube the squash and sauté in a little olive oil, or cook directly in a hot saucepan of tomato sauce.

-          Butternut Squash for Dessert- top with sliced granny smiths and a tiny sprinkle of brown sugar, then bake to sweet, delicious perfection.

-          Sweet Potato Mash- mash hot, cooked sweet potatoes in a tiny bit of orange juice and zest. This is a great twist on the traditional mashed potato side.

-          Sweet Potato Chips- ever tried microwave sweet potato chips? Well you should! They have less fat, are easy to make, and are yummy to boot! Don’t be afraid to vary your seasonings. I like rosemary and a touch of sea salt, but you can make it sweet with cinnamon, or spicy with chili powder. Here's my favorite microwaved potato chip recipe.

Want to try some sweet potato chips for yourself? Join UH Dining Services & Student Housing and Residence Life tonight at 7 pm in the Cougar Village I lobby. We'll be demo-ing and handing out free samples as part of our second episode for the "What's Cooking, Coogs" Cooking Tour!

Don’t forget to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies daily! Enjoy the fall season… Eat Orange!

Apples to Apples

Apples seem to be the quintessential Fall fruit. They're crisp, delicious, and come in an array of varieties and colors.

But remember--- not all forms of apples are equal. To ensure that you’re getting all the nutritional benefits from apples, be sure to eat the peel and pulp. A whole medium apple has 4.4 g of fiber; an apple without the skin has 2.1 g of fiber; applesauce has 2.7 g per one cup; apple juice has only 0.5 g fiber per one cup. In other words, eating the actual fruit is your rule-of-thumb for optimal nutrition!

Enjoy the Fall season to the fullest! Eat your apples!

**********************************************************************************************
Want to try some healthy apple desserts? Stop by the Fresh Food Company on Tuesday, October 8th. Our pastry chef Missy Campbell will be showcasing her culinary skills!

What does Greek Mean?

Thanks to the UH student who recently emailed me this question...

Q: I have always heard that yogurt is good for you. Now I see all these Greek yogurts at the store. Are they actually healthier for me? What makes them "Greek"?

Snacks for Finals

As you are studying for finals, remember to fuel your body with good food. Late night studying goes hand in hand with late night snacking. Reaching for snacks high in sugar, salt, and fat can leave you feeling tired and drained. Focus on foods that have natural sugars (fruit, low fat dairy, whole grains) and are minimally processed. Eat healthy fats (nuts, seeds, olives, avocados) in moderation and minimize added salt from packaged or prepared foods.

Try some of these delicious snacks that require close to zero cooking skills! Each recipe below serves 1.

Snack Attack

Snacking isn't just for little kids. A busy college student, who may skip a meal or two, may be in need of a snack on-the-go. These thoughts may run through your head from time to time…did I remember to eat breakfast…do I have time to grab dinner before my night class…I’m not going to get lunch with this project due. Snacking can help your blood sugar remain stable throughout the day, keeping your energy up. Avoid snacks high in fat, sugar, and caffeine to make sure you don't crash in the middle of your 3 pm class.

Break Me Off a Piece of That

When you walk into a convenience store or gas station, what grabs your attention? Cheetos...Pop Tarts...Slushies...all the healthy stuff, right? Many items at convenience stores are frozen, prepackaged, or processed and they tend to be high in sodium, artery clogging fat, and calories!

Here are some on campus heart healthy snacks to consider: