In Preparation for the Holidays, Power Up Your Week with Nature's Sweetener!
FIRESTONE, Colo., Oct. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Adults and children are already gearing up for the flurry of fast approaching holiday activities. The one thing that everyone can agree on that is absolutely essential to keep moving for the season is food and lots of energy. But instead of surrendering to the holiday temptations that are beginning to pop-up everywhere, including the workplace, there are all-natural food alternatives that can be energizing and guilt-free. For this reason, in partnership with acclaimed registered dietitian nutritionist and blogger Christy Wilson, the National Honey Board (NHB) is introducing simple, seasonal meals and snack bites that can be powered-up with nature's natural energizer - honey. The campaign incorporates a combination of wholesome, energizing food choices with honey that they can be served this fall for well-balanced and easy-to-pack breakfasts, lunch or even as healthy snacks on-the-go, creating lots of energy to get through the holidays ahead.
"As a source of carbohydrates necessary to maintain energy, honey provides the body with essential fuel needed during times when people are really active," explained Wilson. "Especially during the holidays, consumers are always grabbing quick meals to keep themselves energized while running around from place to place. As part of a wholesome sit-down meal or as a sweet reward, honey is an easy, all-natural energy source that all family members age one and up can turn to for the energy needed to get through their busy fall schedules and all the festivities ahead."
Wilson, an avid cook, health advocate and named one of Latina Magazine's Top 10 Latina Health and Fitness Bloggers in 2013, created an array of balanced pre-holiday palate-pleasing breakfast bites, energizing snacks and light meal options, combining all-natural honey with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and other healthy ingredients to generate unbeatable flavor profiles that provide power-packed food for children and adults alike. These recipes are also portable, easily packed to-go in lunch boxes for healthy eating throughout the week at school or in the workplace or even for those fall hikes or bike rides.
The entire family can enjoy eating more balanced meals throughout the day without resorting to consuming processed sweeteners and foods, especially during this time of year when holiday foods and treats are everywhere. Among Wilson's scrumptious power-packed food items featured on www.mielpura.org that will help families get powered up and energized this season are:
Roasted Root Vegetables with Honey and Herb Glaze
Upgrade the flavor of roasted root vegetables by adding a mildly sweet glaze and fresh herbs to the mix.
Makes 6-8 servings
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 pound small red potatoes, quartered
1 pound carrots, cut into ¾ inch pieces. Halve thick pieces.
½ pound red beets (about 3 medium), peeled and quartered
½ cup sweet onion, sliced
¼ shallot, sliced lengthwise
2 teaspoons fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a large rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside. In a small bowl, whisk honey, butter and oil together. Set aside. In a large bowl, toss potatoes, carrots, beets, onion and shallot with honey mixture. Add thyme, oregano, salt and pepper to bowl and mix to combine. Arrange vegetables on prepared sheet pan and roast for 35-40 minutes, stirring once, until tender and lightly browned.
Nutrition Information per Serving:
Calories 130; Total Fat: 3.5g (Sat 1g, Trans 0g); Cholesterol: 5 mg; Sodium: 370mg; Total Carbohydrates: 23g; Dietary Fiber 4g; Sugar 10g; Protein 2g; % Daily Value*: Vitamin A 170%; Vitamin C 20%; Calcium 4%; Iron 6%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 Calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Southwest Salmon and Black Bean Salad with Honey Cilantro Lime Dressing
A colorful, flavorful and nutrient-rich salad with black beans and salmon that pack a high protein punch. Bright flavors from tangy Cotija cheese, cilantro, honey and lime add an extra kick to this dish.
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients:
Dressing (yields ½ cup):
1 tablespoon honey
3 1/2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons cilantro
½ teaspoon garlic, minced
2 tablespoons canned green chile
Salad:
1, 15-ounce canned corn, drained and rinsed (or 1 ½ cups frozen corn)
6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
1, 15-ounce canned black beans, drained, rinsed and patted dry
1 red pepper, diced
5 ounces canned salmon or 2 foil pouches
1 avocado, diced
1 ounce Cotija or Feta cheese
Preparation:
In a medium skillet, add drained and rinsed corn. Over medium-high heat, char corn kernels in dry skillet until slightly blackened, about 5-8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. Add all dressing ingredients into a blender or blend using immersion blender. Set aside. In a large bowl, mix chopped lettuce, black beans, red pepper and charred corn together. Add salmon, diced avocado and about half of the prepared dressing to bowl and mix to combine. Top salad with crumbled Cotija cheese.
Nutrition Information per Serving (single salad with approximately ¾ tablespoon dressing):
Calories 150; Total Fat 3.5g (Sat 1g, Trans 0g); Cholesterol 15 mg; Sodium: 135 mg; Total Carbohydrates: 15g; Dietary Fiber 4g; Sugar 3g; Protein 9g; % Daily Value*: Vitamin A 60%; Vitamin C 60%; Calcium 8%; Iron 6%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 Calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
For more of Christy Wilson's Power Up honey meal and snack ideas as well as a shopping list for the pantry and tips to Power Up Your Week with ingredients like honey, to develop more balanced meals for the season, visit www.mielpura.org.
About the National Honey Board
The National Honey Board is an industry-funded agriculture promotion group that works to educate consumers about the benefits and uses for honey and honey products through research, marketing and promotional programs.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151023/280187
SOURCE National Honey Board
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