Maryland SNAP-Ed

Barbecues (also known as BBQ) are very popular during the summer because it is so easy to just throw foods on the grill and have them ready in no time at all!  Foods also taste so good coming off the grill during the summer.  Planning to have a BBQ during this holiday week, but not sure what to cook?  There are many ways to have healthy, great tasting foods to serve your guests.  Try these holiday tips when planning your BBQ this week or all summer long!

• Cook meat and vegetables outside on the grill.  Grilled veggies taste great.  Some veggies to try on the grill are:  asparagus, zucchini, squash, bell peppers, potatoes, and corn.
• Serve less meat and more grilled or roasted vegetables.  You will stretch your food budget and boost nutrition.
• Marinating the meat.  Marinate meats with lemon, fresh or dried herbs, garlic, or pepper to add great flavor without adding salt.
• A salad goes great with BBQ.  Mix a salad with fresh romaine lettuce and add your favorite veggies to make a healthy side dish.  Try adding tomatoes, corn, bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli.
• Grill fruits, too!  Fruits taste great when they are grilled, too.  Try adding pineapple slices or peaches.  If grilling fruits aren't what you want, make sure to have other in season fruits on hand like watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, blueberries, blackberries, and peaches.

While grilling out is great for the summer, make sure to keep you foods safe during hot weather.  Keep these tips in mind when grocery shopping and grilling this summer.

• Choose your meat at the end of your shopping trip and put in the refrigerator or freezer as soon as you get home.
• Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator, not on the counter.
• Use a meat thermometer to be sure meat has reached a safe temperature. If you are not sure what temperature your meat should be, click here for the Safe Minimum Cooking Temperature Chart.
•  Place cooked meat on a clean platter, not the one you used for the raw meat.
• Throw away food that has been sitting at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if temperatures are 90 degrees or higher.

Visit our EatSmart website for some recipes ideas!

Grocery shopping and cooking together in the Fall is a great way to help your family be healthier and more active. Take time each day to plan meals and activities with your family. Use these tips to plan, shop, and cook meals together.

Buying Fruits and Vegetables that are in season cost less and taste great! 

• Purchase seasonal fruits and vegetables at the farmers’ market. Many farmer’s markets accept electronic benefits transfers or EBT cards and pandemic EBT. Check for other benefits like Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), and Women Infants and Children (WIC) Fruit & Vegetable Checks. 
• When shopping at the grocery store, look for fall produce in-store ads to find the best prices and sales options. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables each day.

There are many Fall recipes to help make half of your plate full of fresh fruits and vegetables. Let us look at how we can focus on adding apples, squash, and cabbage to meals during the Fall months!

• Apple picking is a fun activity you can do with your family. Try this homemade applesauce recipe made with apples picked from a local apple orchard. Search the Maryland U-Pick Website to find a local orchard near you. 
• Squash can be found in different varieties at the Farmer’s market or grocery store. Acorn, Butternut, and Spaghetti Squash are popular choices to use in recipes. Try these recipes from our Eat Smart website: Spicy Apple Filled Acorn Squash, Squash Vegetable Soup, Spaghetti Squash with Tomato, Basil, and Parmesan.
• Cabbage is a great vegetable to try as a family. Try this Cabbage Stir-Fry recipe!