Make a Fresh Start in Spring | | |
Spring is a great time to hit the reset button and reintroduce your routines back in after a long winter. With warm weather making its way in, gardening is a great way to make your way outside and incorporate exercise! Starting your own garden has been associated with improvements in attitudes toward health and nutrition, especially after the long winter we’ve had.
A container garden is a great option for those with limited space or those that are gardening for the first time. Late spring through early summer is an ideal time to start your own container garden.
- Popular container crops are peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, beans, radish, and cucumbers.
- Popular container herbs are parsley, rosemary, marjoram, basil, thyme, and chives.
Try a themed container garden. Possible choices include:
- Pizza Garden: tomato, basil, oregano, onion
- Salsa: tomato, cilantro, onion, hot peppers
- Salad: lettuce, arugula, radish, onion
Source: https://food.unl.edu/article/food-fun-young-children/grow-garden-together/
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Go on a scavenger hunt in the park!
Fresh air and sunshine calls for more walks outside. Add a scavenger hunt or bingo card to the mix to keep everyone engaged and occupied! There are many different insects, animals, and plants that are emerging from their winter hibernation. Scroll down to the Kid’s Corner activity for a Bingo card and take a stroll through the park, the neighborhood, or outside your yard. See how many spaces you can cross out during your adventure!
Source: https://hodgepodgedays.co.uk/crafts/printables/spring-scavenger-hunt-printable/
| | Harvest of the Month: Radishes | | |
Known for their diversity in size and color and their peppery flavor, radishes make a great addition to your plate! They can be eaten raw, pickled, roasted, or pan-fried. Fun Facts: Radishes are a great source of vitamin C, potassium and folate!
What to look for:
- Choose radishes that are smooth, firm, and brightly colored. The green leafy tops, if still attached, should be a deep green color.
- Avoid radishes that have cracks or cuts.
- Red and white radishes are sold in stores year-round, but generally cost less in the spring.
Storage:
- Do not wash radishes until ready to eat.
- Radishes do not store well with the leafy tops left on. Cut them off before storing.
- Store radishes in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Put them unwrapped in the produce drawer of your refrigerator, or in an open plastic bag or bowl to let air in.
- Do not store them in the freezer - radishes do not freeze well.
Source: https://foodhero.org/sites/foodheroprod/files/monthlymagazines/March Food Hero Monthly_0.pdf
| | Recipe Highlight: Spring Vegetable Sauté | | |
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup sweet onion (sliced)
- 1 garlic clove (finely chopped)
- 3 potatoes (tiny, quartered)
- 3/4 cup carrot (sliced)
- 3/4 cup asparagus pieces
- 3/4 cup sugar snap peas, or green beans
- 1/2 cup radishes (quartered)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dill (dried)
Directions
- Heat the oil in a skillet. Cook the onion 2 minutes, add the garlic and cook another minute.
- Stir in the potatoes and carrots. Cover, turn the heat to low, and cook until almost tender, about 4 minutes.
- If the vegetables start to brown, add a Tablespoon or 2 of water.
- Now add the asparagus, peas, radishes, salt, pepper, and dill. Cook, stirring often, until just tender - about 4 minutes more.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Source: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGbE2A6TIE/zXiN6YlWjWsQBgwG0pJK-g/view?utm_content=DAGbE2A6TIE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hcb71f32e11
| | SNAP provides monetary assistance to supplement the food budget of households that meet the financial and resource requirements. | | | | |
Foods available under SNAP:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products
- Breads and cereals
- Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
- Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat
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Second Harvest Food Bank's Nutrition Services is committed to working with low-income families seeking to improve their nutrition and health, partnering with our agency programs and community groups.
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