Dietitians Dish – May 04, 2020
Keep working on making habits effortless!
Habit #5 – Take time each day to make connections and show appreciation.
Start with MOM this week!
Taking time to appreciate the people who are important to you is essential for staying connected. With all that’s been going on in the world, it’s still possible to give mom a special treat on Mother’s Day! On your next shopping trip, grab any ingredients you don’t have on-hand and get cooking. Show her the love with these heart-shaped pancakes!
They’re a delicious and decadent combination. If you don’t have a heart shape, just pour them like a regular pancake. Plus, they offer the opportunity to swap for similar ingredients if you have something on hand to avoid a shopping trip. Try peach, strawberry, or another fruit if you don’t have blueberries. Use all-purpose flour for the full amount if you don’t have whole wheat flour.
Heart-Shaped Whole Wheat Blueberry-Nut Pancakes
Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1-1/3 cups sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 Tbsps. lemon juice
- 1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 Tbsps. granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 cup fresh blueberries or 1 (10 oz.) package frozen blueberries, rinsed and dried
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Directions:
- In large bowl, whisk eggs; stir in sweetened condensed milk, milk and lemon juice. In separate large bowl, sift together flours, sugar, baking soda and salt. With rubber spatula, gently fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients, being careful not to over-mix batter. Let batter stand 30 minutes at room temperature; batter will become thick upon standing.
- Preheat large nonstick skillet or flat top griddle over medium-high heat (325° to 350°); spray skillet and 3-1/2- to 4-inch heart-shaped heat-proof cookie cutter(s) with nonstick cooking spray. Place cutter(s) in skillet; ladle batter into cutter(s) and sprinkle with blueberries and nuts. Cook until air bubbles have developed and underside is an even, golden color; flip and cook until bottoms are golden brown. Repeat with remaining batter, spraying skillet and cutter(s) with cooking spray as needed between batches. Serve pancakes topped with butter and maple syrup, if desired.
May 2, 2020
After grocery shopping, you can wipe down packages with disinfectant. Also surfaces which have touched groceries should be sanitized. Cabinet handles, doorknobs, etc. should not be overlooked either. Be sure to wash your hands to avoid spreading around any contaminants which you may have directly touched. AND… don’t forget to sanitize any re-useable bags! That’s just good practice to avoid contaminating future groceries.
May 1, 2020
Many “experts” and influencers on social media are encouraging people to clean fresh produce by soaking in a diluted bleach solution. REPEAT AFTER ME… NEVER soak foods in bleach or other chemicals. It can be absorbed into the produce and then consumed, which is dangerous and toxic. Instead, you can rinse under cool, running water and use a vegetable brush to scrub surfaces. But, don’t forget to clean that brush afterwards!
April 30, 2020
Have you heard the phrase “food as medicine”? It refers to the body needing certain nutrients to function optimally. Getting the right nutrients in our foods and beverages can help to keep us healthier. Which ones are important for immunity? Here are a few… zinc; Vitamins A, C and E; and Protein. Check out why they’re important and what foods have them in our Spotlight on Nutrition page.
April 29, 2020
Simple first step – Get your handwashing on! Wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. It is essential to killing the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The virus has been described as a protein protected by a layer of fat. Soap breaks down the fat to help destroy the protein and wash it away. Use of hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol (in lieu of having soap and water available) is another important way to stop the spread of coronavirus. These sanitizers inactivate the virus to eliminate its effects and the spread. If you haven’t washed or used hand sanitizer your face needs to be HANDS OFF! Avoid touching your face (eyes, nose, and mouth) so that you don’t introduce contamination by the virus. Those are primary places where the virus can be transmitted and cause infection. Check out CDC.gov for more information on things you can do to stop the spread of the virus. Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is essential, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing one’s nose. (Source: FDA)