Taco Stuffed Mini Sweet Pepper Mummies
Our friends at the Healthy Family Project have fun, family-friendly recipes like these Taco Stuffed Mini Sweet Pepper Mummies. Our dietitians are adding new recipes all the time, so check out our Dietitians Choice Recipes page for all their latest recipes!
Shop from the comfort of your home! You can shop online at any of our proud family of stores for these recipe ingredients as well as the rest of your grocery list! We offer curbside pick up at all locations and delivery in select locations as well. Don’t forget to connect your MORE Rewards account when you shop online for extra savings, digital coupons, and many other rewards too!
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Skeleton Veggie Tray
Skeleton Veggie Tray
Have fun with veggies this Halloween and build your own Skeleton Veggie Tray! A perfect party tray for everyone! Our dietitians are adding new recipes all the time, so check out our Dietitians Choice Recipes page for all their latest recipes!
Shop from the comfort of your home! You can shop online at any of our proud family of stores for these recipe ingredients as well as the rest of your grocery list! We offer curbside pick up at all locations and delivery in select locations as well. Don’t forget to connect your MORE Rewards account when you shop online for extra savings, digital coupons, and many other rewards too!
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Candy Corn Yogurt Parfaits
Pear Monster Mouths
Orange Creamsicle Float
Grilled Peaches with Prosciutto
Orange Cream Dessert Parfait
Healthy Snack Boards- A Fun Twist on Charcuterie Boards
Simple Snack Boards
These healthy snack boards can be great for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when no one wants to cook. Make up your healthy snack board with a variety of fruits and vegetables, lean sources of protein, whole grains, and healthy fats. If you’re using this as a snack, focus on getting at least 2-3 food groups on the plate; if you’re making one of these for a meal, try to have at least 4 food groups offered on the snack board.
Below are some ideas of what to include on your next Healthy Snack Board. The possibilities are endless!
SPOOK-tacular Halloween Treats!
Boo!
I hope I didn’t scare you too badly! But let me tell you, the leaves are changing color, the air is getting cooler and it’s giving me the chills! Where did summer go? As we know, the cooler weather is inevitable, but fall isn’t so bad, especially when we have Halloween to look forward to!
As a dietitian, I would love to say that handing out a healthy apple instead of candy is a perfect way to make the holiday a little more nutritious… but I would be lying. Truth be told, that was my least favorite trick or treat goodie. Of course, that’s not to say we can’t make Halloween healthy – c’mon, I’m a Dietitian!
So, how do we make the season healthy? By getting the kids involved and making it fun! I’ve gathered some of my favorite Halloween ideas that will be fun for the kids and also provide some good nutrition!
Fruits and vegetables are all you need to make this adorable Halloween scene! This is great for the little ones in your family, because they can help peel the bananas and oranges and they can add the face to their ghost! I personally like to use raisins for the ghost, but I’m sure the kids won’t argue if you use chocolate chips instead.
Everyone loves pizza! Start by taking your favorite whole wheat pizza crust and add-on a lower sodium pizza sauce. When topping with cheese, do a light layer of reduced fat cheddar cheese and then add-on slices of reduced fat mozzarella. The cheddar will add a bright orange color, while the sliced mozzarella will be perfect for your ghosts! Use black olives to make spiders and small faces for your spooky little ghosts. Tip: We have numerous whole wheat pizza crust options at the store! Check in both center store as well as near the deli for some great options. Be sure the first ingredient reads: whole wheat flour. This is a simple trick you can use to find whole grain products throughout the store!
We all know avocado toast is trending, but let’s switch it up a bit and make these fun little Frankensteins at breakfast. Avocados are one of the only fruits that provide healthy monounsaturated fat, which will also keep you fuller longer! Be sure to use whole wheat toast as well. You can use olives, red peppers and the egg whites from hard-boiled eggs to make your Frankenstein as friendly or as scary as you’d like!
These adorable little monster mouths are easy and so fun to make with apples, nut butter, and macadamia nuts! Tip: When choosing a nut butter, look for an option with lower sodium and sugar. Did you know, we have some nut butters where the only ingredients is “peanuts?!”
You’ve heard our dietitian team loving up on veggie spaghetti, but how cool is this meal!? You can heat up the veggie spaghetti with some pesto in a skillet for a few minutes until cooked through. Then, add-on slices of cooked egg yolks, black olives, and some red peppers to make a perfect meal for Halloween!
Happy & healthy eating,
Emily
Kids Cook at Home – Featured on WCCO!
Click here to watch: Today’s WCCO Segment – Kids Cook at Home with Coborn’s Registered Dietitian
In our “all family time, all the time” lives this summer, it is becoming clear for many families that one can only eat mac & cheese so many days in a row before even that beloved pantry staple loses its appeal. That’s why we’ve created our Kids Cook at Home program! Our Registered Dietitian, Amy, talked all about the Kids Cook at Home program today on WCCO- she even shared her top 3 favorite recipes. The Frozen Yogurt Bark is perfect for the upcoming 4th of July weekend!
One of the best ways to get kids interested in trying food is to get them involved in making food. The videos and recipes at Kids Cook at Home focus on tasty, nutritious and fun dishes t
hat aren’t too difficult (and don’t make too much of a mess!). Next time one of your kids says “I’m bored!” find a recipe on this site to make with your kids! It’s a great opportunity to transform your kitchen into a classroom and feed those hungry bellies!
This summer, kids can learn basic 
cooking and grocery shopping techniques, and develop a sense of adventure and play in the kitchen – lifelong skills that serve them long after the day is over. Best of all, Kids Cook at Home is interactive- We want kids and their adults to share their creations, their triumphs and yes, even their disasters. (It’s all learning, right?)
We can’t forget to spread the love on social media! We encourage families to share their photos and experiences with us on Facebook and Instagram by tagging @Cobornsgrocery and using the hashtag #KidsCookAtHome – we can’t wait to see your photos!!
Be sure to check it out at celebratemore.com/kids-cook-at-home
Perfect Pair Pops
Recipe Difficulty: Easy
Oven: No
Stovetop: No
Knife: Yes (cutting fruit)
No Bake Energy Bites
Recipe Difficulty: Easy
Oven: No
Stovetop: No
Knife: No
These No Bake Energy Bites are perfect to add to a mid-day snack or to enjoy as a dessert. When including in a snack, pair it with a fruit or a vegetable to encourage a balanced snack.
Supplies Needed:
- Spatula
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Mixing Bowl
- Plate
- Spoon
Simplifying Meals and Snacks At Home – Tips for Using Pantry Staples To Nourish Your Family
Our Registered Dietitian, Amy, was recently on WCCO (check out the segment HERE) sharing tips for feeding your family during this time. Check out our resources on simple ingredients that can keep your kiddos happy, healthy & full!
Tip #1 Simplifying Your Snacks
Many parents are now home with their kiddos and while we are all practicing social distancing, it can be stressful when you’re doing your best to limit trips to the grocery store and all while purchase foods that nourish your family. My best advice is to keep it simple.
There always seems to be pressure on parents to feed their kiddos the absolute best and Pinterest-worthy meals. Parents need to know that no meal or snack is perfect, and at the end of the day, the most important thing is that our kids are happy, healthy and full. Below are a few snack and meal ideas to help parents pivot their thinking when it comes to healthy eating and feeding their family.
S I M P L E S N A C K I N G
We recommend snacks to include a carbohydrate + a protein/healthy fat. And remember, we don’t need to over engineer it. Examples of healthy carbohydrates include fruit (all forms count), dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese), and whole grains (such as crackers, bread, rice, oats, granola, etc.) When it comes to produce, don’t forget that all forms of fruits and vegetables are nutritious! Of course, keep purchasing fresh produce, but don’t forget about canned, frozen, or dried. Purchase no sugar added frozen, canned, and dried fruit, and purchase no salt added canned and frozen vegetables. These are great options to choose at the store to help you and your family #haveaplant
We have a list of healthy snack ideas on this handout. Plus, a few fun & easy recipes below.
Banana Sushi (1 serving)
Ingredients
- 1 banana, peeled
- 1 Tablespoon nut butter
- Toppings: ½ cup granola, whole grain cereal, or dried fruit (such as raisins)
Directions
Spread nut butter over banana evenly. Either sprinkle or roll banana in toppings until well coated. Using a knife, cut the banana into ½ inch pieces. Enjoy your banana sushi!
Tuna Cracker Stackers
Ingredients
- Whole grain crackers
- Cheese
- Canned or Pouch Tuna
- Pickles
Directions
Add some cheese to each cracker (can be string cheese, sliced cheese, shredded cheese). Top each cracker with some tuna & top with a pickle. Serve with a side of fruit (fresh, frozen, canned, or dried).
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S I M P L E M E A L S
Snack Platters – perfect for meals or snacks!
What is a snack platter? It’s a blend of different fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products and proteins that you spread out on a large plate or a cutting board. The purpose of this snack platter is to give your family nutritious, yet simple options that they can choose from. This is a great opportunity to put out some thawed frozen fruit, cheese, crackers, nuts/seeds, peanut butter, canned fruit, dried fruit, tuna packets, etc. It’s a perfect solution for one of those times when no one wants to cook! Here is what was on the snack platter in the WCCO segment:
- Whole grain crackers
- Nut butter
- Walnuts, Almonds and Pumpkin Seeds
- Carrots and Grape tomatoes
- Fruit Cups (in 100% juice)
- Dried fruit
- Luncheon meat (lower sodium ham and turkey)
- Cottage Cheese
- Cheese Sticks
- Tuna
One Pot Meal! Ground Beef Pasta Primavera
And last, but certainly not least, here is one of our favorite recipes using pantry staples and it cooks all in one pot! Check out the link for the full recipe of our Ground Beef Pasta Primavera. Here are a few substitutions you can make to use the items you have on hand:
- Although lean (93%) lean ground beef is recommended, you can also pick 80% lean and drain the extra fat after cooking. No beef? Try ground turkey, ground chicken, or even substitute it out for some beans!
- The zucchini can be swapped for any other fresh or frozen vegetable such as broccoli, cauliflower, green bell peppers, etc! Use what you have on hand.
For additional resources from our dietitians including recipes, articles and more, please visit celebratemore.com/dietitians. You can also find great resources about produce from our friends at the Produce For Better Health Foundation. Don’t forget to #HaveAPlant to support a healthy immune system!
Amy, MS, RD, LD
Registered Dietitian
Have A Plant™ in the Shape of Fruits and Vegetables
Have A Plant™ in the Shape of Fruits and Vegetables
What’s the biggest trend hitting school lunch boxes this school year? Plant-forward options, encouraging kids to fill up on the beautiful colors, amazing flavors, and new food adventures the plant world has to offer.
Fruits and vegetables are claiming their rightful place at the foundation of plant-forward eating habits. During August, the Coborn’s Dietitian Team is encouraging all kids and families to Have A Plant™ – in the shape of more fruits and vegetables – to enjoy the beneficial role they play in a happier, healthier lifestyle. That’s right, according to the Produce for Better Health Foundation, market research suggests eating fruit and veggies every day of the week can help improve happiness, life satisfaction and emotional wellbeing.1,2
Here are some tips to help the kids in your life Have A Plant™, in the shape of fruits and vegetables:
- Pick a Color Theme. Kids love a color scheme and silliness is sure to ensue when kids open a Go Green lunch box filled with green veggies (think cucumber spears, asparagus, broccoli, celery) and our Tasty Tofu Spinach Dip. Include green napkins and silverware to extend the theme.
- Add Unfamiliar to Familiar. Kids are more likely to try a new food item, including a fruit or vegetable, when used in a meal they love or with other foods that are their favorites. Add zucchini noodles to a pasta dish, sliced radishes, kale or mango to tacos, or arugula, mushrooms or bell peppers to pizza.
Revamp a Favorite. Smoothies are a go-to for mornings on the run or after school snacks. Increase the amount of fruits and vegetables included and pair with other nutrient-dense ingredients for a high-powered, smile encouraging option. Our Strawberry Papaya Smoothie includes three fruits plus tofu – a plant-based food that adds creaminess and takes on the flavors of foods with which it’s paired.- Create Pairings. Most often we eat foods in combination, and pairing produce with other nutrient-dense foods can balance flavor, texture and nutrition. In our featured recipes, tofu – another plant-forward food – is the pairing. When used in dips, tofu’s creaminess balances the crunch of vegetables. In our smoothie, tofu adds plant protein to fruits’ vitamins and fiber. Pairing with other nutrient-dense foods – as we’ve done in these recipes – can be an effective way to work towards the goal of eating fruit and vegetables at least one more day each week and increasing happiness.
For more plant-forward recipes and information on tofu, visit House Foods Website.
From us and our friends at Produce For Better Health, happy and healthy eating!
Coborn’s Dietitian Team
Cooking With Kids!
Although we are all proud and tough here in the midwest, we often just need to stay inside to stay warm on these brisk winter days! However, we may get a little antsy if we’re stuck inside for too long, especially with kids around.
A great family activity is cooking or baking together, especially around the holidays! I can almost guarantee that when you cook with the kids, the kitchen will be a bit more of a mess, but it will all be worth it! No matter their age, cooking can be a great way to encourage kids to try new foods, develop new skills, and learn to follow instructions.
How to get the kids involved at every age:
The Big Question: What Do We Make?!
There are so many great recipes that incorporate fruits and vegetables that are so easy and fun for kids to make. Here are a few of my favorites:
Confetti Quesadillas
Everyone loves confetti, right!? What about confetti quesadillas? This is a fun spin on your classic quesadilla that adds in the veggies, beans and whole grains. Perfect for Taco Tuesdays for a quick weeknight dinner!
Pizza Night 
Build pizza your way on a whole grain pizza crust! This is always a hit with kids and they can add whatever toppings they like. Try making fun faces on the pizzas using veggies to make eating veggies more fun!
Blueberry, Avocado, and Banana Smoothie Bowl 
This is a great way to get more fruit in your kids’ diets! They’ll have fun adding things in the blender and watching it mix. It’s a great afternoon snack or the perfect breakfast to start their day (and yours!) off right!
Share with us on Instagram @Coborns_Stores what you and your kids are cooking up! Join in the conversation with the #kidscookingcreations!
Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday season,
Amy RD, LD
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