March 2015

Cook With Broccoli: Nutrition, Tips & Fun Food Facts

Fun Food Facts

Broccoli received it’s name from the Italian word “brocco”, which means arm or branch. Broccoli is part of the cruciferous family, which also includes cauliflower, cabbage, kale, bok choy, arugula, Brussels sprouts, collards, watercress and radishes. When you eat broccoli, you’re actually eating the flowered portion of the vegetable.

 

Broccoli was brought to the U.S. by Italian immigrants, but didn’t become popular until the 1920’s. Now, it’s a summer crop in California and a winter crop in Arizona, making fresh broccoli available year around! 

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Cook With Sesame Seeds: Nutrition, Tips & Fun Food Facts

Fun Food Facts

Have you ever counted the number of sesame seeds on a hamburger bun? There are about 180 on the average Big Mac bun from McDonald’s! In fact, McDonald’s purchases one-third of Mexico’s sesame crop each year to produce their sesame seed buns. Worldwide, sesame seeds are a billion dollar crop, with the country of Myanmar (followed by India and China) as the largest producer. In the U.S., sesame seeds are mainly grown in Oklahoma and Texas. About 1/3 of the yearly sesame crop is used for food, and 2/3 is processed into oil. 

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Springtime Makeover: Giving Your Lunchbox an Eco-Friendly Makeover

For many, the arrival of springtime represents a fresh start. From gardening to cleaning the house, spring is the time for new beginnings. This time of year reminds us of how beautiful the Earth is, so what if we contributed to mother nature by giving our lunchboxes a makeover? Here are some fun and simple changes you can make to your lunchbox to make it more environmentally friendly! 

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Cook With Okra: Nutrition, Tips & Fun Food Facts

Fun Food Facts

Okra is often called “Lady Fingers” due to it’s slender, tapered pods, which are shaped just like fingers. Fresh okra is delicious in a variety of dishes, but when okra gets really old, it can be used to produce rope and paper. Talk about versatility! This nutritious food seems to be pretty misunderstood, so read on to learn more about how and why you should cook with okra. 

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Farm to Table: The Easiest Produce You Can Grow Yourself

More and more people are learning about and appreciating the benefits of getting your produce fresh from local vendors. If you haven’t yet, make sure to check out our blog post about the benefits of buying your food locally. This “farm to table” concept isn’t just reserved for restaurants or grocery stores. You can grow some of these delicious fruits and veggies right in your own backyard. Here are some easy ones to get started with: 

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