Start the year off right with wholesome, nutritious morning recipes

(Family Features) With each New Year comes new goals and resolutions for the entire family. It’s the perfect time to start fresh and get everyone back on track with healthy nutrition. Starting each day with a nutritious breakfast is one way to do just that, not to mention a healthy habit to maintain throughout the year.

By incorporating simple, wholesome ingredients like milk into a balanced breakfast each morning, you can feel good knowing your family is starting the day on the right foot. With nine essential nutrients, including high-quality protein, calcium and vitamin D, pairing milk with breakfast can help everyone be their best.   

Try these seven breakfast recipes paired with milk, one for each day of the week, to fuel all kinds of mornings throughout the New Year. Visit MilkLife.com for additional recipe inspiration.

Southwest Breakfast Protein Sandwich

Add Southwestern flavors to spice up this breakfast sandwich. Scrambled eggs seasoned with cumin, pepper and chili powder are topped with shredded cheese, ham and sliced avocados and placed inside a toasted English muffin for a twist on a classic breakfast favorite.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Protein Power Muffins

When you’re in a rush on weekday mornings but still want a wholesome breakfast while on the go, try these protein muffins with peanut butter and jelly. This simple recipe is a kid-friendly way to serve a childhood favorite and start the day with a smile.

Raspberry Cottage Cheese Protein Pancakes

While cottage cheese is not a traditional ingredient in pancakes, these pancakes definitely make it work. By combining blended cottage cheese with rolled oats, this dish adds protein and fiber at breakfast without skimping on taste.

Chai Quinoa Protein Breakfast Bowl

How about a modern take on an ancient grain? This breakfast bowl with quinoa is a delicious and nutritious way to start your day. Chai spices combined with brown sugar, vanilla and milk add vibrant flavors sure to excite your taste buds.

Protein Power Huevos Rancheros

This tasty twist on eggs brings a Southwestern flair to breakfast with avocados and turkey sausage piled high on a tortilla to spice up your morning.

Vegetable and Sausage Mini Protein Quiches

This mini quiche recipe makes serving up protein at breakfast a snap. Use a muffin tin to create individual sausage quiches that are perfect for a make-ahead, grab-and-go breakfast.

Savory Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Protein Crepes

Lock down your week’s breakfast plan with these savory crepes the entire family will enjoy. Cream cheese with chives mixed in topped with smoked salmon and wrapped inside a warm crepe winds up being a delicious morning jump-start.

Source: MilkPEP

(Family Features) When your family is transitioning back into a regular routine in the new year, it’s the perfect time to recommit to healthy eating habits throughout the day. Getting the whole family on board may be easier than you think – just keep the focus on flavor and fun.

If you’re short on ideas to jumpstart better family eating, try these tips:

Keep it simple. Busy families often rely on the convenience of boxed meals, but you can get the same easy, delicious meal in a much healthier way. Everything cooks in one pot for easy clean-up, and this Cheeseburger Mac recipe swaps ground beef for leaner ground turkey. Not only is this an easy weeknight dinner, but leftovers can be packed in a thermos for lunch on chilly days.

Have fun. Try using creative shapes, textures and colors to make mealtime and lunchboxes more fun. Use cookies cutters to easily create butterflies, flowers, dinosaurs and more. Allow your kids to get involved in packing their own lunchboxes or helping with a meal. If your kids have a love of space or are learning about it in school, this bento box is definitely out of this world. Grapes create the dark backdrop while Swiss cheese is the perfect place for a moon landing. Clementine crescent moons and mini sweet pepper planet rings round out the meal.

Make a family promise. To keep the momentum going, rely on a resource like the Power Your Lunchbox Promise website, which offers everything from healthy lunchbox ideas to after-school snacks and dinners. All meal ideas have been approved by a registered dietitian, meet USDA guidelines and are kid-friendly. What’s more, for every Power Your Lunchbox Promise made on the website, health-conscious companies supporting the initiative will make a $1 donation to Feeding America's programs that support families and children. Learn more at poweryourlunchbox.com.

Cheeseburger Mac

Recipe courtesy of Produce for Kids

• 1          tablespoon olive oil
• 1          pound lean ground turkey
• 1          small onion, finely chopped
• 1          cup mini sweet peppers, chopped
• 1 1/2    teaspoons paprika
• 1          teaspoon sugar
• 1/2       teaspoon salt
• 1/2       teaspoon chili powder
• 1 1/2    cups water
• 1          cup milk
• 3          tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 1/2    cups whole-grain dry macaroni
• 1          cup shredded low-fat cheddar cheese

1. In large skillet over medium high heat, heat oil. Add turkey, onion and peppers. Cook 7-10 minutes, or until turkey is cooked through.
2. In small bowl, mix paprika, sugar, salt and chili powder. Add to turkey and stir. Add water, milk, tomato paste and pasta. Mix well. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, or until pasta is cooked and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and top with cheese.

Space Exploration Bento Box

Recipe courtesy of Produce for Kids

• 1/2       cup red seedless grapes
• 1          whole-wheat sandwich round
• 2          slices low-sodium deli-sliced turkey
• 1          slice Swiss cheese
• 1/2       slice low-fat cheddar cheese
• 1          clementine, peeled and segmented
• 3          mini sweet peppers, sliced into rings
• 1          package freeze-dried fruit

1. Add grapes to bottom of large section of bento box to create space background. Place bottom of sandwich round on top, add turkey and sandwich round top.
2. Lay Swiss cheese on cutting board. Using small bowl or other round object, cut into circle. Place on top of sandwich to create moon.
3. Lay cheddar cheese on cutting board. Using small star cookie cutter, cut out stars. Add to space around moon.
4. Pair with clementine “crescent moons,” pepper “planet rings” and freeze-dried fruit.

Source: Produce for Kids

(Family Features) For many people, the New Year brings the resolve to just say no to indulgent food and drink, to inactivity and to a host of other unhealthy habits.

However, you can also approach your reset with balance and positive thinking. This can be your year to say "yes" and rework the all-or-nothing mentality, which can be a more mindful way to reach your goals.

From eating with purpose to finding healthier options for tasty meals, making small changes can help you reap rewards throughout the year. Start 2018 with a clean slate of practical and attainable eating goals that are realistic for the life you want to lead by shopping at a grocery store like ALDI, a one-stop shop with a wide selection of high-quality, affordable food choices. Whether you follow a paleo, plant-based or organic eating plan, all of the following nutritious options can be incorporated into your lifestyle and budget for less than $20:

• SimplyNature Organic Coconut Oil: This trendy ingredient can elevate better-for-you recipes like this Cranberry Orange Chia Granola. You can also use it as a replacement for butter or vegetable oil because it's a versatile choice for both sweet and savory dishes.
• SimplyNature Chia Seeds: Use chia seeds to top your smoothie, overnight oats or make chia pudding in the morning for an easy way to power up the most important meal of the day. Chia seeds serve up protein, fiber and antioxidants. 
• Earth Grown Black Bean or Veggie Burgers: If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, or just want to join the Meatless Monday movement, black bean burgers are one option to try. 
• Earth Grown Vegan Shredded Cheese: This dairy-free cheese is a tasty addition to vegan recipes. 
• SimplyNature Organic Popcorn: Movie nights call for popcorn, and this organic version can quickly become a family favorite. Each serving provides 3 grams of both fiber and protein.

Part of making healthy choices includes finding quick and easy recipes. Discover how easy it is to make fresh meals at home with this better-for-you recipe and find more options at aldi.us.

Cranberry Orange Chia Granola

Recipe courtesy of Chef Linsey, ALDI Test Kitchen

• 2 1/2 cups Millville Old Fashioned Oats
• 6 ounces Southern Grove Shelled Pistachios, chopped
• 1/4 cup SimplyNature Chia Seeds
• 5 ounces Southern Grove Dried Cranberries
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 3/4 cup SimplyNature Organic Wildflower Honey
• 3 tablespoons SimplyNature Organic Coconut Oil
• 1 teaspoon Stonemill Essentials Pure Vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon Stonemill Essentials Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground Stonemill Essentials Sea Salt Grinder

1. Heat oven to 325 F.
2. In large bowl, combine oats, pistachios, chia seeds, cranberries and orange zest. Toss until orange zest is evenly distributed.
3. In separate medium bowl, combine honey, coconut oil, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Heat in microwave 1 minute; stir. Continue cooking in 30-second intervals until coconut oil is melted.
4. Add honey mixture to oat mixture. Toss until thoroughly coated. Transfer to parchment- or foil-lined baking sheet. Spread into even layer and bake in center of oven 20 minutes. Stir and continue cooking until evenly browned, about 10-15 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature. Serve with yogurt or enjoy on its own.

Note: Granola can be stored in airtight container up to 3 weeks.

Source: ALDI

(Family Features) This New Year, set a realistic resolution to take time to sit down with your family and eat balanced meals together. A few simple solutions and a dash of inspiration are all you need to set the tone for a year of health and wellness.

Last year, Americans were only meeting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate recommendations for vegetables, fruit, protein, dairy and grain consumption one week out of the entire year. While many families try to cook nutritious meals at home, a balanced plate can be hard to achieve. Educational programs, such as Nestlé’s Balance Your Plate, make it simple to create delicious and balanced meals by pairing frozen prepared meals and pizzas with made-from-scratch side dishes, which makes meeting the dietary guidelines a more attainable goal.

Frozen entrees are a convenient starting point for a well-rounded meal.

“It’s so important to me that we sit down as a family and have a nutritious meal,” said Kim Stoegbauer, creative director and founder of The TomKat Studio, who created a few easy ways to add some special touches to your next family dinner.

By pairing Stouffer’s Lasagna with Meat & Sauce, made with ingredients you would find in your own kitchen cupboard, with a homemade Panzanella Salad and Garlic Roasted Asparagus with Tomatoes and Balsamic, Stoegbauer demonstrates how easy it is to create a family-friendly meal without the hassle.

“It’s a frozen entree that you can feel good about feeding your family, especially paired with some delicious and easy-to-prepare sides,” Stoegbauer said.

Find more simple, delicious and well-balanced meal ideas to share with your family at nestleusa.com/nutrition/balance.

Panzanella Salad

Recipe courtesy of The TomKat Studio blog on behalf of Stouffer’s
Serves: 8-10

• 1          whole wheat baguette, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4          tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 2          cloves garlic, minced
• 1          tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 3          tablespoons red wine vinegar
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 1          cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1          hothouse cucumber, diced
• 3          assorted bell peppers, diced
• 1/2       red onion, diced
• 10        sprigs basil leaves, julienned

1. Heat oven to 350° F.
2. On baking sheet, spread bread in single layer and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Bake 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
3. In bowl, whisk together garlic, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper with remaining olive oil to make vinaigrette. 
4. In large bowl, toss ingredients together, making sure to coat all ingredients with vinaigrette. Serve immediately.

Garlic Roasted Asparagus with Tomatoes and Balsamic

Recipe courtesy of The TomKat Studio blog on behalf of Stouffer’s
Serves: 6

• 2          pounds asparagus, ends trimmed
• 1          pint cherry tomatoes 
• 4          garlic cloves, minced
• salt, to taste
• black pepper, to taste
• reduced balsamic vinegar

1. Heat oven to 375° F. 
2. On baking sheet, toss together all ingredients, except balsamic vinegar. Roast 15 minutes, or until asparagus is tender. Transfer asparagus and tomatoes to platter. Drizzle with reduced balsamic vinegar to taste and serve.

Tip: Add some leftover fresh basil to the top of your lasagna for a pretty and flavorful garnish that complements your sides.

Source: Stouffer’s

(Family Features) After a holiday season filled with indulgent food and limited time for exercise, there’s no time like the New Year to adopt some new, healthy habits.

These additional tips can help you get a healthy start to the New Year:

Change up your routine. Start by making a few lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthier diet or increasing your exercise regimen. Maybe you’d like to shed a few pounds or tone up before the weather gets warmer. Changing up your eating (and drinking) habits can be the first step on the path to success.

Start at the tap. Make sure your healthy eating habits include cooking with the best-tasting water possible. That means you could be washing your fruits and vegetables or making soups and smoothies with water that contains impurities. Contrary to what some people may think, boiling water does not completely remove certain contaminants like lead from water.

“Drinking water daily is an important component to staying healthy, as water keeps you hydrated, aids in digestion and transports vitamins and other nutrients. I prefer drinking filtered water to make sure I avoid potentially unwanted contaminants,” said Keri Glassman, a registered dietitian, nutritionist and PUR spokesperson. “I recommend installing a faucet filtration system that won’t break the bank, such as the PUR Advanced Faucet Filtration System, for a superior, on-demand solution for clean, healthy and great-tasting water right from the tap.”

Visit PUR.com to learn more about superior faucet filtration systems and how to get cleaner, better-tasting water.

Create healthy, hearty recipes. There are plenty of delicious and nutritious recipes that can help fuel your body all year long. For example, this hearty soup is full of tasty, powerful ingredients like protein-rich chicken sausage; nutrient-dense kale and butternut squash, which are excellent sources of fiber; plus vitamins and minerals. Garlic, onions and cloves add a kick of antioxidants and flavor.

White Bean Soup with Spicy Chorizo

Recipe courtesy of Keri Glassman

Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 1

• 4          cups kale, chopped
• 1          medium butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1          can (14 ounces) cannellini beans, drained
• 2          cups PUR filtered water, plus additional for rinsing
• 2          tablespoons olive oil
• 1          medium onion, chopped
• 2          garlic cloves, minced
• 2          links precooked chicken sausage, diced
• 3 1/2    cups low-sodium chicken broth
• salt, to taste
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1. Rinse kale, squash and cannellini beans in filtered water. Set aside.
2. In pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and garlic, stirring frequently until softened, about 5 minutes. Add sausage and saute 2 minutes, or until warmed through and slightly browned.
3. Add squash, kale, broth and 2 cups filtered water. Cook, partially covered, 15-20 minutes, or until squash is softened.
4. Reduce heat to low. Add beans and gently simmer uncovered 3 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste, before serving.

Source:  PUR

Simply add watermelon to see resolution results

(Family Features) The start of a new year is the perfect time for new beginnings, including a fresh start on eating healthy. The trick to making this year’s resolution stick is introducing smart eating habits so tasty and easy that your eating plan becomes more a way of life than a short-lived commitment. One easy way to achieve that habit is by adding watermelon to your daily diet, giving your body a low-calorie option to curb an appetite for unhealthy snacks.

Set reasonable goals. A deprivation diet is destined to fail because eventually your body will rebel. Instead, aim for well-rounded meals with moderate portions. If weight loss is your ultimate goal, know that losing two pounds a week is generally considered the maximum.

Satisfy your sweet tooth. Everyone, even the most dedicated health food fans, experience cravings from time to time. Most experts agree that it’s OK to answer your sweet tooth – in moderation of course. Before you take the plunge, think ab

out whether there are other options that could be a good substitute. For example, instead of a sugary candy bar, consider a naturally sweet slice of watermelon for a cholesterol-free, fat-free way to satisfy cravings at only 80 calories per 2-cup serving. Watermelon contains fiber and water, and packs a wealth of health benefits, in

cluding strong levels of vitamins A, C and B6.

Stay well hydrated. During the cooler winter months, it’s easy to let water consumption slide because you’re not feeling the heat and thirst you do in warmer weather. However, the dry winter air can also be hard on your body, so it’s important to keep that water flowing year-around. Most adults should aim for eight glasses of water each day, but you can also boost your water intake with foods that have a high water content, such as watermelon, which is 92 percent water and contains protein and fiber so you are satisfied on fewer calories while boosting your overall hydration.

Make Water Mouthwatering

A simple infusion of flavor gives water an instant upgrade, whether you’re looking to add some variety to your daily water consumption or you’re hosting an event and want to offer guests a unique and nutritious beverage. Use your favorite herbs and fruits to create one-of-a-kind combinations that provide refreshing rehydration. Try these pairings:

• Watermelon with basil, mint or lime
• Strawberry with lime and basil
• Cucumber and rosemary
• Mixed berries and mint
• Pineapple with coconut

Find more inspiration for health-conscious habits in the new year at watermelon.org.

Island Fruit Salad

Servings: 2

• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
• 1/2 lime (1 tablespoon), juiced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons rum extract
• 2 kiwis, peeled and diced
• 1 orange, sectioned and halved
• 2 cups seedless watermelon, chopped
• 2 teaspoons flaked, sweetened coconut

1. In small bowl, combine water and coconut sugar; microwave 20 seconds. Stir to completely dissolve sugar. Let cool. Once cool, add lime juice and rum extract.
2. In medium bowl, add kiwi, orange and watermelon. Pour rum juice over top and thoroughly toss. Let sit 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
3. Divide fruit salad into two bowls and sprinkle with coconut.

Watermelon Protein Bites

Recipe courtesy of Anya Shinall of Anya’s Eats

• 1 cup pitted dates, soaked
• purified water
• 1 1/2 cups sprouted watermelon seeds, divided, plus additional for garnish
• 1 tablespoon coconut butter
• 1 cup fresh watermelon, chopped
• 1/8-1/4 cup roughly chopped beets (optional)

1. Chop dates in half.
2. Place dates in bowl of purified water and soak 1-2 hours.
3. Remove dates from water bowl and place them into food processor.
4. Pulse a few times then add 1 cup watermelon seeds, coconut butter and watermelon.
5. Add chopped beets, if using.
6. Blend until well combined, scraping sides of food processor as you go.
7. Add remaining watermelon seeds and pulse, leaving some seeds chunky.
8. For smoother texture, continue to blend.
9. Remove mixture from food processor, place in small bowl and cover, allowing to cool in refrigerator 30 minutes.
10. Remove mixture from fridge. With fingertips slightly wet, roll mixture into balls and place on a plate.
11. Once done rolling, add watermelon seeds to top.
12. Place watermelon bites in freezer 1-2 hours, or until frozen.

Steel-Cut Oats with Watermelon

Servings: 2

• 1 cup 1 percent milk, plus additional (optional)
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup steel-cut oats
• 3/4 cup diced seedless watermelon
• 2 tablespoons dried tart cherries or cranberries
• 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

1. In medium saucepan over high heat, bring 1 cup milk and water to gentle boil. Pour in oats. Stir; return to gentle boil then reduce heat to simmer, stirring occasionally, 20-30 minutes.
2. While oats are cooking, in small bowl, combine watermelon, dried fruit, nuts and maple syrup.
3. Portion out oats and top with watermelon mixture. Add additional milk, if desired.

Source: National Watermelon Promotion Board

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