The original farm-to-table food kids already love – milk

(Family Features) Locally sourced foods are becoming increasingly important to families across the country – and more moms are taking note of where their family’s food comes from. In fact, more than three-quarters of moms are actively looking for locally sourced food options when grocery shopping for themselves and their families, according to a new survey from the National Milk Life Campaign. ¹

From Farm to Glass
Many people are surprised to learn that milk is one of the original farm-to-table foods. Nearly two-thirds of moms think milk takes anywhere from more than two days to more than a week to travel from the farm to grocery stores throughout the country, when it typically arrives on shelves in just 48 hours, on average, after leaving the farm. In fact, milk often originates from many family-owned and operated farms about 300 miles away from your grocery store.²

Part of a Balanced Diet
As a minimally processed and farm-fresh beverage, milk is a wholesome way to help your family get natural protein and balanced nutrition. Whether it’s reduced fat, fat free or organic, dairy milk is remarkably simple, containing just three ingredients: milk, vitamin A and vitamin D.

Whether enjoyed as a beverage or used as an ingredient in your favorite recipe, milk is a versatile pairing for any meal. Even award-winning chefs and restaurateurs like Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli use milk as a foundational farm-to-table ingredient in many of their signature dishes.

For a traditional favorite that kids are sure to enjoy, try Giorgio’s homemade ice cream recipe. The whole family will love making (and eating) this treat, and you can feel good about the wholesome and delicious ingredients like milk.

For more information and delicious recipes, visit milklife.com.

Giorgio’s Homemade Ice Cream

Servings: nine 2/3 cup servings

• 1 1/2    cups whole milk
• 2 1/2    cups heavy cream
• 8          egg yolks
• 1          cup cane sugar
• 1/4       teaspoon sea salt
• 1          tablespoon vanilla extract

1. In a medium saucepan, bring the milk and the heavy cream to a simmer, over medium heat. 
2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the sugar and egg yolks until they lighten in color. Temper the cream mixture into the eggs and sugar by gradually adding in small amounts and then return the entire mixture to the saucepan and place over low heat. Continue to cook until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon. Add the vanilla, adjust the seasoning and cook the ice cream base for 3-4 hours.
3. Pour into an ice cream maker and process according to the manufacturer's directions. 

Nutritional information per serving: 390 calories; 30 g fat; 18 g saturated fat; 260 mg cholesterol; 5 g protein; 27 g carbohydrates; 0 g fiber; 115 mg sodium; 113 mg calcium (10% of daily value).

¹ Weber Shandwick conducted an online Google survey among 1,010 moms between the ages of 18-54 on behalf of The National Milk Life Campaign between June 22 – June 26.  

² “Milk: More Local Than You May Think,” http://dairygood.org, (August 06, 2014).

Source: MilkPEP

(Family Features) When the school bells start ringing, putting wholesome and tasty family dinners on the table can get a lot harder to schedule. These simple, seasonal recipes – from one-pot taco skillets to sheet pan pork tenderloin – can help you own the school-year dinner routine.

With all the cleanup time you’ll save, visit McCormick.com or find McCormick on Facebook and Pinterest for more family-friendly recipes that will earn you A-plus grades all around.

Fall Skillet Pot Pie
Store-bought rotisserie chicken, refrigerated biscuits and an oven-proof skillet can make this comfort food favorite a weeknight reality. Chicken stock mixed with a blend of seasonings adds savory richness to the sweet potatoes and peas for a meal that warms you inside and out.

Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Lo Mein
This dish features everything you love about the Asian take-out favorite – carrots, bell pepper and shrimp – all flavored with a savory mixture of soy sauce, ginger and garlic. Using the microwave to cook the squash means you’ll have it on the table for your family in no time.

Open-Faced Hot Turkey Sandwiches
Prepared turkey gravy makes this a sandwich you can really sink your teeth into. Stack your bread with spinach, turkey and cranberry sauce and serve it warm for a taste of Thanksgiving any time of year.

Easy Roasted Pork Tenderloin and Apples
Brush pork with brown sugar and a robust blend of seasonings for a meal that’s equal parts sweet and savory. Bake on a single sheet pan with sliced apples and onions for an easy dinner in no time.

Chicken and Vegetable Lo Mein
Simply combine noodles, fresh veggies, chicken breast strips and a tangy stir-fry sauce. You’ll be left with an Asian-inspired dish that’s ready faster than you could order in a restaurant and every bit as tasty.

Slow Cooker Korean Beef
Make everybody’s favorite Korean barbecue at home – in the slow cooker. Beef bone broth contributes to the robust, Asian-inspired flavor of this dish, and is complemented by ginger and Korean red pepper.

Quinoa Taco Skillet
Give taco night a wholesome twist with this simple skillet dish. Season ground turkey, quinoa, fresh tomatoes and corn with taco seasoning mix for a kid-friendly meal the whole family will taco-bout.

Source: McCormick

(Family Features) When the school year rolls around, switching from pool to school means finding simpler ways to kick off the day with healthy and nutritious options.

Preparing feel-good breakfasts can be as easy as picking and putting together the right ingredients, if you know where to buy them. At grocery stores like ALDI, parents can conveniently find choices they can feel good about feeding their families, including fresh produce and organic, non-GMO and gluten-free options. Parents can also shop easier knowing ALDI private label items – which make up 90 percent of its products – are free from certified synthetic colors, added trans fats and MSG.

After the shopping trip, try these make-ahead breakfast ideas to give the busy mornings a boost:

• Homemade energy bars are an easy breakfast option that can keep you fueled until lunch. For simple bars, heat coconut oil and vanilla in a saucepan until combined then transfer to a large bowl and mix with cashew butter, oats, dried fruits and granola. Press the mixture between two cookie sheets to flatten, refrigerate 2 hours and slice into bars.

• Portion out produce for daily breakfast smoothies. Seal each weekday’s smoothie ingredients in separate plastic bags and simply toss the ingredients in a blender each morning. Enjoy your smoothie in a tumbler or try something new, such as this Blackberry Avocado Smoothie Bowl.

• Use your slow cooker to make oatmeal. Before heading to bed, simply add milk, vanilla and your favorite sweetener to rolled oats and cook on low 7-8 hours. Include dried fruit to soak up moisture and provide a sweet, juicy addition. Or try these Morning Oasis Overnight Oats for a no-cook variation on traditional oatmeal for a quick, crunchy start to the day.

Make school mornings a breeze with more quick recipes at aldi.us.

Morning Oasis Overnight Oats

Recipe courtesy of Chef Michelle, ALDI Test Kitchen
Prep time: 10 minutes (plus overnight to set)
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 3

• 1 1/2    cups Millville Quick Oats
• 1          teaspoon Southern Grove Chia Seeds
• 2          cups Friendly Farms Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
• 1/8       teaspoon Stonemill Iodized Salt
• 3          tablespoons SimplyNature Organic Wildflower Honey, divided
• 1/4       cup SimplyNature Organic Quinoa, toasted
• 1/4       cup Southern Grove Whole Almonds, toasted
• 1          mango, sliced
• 1/4       cup chopped coconut
• .45       ounces Moser Roth Premium Dark Chocolate 70 percent Cocoa, shaved
• .45       ounces Moser Roth Premium Dark Chocolate 70 percent Cocoa, melted

1. Heat oven to 400° F.
2. In large mason jar, combine oats, chia seeds, almond milk, salt and 2 tablespoons honey. Refrigerate overnight.
3. In medium bowl, combine quinoa, almonds and remaining honey. Spread onto parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes. Remove, cooling completely and crumbling. Store in re-sealable bag overnight.
4. The next day, stir oats and pour desired amount into serving bowl. Top with mango, coconut, shaved chocolate and candied quinoa. Drizzle with melted chocolate.

Blackberry Avocado Smoothie Bowl

Recipe courtesy of Chef Audrey, ALDI Test Kitchen   
Prep time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1

• 3/4       cup blackberries
• 1/4       cup blueberries
• 1/4       cup Friendly Farms Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt
• 3/4       cup Friendly Farms Unsweetened Original Almond Milk
• 1/2       avocado
• 1/2       frozen banana
• 1          teaspoon Stonemill Pure Vanilla
• 1          teaspoon SimplyNature Organic Wildflower Honey
• 2          teaspoons lime juice

Optional garnishes:

• SimplyNature Flax Seed
• Southern Grove Chia Seeds
• Southern Grove Sliced Almonds, toasted
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Lime zest

1. Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Transfer to serving bowl and add garnishes as desired.

Source: ALDI

Fueling kids for back to school

(Family Features) As kids head back to school, it’s a good time to refocus on nutritious food and beverage choices to make sure kids are properly fueled and ready to learn. Making the best choices for her family is every mom’s priority, but it can be confusing to navigate all the options available.

For example, many celebrity websites, diet books, blogs and popular social media feeds make it appear trendy to ditch dairy. Yet experts say going dairy-free has significant downfalls, especially for kids and young adults. A survey from the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) found 6 in 10 moms have tried restricting their dairy intake, and fewer moms encourage their kids to drink milk today compared to how many were encouraged to drink milk themselves as children – in fact, some are even restricting their children’s intake of dairy.

It can be hard to get enough nutrients without milk in your diet. Drinking dairy milk during childhood through early adulthood is important to help achieve maximum bone strength. It’s also important to drink milk as an adult to help maintain bone strength and density. Most dairy alternatives don’t have the same nutrients as dairy milk and kids may not eat enough kale, spinach or sardines to replace the calcium in milk.

However, many moms know how important milk is for their kids. According to the NOF survey, more than 80 percent of moms know milk is nutrient-rich. In fact, milk is the top food source for three of the four nutrients of concern identified by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans: calcium, vitamin D and potassium.

Incorporating farm-fresh milk into your diet can be fun for the whole family. Try making your own flavored milk or smoothie at home with these recipes for Vanilla Cinnamon Milk or a Rainbow Unicorn Smoothie.

Find more information and nutritious recipes to pair with milk at milklife.com.

Vanilla Cinnamon Milk

• 8          ounces milk
• 1/2       teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4       teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2          teaspoons honey

1. In glass, combine milk with vanilla extract, ground cinnamon and honey.  Stir until well mixed.

Nutritional information per serving: 130 calories; 5 mg cholesterol; 8 g protein; 24 g carbohydrates; 105 mg sodium; 308 mg calcium (30% of daily value).

Rainbow Unicorn Smoothie

• 1 1/2    cups low-fat or fat-free milk, plus additional (optional)
• 1/2       cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
• 2          cups (about 10 large) frozen strawberries
• 1          cup frozen blueberries
• 1          cup frozen mango chunks

Optional toppings:

• 6          tablespoons whipped cream
• 4          teaspoons sprinkles
• horn candles, wicks trimmed

1. Blend milk, yogurt and fruit until smooth, adding additional milk or water to thin, if needed.
2. Divide smoothie into four glasses and, if desired, top each with whipped cream, sprinkles and horn candles.

Nutritional information per serving: 120 calories; 1 g fat; 5 mg cholesterol; 5 g protein; 25 g carbohydrates; 3 g fiber; 60 mg sodium;  175 mg calcium (20% of daily value). Nutrition figures based on using fat-free milk.