(Family Features) Nutrition plays a key role in overall health and can positively affect everything from mood to energy levels. When thinking about ways to fuel busy days that will help you feel fuller, longer, look to clean, quality protein, which isn’t just good for muscle growth and repair but also plays an integral part in overall health.

In fact, protein helps keep bones strong, supports your immune system, fuels metabolism to sustain energy, curbs cravings, distributes nutrients throughout your body and more.

If you’re looking for ways to optimize your nutrition intake, it’s important to know the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends the average person consume 10-35% of their daily calories from protein. Some changes like replacing cereal with protein-rich foods like eggs, snacking on healthy fats like nuts or fibrous veggies and fruits, or starting meals by eating the protein first can help set you on the right path.

In honor of National Nutrition Month, consider these bite-sized tips from nutrition expert Steph Grasso, a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), social media influencer and member of the Orgain Nutrition Advisory Board, to help incorporate more quality nutrition into your diet in convenient, delicious ways and keep you feeling fuller, longer:

• Choose nutritious, filling snacks. As part of your preparation for the week ahead, meal prep refrigerated snack containers featuring nuts, sliced cheese, veggies and a fun dip, like hummus. Grab-and-go fuel is imperative to creating balanced eating habits when life gets crazy. Another convenient solution, a high-quality nutrition shake can serve as a delicious option on jam-packed days.

• Maximize nutrition when enjoying sweets. If you have a sweet tooth, adding a scoop of high-quality protein powder to baked goods can be a simple way to sneak more protein into your diet. For example, Grasso recommends adding unsweetened Orgain Plant-based protein powder to these High-Protein Pumpkin Pancakes. With 21 grams of vegan protein and an excellent source of iron with 6 milligrams per serving, organic protein powder is non-GMO and made without added sugar and artificial sweeteners.

• Have frozen veggies on hand. Frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious and delicious as their fresh counterparts and often more affordable and convenient. They are typically picked and frozen at the peak of ripeness when they are most nutrient-dense. They are prepped and ready to go, making meal preparation fast and easy. An ideal accompaniment to your choice of protein and grain, this Frozen Veggie Side Dish includes Greek yogurt and cheese for an added protein punch.

Find more tips and protein-packed recipes at Orgain.com.

High-Protein Pumpkin Pancakes

Recipe courtesy of Steph Grasso on behalf of Orgain

• 2 cups oats
• 1/2 cup cottage cheese
• 1/3 cup pumpkin
• 2 scoops Orgain unsweetened plant-based protein powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 egg whites
• nonstick cooking spray
• berries, for topping (optional)
• bananas, for topping (optional)
• nut butter, for topping (optional)
• syrup, for topping (optional)

1. In bowl, use blender to blend oats, cottage cheese, pumpkin, protein powder, vanilla and egg whites.
2. Spray pan over medium heat with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Use 1/3 cup measuring cup to scoop batter into hot pan one scoop at a time.
4. Flip pancake once pan-side is lightly browned. Remove from pan once both sides are cooked. Repeat with remaining batter.
5. Stack pancakes and top with berries, bananas, nut butter and syrup, if desired.

Frozen Veggie Side Dish

Recipe courtesy of Steph Grasso on behalf of Orgain

• 1/2 bag (14 ounces) frozen white pearl onions
• 1 box (8 ounces) frozen quartered artichoke hearts
• 1 box (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup frozen sweet peas
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream (optional)
• 1/4 cup 2% plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1. Prepare frozen white pearl onions, artichoke hearts and spinach according to package instructions.
2. In pan over medium heat, saute onions and artichoke hearts until tender. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
3. Add spinach, frozen sweet peas, heavy whipping cream, Greek yogurt and Parmesan cheese. Mix until cheese is melted, and peas are soft.
4. Serve with protein and grain of choice, if desired.

(Culinary.net) A lazy Sunday afternoon cuddled up with family, playing in the rain with your kids and tasting a perfect, sweet treat on a summer day can be some of the simplest yet best parts of life.

Recipes that can be made with clean, fresh ingredients in a matter of minutes make some of the best-tasting dishes, snacks and treats. Sometimes keeping it simple is the best route to take as opposed to confusing prep that takes too much time.

This Strawberry Mousse, which is made with families in mind, is a perfect recipe to make with your little ones or for a date night dessert. It’s great to take for an outing at the park, a neighborhood party or just to snack on throughout the week.

It’s sweet, fluffy and smooth all at the same time. Made to serve a handful of people, it only takes a few moments to complete. Moms love it and kids enjoy the taste and texture.

To start, puree 1 cup of strawberries in blender until smooth.

In a mixing bowl, combine whipping cream and powdered sugar until smooth.

In a different bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth then add the pureed strawberries.

Finally, add the whipped cream mixture to the cream cheese and strawberries. Stir all the components together until they reach the desired consistency before serving with fresh fruit.

It’s easy, fresh and delicious. Your kids can help you combine all the ingredients and excitedly try the sweet result.

Find more sweet recipes at Culinary.net.

If you made this recipe at home, use #MyCulinaryConnection on your favorite social network to share your work.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Strawberry Mousse

Servings: 6-8

• 1          cup strawberries, halved
• 2          cups heavy cream
• 1          cup powdered sugar
• 1          package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• assorted fruit, for serving

1. In blender, puree strawberries until smooth. Set aside.
2. In mixing bowl, whip heavy cream and powdered sugar until fluffy.
3. In separate mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add strawberry puree to cream cheese and mix until combined. Add whipped cream and stir until combined.
4. Serve in bowl with fruit.