Embrace Healthful Eating This Year and Beyond

January is a time for new beginnings—a literal new beginning as the calendar page turns over to a brand new year and a figurative new beginning as we reflect on our past and set New Year’s resolutions to start fresh. Perhaps you are among the one third of Americans who would like to lose weight and eat better in the new year. This is the perfect time to reflect on your past and improve the future through better eating and physical activity.

Consumers are typically creatures of habit: planning the same meals, writing the same shopping lists, grabbing the same meals at quick serve restaurants. However, we can’t continue doing the same things over and over while expecting different results. Habits need to change consistently and for the better to produce positive, healthful results. If we want ‘eat better’, we must also shop, cook and eat differently, being mindful in our approach.

Look to your home kitchen as the place for new, culinary experiences. Rather than heading to a local restaurant for a pricy grab-and-go meal, head to the dairy and frozen aisles of your local supermarket to pick up the ingredients you need to make creative, adventurous, and aspirational cuisine at home at an affordable price compared to dining out.

Be Creative

Have you seen açaí (pronounced ah•sigh•EE) bowls popping up on restaurant menus? Açaí bowls have gained popularity because açaí berries, grown largely in Brazil, are considered a superfood due to their natural phytonutrient content (i.e. antioxidants, flavonoids and anthocyanin). Similar phytonutrients are found in other berries including strawberries and blueberries. Because açaí berries are highly perishable, they are typically mashed into smooth pulp and sold in pouches in the frozen food aisle. Because, açaí berries do not naturally contain sugar, there may be sugar added to enhance palatability.

Unleash your creative side by making your own açaí bowl at home. Click to try our recipe for Powerhouse Açaí Bowl and boost variety by customizing the toppings: fresh or frozen fruits, traditional or Greek yogurt, granola, nut butters, honey and crunchy toppers like pumpkin, chia, hemp, flax or sunflower seeds and almonds, walnuts, pistachios, cashews and pine nuts.

Be Adventurous

When is the last time you tried making traditional North African cuisine at home? Why not be adventurous and try making this hearty brunch recipe? Spicy Shakshuka features eggs poached in a thick and flavorful tomato and pepper-based sauce. Make the recipe as written for a spicy dish or swap out the red chile pepper for red bell pepper to make a milder version. Eat it with family right from the pan or dish out individual portions of the sauce with an egg for each person dining. Simply scoop up the egg and sauce mixture using warm naan or pita bread or crusty slices of bread—delicious!

Be Aspirational

Does the thought of whipping up your own latte sound a bit intimidating? It’s not as hard as you think. While caffé latte is a combination of coffee espresso and milk, a latte (the Italian word for ‘milk’) only contains milk as its main ingredient.

To put healthful aspirations into action, try our recipe for a Golden Turmeric Latte. Ground turmeric is spice with a golden orange color and unique flavor. Turmeric is perhaps best known as a source of the active ingredient curcumin, which has a reputation as an anti-inflammatory. The recipe combines turmeric with ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, honey and black peppercorn in a warm and satisfying milk-based latte topped with frothed milk.

Throughout the month of January, you will find daily tips and information on how you can ReDiscover Dairy and Frozen. Look for our new infographics, recipes, edutainment and exciting giveaways all month long! Follow along using these hashtags: #ReDiscoverDairyandFrozen, #ReThink, #ReStock, #ReFresh, and #ReImagine. Join us at EasyHomeMeals.com to explore the latest product innovations, revisit familiar favorites and get new ideas, tips, tricks and recipes featuring dairy and frozen foods.