Family Day: A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children was Monday, September 24th, but Meijer Healthy Living Advisor Janine Faber MEd, RD, LD says instead of celebrating Family Day one day a year, celebrate it year round Benefits of family meals:
· The ritual of family meals gives kids a sense of security and belonging.
· You have more control over what goes into your family's mouths and bodies when you make your own food.
· Teaches kids the importance of eating well-balanced and proper portions of food.
· Helps kids learn proper table manners.
· Improves kids' communication skills.
· The family gets to spend quality time together and catch up on the day's activity.
Key ingredients: Beef and Potatoes
Nutrition benefits: Lean Beef contains iron and zinc along with other important nutrients and its rich flavor offers a complete source of protein. When eating beef be sure to balance your meal with whole grains and vegetables or fruits and be sure to trim off most of the visible fat.
One medium baked potato contains 130 calories, 29% of your daily vitamin C and 3 grams of fiber. There are more than 100 varieties of potatoes! Choose firm, well-shaped and relatively smooth potatoes that are free from decay. Avoid potatoes that are green or sprouting.
Storage Tips: Keep potatoes in a dark, dry place in a paper or burlap sack. Never store in the refrigerator or expose potatoes to sunlight. Mature potatoes will last up to five weeks.
Shepherd's Pie Baked Potatoes
A super easy twist on the traditional Shepherd's Pie!
Makes 4 servings
4 medium baking potatoes, scrubbed
2 tsp. Meijer olive oil
½ onion, chopped
1 lb. Certified Angus Beef® Lean Ground Round
1 (1.4 oz.) pkg. French onion recipe mix
2 cups Meijer frozen peas and carrots
Chopped chives, optional
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Pierce the center of each potato with a paring knife. Place potatoes directly on oven rack. Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until fork-tender. Remove from oven.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir 3 minutes or until softened. Add beef; cook and stir 10 minutes or until beef is no longer pink. Season with pepper to taste.
3. Add recipe mix and 1-1/4 cups water; stir until well-combined. Add peas and carrots; simmer 8 to 10 minutes or until mixture is thickened, stirring occasionally.
4. Cut potatoes open lengthwise. Top each with 1 cup of the beef mixture, sprinkle with chives (if desired), and serve.
Nutrition information per serving: Calories: 340, Total fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 75mg, Sodium: 690mg, Carbohydrate: 40g, Fiber: 5g, Protein: 31g
Source: Meijer Healthy Living Naturally Magazine - September/October 2012
Serve with:
Apple or Pear Slices
Whole Grain Rolls
To access the weekly menu, visit www.meijermealbox.com/healthy-living
