LiveWell Vermont

Do you think that nutrient-rich fruits and veggies are non-existent in the winter? Think again! Add these great winter superfoods into your rotation!   Root Vegetables: Most root veggies are in season during the winter. Turnips are known for their high concentration of vitamins and minerals. Try roasting turnips are make a root vegetable salad. Additionally, beets, parsnips, and celery root are also great winter vegetable choices! Winter Squash: Winter squash is full of beta-carotene and makes great comfort food during the winter. With so many varieties, it's hard to get bored. Try acorn, butternut, spaghetti squash, and many more! Brussels Sprouts: This veggie is a great source of vitamin c, fiber, and antioxidants. Try them roasted with pears and pecans as a yummy winter salad! Leafy Greens: Kale, Swiss Chard, and Collard Greens are packed with antioxidants and a good source of calcium and iron. You can turn these greens into salads, saute them into stir-fry, stir...

Fall is upon us, which means it is pumpkin season! This recipe combines pumpkin, honey and a bit of crunch from the nuts and dried fruit, that will have everyone wanting more. Make a double recipe, one bread for eating and a second for the freezer for later. Enjoy! Ingredients 1 cup of honey ¾ cup of milk 5 tablespoons of butter 2 egg yolks ½ cup of sugar 1 cup of pumpkin puree 2 ¾ cups of flour 1 teaspoon of salt 1 ¼ teaspoons of baking soda 1 teaspoon of powdered cinnamon ¾ cup of chopped walnuts ¾ cup of chopped dates ½ cup dried apricots soaked in hot water for 5 minutes, then drain and chop Preparation Choose a small 1 to ½ pound pumpkin. Remove stem, cut in half, and remove seeds and stringy fibers. Place in microwave with opening facing up and cook for 5 minutes. With a fork pierce the meat of the pumpkin and if soft scoop and place the meat in your food processor, if still firm cook a bit longer until meat of the pumpkin is soft. Process until pumpkin i...

Cognitive decline is a real concern for many of our aging baby boomers. While not a cure-all, what you eat can help promote cognitive health as you age. According to a variety of research, some vitamins and minerals are linked to improved memory, including vitamins B6, B12, D, C, and E; folate; biotin; coQ10; omega-3 fatty acids; and antioxidants, particularly in the flavonoid family. These nutrients are found in a plethora of delicious foods and are easy to incorporate into your diet to help boost brain function. What are some easy ways to get more brain-boosting nutrients into your diet? Try these tips to make food one of your allies to help maintain and promote cognitive health as you age: Go green. Leafy greens like spinach, kale, broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables in particular have been linked to lower cognitive decline for older adults. Enjoy omega-3 fatty acid foods. These include cold-water fish like salmon, halibut and mackerel as well as beans, flax seeds an...

Fall is the time of year to pick your own apples. Choosing your favorite to bring home is truly based upon how you want to enjoy them. Check out the many varieties below to get the most out of this year's apple season! MCINTOSH This is a crispy red apple with bright white flesh and a refreshing sweet flavor. It is the number I selling apple in the northeast. The apple is crispy and filled with juice making it the perfect snack for the fall. McIntosh apples originated from Saint Lawrence valley of Canada Introduced in 1820 Bright red skin with a bit of green and a bright white flesh Fruit size is small, medium, and large Great for fresh eating, and cooking It will store for a month or more when kept cool Harvest in mid to late season C ORTLAND One of the more successful McIntosh off springs. Cortland has all the usual characteristics, including sweetness and marvelous flavor. Nice colorful apple that is crispy and filled with juice making it perfect for snacks for the fall. Cort...

Looking for a cool summer treat and healthy snack idea? Try these frozen yogurt bites. Servings Per Recipe: 16 Ingredients: 1 cup full fat greek yogurt 3 TBSP maple syrup or raw honey 2 TBSP coconut oil melted 1/4 - 1/2 cup granola 1/2 cup fresh blueberries (frozen blueberries can be substituted) 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract Chia seeds for topping (optional) Directions In a medium bowl add all the ingredients and gently stir. Line a small muffin tin with liners. Spoon mixture into muffin liners and sprinkle with toppings if desired.  Freeze for at least 3 hours Remove from the freezer and let thaw for a few minutes. Remove from liners and store in a container or resealable plastic bag. Store in the freezer. Note: Feel free to experiment with different fruits and mix-ins!

Looking for a satisfying versatile snack? Try this easy to make hummus and pita chips. The hummus makes for a great sandwich spread, salad topping, veggie dip, or goes well with whole wheat crackers. Edamame Basil Hummus Yields 3 cups. Prep time 10 minutes. Cook time 10 minutes.  2 cups cooked and shelled edamame 2/3 cup garbanzo beans 3 cloves garlic 1/2 cup fresh basil 1/4 cup lemon juice 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp cracked pepper 1/3 cup olive oil 1.) In a food processor or blender, blend edamame, garbanzo beans, garlic, basil, and lemon juice. Add oil slowly and continue to blend until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Homemade Pita Chips Serves 4-6. Prep time: 5 minutes. Cook time: 10 minutes. 4 Whole Wheat Pitas 3 TBSP Olive Oil Sea Salt to Taste 1.) Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2.) Cut each pita into 8 triangles and arrange evenly on baking sheet. 3.) Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. 4.) Bake for ...

  Cholesterol from eggs may not be the heart breaker it was once believed to be according to more and more research. Government guidelines about dietary cholesterol are changing to reflect the growing body of evidence that suggests a weak relationship between cholesterol in the diet and cholesterol in the blood. The 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans now place no limit to daily cholesterol. For the most part, people who eat eggs do not have a higher risk of heart attack (excluding people with diabetes). Enjoying one egg a day for most people falls within these new dietary guidelines. Saturated fat, sugar and lack of exercise most likely play a bigger role in the risk of heart disease. Contrary to the popular beliefs held for many years, eggs really are an affordable nutrition powerhouse with most of the nutrition found in the yoke. One egg has 13 essential vitamins and minerals plus 6 grams of high-quality protein, 9 amino acids and zero carbs, ...