Welcome back! We’re continuing to celebrate #NationalNutritionMonth. Did you try any of the recipes in our last post? I made the brownies, and wow, they were delicious. Give them a try, your kids will thank you for it. This week we’ll be talking about ways to use leftovers that will save you money and reduce food waste. How to buy food in season and from a local farmer. Yes, even in March! And we’ll *dig* into growing your own food or participating in a community garden. Read on!
Let’s start with last night’s dinner. It can feel overwhelming to look in your refrigerator and experience two thoughts at once; how can I use those leftovers and the last thing I want to do is to eat that (again!). Maybe you made the Baked Flaked Fish and wondering what to do with what’s remaining. How about tacos? You can make tacos with pretty much anything. Take the leftover fish, open, and drain a can of diced tomatoes, add some diced vegetables like cucumbers, peppers, carrots, or cabbage (they all work!) heat up a whole wheat or corn tortilla and you’ve got another dinner or lunch. If that doesn’t work, you can freeze the fish after you’ve wrapped it tightly and thaw and reheat it for a quick dinner another night. No muss, no fuss, and no food waste!
Are you ready for Spring? Farmers in Massachusetts are busy growing your food right now. Did you know that most farms are family run? Going to your local farm, farmers’ market, or farm stand supports your community and, often, your neighbor. If you participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Massachusetts, you are also enrolled in the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP). Use the DTAFinder to find a local farm near you.
At this time of year, we are seeing signs of Spring. Maybe you’ve seen some chives growing in your yard, planted some radishes, or are planning on planting something else. Spring is coming and that means it’s time to plant. Watching a plant grow (and grow!) is always fun. Let’s revisit this blog post which is full of gardening resources and here are some garden activities to do with the family from one of our very own SNAP-Ed team members. And we can’t forget about Broc! Have your young ones enjoy a coloring page of Broc in his garden.
If you would like to participate in a community garden, here are some resources to get you started. There are gardens all over! If you are located in the Boston area, Central Massachusetts, or Western Massachusetts there is a community garden near you. Happy planting! Gardening allows you to grow what you want, enjoy the outdoors, and its great physical activity!
Thanks again for stopping by, we enjoy the company.
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