Fall makes us think of pumpkins but it’s time they go beyond home decorating and the traditional pie!  Pumpkin is low in calories and one serving gives us 20% of our daily fiber needs.  Pumpkin is also a great source of vitamin A.  Try these easy and delicious pumpkin recipes to give your taste buds a deliciously healthy fall treat!

Hint of Honey Pumpkin Spread
Makes about 1-1/3 cups

1 pkg. (8 oz.) Meijer 1/3 less fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), at room temperature
1/2 cup LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
2 tbsps. Meijer honey
1 pinch ground cinnamon

1. Stir cream cheese, pumpkin, honey and cinnamon in medium bowl for 1 minute or until smooth. Serve immediately or refrigerate in tightly covered container for up to 4 days.  
2. Serve with apple slices or whole-wheat crackers.

Pumpkin Spaghetti
Serves 6

1 cup 100% Pure Pumpkin (canned)
1/2 jar of Meijer Organics Traditional Pasta Sauce
1 Box Barilla Plus Multigrain Thin Spaghetti
Parmesan Cheese, grated

1. 1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, add pumpkin and pasta sauce to a skillet and bring to a boil over medium high heat.  Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes more.  
3. Spoon pumpkin sauce over spaghetti and top with grated Parmesan cheese.

NOTE:  Can also add cooked lean ground beef or turkey to sauce.

Everyday Pumpkin Parfait
Makes 2 servings

1 cup Greek fat-free or lowfat vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 to 2/3 cup lowfat or fat free granola

1. Combine yogurt, pumpkin and pie spice in small bowl. 
2. Place 1/2 yogurt mixture into two 1-cup parfait glasses.  Top yogurt mixtures with 1/2 of granola.  Top each with remaining yogurt mixture and granola.

Pumpkin Cinnamon Latte
Makes 2 (8 oz.) servings

1 cup strong coffee
2/3 cup Meijer Evaporated Fat-Free Milk
¼ cup 100% pure pumpkin
1-2 tsp. sugar
1/8 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon

Combine coffee, evaporated milk, pumpkin, sugar, and spices in a small saucepan.  Heat until very hot over medium-low heat and stir occasionally.  Carefully pour into mugs.  (To make a foamy top blend hot mixture in a blender for 1 minute).

Permalink  |  Bookmark  |  View Comments

Lions Tailgating 2011

Tina Miller, MS RD Meijer Healthy Living Advisor www.meijerhealthyliving.com

Taste of the Tailgate Menu

Snacks:

Fiesta 7-layer dip with tortilla chips

Chipotle Chicken Wrap bites

Sides:

Apple dippers (with caramel, bare naked fit granola and crushed peanuts)

Broccoli-Gouda Salad

Hot off the grill:

Fiery Adobo Pork Skewers

Johnsonville Apple Chicken Sausage with Apple-Onion Relish

Recipes:

Fiesta 7 Layer Dip

Makes: 14 servings (½ cup each)

Ingredients:

1 can (10 oz.) Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, drained, liquid reserved

1 can (16 oz.) Rosarita® Traditional Refried Beans

1 container (12 oz.) refrigerated guacamole

1 container (16 oz.) Meijer Sour Cream

1 pkg. (1.25 oz.) taco seasoning mix (Old El Paso 40% less sodium)

1 cup shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend

1 can (2.25 oz.) sliced ripe olives, drained

¼ cup sliced green onions

Directions:

1. RESERVE ½ cup drained tomatoes; set aside. Blend remaining tomatoes and reserved liquid with beans in medium bowl.
2. SPREAD bean mixture in 8×8-inch glass baking dish or round casserole dish. Top with guacamole.
3. BLEND together sour cream and seasoning mix in small bowl. Spread over guacamole. Top evenly with layers of cheese, olives, green onions and reserved tomatoes.
4. CHILL 2 hours prior to serving. Serve with tortilla chips, if desired.

Recipe source: Meijer Taste of the Game, Try-foods Int’l., www.meijermealbox.com

Adobo Chicken Wrap Bites

Serves 4 (makes 20 bites)

1/4 cup KRAFT® SANDWICH SHOP Chipotle Flavored Reduced Fat Mayonnaise

4 Meijer whole wheat or multi-grain tortillas (8 inch)

4 slices KRAFT® Big Slice 2% Milk Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Cheese Slice, cut in half

4 pcs. Leaf lettuce, wash and pat dry

1/2 cup Pico de Gallo

8 slices (approx. ½ lb.) Deli sliced chicken

Directions:

1. SPREAD mayonnaise onto each tortilla, spreading evenly to all edges of tortilla.
2. TOP with remaining ingredients; roll up.
3. Cut each roll into 5 pieces.  Secure with toothpicks.  Chill until ready to serve.

Adapted from: Meijer Taste of the Game, Try-foods Int’l., www.meijermealbox.com

Apple Dippers with Dip

Serves 8

Ingredients:

4-6 Michigan apples (try honey crisp, gala, Jonagold or red delicious)

1/4 cup pineapple juice

1 container Marzetti Caramel dip

1 1/2 cups Bare Naked Fit Almond Crunch Granola

1 cup Planters roasted peanuts, ground

Directions:

1. Wash apples and cut into wedges using apple slicer.
2. Place apples in a gallon size zipper lock bag.  Add pineapple juice and turn to coat apples (to prevent browning.  Place in refrigerator.
3. Place caramel dip, granola and ground peanuts into separate serving bowls. When ready to serve, remove apples from zipper lock bag and place on a serving platter; serve with caramel dip, granola, and peanuts.  Dip apples and enjoy!

Permalink  |  Bookmark  |  View Comments

Broccoli–Gouda Salad

Makes: 8 servings

Ingredients:

½ cup Meijer Light Italian Salad Dressing

½ tsp. dried basil

1 garlic clove, minced

3 cups small broccoli florets

½ cup coarsely chopped Roma tomatoes

½ cup slivered almonds, toasted

½ cup halved, thinly sliced red onion

5 oz. smoked or plain Gouda, cut into ¼-inch cubes (about 1 cup)

Directions:

1. MIX salad dressing, basil and garlic in a measuring cup; set aside.
2. PLACE 3 cups water in a medium saucepan; bring to boiling. Add broccoli; cook 1 minute or until broccoli brightens. Drain; rinse in cold water.
3. COMBINE broccoli, tomatoes, almonds, onion and cheese in a medium bowl; toss to mix. Whisk dressing; drizzle over salad. Toss to coat. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Recipe source: Meijer Taste of the Game, Try-foods Int’l.,www.meijermealbox.com

Fiery Adobo Pork Skewers

Serves 4

Ingredients:

Pork Skewers:

3 tbsp. puréed chiles in adobo sauce

3 tbsp. Meijer Light Brown Sugar

2 tbsp. fresh lime juice

1 (1-lb.) pork tenderloin, trimmed, cut into 1-inch cubes

1½ orange, yellow or red bell peppers, seeded, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks

Broccoli Slaw:

1 (10-oz.) pkg. broccoli–slaw mix

¼ cup Meijer Lite Mayonnaise

2 tbsp. fresh lime juice

2 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

1. COMBINE puréed chiles, brown sugar and lime juice in a large bowl for Pork Skewers; season with salt and pepper to taste. Add pork; stir to coat. Transfer to a large resealable plastic bag. Seal bag; refrigerate 4 to 6 hours.
2. COAT grill rack with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat grill to medium (350°F). Remove pork from marinade; discard marinade. On each of 4 skewers, alternately thread bell pepper, onion and pork. (If using wooden skewers, soak at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.)
3. PLACE skewers on grill. Grill 6 to 8 minutes per side for (145°F medium-rare) or to desired doneness. Remove skewers from grill; let stand 5 minutes.
4. MAKE SLAW: combine slaw mix, mayonnaise, lime juice and cilantro in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve pork skewers with slaw.

Recipe source: Meijer Taste of the Game, Try-foods Int’l.,www.meijermealbox.com

Johnsonville Apple Chicken Sausage with Apple-Onion Relish

Sausage:

2 (12 oz). Packages (8 Sausages) Johnson Apple Chicken Sausage Links

8 sandwich rolls

Honey-Dijon Mustard

Directions:

Preheat grill to medium-low. Grill 10-12 minutes or until heated through, turning links often. Serve in sandwich rolls topped with apple-onion relish (recipe follows) and honey-Dijon mustard.

Apple Onion Relish

Ingredients

2 cups chopped red onion

3/4 cup Meijer distilled white vinegar

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon(s) tricolored peppercorns, crushed

1/4 tsp. ground McCormick cumin

1 cup chopped Michigan apple (about 1 large apple)

Directions

1. Combine onion, vinegar, sugar, peppercorns and cumin in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and cook the onions for 15 to 18 minutes.
2. Add apple and cook an additional 2-3 minutes.  Cool completely. Place the relish in a covered container and let marinate, in the refrigerator, overnight before serving.  Keep refrigerated up to two weeks.

Permalink  |  Bookmark  |  View Comments

The Detroit Lions are restoring the roar and families around West Michigan are thrilled to be cheering on their team!  This week on “Where You Live” we’re heading to Detroit-we’ll interview players, watch a practice and workout session and then we’ll head to the Lion’s Den-Ford Field!  Plus, Tina from Meijer will share some tasty ideas on family friendly foods to serve at your next Lions party!  And to make it even more exciting we’re giving away four tickets to the Dec. 11th Detroit Lions game-seats in the Meijer Family section at Ford Field!  Meijer is even providing a $50 gas card!  Watch “Where You Live” for your chance to win big-Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on WOTV 4 and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on WOOD TV 8.  Go Lions!!

Permalink  |  Bookmark  |  View Comments

When is the last time you have felt worried? When you sent your child off to their first sleepover? When your teen took the car out for the first time last week when it was raining? When you think about your work week and the presentation coming up? When you contemplate the failing health of your parent? Worry is a pretty common emotion for all of us. It is part of the full range of emotions that experience because we are human. But, for some, worry has gone beyond what is considered to be the norm when it comes to emotional health.

An anxiety disorder, or a problem with anxiety that would benefit from additional support and care, is chronic anxiety that persists when you focus on two or more stressful life circumstances. Sometimes, because of these circumstances, anxiety will hang around for a while and then return to what feels more familiar to you. Other times, it just doesn’t go away. Anxiety disorders can develop at any age and can be aggravated by life events. Anxiety is often associated with certain fears: fears of losing control, failure, rejection, or even fears of illness or death.

If you are experiencing at least three of the following six symptoms, it might be time to recognize the effects anxiety is having on you and your relationships, and get the support you need to feel better.

Do you experience:

• Being easily fatigued
• Difficulty concentrating on a task or at work
• Irritability beyond what is considered normal for you
• Muscle tension (this could be in your jaw, shoulders, back, neck)
• Difficulties with sleep (falling asleep or staying asleep)
• Feeling restless

One of the first steps towards getting health is to own the truth of what is going on for you…I challenge you to be honest with yourself today and do just that. And next time, I’ll share some specific strategies for responding to your worry and anxiety. Feel free to comment with questions!

For additional information on behavioral health issues, or to seek assistance, go to http://www.pinerest.org/.

Permalink  |  Bookmark  |  View Comments

Maranda talks with students to see why they are interested in the Shedd. The students and families have a great time exploring and learning the Shedd Aquarium.

Permalink  |  Bookmark  |  View Comments

Maranda takes Where You Live on the road to Chicago to see why families are visiting the Shedd Aquarium.

Permalink  |  Bookmark  |  View Comments

Maranda takes Where You Live to the Shedd Oceanarium to learn more about the majestic creatures that live in the ocean. Get up close and personal with some of these animals and learn what they can do.

Permalink  |  Bookmark  |  View Comments

There are so many wonderful animals to experience at the Shedd Aquarium. Maranda takes Where You Live to this wonderful place.

Permalink  |  Bookmark  |  View Comments

Maranda takes Where You Live on the road to Chicago to learn more about the fascinating Jellies Exhibit.

Permalink  |  Bookmark  |  View Comments