Summer brings with it an abundance of produce. Consider certain guidelines when stocking up to increase freshness. For bunched items, cut off any greens that may pull moisture out of your fruit or vegetable. Examples include beets and carrots. Removing fasteners such as rubber bands helps increase circulation, which aids in maintaining freshness. Finally, avoid washing less hearty varieties of produce, such as strawberries, as this can result in soggy items.

Due to COVID-19 re-opening phases, summer trips may include more car time travel. A few tips can help make the most of your drive. With hand sanitizer is back in stock, you will want to ensure its use when you exit the car and prior to any meals or snacks. Also consider taking a trash receptacle. By taking a cereal container and adding a trash can liner, you can create a small, yet functional garbage can. Be sure to prepare a large Ziploc with disposable napkins and utensils even if you think you will not need them. Pack non-messy, but yummy road trip snacks like these. 

Quinoa is a fantastic whole grain to add as a pantry staple!  Chock-full of fiber and protein, this is a healthy and versatile meal base.  Here are some quinoa recipes to give you some inspiration to get started.

Quinoa Zucchini Fritters

• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• ½ cup shredded carrot
• ¼ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 tbsp chives, chopped
• 1 tsp paprika or Old Bay
• ½ cup Bread Crumbs
• ¼ cup Avocado Oil (could sub olive oil)

Directions:  Shred zucchini and carrots.  Set aside for 10-15 mins.  Wrap in cloth or paper towel and wring out excess moisture.  Mix zucchini, carrot, quinoa, eggs, and spices in a bowl.  Fold in bread crumbs once mixed.  Portion fritters and flatten into patties.  Heat skillet and coat with avocado oil.  Place fritters in pan, fry until golden brown on both sides (about 3 minutes).  Repeat until all the fritters are done and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Recipe from: https://thekitchengirl.com/crabless-cakes-zucchini-quinoa-fritters/ 

Shrimp Avocado Quinoa Bowl

• 1 avocado, sliced
• Lime juice
• 2 cups lettuce or other greens
• ½ cup tomato, diced
• ¼ cup onion, diced
• 2 cups quinoa, cooked
• ½ pound shrimp
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• ¼ tsp each of salt, onion powder, thyme, black pepper, oregano, and cayenne pepper

Directions: Combine shrimp, garlic, oil, and spices.  Heat a pan over medium-high until hot.  Coat with a light drizzle of oil and cook shrimp until charred.  Divide greens into two bowls, top with half of quinoa, shrimp, avocado, tomato, and onion. Drizzle with lime juice & serve.

Recipe from: https://gimmedelicious.com/avocado-shrimp-quinoa-salad-bowls/ 

Mexican Chicken Quinoa Casserole

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 2 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp cumin powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can corn, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup crushed tomatoes
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• ½ cup onion, diced
• 1 cup cheese
• 1 cup water

Directions: Preheat oven to 350.  Line 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper.  Add all ingredients into a bowl and mix.  Spread into a prepared pan and bake for 28 minutes.  Turn off the oven and let it sit in an unopened oven for another 25 minutes.

Recipe from: https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2016/09/19/quinoa-casserole-mexican-black-bean/ 


Mediterranian Quinoa Salad

• 3 cups cooked quinoa, cooled
• 1 large cucumber, chopped
• 1 jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
• 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives, chopped
• ½ cup coarsely chopped parsley
• 4 oz garlic and herb goat cheese
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper

Directions: Make the dressing by combining olive oil, vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper.  Whisk to combine.  Add in veggies and quinoa.  Toss to coat in dressing.  Top with goat cheese and parsley.

Recipe from: https://www.thekitchn.com/quinoa-salad-22955988 ​

Whether you are quarantined with your family and kids, significant other, or with your pets, here are some tips to help alleviate meal-time stress!

1. Establish a meal time routine - Establish a role for everyone in your household to play at meal time, whether that is prepping the food, cooking, cleaning, or even setting the table.  Having that routine will help meal time flow easier!
2. Enjoy your meal and your time together - Have discussions about everyone’s day, or their plans for the day!  Try to turn off screens, and enjoy the food and the time with your family.
3. Meal Prepping - Having pre-cooked veggies, pre-made meals, or even pre-washed produce will help make meal time easier.  This will cut down on the stress of preparing a meal and the time you need to spend on cooking nightly!
4. Check out one-pot or one-pan meals - These are great for easy prep and easy clean up!  They help you minimize the materials you use and get dirty, because you are only using one pot or one pan to cook your meal.  Check out this website for some more inspiration: https://thegirlonbloor.com/25-super-easy-sheet-pan-dinners/
5. Try 5 ingredient or less meals - Along similar lines of the one-pot meals, using 5 ingredients or less eliminates the need for long, complicated cooking!  Especially during quarantine, and with grocery store shelves sparsely stocked in some areas, 5 ingredient or less meals will help alleviate stress of a missing ingredient and keep meals from being too expensive!

Be sure to check out our other blogs: 
Creating a Flexible Grocery List that Works
3 Ways to Use Potatoes