Grocery shopping in general can be a daunting task. Add shopping for the best, healthiest food items into the mix and you have yourself a challenge that not many can tackle. But not to fear! We have some savvy shopping tips to help you make sure you are buying the most healthy, wholesome foods for you and your family. Follow our simple guidelines for these household staples and you’ll be sure to purchase the best food options for you and your family.

100% Whole Wheat Bread:

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Many of us have heard the phrase “whole wheat,” but what exactly is whole wheat and what makes it so good for us? Whole wheat is a term given to grains that do not have the healthy part removed when they are packaged at a factory. Choosing breads that say “100% whole wheat” is a smart way to make sure you are eating the healthiest bread that will keep you fuller longer and help you get those added nutrients when you eat. But don’t let the package trick you! Make sure you read the ingredients and avoid trickster terms such as “wheat flour” and only purchase breads that say “whole wheat flour.”

Tasty Breakfast Toasters

Looking for a quick easy breakfast that you can take on the go? These Tasty Breakfast Toasters are a quick

Ingredients:

• 1 slices 100% whole wheat bread, toasted
• ¼ avocado
• 2 slices of tomato
• 1 slice mozzarella cheese
• Pinch of fresh chopped dill
• Salt, pepper, your favorite seasonings, or a sprinkle of balsamic vinegar

Directions:

Toast 1 slice of 100% whole wheat bread until crispy. Cut ¼ of an avocado and mash until smooth in a small bowl. Cut 2 thin slices of tomato. Spread the avocado onto the toasted bread then place slice of mozzarella cheese on top. Place tomato slices on top and finish off with a pinch of dill and your favorite seasonings or balsamic vinegar.

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Unflavored, Plain Yogurt:

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Yogurt is a healthy snack option that can add an extra boost of protein and calcium. What most people don’t know is that many yogurts have hidden sugars that cancel out the good benefits of eating yogurt. When choosing a yogurt, make sure you are purchasing plain not flavored yogurt. Although fruit flavored yogurts may seem to be healthy, even if they are the “light” brands, companies that make the yogurt often add sugar or possibly even worse, fake sugar, to make sure the yogurt still tastes “good.” Although the taste of plain yogurt might not be something everyone will like at the beginning, you can add a boost of flavor to your yogurt by blending it with fresh fruits!

Fresh Fruit Frozen Yogurt Pops

Looking for a simple, healthy treat for those hot summer days to come? We have the perfect recipe for those days when you need something a little extra sweet. These Fresh Fruit Frozen Yogurt Pops are ideal for incorporating some extra fresh fruit into your diet while still enjoying a sweet treat. Get creative with these yogurt pops and make them your own with whatever types of fruits you and your family enjoy!

Recipe Adapted From: Becky’s Best Bites

Ingredients/Materials:

• 16 ounces fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or mixture of any type of soft fruit to your preference (washed and cut according to size and type)
• 32 ounces of plain, unflavored yogurt
• 8 pitted dates for sweetness
• Ice cube trays or popsicle molds
• Popsicle sticks
• Aluminum foil 

Directions:

In a blender, combine fruit, yogurt, and dates until smooth. Pour yogurt and fruit mixture into ice cube or popsicle molds. Cover the molds with aluminum foil and poke 1 popsicle stick into the mixture through the foil. Place in the freezer and freeze for 4 hours or until solid. Enjoy!

Image from: http://www.beckysbestbites.com/mini-organic-frozen-yogurt-pops-fresh-fruit/

 Don’t Be Fooled by “Healthy” Cereals

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Did you know that even cereals that seem healthy like “Honey Bunches of Oats” have 6 grams of sugar per serving? And let’s face it, no one eats the “correct” serving amount of cereal. That’s a whole teaspoon and a half of pure sugar! If you wouldn’t eat a teaspoon and a half of sugar on its own, why eat it in your cereal? When shopping for healthy cereal options, choose options such as unsweetened/unfrosted shredded wheat which has 0 grams of sugar per serving. One way to spice up your cereal to make it sweeter is by adding fresh cut fruits for a pop of color. Try this tip the next time you buy a healthy cereal.

Shredded Wheat 3 Ways!

Here are 3 creative ways to add flavor to your morning by adding a variety of delicious foods to your shredded wheat for an extra burst of sweetness and nutrition.

Strawberries & Hemp Seeds: Add a handful of cut up strawberries (or any other kind of berry) to your shredded wheat for some natural sweetness. Hemp seeds are also a great option and are full of protein, Vitamin E, and Omega-3 fatty acids..

Banana & Peanut butter: Chopping up some ripe banana for your cereal is another way of adding some natural sweetness. Combining this with some natural peanut butter to compliment it will give you an ideal combination of flavor that’ll have you asking for seconds! Tip: mix a spoonful of peanut butter with desired amount of milk to achieve your desired consistency, then mix in shredded wheat.

Apple, Raisins & Almonds: For cereal with some added crunch, consider adding cubed apples, raisins, and almonds to your breakfast. This combination is great without milk as a snack to take on the go. Mix together your favorite dried fruits and nuts with the cereal and you’re good to go with a snack that can be enjoyed anywhere!

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