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How to freeze broccoli

So you bought or grew too much broccoli and you know you’ll never use it up in time. It’s your freezer to the rescue! Broccoli can easily be frozen and its healthy fiber and nutrients preserved for enjoying at a later date. The best part? The process is actually really simple. Here’s how: Also learn about 13 foods you should never freeze. Selecting the best broccoli Broccoli is a cool-weather crop. While any head can be frozen using this method, the tastiest results come when you freeze the ripest, freshest heats. Choose fresh broccoli at the market or at the store in early summer or mid-to-late fall. Or, even better, grow your own! Look for heads that are dense and firm. If buds are showing a hint of opening, opt for another. Prepare broccoli heads Remove any leaves and chop off any tough, woody stalks. You can also use a vegetable peeler to scrape…

What’s in season in February?

Nothing tastes better than fresh-picked fruits and veggies. If you too prefer your produce when it’s freshest from the farm, here’s what you should be buying in February. Fresh produce is tastier and cheaper since there is plenty of it—simple supply and demand here! So stock up, save money, and enjoy these fruits and vegetables grown this time of year right here in the U.S. Oranges Oranges show up every year right when we need their powerful vitamin C the most. Cold, grey days tend to be synonymous with sickness, but a healthy dose of OJ or a fresh orange a day can help keep the doctor away. Grapefruits Grapefruits also offer a pop of bright color and cheery flavor when we need it most. Grapefruits are perfectly ripe and juicy in February so enjoy them this month in fresh-squeeze juice, salads, or all on their own. Try this grapefruit…

Get your greens! Broccoli may help fight schizophrenia, study suggests

Broccoli has long been hailed as an all-star food thanks to its anti-cancer properties and healthy doses of vitamin C, calcium, and B vitamins. Now, a new study suggests that the crunchy cruciferous vegetable could be helpful in managing schizophrenia. Researchers at Johns Hopkins say that extracts found in the vegetable can tweak chemical imbalances in the brain of those suffering from the mental disorder. They used the compound sulforaphane, derived from broccoli sprouts, to restore glutamate and glutathione to lower levels. Broccoli’s high levels of sulforaphane also mean that potentially it could be used as an alternative to antipsychotic drugs, which often have painful or dangerous side effects. In a study published in January in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, researchers measured brain regions of 81 people who had suffered a recent episode of psychosis. Those patients, on average, showed 4% less of the chemical glutamate in certain areas of…

Weeknight broccoli chicken divan casserole

Retro dinners are making a comeback. That’s because so many of them were quick, easy, and tasted great. While some recipes will never make it to our tables again, others fell out of favor but are coming back in a big way — just reimagined a bit. Chicken Divan is one of those dishes. It has all of the earmarks of coming from a mid-century Southern housewife — except it originated in New York City! That’s right. The meal was created at the Divan Parisienne Restaurant at the Chatham Hotel in NYC in the early twentieth century, but it’s back and more popular than ever. Classic Chicken Divan is served with broccoli, almonds, and Mornay sauce (a béchamel sauce with shredded cheese). This casserole brings all of the flavors together in a quick and easy weeknight-approved recipe. Broccoli Chicken Divan casserole Ingredients 4 cups fresh broccoli florets 2 cups cooked, cubed…

The Best Broccoli salad for dinners, potlucks

This creative broccoli salad combines veggies, fruits, nuts and dairy with a crumbling of turkey bacon for a delightful side dish that everyone will enjoy. It’s the perfect make-ahead meal that can store in the fridge for up to three days — and I swear, it gets even tastier with a little bit of time. What really makes this broccoli salad great is the tart and sweet Greek yogurt dressing brightened up with a splash of apple cider vinegar. And, of course, crunchy turkey bacon takes any dish to the next delicious level. If you wanted to make a more decadent version, feel free to use mayonnaise and real bacon instead, or save some time by using pre-cooked bacon bits — the kind usually found in the salad aisle. *Note: If you’re going to make ahead, hold off on adding the bacon, apple chips, and almonds or you’ll lose the…

Foods you should avoid during the government shutdown

Unless you’ve been under a rock, you know that the government is in a partial shutdown sparked by differences of opinion between the president of the United States and members of Congress over funding for Trump’s border wall. More than 800,000 federal employs have gone unpaid during this, the longest government shutdown in history. One of the affected departments is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.   You know — the ones who check to make sure our food is safe to eat. Without proper funding, FDA employees aren’t able to adequately carry out crucial tasks including publishing recalls and outbreaks. The absence of this vital information would be bad enough, but after 2018’s record number of FDA recalls, ranging from romaine to Goldfish crackers, its a bit unnerving what we might be missing in the wake of the agency’s absence. Before the government shutdown, it wasn’t unusual for the FDA to…

Thanksgiving Day broccoli cheese casserole

I know people love their healthy, steamed broccoli, but holiday meals are no time to hold back. Broccoli smothered in cheese is really the most delicious way to eat the cruciferous vegetable. Even kids who usually run and hide from the dreaded broccoli side dish will be asking for seconds. Dare I say, this broccoli cheese casserole might even replace the beloved green bean casserole at your Thanksgiving table? This casserole is extremely easy to make, and it freezes well too — incredibly important if you’re trying to prepare all of the delicious Thanksgiving sides and need to get a few ready and out of the way. The broccoli is pre-blanched in boiling water, just to shorten the cooking time and keep the cheese gooey. The sauce is a simple roux of flour, butter, milk, and cheese. The crunchy topping is just crackers with butter and shredded cheddar. broccoli cheese…

Broccoli Bisque: One pot, one blender, one bowl

I guess I never knew how tasty and easy soups were to make in the blender. Just simmer some ingredients in a pot; add to blender; serve in bowl and voilá! Here’s a puréed soup recipe I made with an unlikely ingredient: broccoli. It packs a ton of veggies into each serving, and the fresh, green color gives all kinds of healthy feel goods. This broccoli bisque recipe is a variation on my carrot ginger soup. The steps are largely the same. Just swap out the veggies. Broccoli Bisque Serves about 6 Ingredients 3 big handfuls of spinach, washed 1/2 stick of butter 1 large onion, chopped 4 tbsp. flour 2 cans vegetable broth (chicken broth is fine for omnivores) 7 cups broccoli florets (about 1 large head) 1/2 cup cream pepper salt 1 cup plain yogurt 1 lemon Directions In a large pot, melt the butter on medium heat. Sauté the onion until translucent, or…

Guilt-free foods you can eat endlessly without gaining weight

Everything in moderation. But luckily, “moderation” with these 15 foods means something much more than most. The high water content, high fiber content and low calorie counts mean that you can pretty much eat these foods until you’re totally sick of them without seeing a bit of added weight on your frame. Of course you can overdo anything, but for a quick guide of what to guiltlessly grab from the fridge, start here. Blackberries Eating blackberries aids in digestion and helps us to stay alert. They are said to tighten tissue and give our skin a more youthful appearance. Like most berries, blackberries are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants known as bioflavonoids. Get all of this for only 62 calories per serving. Kale With 33 calories per cup, eat as much kale as you want without worrying about your waistline. It also contains three grams of protein and 2.5…

10 healthy snacks that are better than their original

So you’re feeling pretty health conscious with the holidays behind you. No more meals out with friends and family for a while. No more fattening appetizers and excessive cheese platters. But just when you think you’re in the clear: BAM! It’s football playoff season, and you’re right back to where you were in December. Don’t let the playoffs pull you off of your diet this year. Try these tasty substitutes for your favorite football foods: Instead of salty Buffalo Chicken dip and chips… Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Replace those salty chips with celery for an instant upgrade. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/126804545738840293/ Instead of unhealthy Banana Bread… Baked Oatmeal cups With these easy-to-freeze bite-sized 202 calorie cups, they are an easy, healthy substitution for sugary banana bread. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/462252349232895152/ Instead of antibiotic-pumped buffalo chicken wings… Cauliflower Buffalo Bites It’s the flavor you crave. Put it on something healthier and you’ll never miss the meat.…