Peek Into Kelly’s…Pantry (Snacks)
March 26, 2013 by KathyG · 16 Comments
I’m a lucky woman! I have a walk-in pantry. For some girls, it’s diamonds. For others, it’s pearls. For this girl, it’s clean white shelves, glass jars and lots of space for canned goods, cereals, baking supplies and, of course, snacks.
What do the Radi’s snack on?
Well, let’s see… We like nuts …peanuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds. We (especially Marty) like raisins. He actually has them on his cereal every morning. I like plain old Cheerios. Notice I said “I” and not “we.”
We do like chocolate. Especially M&M’s, which is why they are rarely in our pantry. If I buy them, they disappear quickly! One snack we all agree on is GORP. I have absolutely no idea who came up with the name or what it means, but that is what my aunt called it when we were kids.
Basically, GORP is a snack mix that consists of the above ingredients in various amounts, tossed together, eaten with your fingers. I recommend pairing it with an ice-cold glass of skim milk (NuVal 91).
GORP Giveaway!
This week one lucky reader will win a really cute reusable shopping bag filled with the ingredients to help mix up your own big batch of tasty GORP.
- Food Club Dry Roast Lightly Salted Peanuts (NuVal 23)
- Good Sense Whole Natural Almonds (NuVal 81)
- Planters Dry Roasted Sunflower Kernels (NuVal 38)
- SunMaid Raisins (NuVal 87)
- Cheerios (NuVal 37)
- Plain M&M’s (NuVal 2) I know…a 2. But, sometimes you just need some M&M’s!
To register, all you need to do is leave a comment below (or click on “comment” at the top of this blog) telling me one of your favorite snacks. I’ll select one winner at random on Tuesday, April 2, 2013.
Congrats to Rian, winner of “The Chilly Giveaway” from my last blog, Peek Into Kelly’s…Freezer.
Happy Snacking!
Kelly
p.s. The photo’s in this blog were taken by my friend Bailey Hollencamp!
Passionate about food and good nutrition, Kelly, a BLEND Program Specialist for CentraCare Health Foundation, is also a mom who wants to set her kids up for a lifetime of good health. NuVal is a system designed to lead customers to the most nutritious food choices. It is not a diet or weight-loss plan. The opinions expressed in this blog are the opinions of the writer and not the opinions of NuVal LLC, Coborn’s, Inc., BLEND, and the CentraCare Health Foundation.
Join BLEND in Celebrating March as National Nutrition Month
By now, most of us can say our health-related resolutions for the new year are either on- track…or, are a complete failure, right? Resolutions typically start out strong, and then weaken when something gets in the way or it just becomes too hard. BLEND wants to help you and your family get your resolutions back on- track.
March is National Nutrition Month - join us in a month-long guidance plan to “Renew Your Resolution to Eat Healthy in 2013″.
But First…
To help develop sound eating habits it’s essential to start increasing the variety of nutrient-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Making informed food choices is just as important. For many, this is the most difficult task. Good news for Central MN residents, it’s easy to make healthier food choices when you shop with the NuVal® Nutritional Scoring System.
NuVal® Nutritional Scoring System
NuVal gives all food a score from 1 to 100; the higher the score, the better the food’s overall nutrition. At Coborn’s, NuVal scores are featured in the weekly ad and next to the price on the shelf making it easy for customers to compare the overall nutrition of the foods they buy at a glance. Using the NuVal system, customers can:
- Easily discover the more nutritious products in a store. Consumers wanting to know what cereals (or crackers or cookies) have more nutrition only need to take a look at the NuVal scores and choose the product with the higher number.
- Be able to “act like an expert,” using the knowledge and research of more than a dozen of the country’s best nutrition experts, who spent two years creating the scientific engine used to determine NuVal scores.
- Get more nutrition for their budget, as they can now compare items side-to-side and determine which product offers the better value, not just in price, but in nutrition as well. For instance, consumers may find that some varieties of frozen or canned vegetables score the same as fresh produce on the NuVal scale.
- Be able to better compare name brand to store brand products. In many instances, consumers will learn that a store’s private label item is just as nutritious as the more expensive national one.
Ashley Studniski, RD
Coborn’s customers can also learn more about NuVal and how to make more informed and nutritious food choices by visiting with Coborn’s Supermarket Dietitian Ashley Studniski, RD, who provides private consultations and group educational programs at Coborn’s in Sauk Rapids, MN, as well as at Coborn’s on Cooper Avenue in St. Cloud, MN, and on Pine Cone Road in Sartell, MN.
Learn more about Ashley by reading her monthly posts on Coborn’s Blog!
Also, an entire list of events and registration are available on the Coborn’s website or at the Service Counter at participating locations.
Now for the Month-Long Guidance Plan…
In the spirit of the NuVal mission to give better nutritional guidance, BLEND will post a list of 31 foods that receive some of the system’s highest scores by category, one food for each day of National Nutrition Month. Visitors can see the “item of the day” on the BLEND Facebook Page. Our first post will go live this Friday, March 1, 2013.
We invite you to “Like Us” on Facebook! Be sure to comment and definitely ”like” our month-long posts.
Peek Into Kelly’s…Life. Meet Her Friend Julie!
January 29, 2013 by KathyG · 13 Comments
Hello Readers!
2013 is here and, thanks to your feedback, I have many ideas brewing for upcoming blogs. I can’t wait to share them with you! Please remember to visit the BLEND website every-other Tuesday for the next installment of “Peek Into Kelly’s…” blog posts. The BLEND folks would be thrilled to have you LIKE us on Facebook and share our posts with your friends.
Today’s blog is extra special for two reasons. One is that we are making our first attempt at creating a video to share with you. Please be kind and remember that we are not highly-trained spokesmodels! We are just regular people with a passion for nutrition. The other reason is that I have a very special guest for you to meet…my friend Julie.
Julie is a wife, mother, Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor. She is a manager in the Coborn’s, Inc. Natural Foods Department in Sauk Rapids, MN. Julie is the real deal. She is a wealth of information regarding health and nutrition. She loves to see people reach their fitness goals by incorporating healthy eating. She is a fan of the NuVal Nutritional Scoring System and uses it when buying groceries for her active family. So, without further adieu, here’s Julie!
Julie’s Favorite Products
I asked Julie to come up with a handful of her favorite NuVal trade-ups to share with our readers. She had a hard time keeping it to just five! Julie has introduced our family to so many fantastic new products. I know…when Julie is working and I’m shopping…I’ll end up coming home with lots of new guilt-free treats for our pantry.
- Kashi Honey Almond Flax Chewy Granola Bars – NuVal score of 40
- Amy’s Organic Lentil Vegetable Soup – NuVal score of 65
- Bob’s Red Mill Muesli – NuVal score of 91
- Bob’s Red Mill Flaxseed Meal – NuVal score of 91
- KIND Cashew & Ginger Spice Bar – NuVal score of 49
This week one lucky reader will win a bag of all 5 of Julie’s favorite products as seen above. To register, all you need to do is leave a comment below (or click on “comment” at the top of this blog) telling me which of these products you’re most excited to try. I’ll select one winner at random on Tuesday, February 5, 2013. Good luck!
Congratulations to Amy, commenter #6, winner of the gift bag from my last blog post Peek Into Kelly’s…Family Movie Night. I hope you are enjoying your popcorn and movies.
Thank you all for taking the time to read and comment.
Wishing my readers a healthy & happy 2013! Kelly
Passionate about food and good nutrition, Kelly, a BLEND Program Specialist for CentraCare Health Foundation, is also a mom who wants to set her kids up for a lifetime of good health. NuVal is a system designed to lead customers to the most nutritious food choices. It is not a diet or weight-loss plan. The opinions expressed in this blog are the opinions of the writer and not the opinions of NuVal LLC, Coborn’s, Inc., BLEND, and the CentraCare Health Foundation.
[Guest Post] Working Together for Good Health
September 25, 2012 by KathyG · Leave a Comment
Hi everyone! It’s Kelly – BLEND Program Specialist and NuVal Educator. A couple of weeks ago I wrote a BLEND “guest” blog called: “NuVal Spokemom – Kelly Radi”. I explained my day-to-day frustration with reading food labels and selecting the healthiest food for my family. I’ve been reminded I forgot to share something in that first post! ”How did I get this gig?”
It’s a one-of-a-kind tale – you’re sure to enjoy.
A Joke?
So, what happens when a grocer, a doctor and an insurance provider sit down at the same table?
Sound like the beginning of a funny joke? Well, it’s actually a true story and the beginning of a very positive and unique partnership. Please, allow me to explain.
The grocer is Coborn’s, Inc. The doctor is CentraCare Health Foundation’s BLEND initiative. And, the insurance provider is Blue Cross-Blue Shield of MN. You might be asking yourself what these three entities could possibly have in common and why would they sit down at a table together. These three have one BIG common denominator…Y-O-U. Specifically, your health.
All three have joined forces in a commitment to positively impact the health of those folks living in Central Minnesota. Those folks (yes, you and I) are their customers, patients and clients. They want us to be healthy! Not only do they say they want us to be healthy, they are putting their resources toward exactly that.
An Ounce of Prevention
According to the CDC, more than sixty percent of adults in Minnesota are overweight or obese. Treating obesity-related conditions takes a tremendous toll on our pocketbooks. In 2008, U.S. medical costs associated with obesity and obesity-related conditions were estimated at $147 billion. Recognizing the burden placed on Minnesotans and caring enough about the health of their customers, Coborn’s, Inc., BCBS of MN, and CentraCare Health Foundation have committed to putting their dollars toward disease prevention and overall community health.
NuVal Makes it Simple
Our grocer, insurance provider and healthcare system chose to bring the NuVal Nutritional Scoring System to the area to give people a tool to simplify healthy grocery shopping. How? The NuVal System scores food on a scale of 1-100. The higher the NuVal Score, the better the nutrition. NuVal scores summarize comprehensive nutritional information in one simple number between 1 and 100. Each NuVal score takes into account more than just the nutrition fact panel. It considers 30-plus nutrients and nutrition factors – the good (protein, calcium, vitamins) and the not-so-good (sugar, sodium, cholesterol). And then it boils it down into a simple, easy-to-use number to help you choose the grocery items you want for better overall nutrition.
A Unique and Positive Partnership
While NuVal is available coast to coast, it’s no joke Central MN is the only place in the nation where a grocer, health system and insurance provider joined forces to create a community-based model using NuVal as a tool for better health. This unique collaboration is a win-win for area residents who want easy access to healthy grocery options.
“As a health company committed to making a healthy difference in people’s lives, Blue Cross works to find innovative ways to reduce obesity in Minnesota and the toll it takes on our health. We believe this collaboration with CentraCare’s BLEND organization, and Coborn’s stores, is an important step in removing barriers and improving access to healthy eating. Now families will have the information they need to make the healthy choice the easy choice.” ~ Marc Manley, M.D., Chief Prevention Officer for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
From Mom to “Spokesmom”
I’ve been very thankful to ride along in this journey with the CentraCare Health Foundation’s BLEND initiative, BCBS of MN, and Coborn’s, Inc. since the launch of NuVal in eight Coborn’s grocery stores back in 2010. It has helped me make wiser, and healthier, food decisions. I’ve become an expert of sorts over the last year-and-a-half and have often found myself teaching others the benefits of using NuVal.
Just recently, I accepted a position to work for the CentraCare Health Foundation’s BLEND initiative as their NuVal Spokesmom and Program Specialist. My job is to help Coborn’s launch NuVal in the remaining stores throughout the CentraCare Health System’s 12-county service area. Through a grant provided by BCBS of MN, I have my dream job — to meet new people and talk about food and nutrition. Yes, I get paid to talk about food! I told you it was my dream job. I make trips to Coborn’s grocery stores to educate store employees and shoppers, present to civic groups, schools, and organizations, and write bi-weekly blogs for BLEND and the Coborn’s Blog site.
Look at me! I’m with Abertville Royalty at the Coborn‘s store in Albertville, MN!
This partnership has given me the opportunity to make healthier food choices. And now, it can help YOU and the people in Central Minnesota strive for better health.
Please join me as I write about my real-life experiences with NuVal. I’m calling my new blog: “Peek into Kelly’s…”. I’ll give you the chance to “peek into” my pantry…or kitchen…maybe even my lunch bag. I’ll keep it simple, informative and real. Thank you for joining me on this journey.
Happy Eating!
Kelly
Sack Lunch Savvy!
September 11, 2012 by KathyG · Leave a Comment
Pencils…check. Notebooks…check. Backpack…check. Sneakers…check.
Yes, it is that time of year. Big yellow busses are bursting with energetic students. Parents have checked off items on the school shopping lists. Lockers are loaded. There’s an energy in the air as the kids eagerly embrace the new school year. They are reconnecting with their friends, meeting new teachers, playing fall sports, wearing shiny sneakers, sporting colorful backpacks and lunch bags.
If your child takes a sack lunch to school, you know that lunch bags are a big deal. I used to love packing them for my girls. I’d stick in a colorful napkin or slip in a little joke, just for fun. If I was really feeling artistic, I’d draw a picture on a banana before tucking it into the lunch bag. (Yes, really.) But, more importantly, I would try to pack in plenty of nutritious items that they would actually eat. Sack lunches are a big hit when they are healthy, fresh and fun!
NuVal makes packing a nutrition-filled sack lunch a piece of cake (no pun intended!). Instead of spending precious time weighing out the nutritional labels, I get to glance at a number between 1 and 100 to know I am choosing the best products for our girls’ lunches. The higher the score, the higher the overall nutrition. We can up their nutrition (and energy levels) by trading-up from Oscar Meyer bologna (NuVal 10) to Oscar Meyer Smoked Turkey Breast (NuVal 25) and adding some crunchy alfalfa sprouts (NuVal 96) to their sandwiches.
When our girls were in elementary school, we came up with some fun, creative lunch ideas that were the envy of the table. We would do theme lunches. For example, Orange Lunch–where nearly everything in it was orange. Circle Lunch–where everything was round. Think grapes, round crackers, cherry tomatoes and cheese circles. Star Lunch–star cookie cutter shaped sandwiches, star fruit, star stickers on the brown bag. My daughters are now old enough to pack their own lunches, but do still like to get creative in the process. I keep the cupboards and fridge filled with plenty of healthy lunch box options, so they don’t tire of the same old thing.
Here are a few of their favorite themed lunches to help you kick off the new school year:
BREAKFAST FOR LUNCH
For a fun twist on lunch, pack a hard-boiled egg (NuVal 33). Then pack the fixings to create a yogurt parfait. Food Club Light Vanilla Yogurt (NuVal 82). Bear Naked Fit Vanilla Almond Crunch Granola (NuVal 91) and fresh blueberries (NuVal 99).
Photos courtesy of Laura Schwichtenberg and Karen Radi
STICK-STRAIGHT LUNCH
Think sticks for this lunch! Kraft 2% Mozzarella String Cheese stick (NuVal 23), leftover cooked chicken breast (NuVal 39) cut into strips, and Alessi Sesame Breadsticks (NuVal 24). Add some matchstick carrots (NuVal 99) to nibble on. Top off the meal with fruits and berries on a stick. Skewer some green grapes (NuVal 91), strawberries (NuVal 100) and cantaloupe chunks (NuVal 93). Sorry…no picture for this one!
HAWAIIAN LUAU LUNCH
For a little ALOHA flair, this lunch doesn’t disappoint. Make a sandwich using Sargento Deli Style Swiss Cheese slices (NuVal 25) and some Oscar Meyer Deli Fresh Smoked Ham (NuVal 26). Add some island color and flavor with fresh pineapple chunks (NuVal 99) and fresh mango chunks (NuVal 93). For crunch, pack some orange or yellow bell pepper strips (NuVal 96) and Athenos Roasted Red Pepper Hummus (NuVal 46) for dipping.
Photos courtesy of Laura Schwichtenberg and Karen Radi
GREEN LUNCH
Color-themed lunches are always a big hit! In a La Banderita High Fiber Soft Tortilla (NuVal 35), wrap up your favorite deli meat with some fresh spinach leaves (NuVal 100) and cucumber strips (NuVal 93). My girls like to top it off with a little Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing (NuVal 3). On the side, add some bright green snow pea pods (NuVal 96) and a Granny Smith apple (NuVal 96). For extra crunch and energy, spread some peanut butter on pieces of crunchy green celery and top with raisins.
Photos courtesy of Laura Schwichtenberg and Karen Radi
I’m curious…what do you like to send with your child in their lunch bag? Do you send special notes? Perhaps, you follow themes, too! Post a comment – I’d love to hear from you!
Kelly
Before you leave – check this out! The St. Cloud Times published an article in their September 1, 2012 edition - NuVal System Points to Healthful School Lunches. Learn how easy it is to use NuVal when planning your child’s healthy lunches. And, our friends at Coborn’s, Inc. recently posted this article – “Win Free Groceries: Show Us Your Healthy Lunch!” . Post a picture of a healthy lunch and you could win!
Passionate about food and good nutrition, Kelly, a BLEND specialist for CentraCare Health Foundation, is also a mom who wants to set her kids up for a lifetime of good health. NuVal is a system designed to lead customers to the most nutritious food choices. It is not a diet or weight-loss plan. The opinions expressed in this blog are the opinions of the writer and not the opinions of NuVal LLC, Coborn’s, Inc., BLEND, and the CentraCare Health Foundation.
