Andrea's Column

Turkey 101

Whether you're a novice or just need a refresher course, here are some basic guidelines for preparing the centerpiece of a delicious holiday meal, the turkey.

1. Make sure you have a roasting pan large enough to hold your turkey and a meat thermometer.
2. Purchase 1 to 1¼ pounds of turkey per guest to guarantee plenty at the dinner table.
3. Thaw frozen turkey in the refrigerator. Allow 2 days for a 10 pound bird; 4 days for a 20 pound bird.
4. Keep a fresh turkey in the original packaging in the refrigerator and use within two days after the sell-by date.
5. After unwrapping, remove neck and giblets from the cavity.
6. For optimal safety, cook stuffing in a separate dish. If cooking in the turkey, fill loosely.
7. Place turkey in oven set no lower than 325 degrees.
8. Turkey is done when a meat thermometer registers 165 degrees when inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, without touching the bone. Stuffing should reach 165 degrees.
9. Remove turkey from the oven and let "rest" for 20 minutes.
10. Plan to refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.
11. Carve and enjoy!

Fall in Love with Fall Produce

The autumn harvest season is a perfect time to enjoy the beauty of fall foliage, take family walks on crisp, cool days and enjoy the abundance of fresh and deep-colored fruits and vegetables like apples, pears, sweet potatoes, acorn squash, and cranberries.

For fun, fall ways to get more fruits and veggies, try new ways to prepare and serve fall favorites:

• For breakfast, top whole grain waffles or pancakes with warm apple slices and cinnamon.
• Pack broccoli and cauliflower pieces with low fat Ranch dressing for an afternoon snack that fills you up!
• Instead of French fries, serve seasoned, baked sweet potato "fries" with your favorite dinner.
• Stir-fry green beans or Brussels sprouts with garlic and olive oil.
• Bake acorn squash with a touch of brown sugar and cinnamon-it's sweet and loaded with antioxidants.
• Finish your meal with a bowl of warm, baked, sliced pears and apples; top with cranberries, almonds and low-fat vanilla yogurt. It is delicious!

For added convenience, look for all ready cut-up varieties such as cubed butternut squash, apple slices and baby carrots. Or stop by the salad bar.

A variety of colorful fruits and vegetables provides the range of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals you need to stay healthy and fit.

So, remember that More Matters this fall and include fresh fall produce in your daily diet!

Family Meals Make A Difference!

September 28th is National Family Meal Day - join Giant and families around the country in renewing our commitment to family meal time.

Research shows that there are real benefits to sharing family meals...children have overall better diets and are more likely to adopt healthier lifestyles. Here are some suggestions on how you can make mealtime a family time more often:

• Every Sunday, pick nights during the coming week when the family can eat together.
• Encourage children to create menu ideas and help with meal preparation.
• Keep meals simple. Spend time on one dish and use convenience foods for the rest.
• Turn off the TV and radio so everyone can focus on conversation. Share what happened during the day.
• Remember that kids often take more time to eat then adults. So, relax and enjoy a few extra minutes sitting at the table before cleaning up.

For healthy recipes, click here.

Healthy Ideas

Looking for an easy way to find healthy foods?

Many of us want to live a more healthy lifestyle by eating healthy foods and exercising. But the fact of the matter is, most of us are time-pressed, and need solutions to make choosing healthy foods easier.

As a busy mom, I can certainly relate!

Giant has a tool to make it easier! Just look for the healthy ideas symbol on shelf labels and on Giant brands, and you will know that the food is limited in total fat (except for a few categories), saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and added sugars. And a healthy ideas food must provide at least 10% of the Daily Value of at least one nutrient.

Remember to check the Nutrition Facts as well if you have a particular diet concern. For complete Healthy Ideas criteria, click here.

Bag It!

Looking for new ideas for your kids' lunchboxes this year? Or your own lunch too?

It's that time of year when schools are opening and routines set in - including packing lunches. While there's nothing wrong with relying on favorite stand-bys like peanut butter and jelly, try some new foods too!

• Instead of bread for sandwiches, try tortillas or pitas.
• New flavored lunch meats will perk up the sandwich filling.
• Sneak shredded or grated vegetables into sandwiches.
• Make it convenient with fruit cups, dried fruit snack mixes, pudding cups and baby carrots.

It is also important to make sure that the food you pack will be safe. Use gel packs, frozen drinks, and insulated lunch bags to keep foods safe until lunchtime.

Make it fun for kids by including a surprise every once in a while such as a sticker or special note or drawing. Remember to keep portions kid sized for little ones too - use bagelettes or mini-pitas for sandwiches and choose small pieces of fruit and easy to handle foods such as string cheese and mini-muffins.

Here's to a healthy school year!

Smart Snacks

As kids head back to school, keep up their energy level and improve their concentration with healthy snacks. There are a variety of nutritious and convenient choices throughout the store.

• child-size fruits that are easy for kids to eat
• colorful veggies such as baby carrots, broccoli, celery sticks and yellow peppers - look for the pre-cut veggies packaged with low fat dip
• pre-packaged apple slices are a kid favorite
• dried fruits, nuts, raisins and 100-calorie snack packs
• low fat and fat free yogurts and yogurt drinks
• string cheese
• applesauce cups and fruit cups
• whole wheat pretzels and whole grain crackers
• shelf-stable or refrigerated puddings
• fruit leathers

These snacks provide the energy boost kids need!

It's Back to School Time

As kids head back to school, life becomes hectic once again. And for a successful start to the year, you need to squeeze in time to shop for new school supplies. At Giant, we have all you need to make it a one-stop shopping trip. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Make a list. Use your teacher's or school's recommended supply list as a start.
• Separate the "needs" from the "wants." Set a budget for the extras and then talk to your child about which items are the most wanted.
• Take inventory of what is left over from last year and what can be reused.
• Buy the basics in bulk when they are on sale and in stock. It will help save time and money - and some stressful moments later in the year if supplies are on hand.
• Set up a supply shelf or storage container in the house to keep those extra supplies.
• And while shopping, pick up healthy snacks such as dried fruits, nuts, fruit cups and whole wheat crackers and pretzels.

Hope your school year gets off to a great start!

Go Lean with Protein

Lean protein plays a vital role in keeping us healthy. What are some lean choices?

• Look for lean cuts of beef and pork from the round or the loin, skinless poultry, and fresh fish and seafood.
• Choose low-fat and fat free dairy products, including milk, yogurt, cottage cheese and low fat hard chesses.
• Have breakfast for dinner - eggs and egg substitutes are a versatile and affordable protein choice.
• Nuts in moderation add flavor and crunch to any salad or dish and make a satisfying snack.
• And beans are an overall super choice - a good source of plant protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Stay healthy this summer and remember to "Go Lean with Protein."

Fresh From the Farm!

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the delicious taste of peak season fresh fruits and vegetables. At Giant, we have been buying produce from local growers for many years. Supporting local producers supports the local economy and helps the environment.

Look for the "local produce" signs throughout the produce department. Corn, cucumbers, beans, lettuce, radishes and more are great choices. Toss a salad for lunch, crunch on fresh veggies and dip for a healthy snack and throw some fresh, delicious corn on the grill for dinner.

Remember, More Matters - include more fruits and veggies you include in your diet each day for a healthier you!

Road Trip!!

During road trips, how frequently do we hear, "I'm hungry" and "Are we there yet?"

Eating while traveling does help keep the kids occupied, but limited choices on the road also make it easy to resort to quick, less healthful foods.

Instead of taking that route, pack a cooler or insulated bag for each kid with healthy snacks to choose from. Try finger foods like cereal mixes, string cheese, cut-up fruit and veggies, drinkable yogurt, wheat pretzel sticks, and for children beyond the toddler years, dried fruit, raisins and grapes.

Bring plenty of water, anti-bacterial wipes, and napkins or paper towels too.

Don't forget snacks for the adults too! Have a safe, healthy and fun vacation!