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February 29, 2024Registered Dietitian Tips for Shopping the Frozen Foods Aisles Happy month of March! Did you know that March is National Frozen Foods Month? Your Registered Dietitian is here to chat all things frozen foods and how they can be incorporated into a balanced diet. A common myth prevails that frozen foods are unhealthy. When in fact, there are an abundance of healthful options to be found in the frozen food aisles of grocery stores. The key is knowing what to look for to spot the better-for-you options among all the offerings. Let’s dive into some dietitian-approved tips for shopping the frozen food aisles! Fruits and vegetables Aren’t fresh fruits and vegetables healthier than frozen? A common question among shoppers. And the answer is NO. Fruits and vegetables picked for freezing are selected when they are at peak ripeness and are frozen almost immediately afterwards. The freezing process they undergo locks in the nutrients, making the product just as nutritious as if you were to eat it fresh. In fact, there are times when purchasing frozen can be more nutritionally optimal due to the nutrients being retained during freezing whereas fresh fruits and vegetables may lose some of those nutrients over time. When shopping for frozen fruits and vegetables, take a look at the nutrition label. For vegetables, look for options that have no added salt, sugar, or sauces in the ingredient list. For fruits, look for unsweetened varieties. Frozen meals Sometimes convenience is key, and frozen entrees whip up in a flash. Plus, they can be stored for longer periods of time. When shopping for frozen meals, look for options that are loaded with vegetables and include a lean protein source. For entrees that include a grain, consider choosing varieties that include whole grains. For options that don’t have a grain, consider adding your own such as brown rice, whole wheat pasta or quinoa. Don’t forget, you can always elevate your frozen entrees with your own veggies too! Adding vegetables to frozen pizzas and frozen pasta dishes like mac n cheese is a great way to add a nutritional punch while keeping the convenience! Finally, sodium is another component to pay attention to, as many frozen entrees can have quite a bit of added sodium. Look for options that have less than 600 mg per serving. Dietitians’ Choice Our Dietitian’s Choice shelf tag program is in place to help you shop for the better-for-you options in our stores. In the frozen food aisles, as throughout our whole store, you can simply look for the blue shelf tag to find the options our Dietitian Team have tagged as better-for-you choices! Happy Shopping! Macey Hurrle, Registered Dietitian RDN, LD Have more questions about shopping for frozen foods or other nutrition-related questions? Don’t miss out! Catch up on all the latest blogs from our Dietitian Team. [...] Read more...
December 19, 2023Midwest Roots Local is Fresher. Fresher is Better. Check out out Midwest Roots series, featuring Stoney Brook Farms, located in Foley, MN. Stoney Brook Farms Foley, MN   Stoney Brook Farms is your destination for a bountiful variety of pumpkins and squash, including the beloved Jack-O-Lanterns and charming table-top minis. Not only do the offer these delightful fall treasures, but also take pride in making a difference. A portion of their Porcelain Doll pumpkin sales goes towards supporting breast cancer research. Stoney Brook Farms is home to Minnesota’s grandest corn maze, providing an exhilarating adventure just outside Foley, MN. Coborn’s is excited to be in collaboration with Stoney Brook Farms as part of Coborn’s Midwest Roots Initiative.   Remarkably Fresh. Incredibly Local. That’s the power of Midwest Roots.   [...] Read more...
September 28, 2023Midwest Roots Local is Fresher. Fresher is Better. Check out out Midwest Roots series, featuring the Syrup Ranch, located in Bowlus, MN. The Syrup Ranch Bowlus, MN Locally Tapped/Bottled Pure Maple Syrup At the heart of our Midwest Roots lies the stories of remarkable family-run businesses, and today, we’re thrilled to promote one of our proud partners, The Syrup Ranch, from Bowlus, Minnesota!   Their journey began in 2009 when they tapped their very first tree and have embarked on a syrup-making adventure. Year by year, they evolved and grew and became dedicated to perfecting the craft of syrup-making. In 2014, their hard work paid off when they took home awards for all three grades of syrup at the MN State Fair and even Best in Show from the Minnesota Maple Syrup Producers’ Association. As a result of their innovation and partnership with Coborn’s, Inc., they came to create the renowned Four Brothers maple syrup brand. As their journey continued, they embraced innovation and partnered with local stores, including Coborn’s, Cashwise, and The Marketplace Foods, to create the renowned “Four Brothers” maple syrup brand. The Syrup Ranch embodies the spirit of family, dedication, and the Midwest, and we couldn’t be prouder to be on this journey with them.     Remarkably Fresh. Incredibly Local. That’s the power of Midwest Roots.   [...] Read more...
September 14, 2023Midwest Roots Local is Fresher. Fresher is Better. Check out out Midwest Roots series, featuring Orchards, Honeybear Farms, located in Elgin, MN. Orchards, Honeybear Farms Elgin, MN   Last fall, we took a tour of Wescott Orchards in Elgin, MN. Watch to learn more about how this amazing company teams up with other local apple growers to bring your favorite apple varieties fresh to our stores!   Remarkably Fresh. Incredibly Local. That’s the power of Midwest Roots.   [...] Read more...
August 31, 2023Midwest Roots Local is Fresher. Fresher is Better. Check out out Midwest Roots series, featuring Stoney Brook Farms, located in Foley, MN. Stoney Brook Farms Foley, MN Fresh local produce and the World’s Largest Corn Maze!   Established in 2005, Stoney Brook Farms is located in Foley, MN and grows nearly 700 acres in vegetables each season. “We grow asparagus, snap peas, green beans, sweet corn, broccoli, squash and pumpkins, and more to come in the near future!” – Brad Chmielewski, Manager.   Pumpkins? Yes please! Stoney Brook picks around 200,000 pumpkins each year. They have mini’s, pie, small, medium and large pumpkins, as well as ornamental pumpkins. “We start our pumpkins around the 15th of May to ensure there are pumpkins starting around Labor Day. We know they’re ready when they have a nice orange color (no green!), and a firm, well-attached stem to grab on to.” – Brad Chmielewski   In 2022, Stoney Brook Farms hosted the World’s Largest Corn Maze and they invite the public to come out the farm to see what they have going on again in 2023. Learn more information at Stoneybrookfarms.com.   Remarkably Fresh. Incredibly Local. That’s the power of Midwest Roots.   [...] Read more...
August 31, 2023Midwest Roots Local is Fresher. Fresher is Better. Check out out Midwest Roots series, featuring the Novak’s Grown Right Vegetables, located in Foley, MN. Novak’s Grown Right Vegetables Foley, MN “We are a family business and every day I am privileged to work with my nieces, nephews, sisters and brothers! In 2013, we were recognized as a Century Farm at the Benton County Fair.” – Greg Novak, Owner, Novak’s Grown Right Vegetables   Have you ever had kohlrabi? Novak planted over 44,000 kohlrabi plants this past spring! From planting to harvest, kohlrabi takes around 90 days to mature. Although you can look at the size, the taste test is Greg’s favorite way to ensure the Kohlrabi is ready to go: “We don’t want the kohlrabi to be woody, so we make sure to get the best seeds. The kohlrabi need a good amount of water, so if it doesn’t rain, we will irrigate them under the plastic.” The Novak family’s favorite way to enjoy kohlrabi is raw, cut with a crinkle cutter because “they seem to taste even better than way!” At Novak’s Grown Right Vegetables, they start a lot of vegetable plants in the greenhouse. “Most of our kohlrabi is started in the greenhouse in the spring so that we can get a jump on the weather. Some of our other veggies are started outside, like zucchini. Within our high tunnels, we grow a lot of tomatoes and peppers. Kohlrabi are all outside. Zucchini, cucumbers, dill are outside also.” – Greg Novak Greg and his family farm 50 acres of vegetables with a team of 14 employees.   Remarkably Fresh. Incredibly Local. That’s the power of Midwest Roots.   [...] Read more...
May 1, 2023A Registered Dietitian’s Guide to Salads I’m such a big fan of salads! And not the boring iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, and shaved carrot types of salads. I’m talking about big, heaping salads full of whole grains, proteins, vegetables, and fruits. Honestly, nothing’s off limits when it comes to salad! They say that the eyes eat first, and that’s one of the amazing things about salads. They’re fun, colorful, and often seasonal – and that creates an exciting eating experience. However, it’s not always easy to find salad recipes that are delicious, nutritious, and filling. So, I bring you a Registered Dietitian’s Guide to Salads! Step 1: Choose Your Protein Adding protein to your salads is hugely important. Have you ever eaten a salad that consisted of only vegetables and thought to yourself, wow I’m still hungry? That’s because your salad lacked protein. Protein is a key piece of any snack or meal because it leaves you feeling full and satisfied. Not to mention the delicious flavors that proteins like beef or salmon add to salads! Here are a few of my favorite salad protein options: Salmon – Love those Omega-3s! Chicken – Skinless chicken breast or chicken tenders are SO simple to have on hand to toss in your salad. Beef – Look for 90% or more lean ground beef or choose lean cuts like tenderloin. Pork – Choose lean cuts like pork chops or tenderloin. Beans – My favorite meatless protein option! RD Tip: Does a salad look delicious, but lack the protein to be filling? Don’t be afraid to add protein! Cook up chicken breasts or grill a steak to bring that protein boost. Step 2: Choose Your Dressing Choosing a salad dressing can be challenging, especially when you’re shopping with your health in mind. Pre-made salad dressings often contain high amounts of added sugar, saturated fat, and sodium, so always check the nutrition label. A general rule of thumb when you’re reading the nutrition label on salad dressings is to look for options that contain: <6g sugar <2.5g saturated fat <200mg sodium Or simply look for our blue Dietitian’s Choice logo on the shelf tag to feel confident that you’re reaching for the better for you option! Step 3: Add Some Grains! Whole grains not only add texture, but they also hold a ton of amazing salad dressing flavor. And as if that wasn’t enough reason to add whole grains to your salads, there’s benefits to your body as well! Adding whole grains like quinoa, farro, barley, and brown rice to your salad ensures that you leave the meal feeling full and satisfied. Not to mention the heart and gut benefits of increasing the fiber in your diet! Step 4: AAALLLL Your Favorite Vegetables & Fruits Again, nothing is off limits. Start with the fruits and vegetables that you know and love, but don’t be afraid to experiment. Try to make your plate as colorful as possible, using various produce items. Different colors are associated with different antioxidants and vitamins, so have fun eating the rainbow of colors! — Is your mouth watering yet? Get inspired with some of my favorite salad recipes: Wild Alaska Pollock Panzanella Salad Steak Salad with Creamy Balsamic Dressing Strawberry and Spinach Salad Bright Spring Salad Pear Barley Salad Happy Eating! Jess, Registered Dietitian MPPD, RDN, LD Don’t miss out! Catch up on all the latest blogs from our Dietitian Team. [...] Read more...
April 1, 2023How To Eat For Your Health And The Planet’s Health The snow is (hopefully) melting this month as we look forward to greener views. And the prospect of green grass happens to coincide with the same month we think about going green to celebrate Earth Day! As a Registered Dietitian, I share a lot about how food impacts your physical health and even mental health. But another perspective to consider is how the food we eat impacts the Earth’s health! Our planet provides the food we eat and the way we harvest that food makes a difference in the resiliency of our food systems. So, learning how to eat for your health and the planet’s health is a great way to celebrate Earth Day this month! What’s the difference between sustainable agriculture and regenerative agriculture? Many of us are familiar with the term sustainable and how it relates to agriculture. It’s an effort to maintain the Earth as it is, using practices that conserve resources. But what about regenerative? Our team spoke with a representative from MN350 to learn more about what it means for a farmer to utilize regenerative agriculture. Here’s what he said: “ builds on organic farming with minimal soil tillage, emphasizing land stewardship by incorporating cover crops, livestock, and diverse crop rotations.” In summary, regenerative agriculture not only maintains the health of the soil, but it improves, or regenerates, it. Which is pretty cool! If you want to add regeneratively produced food items to your cart, look for Regenerative Organic Certified, USDA Organic, or Fair Trade Certified labels. Here’s a couple of our Dietitian Team’s favorite regeneratively produced products! Simple Mills This brand believes that food has the power to transform people’s health and our planet’s health. And you can clearly see this belief in how they source ingredients, empower farmers to embrace regenerative techniques, and inspire other brands to do the same. I encourage you to check out their seed flour crackers – some of the sunflower used in the crackers comes from Minnesota! Thousand Hills Beef This beef is lifetime grazed and 100% grass fed. Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed beef utilizes regenerative agriculture to support biological diversity, natural resources, native wildlife habitat, and soil fertility. How do they support all of these amazing results? Their cattle graze in one area before moving to another and this technique prevents overgrazing the land to manage both watershed and soil health. Grab the 92% lean ground beef option to maximize the nutrition AND sustainability of your beef. — Shopping regenerative and sustainable products like these is a great way to support our local producers of fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and more. Find your favorite products and enjoy them all year round to do your part in improving our planet’s health! Happy Eating! Jess, Registered Dietitian MPPD, RDN, LD This blog was written in partnership with MN350. Don’t miss out! Catch up on all the latest blogs from our Dietitian Team. [...] Read more...