Plant of the Month (December) : California Scrub Oak – Quercus berberidifolia

California scrub oak (Quercus berberidifolia): Mother Nature's Garden of Health,Gardena, CaliforniaLimitedgardening space requires thoughtful plant choices.  Good plants for smaller gardens combinebeauty, usefulness and habitat value; what we like to think of as ‘value added’plants.  Some of the best evergreen habitat plants are the native live oaks.They are also...

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Holiday Treats

‘Tis the season for goodies galore! While we are enjoying the joy and warmth of the holidays with loved ones, it’s easy to get filled up on sugary sweets and high-fat treats. You can get in the holiday spirit and make healthy choices at the same time. Try out some of these tasty ideas below.Add fruit, like berries, bananas, or a cherry, to some ice cream - that you make yourself!...

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Meal Planning Made Easy

We all want a meal planning system that makes delicious meals that are quick and easy! There is no perfect way to plan, so be sure to find a process that works best for you. Here are some tips on how to get started:Plan it outMake your own menu. Take a blank monthly or weekly calendar and spend 10-20 minutes planning meals and snacks for each day. Planning things out will...

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Beans, Beans, Beans

Did you know that you can use beans in a lot of ways besides chili? Have you stayed away from dried beans because you didn’t know how to prepare them? Dried beans can be an affordable way to eat healthier. They can be cooked in a slow cooker to save time. For more ideas on how to cook different types of beans from scratch, check out this Eat Smart Blog.Kidney beans, pinto...

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Family Fitness Ideas

 Fitness should be a part of everyone’s life in order to stay healthy.There are many benefits to being active.Reduce risk of different diseases like heart disease and diabetesControl weightStrengthen muscles and bonesImprove mood Staying fit can be hard, especially when you aren’t motivated. One way to make fitness easier is to do it with the people around you, like...

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Healthy Snacks at Home

Why Healthy Snacks?Do you find your child fills up on sugary treats between meals? Try giving them healthier snacks to munch on instead. These snacks have valuable nutrients for healthy growth. Helping your children snack well can promote lifelong health and prevent chronic disease. Nutritious Nibbles Some good choices include dried or sliced fruit and raw or steamed vegetables....

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Beyond Kidney Beans

With fall weather here and school in full swing, you and your family may be looking for quick, budget friendly meals that’s still a crowd pleaser. Fall weather also means delicious soups, warm casseroles, and hearty chili.A perfect ingredient for these fall recipes are kidney beans! This red, kidney-shaped bean can be purchased canned or dried and is a pantry staple for fall...

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Meatless Meals with Beans

Dinnertime is around the corner, and you are looking in your pantry to see what to fix. How about trying something new tonight, a meatless meal with beans!Beans are a great addition to any weeknight meal. With their unique flavor and texture, beans can replace meat in multiple meals. Especially if you want to save money on your weekly meals! Beans contain nutrients like iron,...

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One Pan Wonders

Sometimes cooking dinner for your family means lots of dirty bowls, pans, and pots, plus time spent washing all of those dishes. But it doesn’t always have to be that way! Below we have gathered some ideas and recipes that strive to only use one pot or pan, hopefully saving you time to instead spend with your family. We’ve divided up the recipes by the type of dish used: Baking...

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Squash – a – Rama!

 Winter squash is plentiful and affordable this time of the year.  Many roadside farm stands offer a colorful assortment. Some are used as pretty decorations, while others are edible and nutritious.  Inside, a vivid orange or yellow flesh lets us know they are high in vitamin A. Fall and winter squash also benefit from having a much longer shelf life than most...

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Help Your Child Celebrate National School Lunch Week!

October 15 marks the start of a week-long celebration of the national school lunch program. The National School Lunch Program, which serves over 30 million lunches to school-aged children every day, ensures that students receive a nutritious meal. School lunches offer fruits, vegetables, whole-grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy for students to enjoy!National School Lunch...

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Fall Produce Picks

Fall brings cooler temperatures and shorter days, but great produce at the farmers’ markets!  Fall is a popular time to visit local farms and farmers’ markets for the “perfect pumpkin” but there are so many other great fruits and vegetables to choose from too.  Stop by your local farm or farmers’ market this week and try one of these fall produce favorites!BroccoliBroccoli...

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Plant of the Month (October) : Laurel Sumac – Malosma laurina

Laurel sumac (Malosma laurina): Mother Nature's Pollinator Garden SouthernCalifornia is home to an array of remarkable native shrubs. Many are moredrought-tolerant than the non-natives commonly used in local landscapes.  In addition, the natives have interesting anduseful attributes that make them welcome additions to the garden.  One such shrub – if one has...

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