Tag Archives: holidays

Pears Pair Well with the Holidays!

Amy Kweller MS, RD By on

Happy holidays and happy National Pear Month! The USDA touts December as National Pear Month because the greatest varieties of pears are available right now, and the holidays wouldn’t be as joyous without these succulent and versatile treasures! The northwest United States is home to ten varieties of pears, thus recipes and ideas abound for the holidays. Why not make your holiday table healthier and happier with pears? Pears lend a festive flair to any dish, and since they’re a healthful fruit, they add nutrients and fiber that keep you feeling full while you’re shopping or tempted by the sweets table at holiday parties. One of my favorite dishes to serve for the holidays or bring to gatherings is poached pears, particularly the delicious and tender red wine poached pears with mascarpone and candied almonds. The addition of mascarpone and Continue reading →

White Sangria with Pear and Cranberry

Hilary By on

The holidays are officially upon us! While I love to indulge in a little egg nog, mulled wine, or a hot buttered rum this time of year, sometimes I find myself wishing there were some lighter cocktail options available. I created this festive white sangria with just that issue in mind. My sangria is both beautiful and seasonally appropriate thanks to the addition of a simple cranberry syrup and colorful red and green pears. If you’ve never used pear brandy in a cocktail before, prepare to fall in love! It has an incredible concentrated pear flavor and is a great addition to many different cocktails. I recommend Clear Creek Distillery’s version, which is made exclusively with Oregon grown pears. This is the perfect drink to hand your guests as they arrive at your holiday gathering. Consider pairing this cocktail with Continue reading →

Thanks-Living

Amy Kweller MS, RD By on

The holidays are here, possibly the happiest and unhealthiest time of year. On Thanksgiving when we’re giving thanks and celebrating friends and family, we seem to put health last. Start a new tradition and make health a priority this year! Why not start the holiday with a Turkey Trot or family fun run/walk in your neighborhood? And eat breakfast, even though you may plan to eat a large meal later. Studies show that exercise and breakfast keep us from eating too much throughout the day. For breakfast try fiber and protein-rich foods to keep you satisfied, maybe a veggie omelet with a side of fruit. And, for the big meal, keep two or three of your family’s favorite traditional holiday foods and scrap the least favorites for fresh veggies and fruit salad. Research from the Cornell Food and Brand Lab Continue reading →

Crunchy Vegetable Salad with Pears and Creamy Cheddar Dressing

Hilary By on

Here is a a beautiful and fresh take on a classic salad combination: fruit, nuts, and cheese. Toasted hazelnuts are the perfect match for sweet, ripe pears, and finely grated vintage cheddar cheese adds plenty of interest to the classic buttermilk dressing. Serve this salad as a unique accompaniment to any winter holiday meal. The crisp, fresh winter vegetables will make a perfect partner to a Thanksgiving turkey or any other roasted meat and the pears are a healthy and colorful addition. Ingredients Salad 1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped 1 small head radicchio, chopped 3 stalks celery, thinly sliced on a diagonal 2 USA Pears, such as Anjou or Bartlett, cored and sliced ⅓ cup toasted and chopped hazelnuts Dressing 5 tablespoons mayonnaise ¾ cup buttermilk ¾ cup finely grated vintage sharp cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons chopped chives ½ teaspoon Continue reading →

Happy Mother’s Day with USA Pears

Brittany By on

It’s time to honor Mom this weekend (although I should already be doing that every day, she tells me), and I have some fresh gift ideas: Edible Arrangements! Now Featuring Pears! (Although adorably tiny Seckels aren’t in season right now, you could add a small Green Anjou or two – or create your own custom bouquet from scratch!) If you can’t find small pears (or don’t want to make a gargantuan arrangement to accommodate the regular-sized ones), here’s an alternative: chocolate-dipped fruit, including artfully dipped pear slices to eliminate browning worries. And a third, lovely idea: a table centerpiece for your Mother’s Day brunch. More decor ideas here. Cheers to Moms everywhere! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn

A Pear of Hearts

Amy Kweller MS, RD By on

Not only is today Valentine’s Day, but February is American Heart Month. Unfortunately, heart disease is the leading killer of both men and women, despite being preventable (CDC). Today, some of my culinary nutrition students presented current research on cardiovascular disease prevention with a focus on increasing antioxidants in the diet. Antioxidants, such as flavonoids and carotenoids, are naturally occurring nutrients in plant foods that prevent damage to the body’s cells; this damage, called oxidation, is a primary cause of most chronic illnesses, including heart disease. To protect your heart and the hearts of those you love, the recipe for success is simple: Eat more fruits and vegetables! Brightly colored fruits and vegetables offer the strongest oxidation fighters, and also contain heart-healthy vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Want to make your valentine’s day and still indulge? Pair dark chocolate (flavonoids) and Continue reading →

Year of the Snake

Lynsey By on

Chinese New Year is upon us once again, and the Year of the Snake is sure to be extra-exciting for USA Pears – which, for the first time, will be available in China! We’re very excited to introduce USA Pears in Chinese supermarkets. The first Green and Red Anjou pears are currently on a ship en route over the Pacific. To celebrate the holiday – which takes place on February 10 this year – in China as well as other Southeast Asian countries like Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, we’re setting up special pear displays in the produce section. Shoppers can receive USA Pear festive gift boxes and red envelopes to symbolize good luck and prosperity for the New Year. Red Anjou is particularly popular in Asia thanks to its unique and auspicious color.  So this variety is a great choice for Continue reading →

Merry and Light?

Amy Kweller MS, RD By on

I have been counseling one of my culinary students for weight loss; she has been successful and is very determined to lose weight through the holidays. Although I know she can, it’s important for each of us to relax and take care of ourselves in every way at this time of year. Generally I suggest that the holidays are a good time to maintain weight, rather than lose. Many of us experience increased stress, more social events, limited exercise schedules, and an abundance of treat foods! Although weight loss is possible, why not focus on exercise, eating well, and allowing some holiday enjoyment?  After the New Year, set healthy goals and go for it! Having a healthy relationship with food and outlook on the holidays is important, as is enjoying yourself and your social calendar. Here are some tips for Continue reading →

Happy Whole-idays!

Amy Kweller MS, RD By on

The holidays are here and it’s National Pear Month! There are so many fresh, delicious pear varieties available right now, why not pick up a few new varieties? I’m encouraging my family to practice Healthy Wholidays this year, an effort to use more whole fruits and vegetables through the holidays. The idea is simple; start with fresh, whole fruits and vegetables at meals and when cooking or baking. Not only will whole foods provide fiber, water, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, but using fresh limits processed foods and added sugar, salt, and preservatives. (I’m also thinking that it will end in more delicious, wholesome foods everyone will love for years to come!) The fresh produce this time of year is delicious! One of my favorite dishes to bring to holiday parties is my homemade fruit salad. It’s simple: Cut fresh pears Continue reading →

Giving Thanks

Amy Kweller MS, RD By on

This year I’m thankful for my strength. I had a turbulent year, including major surgery and a lengthy recovery period, immobility, and a decrease in lean muscle mass and subsequent increase in fat mass. I wrestled with a negative body image during these changes, a nasty side effect of living in an obese body during the majority of my earlier life. But there was a silver lining! Immobility allowed me to reflect on how I crave feeling strong and healthy, and it inspired me to set my goals even higher than before. I am getting back on my feet with drive and a positive attitude! My body and mood continue to improve every day, and I’m so thankful. Like everyone else, I struggle during the holidays – with weight, stress, exhaustion. Instead of sliding off the wagon, I’m going to Continue reading →