Tag Archives: summer

Grilled Pears

Brittany By on

I love summer. Hot nights, bright skies, fresh fruit—it simply beckons me to bring my dinner plate outdoors. Last night, I grilled my entire meal: chicken skewers, asparagus, and Green Anjou pears. The pears were a delicious dessert—a little crisp (I only bought them one day prior), but sweet and slightly charred. I’m an impatient cook, as you can tell—I took a bite out of the pear below before it was finished cooking, but hey, how else was I to know when it was ready? My dining companion loved them drizzled with honey; I could have gone for a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on the side. Next time, I’ll try a fruity white wine (I used pear wine – complex, but a bit too strong for my taste) and plan ahead so my pears are ripe and ready. Continue reading →

Raise a Glass to the Pear!

Brittany By on

With summer upon us, the pear trees in the Northwest are growing heavy with fruit to be harvested when the weather begins to turn cool again. I’m eagerly anticipating the new season’s crop—I can’t wait to sink my teeth into a brilliant red Starkrimson or a sweet, juicy Bartlett. As we’re enjoying the last Green Anjou pears in the market, I thought it would be fun to bring you a few ways you can enjoy Oregon pears when they’re not in season. Hint: In liquid form. Inventive vintners, distillers, and even soda makers across the Pacific Northwest have taken the unique, enticing flavor of the pear to create delicious beverages so you can enjoy pears year-round. Here are a few of my favorites: Hoodsport Pear Wine This wine, made from Washington pears, is light, crisp, and sweet. As the website Continue reading →

A Grand Adventure

Amy Kweller MS, RD By on

Summer is here and for many of us that means hitting the road to adventure. Last weekend I hiked through the beautiful Grand Canyon, no small feat for my first long hike of the summer. Noshing on fresh fruit, nuts, and trail mix from a precipice above the Colorado River was the pinnacle of enjoyment and accomplishment – what a sense of wonder. And thank goodness I brought extra water and snacks for the grueling hike back up the canyon! Whether your summer travel plans include hiking, sun and sand, or 18 holes, staying fueled and hydrated are keys to health, safety, and enjoyment under the sun. Before heading outside, especially on a hot, sunny day, make sure to drink plenty of water and eat a light, balanced meal that includes carbohydrates, fruit or vegetables, protein, and some healthy fats. Continue reading →

Suit Up with Pears

Amy Kweller MS, RD By on

Memorial Day is just around the corner, and that means it’s almost swimsuit season! If the thought of donning stretchy, revealing fabric over your winter body has you running for the hills, don’t fret; slimming down doesn’t have to be difficult or involve extreme measures. Based on the theory of Volumetrics from Barbara Rolls, PhD, we tend to eat the same volume of food from day to day. Humans like to eat; given the choice, most of us will choose to eat more rather than to deprive ourselves. Evolutionarily speaking, this protects the body against the possibility of future starvation. Based on the Volumetrics principles, making simple substitutions that naturally reduce calories without depriving the body can help slim the body. The idea is simple: Fill up on foods that are lower in calories while still eating the same amount Continue reading →