Enjoy Some Arizona Wine During the Holidays!

Posted on December 4, 2023 by Fill Your Plate

By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

 

What better time to pop open a bottle of wine than during the holidays?  Rather than just opening any bottle of wine from the store, consider really impressing your guests with some wine produced right here in Arizona with locally grown grapes!

Golden Rule Vineyard Wine

Photo: Golden Rule Vineyards

While wine grapes might not be the first crop that comes to mind when you think about Arizona agriculture, our state does produce its fair share of grapes which are used to make lots of different kinds of wines! And, to top it off, some of our Arizona-produced wines are also award-winning wines! A few of the wines that we produce here in the state include varieties of Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Merlot.

Most Arizona wine grapes are grown in the Southern part of Arizona, with wineries found mainly in Willcox and Sonoita. This area has a climate and soil comparable to that of California and Argentina, and the grapes grown in this region make up about three-quarters of all Arizona grapes. But Southern Arizona isn’t the only area that produces wine grapes. Central and Northern Arizona also produce wine grapes as well, but in a climate that favors Mediterranean wine regions. You can find wineries in Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Jerome, Cornville, Camp Verde, and Sedona.

Fill Your Plate has a list of many of the wineries located here in Arizona! Check them out here!

Interested in reading more about Arizona wine? Take a look at these past articles from Fill Your Plate!

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A Closer Look at Plant-Based Food Options

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Fill Your Plate

By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

When you look around at the grocery store shelves or even at menus at a local restaurant, there are becoming more and more plant-based alternatives for many different foods. These plant-based options are often marketed as being healthier, and some might actually be a little bit healthier. But these alternatives are also a great hiding place for extra added ingredients that might not be so good for you. Below are some popular plant-based alternative foods and what to watch for when choosing these products.

 

Plant-based creamers

Nutritionist Josephine Connolly-Schoonen says that plant-based creamers made from oats, almonds, coconuts, and more are relatively equal to regular half-and-half in terms of calorie and fat content. However, many plant-based creamers have added sugars, whereas half-and-half is naturally sugar-free.

Grain-free products

Grain-free products such as tortillas, chips, cereal, and granola may seem like they’re healthier, but unless you’re adhering to a diet that restricts grain intake such as paleo, there is no reason to avoid whole grains. Registered dietician Amy Keating says that including whole grains in your diet is great for reducing your risk of heart disease, cancer, and more. So while there is nothing unhealthy about grain-free products, there isn’t anything exceptionally healthy about them either.

Alternative pasta and rice

Depending on what it is made from, pasta and rice alternatives can actually be significantly healthier than their regular counterparts. Heart of palm pasta and cauliflower rice are drastically lower in carbs and higher in fiber than traditional pasta or rice. Chickpea rice and pasta aren’t necessarily lower in carbs, but it does provide a greater amount of protein and fiber. Connolly-Schoonen just advises that you pay attention to the amount of sodium contained in these products.

Plant-based meat products

Plant-based meat products are often made with pea or soy protein isolates, which just means that the protein has been extracted, so it isn’t the same as eating either of the two vegetables in their natural state. Besides being highly processed, Keating says that plant-based meats are full of added sodium and are not necessarily healthy for you.

Just because a product says that it is plant-based or grain-free doesn’t guarantee its healthfulness. Just like any other food that we buy, it is important to look at the label and pay attention to the ingredients and nutrition facts, because while it might seem healthier on the surface, that might not actually be the case.

For more health-related articles, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!

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Add More Fish to Your Diet!

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Fill Your Plate

By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

Growing up, my absolute least favorite food in the whole world was fish. I thought fish were super cool to look at, but when it came to eating them, I thought they were stinky, had a weird texture, and a funky taste. The only kind of fish I could tolerate was popcorn shrimp completely slathered in ranch dressing, as the taste and texture was pretty well masked. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to love eating fish, as well as all of the great nutrients that it provides!

According to registered dietician Daphne Olivier, fish is so nutritious, that we should be consuming it at least twice a week. Both fish and shellfish are low in fat and high in protein, but shellfish is slightly higher in cholesterol. Oily fish such as salmon or tuna are also an amazing source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are hard to get from other foods. Omega-3s are great for reducing inflammation, as well as balancing out other fats.

Looking for some good fish recipes to try? Check out these from Fill Your Plate!

For more food and health articles, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!

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Understanding “Best By” Dates to Avoid Food Waste

Posted on November 27, 2023 by Fill Your Plate

By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

Whenever we buy a food product, there is usually a “Best By” date somewhere on the package. Often, we see this date and think that the product is all of a sudden spoiled after that date passes. But is that really the case?

Food Labels

Make sure you understand these commonly used terms on food labels (photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com)

According to the Food and Drug Administration, consumers misunderstanding these dates is responsible for about 20% of all food waste.

Here are some quick tips and facts from the FDA about these dates.

  • Except for infant formula, a date that indicates quality is not required by federal law.
  • These “Best By” dates are meant to indicate how long the product will be at its peak of freshness and quality, not when it will be spoiled.
  • The best way to tell if a product is truly expired or not is to assess its smell, taste, texture, and consistency. If there is a change in one of these, then the product probably shouldn’t be consumed.
  • If you have any questions or concerns, many companies put their contact information on the back of the package as well and are available to answer your questions.

So, when your milk is one day past the date, don’t worry, it is probably still completely fine to use! If it “smells bad and looks chunky,” then that is a different story! Just remember that the “Best By” dates are there for reference, not as a cut-off for how long a product can be used!

For more food articles, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!

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Leftovers after the Holidays

Posted on November 24, 2023 by Fill Your Plate

By Julie Murphree, Arizona Farm Bureau Strategic Communications Director

One of my favorite holidays has come and gone. But, even though Thanksgiving 2023 is in the history books, the best way to extend the celebration is to have leftovers!

One of my best friends and I have made a tradition of coming over to each other’s home and warming up leftovers from our families’ Thanksgiving Day event. Warming up Thanksgiving leftovers the day after is often even more yummy. And sharing the family stories adds so much more to the gathering.

And, Fill Your Plate features several articles on the best ways to maximize your leftovers after the big holiday.

Ultimately, gathering again to enjoy your leftovers is simply another great way to stay connected and eat good food.

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