Healthy highlights:
Ingredient spotlight: carrots
It looks like Bugs Bunny had it right all along. Carrots are a nutritious and delicious way to support your health! They provide vitamin C and calcium for healthy gums and strong teeth. They’re also rich in beta-carotene, which your body turns into vitamin A — a vital nutrient for vision health.
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May lower cholesterol levels to improve cardiovascular health.
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Contain fiber to support proper digestion.
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Provide antioxidants and vitamin A for healthier skin.
Mouth-friendly recipes:
No one will know this lightly sweet loaf is loaded with extra veggies that are a bonus for your taste buds and your health.
Zucchini carrot bread
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¾ cup shredded carrots
- ¾ cup shredded peeled zucchini
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup orange juice
- Optional: ½ cup walnuts
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350˚F.
- Combine the first 8 ingredients in a bowl.
- Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in small bowl.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the carrot and zucchini mixture, adding orange juice as you go.
- Pour into 2 greased and floured 8x4-inch loaf pans.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes.
- Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy!
Carrot smoothie
A little sweet and a whole lot of healthy, this smoothie is a perfect anytime pick-me-up.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 medium banana
- 1 cup frozen carrots
- 1 cup frozen mango chunks
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (or 1 scoop of protein powder)
Directions:
- Add orange juice, banana, carrots, mango, and the Greek yogurt (or protein powder) to the blender. Note: Add ice if carrots and mango are thawed.
- Blend until smooth.
- That’s it! Serve and enjoy.
