The days of abundant vegetable gardens and outdoor farmers’ markets may have come to an end, but that’s no excuse to stop eating healthy! In fact, there are many flavors that reach their peak after the season’s first frost! ’Tis the season for kale, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, winter squash, and citrus fruits shipped in from warmer climes. We asked several registered dietitian nutritionists to share their top tips for food shopping and meal prepping during the winter season. Focus on In-Season Produce While winter produce may seem less enticing than the bounty of summer, there are still plenty of seasonal goodies to be found in the produce department. Wendy Kaplan, MS, RDN, CDN says, “Even though there’s less fresh produce around, try to buy and eat seasonally. Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, collard greens and root vegetables are delicious, healthy options. Roast them with herbs and spices, sauté them with beans, throw them into soup, and more.” Carrie Gabriel, MS, RDN echoes that sentiment. She says, “Focus on what is season, including butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and onions, and hone your batch cooking skills. Roast a large tray of vegetables with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper, and add the leftovers to salads for lunch the next day or reheat them and combine with cooked quinoa for a hearty side dish.” You can use your Thermomix® to make the most of seasonal winter vegetables. Swap in seasonal veggies on this Roasted Vegetable Pizza, or try this Roasted Cauliflower and Kale Soup featuring two of winter’s star veggies. Stock Up on Canned and Frozen Produce There’s nothing wrong with turning to canned tomatoes or frozen berries when the fresh ones in the market look less than stellar. Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD, says “Stock up on canned and frozen fruits and vegetables to make quick meals and snacks. My kitchen cabinets are packed with different types of canned beans, tomatoes, pumpkin, pineapple, and pears. I also keep frozen peas and corn on hand, and wild blueberries, cherries, and peaches in the freezer for smoothies and healthier desserts.” This delicious Vegetarian Chili made in your Thermomix® makes the use of canned beans and tomatoes for a hearty winter meal. Warm Up With Soup When it’s too cold to eat salad, get your daily servings of veggies in with soup! Diane Norwood, MS, RD, CDE, says “Hearty soups are my favorite winter food. They are all-in-one balanced meals and quick to get on the table, even during the week. Plus, you can make a big batch to reheat or freeze for leftovers.” Thermomix® makes making soups easy with vegetable soups you can get on the table in less than 30 minutes, such as Butternut Squash and Apple Soup, Creamy Mushroom Soup, and Creamy Tomato Soup. Cook Once, Eat Twice Sarah Anzlovar, MS, RDN, LDN says, “I’m all about the cook once, eat twice (or more!) strategy, and winter foods lend themselves well to this, because they tend to store well and freeze well. Cook up a soup, stew, or oatmeal on a Sunday, and have it for the week or freeze leftovers for later on. Double or triple a recipe for larger families, because it’s not really double the work and you’ll thank yourself later!” Try whipping up a big batch of Oatmeal or Apple and Pear Hot Cereal in your Thermomix® for a warming breakfast you can eat all week. Want to see how Thermomix® can help you make healthy, delicious meals like the ones in this article?  Click here to book a demo!

School’s in session, and that means sluggish starts to the day as your kids try to hold on to what’s left of their summer vacation. But putting a spring in their step and getting them ready to learn can be as simple as picking the right protein-rich meals and snacks! A trick to turning mornings from mayhem to manageable is meal planning. The Thermomix® makes this a snap by allowing you to browse recipes, and drop your favorites in a calendar to plan out the week. It can even organize and e-mail you shopping lists, so you can keep track of everything you need. Then, when you’re ready to cook, the recipe is right at your fingertips. It’s like having your own personal assistant keeping a close eye on everything. Now, only if you could get it to do the laundry! For energy and alertness, you’ll want to reach for breakfast foods that stimulate the brain. According to NPR, a better breakfast can boost a child’s brain power. So steer clear of sugary cereals, pastries and pancakes. Better to save those for Saturday morning treats. It’s always tempting to just grab a Pop Tart or muffin to save time, but that could lead to your kids hitting a wall by lunch, and feeling lethargic for the rest of the day. Instead, center your meals around the following stimulating foods to sustain your kids from homeroom to last period. Read on for a roundup of recipes, and check out this Back To School Breakfast downloadable primer on how to get started with invigorating breakfasts, fun snacks, and healthy homemade meals that will boost your family’s energy and your free time. Breakfast Brain Boosters Eggs The vitamin choline in eggs helps our bodies produce more memory cells. It’s also a great source of protein, and will curb hunger till lunchtime. Try this simple soft scrambled egg recipe that cooks up perfectly fluffy eggs, virtually hands free, in under 10 minutes using your Thermomix®. Oatmeal The healthy fiber in oatmeal will keep your kids full and satisfied so they can focus on schoolwork. But avoid instant packs, which are loaded with sugar and artificial flavors. Opt for toppings like fresh berries, honey, or a sprinkle of cinnamon for sweetness. Homemade oatmeal is a cinch using the Thermomix®, and can be stored in pre-portioned containers for busy mornings when you need something to just grab and go. Yogurt Yogurt is the MVP of nutrition, as it’s loaded with calcium, protein and the amino acid Tyrosine, which improves memory and alertness. Pop quiz in Math? Your kids will have it covered. Also, according to Dr. Sears, yogurt can help boost the immune system, which is a welcome bonus amidst the bevy of germs your children are exposed to every day. Pick up some kid-friendly yogurt cups and call it a day. You can also blend yogurt with fresh fruits and nuts into a smoothie for a mega shot of protein that will last till the final school bell rings. Berries Blueberries and strawberries in particular are high in vital antioxidants to aid in brain function. They’re also a quick and easy option for hectic mornings. Pop them in the Thermomix® to whip up an eye-opening smoothie bowl, or mix them into oatmeal or yogurt for a double boost of brain benefits. Whole Wheat Toast Whole wheat bread is an excellent source of fiber and folate, which helps manufacture memory cells. Serve it with mashed avocado for fats that fuel the brain. Spread on some peanut butter to add heart healthy fats and protein. Or, if you can get your kids to eat chia seeds, which are frothed with omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, iron and calcium, a teaspoon of them atop fresh strawberries and ricotta will kick their morning routine up a notch. Snacks For Sustenance And Health As the mid-day meltdowns kick in, you can keep your kids operating at maximum capacity with some simple snacks they can nosh on to curtail the groans of “When’s dinner?”  Here they are. Fruit Roll Ups Instead of store-bought roll ups, high in sugar and often unpronounceable ingredients, you can make a batch at home in a flash with fresh fruit puree using the Thermomix®. This allows you to choose flavors you know your kids will enjoy. Best of all, you can prepare them in advance, so your kids can reach for them all week long. Carrots Carrots are an excellent source of beta-carotene, fiber, vitamin K, potassium and antioxidants, and have also been linked to lowering cholesterol and promoting eye health. But your kids may want something a little more exciting than baby carrot sticks to satisfy their hunger. So, try transforming them into a hummus they can scoop up with pita chips or pretzels. It’s also a great way to sneak in some apple or other veggies disguised as a tasty treat. You can do all this from Thermomix® to table in under 15 minutes. Good job, Mom. Granola Granola is another multi-faceted food chock full of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats to keep kids focused on their homework, while the cooking commences. But stay away from pre-packaged options with chocolate chips and marshmallows that are more like candy bars. A bowl of healthy oats and nuts is the perfect afternoon snack for curbing hunger without feeling full. Store them in plastic cups in the cupboard for easy access, while you keep an eye on dinner. In addition to keeping your kids satisfied from the start of the day through snacktime, the Thermomix® can help you create elaborate menus for every night of the week from a simple salmon dish to palazzo-worthy chicken pizza. Don’t worry. You don’t need a culinary degree to dominate these dishes. Just pop in the ingredients, press and go. The guided touch screen will take it from there, so you can wear one of your many other hats: hero. Want to see first-hand how Thermomix® can save you time, and help you prepare delicious meals for your kids? Book a Thermomix® Cooking Experience today!