RDtipoftheday Favorites July

Welcome to RDtipoftheday's favorites July edition. This is my blog series that highlights some of the best things I've been watching, reading, listening to, cooking, and eating. These are a few of my favorite things this month.

Eating & Cooking

I have some massive fresh fruit grocery hauls this Summer. So, here's the question we all ask. How long will your produce last? 

For all the bakers, it is more accurate to weigh ingredients. So, here are the weights for common baking ingredients. 

I always think food trends are fun. For me, 2016 is the year of the cooking class. 2015 was the year of Brussels Sprouts. 2014 was the year of the sweet potato. the Here are the top 10 predicted food trends of 2016. Let me know if you've tried any of these foods. in the comments below. Tell me what you're loving. And, let me know what foods you will 'pass' on.

After preparing a yummy meal, I would love eating in this dining room.

 
Reading

I just finished reading Playing with Fire by Bianca Olthoff. It was a great book that I got to read early because of being on the book promotion team. I really enjoy Bianca's speaking style, which was the same as her writing style. This book is a great balance of funny, sharing struggles, personal stories, challenging, and encouraging. My summary of this book is learning more about how God uses your personal struggles to shape you. My favorite quotes from the book are:

"There will be proverbial fires that thrown our lives, moments that make us feel like all hope is gone be nothing can or ever will change. But I want to remind you, the fire that boiled and softens a potato is the same fire that hardens an egg. It's not about our circumstances; it's about what we're made of." page 12

"I was placing all importance not the provisions, not the Provider." page 37

"I spent so much time in the external that the internal was malnourished and withering. Instead of believing I had value and worth heavier I was loved by God, I believed my worth came from being loved by others, and I focused my efforts there." page 41

"As children of the one true God, there is no power, stronghold, or addiction that can overtake us." page 137

*Please Note: As a part of the book promotion team, I was compensated one copy of the book before its official release date.

I'm currently reading Rising Strong by Brene Brown. It was a recommendation to me by a friend. I'll let you know my thoughts soon, so stay tuned.

Watching
Cake decorating technique videos on YouTube. Since I went to a cake decorating class, I learned a few techniques. It gave me more confidence to try new techniques. So, I'm learning through some videos.

This video demonstrates a few different icing techniques including basketweaving, swiss dots, and swag. The chef offers some good tips and techniques.

Encouraging
She Reads Truth phone screens. The screens are available through their app. I love these free screens. I have my phone with me pretty much everywhere I go. I think these phone screens are beautiful, encouraging, and a great way to learn scripture. Enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed these tips, recipes, and all of my favorites from this month. Let me know if this is a feature that you would like me to continue by commenting below. And, let me know if you have something you want to be featured. Thanks! Have a great weekend!

For more recipes, encouragement, and tips for healthy eating, follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. 

If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy:

RDtipoftheday Favorites: June Edition

RDtipoftheday Favorites: May Edition



RDtipoftheday Favorites: April Edition

What's in Season for Fall?

There is a huge trend in food - eating local! The best way to eat local is to eat in season. So, what fruits and vegetables are in season for Fall?

• Acorn Squash
• Asian Pear
• Broccoli
• Brussels Sprouts
• Butter Lettuce
• Butternut Squash
• Cauliflower
• Cranberries
• Date Plum
• Daikon Radish
• Endive
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Grapes
• Hearts of Palm
• Huckleberries
• Jalapeno Peppers
• Jerusalem Artichoke
• Key Limes
• Kumquats
• Muscadine Grapes
• Mushrooms
• Passion Fruit
• Pear
• Persimmons
• Pineapple
• Pomegranate
• Pumpkin
• Radicchio
• Sweet Potatoes
• Swiss Chard
• Turnips

Thank you to More Matters for this seasonal produce list. This month I am highlighting a variety of fruits and vegetables. We will learn about the vitamins and minerals of each fruit and veggie. We'll learn how to pick the best produce and ideas for including more fruits and vegetables into your daily diet.

Here's to a great month!

For more recipes, encouragement, and tips for healthy eating, follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. 

Produce Spotlight: from L-W

This month I am highlighting a variety of fruits and vegetables. We are learning about the vitamins and minerals of each fruit and veggie. We've already learned the A, B, C's of produce. Today, we'll learn more about how to pick the best produce.

Lemons

• Selection: Choose lemons that are firm and heavy for their size. Look for thin, smooth skin.
• Storage: Lemons can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
• Nutrition Benefits: fat free, cholesterol free, and high in vitamin C
• Fun Fact: The color "lemon" was added to the Crayola coloring box in 1949.

Mandarin Oranges aka "cuties"

• Selection: Select mandarin oranges that are heavy for their size. Avoid blemished fruit that has cuts, mold, or soft spots.
• Storage: Refrigerate mandarin oranges up to 2 weeks. They may be stored on the counter for a few days.
• Nutrition Benefits: fat free, a good source of vitamin A, and an excellent source of vitamin C
• Fun Facts: Mandarin oranges are a class of oranges the include Satsumas, Clementine, Honey, and tangerines. The skin of these oranges is easy to peel. There are even seedless varieties!

Peaches

• Selection: Choose peaches that have firm, fuzzy skins. Peaches are ripe when they yield to gentle pressure.
• Storage: Store at room temperature and use within 1-2 days.
• Nutrition Benefits: fat free, cholesterol free, and a good source of vitamin C
• Fun Fact: You can accelerate peach ripening by placing unripe peaches in a paper bag.

Red Potatoes

• Selection: Choose firm, fairly smooth potatoes; avoid potatoes with wrinkles.
• Storage: Store in a cool, dark place that is well-ventilated. Use potatoes within 3-5 weeks.
• Nutrition Benefits: fat free, cholesterol free, and an excellent source of vitamin C.
• Fun Fact: Red potatoes were first cultivated in Peru. They are best for roasting or boiling.

Sweet Potatoes

• Selection: Choose firm, fairly smooth potatoes; avoid potatoes with blemishes, cracks, or soft spots..
• Storage: Store in a cool, dark place. Use potatoes within 3-5 weeks.
• Nutrition Benefits: good source of dietary fiber and potassium and high in of vitamin C.
• Fun Fact: Red potatoes were first cultivated in Peru. They are best for roasting or boiling.

Watermelon

• Selection: Choose a watermelon that is heavy for its size and has yellowish underside.
• Storage: You can store a whole watermelon at room temperature. Refrigerate watermelon in a zip-top bag or airtight container and use within 5 days.
• Nutrition Benefits: fat free, cholesterol free, and high in vitamin A and C.

Stay tuned all month for ideas to include more fruits and vegetables into your diet. For more recipes, encouragement, and tips for healthy eating, follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. 

The A, B, C's of Produce

This month I am highlighting a variety of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables contain  a plethora of micronutrients like vitamins and minerals. There are many health benefits to consuming adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals including promoting good health and disease prevention. Today, we're also learning the A, B, C's of how to pick the best produce.

Apples

• There are a variety of types of apples: Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Gala, the list is almost never-ending. The different varieties of apples have different textures, tartness, and sweetness.
• Selection: The key to picking a good apple is to pick a firm apple and avoid bruises that create mush spots.
• Storage: Refrigerate apples in a plastic storage bag; keep away from strongly-odored foods. 
• Nutrition Benefits: fat-free, cholesterol free, and a good source of dietary fiber

Bananas

• Selection: Choose bananas that are slightly green near the tip and stem. Bananas should be firm; avoid bruises.
• Storage: Bananas continue to ripen at room temperature. You may also store banana in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The skin of the banana may darken.
• Nutrition Benefits: fat-free, cholesterol free, and a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.

Beets

• Selection: Choose beets that have smooth, firm skin. Look for fresh leaves that are not wilted.
• Storage: Remove leaves, but leave about one inch of stem. Store in the refrigerator in a perforated plastic bag. Use within 3 weeks.
• Nutrition Benefits: fat-free, cholesterol free, and an excellent source of folate
• You can eat the beet and the leaves!

Bell Peppers

• Selection: Chose firm, brightly colored bell peppers. Avoid dull or shriveled peppers.
• Storage: Refrigerate in a zip-top plastic bag; use within 5 days.
• Nutrition Benefits: fat-free, cholesterol free, high in vitamin C
• Fun Fact: Pepper, including bell peppers, originated in Central and South America.

Broccoli

• Selection: Choose broccoli with bluish-green florets and tight heads. Choose broccoli that does not have an odor.
• Storage: Store in the refrigerator in a perforated plastic bag. Use within 3-5 days for maximum flavor and freshness.
• Nutrition Benefits: fat-free, cholesterol free, high in folate, and a good source of fiber and potassium.

Blueberries

• Selection: Choose firm, plump blueberries with a dusty blue color. Avoid shriveled or moldy berries.
• Storage: Refrigerate for 10-14 days.
• Nutrition Benefits: low fat and a good source of vitamin C and fiber
• Fun Fact: Early American colonists made grey paint by boiling blueberries in milk!

Cherry Tomatoes

• Selection: Choose tomatoes that are plump and firm with bright, shiny skin. Avoid mold.
• Storage: Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight. 
• Nutrition Benefits: high in vitamin A and C and a good source of potassium

Grapes

• Selection: Choose grapes that are plump and firm. Avoid mold.
• Storage: Grapes can be refrigerated in a plastic bag for up to 1 week.
• Nutrition Benefits: fat-free, cholesterol free, and very low in sodium

Stay tuned for more on picking produce in the remainder of the alphabet. Throughout this month, I will share ideas for including more fruits and vegetables into your daily diet. For more recipes, encouragement, and tips for healthy eating, follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.