Balance Magazine March Highlights

This month’s Hy-Vee Balance magazine will help you spring into gear with helpful tips to get fit, eat right, and be healthy. Serena Williams, “The Queen of the Court” is featured in this month’s magazine. Serena answers several questions regarding her career as an athlete and motherhood, and also gives some helpful tips related to nutrition and how you can have a healthy lifestyle too. Throughout this balance magazine you will find several recipes, workouts, nutritional information and much more! Continue reading for more highlights from this month’s Balance magazine. You can also pick up a free copy next time you are shopping at Hy-Vee!

Cooking 101: How to Sauté (P.17-18).

Want to know the secret behind successful sautéing? This article gives helpful tips as well as step-by-step instructions on how to sauté the right way. The secret behind successful sautéing is to use medium-high heat and a small amount of oil or fat. Preheat first, then add the ingredients you plan to sauté. Sautéing is a simple and healthy way to incorporate more veggies into your diet! Read this article for step-by-step instructions or watch the video at youtube.com/Hy-Vee.

Serena Williams (P. 30-37)

“The best thing about life is that every day is an opportunity to work on yourself, to dream a new dream and think bigger… To laugh, smile, and experience more... To love the world around you a little longer than just the day before.” – Serena Williams

Want to know how this four-time Olympic athlete maintains a healthy lifestyle with her busy schedule? Read this article for a Q&A about Serena’s lifestyle, career, motherhood, and the importance of nutrition in her life.  Get an inside look at how she starts her day, her favorite hobby outside of tennis, and tips for readers regarding healthy eating!

Lifted: Moves for Functional Lifting (P. 38)

Are you new to working out, or just wanting to incorporate functional lifting into your workout routine? Read this article for an in-depth look at the big three: dead lift, bench press, and squats. Not only does this article give instructions and tips on how to complete these exercises, there are also several pictures showing the three movements. Quick and easy body-weight exercises are also included in this article, try these next time you’re at the gym or even for your at-home workout!

Home Gym Essentials (P. 42-23)

Not a fan of working out at the gym? Cut the hassle and high cost of using a professional gym and try these at-home workout ideas! Kettlebells, jump ropes and medicine balls are some of the few at home gym essentials listed. How much and how often should you work out? The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days per week. Start your 30-minute workout with a 5-10-minute warmup to prevent injury!

The Jet Set (P. 46-49)

Planning a trip soon? Read this article first for some great tips to save you time and money! Whether you’re traveling alone, with a few friends, or your family, efficiently packing ahead of time is the only way to fly. Not sure what to pack in your carry-on or checked luggage? This article is here to help by breaking down exactly what you should have in each bag while flying as well as the items most frequently purchased at the airport.

Pumping Iron (P. 52-55)

Read this article for everything you need to know about iron. The importance of iron in the diet, iron-rich foods, iron-fortified foods, iron supplements, and daily iron needs are all discussed throughout this article. Not sure if you’re getting enough iron in your diet? Learn how to get tested by your doctors as well as symptoms of too little or too much iron. Ask your nutrition experts, Amanda or Melissa, if you have further questions regarding iron!

Sprouted Grain (P. 108)

Slightly sprouted grains have some big health benefits. Not only are they a complete protein, but they are also filled with vitamins and minerals, fiber, and are easy to digest. Read this article to find out all of the health benefits these grains offer!

Seeds 101 (P. 112) 

This article is a the ultimate guide to seeds. From chia, to pomegrante, to pumpkin, seeds are packed with a nutritious punch and good flavor! Read this article for a list of some of the most popular seeds, their health benefits, and how to incorporate them into your diet.

Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms (P. 78)

Total Time: 30 minutes | Serves 6

All you need:

2 (10-oz) pkg. Hy-Vee Signature large portabella mushroom caps (6)

2 Tbsp. Hy-Vee sSelect olive oil, divided

Hy-Vee salt and black pepper, to taste

1 (15-oz.) can Hy-Vee no-salt-added garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

2 cups peeled and chopped sweet potatoes

1 cup chopped zucchini

1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped

4-oz. Hy-Vee Pepper Jack cheese, shredded (1 cup)

 ¼ cup tahini

2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

¼ cup water

All you do:

1. Gather ingredients.

2. Preheat oven to 400° F and line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper; set aside. 

3. Wipe portabella mushrooms clean; scrape out the gills and remove the stems.

4. Place mushrooms, cap sides down, on prepared baking pan. Drizzle 1 Tbsp. oil. Roast in oven for 5 minutes.

5. Remove mushrooms from oven when done. Season with salt and pepper, set aside. Drain the garbanzo beans and chop the zuchinni, yellow pepper and red pepper.            

6. Sweet Potato: peel, cut off the ends, slice into slices, cut into strips, dice into cubes.

7. Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in large skillet over medium heat. 

8. Add garbanzo beans and sweet potatoes; cook for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

9. Stir in zucchini and red and yellow bell pepper. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

10. Spoon sweet potato mixture onto each mushroom. 

11. Top each mushroom with cheese. 

12. Roast cheese-topped mushrooms for 5 minutes more or (until cheese is melted). While cheese is melting, whisk together tahini and lemon juuice; whisk in water until smooth. Serve with mushrooms on the side and enjoy!

Until next time,

-West Lakes Hy-Vee Dietitians