(Feature Impact) Game day is about more than the big plays, touchdown-saving tackles and final score. Whether you’re gathering in the stadium parking lot or hosting friends for an at-home watch party, a memorable experience begins long before kickoff.

Start your pregame festivities with an MVP-worthy spread that’s simple to serve, easy to eat and keeps fans full through the final whistle. For example, the flavor of Buffalo is a game-day staple, but wings aren’t the only way to enjoy it.

For less mess, Buffalo Chicken Caesar and Celery Wraps pair convenience with the cool crunch of Dandy Celery, a year-round superstar ingredient for many of your favorite football-inspired dishes. It’s packed with flavor and low in calories, making it a smart choice for snacking.

The contrasting tastes and textures offer a satisfying bite, whether you slice the wraps into smaller portions for appetizer-style serving or leave them whole for fans with hearty appetites.

Nervous nibblers during the game’s most tense moments may prefer a lighter bite, and that’s where a dependable dip can come through in the clutch. This Buffalo Hummus recipe puts a tailgate-spin on the familiar favorite, combining creamy texture with a little heat.

Serve it alongside crackers, chips or crisp vegetables like Dandy celery dippers, fresh-cut celery sticks that are pre-washed and ready to eat at your convenience – a true time-saver when the clock is ticking.

Design your own winning game plan by finding more tailgating recipes at DudaFresh.com.

Buffalo Chicken Caesar and Celery Wraps

Servings: 4

• 2          cups shredded rotisserie chicken
  
• 1/4       cup Buffalo sauce
  
• 2          cups Dandy romaine hearts, chopped
  
• 1          cup Dandy celery, chopped (about 4 ribs)
  
• 1/3       cup Caesar dressing
  
• 1/4       cup grated Parmesan cheese
  
• 1/2       teaspoon black pepper
  
• 4          large flour tortillas (10 inches)

1. In bowl, toss shredded chicken with Buffalo sauce. Set aside.
2. To make salad: In separate bowl, combine romaine, celery, Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese and black pepper. Mix well.
3. To assemble wraps: Spoon about 1/4 cup Buffalo chicken along center of each tortilla, leaving small border at each end; top with Caesar salad. Fold up bottom of tortilla over filling then fold in sides and roll up tightly. Slice in half diagonally.

Buffalo Hummus

Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 8

• 1          can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  
• 1/4       cup tahini
  
• 1/4       cup Buffalo sauce
  
• 2          tablespoons olive oil
  
• 1/2       lemon, juice only
  
• 2          cloves garlic
  
• 2-3       tablespoons ice water
  
• dairy-free blue cheese, for garnish (optional)
  
• chopped chives, for garnish (optional)
  
• paprika, for garnish (optional)
  
• olive oil, for garnish (optional)
  
•             Dandy Celery Dippers
  
•             pita chips

1. In food processor, puree drained chickpeas, tahini, Buffalo sauce, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Add water through lid until desired consistency is achieved.
2. Spread hummus onto serving plate or bowl. Garnish, if desired, with dairy-free blue cheese, chopped chives, paprika and drizzle of olive oil. Serve with celery dippers and pita chips.

SOURCE:

Duda Farm Fresh Foods

Enjoy Tangy, Spicy Buffalo Chicken with a Superfood Swap

(Feature Impact) When you’re craving a specific comfort food, other flavors just aren’t going to hit the spot the same way. The good news: It only takes one or two simple ingredient changes to satisfy your taste buds while leveling up the nutrition of a meal.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

For instance, if you’re jonesing for the zesty kick of buffalo sauce, your mind might initially go to pizza and wings. This Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweetpotatoes recipe featuring North Carolina Sweetpotatoes invites you to rethink that takeout order and enjoy the same bold, satisfying flavors in a more nutritious way. They’re a little sweet and a little spicy with savory chicken and creamy avocado stuffed jacket-style inside a nutrient-dense baked sweetpotato.

Sweetpotatoes – deliberately spelled as one word to better differentiate this unique root vegetable from traditional potatoes – are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. The American Diabetes Association even calls them a “diabetes superfood,” as they raise blood sugar more slowly than other starchy foods while allowing you to savor some natural sweetness. They’re also a great choice for athletes, thanks to complex carbohydrates that boost energy and nutrients that support endurance and recovery.

Find more ways to level up your favorite flavors at ncsweetpotatoes.com.

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweetpotatoes
Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4

• 4 sweetpotatoes
• 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
• 1 1/2 cups buffalo sauce
• 1 avocado, diced
• 2 tablespoons diced chives

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Place sweetpotatoes on lined baking sheet and use fork to pierce each one for venting. Bake 45 minutes, or until tender.
2. Let sweetpotatoes cool slightly then use knife to gently cut each open lengthwise and crosswise. Use fork to lightly mash inside sweetpotatoes.
3. In large bowl, combine shredded rotisserie chicken with buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
4. Spoon buffalo chicken mixture into each sweetpotato. Top with diced avocado and chives.

SOURCE:

North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission

5 Habits to Boost Immunity During Cold and Flu Season

(Feature Impact) Your immune system is your strongest ally during cold and flu season, working hard to keep you healthy as you start hearing those telltale coughs and sneezes all around. Help your body do its job well by adopting a few simple habits that naturally support its ability to fight off germs or recover faster.

Talk to your healthcare provider for personalized advice then work on making these habits normal in your household.

Get Regular Exercise

Exercise is like a wonder drug that can improve nearly every aspect of health and wellness. Physical activity increases blood flow, reduces long-term inflammation, helps immune cells circulate through the body to guard against invaders and may even flush bacteria out of your lungs and airways. Plan to fit at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise into each week, like a bike ride, brisk walk, yoga class or on-demand video workout.

Eat Foods That Support Immune Health

To keep your immune system fueled, experts recommend eating a varied diet featuring plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and healthy fats like olive oil. Consider adding fresh grapes to your diet to enjoy benefits from their naturally occurring plant compounds.

Protecting the body starts all the way down at the cellular level, and grapes contain powerful polyphenols that support the health and function of cells. Studies indicate certain compounds in grapes, like resveratrol and flavonoids, support immune system function as well as brain, skin, GI and heart health.

These little fruits are easy to add to your diet, whether you enjoy sweet, juicy Grapes from California by the handful or toss them in a blender to make this California Grape Wellness Juice recipe. Support multiple aspects of wellness with the drink’s powerful combination of fruits and vegetables, delivering a variety of immune-boosting vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough water helps clean your lymphatic system, which is responsible for producing special white blood cells that fight germs. It also keeps membranes in your nose and mouth moist, decreasing infection risk. If you struggle to drink enough, eating water-rich foods like grapes also helps you improve hydration.

Practice Good Germ Hygiene

To increase your odds of staying healthy during peak illness season, hearken back to the tried-and-true hygiene advice your parents might have tried to drill into your head as a kid. Regularly wash your hands with warm water and soap, avoid touching your face while out and about, keep your distance from symptomatic people and disinfect commonly used surfaces like doorknobs when someone in the house or office is sick.

Sleep More, Stress Less

Before you start feeling stressed that you aren’t getting enough sleep, rest assured there are easy changes you can make to support your well-being in both areas. Try switching up your nightly routine to be oriented less around screens and more around calming activities that actually help you wind down, like yoga, meditation or reading.

Discover more health information and recipes at GrapesFromCalifornia.com.

California Grape Wellness Juice

Servings: 3 (1 cup each)

• 5          cups black or red Grapes from California
  
• 1/2       cup peeled raw beet slices
  
• 3/4       cup orange juice
  
• 1/4       cup lemon juice
  
• 1          small carrot, peeled and sliced          
  
• 1          piece fresh turmeric (1-inch), peeled and sliced or1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1. In high-speed blender, puree grapes, beet slices, orange juice, lemon juice, carrot and turmeric until smooth.
2. Pour through fine mesh sieve, stirring to extract as much juice as possible, about 3 cups. Stop when mixture starts to get thick. Enjoy immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes: This juice can also be added to iced tea or fizzy water.

Nutritional information per serving: 230 calories; 3 g protein; 58 g carbohydrates; 0.5 g fat (2% calories from fat); 0 g saturated fat (0% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 35 mg sodium; 0 g fiber.

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SOURCE:

California Table Grape Commission