recipes
Make Nutrition the Focus of School Day Meals
Last Updated on September 1, 2025 by Daily News Staff

Make Nutrition the Focus of School Day Meals
(Family Features) When planning for school days, “quick and easy meals” may be the first goals on your list, but as any busy parent knows, nutrition is also a top priority. The best meal choices for back-to-school season balance convenience with wholesome ingredients to help kids stay fueled and focused all day long. If you’re looking for a nutritious, quick recipe to help your family make it through the morning this Pumpkin Pie Kefir Smoothie will be your go-to this fall. Made with Maple Hill’s Vanilla Kefir, it’s a wholesome and tasty way to serve up 100% grass-fed, organic dairy that’s free from GMOs, hormones and antibiotics. At dinner time, turn to practical and satisfying solutions like grilled chicken paired with Greek yogurt and pesto, which lets you savor those delicious flavors of grilled fare with a better-for-you marinade that takes chicken to the next level. For a well-rounded meal, serve with whole-wheat pasta and sun-dried tomatoes. Staples like Maple Hill’s 100% grass-fed organic dairy – rich in nutrients, free from GMOs, hormones, and antibiotics – make it easier to build meals that check all the boxes: convenient, nourishing and delicious. Plus, each product comes from farms that prioritize regenerative practices as nature intended. Consider this: 100% grass-fed organic dairy provides a 50% healthier ratio of omega 3:6 and 40% higher levels of CLA fatty acids compared to traditional organic dairy so you can always feel good about what you’re feeding your family. To find more information about 100% grass-fed organic dairy and recipes fit for family nutrition throughout the school year, visit MapleHill.com.
Pumpkin Pie Kefir Smoothie
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 1 cup Maple Hill Creamery Vanilla Kefir, plus additional for serving
- 20 grams unflavored collagen peptides
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 cup ice
- ground cinnamon, to taste
- In high-speed blender, blend banana, pumpkin puree, 1 cup vanilla kefir, collagen peptides, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice and ice until smooth.
- In glass, add drizzle of additional vanilla kefir then layer smoothie on top. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon, to taste.
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Food and Beverage
Stop the Sniffles with Sick Day Soup

(Feature Impact) Coughs and sniffles don’t have to derail you for long – not with a fresh, homemade stockpot full of Sick Day Chicken Noodle Soup. Loaded with rotisserie chicken, celery and carrots, it’s sure to warm you from the inside-out as a warm, comforting meal. Plus, with eight servings, this dish can help solve dinnertime dilemmas throughout the week by storing leftovers in the refrigerator and reheating on the stove.
Warm up your winter meals with more comforting ideas available at Culinary.net.

Sick Day Chicken Noodle Soup
Recipe adapted from Tastes Better from Scratch
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8
- 1/2 tablespoon butter
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 3-4 large carrots, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 10 cups chicken stock or broth
- 1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- chicken bouillon cubes (optional)
- 4 cups dry egg noodles
- 3 cups cooked rotisserie chicken
- In large stockpot over medium-high heat, saute butter, celery and carrots 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Add chicken stock or broth and season with rosemary, thyme and crushed red pepper. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Taste and add chicken bouillon cubes, if desired, for flavor.
- Bring to boil. Add noodles and cook until al dente. Remove from heat once noodles are tender.
- Add chicken. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
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recipes
A Medley of Garden Veggies
Last Updated on February 15, 2026 by Daily News Staff

A Medley of Garden Veggies
(Family Features) If your garden is overflowing, look no further than Thyme-Roasted Garden Veggies as a mouthwatering fall side dish. Zucchini, squash, tomato and carrot collide in this shareable dish that’s perfect for autumn get-togethers. Find main dishes to pair with these delicious roasted vegetables by visiting Culinary.net.
Thyme-Roasted Garden Veggies
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy” Servings: 4-6- 2 zucchinis
- 2 yellow squashes
- 2 tomatoes
- 2 carrots
- avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons thyme
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Heat oven or grill to 425 F.
- Cut zucchinis, squashes, tomatoes and carrots into bite-sized pieces. Place on lined baking sheet. Drizzle with avocado oil. Sprinkle with thyme and garlic then season with salt and pepper, to taste. Top with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake or grill 30 minutes until fork tender.
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
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Food and Beverage
Hearty Ways to Warm Up Winter
During cold winter days, cozy up with comforting dishes like Pumpkin Chili and Pumpkin Mac n’ Cheese, utilizing Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin for added warmth and nutrition. These recipes are quick to prepare and offer delicious flavors, perfect for family meals. Discover more comforting options at greengiantvegetables.com.

(Family Features) Coming inside from a cold day calls for moments spent under a blanket, around a warm fire and curled up with a hot bowl of delicious, comforting food. From chili to pasta, your winter menu is sure to feature filling dishes that warm you and your loved ones from the inside out.
For example, you can beat the chill with Pumpkin Chili, which uses Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin for a thicker, creamier texture and subtly sweet, earthy flavor. Plus, it comes together in around 30 minutes as an easy solution for busy weeknights or weekend fun.
Switch up pasta night with Pumpkin Mac n’ Cheese for a rich, velvety texture that features cheddar and gruyere cheeses, but you can substitute other favorites like Monterey Jack, fontina or gouda. The extra creamy texture and flavor from cream cheese means you can save time without making a traditional cream sauce using flour for added convenience.
These hearty, filling recipes feature delicious, nutritious and high-quality Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin that adds warmth to the menu all year long mixed into baked goods, morning smoothies and more. With special care and premium quality in mind, the non-GMO pumpkin grown in the USA without preservatives can be your new go-to.
To find more ways to warm up this winter, visit greengiantvegetables.com.

Pumpkin Chili
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 23 minutes
Servings: 4
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin
- 1 can (15 ounces) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- In Dutch oven over medium heat, heat oil. Add bell pepper and onion. Saute 5 minutes.
- Add ground turkey and separate with spatula. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in chili powder, paprika, cumin and garlic powder.
- Add broth, tomatoes and pumpkin. Bring to boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer 10 minutes. Add kidney beans and simmer 3 minutes.
- Ladle into bowls and serve hot.

Pumpkin Mac n’ Cheese
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 26 minutes
Servings: 10
- 1 1/2 pounds shell pasta
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped sage
- 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 1/2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 1/2 cups freshly grated gruyere cheese
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta when al dente, about 8 minutes.
- In large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, heat butter. Add garlic and sage; saute 1-2 minutes, until garlic is lightly browned. Add cream cheese and pumpkin. Heat until cream cheese is melted and stir to combine.
- Gradually stir in milk, cheddar and gruyere. Stir in Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Heat until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy, about 3 minutes.
- Fold in cooked pasta.
SOURCE:
Green Giant
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