Elementary Chef

Here’s good information (and a terrific recipe!) from the cranberry industry!

Do you know anyone who’s a Type-A personality? A multi-tasking, go-getter? Well, if fruit could take personality tests, the cranberry would turn out to be Type-A. There’s a lot of good stuff in these little red gems. But the antioxidants deserve some special attention.

Cranberries have a wide array of antioxidants, but one kind that is unique to cranberries is proanthocyanidins. This type of flavonoid antioxidant keeps certain bacteria from adhering to the walls of your bladder, helping you maintain a healthy urinary tract. In fact, research suggests daily consumption of cranberry juice cocktail can help maintain urinary tract health.

Fruits and vegetables, which supply fiber and essential vitamins and minerals, are important for good health and in reducing the risk to certain chronic diseases, including heart disease. So, when trying to meet the daily recommendations for fruit intake, don’t forget about the cranberry. The cranberry’s one-two punch of anti-adhesion and antioxidants means that doing good things for your health can be easy and delicious.

You can include cranberries throughout the day whether you enjoy fresh cranberries, dried cranberries, cranberry juice, or cranberry sauce. Try these simple tips:

– Start your day with a cup of 100 percent cranberry juice blend. According the latest Agricultural Research Service Report from the USDA, one cup of 100 percent cranberry juice blend has more naturally occurring antioxidants than one cup of orange juice or apple juice.

– Toss dried cranberries on your salad, or mix them in chicken salad for a sweet twist on a lunchtime sandwich.

– Create a satisfying afternoon snack by combining dried cranberries and your favorite nuts and seeds.

– Add cranberries to whole grain rice pilaf - you get added color and flavor!

Power Lunch Pita Pockets

Trade your routine sandwich for a cranberry-studded tuna pocket that everyone in the family will enjoy. Swap canned chicken for tuna if desired.

Makes: 3 sandwiches

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

1 large (12-ounce) can tuna packed in water, drained, flaked

3 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 cup chopped lettuce

1/2 cup grated low-fat cheddar cheese

1/2 cup grated carrot

3 whole wheat pita bread pockets

Mix tuna and mayonnaise in a medium bowl until well combined. Mix in the remaining ingredients, except the pita bread. Cut each piece of pita bread in half, carefully open the pocket and spoon the mixture in.

For more information on cranberries, visit http://www.uscranberries.com.

If you’re looking for a quick dinner idea, Jackie had a burst of feta-loaded brilliance here!