MMMM. Blueberries are a perfect way to wake up!

I’ve recently gotten into CrossFit and it is an AWESOME program – even the general soreness, aches and pains! It has been awhile since I have felt this in shape! When working out as hard as the CrossFit program demands, eating better is a must, so I’m always looking for ways to combine flavor with quality nutrients. I was looking for something aside from the standard protein shake, raw eggs or steak cooked rare, something else that would fill me up with healthy ingredients. I wanted something that would give me protein, while also curbing my sweet tooth – for a little while anyway. What better than a yogurt shake?! It’s like a milkshake, but healthy!! Dynamite! With this realization, I went about making a few variations. I hope they inspire you to try something new with your Tillamook Light Yogurt!

One positive about these shakes is that they take very few ingredients. The items here made ALL of the shakes listed below!

Raspberry Shake
This is my favorite shake of the three. Combining Tillamook Light Raspberry Yogurt with even more real raspberries, a banana and a little bit of orange juice makes for a very natural tasting and healthy treat! If you like tart flavors or raspberries and citrus, this is your shake to start the day!

2 cups crushed ice
¼ – ½ cup fresh raspberries
½ of a banana
¼ cup orange juice
6 ounces Tillamook Light Raspberry Yogurt

Peach Shake
It’s summer – well, kind of – and that means peaches are running rampant around Oregon. To capture this window of time, how about eating some peaches and cream the healthy way?! The great thing about this shake is that it is like peaches and cream without the calories of the cream – where do I sign?!

2 cups crushed ice
1 whole peach
¼ – ½ cup milk (I used 1%)
6 ounces Tillamook Light Peach Yogurt

Vanilla Blueberry Shake
Vanilla. Good. Blueberry. Good. Shake. GREAT! Blueberries, a crop close to my heart since the age of 12 when I started picking them for gainful employment, are not only a good source of income but also antioxidants. Healthy squared. Sounds yummy to me! The flavor is calm, but luscious. The flavor is not overpowering but it tastes like it has ice cream in it. If you like that flavor, but not the calories, this is the solution!

2 cups crushed ice
¼ – ½ fresh blueberries
¼ – ½ cup milk
6 ounces Tillamook Light Vanilla Bean Yogurt

I know you are all better chefs than I am, so what is your favorite thing to mix with Tillamook Light Yogurt?

By Matt

Another great perk of Tillamook Yogurt based snacks: the cups sit perfectly in standard car cup holders!

As the school year kicks into high gear, so do fall sports.  From football to soccer, volleyball to cross country, kids have traded in their summer camp t-shirts and lazy afternoons at the pool for practice, practice, practice. As carpool duty takes on the added task of afternoon canteen for the kids between classes and cleats, it’s time to delve into the nutrition facts behind pre-practice snacks.

Healthy, well-balanced meals and snacks are the key to getting the nutrients needed to fuel the body to perform best during sports. Before practice, it’s important for your young athlete to get a dose of calcium and protein. Calcium is crucial for building strong bones. Strong bones resist breaking and stress fractures, keeping your kids out of casts and out of pain. Protein helps build and repair muscles, and also gives a natural energy boost. Dairy products are rich in both calcium and protein, and make for a good pre-practice or pre-game snack.

Fruit and whole grains are a great addition to dairy. Most fruit is chock full of nutrients and water, while whole grains are rich in fiber and will keep tummies fuller for longer. Here are some portable after-school snack ideas to help your Tillakid stay on the ball during practice.

- Whole grain crackers with slices of cheese

- Yogurt with apple slices to dip

- Yogurt with a granola bar to dip

- Apple slices and cheese cubes

- Yogurt fruit smoothie

By Amalya

I have great news — cheese is good for your teeth! Like I really need another reason to eat cheese. But this bit of info definitely doesn’t hurt the argument that cheese has a well deserved place in your daily diet. So, to celebrate National Dental Month, here are some facts about cheese and your teeth that should create a smile big enough to flash all of your pearly whites:

• Cheese is high in calcium, one of the most important ingredients for building strong teeth!

• Cheese is low in lactose, a form of sugar, which can harm teeth.

• Cheese contains proteins, like casein, that act as a buffer against bacteria (often found in sugary foods) that causes decay.

• Cheese can help kick-start saliva flow, which helps prevent the growth of plaque bacteria, thus protecting tooth enamel. Saliva flow, stimulated by cheeses such as aged cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack, help clear your mouth of food particles, contributing to a clean mouth!

• Certain cheeses have been shown to help prevent cavities forming when eaten as a snack or after meals.

• And…cheese (especially low-fat cheese) is healthy for your body, making it healthy for your mouth!

So enjoy your favorite Tillamook Cheese and know that you’re eating something that makes you, your body, and your teeth…happy!

Sources:
http://www.organicfacts.net
http://consumer.healthday.com
http://www.ada.org
http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org

By Loafy