Along with robin spottings, longer days and sunlight tell the tale. We are in that great season of renewal, spring. So what does that mean to your lifestyle? What are the rituals of spring you remember or still follow?

• Go light…meals are likely to become a bit lighter.
• Yes, the slow cooker is still a way to combine value and time but it’s time to fire up the grill and think salads.
• Shop for the seasonal specials.
• Asparagus, Vidalia onions, rhubarb and spring greens are “in.” Combine the rhubarb with strawberries for a great dessert. Spring greens are a base for main dish salads. And the sweetness of Vidalia onions makes a great addition to a corn and bean salad.
• Renew your kitchen.
• Spring cleaning should begin with checking the dates spring on the staples in your refrigerator and pantry. While you are at it, when was the last time you replaced your spices and herbs? The general rule: one to two years (or if it was a wedding gift and you have been married more than two years, it’s time to renew)! Check out the bathroom and the dates on your health and beauty items too! Value is more than dollars, it is getting the expected benefits. Outdated products are unlikely to give you the results you expect and may even be unsafe.
• Celebrate Earth Day …April 22 is Earth Day.
  • For starters, recycle your plastic bags (Giant Eagle^® has bins to help you); invest in some reusable and thermal bags, try some earth-friendly cleaning products and learn more about composting!
• Lighten your cooking load
• Reintroduce cooking once and serve it twice mode. As you are tempted to spend more time outdoors, staying inside to cook becomes more tedious. So try some of these spring meal ideas:
• Recycle yesterday’s chicken dinner into a chicken and cheese quesadilla with a corn and bean salad.
• Repurpose yesterday’s ham slice by serving breakfast for dinner with a ham, pepper and Vidalia onion omelet.
• Go meatless with a pot of lentils and vegetables served as a main dish today and make into a soup for tomorrow.
• Invest in some of the great fish deals for a grilled fish meal today and a fish taco tomorrow.

Add a salad, fruit and crusty bread (preferably some whole grain choices) and you have meals that are a time, cost and nutrition value.

Have a question for Judy about this article or need some other meal and snack solutions to meet your budget? Send her an e-mail at nutrition@GiantEagle.com.

April 2010