Tips and Recipes

Winter Squash Varieties 

Butternut and Pumpkin typically get all the attention when it comes to winter squash but there are other tasty seasonal varieties. No matter which variety you choose, they are all healthy and hearty options to enjoy this time of year. 

All varieties of winter squash are fat-free and cholesterol-free. They also contain fiber and other vitamins and minerals. These varieties of squash can last for several months if stored properly. Make sure to store your whole squash in a cool and dry space. Avoid storing the vegetables in a space with direct sunlight. 

Winter squash are full of seeds – don’t throw them out! These make a great protein snack. They contain fiber and fat but mostly healthy fats. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast them for about 10 minutes at 300˚ F. Try tossing them in some spices to add some extra flavor!

Check out MyPlate for more recipes: 

Quick Guacamole

Brussels Sprout Salad

This warm autumn salad is a power-house meal that boasts a nutty crunch from the chickpeas and a fruity sweetness from the dried cranberries. The avocado finishes this dish with a creamy heft. 

Makes 3-4 servings

Ingredients: 

• 2 lbs brussels sprouts, halved 
• ¼ cup olive oil 
• ¼ cup lemon juice 
• 1 can low-sodium chickpeas, drained 
• ¼ cup craisins 
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 avocado, sliced 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 1 teaspoon black pepper 

Directions: 

1. In a stockpot, boil water on high heat.  

2. Add the brussels sprout and boil for three minutes. Drain and set aside.  

3. In a large bowl, whisk to combine the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. 

4. Add the chickpeas, cranberries, and spinach to the oil mixture.

5. Add the brussels sprout then fold in the avocadoes. Add salt and pepper to taste. 

8 Ways to Play Tag

Tag is a great game that gets kids running and their hearts pumping, but it can get boring quickly. Here are eight ways to make the classic game of tag more fun for kids and keep them playing for hours!

Classic Tag: In its basic form, the game of tag has one person who is “it”. Everyone else wants to avoid being tagged by the person who is “it”. When someone is tagged, that person becomes the new “it” and the game continues. 

1 – Shadow Tag

A low contact option that is great for little kids. In shadow tag, the person who is “it” jumps onto another player’s shadow to tag them. The tagged player becomes the new “it”.

2 – Freeze Tag

Freeze tag also starts with one person as “it”. When a player is tagged, instead of becoming the new “it”, that person stands still with their legs wide apart. Another player must crawl through the frozen player’s legs without getting tagged to unfreeze them. The game ends when all players are frozen. (To help the game go faster, consider having more than one person who is “it”.)

3 – Freeze Tag + Candle Tag

In this game of freeze tag, players who are tagged must put their hands together above their head and slowly lower their hands, like a melting candle. To be unfrozen, another player must “blow out the candle” by blowing on or tapping the frozen player’s hands. If a candle melts all the way to the ground (if the frozen player’s hands reach the ground before they can be unfrozen) that player becomes the new “it”.

4 – Freeze Tag + Robot Tag 

One player is “it” and another has the “oil can” (a spray bottle filled with water). The player with the “oil can” cannot be tagged. When a player is tagged, they must freeze and do robot movements until the player with the “oil can” unfreezes them by spraying them with water. The player who was just unfrozen takes over the “oil can”. This version doesn’t have a clear ending, so feel free to make up your own rule for when the game is over!

5 – Sharks and Minnows

This game requires a “start” and a “finish” line. One person is “it” and plays the shark. All the other players are the minnows and line up along the starting line. When the shark shouts “Go!” all the players try to run across the field to the finish line without being tagged. Anyone who is tagged stops running and becomes “seaweed”. They cannot move their feet, but they can wave their arms to try and tag more minnows in the next round. The last minnow alive wins and becomes the new shark.

6 – Blob Tag (or Link Tag)

This game is best with a large group. One person starts as “it”. When they tag someone, the tagged player joins arms with the person who is “it” to form a chain (or a blob). As people are added to the chain, they must work together to tag the remaining players. The last player to be tagged is the winner.

7 – Bandaid Tag

In band-aid tag, all players can tag and be tagged. Once a player is tagged, they must put one hand on the spot they were touched, like a bandaid. If they are tagged again, they must make another bandaid with their second hand and keep running. If someone with two bandaids is tagged a third time, they must visit the “hospital”–someplace out of bounds where they cannot be tagged again. Players in the “hospital” can either be out until only one player is left and the game restarts, or they can do an exercise (for example, 10 jumping jacks) to rejoin the game.

8 – Flag Tag

Flag tag is another great low-contact version of the game. Similar to band-aid tag, everyone can tag and be tagged. Each player gets a flag to tuck into their waistband or pocket (this could be a handkerchief, bandana, hand towel, or any other strip of fabric you have on hand). Make sure everyone leaves about the same amount of fabric hanging out to keep things fair. Instead of touching the other players to tag them, kids should grab the other players’ flags. Once their flag is taken, they are out. The player with the most flags at the end of the game is the winner.

Hearty Pasta Salad

Here’s a pasta salad that’s guaranteed to please and go the distance. Adding some of the fall’s hearty veggies will beef this dish when tossed with a tasty pasta. The addition of fresh basil in this naturally creamy pasta adds perfume and depth.

Serves 8-10

Ingredients:

• 1 pound box of whole wheat pasta (ziti or penne), uncooked
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound of white button mushrooms, quartered
• 1 small head purple cabbage, chopped  
• 1 cup fresh basil
• 1 cup parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 teaspoons salt (plus more for boiling)
• Water for boiling 

Directions

1. In a large stockpot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. 
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet. 
3. Add the garlic to the pan and saute for one minute. 
4. Add the mushrooms, cabbage, and salt to the pan and allow them to cook for about five to seven minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Reserve one cup of the pasta water. Then drain the pasta and set aside.
6. Add the pasta to the skillet and stir to combine. 
7. Add the pasta water, black pepper, and red pepper flakes and simmer for thirty seconds.
8. Add the basil and the parmesan cheese. Serve warm.