NORTH
KINGSTOWN, R.I.: It’s summertime in the Northeast,
which means that it’s time for cookouts, beachside getaways, and pool parties.
Whether you’re relaxing in a hammock or hosting an outdoor gathering,
making delicious and healthy meals and sides doesn’t mean you need to break the
bank.To showcase this, on Saturday, July 26, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Ocean State Job Lot will host a free Summer Cooking Demonstration at its Westerly, R.I. store (20 Post Road) for customers to learn how to prepare two appetizing, nutritious summer dishes.
Each ranging from $.18 to $.36 per
serving and features inexpensive food items that are available at Job Lot
stores and part of a well-balanced diet. Shoppers can sample both finished
products. The recipes, along with informative and humorous videos, are also
available online.
Job Lot, a leading regional closeout retailer with 113 stores throughout six
New England states, New York, and New Jersey, is continuing its partnership
with The University of Rhode Island and the federal SNAP-Ed nutrition education
program to develop a variety of healthy, delicious and low-cost recipes. The
campaign is appropriately titled “Fancy, Frugal, & Fit.” “A well balanced diet doesn’t have to be neglected when it comes to summertime,” states Heidi Hetzler, MS, RD, LDN, nutrition educator at The University of Rhode Island (Providence Campus) and a registered dietitian who coordinates the SNAP-Ed nutrition education program helping families, individuals and seniors eat better for less.
She recently rooted through the Job Lot shelves for the best food deals to make summer dishes and found Bob’s Red Mill grains, extra virgin olive oil, and kitchen spices among other ingredients to make a lemon garlic hummus and Mediterranean summer salad.
At the upcoming Summer Cooking Demo, Ms. Hetzler will prepare samples of the dishes, discuss the nutrition content and benefits of healthy eating, and demonstrate how easy it is to make these recipes. Representatives of the URI Master Gardeners Association will also be on-hand to discuss the benefits of growing your own vegetables and take questions on gardening and the environment. The public is invited to attend and there is no charge.
Following are Ms. Hetzler’s low-cost, nutritious “fancy, frugal, and fit” recipes for entertaining this summer, which can each be made for under $3.00:
Lemon Garlic Hummus – a savory blend of garbanzo beans (chick peas), garlic, salt, olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. Hummus is an excellent dip for vegetables or whole grain pita bread. Makes eight servings for just $1.40 total.
Mediterranean Summer Salad -- a delicious mixture of ancient grains, lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, parsley, and fresh or canned vegetables. A nutritious dish by itself, or perfect paired with grilled fish or chicken. Makes eight servings for only $2.88 total.
To view these complete “fancy, frugal and fit” recipes (in English and Spanish) as well as videos of Ms. Hetzler shopping at Job Lot and discussing the latest recipes at a local greenhouse, visit Job Lot’s YouTube <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOD6tHgrFTCdGVtsIOm3jbQ> channel, and follow Job Lot on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/OceanStateJobLot> and Twitter <http://www.twitter.com/OSJobLot> for food deals and coupons.
For suggestions on managing your food budget, yummy low-cost recipes, and nutrition advice, visit http://cels.uri.edu/nfs/snaped or call 1-877-FOOD-URI.