Tag Archives: health

Healthy Halloween Treats

Celebrate with These Healthy Halloween Pineapple Recipes!

On a holiday where candy reigns supreme, it may be strange to hear the words “healthy” and “Halloween” used together. While your little ones may be set on reaping the benefits of an evening spent trick or treating, this doesn’t mean that you can’t add a bit of nutrition to the holiday. Juicy, fresh pineapple can add a healthy twist to your mini monsters’ cuisine this Halloween and with it’s sweet flavor, they’ll swear it’s just as good as candy! With just a little bit of innovation, you are bound to trick your little monsters into loving these healthy treats. Check out some of our favorite healthy Halloween pineapple recipes below.

Candy Corn Granola Bars

healthy Halloween pineapple recipes

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups rolled oats

• 1 cup sunflower seeds

• 1/3 cup honey

• pinch of salt

• ¼ cup chopped fresh dried Chestnut Hill Farms pineapple

• ¼ cup chopped dried apricots

• ½ cup whole-milk plain yogurt

Directions: 

1. Our first step is to prep the dried pineapple. Slice your pineapple into chunks, and place onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Set your oven to 225°F and bake each side of the pineapple chunks until dried, about 25-30 minutes on each side. 

2. Preheat your oven to 400°F. 

3. Spread oats and sunflower seeds on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until fragrant, 5 to 8 minutes.

4. Coat a 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray. Cook honey in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, without stirring, until large foamy bubbles form, 2 to 4 minutes. (The bubbles will start out small and increase to about ¾ inch or larger when the honey is done.)

5. Immediately pour the toasted oat mixture and salt into the honey; stir until completely coated. Quickly press the granola into the prepared pan using a heat-resistant spatula coated with cooking spray. Top the granola with a circle of pineapple pieces in the center of the pan and then create a ring of apricot pieces around it, stopping about 2 inches from the edge. Gently press the dried fruit into the granola. Let cool for 30 minutes. Cut into 8 wedges and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the wedges on the pan and spoon 1 tablespoon yogurt onto the bottom third of each wedge. Place in the freezer until the yogurt hardens, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

Candy Corn Fruit Cocktail

healthy Halloween pineapple recipes

Ingredients:

• Chestnut Hill Farms pineapple, cut into bite-sized chunks

• Oranges, cut into bite-sized chunks

• Whipped cream

• Candy corn

Directions: 

1. In a clear glass, layer pineapple, then oranges and top with whipped cream and a couple pieces of candy corn. Serve right away or refrigerate until ready to serve. It’s as easy as that!

Candy Corn Popsicles 

healthy Halloween pineapple recipes

Ingredients:

•  1/4 cup cream of coconut

• 3/4 cup coconut water

• 1 cup pineapple juice from fresh Chestnut Hill Farms Pineapple

• 1 cup mango juice

• red food coloring

Directions:

1. Combine the cream of coconut and coconut water in a measuring cup. Pour into 10 3-ounce or 8 4-ounce ice-pop molds, dividing evenly.

2. Freeze until set, at least 2 hours.

3. Mix the mango juice with 1 drop of red food coloring in a measuring cup. Pour on top of the coconut mixture, dividing evenly. Insert the ice-pop sticks, pushing gently into the coconut mixture. Freeze until firm, at least 2 hours.

4. Pour the fresh pineapple juice on top of the mango, dividing evenly. Freeze until firm, at least 2 hours and up to 4 days.

Want more fun ways to use pineapple during the holidays? Learn how to make your own pineapple jack-o-lantern here!

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Stand Tall and Wear a Crown for Back to School

Back to School Pineapple Advice

A pineapple is everything that you want to be on your first day back to school: they stand tall, wear fabulous crowns, and are sweet on the inside! With the new year quickly approaching, it’s normal to feel a little anxious about the big first day back to school. With new classes, new friends, new teachers and new challenges…it can be a lot to handle. To lend a hand, we have compiled some back to school tips as perfect as our pineapples!

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Fun Snacks for Back 2 School!

A Simple, Refreshing Smoothie Recipe for Back to School

With back to school right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking healthy snacks and lunches for the kids! Unfortunately, a new school year can also mean new germs that your children will be exposed to in the classroom, in the lunchroom, on the playground and more.

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Tips for a Pineapple Party This 4th of July

How to Throw a Perfect Pineapple Bash

Celebrate sweet summertime with the perfect pineapple party this 4th of July! Although our tasty pineapples are available year round, peak pineapple season is during the summertime months, from March to July. Here are some delicious and exciting ways to incorporate our pineapples in your Independence Day celebrations.

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Pineapple Coconut Yogurt Pops

An Easy, Sweet Summertime Treat!

Beat the heat this summer with this creamy, fruity, tropical treat! These Pineapple Coconut Yogurt Pops are perfect for an afternoon snack in the sun.

Pineapple Coconut Yogurt Pops

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup Chestnut Hill Farms Pineapple

• 1 cup canned light coconut milk

• 2 (5.3 oz) containers non-fat pineapple yogurt

• 3/4 tsp. coconut extract

• 1 tbsp. sugar

To create this sweet summertime treat, combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and insert popsicle sticks. Freeze overnight and enjoy!

Don’t believe us that something so tasty could be so healthy? Check out some more pineapple health facts here.

 

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Combat Colds with a Delicious Pineapple Dessert

Tis the season of springtime. Changing weather and pollen abounds, challenging our senses to combat colds and seasonal allergies. Enjoy a healthy dessert option that will help you fight off what may be drifting in the late winter meets early spring air.

pineapple (more…)

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5 Amazing Pineapple Health Facts for Benefits All Year Long

Did you know Chestnut Hill Farms pineapple is in season all year long, including winter?

Pineapple may be a tropical treat, however this delicious superfood from Chestnut Hill Farms is actually in-season and ready-to-eat all year round – including winter! Pineapple is an excellent source of immune-boosting goodness to keep colds at bay.

Check out the video below for 5 pineapple health facts you may not be as familiar with. (i.e., did you know pineapple can reduce eye fatigue? Rest your eyes on that!)

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Make Your Own Pineapple Candy Corn

Traditional candy corn is so 2013. Enjoy a sweet, healthy alternative to condensed sugar this Halloween utilizing fresh, delicious pineapple. Create your own snackable fruit pops, or layer your candy corn creation in a cup and grab on the go.

Halloween Candy

Candy Corn Fruit Pops

Ingredients:

Chestnut Hill Farms Pineapple, sliced
Cantaloupe
1 Banana
Lollipop Sticks

Directions:

Cut pieces from the pineapple slices. Then cut the cantaloupe to fit on top. Do the same with the banana so the shape looks like a candy corn. Push in the stick to hold together. Slice up the rest of the fruit & place it in a bowl. Push the candy corn pops in fruit to stand up.

Original recipe from Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons.

 

Healthy Halloween Snack Candy Corn Fruit Cocktail

Ingredients:

Chestnut Hill Farms Pineapple, cut into bite size-pieces
Orange slices
Candy Corn
Whipped cream

Directions:

In a clear glass, layer pineapple, then oranges and top with whipped cream and a couple pieces of candy corn. Serve right away or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Original recipe from Family Fresh Meals

Enjoy!

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2016: The Year of the Pineapple

The New Year is almost upon us!

Many of us have prepared for 2016 by drafting new year’s resolutions. And you know what? I agree with the tradition. There really is something magically inspiring and motivating about resolutions! In fact, down here on the farm, we have a few “new beginning” traditions and customs that we follow on December 31st.

Among them are some fun ones such as crossing the neighborhood street with a suitcase in hand to ensure travelling in the coming year. Or sweeping the entire house to sway away past evils. Many people here in Costa Rica even make it a point to ring in midnight with yellow underwear for good luck in the months ahead.

Maybe these customs aren’t exactly your cup of tea, but there is one thing you can’t deny: Taking steps to better yourself is always a smart thing! Among your own resolutions, we’re pretty certain that “eating better” or “making healthier choices” is on your list. And that’s terrific!

So, alright then. In 2016, introduce more fresh produce to your diet! We’re partial of course, but pineapple will really be a great addition to your fruit basket this year. As the year continues, check Lloyd’s Corner for more reasons on how this star food can help you. (Can’t wait? Check out a few health posts from 2015 here, here and here.)

Without further ado, from our family to yours:

pineapplemintgoldHAPPYNEWYEAR

Image Created by Sisters, What!

Cheers!

Dr. Lloyd

 

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Vitamin C: Pineapples Say A Mouthful

It’s pretty well known that Vitamin C is an essential nutrient. Some might even argue that Vitamin C is the “power-house vitamin.” Doing everything from serving as an antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage to boosting the immune system, Vitamin C is vital in building human tissue and repairing it.

Pineapples are a great source of Vitamin C! Due to their high Vitamin C content, pineapples can positively assist a plethora of bodily functions. (Here’s some to name a few).

In today’s post, we wanted to focus specifically on how pineapple consumption can benefit oral health. That’s right. Your tongue knows what’s good for it!

Aside from its delicious taste, this lip-smacking fruit’s Vitamin C contribution can even reduce your risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease. Vitamin C also increases the body’s ability to fight invading bacteria that contribute to such oral diseases, especially gum disease.

Does it replace going to the dentist? You wish. Of course not! But with a toothbrush, floss and –surprisingly– a few slices of pineapple a day, your mouth will be thanking you!

Dr. Lloyd Berg  

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