Balancing Act – Power Bowls Bring Great Meals Together

Ellie Wilson, MS, RDN Our Family Mealtimes Matters education campaign, happening all through September during National Family Meals Month ™, is all about Power Bowls. This trend is bringing fmmtogether a lot of different elements – quick meals that reduce prep and clean up time, a great way to use leftovers, (and reduce food waste), and a new way to enjoy more and different whole grains. They work for every meal and snack time, and can be continually reinvented. Some mini-trends have risen inside of the wider movement – specifically, there are themes around some ingredients, like fruit in smoothie bowls, and tahini in vegetarian, or “Buddha” bowls. Unlike foods on a plate, the bowls move ingredients into each other, and make it easy to top with a sauce or dressing. They usually balance produce, protein, whole grains and healthy fats, making them nutrition power bowls as well. Some fun statistics about this trend- the restaurant industry is reporting that meals bowl sales are up about 30%, and tableware companies are reporting sales of bowls themselves up over 17%! You can start out with some favorite ingredients, like pasta or oatmeal, and then start exploring recipes and serving ideas. Check out our FamSpinach smoothie bowl with strawberries, coconut, mango, pumpkin seedsily Mealtimes Matter page for some great ideas with breakfast bowls, rice bowls and a savory oatmeal bowl. Check out our Family Mealtimes Matter Pinterest board for even more fun combinations! We will also be talking about Power Bowls in stores throughout New York State, with our partner nutrition educators from Cornell Cooperative Extension and Eat Smart New York. We are working together to help families eat more meals together, even pledge to have one more meal per week. The educators will be in select stores (check out the list of locations below) this Saturday from 10-2 sharing recipes, handouts, ideas and fun activities. The fun does not have to end there – you can power up your family meals with Power Bowls all year long!
  • # 245 Watervliet, NY
  • # 001 Eastern Parkway, Schenectady, NY
  • # 139  Amsterdam, NY
  • # 195 Gloversville, NY
  • # 181 Market 32 Hudson Valley Plaza, Troy, NY
  • # 045 Market 32 Delaware Ave, Albany, NY
  • # 175 Altamont Ave, Schenectady, NY
  • # 133 Westgate, Albany, NY
  • # 130 Endicott, NY
  • # 237 Binghamton, NY
  • # 172 Erie Blvd, Syracuse, NY
  • # 174 Western Lights, Syracuse, NY
  • # 134 Oneonta, NY
  • # 218 Delhi, NY
  • #024 W. Carthage, NY
  • #102 Watertown, NY
  • # 214 Fulton, NY
  • # 026 Genesee St, Utica, NY
  • #168 Plattsburgh, NY
  • #207 Commercial Dr, New Hartford, NY
  • #226 Oswego, NY
  • #180 Lake Placid, NY
  • #206 Rome, NY
   

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