Quick with quinoa?
If you're a big fan of quinoa, you might be aware that it's the International Year of Quinoa. Not in the know but still a quinoa lover? Here's a contest for you: Alter Eco brand is calling for aspiring chefs to enter its recipe contest, with the grand prize a trip for two to the Culinary Institute of America's "Ingredients for Impact Gala" on Oct. 6 in Napa Valley. Four semifinalists will also receive a year's supply of quinoa. Deadline is quickly approaching; entries are due Aug. 11. For more information and the rules and regulations, go to www.alterecofoods.com/recipe-contest. Alter Eco products — which include chocolate, sugar, rice and, of course, quinoa — are available at Whole Foods and local co-ops.
Blizzards in the forecast
Today would be a good day to give in to your Dairy Queen Blizzard craving. It's the eighth annual Miracle Treat Day at participating Dairy Queen stores, with proceeds from each Blizzard donated to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. (Locally, that's Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare.) With donations of at least $1 for each Blizzard, it adds up quickly. Dairy Queens across Minnesota and western Wisconsin have raised more than $3 million for Gillette's since 1984. Find participating locations at www.miracletreatday.com, and grab a peanut butter cup Blizzard for us.
Plenty buzz at the Arb
Summer might be winding down, but there still are plenty of ways to enjoy the season with classes at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum:
The Buzz on Pollinators: Drop in from noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays throughout August to learn the ins and outs of pollination, including what attracts bees to flowers and how you can help pollinators in your back yard. (Free with admission.)
Dinner with Corner Table chef Thomas Boemer: No plans tonight? Corner Table chef Thomas Boemer will demonstrate a menu of fresh summer bounty and meat from his favorite sources today from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $60, $50 for members, and includes wine tastings. To register for any classes, visit www.arboretum.umn.edu/learn.aspx or call 952-443-1422.
Hit the road, grab a snack
A family vacation shouldn't translate into a license to eat poorly. The Food Network offers some tips for healthy snacking as you're en route to your destination:
By car: Pack a cooler of mess-free meals and snacks, including: hard-cooked eggs (already peeled), whole-grain pasta salad or quinoa salad, sliced fresh fruit, snack bars, Greek yogurt, cheese and whole-grain crackers.
By airplane: Most flights don't provide food or do so for a hefty price. Plan accordingly. Pack snack and sandwiches such as cucumber and whipped cream cheese on whole-wheat bread; peanut butter and jelly on rye; grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato and mustard in a whole-grain wrap; hummus with sliced tomato, pepper and cucumber in a whole-wheat pita; homemade trail mix; string cheese; whole fruit.
