Ahh, those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are once again upon us. Not only is summertime the perfect time to relax and unwind, it’s also the perfect time to embrace healthier eating.

During the summer the abundance of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables, the opportunities to spend time strolling through farmer’s markets and buying from local farms are just some of the benefits that encourage healthier eating. For example, the berries of summer that are so plentiful at this time of year—blackberries, blueberries and strawberries— are not only low in fat and calories, but also are a great source of antioxidants that can help protect you from certain health conditions … and are all healthy sources of fiber, potassium and vitamin C.

Each year when May blooms, a new energy seems to arise. A month chock-full of celebrations, May brings with it Mother’s Day, graduations, Cinco de Mayo, and Memorial Day. All of which call for food festivities. This month we have delicious recipes for every occasion. Whether you’re putting together a beautiful cheese board, or looking for that elusive perfect melted cheese pull, Real California Milk has you covered and smothered in yummy, cheesy ooey-gooeyness.

Are you already Dreaming of Cali—sand, sun, fun, Hollywood, wine country and… cows? Yep, that’s right. The Golden State has a dairy state of mind. In fact, it leads the nation in dairy production and is a world leader in sustainable dairy farming practices. Even more impressive, of the more than 1,200 California dairy farms, 99 percent are family-owned. California accounts for 18.5 percent of the United States’ milk supply (more than 39 billion pounds of fluid milk a year), and over 46 percent of California’s milk goes into cheese production.

In May, not only is spring in the air, with its bounty of colorful, seasonal ready-to-pick produce and fresh ingredients, it can also be on your plate. It’s the perfect time to pack the nutrient-rich, bright colors of the season into your spring cooking with menu ideas that are as pretty to look at as they are healthy to eat and enjoy.

There’s probably no better, or simpler, way to enjoy the healthy flavors of spring than in a delicious spring salad—made even healthier (and more colorful) with the addition of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables. But eating healthy in May doesn’t have to just focus on the bright, delicious tastes of your favorite spring salad, you’ll find color and a whole lot of health benefits in other spring-focused menu items that are equally easy to make and just as good for you.

As spring blooms we often find ourselves reinvigorated—tackling spring cleaning, gardening and pulling out the grill in hopes of fun-filled nights and savory meals. In fact, we’ve dedicated this entire issue to entice you to #goplay. But here’s a little secret: Play can be found as close as your own kitchen. And don’t despair, we’re here to get you started with protein-packed, playful, popular pork recipes.

This month we teamed up with the National Pork Board to bring you recipes that dare to be different. Spicy, Southern, sweet or mild, the flavor of pork is unmatched. The variety of pork cuts and flavor profiles are unsurpassed—from bacon to tenderloin. Well-known as “the other white meat,” pork is a versatile, nutritious protein that now rivals chicken for the top spot as the most consumed protein in the US.

There’s no better way to welcome in spring than by incorporating some healthy habits—and healthier eating—into your life. With its promise of increased daylight hours, beautiful weather and more time spent outdoors, which triggers the production of energy-boosting Vitamin D, the start of spring is the perfect time to think about ways to lighten up and get healthy.

Now that some of our less-healthy habits of winter are behind us, including our tendency to indulge in many of the winter “comfort foods” we all love, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the fresh foods of the season that are emerging from gardens and markets throughout the region. Spring beckons us to get creative and have fun when it comes to healthy spring recipes.

A little bit of spice that's oh so nice inspires any cook—novice or experienced—to get creative in the kitchen. There’s just something liberating about adding a dash of this, a pinch of that, and when it comes to tackling Thai, us cooks get to kick it up with extra pinches and dashes everywhere! Thai food has quickly become an American favorite because it is totally tantalizing on the taste buds. Warm and cozy with just the right level of spice, Thai cuisine offers a tasty trip around the world from the comfort of your own kitchen. And, no one knows Thai flavors like Thai Kitchen®, the brand that makes it easy to cook up fabulous dishes full of flavorful flair.

St. Patrick’s Day has long been one of the most fun and festive food holidays. Although the type of “green” foods traditionally associated with St. Patrick’s Day aren’t known for being particularly healthy, (who hasn’t enjoyed a pint, or three, of green beer, or a McDonald’s signature Shamrock Shake?) you don’t have to pass on enjoying delicious foods and beverages in order to stick to a healthy lifestyle diet. Thanks to the fact that many favorite vegetables are naturally green, and by making a few simple substitutions in some traditional food and beverage favorites, it can be easy to “go green” and eat healthy this St. Patrick’s Day without sacrificing any of the festivity.

Pure, sweet, indulgence—Honey is like none other. Whether you are looking for a drizzle for a favorite recipe, a little something to punch up breakfast, or a spoonful to coat a sore throat, honey is always the perfect touch! In recent years, honey has upped its game. While the “golden bear” (you know what I mean) was a staple in the pantry growing up, the emergence of specialty honeys has taken the market by storm—it’s all the buzz!

I have six jars of various honeys in my pantry right now, each one with a unique flavor profile and color, depending on the plants the honeybees visited. Want to test your palate? Stop by a honey tasting bar! Distinguishing the subtle undercurrents of flavor in each will leave you in awe of nature.

February has traditionally been a month to celebrate Gullah Heritage, and there’s perhaps no better way to honor and celebrate this than through Gullah cuisine. Stemming from the Gullah-Geechee community, Gullah cuisine is a unique blend of African and American cooking methods, which has evolved into a taste unique to the Lowcountry and Coastal South. Gullah cuisine is embraced by locals and visitors, with many dishes considered classic Southern favorites having their roots in Gullah culture, including rice, a Southern staple. Our area has long been known for rice due to the environment and the Gullah community’s expert rice cultivation techniques. In fact, the mass production of rice and its availability helped one-dish meals become common meals in Gullah cuisine.

As the cool weather chases us inside to huddle by the fire and we break out our warm PJs and cozy socks, there’s one meal always on the menu: warm, hearty soup! From the very first spoonful, soup warms us up from the inside out. And, really there is no better way to start a soup that is integral to your savory self-care than the natural goodness of Swanson’s® stock. No pantry is complete without their iconic blue and white boxes in all varieties—chicken, beef, bone and vegetable.

With 2020 thankfully behind us, and the food frenzy of the holidays now just a memory, it’s time to look ahead to 2021 and happier, healthier times for all of us. Between any bad eating habits picked up while quarantining, to the (to be expected) overindulgence of traditional holiday goodies throughout December, it’s likely that even the healthiest eaters may have found themselves falling off the healthy eating wagon for the past few months. The good news though? January is the perfect time to get back on track. And, the even better news? With a few simple substitutions and easy recipes, the return to healthy eating is easier than you think!

Throughout the Lowcountry, the authentic charm of historical sites and allure of scenic sunsets and backroads continuously win the hearts of its visitors, but the real blue ribbon of the Lowcountry rests upon the cuisine. Southern cooking is what brings dancing to the kitchen, the licking of spoons and connection with the ones you love.

This year’s holiday may be a little different than in past years, but there’s one thing sure to stay the same: A focus on the festive foods of the season. From the aroma of freshly baked gingerbread wafting through the house, to the fruitcakes that will make their way onto countless holiday tables, some things just say—and taste—like the holidays. This year, perhaps more than any other, the traditional foods of the season can take on a whole new level of importance and meaning for many families.  And, with some simple substitutions and a focus on wholesome, nutritious ingredients, you can turn some of your favorite holiday recipes into healthier options—giving you and your family the best gift of all this year.

Every Christmas season there’s a light dusting at our house, causing family to come together, bells-a-ringing, smiles ear-to-ear and plenty of holiday cheer. Oh, did you think I was talking about snow—haha, not in the South... The forecast is for flour, lots and lots of flour! Baking and the holidays go hand-in-hand and whether it’s the boys sneaking into the kitchen for a taste, or the women all enjoying quality time together as we ice cakes, it never fails to bring a wonderful world of joy and memories.

Growing up in the country, I had the pleasure of walking out my back door to pecan trees laden with nuts waiting to be cracked. From an early age, Dad taught me how to crack them by hand, and whenever we were outside during the Fall, we were sure to be cracking and snacking. I distinctly remember sitting on our screened-in porch shelling pecans for hours on end with my sitter, Mama Ellen. and how the bowl of shelled ones never seemed to get full, as we ate most of the rewards. To this day, I always sneak a peek in mom’s freezer to see if she has a bag of them put away. Whether you’re a “PEE-CAN” or a “PAH-CON” person—and you know which you are—the crisp texture and rich, buttery flavor of pecans is the perfect addition to everything from salads to pie.