Are you the type of at-home cook who uses the same technique for “grilling” as you do for “sautéing”? Using the proper cooking techniques can make or break a nutritious dish, but many people don’t know the true meaning of most of these terms. This helpful list will ensure that you use the most effective cooking techniques for every healthy meal. Here are some of the highlights:

1. Grill. Ideal for chicken, firmer seafood and hearty vegetables, grilling is a common cooking method that can be done on a stovetop or an outdoor grill.

2. Broil. Broiling is a great technique for dishes that require a crispy surface. It can be used for chicken, salmon, tuna or other lean meats.

3. Sauté. This light stir-frying method is effective on thin cuts of chicken or most vegetables, from mushrooms to kale to zucchini. By using olive oil or another healthy oil, you can add robust flavor without adding fat to your dish.

4. Poach. Ideal for salmon, flounder, trout and other white fishes, poaching uses boiling water to gently cook and add moisture to fish.

5. Steam. Steaming vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, green beans or carrots is one of the healthiest ways to prepare them. By using boiling water in the bottom of a sauce pan, you’ll have tender vegetables in a matter of minutes.

Basic Cooking Instructions [NIH]

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Northshore Park is one of the most popular spots in The Woodlands, and it's easy to understand why. This seven-acre park, situated on Lake Woodlands, has served as a central gathering spot for more than 20 years. From late spring until early fall, the park hosts free concerts on Sunday evenings, and the music ranges from jazz to The Beatles to country. The park is also the launching point for the annual Dragon Boat Race.

It has a playground for the kids, barbecue pits, picnic tables, a volleyball court, and soccer fields. You can bring a boat or kayak and sail around the lake, and kids will enjoy feeding the ducks and other birds that flock to the park. Northshore Park is also a popular spot for sport fishing.

Northshore Park
2505 Lake Woodlands Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77382
(281) 210-3900
woodlandsevents.com/parks/panther-creek/northshore-park
Read the reviews on Yelp.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Alexis Fam Photography

Don’t you hate it when you buy produce at the grocery store, only to come home and realize that it’s tough and flavorless? Or when you bring home fruits and they become mushy and overripe before you can eat them? If you want to learn how to choose fruits and vegetables right at their peak of ripeness, these simple tips can help.

Check the color.
It’s important to know what color each fruit or vegetable should be before you purchase it. Most fruits should be the most vibrant shade of their expected color, such as bright red apples or sunny yellow bananas. Green vegetables should be a deep, dark green, and other vegetables, like carrots, should not have white aging signs on them.

Feel the texture.
Bruising is one of the main issues when buying fruits and vegetables, so gently hold your produce to feel if it’s bruised or soft. Citrus fruits should feel particularly heavy for their size, as that means they’re full of juice. Vegetables like cucumbers and peppers should feel firm to the touch, while lettuce or spinach should be leafy and full.

Store them properly.
Once you get your produce home, storing it properly helps to conserve its freshness. Most perishable fruits and veggies should be stored in a clean refrigerator at a temperature of 40 degrees or lower. 

Choosing Fresh Fruits and Vegetables [Family Circle]
Raw Produce [FDA]

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