How to Celebrate National Dairy Month

Drink Your Milk

June is Dairy Month. Dairy products have calcium, potassium and other nutrients for healthy bodies. Milk protein helps build muscle, calcium supports bones and Vitamin A is great for eyes. Dairy foods may help reduce osteoporosis, hypertension and colon cancer. Your mother was right in saying drink your milk. Here are tasty ways to celebrate Dairy Month.

Things You'll Need

• Milk
• Yogurt
• Cheese
• Ice Cream

Instructions

1. Cool down with iced coffee and milk. Take 2 cups nonfat milk and 2 cups cooled brewed coffee. Mix 1 cup milk and 1 cup coffee. Pour into ice cube tray and freeze overnight until solid. Chill remaining 1 cup milk and 1 cup coffee. To serve split the chilled coffee and milk into 2 glasses. And add sugar substitute to taste. Divide frozen coffee cubes between the 2 glasses and serve.

2. 

   Make a smoothie. The National Dairy Council offers a simple recipe for Strawberry Banana Smoothies. In large blender jar combine 1-1/2 cups lowfat milk, 1 pint vanilla lowfat yogurt, 2 ripe bananas, 1-1/4 cup sliced strawberries and 2 tablespoons honey. Add enough ice cubes to measure 6 cups in blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and garnish with strawberry slice and fresh mint if desired. Makes 4 to 5 servings.

3. 

   Serve up a yogurt parfait. In a parfait glass or sundae dish start with a layer of 1/2 cup drained sliced peaches, add 1 cup lowfat vanilla yogurt and top with 1/2 cup raisin bran cereal. Substitute seasonal berries for peaches and granola for raisin bran if desired. Or mix all ingredients

4. 

   Cheese it. Sprinkle grated cheese on salads, steamed vegetables and main dishes. Use small curd cottage cheese for topping baked potatoes and making vegetable dips. Use an ice cream scoop to plop cottage cheese in a sundae dish. Tuck in fresh fruit like sliced strawberries, bananas and seasonal berries.

5. 

   Sweeten the meal. Get that extra serving of calcium with ice cream, cheesecake or pudding. Nonfat versions have great nutritional benefits and taste terrific. Top warm apple pie with lowfat cheddar slices or nonfat American cheese slices.

6. 

   Shake it up. Combine 1 cup milk, 2 cups softened ice cream and 1 teaspoon vanilla in blender. Blend until smooth. Spoon into glasses. For more variety add 1 cup of your favorite fruit. Slice fruits like bananas and strawberries for faster blending. Top each glass with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate or fruit syrup. Serve with a straw and tall spoon.

Resources

• Real California Milk