September is National Whole Grains Month and Pink’s annual health issue, thus we have teamed up with the Oldways Whole Grains Council for the scoop on the health benefits of whole grains, as well as to share new, delicious recipes to teach you how to incorporate nutritious whole grains into your healthy lifestyle. Let’s face it...there is a lot of information out there on eating healthy and much of it is contradictory. So, with the help of the Oldways Whole Grains Council, let’s break it down:

What is a Whole Grain? All grains start life in their natural state as a whole grain, which is the entire seed of a plant. This seed (or kernel) is made of three edible parts—bran, germ and endosperm. As long as these three parts are still present in the original proportions it is considered a whole grain. Some whole grains include: amaranth, barley, buckwheat, corn (including whole cornmeal and popcorn), millet, oats, quinoa, brown rice, rye, sorghum, teff, triticale, wheat (including: spelt, emmer, farro, einkorn, Kamut®, bulgur, cracked wheat, wheatberries) and wild rice.

George Hirsch, Jr. grew up in Long Cove on Hilton Head Island in a family who loves cooking. “My mom likes to say I was born with a wooden spoon in my mouth. She would feed me over her shoulder—tasting this and that,” chuckled George, co-author of College Man’s Cookbook. “As a food writer, my mom always put me to work in the kitchen (even when I just wanted to play video games), and now as I look back, I appreciate all I learned.”

When he headed to college at the University of Georgia, he soon realized many of his friends’ cooking skills were raw and under cooked—voila, the idea struck. George called up his mom, Carrie Hirsch, and said, “You should write a cookbook for college guys.”

Grilling season is in full swing, so I decided it was about time to fire up my knowledge.
Let’s face it...it can be intimidating. To learn more, I reached out to the experts—Laurel and Chuck Greif, owners of Le Cookery of Hilton Head. Who better to teach me all the ins and outs? Let’s get grilling!

Dole Food Company™ is no longer just pineapples and bananas. Through their rich history, they have grown to be much more these days—just ask Pixar’s super hero family “The Incredibles” about Dole as you enjoy their second installment movie this summer. You and your kids can connect with Incredibles 2 at grocery stores across North America for Dole inspired breakfasts, entrées, snacks and drink recipes along with healthy eating tips and a photo sharing forum. Check out Dole’s special website: www.dole.com/Disney.   

And Dole is partnering in communities and schools with the non-profit organization Action for Healthy Kids—“every kid healthy and ready to learn.” Because, our kids become healthy heroes when we help to make fruits and veggies fun and positive experiences.

It’s true. Cool Whip™ topping makes most things better. For many holiday desserts Cool Whip is a household staple.

But did you know this time of year, when temperatures are climbing a little bit more each day,
Cool Whip has great recipes created to help us all keep our “Cool”? They really do! There’s nothing cooler, creamier and more refreshing on a summer afternoon than a dessert made with Cool Whip or Cool Whip Light. Or a quick finger whisk into their blue and white  plastic tub for a sweet velvet taste—now that’s summertime deliciousness!

Did your parents ever say "Make sure you eat your fruits and vegetables so you will grow big and strong?" Of course, because they contain vital nutrients for our body to function. Another important food group carries many nutrients that are essential—protein. And lean beef is the best way to get it! Beef has 10 essential nutrients that will help do more than just get through the day—they can help you be the best you can be.

It’s a rare opportunity when you can corner Captain Craig Reaves for a long talk about his family’s business...and even rarer when you get to eat sweet, succulent, fresh SC, wild-caught shrimp at nine in the morning. I do it all for you Pink readers, all for you!

Keepin’ it in the Family
Meet Craig and Jana Reaves, the “captains” behind Sea Eagle Market. The Reaves family knows seafood. It all began in Holden Beach, NC, with Craig’s parents, Laten and Alice. They started what would become a life long passion for the seafood industry in 1970, when the shrimping business was thriving. Born into it, Craig and his siblings inherited the devotion. “It was a humble beginning, we always worked as a family whether it was on the boat, hulling shrimp, or working at the restaurant,” said Craig.

It's a pantry staple, just-in-reach for pancakes, biscuits or those delectable sausage bites. Yep, you got it...we're talking about Bisquick!

It all began when late one evening, a train chef whipped up piping hot biscuits for Carl Smith in a matter of minutes. Smith asked the chef how he produced them so quickly and he revealed a pre-mixed blend he'd stored in an ice chest. Carl Smith recognized the mix's potential and in 1930 an empire was born. More than 80 years later, the original pancake and baking mix is still deliciously convenient. Today, Bisquick’s product line has grown to include flavored biscuit mixes, easy Shake ‘n Pour pancake mix and even gluten-free Bisquick! And, their Bisquick Heart Smart Pancake and Baking Mix is an excellent source of calcium, it's naturally low in cholesterol, low fat with no trans fat and has the seal of the American Heart Association.

Love is in the air! This month we're sweet on desserts and who better to bring delectable, creamy and lucious recipes to the table than Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk? As a baking staple for over 160 years, Eagle Brand® is more relevant than ever as home cooks look to create sweet treats for their families and friends.

Eagle Brand® may be a staple, but they are bringing more to the table this summer—Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk in a squeeze bottle! It will be a great way to add a touch of sweet creaminess to coffee or tea, or a little drizzle over your favorite fruit or oatmeal.

If a drink could claim the title of debonair it would be the martini. Just ask Mr. Debonair himself: Bond. James Bond. His love affair with this refined drink has been going on for years.

However, the creative complexity of this cocksure cocktail has broadened it horizons, and with that gained an extended nod from a wider audience of intrigue. This classically stiff drink has gotten a taste of the sweet life and become the divine darling of drinkable desserts.

Christmas time may be over, but we’re still saying “ho, ho, ho.” We are starting off the New Year, and all those weight loss resolutions, with Green Giant’s fantastic quick and easy recipes. They’re bringing tons of great new options to the table to help us discoverthe difference veggies can make.

It all started in 1903, when a small canned vegetable company was born in the United States—the Minnesota Valley Canning Company. Their Green Giant made his first appearance in 1925. He was named after a particularly large variety of pea, which was harvested and sold by the company.

Through the years, he evolved into a friendlier—and greener—character, known for presiding over the vegetables grown in his valley with a deep and jolly, “Ho, Ho, Ho!” In 1950, he became the iconic symbol for the company, when Minnesota Valley Canning Company became Green Giant Company. Green Giant continues to be known for their “steam locked goodness,” which is crucial to bringing quality products to consumers’ tables. Their farmers take great pride in growing the tastiest and highest quality vegetables.

Director of Dining Geoffrey Gable—affectionately known as Cheffrey—is making waves at St. Simon’s premier life plan community—Marsh’s Edge.

Meet Cheffrey:
Originally from New Jersey, Geoffrey started off in drafting and design, and when he found it moving into a more digital field he looked elsewhere for a creative outlet. His mom suggested he look into culinary arts since he enjoyed cooking, and as usual, Mom was right. He set off on the culinary path and never looked back.

Whether it’s a care package for a college student's final exam week, a goody box for someone in the military, or a way to say happy holidays to a friend or relative, there’s nothing like opening a box of fresh, homemade cookies. And if those cookies just happen to be that recipient’s favorite cookies of all time, even better!

Christmas is almost here. Before you know it, you’ll be gathered around the table saying grace over heapings of mashed potatoes and gravy, delicious casseroles, and slices of turkey. But what holiday plate would be complete without a side of delectably sweet and tart cranberry sauce? It doesn’t matter if it’s made from scratch and sweetened to taste, or shaken straight out of the can—Christmas dinner just wouldn’t be the same without it. This tasty side inspired us to see what else you could do with cranberries, and it turns out you can make everything from drinks to salsa to desserts. Who else would we go to for the season’s best cranberry recipes other than Ocean Spray?

My husband and I work crazy hours. Our kids are typical teenagers, and we don’t see nearly enough of them. In the busyness of life, I know we have let too many opportunities slip by to establish traditions and make memories, but there is one thing we’ve gotten right, and that’s sitting down almost every night to eat dinner together.

Before we eat, we hold hands for the blessing. It’s just something we’ve always done. Even if we have a dinner guest, even if it’s someone my boys have just met, when it’s time for the blessing, they reach for the person’s hand beside them. I think the older they get, the more I treasure those simple moments of solidarity. No matter the chaos or struggle of the day, at dinnertime, we are a family.
Given this month’s theme, “Let’s Decorate,” we thought we’d inspire you to take that time with your family, your kids. It takes a little extra effort to set a beautiful table, but it’s also an opportunity to work together to create an atmosphere that invites each member of the family to set aside technology and slow down and enjoy each other’s company. It’s a way to show love.