"Generation Fresh" Celebrates Home Cooking

SPARKS, Md., Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- All across the country, a movement of food lovers is cooking up something wholesome and flavorful. Dubbed "Generation Fresh," this movement isn't about an age group: it's a state of mind. It's a commitment to eating better on their own terms by making more meals at home — because they believe home cooking with real ingredients is inherently healthier. That's why McCormick, a global leader in flavor, is celebrating Generation Fresh and inspiring people to make more healthful meals at home with the help of flavorful herbs and spices.

"Key to the Generation Fresh mindset is the idea that great flavor can support positive changes to the way we eat," says Chef Mark Garcia, of the McCormick Kitchens. "By adding herbs and spices, it's easy to make healthy foods more flavorful and a smart way to freshen up your family's standby recipes while gradually reducing reliance on sugar, sodium (salt) or fat."

McCormick wants to empower Generation Fresh to make healthier meals at home while still feeling confident that freshened-up versions of their go-to recipes will still rank as family favorites. "Simple changes can make a big difference in the healthfulness of everyday meals," continues Garcia. "For example, it's easy to make recipes like spaghetti a whole lot healthier and more flavorful with just a simple change. Try replacing the meat in your sauce with healthy veggies and pump up the flavor with spices like oregano, garlic powder and crushed red pepper."

Join Generation Fresh
Living the Generation Fresh lifestyle is about making small, everyday changes that can add up to big results. Mother/son blogger duo Recipe Girl and Recipe Boy have done it in their kitchen, and they're encouraging fellow home cooks to join Generation Fresh by showing them how to make and enjoy more delicious, healthier food.

"It's very important to pass on healthy cooking and eating habits to my son," says Lori Lange of RecipeGirl.com. "Generation Fresh proves that eating healthier can be really flavorful — and my son is a big fan of that. We're both living healthier lifestyles because of it.  Cooking together has made our meals more fun and memorable."

For freshened-up family favorites you can try at home, look no further than the Generation Fresh Look Book on McCormick.com, a visual collection of tempting, better for you recipes from the McCormick Kitchens, Recipe Girl, Recipe Boy and others from Generation Fresh. Try Tuscan Pasta, Oven-Fried Chicken or Chicken Chili with Black Beans & Corn with simple tips like these:

• For pasta night, load your sauce with veggies like zucchini, mushrooms and onions instead of meat. Build layers of rich flavor with garlic powder, black pepper and McCormick Perfect Pinch^® Italian Seasoning.
• Replace the heavy breading on chicken tenders with a flour mixture spiced with paprika, black pepper, and oregano. Bake it in the oven to reduce fat and calories.
• For a delicious twist on traditional chili, try using boneless, skinless chicken breasts with black beans and corn. Pump up the authentic Southwest flavor with cumin, garlic powder and red pepper.  

Pin it to Win it!
Inspired to join Generation Fresh? Share your passion for freshened-up recipes on Pinterest and you could win a Generation Fresh gift pack. Entering is easy. Just repin recipes from the McCormick Spice "Generation Fresh - Pin it to Win It!" board to one of your own with hash tag #GenFresh for a chance to win. The contest begins September 25, 2012 and will run through the end of October.

For more fresh ideas and recipes, plus tips and videos, visit McCormick.com, Facebook.com/McCormickSpice, Pinterest.com/McCormickSpices and follow us on Twitter @Spices4Health.

About McCormick
McCormick & Company, Incorporated is a global leader in flavor.  With more than $3 billion in annual sales, the Company manufactures, markets and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavorful products to the entire food industry—retail outlets, food manufacturers and foodservice businesses. Every day, no matter where or what you eat, you can enjoy food flavored by McCormick.  McCormick brings passion to flavor.™  Visit mccormick.com, mccormickcorporation.com and Facebook.com/McCormickSpice for more information.

SOURCE McCormick