Some of my favorite foods are packed with essential nutrients like calcium, posphorus, protein, vitamins A, D and B12, riboflavin, and niacin.  Because I really enjoy eating cheese, yogurt, ice cream, sour cream, and more I have to ensure I’m choosing Organic, low-fat varieties and balancing those foods with my diet.

As I mentioned last week, this month is National Dairy Month.  Maybe you’re like me and don’t find it difficult to incorporate organic, low-fat, dairy products into your diet.  Or maybe it’s quite the opposite and you struggle with how to get in enough servings (3) of dairy.  My hope throughout this month is to show you easy, healthy, delicious ways you may not have thought of to get in your servings of dairy, if you desire.

For example, earlier this week, I posted a few quick recipes on Twitter…

Easy Summer Smoothie: Blend Frozen Organic Strawberries, Peaches, and Bananas, and Lowfat Organic Vanilla Yogurt

Summer treat: fresh organic strawberries with creme fraiche

Top Wild Alaskan Salmon w/ Greek Yogurt, Fresh Dill, & lemon

As a mom of two young children, I am always looking for quick, easy, nutritious meals and snacks.  While my son cannot consume dairy due to his food allergies, my daughter particularly loves yogurt and cheese. Unlike my son, she is a true grazer so I’m always on my toes, ready to give her a snack.  This is where Organic yogurt and snack-sized cheeses comes in handy!

As far as my husband and I are concerned, we’re gourmet dairy consumers.  It’s actually quite rare to find us simply drinking a glass of milk.  We prefer to get in our dairy by drinking a Chai latte or a mocha.  And when it comes to cheeses, we prefer the gourmet, ethnic types like Brie and Gruyere.  Stay tuned because I have an amazing “grown-up” Gruyere Macaroni and Cheese recipe to share with you.

Want to learn more about the benefits of dairy? Head on over to Pack Your Picnic!  While you’re there, you can enter to win a picnic in your favorite National Park. The winner will receive round-trip airfare, accommodations, and ground transportation for four, a gourmet picnic basket for four, and a $200 My Choice Gift Card.

Disclosure: This project has been compensated as part of the June Dairy program for Safeway.