HOW-TO MAKE A BETTER-FOR-YOU CHEESE BOARD

Hey friends! 

The holiday season is in full swing and we are bracing for impact!  To be honest, during this time of year it really is so hard to balance it all...

• balance enough sleep with extra events & activities... 
• balance fruits & veggies with sweets & holiday treats... 
• balance gift giving with saving money... 
• balance exercise with meaningful rest. 

It is. A. Lot.  So, the in the spirit of keeping it real and keeping it stress-free, we're excited to share this game changer we found at our local Costco.  Please meet Kirkland Signature's Cheese Flight.  This incredible find seriously turned my Instagram-worthy cheese plate fantasies into a reality, and guess what... it only costs me $20!!  Just check out how we used this incredible Costco cheese flight to make a super simple and BETTER-FOR-YOU CHEESE BOARD.  Keep scrolling! 

So, what comes in the Kirkland Signature Cheese Flight? 

This Costco cheese flight (item #1273361) comes with 5 cheeses, including: 

1. 6.35oz Yellow Door Creamery Monteau Alpine -- a cow's milk cheese 
2. 4.2oz Jasper Hill Farm Cabot Clothbound Mature Bandage Cheddar -- a cow's milk cheese 
3. 7.4oz El Pastor Spanish Red Wine Soaked Goat -- a Spanish goat's milk cheese 
4. 4.2oz Busti Il Tartufo Pecorino Toscana -- an Italian sheep's milk cheese with WHITE TRUFFLES! 
5. 7.4oz Yellow Door Creamery Tuscan Hand-Rubbed Fontina -- a semi-soft cow's milk cheese rubbed with a blend of Italian herbs & spices 

That's nearly 30 ounces (~1.8 lbs.) of cheese for $19.99 (~$0.67 per ounce)!  Doesn't get much better than a well-curated, affordable cheese flight y'all.  The crowd favorite was the Tuscan Fontina. 

Now how do you make a healthier cheese board? 

To fully answer this question, we have to recognize that cheese...

• Is actually the #2 source of dietary calcium for Americans (according to the National Dairy Council) 
• Does provide high-quality protein 
• Is also high in saturated fat (the kind that increases "lousy" LDL cholesterol and risk for heart disease) 
• Can be a part of healthy, well-balanced diet
• And is delicious!

There are a few cheeses that ​are lower in fat and lower in salt, but this BETTER-FOR-YOU CHEESE BOARD we're sharing takes the approach of... (1) moderation with the cheeses and (2) choosing more nutritious sides to accompany all the cheese options.  Go for a 1:1 ratio, so for every cheese there's also a nutritious side to pair it with.  Keep reading for some ideas! 

What are some nutritious sides for a BETTER-FOR-YOU CHEESE BOARD?

**Pictured: Kirkland Signature Cheese Flight, red grapes, dried figs, baby pickles, mixed roasted nuts, and homemade whole-grain crackers. 

1. FRUIT (Fresh & Dried)
   1. Fresh Fruit: Grapes are an obvious option, but anything seasonal will make your board extra special! For example, in the fall and winter you might include sliced apples, pears, plums or persimmons or peeled clemetines or Mandarin oranges.
   2. Dried Fruit: When fresh fruits are limited, dried fruits are an excellent alternative! Try unsweetened dried apple rings, apricots, cherries, dates, figs, persimmons, or plums. 
2. VEGGIES (Fresh & Pickled) -- We love the following veggie side ideas for cheese boards... 
   1. ​Fresh Veggies: sliced English cucumbers, mini peppers, rainbow carrot sticks, and halved radishes 
   2. Pickled Veggies: baby pickles, pepperoncinis, roasted red peppers, and marinated artichokes 
3. WHOLE GRAINS -- If you choose to include some type of cracker or bread for your cheese board, we suggest something whole-grain as it'll provide more fiber, vitamins, and minerals than their refined counterparts.  (You can learn more about how to choose whole-grain products here from the Whole Grains Council.) 
4. NUTS -- Whether almonds, cashews, pistachios, walnuts, or another favorite nut, these fabulous foods can provide some much needed additional texture and flavor to your cheese board.  Further more, nuts are often good sources of protein, fiber, and heart-healthy fats! 

Now that you know how to choose better-for-you ingredients for your BETTER-FOR-YOU CHEESE BOARD, you just need to assembled the goods!  Don't stress over the perfect serving platter.  A simple cutting board or large plate can work just fine as you really want the cheeses and accompaniments to shine. 

So friends, next time you have a get-together that calls for something satisfying with a touch of extra (without actually costing a lot extra), I hope you'll remember Costco's Kirkland Signature Cheese Flight as it's the perfect foundation for a BETTER-FOR-YOU CHEESE BOARD.