Tortilla chips are a mainstay in Mexican restaurants and home kitchens alike! They're the perfect vehicle for all kinds of dips - salsa, guacamole, French onion, spinach artichoke, the list goes on and on. Problem is, tortilla chips are usually fried and salted, making them high in fat, sodium, and...
Cold temps triggering a craving for comfort food? There's nothing better than a steaming bowl of chili on a crisp fall day, but it can be a bit high in calories when higher-fat ground beef is used. Whip up a batch of our hearty turkey chili for a meal that'll stick to your ribs but not your...
Autumn means pumpkin-flavored everything and cheesecake is no exception! Sure, the pumpkin adds a bit of nutrition, but traditional recipes typically include a combination of full-fat cream cheese, heavy cream and/or sour cream -- plus sugar, eggs, and a buttery graham cracker crust. Try our...
In our last post we discussed what to consider when cooking with herbs. Today, we will explore substituting dried herbs for fresh (and vice versa), provide examples of great pairings for herbs and vegetables, and share the nutritional benefits of seasoning your favorite dishes with vegetables....
What do kale, dark chocolate, red wine, pumpkin, salmon, flax, walnuts, broccoli all have in common? They regularly appear grouped together as "superfoods." The term is one of the latest and greatest buzzwords and is even defined by the online Oxford Dictionary as "a nutrient-rich...
Want to make a small change that will have lasting health benefits? Try cutting down on salt! One easy way to do this is by using more herbs and spices in cooking. Fresh or dried, either can enhance the flavor of any dish. Pairing Foods with Herbs and Spices Learning what...
Hello fall and hello pumpkin spice lattes! Do you love fall flavors in your morning cup o' joe but hate spending the money?? Well, you're in the right place because there's no need to say goodbye to your hard earned cash. Instead of driving to the coffee shop, waiting in line, and...
We love customizable burritos and bowls, but do you know how to make yours diet-friendly? The giant tortilla, rice, beans, and corn make it a carb fest, while cheese and sour cream ramp up the fat. Roll it all together (literally!) and the calorie count - like the burrito - is as "big as your head...
Today's post was written by: Whitney Ajie, MS, is an Extension Educator for the Illinois Nutrition Education Programs serving Sangamon, Logan and Menard Counties. She specializes in nutrition and physical activity education for low-income audiences, shopping and eating healthy on a budget,...
What kind of fats and oils do you cook with? Do you reach for whatever you have on hand or do you take into consideration the smoke point, flavor, and method of cooking? One might think that as long as the oil does its job of keeping your food from sticking to the pan than you're good to go…but...
