A few years ago, hazelnut spread was something very few people ever heard of or tried before. Nutella® used to be the sole brand found on the market shelves. Suddenly, this creamy spread is being made by multiple big brand names, including Jif® and Hershey's™, as well as store-bought or off-brands...

Pancakes are usually just a vehicle for butter and syrup, which can end up slowing you down mid- morning. Try these protein-packed pancakes instead, with lots of room for creativity. (Scroll to the bottom of the post for a printable PDF version of the recipe!) ...

Water; sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose), starch, fiber , amino acids (glutamic acid, aspartic acid, his-tidine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, arginine, valine, alanine, serine, glycine, threonine, isoleucine, proline, tryptophan, cysteine, tyrosine, methionine), fatty acids: palmitic...

Corn dogs and cotton candy---what trip to the fair would be complete without them? Ask anyone what they enjoy most about the fair and many will say ---THE FOOD! The once a year treat can pack some big calories into your regular diet, so here are a few tips. Most of us know that the "Doughnut Burger...

A muffin makes a quick and easy breakfast when you're in a rush, but oversized baked goods can set you on the path for poor eating the rest of the day. Make your own muffins at home to save calories AND cash. (Scroll to the bottom of the post for a printable PDF version of the recipe...

It seems as though salsa has become a more popular condiment than ketchup, as I see it accompany so many dishes at restaurants. Is this contributed to Americans' growing love of hot and spicy foods and interest in ethnic foods? Or are we merely trying to make healthier choices when dining? My...

Dr. Mehmet Oz – talk about a polarizing personality. I get questions all the time about the latest supplements and diets about which he's waxed poetic. Usually I just roll my eyes at his outrageous claims and explain why they're not worth the time or money. But thanks to recent events, it'...

Ah, the smell of a campfire. Roasted marshmallows, hot dogs, fruit cobbler, foil packets of hobo stew…. there is nothing as good as simple food cooked over an open fire. I can almost taste it now! Whether it's a day at the park or a weekend camping trip, preparing and eating food outdoors takes...

One tiny berry packs a nutritious and versatile punch as we celebrate the blueberry during National Blueberry Month. Starting in June and throughout the summer, look for subtly sweet blueberries growing locally in Illinois. Nutritionally, blueberries are like many fruits: low in calories,...

My fondest memories of my childhood summers center around our family vacations. Every year, in early August we would spend a week at my grandparents condo in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. It is here I learned all my open water know how-skiing, how to drive a boat, and most importantly, how to...