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College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Illinois Extension

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The truth about seed oils

Seed oils have gotten some bad press lately, but there is no evidence that they are harmful, and in fact, they might even be helpful. Seed oils are the fats extracted from the seeds of various plants, like corn and soybeans. Coined the “Hateful Eight” by social media influencers, they include corn...
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The ultimate onion guide

Many recipes will call for an onion, but when you get to the store and see all the different types of onions, which one do you buy? Not all onions are alike, so understanding the differences can help you choose the right one for your recipe. Onions are a member of the allium family, along with...
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Food safety 101: Keep them apart from the start

When serving a meal to a child, you may have heard them demand that their foods not touch each other. This mantra of “don’t let my foods touch!” is one to live by when storing and preparing raw animal foods, including meat, poultry, fish, seafood and eggs, which must be kept separate from ready-to...
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Morel mushroom madness

Morels are the mushroom hunter's prey. Depending on the weather and location, the first Illinois morels of the season may begin to appear in late March to early April and generally ends in May. Morels are difficult to cultivate, thus are generally gathered in the wild rather than farmed. It may be...
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Keep calm and mash on

Squish it. Smash it. Smoosh it. Our very first taste of solid food most likely came in a mashed or pureed form. However, as we have aged into adults, we must not forget that we can still enjoy our inner-baby’s love of mush. Here are four mashed foods that shouldn’t be stopped when the high chair...
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Poppy seeds: Beyond the bagel

If you’ve never seen poppy seeds, you may wonder what these tiny dark specks are doing all over your bagel. Poppy seeds are often used in baked goods, giving the product a slight nutty, sweet/spicy taste, a crunchy texture, and a unique decoration.There are many different types of poppy seeds,...
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Bittersweet Valentine's Day treats

Nothing says “I love you” like a decadent bar of rich chocolate for your Valentine. There are many types of chocolate, but dark chocolate is the one that has received all the hype for its health benefits. However, can such a treat be good for you?Like milk chocolate, dark chocolate is made with...
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Making the most of your morning oats

Waking up to a warm bowl of oatmeal in the cold months is a good start to the day. Oatmeal has it’s perks; it’s quick and easy to prepare with a hundred different variations to keep it from getting boring, and it’s fiber content makes it both hearty and healthy, filling up your tummy while keeping...
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Should I eat breakfast when I'm not hungry?

While some people wouldn’t dream of skipping breakfast in the morning, others just aren’t breakfast eaters. There are three common reasons as to why breakfast may be overlooked: “I don’t have time,” “I don’t like breakfast food,” and “I’m not hungry.” It’s the “I’m not hungry” excuse that most...
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How food effects our mood

The shorter days this season can leave many people feeling the winter blues. It’s not uncommon to be in a sore mood when there’s less natural sunlight. But a more severe type of depression, called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is a medical condition that appears when fall and winter come, and...
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College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Illinois Extension

101 Mumford Hall (MC-710)

1301 W. Gregory Dr.

Urbana, IL 61801

Email: extension@illinois.edu

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