Cinco de Mayo (fifth of May) is often celebrated with delicious Mexican fare, including tostadas, enchiladas and margaritas! Mexico has many cuisine influences, including the popular Latin American dish, ceviche. But is ceviche safe to include in your celebratory meal? Ceviche is raw seafood that...
Eating a bowl full of black-eyed peas on New Year's Day is said to bring good luck and prosperity in the new year. However, why save it for just once a year? Black-eyed peas are low in fat and a great source of potassium, calcium, vitamin C, and fiber. With these great nutrients, they just may...
The sales of eggs notably increases around the Easter holiday. After all, the Easter bunny needs colorful eggs to hide for all boys and girls. However, eggs aren't just for springtime; they are a year-round staple in most people's refrigerators. Have you ever wondered why the egg is shaped like it...
Parsnips are a winter root vegetable and valued for their long, white root resembling a white carrot. Parsnips have a complex taste; they are sweet like a carrot, but have more starch and an earthy, nut-like flavor. Large roots tend to be more fibrous with a tough woody core, while smaller roots...
As you read a recipe, you see it calls for canola oil, but all you have is olive oil. Do you reach for the canola or put on your shoes and head to the store? I'm sure that many of us have substituted one oil for another at some point, and in many cases it doesn't make a big difference. However,...
This week's blog post is written by ISU dietetic intern and graduate student, Nikki Zintak! "Put Your Best Fork Forward" is an empowering, uplifting phrase that draws attention to something us humans can control: choosing what we put into our bodies. While we have that choice, it is...
This week's blog post is written by ISU dietetic intern and graduate student, Nikki Zintak! Bring on the green! With St. Patty's Day just around the corner, what better way to celebrate than with some festive green smoothies! Smoothies are commonly made with fruit, but why not add some...
Spinach isn't just for Popeye; it's for all boys and girls, men and women, who want to be healthy and enjoy a good green! However, if you think it's packed full of iron and will make your muscles big, you may have been misled. History has it that a German chemist misplaced a decimal point and...
I used to always think that Neufchatel cheese was simply the reduced-fat version of cream cheese. However, as my knowledge in food and nutrition grew I found out that they are actually two different types of cheese. Cream cheese is made from milk and cream. Like cottage cheese, cream cheese is an...
If you've never tried orzo, now is the time. I know; there are so many different types of grains and grain products it's difficult to try them all. You've been told to try barley, couscous, quinoa and bulgur, but the product that makes it to the plate the most is pasta. Did you know that orzo is...
