This week's blog post was written by our Nutrition and Wellness intern, Paige Meints. She is a student at ISU studying Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics. Zucchini is a popular summer crop in the Midwest because it's a low maintenance plant and is fairly easy to grow. Zucchini plants do not take up...

I would argue that there isn't much better in life than a cool and refreshing ice cream cone on a hot and humid day. I think everyone can agree that ice cream and summer-time definitely go hand-in-hand. Unfortunately, on average a ½ cup serving of vanilla ice cream weighs in at about 15 grams of...

This week's blog post is guest written by Illinois State University student, Paige Meints. She is an undergraduate student studying Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics at ISU. When I think of summer, I think of the smell of burgers, charbroiled on the grill. Although delicious, hamburger meat patties...

This July 29th we celebrate an Italian classic: Happy National Lasagna Day all you lasagna lovers. A cheesy, gooey pan of carbs is what makes this meal a favorite of all ages. The ingredients are simple, inexpensive, and feeds an army, making the whole family happy. Lasagna begins with the flat-...

Plump and juicy blueberries are one of nature's best treats. The blueish purple fruit is grown on bushes and typically in season all summer long from April to late September but peaking in June and July. Blueberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of dietary fiber. They've...

Most people wouldn't think twice about buying a bag of beautiful orange carrots, but what if those carrots were white? Back in Roman times, wild carrots were actually white, not orange. According to Philipp Simon, research geneticist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers prior to the 16th...

There's a new way to get your daily dose of veggies: veggie noodles. While there's nothing wrong with a whole grain noodle or pasta (certainly packs more nutrition than regular enriched), veggie noodles can offer a variety of nutrients with less calories. So grab your julienne peeler, vegetable...

It's dad's turn to celebrate the joys of fatherhood. And what better way to thank him for all the whisker rubbing hugs and hours spent teaching us how to ride a bike, than with food? But not just any food: Dad food. Dad food is quite simply food that your dad loves. For many dads, that includes "...

During spring, asparagus is everywhere!  You may notice it is on sale at the grocery store, or it may even be popping up in your own garden at home. Asparagus is a spring crop that is easy to grow and very cheap in the spring, which may leave you with a surplus of the vegetable in your...

When the weather is warm and beautiful, there is nothing better than eating outdoors. Whether at a park, an outdoor event, or just in the backyard, a picnic can be a fun excursion for the whole family. There's no need for a picnic table; a blanket on the ground will do. You can use paper plates or...