This week's blog post is written by University of Illinois student intern, Brett Loman. Sometimes it's just easier to have your kids play in the other room while you throw dinner together, but are you making the right choice? Recent research suggests that kids who are involved in meal...

If you were haunted by childhood memories of having to force down a bite of Brussels sprouts before getting dessert, it's time to give those little green balls another chance. Modern cooking techniques have turned what was once a mushy, bitter miniature cabbage into a complex sweet and nutty...

Artificial sweeteners have endured a lot of controversy over the years. We've been told they cause cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, digestive problems, and more. Yet, credible organizations, such as the National Cancer Institute, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and American Heart Association...

This week's blog post is written by Illinois State University student, Jade Umberger. We made it! Finally, winter is coming to an end, and we are getting our first warm days of spring. March 20th was the official first day of spring, and that can only mean one thing: more warm weather...

Is there a difference between broth and stock? Well, it depends on who you ask. Some will say there's a world of a difference, while others will tell you it's the same exact thing. If you ask me, I say use them interchangeably. Most trained chefs will tell you that a stock is made from the bones...

In many households, coloring Easter eggs is a wonderful family tradition, and with the invention of Easter egg dye kits, it's easy to create fun egg art. But have you ever wondered how people colored eggs before packaged dye kits became available? Eggs were dyed with natural ingredients, such as...

Have you ever walked into a room to get something but then forgot what it was you were going to get? Don't worry; it happens to all of us at some point. But keeping your brain fit is more than just doing crossword puzzles or word searches. There is increasing evidence that brain health is directly...

I'm going to assume that you probably didn't know that during March we celebrate National Frozen Food Day. Yes, there is a day for everything! But thanks to the frozen food industry and modern technology, there's a wide assortment of conveniently packaged and prepared meals, appetizers, desserts...

Snacking is a daily occurrence for American adults. As reported in the Food Surveys Research Group Dietary Data Brief No. 4, the average number of snacks consumed each day by American adults nearly doubled over the last 30 years. Not only are we physically eating more, but these snacks are...

Gumbo and jambalaya are two signature dishes of southern Louisiana that are both native to Cajun and creole cuisine. While the two cuisines are often used interchangeably, there are notable differences stemming from their cultural roots. Creole refers to the original settlers of New Orleans whose...