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pomegranate sliced open next to whole pomegranate

Cut into pomegranates with confidence

It’s the time of year where pomegranates appear in the produce section of the grocery store. This round fruit is about the size of a softball and has shiny red, leathery skin with a blossom end that looks like a crown. They make a decorative holiday centerpiece for the dinner table, but they also...
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Sign that says Wellness next exit

Nurture your eight dimensions of wellness this new year

It’s the beginning of the new year and so often we set resolutions around physical health, including diet and exercise, but we might be missing out on opportunities to work on other areas of wellness, including the eight dimensions of wellness, which are all interwoven: physical, financial,...
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Spoon with clove powder next to whole cloves

Cloves: A powerful spice that packs a punch

When comparing pumpkin pie recipes for my Thanksgiving dinner, one used clove while the other one did not. I opted for the recipe that used clove. Not everyone is a fan of this strong pungent spice, but when used sparingly and combined with other flavors, I personally think it’s delightful. Native...
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Vanilla extract bottle

Everything you need to know about vanilla extract

The scent of vanilla is found in so many things, including candles, soaps, and lotions, but it’s also in tons of different foods, topping the list for the world’s favorite flavor. Why do we love vanilla so much? It’s widely accepted scent is rich, smooth, slightly floral, and subtly sweet. Either...
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Cranberry juice in a pitcher and glass on a wooden cutting board

Cranberry juice deserves a moment in the spotlight

Several years ago, I attended a Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo where I had the experience of wading through a gigantic makeshift cranberry bog. It was a strange but satisfying encounter! Cranberries are a unique crop that thrive in natural wetlands called bogs, although most bogs for...
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Dates in a bowl

What can you do with dates?

Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree commonly grown in tropical climates. They can be sold fresh, but they are regularly found dried in the grocery store. The drying process makes dates sweeter and concentrated in nutrients. Dates are a good source of fiber, potassium, magnesium, and...
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Buy Local

Take advantage of winter farmers markets

Farmers markets are a great place to purchase locally grown food, but what happens when the summer ends and the market packs up for the season? Those living in and near Bloomington are fortunate to have an indoor farmers market in the Grossinger Motors Arena starting November 18 and running once...
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two cups of hot cocoa

Make your own convenient hot cocoa mix

As the weather turns cooler, you may find yourself reaching for a warm mug of hot cocoa. While it’s convenient to grab a packet out of the box, making your own only takes three simple ingredients: sugar, cocoa powder and milk. This is a far cry from the hot cocoa mix you buy at the store, which...
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Outdoor Dutch Oven with hot coals on the lid

How to cook outside with a Dutch oven

A recent camping trip allowed me to explore a new way of outdoor cooking: Dutch oven cooking. Different than a home Dutch oven, which has a flat bottom and is sealed in enamel, a camping Dutch oven is a pot with three legs on the bottom and a concave lid so that you can spread coals underneath and...
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