Blogs

There are over 7,500 different varieties of apples worldwide. In the United States, 2,500 different types of apples are available. Apples are grown in all 50 states. For the first time in 50 years, the Gala apple beat out Red Delicious as America’s favorite apple. Did you know the Illinois state...

Apples are a fruit available all year, but taste the best when freshly picked from a local orchard or picked up at a farmers markets in the fall. Whether making apple butter, sauce, pie, salad, drying, freezing, canning, or cutting them up to snack on later, one universal struggle is slicing them...

Are you patiently waiting for the apple season? The abundance of apples may come from an apple tree, a visit to the orchard or a local farmers market, or your local market. Right now in Illinois, the hot summer sun is preparing this delicious fruit for the harvest season. Many apple varieties are...

No importa cómo lo deletree, ¡es hora de hacer barbacoa! La palabra "barbacoa" no sólo tiene múltiples deletreos, sino que también tiene múltiples significados. "Tíralo a la barbacoa". Esto implica un método de cocción donde la comida se cocina al aire libre. Sin embargo, si lo deletrea al estilo...

If you’ve ever been confused about the dates stamped on food products, you’re not alone. A United States consumer survey appearing in the Waste Management journal reported...

Parks are beginning to open. The “home” school year has officially ended. It is time to GET OUTSIDE!  Ah, the smell of a campfire. Roasted marshmallows, hot dogs, fruit cobbler, foil packets of hobo stew….  there is nothing as good as simple food cooked over fire. Whether it’s a day at...

Many people are itching to get out of their homes and enjoy the beautiful weather, which is why there's been an increased interest in forest bathing. Don't worry, this does not involve actual bathing! Quite simply, forest bathing is being in nature while having a conscious...

Canning season is upon us! While many are busy planting their summer gardens, others are already preparing to harvest spring vegetables, herbs, and berries. Canning is a great way to use the foods you have grown in your garden or have purchased from your local farmer’s market. Moreover, canning...

Other than breastmilk, I can honestly say I have never stored milk in the freezer…until now. This is the time to put that freezer to good use. Freezing is one of the easiest ways to store food for longer periods of time. Before you go to the store, check your freezer(s) to make sure you have the...