Live Well. Eat Well. 2014

Every Thanksgiving celebration seems to be complete with way too many leftovers, usually the turkey, pies, and dinner rolls. And really, how many leftover turkey sandwiches can you eat!? This holiday season, mix things up with some new recipes using your dinner leftovers and extra ingredients. But...

Often a day of candy, treats, and sugar, a healthy Halloween might be an oxymoron. By focusing more on getting dressed up and the fun of playing games and tricks, you can focus less on food and celebrate the festivities with healthier options. Giving Out (Tricks or) Treats If you are...

September is Healthy Aging Month, and a great time to highlight nutrition needs of older adults. With advancing age, nutrient requirements change. Primarily, older adults need fewer calories but actually need more of many nutrients. Read on for a "Top 5" list of nutrition topics older adults need...

Summertime equals vacation time, and we want to enjoy it! But enjoying your vacation does not mean you have to forget about your health. Whether traveling by car or eating for days at the beach's hotel restaurant, try these tips to keep your health on track. Tips for Travel (car...

One tiny berry packs a nutritious and versatile punch as we celebrate the blueberry during National Blueberry Month. Starting in June and throughout the summer, look for subtly sweet blueberries growing locally in Illinois. Nutritionally, blueberries are like many fruits: low in calories,...

It's that time of year where fresh garden produce is more readily available. Whether from your own garden or the farmer's market down the street, that garden fresh taste is hard to beat. Unfortunately, most produce we find in the grocery store is harvested before it is ripe and transported many...

School is ending for the year and kids everywhere are excited to start their summers. Whatever the kids are doing, make sure they eat healthy lunches this summer. For kids who will be staying home alone or with siblings, will they need to make their own lunches? If so, be sure to stock kitchens...

Whenever I teach on food groups – to youth and adults – there are always a few foods I mention that overlap into two food groups. Not that we cannot put them into just one, but because foods have a lot of different nutrients, they might fit into more than one group. The current guide describing...

This March, Nutrition & Wellness Extension Educators across Illinois are excited to celebrate the start of the "Illinois Nutrition Edition" blog. We write this collaborative blog to be your source for information on issues and trends related to food, nutrition, and health. Nutrition is an ever...

There is such joy in enjoying the beauty of the seasons in healthy ways. Taking a walk to enjoy the gorgeous, colorful foliage, raking leaves with your family as a fun activity, and walking by foot to pick your own apples: these are just a few of my favorite fall fun activities. All of these...

If you are like many people struggling to keep the New Year's weight loss resolutions alive, March is a great month to help get back on track. The academy of nutrition and dietetics has designated March as National Nutrition Month. This year's theme is "Enjoy the taste of eating right." March will...

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by reporter Erica Quednau of WCIA-3's Current. Current, which airs after the Morning Show, focuses on a different theme each day and centers its stories around that topic. Obesity was the topic for that coming Thursday, and would I be willing to share my experience...

Fall is filled with little pleasures – every year I eagerly anticipate sipping hot apple cider on crisp autumn afternoons, se

There is a common misconception that everyone should drink two liters (68 ounces, or about eight 8-oz glasses) of water per day however this is not supported by scientific research. It is however a good rule of thumb. But why is this not an accurate statement? Well, it is because an individual's...

Pro= “supporting”…biotics= “life” Where do probiotics come from? The World Health Organization calls probiotics the “live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.” Probiotics are found in...

Humble and Hearty, root vegetables are the earthiest of produce and can add a variety of colors and flavors to your fall meals. Low in fat and calories, many roots serve as good sources of fiber which we all know is favorable for digestion, preventative for disease like heart disease and cancer...

Have you heard? The FDA recently announced plans to revamp the Nutrition Facts label. This tool was introduced more than 20 years ago (!) and was designed to help consumers make food choices in the supermarket. Many people think this information has made it even more challenging to figure...

When it comes to comfort food, macaroni and cheese is as classic as you can get. But forget the boxed versions -- if you're going to have the mac, do it right. Macaroni and cheese from scratch is far more satisfying, and you have better control over what goes in it. Unfortunately, some recipes go a...

Hash brown casserole is comfort food at its best, but not so comforting for your waistline. Try this healthier version that's cuts out fat and calories but keeps all the flavor! A perfect dish for your next brunch or potluck. (Scroll to the bottom of the post for a printable PDF version...