Live Well. Eat Well. 2014

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...

They're a cool and creamy summer treat, but you can end up sipping over 500 calories in just a few minutes. Can you have your milkshake and drink it, too? With a few recipe tweaks, yes! (Scroll to the bottom of the post for a printable PDF version of the recipes!)...

“What’s this whole thing about eating whole grains? At least half of my grains need to be whole grains?! Geez – how am I going to cram that much into my diet when I don’t have that much money to spend on food anyway?! All this healthy stuff is too expensive…I give up…” If that sounds like...

Gluten free, low sugar, no fat---doesn't that sound like a yummy Thanksgiving dinner? We could be describing a trend in modern dieting,however, what we are talking about is the first Thanksgiving. When coloring hand traced turkeys and making paper bag vests in elementary school we learned that the...

As you may have heard, the Nutrition Facts panel is about to undergo renovations. Seems like the same old story. Just when you've gotten used to something, it up and changes. But change isn't always bad, and we need it in order to move forward. To get a better idea of whether this one is good or...

Butternut squash soup sounds healthy enough. I mean, it's gotta be good for you... it's got vegetables! Right? Yes, you're getting lots of good stuff from the squash - vitamin A, fiber, potassium, and so on. But butternut squash soup typically includes high-fat ingredients like cream for silky...

Caprese Pasta Salad Makes 18 cups Ingre

Dr. Mehmet Oz – talk about a polarizing personality. I get questions all the time about the latest supplements and diets about which he's waxed poetic. Usually I just roll my eyes at his outrageous claims and explain why they're not worth the time or money. But thanks to recent events, it'...

Every year, Illinoisans all over the state take advantage of farmers' markets for local, fresh, in-season produce. In fact, Illinois is ranked #3 in the nation for having the highest number of farmers' markets. Farmers' markets are a great place to enjoy the outdoors while shopping for good deals...

Recently, the sweet potato (but not the regular potato) has been touting the sought after "super food" status that all foods strive to bear...and all health and fitness buffs swear by. But what about the sweet potato's pale, pasty brother, the regular potato? He's become nothing but a...

Farmers market season is almost upon us, a sure sign that spring is finally here. After a seemingly endless winter, many are ready to get outside and browse the stalls filled with colorful, fresh produce.And if you don't already frequent farmers markets, you might want to consider a trip. But why...

Apple donuts - the quintessential fall-time treat. But donuts, no matter what their flavor (even if they have fruit!), are typically high in fat, sugar, and calories. Fried and smothered in sugar or glaze sure makes them delicious, but you can get your donut fix without all the extras. No need to...

It's state fair season! If you can't make it out to the fairgrounds and need a funnel cake fix, you can have it any time of year with this healthier alternative. (Scroll to the bottom of the post for a printable PDF version of the recipe!) Basic Funnel Cake...

As we've posted before, canning is a great way to use the foods you have grown in your garden or have purchased from your local farmers' market. Canning allows us to enjoy the wonderful tastes of summer all year long, but to keep your food safe, you have to know which method of canning to use....

In case you were curious, the maximum monthly allowance for SNAP (aka Food Stamps) participants is this: Family of 1: $189.00 = $47.25/week Family of 2: $ 347.00 = $86.75 Family of 3: $ 497.00 = $124.25 Family of 4: $ 632.00 = $...

March is National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign created by the American Dietetic Association. T

When you think of yogurt, what comes to mind? Words like, fruity, smooth, creamy, and sweet. Perhaps visions of smoothies or parfaits dance through you head. Some of us health minded folks might think the health benefit of probiotics, as mentioned in...