Live Well. Eat Well. 2014

"All that and a bag of chips"---this phrase is usually a slam against someone who is conceited or arrogant. Perhaps the phrase originates in the concept of completeness; a meal complete with a "bag of chips". The phrase itself got me to thinking…."and a bag of chips" is ubiquitous in our society,...

Have you ever gotten an e-mail, text, or letter that made you go, "Wow, what is her problem?" In text, short sentences and using lots of periods can convey curtness. In person, the same message is tempered by facial expressions, gestures, and tone of voice. The written word is tricky – so much can...

We love customizable burritos and bowls, but do you know how to make yours diet-friendly? The giant tortilla, rice, beans, and corn make it a carb fest, while cheese and sour cream ramp up the fat. Roll it all together (literally!) and the calorie count - like the burrito - is as "big as your head...

The kids are back in school, so what better time to make over everyone's favorite cafeteria classics? Fried finger foods like chicken nuggets and "tater tots" are high-fat and not the best choice for growing brains and bodies. (Not to mention for adults watching their weight.) Our faux-fried...

June is National Dairy Month, a time to celebrate all the nutritious benefits of milk, cheese and yogurt. But what if you don't do dairy? Whether it's for food preferences, religious purposes or health reasons, there are lots of reasons why people may not partake. Food companies...

Fact or Fiction? The average person will gain between 7-10 pounds over the holiday season (mid-November-January). Fiction! Though we may begin to see this statistic in various places such the gym, CNN or even in a staff newsletter this time of year…it is more...

Images courtesy of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Illinois official spring hunting season is here. No, I am not talking about wild turkey

Spinach artichoke dip sounds healthy, but does it live up to the name? Not so much. Sure, spinach and artichokes are on the ingredient list, but the dip is really more about the creamy, gooey cheese than veggies. My philosophy is that if you're going to indulge, why not get some extra nutrition? I'...

What do kale, dark chocolate, red wine, pumpkin, salmon, flax, walnuts, broccoli all have in common? They regularly appear grouped together as "superfoods." The term is one of the latest and greatest buzzwords and is even defined by the online Oxford Dictionary as "a nutrient-rich...

Everyone back on a normal sleep schedule? Check. New shoes broken in? Check. Backpacks fully loaded? Check. Frozen pizza for dinner? Wait a minute. Life is hectic, and maybe even more so around the change of seasons when the kids head back to school. Yes, frozen dinners and takeout meals are easy....

Fudgy or cakey, who doesn't love a good brownie? But they can pack hundreds of calories in just one small square. Here's a healthier version with 50% less fat and only 150 calories, with the added deliciousness of a cream cheese swirl. Yum! (Scroll to the bottom of the post for a...

This is my third post now touting the health benefits of sprouts, and inspired by a recent study published in the Journal of Cancer Prevention Research. 291...

Mothers tend to take better care of others than they do of themselves in some cases, but there is one way to help all mothers this M

Each year, the summer season signals the arrival of juicy, sweet peaches. In the United States, most peaches are grown in California, Georgia, and South Carolina. Unfortunately, our cold temperatures in Illinois are not typically suited for abundantly growing this wonderful fruit tree....

Pita chips are the perfect vehicle for all sorts of dips. They're super easy to make at home, so why not?Start with 6" whole grain pitas. Using kitchen shears, cut them into pieces and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet prepped with nonstick spray.Brush the tops...

Want to make a small change that will have lasting health benefits? Try cutting down on salt! One easy way to do this is by using more herbs and spices in cooking. Fresh or dried, either can enhance the flavor of any dish. Pairing Foods with Herbs and Spices Learning what...

A muffin makes a quick and easy breakfast when you're in a rush, but oversized baked goods can set you on the path for poor eating the rest of the day. Make your own muffins at home to save calories AND cash. (Scroll to the bottom of the post for a printable PDF version of the recipe...

Protein foods like beef, poultry, pork, and seafood take up the largest proportion of our food budgets. You can find deals at the market, but there are things we can do to save money even when meat isn't on sale. At the deli counter, specifically, lunch meats can be somewhat expensive because it's...

Low-fat beliefs 'Diet', 'weight loss', 'low-fat'…these terms usually go hand-in-hand and when looking at Gallup poll data from 2012 on Americans' views on best diets, Americans tend to...