Cravings We all have been there! That late night trip to the ice cream store in your pajamas for a giant sundae, right? Not so quick! Sugar cravings can wreak havoc on the greatest of nutrition plans. If you're like most people in the U.S., you eat 19 teaspoons or more of added...

Thoughts of chocolates, flowers and romance are in the air as Valentine's Day approaches. February appropriately is also Heart Health Month which should help get us thinking about more long-term gifts for the special "Valentines" in our lives. Adopting a healthier eating pattern helps decrease the...

According to Mintel, a global research firm, sales of baby food significantly dropped between 2007 and 2011, and it's expected to continue to decline. The slump in sales have been attributed to more mothers making their own baby food, allowing moms to know what it's made out of and giving them a...

Any woman has probably heard the adage that breast milk is good for the baby, whether you are a mom or not. There are benefits of breastmilk, from immune health to strong...

Ever made a succulent pork roast, had a wonderful meal with family or friends, then sat down for a favorite television show and realized three hours later that the leftover cooked roast is still sitting on the kitchen counter? Food left in temperatures between 40° and 140°F, the danger zone, for...

Coming off the "Family Mealtime Challenge" in my unit last week (Dewitt, Macon, and Piatt counties), I am pumped to keep it going into October. October is Eat Better, Eat Together Month, and another time to encourage families to eat together. I think anymore I rarely have to convince families that...

You know what they say… "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach"…meaning a woman can make a man love her by cooking him good meals. Whether this is true or not, I believe that cooking a meal for someone is an act of love but what if you can't even boil a pot of water?! Although this can...

As the weather gets colder (well, in Illinois, it might go up and down even in fall and winter), the air is drier and our skin tends to feel it. This November for American Diabetes Month, let us befriend the challenges that come with living with diabetes, including skin care. Leading up to...

At one time, it was believed that people with arthritis should rest their joints but we now know that this is not the case. In fact, regular physical activity can actually help improve function, mobility and provide pain relief. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and lupus can all...

It has been a fairly mild autumn season and winter is starting to arrive with the cold weather. And cold and flu season. Who has been sick so far? The flu and many colds are caused by viruses. Viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics, since those kill bacterial infections. However, as miserable...

I believe that too much of anything- good or otherwise- can be harmful on our health but we really need to take a look at the types of oils we're consuming if we want to reduce our risk for chronic disease, obesity and other inflammatory conditions. Fat Watch I'm...

One of the most challenging things about eating out is the added salt (and thus added sodium). It sure makes our foods taste good, but eating less sodium has benefits to our health. As a refresher, table salt also goes by the name sodium chlori

**Follow these healthy skin tips to keep your skin soft and healthy all winter long** 1. Eat a healthy diet for radiant skin inside and out Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins are beneficial Limit processed foods, refined grains (white flour,...

One of the most challenging things about eating out is the added salt (and thus added sodium). It sure makes our foods taste good, but eating less sodium has benefits to our health. As a refresher, table salt also goes by the name sodium chloride. So

Mindful Eating: A conscious approach to health is a past blog post I've written that delves into the 'who, what, when, where, why and how' of our food choices. To keep it s

In a double whammy, March plays host to National Nutrition Month as well as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. (Although what month doesn't have several health celebrations attached to it!) There are a variety of health conditions that affect the digestive system, including the lower intestines,...

April is IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Awareness Month. If you don't know what IBS is or what it's like, then consider yourself lucky. Between 25 and 45 million people in the United States (10 to 15% of the population) are affected. The...

Our University of Illinois Extension Family and Consumer Sciences team has written about mindful eating before: Mindful Eating: A Conscious Approach to Health and <

May is American Stroke Awareness Month. Stroke is the fifth main cause of death and the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States. Would you recognize the symptoms of a stroke? Sudden difficulty moving your arms or legs, confusion, dizziness, headache, difficulty speaking, or...

If you are fortunate to be reading this blog, your eyes may be working well. For Healthy Vision Month, let's talk eye health and decode eye supplements. Nutrients in Eye Health All nutrients are important for health, and the eyes tend to accumulate carotenoids, like leutin,...