Simply Nutritious, Quick and Delicious 2015

Pick a Peck of Apples!

According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, the United States produces roughly 9 billion pounds of apples each year, a distant second from China. While the state of Washington is our lead producer, it may be surprising to hear that every state in the U.S. produces apples. The...
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Broth or Stock: What's the difference?

Is there a difference between broth and stock? Well, it depends on who you ask. Some will say there's a world of a difference, while others will tell you it's the same exact thing. If you ask me, I say use them interchangeably. Most trained chefs will tell you that a stock is made from the bones...
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Walk Your Way Through a Healthy Day

Holiday decorations are already crowding the stores, which means all the holiday foods and treats will soon be crowding our tummies. But if we start a healthy routine now, we just might be able to make it through all the temptations and traditions without gaining a pound. We've all heard the advice...
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Stone Fruit 101

Some southern Illinois orchards will be booming with stone fruits, including peaches and cherries. But because these fruits along with apricots, plums, and nectarines prefer warmer climates without as much risk for a spring frost, they may be few and far between in Illinois backyards. Nonetheless,...
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Limiting Scary Amounts of Sugar

If you have children at home you're probably all too familiar with the loads of candy you're child receives in the month of October. While we all know that overloading our children with sugary treats isn't the healthiest, how can we lessen the temptations, but still not deprive our children of the...
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It's National Soup Month!

This weeks blog post is written by Illinois State University graduate student-intern, Jeanne Arbuckle. This is a great time of year for soup. After all, it's National Soup Month. Wouldn't it be wonderful to come home to the smell and warmth of a hearty soup cooking on the stove? Soups can be...
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What Makes the Food on Your Plate So Colorful?

Do you ever wonder why spinach is green, why strawberries taste sweet, or why basil smells so good? It's all thanks to the plants phytochemical composition. Phytochemicals are a variety of compounds produced by plants that may be responsible for its unique color, taste, and smell. Researchers...
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Should I Be Worried About Artificial Sweeteners?

Artificial sweeteners have endured a lot of controversy over the years. We've been told they cause cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, digestive problems, and more. Yet, credible organizations, such as the National Cancer Institute, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and American Heart Association...
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