As the weather gets cooler and the days get shorter, the cravings of a warm bowl of soup get stronger. Of course, the same goes for bisque, chowder or stew. While your taste buds may not care, there is a difference between them. The word "soup" generally refers to ingredients, such as meat and...

Most people wouldn't think twice about buying a bag of beautiful orange carrots, but what if those carrots were white? Back in Roman times, wild carrots were actually white, not orange. According to Philipp Simon, research geneticist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers prior to the 16th...

At first mention, carrot cake may not sound all that good. After all, who eats vegetables for dessert? Of course, if you've ever had carrot cake, you know that its added sugars and fat make it far from tasting like a vegetable. But the following recipe uses a mix of sugar substitutes to eliminate...

There are so many good things about shrimp that it would be a shame to not include these tiny crustaceans in your diet. Shrimp are very lean with only 90 calories and 1.5 grams of fat per 3-ounce serving. They're also a good source of vitamin B-12, iron and zinc. And while shrimp have gotten a bad...

It's been said that fondue originated in the 18th century in Switzerland as a way to feed hungry families during the winter when fresh foods were scarce. Aged cheese became delicious when heated with wine and herbs, and stale bread would soften when dipped. This method of having a communal pot for...

Do you ever feel remorse when you toss out those broccoli stems or radish tops? With a growing fight to reduce food waste (it's estimated that America wastes 70 billion pounds of food each year!) even the so-called food "scraps" need a second look. Many of these stalks, stems, leaves and peels are...

Your recipe calls for almonds but when you get to the store to quickly grab a bag you realize you have to choose between natural, blanched, unblanched, roasted or raw. Who knew there were that many choices for one little nut? More than likely, the only almond you've ever had was produced in...

I would argue that there isn't much better in life than a cool and refreshing ice cream cone on a hot and humid day. I think everyone can agree that ice cream and summer-time definitely go hand-in-hand. Unfortunately, on average a ½ cup serving of vanilla ice cream weighs in at about 15 grams of...

I'm pleased to introduce guest blogger and Illinois State University, Food Nutrition and Dietetics student, Austin Duffell! With the New Year in full swing, many people are excited to try out their New Year Resolutions. When talking wi

I am pleased to introduce guest blogger and Illinois State University dietetic intern, Noel Konken! Tired of your average cold sandwich with a smashed banana that barely survived your early-morning commute? Swap out your packed lunch for a capped lunch! Get creative with your lunch this...

It's dad's turn to celebrate the joys of fatherhood. And what better way to thank him for all the whisker rubbing hugs and hours spent teaching us how to ride a bike, than with food? But not just any food: Dad food. Dad food is quite simply food that your dad loves. For many dads, that includes "...

Most recipes make a family-sized portion, causing a weeks' worth of leftovers for someone who's only cooking for one or two people. While beef and noodles may be your favorite meal you probably hesitate buying a whole roast knowing you'll grow tired of

During spring, asparagus is everywhere!  You may notice it is on sale at the grocery store, or it may even be popping up in your own garden at home. Asparagus is a spring crop that is easy to grow and very cheap in the spring, which may leave you with a surplus of the vegetable in your...

Not many people can bite into a lemon without emitting a puckered face. And, no, that is not some kind of lemon-challenge! While a lemon's flesh may be too sour to eat on its own, when combined with other ingredients, it can produce a flavor that is simply delightful. Lemons may be available all...

This week's blog post is guest written by Illinois State University student, Paige Meints. She is an undergraduate student studying Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics at ISU. When I think of summer, I think of the smell of burgers, charbroiled on the grill. Although delicious, hamburger meat patties...

Move over coffee. According to the Tea Association of the U.S. Inc., total hot tea sales have increased more than 17% over the last five years and are expected to double over the next five. While Americans still drink far more coffee than tea, coffeehouses are offering more varieties of tea. The...

Kale is the queen of greens. It's been hailed as one of the healthiest vegetables on the planet. We're talking about a green plant that provides 1,000 percent of your daily requirements for vitamin K and over 100% of your daily requirements for both vitamins A and C. Yep, it's super. But is it...

This week's blog post was written by our Nutrition and Wellness intern, Paige Meints. She is a student at ISU studying Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics. Zucchini is a popular summer crop in the Midwest because it's a low maintenance plant and is fairly easy to grow. Zucchini plants do not take up...

This July 29th we celebrate an Italian classic: Happy National Lasagna Day all you lasagna lovers. A cheesy, gooey pan of carbs is what makes this meal a favorite of all ages. The ingredients are simple, inexpensive, and feeds an army, making the whole family happy. Lasagna begins with the flat-...

Tofu anyone? Ok. Most people look at me like I'm a weirdo when the "t" word is mentioned. However, tofu is one of the ultimate convenience foods; it's quick and easy to use in a wide variety of dishes. Before you write it off, you must first know a little bit about it. Tofu is made by coagulating...