It’s inevitable that we all get older, but as my grandpa used to say, “it’s better than the alternative!” Our bodies experience many changes as we age, including those that we can see, like gray hair or wrinkles and those not as visible, such as the stiffening of our blood vessels and arteries...

This article is written by Illinois State University dietetic intern, Maggie Loveridge. Maggie spent four weeks of her internship with University of Illinois Extension.Ever heard of the slogan ‘Taste the rainbow,’ by the famous candy brand Skittles®? While you may ‘taste’ the rainbow when...

Swiss chard is the less popular green when it sits next to spinach and kale, but it deserves its shining moment, too. It has big, dark green leaves and stalks that can be white, red, or a rainbow of colors including yellow and orange. It has a slightly bitter taste, but that can be resolved with...

Dark leafy greens are not everyone’s cup of tea. Collard greens, kale and turnip greens, for example, can taste bitter, especially when not handled in a way to alleviate some of that bitterness. However, spinach is a dark leafy green, less bitter than most, and still packs the nutritional punch of...

A little spring cleaning and decluttering can be hard work, but the end result is worth it. According to National Science Foundation (NSF), the kitchen is said to be the germiest room in the house. Everyday tasks, such as washing dishes and prepping food can actually spread bacteria if not done...

I always like to read about current culinary food trends, and one in particular caught my eye: spicy desserts. My colleague had just made our team a pan of brownies baked with cayenne pepper, and it was surprisingly delicious. It brought a touch of heat that never had my mouth on fire, but rather...

Do you or your family have that “signature dish” that can be found at every holiday meal and family gathering? For my mother’s side of the family that dish is what we simply call “banana salad.” My grandmother would bring it to every family outing, and now that she has passed away, it’s the worthy...

We’ve been told that flaxseed is good for us, but what exactly is it, and what do I do with it?  Flaxseed is the seed of the flax plant. It’s an annual plant with green leaves and generally has either pale blue or bright red flowers. The fruit of the plant is a dry round capsule, which...

It’s not easy having a new baby; the sleepless nights, the dirty diapers and the seemingly endless amount of washing that has to be done. But of course, there are the fun tasks, too, and one of my favorite joys was feeding my baby. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies should be...

Barley is a whole grain that brewing companies most often desire to produce malt. However, it’s more than just a beer necessity. Barley is a wonderful addition to many different varieties of soups and may be a cabinet staple this time of year.  Out of all the whole grains, barley is just...

Most of us have a love for great tasting food. We can get tasty foods through a variety of ways: fast food and restaurant fare, convenience foods at the grocery store, or made-from-scratch meals at home.  Generally, the made-from-scratch foods have the greatest potential of offering the...

Early settlers began using cast iron for cookware hundreds of years ago, and it’s no wonder they’re still found in many home kitchens today. Cast iron is extremely versatile; it can be used to bake cornbread, stir-fry vegetables, or sear a fillet. The heavy pans will provide more even heat...

Someone once told me a story of their search to buy lemon zest at the grocery store. Seeing it on the ingredient list of a new recipe, they didn’t quite know what they were looking for but were puzzled when there appeared to be no such thing. To a novice cook, “zest” or “zesting” may be an...

It’s not always easy to snack on healthy foods, especially during big games like the Super Bowl where the fruit and veggie trays get passed over for the wings and dips. However, healthy snacks don’t always have to be in the form of fresh produce. A homemade trail mix can provide a nutritious mix of...

Eating more plant-based foods is a good goal for most everyone. After all, only 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. meet the recommended 1 ½-2 cups of fruit and 2-3 cups of vegetables each day. Plant-based eating is trending, and whether you are ditching the meat altogether or you’re simply trying to eat...

You’ve likely been told to eat more fresh foods and less processed foods for better health. It may sound simple, but what exactly does the term “processed” mean, and what about the terms, “ultra-processed” and “minimally processed?” Let’s dive into some definitions set by the NOVA classification...

To some, coffee is a love like no other; it’s a must-have every morning with a specific preference for the “perfect cup.” But a new type of coffee has been swarming the internet: mushroom coffee. Luckily, it is not coffee that tastes like mushrooms. On the contrary, it tastes and looks much like...

Kefir (pronounced ‘kuh-feer’) is a fermented dairy product that is in the mix of “good for the gut” foods, along with kimchi and yogurt. Kefir is made with a starter called kefir grains, which are not grains at all but rather cultures of bacteria and yeast that resemble small cauliflower florets....

It’s the time of year where pomegranates appear in the produce section of the grocery store. This round fruit is about the size of a softball and has shiny red, leathery skin with a blossom end that looks like a crown. They make a decorative holiday centerpiece for the dinner table, but they also...

It’s the beginning of the new year and so often we set resolutions around physical health, including diet and exercise, but we might be missing out on opportunities to work on other areas of wellness, including the eight dimensions of wellness, which are all interwoven: physical, financial,...